By Traci Sorell
Today we’re chatting with picture book authors Viviane Elbee and Hannah Holt, both members of the Epic Eighteen debut group.
Viviane Elbee
Viviane Elbee, debut picture book author of Teach Your Giraffe to Ski (Albert Whitman, 2018), crafts a story that according to Kirkus Reviews “conceals a how-to for conquering one’s fears.”
Illustrated by Danni Gowdy and told in second person,
Continue Reading New Voices: Vivian Elbee & Hannah Holt on Persistence »
Writers spend a lot of time alone which is why it’s so important that writers find communities and support. There are lots of ways to do that.
It just so happens that the debut authors we are celebrating today are writing partners and have shared with each other the struggles and joys of the writing life.
Meet Katy Loutzenhiser,
By Traci Sorell
Picture book authors Beth Anderson and Tina Cho‘s debut books both explore actual events and both authors agree, craft study and critique groups are vital components on the path to publication.
Beth Anderson
Beth Anderson and I share a love of nonfiction. Her debut picture book, An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin &
Continue Reading New Voices: Beth Anderson & Tina Cho on Bringing True Stories to the Page »
By Traci Sorell
Today Cynsations features two debut picture book authors, Margaret Chiu Greanias and Melissa Stoller, both members of the Epic Eighteen group.
Margaret Chiu Grenias
Maximillian Villianous, the debut picture book of author Margaret Chiu Greanias, centers on Maximillian, a young monster who does not fit in with his ill-mannered family.
Continue Reading New Voices: Margaret Greanias & Melissa Stoller on Writing Craft Resources »
Gail Shepherd and Karen Strong, debut middle grade authors, both found inspiration for their books in southern settings. Today they share insights about their journeys to publication.
Gail Shepherd
I grew up with the Vietnam war in the background—it was always on TV. That war influenced my sensibility and my world view.
Continue Reading New Voices: Gail Shepherd & Karen Strong on Writing Southern Settings »
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, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte (Simon & Schuster, 2018).
Continue Reading New Voices: Christy Mihaly & Jessie Oliveros on Their Paths to Publication »
By Traci Sorell
I’m delighted to welcome Jen Betton and Aidan Cassie to Cynsations today to share their interesting journeys to becoming author-illustrators for children.
Jen Betton is winner of the 2012 SCBWI Illustration Mentorship Award and the Portfolio Grand Prize at NESCBWI in 2014. Last year, Putnam published her debut picture book, Hedgehog Needs A Hug,
I’m very excited to share the writing journey of two Austin debut picture book authors today. Jennifer Coleman is the author of The Texas Nutcracker, illustrated by Wade Dillon (Pelican, 2018) and Dan Marvin is the author of But I Don’t Eat Ants, illustrated by Kelly Fry (Pow! 2017).
Jennifer Coleman
As an author-teacher-librarian,
By Gayleen Rabakukk and Stephani Eaton
Elizabeth Brown is the debut author of Dancing Through Fields of Color, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro (Abrams, 2019), and Meera Sriram is the debut author of The Yellow Suitcase, illustrated by Meera Sethi (Penny Candy Books, 2019).
Elizabeth Brown
What first inspired you to write for young readers?
Continue Reading New Voices: Elizabeth Brown & Meera Sriram on the Journey to Publication »
It is with much joy that I introduce Jenn Bailey and Breanna McDaniel, two debut picture book authors who share their struggles and triumphs of bringing their highly personal stories to the page.
Jenn Bailey
What were the challenges in bringing the text to life?
I should probably start by explaining that A Friend for Henry (illustrated by Mika Song (Chronicle,
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