Book Review and Author Interviews, Writing tips

Curious about NON-FICTION KIDLIT and WRITING FOR HIRE? Author Cindy Argentine gives the inside scoop!

Author photo
Author Cynthia Argentine

One of the best things about writing has been the friendships that I have made along my journey. Several years ago, I met Cindy through a SCBWI critique group. She is amazing! I really admire and respect her writing, and deeply value her thoughts and comments on my developing manuscripts. I invited her to stop in for an interview. I think you will LOVE her thoughtful answers to my questions.

1. Cindy, thanks for joining us! My first question is about ideas. As a non-fiction picture book writer, where do you get your ideas and inspiration?

So many places! Ideas really are everywhere. Often, I get ideas from what I’m reading. One of my current works-in-progress stemmed from a single sentence in an article in Smithsonian magazine. It mentioned a woman from Indiana whom I’d never heard of before. My curiosity led me to investigate, and I was excited about what I discovered, so I’m writing about it! Another picture book idea came from a speech given by a NASA administrator who was visiting my college. She mentioned a woman with a fascinating past whom I decided to write about. Other times, I draw inspiration from what I see in the natural world. I love to take walks without my phone or any other device and simply watch all the activity humming around me—the trees, wind, clouds, and animals. Probably the other main source of ideas for me is my memory. I like to remember what I was fascinated by as a child and build on that.

2. Very interesting! Also, do you have any tips on research? How do you keep your research organized?

I’ve noticed that most nonfiction writers love research. So, one of my tips involves something I continue to work on—which is knowing when to stop doing research and start writing. Until the book is done, the research never truly ends. But I reach a point when I realize I have enough facts and historical context, as well as an emerging sense of theme and voice, to envision or “feel” what I want the book to be. At that point, it’s time to write!

I keep my research organized in computer files and paper files. There are often dozens of sources for each project’s bibliography (including books, articles, interviews, videos, etc.). I keep track of them using tools like EasyBib. As I read for research, I take notes, sometimes on paper and sometimes on my computer. When I read sources online, I print out the most important pages. I file the notes and pages by topic—I have multiple file boxes per book sometimes!

For most projects, I footnote my early drafts as I go so that I know the source of each statement or quotation. I omit the footnotes as I edit and revise, but I can always go back to a saved version of that early draft if I need to check a source.

3. Sounds like a good system to try! Also, I’m curious, was your recent book STEAM Jobs in Cypersecurity a work-for-hire project? How did you discover this opportunity? What did you enjoy about this type of project?

Cover of Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity
Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity by Cynthia Argentine


STEAM Jobs in Cybersecurity was a work-for-hire project. I’m in a few online writers groups, and one day last summer I saw a well-known author post that she had met an editor at a conference who wanted to expand her pool of authors for nonfiction books. I submitted a cover letter, resume, and writing samples to that editor right away. A year later, I received an email from the publisher asking whether I’d like to write this book. I was thrilled!

I wanted to accept this project for a couple reasons. One, I had recently read Countdown to Zero Day by Kim Zetter. I was already intrigued by the concept of cyber-war and the need for national as well as personal cybersecurity, so I was happy to research this further. Two, I have a good deal of experience writing to a specific age range and word length with the journalism I’ve done, and I was eager to apply those skills to a longer work. It’s like a puzzle, really. You have all this information and all these ideas and you have to prioritize and choose and fit them into a set number of chapters and sidebars and photo captions. I found that challenge to be fun.

4. Very fascinating! Finally, what advice do you have for authors trying to break into publication?

Persevere, and enjoy each step of the journey. One of the joys of publication is knowing that readers will actually read what you’ve spent weeks, months, or years writing. That is fulfilling. And before that happens, there is a lot of work. There will be rejections. There will be bad first drafts. There will be moments when you wonder if you should be spending your time doing something else. So what makes this worthwhile during the waiting and hoping? For me, it boils down to three things:

·         The joy of discovery—being engrossed in learning deeply about what I want to share.

·         The joy of community—writing is often solitary, but I have made WONDERFUL friends through critique groups and conferences.

·         The joy of creating—which is at the heart of this for me. When I think about gathering what I’ve learned, all the things about a topic that have angered or saddened or inspired me, or made me laugh—and I take all of that and shape it into something new, to share with others, using words and the sounds of language—that’s magical to me.

Thank you so much, Cindy. Your passion for your writing really shines through. I wish you all the best on your future projects!!

Thanks, Mindy, for interviewing me. I hope this is helpful to your readers!

You can find out more about Cindy and her writing by visiting her website at www.cynthiaargentine.com

You can purchase her latest release STEAM Jobs in Cypersecurity on Amazon at this link.

