Writers Alex Sanchez, Anica Mrose Rissi & Sheela Chari Reflect on Teaching Writing

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 Michael Leali

The world of children’s literature is a rich landscape of teaching and learning. Many acclaimed writers seek to share their knowledge, building up the next wave of writers for young people.

Continue Reading Writers Alex Sanchez, Anica Mrose Rissi & Sheela Chari Reflect on Teaching Writing »

Author Interview: Kate Hosford Discusses Poetry in Picture Books, Teaching Poetry & You’ll Always Be My Chickadee

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 Gayleen Rabakukk

Today I’m thrilled to share an interview with one of my fellow Vermont College of Fine Arts classmates, author Kate Hosford.

Continue Reading Author Interview: Kate Hosford Discusses Poetry in Picture Books, Teaching Poetry & You’ll Always Be My Chickadee »

Co-Author Interview: Kekla Magoon & Cynthia Leitich Smith on Collaboration, Careers & the Joy of Creating 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!

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Today we welcome authors Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith to Cynsations to discuss their collaboration on a new middle grade graphic novel series,

Continue Reading Co-Author Interview: Kekla Magoon & Cynthia Leitich Smith on Collaboration, Careers & the Joy of Creating Children’s Books »

Kidlit Caravan Authors Kimberly Wilson, Robyn McGrath & Suma Subramaniam Discuss Their Sophomore Books

By Suma Subramaniam

Cynsations welcomes Kidlit Caravan members, Kimberly Wilson, Robyn McGrath , and Suma Subramaniam today!

Why did you write this picture book?

Kimberly: A Dollar’s Grand Dream, illustrated by Mark Hoffmann and published by Page Street Kids,

Continue Reading Kidlit Caravan Authors Kimberly Wilson, Robyn McGrath & Suma Subramaniam Discuss Their Sophomore Books »

Guest Post: Author Tamara Ellis Smith & Illustrator Nancy Whitesides on Tackling Stories Close to the Heart

Today we welcome author Tamara Ellis Smith and illustrator Nancy Whitesides to Cynsations to discuss the joys and challenges of creating a book that’s close to the heart. Their new book, Grief is an Elephant (Chronicle, 2023) is available now. It’s Nancy’s debut book, so Tamara kicks off the interview with questions about Nancy’s path to publication.

Continue Reading Guest Post: Author Tamara Ellis Smith & Illustrator Nancy Whitesides on Tackling Stories Close to the Heart »

Cover Reveal & Author Snapshot: A Bindi Can Be… by Suma Subramaniam

Spotlight image: Suma Subramaniam and Kamala Nair

Check out the cover of A Bindi Can Be … written by Cynsations very own Suma Subramaniam and illustrated by Kamala Nair (Kids Can Press May 7, 2024).

From: the Kids Can Press’ website.

A young girl discovers that a bindi is more than just a dot that goes between her brows.

Continue Reading Cover Reveal & Author Snapshot: A Bindi Can Be… by Suma Subramaniam »

New Voices: Jacquetta Nammar Feldman & Sean Petrie: From Poetry to MG Novels

By Gayleen Rabakukk

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 »

Guest Post: Laura Sibson on Finding a Writing Process That Fits Each Book

By Laura Sibson

Hello! I am thrilled to be here as a guest reporter chatting with you about the writing process and how it changes for each book. I wondered if this was only true for me, but it turns out that lots of other authors experience the same phenomenon. In this post, I’ll share with you the distinctions in drafting my manuscripts and over the next few days,

Continue Reading Guest Post: Laura Sibson on Finding a Writing Process That Fits Each Book »