1<!DOCTYPE html> 2<html lang="en-US"> 3<head> 4<meta charset="UTF-8"> 5<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> 6<link rel="profile" href="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> 7<link rel="pingback" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/xmlrpc.php"> 8<meta name="p:domain_verify" content="e87bd9a4821d3bd74132785ee21b9cf0"/> 9<style> 10.site-header { 11 clear:both; 12} 13h2.site-description { 14 font-size:21px; 15 font-size:1.3125rem; 16 margin-top:0; 17} 18</style> 19<style id="jetpack-boost-critical-css">@media all{html{font-family:Lato,sans-serif;-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;-ms-text-size-adjust:100%}body{margin:0}article,aside,figcaption,figure,header,main,nav{display:block}a{background-color:transparent}h1{font-size:2em;margin:.67em 0}img{border:0}svg:not(:root){overflow:hidden}figure{margin:1em 40px}button,input{color:inherit;font:inherit;margin:0}button{overflow:visible}button{text-transform:none}button,input[type=submit]{-webkit-appearance:button}input{line-height:normal}input[type=search]{-webkit-appearance:textfield;box-sizing:content-box}input[type=search]::-webkit-search-cancel-button{-webkit-appearance:none}table{border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0}td{padding:0}body,button,input{color:#404040;font-size:19px;font-size:1.1875rem;line-height:150%}h1,h2{clear:both;font-family:Oswald,serif;line-height:1.3}h2.site-description{font-size:21px;font-size:1.3125rem;margin-top:0}p{margin-bottom:1.5em}em{font-style:italic}html{box-sizing:border-box}*,:after,:before{box-sizing:inherit}body{background:#75bfb8}ul{margin:0 0 1.5em 3em}ul{list-style:disc}img{height:auto;max-width:100%}table{margin:0 0 1.5em;width:100%}button,input[type=submit]{border:1px solid;border-color:#ccc #ccc #bbb;border-radius:3px;background:#e6e6e6;box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.5),inset 0 15px 17px rgba(255,255,255,.5),inset 0 -5px 12px rgba(0,0,0,.05);color:rgba(0,0,0,.8);font-size:12px;font-size:.75rem;line-height:1;padding:.6em 1em .4em;text-shadow:0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.8)}input[type=search]{color:#666;border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:3px}input[type=search]{padding:3px}a{color:#4169e1}.entry-title a{text-decoration:none}.headermenus{clear:both;display:block;max-width:960px;margin:0 auto;text-align:right;width:100%}.main-navigation,.menu-text-header-menu-container{display:inline-block}.main-navigation ul,.menusmall ul{display:none;list-style:none;margin:0;padding-left:0;text-align:center}.main-navigation ul{width:200px}.menusmall{display:inline-block}.menusmall ul{display:inline-block}.main-navigation li,.menusmall li{display:inline-block;font-family:Oswald,sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-size:1.25rem;margin-right:16px;position:relative}.main-navigation li a:after,.menusmall li a:after{content:"|";font-weight:300;margin-left:16px}.main-navigation li:nth-last-of-type(1) a:after,.menusmall li:nth-last-of-type(1) a:after{content:"";margin-left:0}.main-navigation li:nth-last-of-type(1),.menusmall li:nth-last-of-type(1){margin-right:0}.main-navigation a,.menusmall a{color:#fff;display:block;padding:12px 0;text-decoration:none}.menu-toggle{display:block}.main-navigation button.menu-toggle{border:0;background:0 0;color:#fff;box-shadow:none;font-size:20px;font-size:1.25rem;text-shadow:none}@media (max-width:759px){.menusmall{display:none}}.main-navigation{padding:10px 20px;position:relative;text-align:right}.menu-toggle{display:inline-block}.main-navigation ul{background-color:#4c708c;padding:0 40px 20px 40px;position:absolute;right:0;top:60px;z-index:99999}.menusmall ul{background-color:transparent;padding:0;position:relative;right:auto;top:auto;z-index:auto}.main-navigation ul li{display:block;margin:0;text-align:right}.menusmall ul li{display:inline-block;text-align:left}.main-navigation li:nth-last-of-type(1) a:after,.main-navigation ul li a:after{content:none}.screen-reader-text{clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);position:absolute!important;height:1px;width:1px;overflow:hidden}.alignleft{display:inline;float:left;margin-right:1.5em}img.alignleft{margin-bottom:1em}.alignright{display:inline;float:right;margin-left:1.5em}.aligncenter{clear:both;display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.entry-content:after,.entry-content:before,.site-content:after,.site-content:before,.site-header:after,.site-header:before{content:"";display:table}.entry-content:after,.site-content:after,.site-header:after{clear:both}.widget{margin:0 0 1.5em}.widget p{color:#000}.widget_search .search-submit{display:none}.widget-area ul{list-style-type:none;margin-left:0;padding:0}.widget-area ul li{margin-bottom:1em}.widget-area a{color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.widget-area input{max-width:180px;width:90%}h1.widget-title{font-size:18px;font-size:1.125rem}@media (max-width:600px){.widget-area input{max-width:none;width:90%}}.site-branding,.site-content{margin:0 auto;max-width:960px;width:100%}.contentholder{background-image:url("https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/themes/cynthialeitichsmith/images/linedpaper.png")}.site-content{font-weight:300;padding:20px}.content-area{float:left;overflow-x:hidden;width:66%}.widget-area{background-color:#bf8b7b;float:right;margin-top:24px;padding:20px 16px;width:29%}.flexfeature img{display:block;margin:0 auto}body.blog .search-form{text-align:right;margin-bottom:24px}body.blog .content-area{float:none;width:100%}body.blog .site-main{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap}body.blog .post{border:1px solid #404040;margin-bottom:32px;width:48%}body.blog .post:nth-of-type(odd){margin-right:3%}body.blog .entry-content,body.blog .entry-meta,body.blog .entry-title{padding:0 24px}@media screen and (max-width:640px){body.blog .post{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:460px;width:100%}body.blog .post:nth-of-type(odd){margin-right:auto}}.widget-area h1{margin-top:0}@media (max-width:600px){.content-area,.widget-area{clear:both;float:none;width:100%}}.site-header{background:#75bfb8;box-shadow:0 6px 5px rgba(129,140,139,.75);-webkit-box-shadow:0 6px 5px rgba(129,140,139,.75);-moz-box-shadow:0 6px 5px rgba(129,140,139,.75);position:relative;text-align:center;z-index:9999}.site-header img{max-width:493px;width:80%}.navholder{background-color:#4c708c}.hentry{margin:0 0 1.5em}.updated:not(.published){display:none}.entry-content{margin:1.5em 0 0}body.blog h1.entry-title{margin-bottom:0}body{overflow-x:hidden}.posted-on{font-style:italic;font-weight:700}.readmore{font-style:italic}.wp-subscribe-wrap p{color:#404040!important}.wp-caption{margin-bottom:1.5em;max-width:100%}.wp-caption img[class*=wp-image-]{display:block;margin:0 auto}.wp-caption-text{text-align:center}.wp-caption .wp-caption-text{margin:.8075em 0}}@media all{@charset "UTF-8";ul{box-sizing:border-box}.aligncenter{clear:both}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);
19height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal!important}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}}@media all{@charset "UTF-8";.screen-reader-text{clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);word-wrap:normal!important;border:0;-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute!important;width:1px}}@media all{.wp-subscribe-wrap p{margin:0;color:#fff}.wp-subscribe-wrap input{-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;height:45px;margin:0;padding:10px 0;text-align:center;text-indent:10px;border:none;border-radius:0;-webkit-box-shadow:none;box-shadow:none}.wp-subscribe-wrap input::-webkit-input-placeholder{opacity:.8;color:inherit}.wp-subscribe-wrap input:-moz-placeholder{opacity:.8;color:inherit}.wp-subscribe-wrap input::-moz-placeholder{opacity:.8;color:inherit}.wp-subscribe-wrap input:-ms-input-placeholder{opacity:.8;color:inherit}.wp-subscribe-wrap .error,.wp-subscribe-wrap .thanks{margin-top:10px}.wp-subscribe-wrap .wp-subscribe-loader{display:none;padding:1em;text-align:center;vertical-align:top}.error,.thanks{display:none}}</style><meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> 20 <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style> 21 22 <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https://yoast.com/product/yoast-seo-wordpress/ --> 23 <title>Contact - Cynthia Leitich Smith</title> 24 <link rel="canonical" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/contact/" /> 25 <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> 26 <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> 27 <meta property="og:title" content="Contact - Cynthia Leitich Smith" />
28 <meta property="og:description" content="Thank you for your interest! Due to volume, Cynthia’s assistant may not be able to respond to every author query. Before writing, Â please note: events information literature resources writer resources Book Blurbs Cynthia is not currently open to requests for book blurbs. Authenticity/Sensitivity Reads Cynthia does not provide authenticity/sensitivity reads (for a fee or otherwise). Continue Reading Contact »" /> 29 <meta property="og:url" content="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/contact/" /> 30 <meta property="og:site_name" content="Cynthia Leitich Smith" /> 31 <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/47037004867" /> 32 <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2026-04-29T19:19:40+00:00" /> 33 <meta property="og:image" content="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/curtis_brown_logo.gif" /> 34 <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> 35 <meta name="twitter:site" content="@cynleitichsmith" /> 36 <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Est. reading time" /> 37 <meta name="twitter:data1" content="4 minutes" /> 38
38<script data-jetpack-boost="ignore" type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/","url":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/","name":"Contact - Cynthia Leitich Smith","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/curtis_brown_logo.gif","datePublished":"2015-05-14T22:29:44+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-29T19:19:40+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/curtis_brown_logo.gif?fit=294%2C199&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/curtis_brown_logo.gif?fit=294%2C199&ssl=1","width":294,"height":199},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/contact\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Contact"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/","name":"Cynthia Leitich Smith","description":"Official Author Site","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}</script>
