Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Versify, 2021).
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New Voices: Evan Griffith & Sajni Patel on Reflecting Strength in Stories
Above image: downtown Austin from Lady Bird Lake, photo by Ron Rabakukk
Today I’m chatting with two debut Austin authors with very different books, but both feature strong female protagonists who were envisioned by creators dedicated to letting readers see themselves in stories.
Evan Griffith‘s picture book biography Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power,
Continue Reading New Voices: Evan Griffith & Sajni Patel on Reflecting Strength in Stories »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: We All Play by Julie Flett (Greystone Kids, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Author Interview: Karen Cushman on What Sparks Her Inspiration
Today we welcome Karen Cushman to Cynsations. She is the author of Newbery Medal winner The Midwife’s Apprentice (Clarion, 1995), the Newbery Honor book Catherine Called Birdy (Clarion, 1994) among many other prize-winning historical fiction novels. Today Karen will talk to us about her newest book,
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Cynsations: Celebrating Children’s & Young Adult Literature
Cover reveal! AANIIN: I SEE YOUR LIGHT, written by Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe), illustrated by Nanibah Chacon (Navajo)(Heartdrum, Jan. 27, 2026). Now available for pre-order!
YA Books With Indigenous Characters: Heartfelt, Innovative, and Groundbreaking Stories from Epic Reads.
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Carolrhoda Books, 2021).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Peter Sís: Uncovering a Story of Hidden Heroism by Julie Danielson from BookPage.
New Voices: Adiba Jaigirdar & Kim Johnson on Their Journeys to Publication
Today Cynsations celebrates the debuts of YA authors Adiba Jaigirdar and Kim Johnson. They discuss their journey to publication—the inspiration, the challenges, and the accomplishments. Both authors drew from their own experiences and identities to create their compelling stories.
Adiba Jaigirdar
What was your initial inspiration for writing this book?
Continue Reading New Voices: Adiba Jaigirdar & Kim Johnson on Their Journeys to Publication »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Author Interview: Up Close and Personal with Tonya Bolden by Mrs. G from Here Wee Read. Peek: “[M]y first love is writing for children. History is my passion…[I]f we hook our young people on history—if we make history come alive for them—we really put them on the path of lifelong learning,
Guest Post: Crisis Playbook from the Team at Raven Quill Literary Agency
By Jacqui Lipton and the RQLA Team
The pandemic has hit us all in different ways, but one comment that’s been made a lot lately is how nothing much should change for authors because so much of what we do is solitary.
Sure, there are questions about how the pandemic will affect the publishing industry generally,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Crisis Playbook from the Team at Raven Quill Literary Agency »
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gail Vannelli, Gayleen Rabukukk, and Stephani Eaton for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Voices of Change by Roxanne Fequiere from Elle. Peek: Elizabeth Acevedo: “We need more writers of color who are given space beyond their first book… editors,