By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Robin Galbraith,
Gayleen Rabukukk & Kate Pentecost
Author/ Illustrator Insights
How Speak Became a Graphic Novel: Three Questions with Laurie Halse Anderson by Travis Jonker from School Library Journal.
New Voice: Caroline Leech on Wait for Me
Caroline Leech is the debut author of Wait for Me (HarperTeen, 2017). From the promotional copy:
It’s 1945, and Lorna Anderson’s life on her father’s farm in Scotland consists of endless chores and rationing, knitting Red Cross scarves, and praying for an Allied victory. So when Paul Vogel, Continue Reading New Voice: Caroline Leech on Wait for Me »
Career Achievers: David Lubar on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author
Revising in a Nazareth, PA; learn more about David Lubar.
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?
Cover Reveal: Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Wow! Today, BookRiot is hosting the official cover reveal for my upcoming realistic YA novel, Hearts Unbroken (Candlewick, Oct. 2018).
Click this link for the inside scoop on my initial inspirations for the story. You can also pre-order the book from Indiebound,
Continue Reading Cover Reveal: Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith »
Guest Post: Michele Weber Hurwitz on Being Pushed to Persevere
We writers know well the lessons of perseverance.
Neil Gaiman said: “This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy. And that hard.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe said: “Never give up,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Michele Weber Hurwitz on Being Pushed to Persevere »
Cynsational News
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.
Organizer Interview: Laura Pegram on Kweli Conference
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 »
Author Interview: Charlene Willing McManis on Mentorships & Believing in Your Work
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 »
Career Achievers: Jane Kurtz on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author
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?
New Voice: Nic Stone on Dear Martin
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.