Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 105

In Memory: Larry Romans

By John L. Amundsen
Program Officer,
Outreach and Communications ALA Office
for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) family, along with all of ALA, are saddened to learn of the death of Larry Romans, director at large of the GLBTRT on Thursday.

His service to the Library community was vast; Larry served on the GLBTRT Executive Board for six years and had been a member of GLBTRT since 1984, w...

Telling Better Stories: Writing Diverse YA Fantasy

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Of late I had the honor of joining Daniel José Older and Sabaa Tahir in answering questions on Diversity in YA Fantasy from Maggie Reagan from Booklist. My thoughts included:

I’ve had students ask me, “How do I write this without freaking out the white folks?” And yet authors hold back at the peril of young readers. Those who share our perspectives go invalidated, and those who don’t are never exposed and enlightened.

I also noticed a Freudian slip in my co...

Cynsational News & Giveaways

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

What's Trending? What Is, What Was, What's Soon to Be in Kid Lit by Elizabeth Bird from A Fuse #8 Production. Note: a quick cheat sheet for those seeking savvy.

Current Representations of American Indians in Children's Literature by Natasha Gilmore from Publishers Weekly. Peek: "The population numbers are small, which means traditionally published books are poised to make a big impact not only to represent children accurately, but educate non-Natives about...

Guest Post: Shelley Pearsall on The Importance of Vision

from the real Hampton's ThroneBy Shelley Pearsall
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

I worry a lot about vision.

As a forty-something woman (okay, close to fifty), my vision seems to be diminishing on a daily basis. Cheap pairs of Walmart reading glasses are scattered through every room in my house – and still, I can’t seem to find a pair when I need them.

But I worry more about the vision of the next generation. Not their eyesight as much as their ability to see the possibilities in things....

Guest Post & Giveaway: Lisa Papademetriou on Finding the Right Perspective: A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic

By Lisa Papademetriou
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations

One day, I was at the grocery store with my daughter when I spotted a crazy man in the car beside ours.

Zara was very small, perhaps three years old, she watched while he sat in his car, talking to himself, as I unpacked the groceries.

When I finally sat behind the wheel, I tried to ignore the man, fearing that she would be frightened or concerned.

Instead, she looked at me and explained, “He’s praying.”

When I looked again, I realized t...

Giveaway: The Radiant Road by Katherine Catmull

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Enter to win a signed, (optionally) personalized copy of The Radiant Road by Katherine Catmull (Dutton, 2016). Author sponsored. Eligibility: North America only.

From the promotional copy:

And sometimes the Strange came to visit Clare, and dreams walked through her waking life.

Clare Macleod and her father are returning to Ireland to the house where she was born: a house under a green hill, with a tree inside it.

Inside the tree, she finds long-forgotten comp...

Giveaway: Radiant Road by Katherine Catmull

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Enter to win a signed, (optionally) personalized copy of The Radiant Road by Katherine Catmull (Dutton, 2016). Author sponsored. Eligibility: North America only.

From the promotional copy:

And sometimes the Strange came to visit Clare, and dreams walked through her waking life.

Clare Macleod and her father are returning to Ireland to the house where she was born: a house under a green hill, with a tree inside it.

Inside the tree, she finds long-forgotten comp...

Cynsational Return: Welcome to 2016

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Welcome back to Cynsations!

I look forward to sharing information and inspiration about youth literature and publishing throughout 2016 (find out more about contributing to the blog).

This spring I'm also excited about the paperback release of Feral Pride (Candlewick, 2016) and appearances that include "In Reality and Fantasy: Diversity Done Right -- with Author Cynthia Leitich Smith", in conjunction with North Texas SCBWI, March 19 at the Latino Cultural A...

Cynsations Call for Interviews, Guest Posts, Giveaways, Book Trailers & More

2016 HolidayBy Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Happy New Year!

Cynsations will officially return from winter hiatus in late January.

In the meantime, consider this an invitation to query me about potential future interviews, guest posts, giveaways, book trailers, and more.

Cynsations was launched in 2004 and is considered one of the flagship blogs of the children's-YA literature industry and community.

The national Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, School Library Journal, Th...

Cynsational Holiday Hiatus

By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations

Effective immediately, Cynsations is on winter holiday hiatus while I update my official author website for a 2016 relaunch. Keep up with children's-YA book news and resources at Twitter @CynLeitichSmith and facebook.