Guest Post: Author Alex Sanchez Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Rainbow Boys

By Alex Sanchez

I’ve actually been writing longer than twenty years, but to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of my first novel, Rainbow Boys (Simon & Schuster, 2001)(Woo-hoo!), here are a few life lessons I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. They don’t need to be other writers,

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Picture Book Biographies: Azadeh Westergaard & Meghan P. Browne Reveal Their Writing Processes

By Stephani Martinell Eaton and Gayleen Rabakukk

Azadeh Westergaard

We are delighted to welcome author and illustrator Azadeh Westergaard to Cynsations today. Azadeh’s debut picture book, A Life Electric, illustrated by Júlia Sardà (Viking, 2021), focuses on the life of Nikola Tesla.

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Guest Post: Holly Green & Emma Kress Talk About Writing Fierce Girls in YA Fiction

By Holly Green and Emma Kress

Cynsational Note: Today we are honored to welcome two YA debut authors, Holly Green and Emma Kress, who talk about their debut year and the importance of writing strong, fierce female characters.

Emma: Hi, Holly! I’m so excited we get to chat about our books together for Cynsations!

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Guest Interview: Elisa Zied & Liara Tamani Discuss Writing, Revisions, & Publishing

By Elisa Zied

I recently read Liara Tamani’s All the Things We Never Knew (Greenwillow, 2020)—a 2020 Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book of the Year that’s now out in paperback—and I couldn’t put it down. I laughed, cried, and swooned over the romantic, immersive, and layered story—a perfect YA novel.

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New Cynsations Reporter Clara Hammett

By Stephani Martinell Eaton

Today, I am excited to welcome Clara Hammett to the Cynsations Team! Clara joins us as a reporter-at-large covering the many facets of the children’s-YA community. I know that Clara’s enthusiasm for books and their creators will surely endear her to Cynsations readers.

Welcome to Cynsations! Could you tell us about your vision for your coverage here at the blog?

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Rita Williams-Garcia Weaves Truth with Imagination in A Sitting in St. James

By Stephani Martinell Eaton

I am excited to welcome Rita Williams-Garcia back to Cynsations. Rita is the celebrated author of One Crazy Summer (HarperCollins, 2010), Clayton Byrd Goes Underground (HarperCollins, 2017), and Jumped (HarperCollins, 2009). Welcome, Rita.

Tell us a little bit about your newest release,

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New Voices: Evan Griffith & Sajni Patel on Reflecting Strength in Stories

By Gayleen Rabakukk

Above image: downtown Austin from Lady Bird Lake, photo by Ron Rabakukk

Today I’m chatting with two debut Austin authors with very different books, but both feature strong female protagonists who were envisioned by creators dedicated to letting readers see themselves in stories.

Evan Griffith‘s picture book biography Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power,

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Guest Post: Tirzah Price on Retelling Jane Austen with Murderous Intent

By Tirzah Price

The biggest question I’ve received from readers when they hear that I’ve written a murder mystery retelling of Pride and Prejudice is why? I don’t know if they ask this because they think that Austen is somehow sacred, or if the mash up seems so incongruous, but I always think,

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Author Interview: Corey Ann Haydu on Finding the Joy in Writing

By Bree Rae

Today, I am excited to welcome the critically-acclaimed middle grade and young adult author Corey Ann Haydu to Cynsations. Corey Ann is the author of many books for middle grade and young adult readers including her Edgar Award nominated young adult novel Eventown (Katherine Tegen Books, 2019).  

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