By Ann Jacobus
It’s an unusual moment when our writing group is in full agreement. But in this case, we knew we had to bring our friend Frances Lee Hall’s wonderful middle grade story to young readers.
The question was how?
Frances Lee Hall
We had all just attended her memorial service.
Just about a year ago, I became a Writing Barn Fellow, which means I serve as a teaching assistant and provide logistical support for classes and workshops.
It also means that I’ve gotten to know author Bethany Hegedus better and I couldn’t pass up the chance to interview her about her new picture book biography, Continue Reading Author Interview: Bethany Hegedus on Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird »
Cheryl Lawton Malone is the author of the picture book, Elephants Walk Together, illustrated by Bistra Masseva (Albert Whitman, 2017). From the promotional copy:
As calves, Asian elephants Precious and Baba roam the wild together, curious and proud.
But when they get captured and are split up,
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Author Cheryl Lawton Malone on Elephants Walk Together »
Liara Tamani is the debut author of Calling My Name (Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2017). From the promotional copy:
This unforgettable novel tells a universal coming-of-age story about Taja Brown, a young African American girl growing up in Houston, Texas, and it deftly and beautifully explores the universal struggles of growing up, Continue Reading New Voice: Liara Tamani on Calling My Name »
Today we welcome author Clete Barrett Smith, discussing his new novel, Mr. 60% (Penguin Random House, 2017).
I heard Clete read the opening chapter several years ago for his graduate reading at Vermont College of Fine Arts. It gave me chills,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Clete Barrett Smith on Writing Challenging Stories & Mr. 60% »
Leah Henderson is the debut author of One Shadow On the Wall (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, June 6, 2017). From the promotional copy:
An orphaned boy in contemporary Senegal must decide between doing what is right and what is easy as he struggles to keep a promise he made to his dying father in this captivating debut novel laced with magical realism.
Continue Reading New Voice: Leah Henderson on One Shadow On the Wall »
By Cynsations Readers
Over the past couple of weeks, children’s-YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith put out a call for questions from readers on Cynsations and Twitter. Here are those she elected to tackle and her responses. A few questions were condensed for space and/or clarity.
See also a previous Cynsations reader-interview post from November 2010.
Continue Reading Cynsations Readers Interview Cynthia Leitich Smith »
Stephanie Lyons is the first-time author of Dating Down (Flux, 2015). From the promotional copy:
At Café Hex, Samantha Henderson can imagine being the person she really wants to be.
It’s her place to daydream about going to art school and getting away from her politician father.
Linda at Cliffs of Moher
You’re a writer and an agent. Let’s start with Writer You. How did you come to literature for young readers?
When I was in middle school, I was obsessed with YA, like R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series (St. Martin’s Griffin), Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley High books (Bantam),
Continue Reading Agent Interview: Linda Camacho on Prospect Agency »
The annual award will showcase the best picture book manuscript as selected by a panel of judges and will be among the few children’s book honors with a cash prize.
Roanoke, Va. – Hollins University is paying tribute to one of its best-known alumnae and one of America’s most beloved children’s authors by establishing a literary award in her name.
Continue Reading Hollins Launches Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children’s Literature »
