Remy Lai, author and illustrator of Pie in the Sky (Henry Holt, 2019) and Cory Leonardo, author of The Simple Art of Flying (Aladdin, 2019) reflect on the debuts of their middle-grade novels. For both, finding fellow writers as mentors or critique partners along the journey proved invaluable.
Continue Reading New Voices: Remy Lai & Cory Leonardo Reflect on their Middle Grade Debuts »
Writers spend a lot of time alone which is why it’s so important that writers find communities and support. There are lots of ways to do that.
It just so happens that the debut authors we are celebrating today are writing partners and have shared with each other the struggles and joys of the writing life.
By Traci Sorell
Picture book authors Beth Anderson and Tina Cho‘s debut books both explore actual events and both authors agree, craft study and critique groups are vital components on the path to publication.
Beth Anderson
Beth Anderson and I share a love of nonfiction.
Continue Reading New Voices: Beth Anderson & Tina Cho on Bringing True Stories to the Page »
Gail Shepherd and Karen Strong, debut middle grade authors, both found inspiration for their books in southern settings. Today they share insights about their journeys to publication.
Gail Shepherd
I grew up with the Vietnam war in the background—it was always on TV.
Continue Reading New Voices: Gail Shepherd & Karen Strong on Writing Southern Settings »
Meet YA authors Tiana Smith and Addie Thorley as they discuss their novels, inspiration, and advice for writers. Cynsations is excited to celebrate their debuts!
Tiana Smith
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
I’ve always loved telling stories.
Ideas for stories have to come from somewhere.
Today, Swati Teerdhala and Kip Wilson, two YA debut authors, share what inspired them to write their stories as well as advice they have for beginners.
Swati Teerdhala
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
Continue Reading New Voices: Swati Teerdhala & Kip Wilson on Funneling Inspiration Into a Book »
Today I am excited to introduce you to Joshua S. Levy and Karla Manternach, two middle grade authors whose debut novels surprised some of their friends. Joshua is the author of Seventh Grade Vs. The Galaxy (Carolrhoda, 2019) and Karla is the author of Meena Meets her Match illustrated by Rayner Alencar (Simon &
By Gayleen Rabakukk and Stephani Eaton
Elizabeth Brown is the debut author of Dancing Through Fields of Color, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro (Abrams, 2019), and Meera Sriram is the debut author of The Yellow Suitcase, illustrated by Meera Sethi (Penny Candy Books,
Continue Reading New Voices: Elizabeth Brown & Meera Sriram on the Journey to Publication »
It is with much joy that I introduce Jenn Bailey and Breanna McDaniel, two debut picture book authors who share their struggles and triumphs of bringing their highly personal stories to the page.
Jenn Bailey
What were the challenges in bringing the text to life?
Today I am excited to introduce Gillian McDunn and Julia Nobel, two middle grade, debut authors who have found real life settings as inspiration for their stories.
Gillian McDunn
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
As a kid,
Continue Reading New Voices: Gillian McDunn & Julia Nobel Find Inspiration in Real-Life Settings »