Today, I am excited to welcome Miriam Chernick to share her writing journey with Cynsations. Her debut The Zuzu Secret (Charlesbridge, 2025) is a heartwarming story about spunky Josie, her older brother Abe, and a bearded dragon. Two real life icons: James Herriot the British veterinary surgeon and author,
Spotlight image: Authors A.S. King, Mitu Malhotra, Jane Houng and Heather Demetrios at the 2024 Highlights Retreat.
In the spring of 2024, I attended a Highlights Foundation In-Community Retreat organized by the Rebecca Dykes Writers. This transformative retreat, designed for authors crafting books for children and teens,
Rhonda DeChambeau is a Massachusetts children’s author and poet, and also an experienced speaker and presenter. Her debut YA novel in verse, Top Heavy (Holiday House, 2025), is a beautifully written book about Esme, a fifteen-year-old talented dancer who is thrilled to make the Elite dance team.
Continue Reading New Voice: Rhonda DeChambeau on Writing a YA Verse Novel About Body Issues »
I’m thrilled to welcome Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty member and author Sara Ryan to Cynsations today. Their new book, Mountain Upside Down (Dutton, 2025) perfectly mixes the excitement of discovering one’s own identity, with the challenges of shifting family dynamics and outside forces beyond our control.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Sara Ryan Shares Library Love, Plus Craft, Career & Life Advice »
Spotlight image: Author Marta Crisp
Author Marta Crisp
Marta M Crisp (Marty), a well-known children’s author, died from complications of the flu on Dec. 29, 2024, according to the Hampton Cove Funeral Home. Marty worked for many years as a journalist at the Lancaster Sunday News in Lancaster,
Spotlight image: Illustrator S.D. Nelson and co-authors Donna Janell Bowman and Billy Mills at a 2024 event.
I’m thrilled to welcome fellow Austin author and Vermont College alumnx Donna Janell Bowman to discuss collaborating with Olympian Billy Mills on Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Donna Janell Bowman on Collaborating with Olympian Billy Mills »
Spotlight image: Co-Authors Reneé Critcher Lyons and Helen Kampion at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center bookstore.
Today I’m pleased to welcome two fellow Vermont College alumni, Helen Kampion and Reneé Critcher Lyons to Cynsations to discuss their recent picture book biography, Rollin’ On Down The Line: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights,
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!
Spotlight image: Author Candice Ransom with a few of her 180 published books at a library event.
There was no doubt I was going to be a writer of children’s books.
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!
Spotlight Image: HarperCollins Publisher and Vice President Rosemary Brosnan with Heartdrum Author-Curator Cynthia Leitich Smith
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!
Spotlight image: Author Uma Krishnaswami, photo by S. Shrikhande
Today we are excited to welcome Uma Krishnaswami to Cynsations.