Book Review and Author Interviews, Kid Ministry

Book Review of QUINN SAYS GOODBYE by Christie Thomas

Cover of Quinn Says Goodbye
Quinn Says Goodbye

In Quinn Says Goodbye, written by Christie Thomas and illustrated by Sydney Hanson, Quinn meets a new friend, an injured firefly named Blink. She and her mother help the firefly heal. Quinn doesn’t understand why one evening, when she wakes up, Blink is gone. Mama is there to help comfort Quinn and reassure her that God promises to always be with us.

Quinn Says Goodbye is designed to help children cope with grief and loss. It includes a section in the back with conversation starter questions for parents and caregivers, to assist with those difficult discussions that occur in life.

I thought Quinn Says Goodbye was a sweet story, and I loved the illustrations. Quinn’s big eyes!! And the use of light was really eye-appealing. I was inspired to make a Pinterest Board of Owls and FIreflies. Maybe you will like one of the pins and want to try a craft with your child. Here is the link to the board.

I had the opportunity to meet Christie at a writing conference in May. She is full of ideas and energy, with a contagious smile and laugh. I really enjoyed getting to know her!

Christie, I wish you all the best with this book and all of your writing endeavors!

You can purchase book on Amazon and at other book retailers.

Author Christie Thomas
Author Christie Thomas

About the author:

Christie Thomas writes about cultivating authentic faith in the home. She is the author of Quinn’s Promise Rock and the interactive devotional book Wise for Salvation. She has also written for various websites, including the MOB Society and For Every Mom. Christie lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and three boys. You can visit her website here.

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review: Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity by Cynthia Argentine

Cover of Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity
Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity by Cynthia Argentine

I’m beyond excited for my one of my critique partners, Cynthia Argentine! We meet monthly to encourage each other on with our writing. It has been a blast to watch this project become published!! Congratulations, Cynthia! I am so happy for you!!

Here is my review:

Technology is everywhere, and as this book explains, the technology field holds many future job opportunities. Jobs such as–a Cybersecurity consultant, Malware analyst, Cyber-Forensic Investigator, Security Software Developer, Information Security Administrator, Cybersecurity Engineer or Architect, Cybersecurity Lawyer, Cryptographer, Cyber Incident Responder, and Penetration Tester. Yet, it can be difficult to explain to kids what exactly those jobs are.

This book does a wonderful job of breaking down complex ideas into understandable language for young readers. It would make a great addition to any classroom library, as it will help students understand and become interested in future job opportunities in the cybersecurity field. In addition, there is a fascinating two page spread about the large security breaches that have occurred in recent years, and the author even included an interview from an expert at Purdue University. The book includes a pre-reading assignment for students as well as a post reading comprehension check with extension activity options that teachers are sure to love!

About the author:

Author Cynthia Argentine
Author Cynthia Argentine

Cynthia Argentine writes creative nonfiction for children and teens. She likes to discover amazing true stories and share them with readers. Most often, she writes about science, technology, and people who work in those fields.

Her love of nature stems from her childhood in Virginia. She grew up near the Chesapeake Bay and often explored the area by canoe. Later, she lived in Vermont, gardening in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. She has worked as an author, journalist, environmental consultant, and piano teacher.

Cynthia is curious about many things, from music and art to botany and history. She likes to explore both the abstract and the analytical, the poetic and the precise. She believes there is something interesting about nearly every topic. Learn more about her books and magazine articles at https://cynthiaargentine.com.

Book Review and Author Interviews

Book Review: Snuggle Time Fall Blessings

Cover of Snuggle Time Fall Blessings

Author Glenys Nellist has teamed up with Illustrator Cee Biscoe and created the latest book in the Snuggle TIme series published by Zonderkidz. It is full of cozy fall rhymes and illustrations sure to warm your heart. My favorite page was:

Bonfire and s'mores with a Snuggle Time book!
Bonfire and s’mores with a Snuggle Time book!

Bonfire!

Snuggle in your blanket,

Underneath the moon,

Watch the bonfire burning–

S’mores are ready soon!

The adorable parent and child bunnies watching the crackling fire made me think of all the wonderful family bonfires we have had over the years.

If you are the parent or grandparent of a little one, you will love to own this book! It is available on Amazon and many other book retailers.

Congratulations, Glenys! I wish you all the best with your writing!

Author life, Book Review and Author Interviews

Author Interview with Natalee Creech about her book NOTHING

Cover of NOTHING
From Nothing, written by Natalee Creech, illustrated by Joseph Cowman. Published by WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. All rights reserved.

Today I am interviewing author Natalee Creech about her new picture book Nothing. If you haven’t seen this book, you should definitely put it on your list. It is darling, and best of all, packed full of TRUTH that can impact the hearts of the children in your life!