38 39 <!-- / Yoast SEO plugin. --> 40 41 42<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//stats.wp.com' /> 43<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' /> 44<link rel='preconnect' href='//i0.wp.com' /> 45<link rel='preconnect' href='//c0.wp.com' /> 46<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Cynthia Leitich Smith » Feed" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/feed/" /> 47<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Cynthia Leitich Smith » Comments Feed" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/comments/feed/" /> 48 49<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato%3A300%2C400%2C700%2C400italic%7COswald&ver=6.8.10' type='text/css' media='all' /> 50</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-css' href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato%3A300%2C400%2C700%2C400italic%7COswald&ver=6.8.10' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 51<style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> 52 53 img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { 54 display: inline !important; 55 border: none !important; 56 box-shadow: none !important; 57 height: 1em !important; 58 width: 1em !important; 59 margin: 0 0.07em !important; 60 vertical-align: -0.1em !important; 61 background: none !important; 62 padding: 0 !important; 63 } 64</style> 65<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> 66</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 67<style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> 68/*! This file is auto-generated */ 69.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} 70</style> 71<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='mediaelement-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/mediaelement/mediaelementplayer-legacy.min.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> 72</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='mediaelement-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/mediaelement/mediaelementplayer-legacy.min.css' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 73<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-mediaelement-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/mediaelement/wp-mediaelement.min.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> 74</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='wp-mediaelement-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/mediaelement/wp-mediaelement.min.css' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 75<style id='jetpack-sharing-buttons-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> 76.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list{display:flex;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0;list-style-type:none;margin:5px;padding:0}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-small-icon-size{font-size:12px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-normal-icon-size{font-size:16px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-large-icon-size{font-size:24px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-huge-icon-size{font-size:36px}@media print{.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list{display:none!important}}.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-jetpack-sharing-buttons{gap:0;padding-inline-start:0}ul.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em} 77</style> 78<style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> 79:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,
790,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}
79.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} 80:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} 81:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} 82:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} 83</style> 84<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-v4shim-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/types/vendor/toolset/toolset-common/res/lib/font-awesome/css/v4-shims.css?ver=5.13.0' type='text/css' media='screen' /> 85</noscript><link data-media="screen" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-v4shim-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/types/vendor/toolset/toolset-common/res/lib/font-awesome/css/v4-shims.css?ver=5.13.0' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 86<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/types/vendor/toolset/toolset-common/res/lib/font-awesome/css/all.css?ver=5.13.0' type='text/css' media='screen' /> 87</noscript><link data-media="screen" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/types/vendor/toolset/toolset-common/res/lib/font-awesome/css/all.css?ver=5.13.0' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 88<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='arconix-shortcodes-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/arconix-shortcodes/includes/css/arconix-shortcodes.min.css?ver=2.2.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> 89</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='arconix-shortcodes-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/arconix-shortcodes/includes/css/arconix-shortcodes.min.css?ver=2.2.1' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 90<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='cf7apps-honeypot-frontend-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7-honeypot/legacy-honeypot/includes/css/honeypot-frontend.css?ver=3.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> 91</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='cf7apps-honeypot-frontend-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7-honeypot/legacy-honeypot/includes/css/honeypot-frontend.css?ver=3.7.1' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 92<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='contact-form-7-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css?ver=6.1.7' type='text/css' media='all' /> 93</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='contact-form-7-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css?ver=6.1.7' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 94<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='social-widget-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-widget/social_widget.css?ver=6.8.10' type='text/css' media='all' /> 95</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='social-widget-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-widget/social_widget.css?ver=6.8.10' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 96<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='cynthialeitichsmith-style-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/themes/cynthialeitichsmith/style.css?ver=1647127886' type='text/css' media='all' /> 97</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='cynthialeitichsmith-style-css' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/themes/cynthialeitichsmith/style.css?ver=1647127886' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 98<noscript><link rel='stylesheet' id='jetpack-subscriptions-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/p/jetpack/15.8.1/_inc/build/subscriptions/subscriptions.min.