Author & Illustrator Interview: Patricia Newman & Natasha Donovan Reflect on A River’s Gifts

By Linda Joy Singleton

Spotlight image: Patricia Newman signs a book for Bebe, the narrator of A River’s Gifts book trailer.

I’m excited to celebrate an amazing new book by Sibert Honor award winning author Patricia Newman and acclaimed illustrator Natasha Donovan. I’ve been lucky to be in a critique group with Patricia for over a dozen years—she’s one of the best critique partners ever.

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Author Interview: Jyoti Rajan Gopal Reflects on Owning Her Identity as a Writer

By Suma Subramaniam

We’re thrilled to welcome Jyoti Rajan Gopal to Cynsations.

When you look back on your writing journey, what are the changes that stand out?

There are several moments that stand out!

I knew that children’s publishing was extremely hard to break into,

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Native Voices: Traci Sorell on Writing With & About Community

By Kim Rogers

Today, I’m excited to welcome back Traci Sorell, former Cynsations reporter and award-winning author. Traci’s book Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer, illustrated by Natasha Donovan, was published by Millbrook Press in March. Her book We Are Still Here: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know,

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Guest Post: Debbie Gonzales on Kidlit Promotion & Personal versus Business Pinterest Accounts

By Debbie Gonzales

The typical Pinterest user searches the platform for one-off ideas to enhance their projects. Such pinners typically establish Personal Accounts on which to save and classify pins they find to be educational, inspirational, or edifying.

Oftentimes, book creators build what are known as “mood boards” by selecting and categorizing pins that visually represent themes,

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Illustrator Interview: Ellen Beier on a New Beginning for an Acclaimed Picture Book

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Back in 2011, Cynsations shared Ellen Beier‘s research and illustration process working on a historical picture book manuscript. Since then, the book’s journey has taken a few interesting twists and turns.

Readers fascinated by Lindsey Lane‘s Cynsations series on Books Going Out of Print may be especially intrigued by this new stage of the book’s journey.

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Author Interview: Kate Hosford on Poetry & Science in A Songbird Dreams of Singing: Poems About Sleeping Animals

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Author Kate Hosford‘s latest book, A Songbird Dreams of Singing: Poems About Sleeping Animals, illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter (Running Press, 2019), explores the sleeping habits of 17 different animals through poetry and exposition. The book piqued my curiosity, and I’m very exited to share a peek at Kate’s process with Cynsations readers.

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Co-Authors Interview: Tami Lewis Brown & Debbie Loren Dunn

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Today I’m excited to interview two fellow Vermont College of Fine Arts graduates, Tami Lewis Brown and Debbie Loren Dunn about their new nonfiction picture book, Instructions Not Included, illustrated by Chelsea Beck (Disney-Hyperion, 2019).

Congratulations on Instructions Not Included! It’s a fun and inspiring book.

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Author Interview: Elizabeth Rusch on Balancing Multiple Projects

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Elizabeth Rusch is an accomplished author who joins us today to discuss her newest picture book and share insight on juggling multiple projects.

Congratulations on Glacier on the Move, illustrated by Alice Brereton (West Margin Press, 2019)! It joins a long list of your other titles that includes both fiction and nonfiction,

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