Rob Justus
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
After not drawing for about 15 years, I picked up a pencil for the first time and rediscovered my love for creating. I would say I’ve always had a quirky mind that would go to outlandish places,
By Traci Sorell
Today, we have two award-winning Epic Eighteen debut authors, Christy Mihaly, author of Hey, Hey, Hay: A Tale of Bales and the Machines that Make Them, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (Holiday House, 2018) and Jessie Oliveros, author of The Remember Balloons,
Continue Reading New Voices: Christy Mihaly & Jessie Oliveros on Their Paths to Publication »
Story beginnings are so important, it’s no wonder they get a lot of attention.
Writers not only have to come up with a fresh idea, they have to nail an opening hook that sets up the main character, grounds the reader in a specific setting, and gets a compelling story problem rolling.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Lori Mortensen on Writing Story Endings & If Wendell Had a Walrus »
I’ve been thinking a lot about page turns in picture books recently, and all of the amazing things they can do, including:
Show the passage of time
Using page turns to show the passage of time is probably the usage that everybody is familiar with.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Agent-Author Tracy Marchini on Page Turns in Picture Books »
By Traci Sorell
Today I’m pleased to shine the Cynsations’ spotlight on Dana Wulfekotte, a fellow Epic Eighteen member. Her debut picture book, Rabbit & Possum (Greenwillow, 2018), features the antics of these two friends hoping to share a snack but having to overcome an obstacle first.
Continue Reading New Voice: Interview & Giveaway: Dana Wulfekotte on Rabbit & Possum »
By Traci Sorell
I am pleased to shine the spotlight on a fellow Epic Eighteen debut picture book, Love, Mama by author-illustrator Jeanette Bradley (Roaring Brook, 2018). From the promotional copy:
When Mama leaves her young penguin Kipling, he knows she’ll return home soon—yet he still can’t help but miss her.
Continue Reading New Voice: Interview & Giveaway: Jeanette Bradley on Love, Mama »
Cheryl Lawton Malone is the author of the picture book, Elephants Walk Together, illustrated by Bistra Masseva (Albert Whitman, 2017). From the promotional copy:
As calves, Asian elephants Precious and Baba roam the wild together, curious and proud.
But when they get captured and are split up,
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Author Cheryl Lawton Malone on Elephants Walk Together »
By Traci Sorell
In addition to covering publishing news pertaining to Native creators for Cynsations, I am excited to shine a spotlight on fellow Epic Eighteen authors and illustrators, all of whom have a debut picture book coming out in 2018.
One of the first releases from our group is Snow Sisters! Continue Reading New Voice Interview & Giveaway: Kerri Kokias on Snow Sisters! »