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> 99</noscript><link data-media="all" onload="this.media=this.dataset.media; delete this.dataset.media; this.removeAttribute( 'onload' );" rel='stylesheet' id='jetpack-subscriptions-css' href='https://c0.wp.com/p/jetpack/15.8.1/_inc/build/subscriptions/subscriptions.min.css' type='text/css' media="not all" /> 100<link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5970" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> 101<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.8.10" /> 102<link rel='shortlink' href='https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/?p=5970' /> 103<link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcynthialeitichsmith.com%2Fcontact%2F" /> 104<link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcynthialeitichsmith.com%2Fcontact%2F&format=xml" /> 105<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/multicons/images/favicon.ico" /> 106<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/apple-touch-icon.png" /> 107<link rel="icon" href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/apple-touch-icon.png" /> 108 <style>img#wpstats{display:none}</style> 109 <link rel="icon" href="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-cls.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1" sizes="32x32" /> 110<link rel="icon" href="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-cls.png?fit=192%2C192&ssl=1" sizes="192x192" /> 111<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-cls.png?fit=180%2C180&ssl=1" /> 112<meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cropped-cls.png?fit=270%2C270&ssl=1" /> 113</head> 114 115<body class="wp-singular page-template-default page page-id-5970 wp-theme-cynthialeitichsmith group-blog page-contact"> 116<div id="preload"></div> 117<div id="page" class="hfeed site"> 118 <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#content">Skip to content</a> 119 <div class="navholder"> 120 <div class="headermenus"> 121 <div class="menusmall"> 122 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com" style="display:inline-block;margin-right:20px"><img src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/themes/cynthialeitichsmith/images/home.png" alt="Cynthia Leitich Smith" style="display:inline-block" "/></a> <div class="menu-text-header-menu-container"><ul id="header-menu-partial" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-32162" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-kidbooks menu-item-32162"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/kidbooks/kids_index/">Books for Kids</a></li> 123<li id="menu-item-32163" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-ya-books menu-item-32163"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/ya-books/ya_index/">Books for Young Adults</a></li> 124<li id="menu-item-32164" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-32164"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/">Cynsations</a></li> 125</ul></div> </div> 126 <nav id="site-navigation" class="main-navigation" role="navigation"> 127 128 <button class="menu-toggle" aria-controls="primary-menu" aria-expanded="false">☰ Menu</button> 129 130 <div class="menu-main-container"><ul id="primary-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-5914" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-5914"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/">Home</a></li> 131<li id="menu-item-5998" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-about-cynthia menu-item-5998"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/about-cynthia/about-cynthia-leitich-smith/" title="About Cynthia">About</a></li> 132<li id="menu-item-6204" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6204"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/events/">Events</a></li> 133<li id="menu-item-6008" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-kidbooks menu-item-6008"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/kidbooks/kids_index/">Kids’ Books</a></li> 134<li id="menu-item-6004" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-ya-books menu-item-6004"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/ya-books/ya_index/">YA Books</a></li> 135<li id="menu-item-43387" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-43387"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/heartdrum-a-native-focused-imprint-of-harpercollins/">Heartdrum Imprint</a></li> 136<li id="menu-item-32167" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-32167"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/">Cynsations</a></li> 137<li id="menu-item-6006" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-for-writer
