Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!
By AJ Eversole
Spotlight image: Authors Laurel Goodluck with Brian Young at the National Indian Education Association Convention with NIEA staff members.
Check out the cover for a new picture book by Cynsations own Suma Subramaniam, My Name Is Long As A River, illustrated by Tara Anand, due out from Penguin Workshop on May 28, 2024. From the publisher’s description:
In this sweeping picture book, an Indian girl discovers the power of her name as she travels along the river she was named after.
Continue Reading Cover Reveal & Author Snapshot Suma Subramaniam on My Name Is Long As A River »
Congratulations to Laurie Goodluck on the publication of Rock Your Mocs, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) (Heartdrum/HarperCollins, Oct. 10, 2023). From the promotional copy:
We’re stepping out and kicking it up.
Wearing beauty on their feet—as art, as tradition, with style, with pride—kids from different Native Nations know every day is a day to rock your mocs.
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Laurie Goodluck Reflects on Influences & Forever Cousins »
Congratulations to Carole Lindstrom on the publication of Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, illustrated by Bridget George (Roaring Brook Press, Sept. 19, 2023)! From the promotional copy:
The seventh generation is creating
A sea of change.
It was a soft voice, at first.
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Carole Lindstrom on Writing & Marketing on Two Continents »
Spotlight Image: Author Tameka Fryer Brown, photo by D.E. Photography
Over the summer I read That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith (HarperCollins, 2023) and was awed by the story, the art, and how Tameka made this topic so accessible for young readers.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Tameka Fryer Brown on Telling the Truth & That Flag »
Congratulations to Lupe Ruiz-Flores on her new picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, illustrated by Anna López Real (Millbrook, Sept. 5, 2023). From the promotional copy:
During the Great Depression, Ernestine Guerrero’s family didn’t have much. The Mexican American teen was so grateful for the government food aid they received in San Antonio,
By Gail Vannelli and Gayleen Rabakukk
Spotlight image: Doan Phuong Nguyen celebrates the release of her new book.
Today Cynsations is excited to share the publishing journeys of two children’s authors, Doan Phuong Nguyen and Patricia Tanumihardja. Doan Phuong is the author of Mèo and Bé (Tu Books,
Today we welcome author Darshana Khiani to talk about her journey to becoming a published author and how writing her new book, I’m An American, illustrated by Laura Freeman (Viking, May 2, 2023) presented very different challenges from her debut picture book, How to Wear a Sari,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Darshana Khiani on Finding a Structure to Tell Your Story »
Spotlight image: Shachi Kaushik celebrating Diwali with her new book.
I love sharing the success stories of Austin authors with Cynsations readers. Today I’m interviewing two debut picture book authors, Shachi Kaushik and Susan Johnston Taylor, about their paths to publication and advice for aspiring writers.
Continue Reading New Voices: Shachi Kaushik & Susan Johnston Taylor Share Picture Book Advice »
Path to publication stories always intrigue me, especially those that feel very serendipitous. Take, for instance, Ian Falconer‘s Olivia (Atheneum, 2000), a story he originally wrote for his three-year-old niece (also named Olivia) as a Christmas gift in 1996.
“I thought I’d do a little book for her,