Samantha M. Clark and Melanie Sumrow
Today I’m excited to share the publishing journeys of two Texas middle grade authors, Samantha M. Clark and Melanie Sumrow.
Both are members of the Electric Eighteen debut author group and both are passionate about community involvement as a component of publishing success.
Continue Reading New Voices: Samantha M. Clark & Melanie Sumrow on Writing Communities »
September is yoga month!
So as a former preschool teacher I was thrilled to interview Nora Carpenter about her fantastic new picture book Yoga Frog, illustrated by Mark Chambers (Running Press Kids, 2018). From the promotional copy:
Frog loves to practice yoga.
By Traci Sorell
This is a watershed year for the release of Native young adult novels.
From Eric Gansworth’s Give Me Some Truth (Scholastic, 2018), the followup to his If I Ever Get Out of Here (Scholastic, 2013), and Tim Tingle’s Trust Your Name (7th Generation,
Continue Reading New Voice: Dawn Quigley on Apple in the Middle »
Traci & Frane in Tahlequah (Cherokee Nation Capital), June 2017
Traci Sorell is the debut author of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, illustrated by Frané Lessac (Charlesbridge, 2018). From the promotional copy:
Otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is a word that Cherokee people use to express gratitude.
Continue Reading New Voice: Traci Sorell on We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga »
By Robin Galbraith
for Cynthia Leitich Smith‘s Cynsations
Adrienne Kisner is a Vermont College of Fine Arts alum and a hilarious fellow classmate, so I jumped at the chance to interview her about her funny and heart-wrenching debut YA novel, Dear Rachel Maddow (Feiwel &
Continue Reading New Voice: Adrienne Kisner on Dear Rachel Maddow »
By Karen Kane
How you use feedback can make or break your story.
Which feedback do you follow?
Which feedback do you ignore?
Most importantly, how can you make sure the feedback you do use deepens your writing, and not derails it?
Here’s what I know about feedback: you are in charge.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Karen Kane on Analyzing Feedback »
After years of writing you finally have your very first book deal! Now what? How do you promote your debut novel? I talked to four Maryland debut authors from the Electric Eighteens to get the inside scoop on how debut groups for young adult and middle grade authors work.
Deborah Schaumberg, Continue Reading New Voices: Inside Scoop on Debut Author Groups with J.H. Diehl, Lauren Abbey Greenberg, Jonathan Roth & Deborah Schaumberg »
By Traci Sorell
Juana Martinez-Neal is a force of nature already this year.
Having won the 2018 Pura Belpré Award for her illustrations in La Princesa and the Pea, written by Susan Middleton Elya (Putnam, 2017), she now has her own debut picture book,
By Traci Sorell
I’m delighted to share my interview with Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, a fellow Epic Eighteen debut author of Mommy’s Khimar, illustrated by Ebony Glenn (Salaam Reads, 2018)).
This cheerful and empowering story which centers on a young Muslim, African American girl who loves wearing her mommy’s khimar (headscarf) received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.
Continue Reading New Voice: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow on Mommy’s Khimar »
By Traci Sorell
I’m overjoyed to feature The Little Red Fort by author Brenda Maier and illustrator Sonia Sánchez (Scholastic, 2018) here on Cynsations.
This new picture book is a contemporary retelling of The Little Red Hen, featuring spunky Ruby and her three brothers who are not interested in helping her build a fort.