First, I have to ask, what inspired this story? And, in addition, what do you hope your readers take away from reading your book?

I started writing NOTHING when I was teaching first grade at a Christian school. I was always on the lookout for books (songs, poems etc.) that would reinforce our weekly Bible lesson and memory verse. It was easy to find books that focused on heroes of the Bible and well-known stories, but harder to find books about a specific verse or theological concept. I don’t think I had decided to try and become a published children’s author when I began writing NOTHING. Rather, it grew out of my teaching, my faith, and my hobby of writing poetry. When I did decide to pursue publishing, it was a piece that I continued to work on. 

Ultimately, NOTHING is about God’s unconditional love. It reassures children that wherever they go they can never go away from his love, and they can never lose God’s love because of their actions. Readers may find that it’s also about forgiveness, grace, and parents’ unconditional love. Romans 8:38-39 is a powerful reassurance for children and adults alike. How amazing (and humbling!) that the God of the universe loves us, and that there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from that love! 

That is a powerful truth for sure and an important take-away for all of us! My next question is to help new authors and writers. What advice would you give new authors for brainstorming story ideas? 

If you are a picture book writer I would say to write down any glimpse of potential brilliance as soon as it comes to mind. It may or may not turn into a book, but if you don’t record it, you will surely forget it, no matter how many times you repeat it to yourself and promise yourself you will not! Yes, I am speaking from experience here, and, shamefully, it took multiple times to learn this lesson. Make it a habit to carry around a notebook because somehow this act heightens your general awareness. Just having the intention of writing ideas down tunes you in more closely to your surroundings. You might be surprised what you notice when you take the time to listen and see. 

I love the notebook idea! I will have to try it. Would you mind describing your road to publication? How did you find your agent and publisher?

I have always loved children’s books; as a child, as a college student studying education, and as an adult before having children of my own. However, it took me a long time to admit to myself and to my family that writing for children was a dream I wanted to pursue. In 2015 I joined the SCBWI. I wrote while I was teaching full-time. When we moved from South Korea back to the United States for a few years I chose to find a job that didn’t occupy my mind outside of work hours as much as teaching did. I had a hard time turning off my teacher brain outside of school and wanted to have more creative energy for writing. Fortunately, the public library was hiring and it was the perfect place to work while taking steps toward becoming published. During the time I was in the U.S. I connected with my agent, Adria Goetz, through #faithpitch. I also wrote the manuscript which turned into my first picture book WHEN DAY IS DONE. (Beaming Books, February 2019) Adria sold NOTHING to Worthy Kids a few months later. 

Congratulations! It is really fun to hear “road to publication” stories. Everyone’s journey is so unique. Also, I really loved the illustrations in your book. Do you have a favorite page/illustration in the book? If so, what is it and why? Did you submit your manuscript with any illustrative notes or did you leave it all up to your illustrator and publisher?

I love all of the illustrations! Joseph Cowman did an absolutely amazing job. I was nervous about the illustrations because they are so critical to a picture book’s success. We judge books – especially picture books – by their covers and illustrations every day. That being said, I didn’t submit any art notes with the manuscript. 

Interestingly, my favorite illustration is part of a substory that I did not detail in the text. Near the end of the book a little girl joyously rides her bike through a garden of yellow tulips, totally decimating them in the act. On the next page she realizes what she has done and presents her father with a bouquet of the tulips. Then comes my favorite illustration with the text: “You’re loved and forgiven. What a wonderful thing! You’re adopted as God’s own. You’re a child of the King!” You see the girl, lifted high in her father’s hands as he spins her around. The girl wears a garland of yellow tulips on her head. I love the symbolism of the flowers as a crown, matched to the text about being a child of the King. I also love that the tulips, representing her sin, through grace become a symbol of redemption. Even though the idea of forgiveness and redemption was in my text it was the illustrator, art director and editor that provided all those details. 

Natalee's favorite spread
Natalee’s favorite spread from Nothing!

I really love this illustration, too. It is fun to “see” the one you like the most. Well, I have one more question for you, I’m wondering if you have any other exciting news you might like to share?

I just found out that NOTHING will be translated into Hungarian, which is amazing and humbling to me! 

Wow! That is really amazing news! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! Thanks so much for joining us today, Natalie. It has been a special treat to chat with you! I love your book so much, and its message. I am definitely planning to share it with the kids I teach in Children’s Church in the upcoming weeks. I wish you all the best!

Natalee Creech
Natalee Creech

How to connect further with Natalee:

Website:nataleecreech.com

Twitter:@nataleecreech

Facebook:nataleecreechauthor