By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Robin Galbraith,
Gayleen Rabukukk & Kate Pentecost
Author/ Illustrator Insights
Interview: Uma Krishnaswami on Treadmills, Knitting, and P.G. Wodehouse from The Booking Biz. Peek:
“I don’t think that inspiration is necessarily a sparkling gold-tipped wand.
Laura Pegram, Kweli Journal Executive Director
By Traci Sorell
I am honored to showcase Kweli Journal and its Executive Director, Laura Pegram, on Cynsations.
Kweli’s The Color of Children’s Literature Conference for Native/POC emerging writers and illustrators will take place in New York City on April 6 and April 7.
Continue Reading Organizer Interview: Laura Pegram on Kweli Conference »
By Traci Sorell
I first met Charlene Willing McManis at Kweli’s 2016 The Color of Children’s Literature Conference in New York City. (She’s dressed in yellow below.)
Native writers at Kweli’s
Color of Children’s Literature Conference in April 2016
Front: L to R: Charlene Willing McManis (Grand Ronde); Continue Reading Author Interview: Charlene Willing McManis on Mentorships & Believing in Your Work »
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, what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success?
Nic Stone is the debut author of Dear Martin (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017). From the promotional copy:
Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut.
Authors William Alexander and Ursula K. Le Guin
Author Ursula K. Le Guin died while Cynsations was on winter hiatus.
Ursula K. Le Guin (1929 – 2018) from The Horn Book. Peek:
“Author Ursula K. Le Guin, who challenged the male-dominated fantasy and science fiction fields starting in the 1960s,
Author Julius Lester died Jan. 18 while Cynsations was on winter hiatus.
Julius Lester, whose literature explored African American life, dies at 78 by Emily Langer from The Washington Post. Peek:
“He once wrote that ‘the need to know more about my individual past led me to begin studying slavery.’
Cynsations reporter Traci Sorell checks proofs of her debut picture book.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Robin Galbraith & Gayleen Rabukukk
Author/Illustrator Insights
Kate DiCamillo: How She Became a Bestseller after 473 Rejection Letters by Linda Morris for The Sydney Morning Herald.
By Traci Sorell
In addition to covering publishing news pertaining to Native creators for Cynsations, I am excited to shine a spotlight on fellow Epic Eighteen authors and illustrators, all of whom have a debut picture book coming out in 2018.
One of the first releases from our group is Snow Sisters! Continue Reading New Voice Interview & Giveaway: Kerri Kokias on Snow Sisters! »
I’ve always had a fascination with Bigfoot; the idea that an ape/human creature could be secretly living in the woods both intrigued and terrified me as a child.
So when I got the opportunity to chat with the author and editor of Uncertain Summer by Jessica Lee Anderson (CBAY,
