Career Achievers: Uma Krishnaswami on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s Author

Career Achievers: Uma Krishnaswami on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s Author

Learn more about Uma Krishnaswami.

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field.

Reflecting on your personal journey, what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success? 

Continue Reading Career Achievers: Uma Krishnaswami on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s Author »

Cynsations Intern: Robin Galbraith on Giving Yourself Permission to Write

Cynsations Intern: Robin Galbraith on Giving Yourself Permission to Write

Would-Be Kid Writer Robin

By Robin Galbraith

I tried to write my first story when I was in second grade. My family was gathered around the TV like every night. While “M*A*S*H” played in the background, I stared at my blank paper and dreamed up what I thought was a hilarious story of a girl who used every possible excuse to avoid going to bed—a subject I knew well.

Continue Reading Cynsations Intern: Robin Galbraith on Giving Yourself Permission to Write »

Guest Post: Carmela A. Martino on Pulling a Novel From the Drawer & Playing By Heart

Guest Post: Carmela A. Martino on Pulling a Novel From the Drawer & Playing By Heart

By Carmela A. Martino

If I’d known how long and difficult the path to publication would be for my new young adult novel, Playing by Heart (Vinspire Publishing, 2017), I might never have started down this road. The journey began when I set out to write a picture book biography of a little-known 18th-century female mathematician.

Continue Reading Guest Post: Carmela A. Martino on Pulling a Novel From the Drawer & Playing By Heart »

New Voice: Bonnie Pipkin on Aftercare Instructions

New Voice: Bonnie Pipkin on Aftercare Instructions

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Bonnie Pipkin is the debut author of Aftercare Instructions (Flatiron Books, 2017). From the promotional copy:

“Troubled.” That’s seventeen-year-old Genesis according to her small New Jersey town. She finds refuge and stability in her relationship with her boyfriend, Peter—until he abandons her at a Planned Parenthood clinic during their appointment to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.

Continue Reading New Voice: Bonnie Pipkin on Aftercare Instructions »

Author Interview: Kate Hosford on Theme, Re-imagined Colonialism & How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea

Author Interview: Kate Hosford on Theme, Re-imagined Colonialism & How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Today we welcome author Kate Hosford to chat about How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea,
illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (Carolrhoda Books, 2017). From the promotional copy:

Each day when the Queen wakes up, three maids dress her,

Continue Reading Author Interview: Kate Hosford on Theme, Re-imagined Colonialism & How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea »

Author Interview: Leda Schubert on Lyrics, a Music Legend & Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing

Author Interview: Leda Schubert on Lyrics, a Music Legend & Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Today we welcome Leda Schubert, author of Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing, illustrated by Raúl Colón (Roaring Brook Press, June 13, 2017). From the promotional copy:

Listen.
There was nobody like Pete Seeger.
Wherever he went,

Continue Reading Author Interview: Leda Schubert on Lyrics, a Music Legend & Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing »