Reflections on Craft: Using Specific Details to Draw Readers into a Story

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

Earlier this year I had an experience that made me reflect deeply on perspective and details. My husband and I attended a Jon Batiste concert.

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New Voice: Ginger Reno on Believing in Yourself & Debut Novel, Find Her

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

Today I’m excited to share my interview with debut author Ginger Reno (Cherokee) about her path to publication and her middle grade novel,

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Throw Back Thursday: Margaret Peterson Haddix on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s-YA Author

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!

Congratulations to Margaret Peterson Haddix on the publication of The Stolen Key, the third book in the Mysteries of Trash and Treasure series (Quill Tree,

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Author Interview: Hena Khan on Learning New Techniques to Reach Readers Across Age Categories & in Various Formats

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 Mitu Malhotra

Today we welcome Hena Khan to Cynsations as she discusses her new middle grade graphic novel, We are Big Time,

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Throwback Thursday: Sally J. Pla Discusses the Importance of Honest Depictions of Autism & Mental Health

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!

Congratulations to Sally J. Pla on the publication of Invisible Isabel, illustrated by Tania de Regil (Quill Tree, 2024)! From the publisher’s website:

…an illustrated middle grade novel about introverted Isabel Beane,

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Author Interview: Uma Krishnaswami on Writing Sequels, The Use of Italics & When It’s Time to Listen to Your Inner Critic

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 Mitu Malhotra

Spotlight image: Author Uma Krishnaswami, photo by S. Shrikhande

Today we are excited to welcome Uma Krishnaswami to Cynsations.

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In Memory: Author Kate Banks & Author-Illustrator Leonard Everett Fisher

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

Author Kate Banks

“Prolific children’s book author Kate Banks, known for prose praised as lyrical, clever,

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Author & Agent Interview: Meredith Davis & Alyssa Eisner Henkin on Timing, Trends, the Market & Writing From the Heart

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

I’m beyond excited to welcome my writing buddy and Vermont College classmate, Meredith Davis back to Cynsations, along with her agent,

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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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