137s menu-item-6006"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/for-writers/for-writers/">Writer Resources</a></li> 138<li id="menu-item-6010" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-lit-resources menu-item-6010"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit-resources/read/">Book Resources</a></li> 139<li id="menu-item-6160" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current-menu-item page_item page-item-5970 current_page_item menu-item-6160"><a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/contact/" aria-current="page">Contact</a></li> 140</ul></div> </nav><!-- #site-navigation --> 141 </div><!-- headermenus --> 142 </div><!-- navholder --> 143 <header id="masthead" class="site-header" role="banner"> 144 145 <div class="site-branding"> 146 147 148 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/"> 149 <img src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/themes/cynthialeitichsmith/images/cynheader.png" alt="Cynthia Leitich Smith" /> 150 </a> 151 <h2 class="site-description">Official Author Site</h2> 152 153 </div><!-- .site-branding --> 154 </header><!-- #masthead --> 155 <div class="contentholder"> 156 <div id="content" class="site-content"> 157 158 <div id="primary" class="content-area"> 159 160 161 <main id="main" class="site-main" role="main"> 162 163 164 165<article id="post-5970" class="post-5970 page type-page status-publish hentry"> 166 <header class="entry-header"> 167 <h1 class="entry-title"><span>Contact</span></h1> </header><!-- .entry-header --> 168 169 <div class="entry-content"> 170 <h3>Thank you for your interest!</h3> 171<p>Due to volume, Cynthia’s assistant may not be able to respond to every author query.</p> 172<h4>Before writing, Â please note:</h4> 173<ul> 174<li><a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.com/events/">events information</a></li> 175<li><a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit-resources/read/">literature resources</a></li> 176<li><a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.com/for-writers/for-writers/">writer resources</a></li> 177</ul> 178<h4><strong>Book Blurbs</strong></h4> 179<p>Cynthia is not currently open to requests for book blurbs.</p> 180<h4><strong>Authenticity/Sensitivity Reads</strong></h4> 181<p>Cynthia does not provide authenticity/sensitivity reads (for a fee or otherwise).</p> 182<h4><strong>Book Rights Queries</strong></h4> 183<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6849 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/curtis_brown_logo.gif?resize=200%2C135&ssl=1" alt="" width="200" height="135" /></p> 184<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ALL</strong> rights queries must be directed to:</p> 185<p style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Harding<br /> 186<a href="http://www.curtisbrown.com/">Curtis Brown, Ltd.</a><br /> 187â228 East 45<sup>th</sup>Â Street, Suite 310<br /> 188âNew York, NY 10017</p> 189<h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Author-Event Queries</strong></h4> 190<figure id="attachment_6267" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6267" style="width: 200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="wp-image-6267" src="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/booking_biz.jpg?resize=200%2C114&ssl=1" alt="" width="200" height="114" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/booking_biz.jpg?resize=300%2C170&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/booking_biz.jpg?resize=600%2C341&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/booking_biz.jpg?w=800&ssl=1 800w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6267" class="wp-caption-text">The Booking Biz: see link to invite Cynthia Leitich Smith to your event.</figcaption></figure> 191<p>Invitations for Cynthia Leitich Smith to speak at events or serve as author-faculty at writing workshops should be directed to Carmen Oliver at <a href="https://thebookingbiz.com/client/cynthia-leitich-smith/">The Booking Biz</a>.</p> 192<p>Or, if applicable, directed to the respective marketing teams at <a href="https://www.candlewick.com/about_faq.asp">Candlewick Press</a> (for HEARTS UNBROKEN, HARVEST HOUSE, and THE BLUE STARS series) and <a href="https://harperstacks.com/pages/author-visits">HarperChildren’s</a> (children’s and tween books, published by the Heartdrum imprint).</p> 193<p><strong>Donations Queries</strong></p> 194<p>Cynthia encourages donations to:</p> 195<ul> 196<li><a href="https://www.csvanw.org/donate/">Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women</a></li> 197<li>
197<a href="https://littlefreelibrary.org/programs/indigenous-library-program/">Little Free Library Indigenous Library Program</a></li> 198<li><a href="https://momsdemandaction.org/">Moms Demand</a></li> 199<li><a href="https://naja.wildapricot.org/Donate">Native American Journalists Association</a></li> 200<li><a href="https://www.niea.org/">National Indian Education Association</a></li> 201<li><a href="https://ndngirlsbookclub.org/">NDN Girls Book Club</a></li> 202<li><a href="https://diversebooks.org/">We Need Diverse Books</a></li> 203</ul> 204<h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Cynsations Team & Queries</strong></h4> 205<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/Cynsations">Subscribe</a> to Cynthia’s blog Cynsations. It’s a venue for reflective conversations, publishing information, writer insights and inspiration, bookseller-librarian-teacher appreciation, children’s-YA literature news and author outreach. Cynsations blog contributors and featured subjects <em>must</em> be members of the children’s-YA literary community (writer
