Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 38

Editor Interview: Levine Querido’s Nick Thomas on Perspectives & Accessibility

By Elisabeth Norton

Today I’m talking with Nick Thomas, Senior Editor at Levine Querido, an independent publisher of books for young readers that was founded by Arthur A. Levine in 2019.

Nick, thank you for joining me! 

Thank you for having me! Cynsations is one of my favorite websites—I use it as a resource all the time to learn from creators and publishing people I respect. It’s an honor to participate!

Currently, LQ publishes two lists: The Arthur A. Levine list, focusing on work created by ...

New Voices: Austin Authors Kari Lavelle & Ann Wynter Celebrate Community

By Gayleen Rabakukk

I’m thrilled to welcome two debut Austin picture book authors to Cynsations today! Please join us in celebrating Kari Lavelle‘s We Move the World, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, released in May (HarperCollins), and Anne Wynter‘s Everybody in the Red Brick Building, illustrated by Oge Mora published October (Balzer + Bray).

Kari Lavelle

What first inspired you to write for young readers?

I read a lot as a kid and my passion for children’s literature never stopped!

In graduate s...

Guest Post: Author Alex Sanchez Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Rainbow Boys

By Alex Sanchez

I’ve actually been writing longer than twenty years, but to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of my first novel, Rainbow Boys (Simon & Schuster, 2001)(Woo-hoo!), here are a few life lessons I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Surround yourself with people who believe in you. They don’t need to be other writers, but it helps if they have their own creative passions so they understand why you’re up at 3 a.m. working on a project you might never get paid for. My first artistic suppo...

Native Voices: Cherie Dimaline Talks About Her Love of Story

By AJ Eversole

Today we are honored to welcome veteran author Cherie Dimaline to the blog to discuss the people who inspire her and her love of story. Her latest novel, Hunting By Stars (Abrams Kids/Penguin Teen, 2021), released last month.

What do you love most about the creative life/being an author? Why?

I grew up in a community of storytellers. They were a part of everything we did—dinners, hunting trips, parties, even in times of crisis. The thing I love most about writing is story. I lov...

Cynsational News

By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations

Spotlight Image: What Will My Story Be? by Nidhi Chanani (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2021).

Author/Illustrator Insights

Q&A With Makiia Lucier, Year of the Reaper by Samantha Leong from We Need Diverse Books. Peek: “Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my first book was the easiest to write, because no one but my husband knew I was writing it. I had no deadline, n...

Agent Interview: Ana Crespo, Author, Agent, Booklover

By Linda Joy Singleton

Ana Crespo is an assistant agent for the East West Literary Agency. She is also the author of many amazing picture books. I had the pleasure of meeting her at a library conference when we were both signing books for Albert Whitman. She’s both talented and passionate about creating books for kids. I was delighted when she agreed to be interviewed by Cynsations!

How has your background influenced the books you choose to write and represent as an agent?

I am a Latina immigra...

Guest Post: Rajani LaRocca Writes About Her Process For Evoking a Story Set in 1980s

By Rajani LaRocca

My novel in verse Red, White, and Whole (Quill Tree Books, 2021) is set in 1983. It’s about thirteen-year-old Reha, the child of Indian immigrants, who is torn between the worlds of her parents and her friends at school. Like many teens her age, she wants to wear cool clothes, and go to a middle school dance. But her parents, especially her mother, feel that she has better things to do with her time. Then Reha’s mother is diagnosed with leukemia, and Reha’s world is turned upsi...

In Memory: Jerry Pinkney

Photo credit: Alvin Trusty

By Stephani Martinell Eaton

Celebrated and legendary illustrator Jerry Pinkney died of a heart attack Oct. 20 at Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, New York. He was 81.

Obituary: Jerry Pinkney by Shannon Maughan from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “Renowned children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney, winner of the Caldecott Medal and five Caldecott Honor citations, widely acclaimed for his picture books honoring his Black heritage as well as for his richly detailed works reim...

Native Voice: Joelle Bearstail on Bear’s Braid & Bullying

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Joelle, congratulations on the release of your picture book Bear’s Braid, illustrated by Denise Tadlock (Mascot Books, 2021)! Could you tell us about your journey to becoming a children’s author and your initial inspiration for writing this story?

Thank you! It has been new and exciting so far. I am happy to meet people, such as yourself, that have been offering advice and sharing their experiences as well. My journey to becoming an author has been long, stressful at t...

Cynsational News

By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations

Spotlight Image: Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Mercè López (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2021).

Author/Illustrator Insights

Q&A With Tiffany D. Jackson, Santa in the City by Christine Lively from We Need Diverse Books. Peek: “…picture book writers are the most brilliant of the children’s writers because they are able to craft meticulously in such few word...