Today, I am excited to welcome to Cynsations Alison Green Myers, author of the middle grade novel This Way to Happy (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2025), and Alexandra Villasante, author of the young adult novel Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025),
Continue Reading Authors Interview: Alison Green Myers & Alexandra Villasante on Sophomore Novels »
Your latest book, At The Edge Of Lost (Scholastic, 2025), is a survival adventure story set in Seattle and Bainbridge Island. What was the inspiration for this story?
I really wanted to write another dog story—but one more intimate, even, than To Catch a Thief (Scholastic,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Writing, Teaching & a New MFA Program with Martha Brokenbrough »
Today we have the final installment of the MG Escapades series with Graphic Novelists Stan Yan and Angela Hsieh. And we’re also chatting with the group’s founder, Sara Shacter about how the group got started in case you’ve been thinking about putting together a marketing group.
Today we continue meeting more members of the MG Escapades group, this time chatting with debut authors who have fantasy novels publishing this year: Leslie Adame, Alby C. Williams, Carey Blankenship-Kramer, Sarah Mendonca, Christina Cornwell,
Today we’re welcoming several middle grade authors to Cynsations: Emily Deibert, Kerry Madden Lunsford, Sara F. Shacter and Jess Callans, all middle grade novelists—mostly debut authors—collectively known as the Middle Grade Escapades. Their books fall into the contemporary,
I’m very excited to welcome two Austin authors who have both written middle grade books with a series second releasing this year. Meredith Davis is the author of The Minor Rescue (Waterbrook, May 2025), and Mari Mancusi wrote Dawn of the Dragons (Little Brown,
Continue Reading Authors Interview: Meredith Davis & Mari Mancusi on Book Series & Promotion »
Today, I am excited to welcome Miriam Chernick to share her writing journey with Cynsations. Her debut The Zuzu Secret (Charlesbridge, 2025) is a heartwarming story about spunky Josie, her older brother Abe, and a bearded dragon. Two real life icons: James Herriot the British veterinary surgeon and author,
I’m thrilled to welcome Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member and author Sara Ryan to Cynsations today. Their new book, Mountain Upside Down (Dutton, 2025) perfectly mixes the excitement of discovering one’s own identity, with the challenges of shifting family dynamics and outside forces beyond our control.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Sara Ryan Shares Library Love, Plus Craft, Career & Life Advice »
One chilly morning at the New England SCBWI conference Padma Venkatraman met me with warmth and included me in her conversation because I was one of the few people of color in that room. Many years later, in 2024, I attended a Highlights Foundation retreat on Writing through Trauma and Grief to Empower Readers where she was guest faculty—this time we chatted over cups of tea and shared our love of poetry.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Padma Venkatraman on Poetry, Publishing & Diverse Verse »
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!
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.
Continue Reading Reflections on Craft: Using Specific Details to Draw Readers into a Story »