205s, illustrators, editors, agents, booksellers, teachers, librarians, publishing professionals, etc.).</p> 206<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46011" src="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cynsations_logo_1.png?resize=300%2C190&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="190" /></p> 207<blockquote><p>For blog-related queries, do not use the form below. Use this address without spaces instead: CynsationsIntern @ gmail.com.</p></blockquote> 208<h4>Support the Native Fund at WNDB</h4> 209<p>Visit the <a href="https://diversebooks.networkforgood.com/projects/107118-support-we-need-diverse-books">We Need Diverse Books donation page</a>. <span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">From there, select “Honor” from “Honor or remember someone with your gift?” And write in “Native books / Native Fund” under the question “Whom do you want to recognize?” </span></p> 210<p>The Native Fund makes possible the WNDB Native Children’s-YA Writing Intensive, the Indigenous Reads Rising website, mentorship programs that benefit Native people aspiring to various publishing roles, and much more. <a href="https://diversebooks.org/about-wndb/meet-the-team/">Leslie Stall Widener</a> (Choctaw) is the program chair.</p> 211<h4><strong>Heartdrum Queries</strong></h4> 212<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35775 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/heartdrum_logo.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/heartdrum_logo.jpg?w=248&ssl=1 248w, https://i0.wp.com/cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/heartdrum_logo.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></p> 213<p>Cynthia is the author-curator of <a href="https://diversebooks.org/programs/heartdrum/">Heartdrum</a> at HarperChildren’s, which is in partnership with <a href="https://diversebooks.org/">We Need Diverse Books</a>. Learn <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2019/11/harpercollins-childrens-books-launches-heartdrum-a-new-native-focused-imprint/">more about Heartdrum</a>.</p> 214<p>Indigenous writers and writer-illustrators from Nations within the U.S. and Canada are welcome to query her directly via the form below. Please consult <a href="https://www.underdown.org/manuscript-format.htm">standard industry manuscript format guidelines</a> before sending.</p> 215<p>We are centering contemporary stories, including genre fiction, as well as Indigenous writers and illustrators. Our focus is fiction picture books as well as middle grade and YA novels. We are most interested in stories about young Indigenous heroes, not cultural concepts or animal characters. The writing should be <em>for</em> young readers as an audience, not writing for adults that is inclusive of a young characters and/or childhood reflections.</p> 216<p>If your manuscript is a fit, please type “Heartdrum” at the beginning of the subject line below, followed by your title and byline.</p> 217<p>For example: Heartdrum: Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith</p> 218<p>In the body of the message, include your query for the manuscript (plot summary) along with a professional bio, any website or social media links, and, if you’re an illustrator or author-illustrator, a link to your portfolio.</p> 219<p>Please also (a) indicate your specific tribal affiliation(s), listing the full official name of your tribal Nation, and (b) whether you are: (1) an enrolled citizen/member with registration number; (2) a recent descendant (and of whom; e.g., “my mother, NAME, was an enrolled member of XYZ with registration number”); (3) self-identified with context (e.g., adoption, Freedmen status, other federal records such as land, census etc.). Note: We understand not all of this framework applies to Native Hawaiians and will tailor that conversation.</p> 220<p><em>Due to volume, queries or submissions of manuscripts and/or art that do not fall within the focus of the Heartdrum imprint will be deleted without a response. Do not send a manuscript unless specifically requested. We’ll send a reply from the relevant email address.</em></p> 221<p>If you’re more generally seeking a children’s-YA publisher, consider joining the <a href="http://scbwi.org/">Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators</a>. Also be sure to check out <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/for-writer
221s/for-writers/">Writer Resources</a>.</p> 222 223<div class="wpcf7 no-js" id="wpcf7-f5969-p5970-o1" lang="en-US" dir="ltr" data-wpcf7-id="5969"> 224<div class="screen-reader-response"><p role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true"></p> <ul></ul></div> 225<form action="/contact/#wpcf7-f5969-p5970-o1" method="post" class="wpcf7-form init" aria-label="Contact form" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> 226<fieldset class="hidden-fields-container"><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7" value="5969" /><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7_version" value="6.1.7" /><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7_locale" value="en_US" /><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7_unit_tag" value="wpcf7-f5969-p5970-o1" /><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7_container_post" value="5970" /><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7_posted_data_hash" value="" /><input type="hidden" name="_wpcf7_recaptcha_response" value="" /> 227</fieldset> 228<p>Your Name (required) 229</p> 230<p><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap" data-name="your-name"><input size="40" maxlength="400" class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required" aria-required="true" aria-invalid="false" value="" type="text" name="your-name" /></span> 231</p> 232<p>Your Email (required) 233</p> 234<p><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap" data-name="your-email"><input size="40" maxlength="400" class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email" aria-required="true" aria-invalid="false" value="" type="email" name="your-email" /></span> 235</p> 236<p>Subject (required) 237</p> 238<p><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap" data-name="your-subject"><input size="40" maxlength="400" class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required" aria-required="true" aria-invalid="false" value="" type="text" name="your-subject" /></span> 239</p> 240<p><span id="wpcf7-6ab4edd6c22d9-wrapper" class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap cf7apps-honeypot-wrap your-website-wrap" data-cf7apps-honeypot="your-website" style="position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;border:0;"><input type="hidden" name="your-website-random-hash" value="20260924"><input type="hidden" name="your-website-time-token" value="MTc5MDI0MjI2Mg==.4bb750129a99c9136f05e2e9aa81d650a498678befa70e4084fc079c68f70045"><label 241 for="wpcf7-6ab4edd6c22d9-field" 242 class="hp-message" 243 >Please leave this field empty.