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!
Today I’m thrilled to share an interview with one of my fellow Vermont College of Fine Arts classmates, author Kate Hosford.
I first met Rajani LaRocca on a crisp fall day in November 2022 at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier. Her amazing energy stayed with me long after that weekend when she shared her writing journey and the art of juggling two full careers. Today we welcome Rajani,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Rajani LaRocca on Poetry, Verse Novels & Beating Writer’s Block »
Spotlight image: Mitu Malhotra and Lesléa Newman with Lesléa’s books.
Today we welcome Lesléa Newman to share her writing process. I have long admired Lesléa’s lyrical works for children. Her YA novel October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard (Candlewick, 2012) was a mentor text for me during my MFA journey.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Lesléa Newman Discusses Poetry, Point of View & Always Matt »
Congratulations to Carole Boston Weatherford on the publication of Kin: Rooted in Hope, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum, September 19, 2023). From the promotional copy:
Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford’s ancestors are among the founders of Maryland. Their family history there extends more than three hundred years, but as with the genealogical searches of many African Americans with roots in slavery,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Carole Boston Weatherford on Persistence & Poetry »
In the foothills of the Himalayas, when the fireflies danced and the moon rose over the sharp silhouettes of the world’s tallest peaks, I listened to my grandfather and father recite Urdu poetry: ghazals, nazms and shers—songs, poems and couplets reminiscing about life. Those are indeed my favorite childhood memories. Those were the long summer holidays before electronic media invaded our lives.
Continue Reading Cynsations Intern: Mitu Malhotra Reflects on “Where I’m From” »
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 »
Spotlight image: Irene Vázquez & Levine Querido Marketing Director Antonio Gonzalez Cerna
Most of us think that agents and editors just do agenting or editing. But what if they are also writers? Does this make a difference how our work is viewed? Evaluated? This three-part series asks agents and editors to share their thoughts and experiences on wearing two hats.
I’m thrilled to welcome two Austin/VCFA authors with debut middle grade novels. I met Jacquetta Nammar Feldman at an intensive at The Writing Barn, and Sean Petrie and I were Vermont College of Fine Arts students at the same time. It’s very exciting when passages you’ve read in a workshop become a published book!
Continue Reading New Voices: Jacquetta Nammar Feldman & Sean Petrie: From Poetry to MG Novels »
By Carol McAfee
Spotlight image by Taha on Unsplash
Today I want to talk to you about poetry.
You may not consider yourself a poet. You may be scared of poetry in the way I am wary of numbers and higher math, so much so that I would join the witness protection program to avoid them.
Continue Reading The Power of Poetry: Carol McAfee Shares Five Cool Things about Poetry »
By Carol McAfee
I am excited to speak today with author A.S. King whose books about trauma and resilience are so powerful, they hit you like a lightning bolt.
Welcome here today, Amy. Please tell us about you as a writer. Your aesthetic.
I write weird-to-surrealist novels about young adults in order to help readers of all ages face and heal from their trauma.