By Mitu Malhotra
Today we are excited to welcome Cathy Petter to share her writing journey with Cynsations.
Cathy’s debut, Dear Moxie, Dear Rex, illustrated by Bryony Clarkson (Reycraft Books, 2025), was released on Sept. 16. This picture book is an epistolary experiment that reveals the true feelings of two pets.
Today we are excited to welcome Cordelia Jensen to Cynsations to talk about her latest verse novel Lilac and the Switchback (Holiday House, 2025). Cordelia who is a Vermont College of Fine Arts alumnx has published lyrical and accessible verse novels for a decade.
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 overjoyed to welcome children’s author Doan Phuong Nguyen, who has written two middle grade books related to her Vietnamese heritage.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Doan Phuong Nguyen on Immigration, Assimilation & Writing »
Congratulations to Abigail Hing Wen on the publication of Loveboat Forever (HarperTeen, Nov. 7, 2023), companion to her previous title, Loveboat, Taipei (HarperTeen, 2020). The adaptation of her first novel is now streaming on Paramount+ as Love in Taipei. From the promotional copy:
Pearl was ready for a worldwide stage.
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Abigail Hing Wen on Character Development »
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” »
Thirteen and In Between
The year I was 13, I grew from five-foot-seven to five-ten and three quarters. One day, a seventh grader gazed up at me and snapped, “Move, you big palooka.” You could say that moment I felt pretty small.
That year I also ran our school carnival.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Lyn Fairchild Hawks Advocates for Thirteen-Year-Old YA Protagonists »
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,
As much as I’m a reader, I also love movies and television. As I recently told my boyfriend, “I’m addicted to story,” and I have been for as long as I can remember. Growing up, Disney animated features like The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin were some of my absolute favorites.
My journey in calendaring my manuscripts did not begin with a calendar. It began with a list—a lengthy, elaborate document I had created to cross-reference dates, settings, and activities for my main character Yasmeen in my debut middle grade novel, Wishing Upon the Same Stars (HarperCollins, 2022). I thought my list was perfect.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Jacquetta Nammar Feldman: Your Manuscript Needs a Calendar! »
When I was brand-new to Austin, my fellow Vermont College alumnx welcomed me to the local kidlit community, especially Anne Bustard. At a writing retreat six or seven years ago, Anne told us she was working on an intergenerational story set in the 1960s, with a small Texas town planning a UFO welcome festival.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Anne Bustard’s Advice on Historical Fiction & Far Out! »