Author Interview: Nora Shalaway Carpenter on Crafting Short Stories & Editing “Cli-Fi” Anthology, Onward

By Mitu Malhotra

Today we are excited to welcome to Cynsations, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, contributing editor of Onward (Charlesbridge Teen, 2026) a collection of sixteen short stories published on Feb. 24. While reading Nora’s latest anthology, I was reminded of Amitav Ghosh’s words: “The climate crisis asks us to imagine other forms of human existence—a task to which fiction is the best suited of all cultural forms.” Kirkus Reviews called this book “A powerful look at a shifting world,” and in a starred review,

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New Voices: Author Cathy Petter on Picture Book Revision, the Author-Editor Relationship & Embracing Inspiration

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.

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Author Interview: Shirin Shamsi Reminisces on Her Writing Journey & Winning the South Asia Book Award

By Suma Subramaniam

I am thrilled to welcome Shirin Shamsi to Cynsations today!

Congratulations on winning the South Asia Book Award! How has winning the award changed or affected your creative life? What hasn’t changed?

Thank you Suma. It truly is an honor that means so much to me.

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New Voices: Doan Phuong Nguyen & Patricia Tanumihardja Share Inspirations & Publishing Journeys

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,

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Author Interview: Jyoti Rajan Gopal Reflects on Owning Her Identity as a Writer

By Suma Subramaniam

We’re thrilled to welcome Jyoti Rajan Gopal to Cynsations.

When you look back on your writing journey, what are the changes that stand out?

There are several moments that stand out!

I knew that children’s publishing was extremely hard to break into,

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Guest Interview: Liz Garton Scanlon & Carol Kim on Finding the Story You’re Meant to Write

By Liz Garton Scanlon

The Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is particularly vibrant, and among its many offerings is a mentorship program named for Cynthia Leitich Smith!

I have been the program’s mentor twice, most recently working with the wonderful Carol Kim.

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Native Voices: Author & Illustrator Interview: Carole Lindstrom & Michaela Goade

By Kim Rogers

Today, we’re chatting with Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Métis) author of We are Water Protectors (Roaring Brook, 2020) and Michaela Goade (Tlingit), who is the book’s illustrator. I met Carole and Michaela at Kweli in New York City in 2018.

Carole is also the author of Girl’s Dance,

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