Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 123
November 1, 2014
Giveaway: What Flowers Remember by Shannon Wiersbitzky
Compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smithfor Cynsations
Enter to win one of two signed hardcover copies of What Flowers Remember by Shannon Wiersbitzky (namelos, 2014). Eligibility: U.S. From the promotional copy:
Most folks probably think gardens only get tended when they’re blooming. But most folks would be wrong. According to the almanac, a proper gardener does something every single month.
Old Red Clancy was definitely a proper gardener. That’s why I enrolled myself in the Clancy School of Gar...
October 31, 2014
Cynsational News & Giveaways
By Cynthia Leitich Smith
for Cynsations
Please consider supporting We Need Diverse Books through a donation or signal boosting!
At the time of this posting, we've raised $56,910, which is 57% of our goal.
Thanks to all who've already participated.
Diverse Campaign w Thanks Card from Undercurrent on Vimeo.
Don't miss John Green on Why We Need Diverse Books and a celebration dance by WNDB president Ellen Oh and her daughter (Ellen promised this if we made $15K within 24 hours). See also Looking for...
for Cynsations
Please consider supporting We Need Diverse Books through a donation or signal boosting!
At the time of this posting, we've raised $56,910, which is 57% of our goal.
Thanks to all who've already participated.
Diverse Campaign w Thanks Card from Undercurrent on Vimeo.
Don't miss John Green on Why We Need Diverse Books and a celebration dance by WNDB president Ellen Oh and her daughter (Ellen promised this if we made $15K within 24 hours). See also Looking for...
October 30, 2014
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Feral Pride Cover Reveal, Feral Series Book Teaser & Giveaway
By Cynthia Leitich Smithfor Cynsations
Check out the cover for my upcoming novel, Feral Pride (Candlewick, 2015) and the book trailer for the Feral series, produced by Book Candy Studios.
From the promotional copy for Feral Pride:
Anti-shifter sentiment is at an all-time high when Kayla’s transformation to werecat is captured on video and uploaded for the world to see.
Suddenly she becomes a symbol of the werebeast threat and—along with fellow cat Yoshi, Lion-Possum Clyde, and human Aimee—a hunte...
October 29, 2014
Guest Post: Chris Barton on Writing & Cross-Generational Interests
Via Public Domain PicturesBy Chris Bartonfor Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations
There’s never an answer I that I find quick, simple, and faithful to the full truth when someone asks what inspired one of my books.
Take Shark Vs. Train (Little Brown, 2010), for instance.
Yes, I’m sure the seed was planted by my now 15-year-old son’s love of sharks and trains. But...
He loved reading books about sharks. He loved playing with wooden trains. Putting the two things together, however, just wasn’t his st...
October 28, 2014
Author Interview: Ginger Wadsworth on Yosemite's Songster: One Coyote's Story
By Cynthia Leitich Smithfor Cynsations
Yosemite’s Songster: One Coyote’s Story, by Ginger Wadsworth, illustrated by Daniel San Souci (Yosemite Conservancy, 2013). From the promotional copy:
A sudden rockslide in Yosemite Valley in California’s Sierra Nevada separates Coyote from her mate.
Readers journey throughout the valley observing its many famous landmarks on four paws with Coyote. You’ll explore both the natural world and the human world with one’s nose leading the way.
Who or what i...
October 27, 2014
New Voice: Christine Kohler on No Surrender Soldier
By Cynthia Leitich Smithfor Cynsations
Christine Kohler is the first-time author of No Surrender Soldier (Merit Press, 2014). From the promotional copy:
A young man, an old soldier, and a terrible injustice. Should the punishment be death?
Growing up on Guam in 1972, fifteen-year-old Kiko is beset by worries: He’s never kissed a girl, and he thinks it’s possible he never will. The popular guys get all the attention, but the worst part is that Kiko has serious problems at home. His older brother...
October 25, 2014
October 24, 2014
Cynsational News & Giveaways
By Cynthia Leitich Smithfor Cynsations
2014 Arab American Book Award Winner:
A Kid's Guide to Arab American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis and Maha Addasi (Chicago Review Press, 2013). Peek: "...dispels stereotypes and provides a look at the people and experiences that have shaped Arab American culture in a format enjoyable for elementary students. Each chapter focuses on a different group of Arab Americans including those of Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Iraqi, and Yemeni...
October 23, 2014
Author Interview: Susan Kuklin on Writing Nonfiction & Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out
By Cynthia Leitich Smithfor Cynsations
From the promotional copy of Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, words and photographs by Susan Kuklin (Candlewick, 2014).
A groundbreaking work of LGBT literature takes an honest look at the life, love, and struggles of transgender teens.
Author and photographer Susan Kuklin met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults and used her considerable skills to represent them thoughtfully and respectfully before, during, and a...
October 21, 2014
Guest Post: Carmen Oliver on Founding a Children’s-YA Author & Illustrator Booking Agency
By Carmen Oliverof The Booking Biz
for Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations
“I don’t believe in barriers…just fly your plane.” —Captain Nicole Malachowski from Tanya Lee Stone’s Almost Astronauts (Candlewick, 2009)
Over the last eleven years, I encountered a lot of barriers.
A lot of uncertainty.
But during that time, it afforded me the opportunity to really focus on studying children’s literature and the publishing industry. I have volunteered and apprenticed in various leadership and communication...
