By AJ Eversole
Today we welcome author Byron Graves (Ojibwe/Lakota) whose debut novel, Rez Ball (Heartdrum, 2023) won the William C. Morris Award, the American Indian Youth Literature Award and multiple student-choice state awards. His new book, Medicine Wheels, publishes June 2 from Heartdrum.
What drew you to explore skateboarding culture after the success of Rez Ball?
Congratulations to Liara Tamani on the publication of This Ain’t Our First Rodeo (Greenwillow, Feb. 3, 2026). From the publisher’s website:
This ain’t Josie’s first rodeo. Her parents own several fancy restaurants in Houston, and they just opened a new one right outside the stadium. Josie is expected to stay inside the restaurant and help,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Author Liara Tamani on Inspiration & MFAs »
Today, I am excited to welcome to Cynsations Alison Green Myers, author of the middle grade novel This Way to Happy (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2025), and Alexandra Villasante, author of the young adult novel Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025),
Continue Reading Authors Interview: Alison Green Myers & Alexandra Villasante on Sophomore Novels »
Congratulations to Susan Fletcher on the publication of Sea Change (Amulet Books, June 2025)! From the publisher’s website:
A girl torn between two worlds . . .
Turtle is scavenging a drowned town when she saves a stranger’s life. There’s something special about Kai—an attraction she’s never felt before.
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Author Susan Fletcher on Childhood Influences »
By AJ Eversole
The resurgence of the YA paranormal novel has my whole heart. As a Cherokee teen who was Team Jacob all the way, seeing these concepts that meant so much to me rewired and examined for a BIPOC audience has been monumental. Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis (Page Street,
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!
Congratulations to Tirzah Price on the publication of In Want of a Suspect (HarperTeen, November 12, 2024). From the publisher’s website:
A USA Today bestseller!
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Author Tirzah Price Retells Jane Austen with Murderous Intent »
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!
Congratulations to author Jen Ferguson on the publication of A Constellation of Minor Bears (Heartdrum, September 2024)! From the publisher’s website:
Before that awful Saturday,
Continue Reading Thowback Thursday: Author Jen Ferguson on What She Has Learned As A Writer »
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!
In June, I had the pleasure of meeting author K.A. Cobell during the very week her debut novel, Looking For Smoke (Heartdrum,
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!
Author Kate Banks
“Prolific children’s book author Kate Banks, known for prose praised as lyrical, clever,
Continue Reading In Memory: Author Kate Banks & Author-Illustrator Leonard Everett Fisher »
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!
Spotlight image: Abigail Hing Wen on the news, Asian Pacific America, NBC Bay Area
Today, we are super excited to welcome Abigail Hing Wen to Cynsations to talk about her new book Kisses,