346: Curating a Middle Grade Anthology of Intertribal Stories - Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith

<p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Cynthia Leitich Smith.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cynthia is a New York Times bestselling author known for her award-winning children’s and YA books. She writes both realistic contemporary stories and fantastical narratives, and most recently, she won the American Indian Youth Literature YA Award for</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Hearts Unbroken</span></em> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">published by Candlewick.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today we’ll be discussing one of her most recent projects:</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for kids</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a middle grade anthology published by Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperChildren’s where Cynthia is the author-curator. In addition to her work in publishing, she is also on the faculty of the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a citizen of Mvskoke Nation and makes her home in Austin, Texas.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode Cynthia and I discuss:</span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How the lack of Native representation in Middle Grade books inspired Cynthia’s writing and the impetus for</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Heartdrum.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">What elements are important to include when writing specifically for Middle Graders and how MG is distinct from YA.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why it’s important to create an inclusive feeling  of a “we” not “me” book within diverse literature.</span></li> </ul> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plus, her #1 tip for writers.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more info and show notes: <a