Author Interview: Kari Lavelle on Personal Connections to Nonfiction, Organizing Research & Community Support

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 Gayleen Rabakukk

Spotlight image: Author Kari Lavelle signing copies of Ode to Grapefruit at the NCTE conference.

I’m very excited to welcome fellow Austin author Kari Lavelle to Cynsations.

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Guest Interview: Author Lindsay Leslie Interviews Illustrator Ellen Rooney

By Lindsay Leslie

Illustrators. To me, very much a writer, they are magical. They take the visions in our heads and make them real.

Or, they take the visions in our heads and say, “Well, those visions are pretty cool, but check this out.”

And, Surprise! They bring a book’s words to life in a way you never would have imagined.

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Guest Post: Author Christina Soontornvat on the Downs (and Eventual Ups) of Making It Past that Debut Year

By Christina Soontornvat

“You’re on fire!”
“Rockstar!”
“You’re killing it!”

Those are the types of comments that came across my social media feed last fall as I posted screenshots of my most recent book deal announcements.

Due to publishing’s funky and unpredictable timing, I had back-to-back announcements two weeks in a row: one for my middle grade nonfiction about the Thai Cave Rescue and another for my new chapter book series,

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Querying Alternative: Author Lindsay Leslie & Editor Charlotte Wenger on Twitter-Pitching Manuscripts

Querying Alternative: Author Lindsay Leslie & Editor Charlotte Wenger on Twitter-Pitching Manuscripts

Learn more about Lindsay Leslie

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Submitting queries can sometimes feel like tossing a bottled message into the ocean: you’re not sure when or if you’ll get a reply.

Through social media authors now have additional avenues for connecting with publishing gatekeepers.

I recently interviewed upcoming debut 

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