</label><input 244 id="wpcf7-6ab4edd6c22d9-field" 245 246 class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text" 247 type="text" 248 name="3vvtx3uakx8t" 249 value="" 250 autocomplete="new-password" 251 tabindex="1000" 252 data-cf7apps-tabindex="1000" 253 /></span> 254</p> 255<p>Your Message 256</p> 257<p><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap" data-name="your-message"><textarea cols="40" rows="10" maxlength="2000" class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea" aria-invalid="false" name="your-message"></textarea></span> 258</p> 259<p><input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner" type="submit" value="Send" /> 260</p><div class="wpcf7-response-output" aria-hidden="true"></div> 261</form> 262</div> 263 264 </div><!-- .entry-content --> 265 266 <footer class="entry-footer"> 267 </footer><!-- .entry-footer --> 268</article><!-- #post-## --> 269 270 <!-- --> 271 272 273 274 </main><!-- #main --> 275 </div><!-- #primary --> 276 277 278<div id="secondary" class="widget-area" role="complementary"> 279 <!-- --> 280 281 282 283 <aside id="social-widget-3" class="widget Social_Widget"><h1 class="widget-title">Follow Us!</h1><div class="socialmedia-buttons smw_left"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CynLeitichSmith/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-widget/images/default/32/facebook.png" 284 alt="Follow Us on Facebook" 285 title="Follow Us on Facebook" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-leitich-smith-844877101" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-widget/images/default/32/linkedin.png" 286 alt="Follow Us on LinkedIn" 287 title="Follow Us on LinkedIn" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cynthialeitichsmith/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-widget/images/default/32/instagram.png" 288 alt="Follow Us on Instagram" 289 title="Follow Us on Instagram" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/202438.Cynthia_Leitich_Smith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-widget/images/default/32/goodreads.png" 290 alt="Follow Us on Goodreads" 291 title="Follow Us on Goodreads" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/cynleitichsmith.bsky.social" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_2711.png" 292 alt="Follow Us on Bluesky" 293 title="Follow Us on Bluesky" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a><a href="https://www.threads.net/@cynthialeitichsmith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_2733.png" 294 alt="Follow Us on Threads" 295 title="Follow Us on Threads" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a><a href="https://map.lflapp.org/uq4BnUMLSRb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img width="32" height="32" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Free_Little_Library_L
295ogo-e1757550617808.png," 296 alt="Follow Us on Little Free Library" 297 title="Follow Us on Little Free Library" style="opacity: 0.8; -moz-opacity: 0.8;" class="fade" /></a></div></aside><aside id="search-3" class="widget widget_search"><form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/"> 298 <label> 299 <span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span> 300 <input type="search" class="search-field" placeholder="Search …" value="" name="s" /> 301 </label> 302 <input type="submit" class="search-submit" value="Search" /> 303 </form></aside> 304 <aside id="recent-posts-5" class="widget widget_recent_entries"> 305 <h1 class="widget-title">Latest Cynsations</h1> 306 <ul> 307 <li> 308 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2026/09/author-interview-rebecca-bendheim-on-author-agent-relationships-being-brave/">Author Interview: Rebecca Bendheim on Author-Agent Relationships & Being Brave</a> 309 </li> 310 <li> 311 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2026/09/author-interview-shifa-saltagi-safadi-on-being-a-vulnerable-persistent-poet/">Author Interview: Shifa Saltagi Safadi On Being a Vulnerable & Persistent Poet</a> 312 </li> 313 <li> 314 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2026/09/in-memory-author-jane-yolen/">In Memory: Author Jane Yolen</a> 315 </li> 316 <li> 317 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2026/09/author-interview-leslie-adame-on-writing-mg-fantasy-that-mirrors-reality/">Author Interview: Leslie Adame on Writing MG Fantasy that Mirrors Reality</a> 318 </li> 319 <li> 320 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2026/09/author-interview-emily-young-explores-humanity-through-paranormal-mischief/">Author Interview: Emily Young Explores Humanity Through Paranormal Mischief</a> 321 </li> 322 </ul> 323 324 </aside></div><!-- #secondary --> 325 </div><!-- #content --> 326 </div><!-- contentholder --> 327 328 <footer id="colophon" class="site-footer" role="contentinfo"> 329 <div class="site-info"> 330 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/copyright">© 1998â2026 Cynthia Leitich Smith</a><br />Author Consultant CLS, LCC<br /><br /> 331 <a href="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/Privacy">Privacy Policy</a> 332 333 334 </div><!-- .site-info --> 335 </footer><!-- #colophon --> 336</div><!-- #page --> 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355
