By AJ Eversole
Super excited to chat with debut author, Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams today on Cynsations. Reading An Expanse of Blue (Heartdrum, 2026) was a transformative experience for me. From the opening to poem I was hooked and ready to follow main character Aouli along on her journey. So far the young adult novel-in-verse has received a stunning three stars and released on May 19th!
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,
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!
I’m thrilled to welcome MG author Jenna Lee-Yun to Cynsations! I met Jenna at several SCBWI events in the Seattle area a few years ago,
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 AJ Eversole
I have seriously loved every title I’ve read that comes from the JoyRevolution imprint, and this YA Dystopian—featuring Black main characters who have to bring down the corporate overlords all while riding a forbidden,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Jill Tew On Writing Dystopian For A New Generation »
Congratulations to Melissa de la Cruz on The (Super Secret) Octagon Valley Society (Disney Hyperion, Sept. 5, 2023), the first book in a new middle grade series. From the promotional copy:
You only get in if you’re Extraordinary….
After passing an intense exam, Edwin Edgefield becomes one of the lucky few to attend an exclusive weekend at the mysterious high-tech institute of the uber-famous-ultrabazillionaire-genius-recluse Onasander Octagon.
By AJ Eversole
Today it is my pleasure to welcome Andrea Rogers to the blog. Andrea is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her YA horror debut, Man Made Monsters (Levine Querido, 2022) released in October.
What is the heart of Man Made Monsters?
Continue Reading Author Interview: Andrea Rogers on Writing Horror for Young Readers »
By Laura Sibson
When I first met Katherine Locke through a Philly author group, I was struck by the sheer number of ideas they have for stories and their ability to write across age groups. From picture books to middle grade anthologies to young adult novels with fantasy elements, Katherine can do it all.
Continue Reading Guest Interview: Laura Sibson Talks to Katherine Locke About Approach to Craft »
Photo of Kekla Visiting an Oakland Museum of California exhibit on the Black Panther Party. The wall images are spreads from The Black Panther, the Party’s weekly newspaper.
Today I am thrilled to welcome Kekla Magoon to talk about the process of researching and writing her multi-award winning book Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People (Candlewick,
Continue Reading Nonfiction for Older Readers: Kekla Magoon on How Discovery is in the Details »
Today I am excited to introduce our Cynsations readers to Maureen Charles and Ashley Walker who recently collaborated on a nonfiction project for older readers. Their book Music Mavens from Chicago Review Press comes out this fall as part of their Women of Power series.
Today we kick off a series of posts about writing nonfiction for older readers. In her book Nonfiction Matters (Stenhouse, 1998), Stephanie Harvey explores nonfiction reading and writing in the classroom with an emphasis on the process of discovery. She writes:
“As we studied,
Continue Reading Nonfiction For Older Readers: Gail Jarrow on Digging Deep into Research »