Writers Alex Sanchez, Anica Mrose Rissi & Sheela Chari Reflect on Teaching Writing

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

By Michael Leali

The world of children’s literature is a rich landscape of teaching and learning. Many acclaimed writers seek to share their knowledge, building up the next wave of writers for young people.

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Guest Interview: Meredith Davis Talks with Carolyn Leiloglou about Writing a Middle Grade Series & Marketing Strategies

By Meredith Davis

Carolyn, I was so excited to meet you since we’re both publishing with Waterbrook (an imprint of Penguin Random House). I’m thrilled about your recent release, Beneath the Swirling Sky! Can you give readers a brief synopsis?

Sure! Beneath the Swirling Sky (WaterBrook, 2023) is the story of twelve-year old Vincent,

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Author Interview: E.L. Shen Discusses Her Latest Book, Maybe It’s A Sign & Her Author-Editor Life

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

By Suma Subramaniam

I am thrilled to welcome E.L. Shen to Cynsations today!

Congratulations on the release of Maybe It’s a Sign,

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Wearing Two Hats: Editors & Agents Who Write: Editor Arthur Levine & Agent Joan Paquette

By Helen Kampion

Featured image: Arthur Levine and Levine Querido crew celebrate 100 starred reviews.

Most of us think that agents and editors just do agenting or editing. But what if they are also writers? Does this make a difference how our work is viewed? Evaluated? This three-part series asks agents and editors to share their thoughts and experiences on wearing two hats.

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Wearing Two Hats: Editors & Agents Who Write: Editor Irene Vázquez & Agent James McGowan

By Helen Kampion

Spotlight image: Irene Vázquez & Levine Querido Marketing Director Antonio Gonzalez Cerna

Most of us think that agents and editors just do agenting or editing. But what if they are also writers? Does this make a difference how our work is viewed? Evaluated? This three-part series asks agents and editors to share their thoughts and experiences on wearing two hats.

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Wearing Two Hats: Editors & Agents Who Write: Editor Frances Gilbert & Agent John Cusick

By Helen Kampion

Spotlight image: agent John Cusick signing a contract

Most of us think that agents and editors just do agenting or editing. But what if they are also writers? Does this make a difference how our work is viewed? Evaluated? This three-part series asks agents and editors to share their thoughts and experiences on wearing two hats.

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Editor Interview: Joy Bean of Arctis Books Brings European Titles to U.S. Readers

By Elisabeth Norton

Today I’m welcoming Joy Bean, Lead Editor for Arctis Books, to Cynsations. Joy, many readers might not be familiar with Arctis Books. Can you tell us more about the company?

Arctis Books USA is the sister company of NorthSouth Books, which readers may be very familiar with,

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Cover Reveal: Carmen Oliver on Turning Editor Critiques into Published Books

By Carmen Oliver

Editor critiques are invaluable in many ways. They offer insights and takeaways that if we’re open to receiving them, they can improve our stories and lead to publishing contracts in unexpected ways. Some of the best ways to meet editors who are actively looking to acquire new manuscripts are face-to-face or virtually at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator (SCBWI) conferences,

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Editor Interview: Levine Querido’s Nick Thomas on Perspectives & Accessibility

By Elisabeth Norton

Today I’m talking with Nick Thomas, Senior Editor at Levine Querido, an independent publisher of books for young readers that was founded by Arthur A. Levine in 2019.

Nick, thank you for joining me! 

Thank you for having me! Cynsations is one of my favorite websites—I use it as a resource all the time to learn from creators and publishing people I respect.

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Guest Post: Kelly Jensen Discusses How Much-Needed Anthologies Fill Gaps in Youth Literature

By Kelly Jensen

It was mid-2014 when I got a rush of frantic messages on Twitter from a number of authors telling me to be in touch with Elise Howard at Algonquin Young Readers (AYR). She really wanted to talk with me.

One talk quickly led to a group call with Krestyna Lypen,

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