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!
Today we welcome authors Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith to Cynsations to discuss their collaboration on a new middle grade graphic novel series,
Congratulations to Tom Angleberger on the publication of his new graphic novel, Two-Headed Chicken (Candlewick, Sept. 6, 2022).
Take a look back at his reflection on Children’s Literature as a Team Sport. It first appeared on Cynsations in February 2020.
I’m coming up on the 10th anniversary of Origami Yoda (Amulet,
When I first met Jarrett Lerner, Book 1 of his series EngiNerds (Aladdin, 2017) was just coming out. Since then he’s completed the series and has been busy writing/illustrating early chapter books, graphic novel chapter books, activity books, and has a novel in verse and early readers coming down the pike.
Continue Reading Writing Chapter Books: Jarrett Lerner on What He Wants For His Readers »
By: AJ Eversole
I am happy to welcome Natasha Donovan to the blog today! Natasha is the illustrator of children’s books such as Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell (Lerner, 2021) and the forthcoming A River’s Gifts: The Might Elwha River Reborn by Patricia Newman (Lerner,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Natasha Donovan Talks About Her Artistic Journey »
By Alex Sanchez
I’ve actually been writing longer than twenty years, but to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of my first novel, Rainbow Boys (Simon & Schuster, 2001)(Woo-hoo!), here are a few life lessons I’ve picked up along the way.
1. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. They don’t need to be other writers,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Author Alex Sanchez Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Rainbow Boys »
I am excited to welcome Deborah Noyes to Cynsations to share with our readers her thoughts on the creative life, both about her own work and that which has influenced her.
Welcome, Deborah! Could you tell us about your new release?
A Hopeful Heart (Random House,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Deborah Noyes on the Creative Life & A Hopeful Heart »
One thing writers struggle with is getting their work to measure up to publishing standards. I am pleased to introduce our Cynsations readers the debut authors Stacy Hackney, author of Forever Glimmer Creek (Simon & Schuster, 2020), and Lily LaMotte,
I’m coming up on the 10th anniversary of Origami Yoda (Amulet, 2010) in a month or two. And it won’t be long until I hit the 20th anniversary of quitting my day job and deciding to really try being an author.
Have I learned anything? Gained any wisdom?
Continue Reading Guest Post: Tom Angleberger on Children’s Literature as a Team Sport »
Lee Francis IV
By Traci Sorell
Lee Francis IV is CEO/Publisher of Native Realities, owner of Red Planet Comics & Books store in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Organizer of Indigenous Comic Con.
Native Realities swept the Middle Grade category of 2018 award winners from the American Indian Library Association.
Continue Reading Interview: Lee Francis IV on Native Publishing, Bookstores & Indigenous Comic Con »
Lean more about Cartoonist and Teacher Gene Luen Yang.
Welcome to Cynsations. We last spoke to Dean Mary Francoise Rockcastle about the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults back in 2006.
When did you join the faculty? What appealed to you about teaching in a low-residency program?
