New Voices: Alda P. Dobbs & Debbie Zapata Create Books Inspired by Family

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Spotlight image: Debbie Zapata reads Up and Adam, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang (Kids Can Press, 2022) with the assistance of an American Sign Language Interpreter for a group at an Austin park.

Today we welcome two Texas authors to Cynsations to share their path to publication for books inspired by their own families.

Continue Reading New Voices: Alda P. Dobbs & Debbie Zapata Create Books Inspired by Family »

Native Voice: Joelle Bearstail on Bear’s Braid & Bullying

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Joelle, congratulations on the release of your picture book Bear’s Braid, illustrated by Denise Tadlock (Mascot Books, 2021)! Could you tell us about your journey to becoming a children’s author and your initial inspiration for writing this story?

Thank you! It has been new and exciting so far.

Continue Reading Native Voice: Joelle Bearstail on Bear’s Braid & Bullying »

New Voices: Casie Bazay & Ginny Myers Sain on Persistence

By AJ Eversole & Gayleen Rabakukk

We’re happy to welcome two debut Oklahoma YA authors to Cynsations today! Casie Bazay’s novel, Not Our Summer (Running Press Kids) released on May 11, 2021 and is a #1 Oklahoma Bestseller. Ginny Myers Sain‘s novel, Dark and Shallow Lies was published by Razorbill/Penguin on September 7,

Continue Reading New Voices: Casie Bazay & Ginny Myers Sain on Persistence »