Brenda Randolph, founder and director of Africa Access, was raised in the segregated schools and libraries of Richmond, Virginia.
“I was an avid reader, but I never encountered crude racism in children’s books,” she said. “I remember being irritated by some comments, but I never came upon viciously racist sentiments or characters. Continue Reading Guest Post: Karen Leggett Salutes the Children’s Africana Book Awards »
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?
Would-Be Kid Writer Robin
I tried to write my first story when I was in second grade. My family was gathered around the TV like every night. While “M*A*S*H” played in the background, I stared at my blank paper and dreamed up what I thought was a hilarious story of a girl who used every possible excuse to avoid going to bed—a subject I knew well.
Continue Reading Cynsations Intern: Robin Galbraith on Giving Yourself Permission to Write »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith & Gayleen Rabakukk
Author Interviews
We’ve Been Waiting in the Wings Forever: A Queer Theater Story by Amy Rose Capetta from CBC Diversity. Peek: “It’s no real secret that the theater world, from the professional stages in NYC to the drama clubs in most schools are havens for creative and hardworking LGBTQIAP folks.
Cynthia Levinson is co-author of Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, And the Flaws That Affect Us Today, also by Sanford Levinson (Peachtree, 2017). From the promotional copy:
Many of the political issues we struggle with today have their roots in the US Constitution. Continue Reading Author Interview: Cynthia Levinson on Fault Lines in the Constitution »
Jonathan Rosen is the debut author of Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies (Sky Pony Press, 2017). From the promotional copy:
Twelve-year-old Devin Dexter has a problem.
Well, actually, many of them. His cousin, Tommy, sees conspiracies behind every corner.
Continue Reading New Voice: Jonathan Rosen on Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies »
If I’d known how long and difficult the path to publication would be for my new young adult novel, Playing by Heart (Vinspire Publishing, 2017), I might never have started down this road. The journey began when I set out to write a picture book biography of a little-known 18th-century female mathematician.
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?
Oh, I did so many things wrong!
By Cynthia Leitich Smith & Gayleen Rabakukk
Author & Illustrator Interviews
YA Authors Nic Stone and Jared Reck Chat About Crafting Characters, Their Paths to Publication, and More by Shelley Diaz from School Library Journal. Peek from Nic Stone: “For me,
Check out the cover of Abraham Lincoln’s Dueling Words, a nonfiction picture book by Donna Janell Bowman, illustrated by S.D. Schindler (Peachtree, April 2018). From the promotional copy:
Long before he was our beloved president, Abraham Lincoln was known for his smarts and his knee-slapping humor.
Continue Reading Cover Reveal: Donna Janell Bowman on Abraham Lincoln’s Dueling Words »