356<script type="text/javascript"> 357/* <![CDATA[ */ 358window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.8.10"}}; 359/*! This file is auto-generated */ 360!function(s,n){var o,i,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),a=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===a[t]})}function u(e,t){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);for(var n=e.getImageData(16,16,1,1),a=0;a<n.data.length;a++)if(0!==n.data[a])return!1;return!0}function f(e,t,n,a){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf6","\ud83c\udde8\u200b\ud83c\uddf6")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!a(e,"\ud83e\udedf")}return!1}function g(e,t,n,a){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):s.createElement("canvas"),o=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),i=(o.textBaseline="top",o.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){i[e]=t(o,e,n,a)}),i}function t(e){var t=s.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,s.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",i=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){s.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+g.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(i),f.toString(),p.toString(),u.toString()].join(",")+"));",a=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),r=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(a),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(r.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),r.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=g(i,f,p,u))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); 361/* ]]> */ 362</script>
362<script type="speculationrules"> 363{"prefetch":[{"source":"document","where":{"and":[{"href_matches":"\/*"},{"not":{"href_matches":["\/wp-*.php","\/wp-admin\/*","\/wp-content\/uploads\/*","\/wp-content\/*","\/wp-content\/plugins\/*","\/wp-content\/themes\/cynthialeitichsmith\/*","\/*\\?(.+)"]}},{"not":{"selector_matches":"a[rel~=\"nofollow\"]"}},{"not":{"selector_matches":".no-prefetch, .no-prefetch a"}}]},"eagerness":"conservative"}]} 364</script>
364<script>window.addEventListener( 'load', function() { 365 document.querySelectorAll( 'link' ).forEach( function( e ) {'not all' === e.media && e.dataset.media && ( e.media = e.dataset.media, delete e.dataset.media );} ); 366 var e = document.getElementById( 'jetpack-boost-critical-css' ); 367 e && ( e.media = 'not all' ); 368 } );</script>
368<script type="text/javascript" src="https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js" id="wp-hooks-js"></script>
368<script type="text/javascript" src="https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js" id="wp-i18n-js"></script>
368<script type="text/javascript" id="wp-i18n-js-after"> 369/* <![CDATA[ */ 370wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); 371/* ]]> */ 372</script>
372<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/swv/js/index.js?ver=6.1.7" id="swv-js"></script>
372<script type="text/javascript" id="contact-form-7-js-before"> 373/* <![CDATA[ */ 374var wpcf7 = { 375 "api": { 376 "root": "https:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.com\/wp-json\/", 377 "namespace": "contact-form-7\/v1" 378 }, 379 "cached": 1 380}; 381/* ]]> */ 382</script>
382<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/js/index.js?ver=6.1.7" id="contact-form-7-js"></script>
382<script type="text/javascript" id="cf7apps-honeypot-refill-js-extra"> 383/* <![CDATA[ */ 384var cf7appsHoneypotRefill = {"forceRefillOnInit":"1"}; 385/* ]]> */ 386</script>
386<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7-honeypot/legacy-honeypot/includes/js/honeypot-refill.js?ver=3.7.1" id="cf7apps-honeypot-refill-js"></script>
386<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/themes/cynthialeitichsmith/js/navigation.js?ver=20120206" id="cynthialeitichsmith-navigation-js"></script>
vendor: 83 bytes, line 386
386<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=
3866Lfd_8sqAAAAAHWifaO7AaDfwY2oosj8WNMPPzGt
vendor: 48 bytes, line 386
386&ver=3.0" id="google-recaptcha-js"></script>
386<script type="text/javascript" src="https://c0.wp.com/c/6.8.10/wp-includes/js/dist/vendor/wp-polyfill.min.js" id="wp-polyfill-js"></script>
386<script type="text/javascript" id="wpcf7-recaptcha-js-before"> 387/* <![CDATA[ */ 388var wpcf7_recaptcha = { 389 "sitekey": "6Lfd_8sqAAAAAHWifaO7AaDfwY2oosj8WNMPPzGt", 390 "actions": { 391 "homepage": "homepage", 392 "contactform": "contactform" 393 } 394}; 395/* ]]> */ 396</script>
396<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/modules/recaptcha/index.js?ver=6.1.7" id="wpcf7-recaptcha-js"></script>
396<script type="text/javascript" id="jetpack-stats-js-before"> 397/* <![CDATA[ */ 398_stq = window._stq || []; 399_stq.push([ "view", {"v":"ext","blog":"182148521","post":"5970","tz":"-5","srv":"cynthialeitichsmith.com","j":"1:15.8.1"} ]); 400_stq.push([ "clickTrackerInit", "182148521", "5970" ]); 401/* ]]> */ 402</script>
402<script type="text/javascript" src="https://stats.wp.com/e-202639.js" id="jetpack-stats-js" defer="defer" data-wp-strategy="defer"></script>
402<script>
vendor: 345 bytes, lines 402-408
402 403 (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ 404 (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), 405 m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) 406 })(window,document,'script','https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); 407 408 ga('create', '
408UA-61754002-1
vendor: 39 bytes, lines 408-410
408', 'auto'); 409 ga('send', 'pageview'); 410
411</script>
411</body> 412</html>
Line numbers count LF bytes from the start of the resource, as the search results do. Vendor segments are library code the classifier recognised; they are stored but not indexed. Bytes are shown as Latin1 characters, one per byte.