New Voice: Interview & Giveaway: Daria Peoples-Riley on This Is It, Illustration & Diversity

New Voice: Interview & Giveaway: Daria Peoples-Riley on This Is It, Illustration & Diversity

By Traci Sorell

To say that I’m thrilled to feature Daria Peoples-Riley, fellow Epic Eighteen member, today on Cynsations is an understatement.

This Is It (Greenwillow, 2018), her debut picture book as an author-illustrator, follows a young girl of color getting ready for a ballet audition.

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New Voice: Jessie Janowitz on Finding a Literary Agent & The Doughnut Fix

New Voice: Jessie Janowitz on Finding a Literary Agent & The Doughnut Fix

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Jessie Janowitz is the debut author of The Doughnut Fix (Sourcebooks, April 2018). From the promotional copy:

Tristan isn’t Gifted or Talented like his sister Jeanine, and he’s always been okay with that because he can make a perfect chocolate chip cookie and he lives in the greatest city in the world. 

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Career Achievers: Martine Leavitt on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author

Career Achievers: Martine Leavitt on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author

Learn more about Martine Leavitt.

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field. 

Reflecting on your personal journey (creatively, career-wise, and your writer’s heart), what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success?

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Guest Post: Agent-Author Tracy Marchini on Page Turns in Picture Books

Guest Post: Agent-Author Tracy Marchini on Page Turns in Picture Books

By Tracy Marchini

I’ve been thinking a lot about page turns in picture books recently, and all of the amazing things they can do, including:

  • Show the passage of time
  • Create humor
  • Dictate pacing

Show the passage of time 

Using page turns to show the passage of time is probably the usage that everybody is familiar with.

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Video: Rudine Sims Bishop on Mirrors, Windows & Sliding Glass Doors

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

In this video from Reading Rockets, Rudine Sims Bishop, professor emerita from Ohio State University, speaks on Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Doors as metaphors for diversity in children’s-YA literature.

See also Rudine Sims Bishop: In Appreciation by Sam Bloom from Reading While White and Mirrors,

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Interview: Lee Francis IV on Native Publishing, Bookstores & Indigenous Comic Con

Interview: Lee Francis IV on Native Publishing, Bookstores & Indigenous Comic Con

Lee Francis IV

By Traci Sorell

Lee Francis IV is CEO/Publisher of Native Realities, owner of Red Planet Comics & Books store in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Organizer of Indigenous Comic Con.

Native Realities swept the Middle Grade category of 2018 award winners from the American Indian Library Association.

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Career Achievers: Barry Lyga on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author

Career Achievers: Barry Lyga on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author

Learn more about Barry Lyga.

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field.

Reflecting on your personal journey (creatively, career-wise, and your writer’s heart), what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success?

Continue Reading Career Achievers: Barry Lyga on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author »