Author Interviews

Naomi Shihab Nye on Poetry and Young Adult Writing

"Before you know what kindness really is/ you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment/ like salt in a weakened broth."

Just reading these opening lines to Naomi Shihab Nye's poem "Kindness," readers can begin to feel the wisdom behind Nye's words. Her rich Palestinian-American heritage and travels across the world inspire Nye to write about our shared humanities. The author of the poetry collection 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East, Nye's talents also extend beyond the realm of verse writing. Nye is also the author of picture books and young adult novels, including There is No Long Distance Now. Nye tells Teen Voices about her latest projects and discusses her passion for engaging young readers.

Part 1: Between the Lines of Camo Girl

Based in New York City, author Kekla Magoon is a writing machine! Magoon is the award-winning author of The Rock and the River. Magoon is already working on a companion novel called Fire in the Streets. Meanwhile, her new, highly-anticipated novel, Camo Girl hit bookshelves in January of 2011, and has been well received. Teen Voices editorial assistant Lindsay McCormack was able to speak with Magoon about her up-and-coming novels.

Part 2: Between the Lines of Camo Girl

Yesterday, award-winning author Kekla Magoon shared information about her new and up-and-coming books, Camo Girl, Fire in the Streets, and 37 Things I Love. Where do all the ideas for her novels come from? What does a day in the life of Kekla Magoon look like? Magoon spoke with Teen Voices editorial assistant Lindsay McCormack about her experience as a writer.
Part 1: The "Cynsation" of Cynthia Leitich Smith

Teen Voices interviewed New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith. The author of Tantalize, Eternal, Blessed, and Tantalize: Kieren's Story (Candlewick), Smith was nominated for YALSA's Teens' Top Ten. While we're waiting for the winners to be announced this week, we wanted to get inside the mind of this popular young adult author. Keep reading as Smith shares her writing expertise and inspirations with Teen Voices.

Part 2: The "Cynsation" of Cynthia Leitich Smith

Yesterday, New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith shared her writing expertise and inspirations with Teen Voices. But what would Teen Reading Week be without reading recommendations from her? In our interview, Smith highlights the latest and greatest teen "must reads!"

Anita Diamant: The Power of the Female Voice

Author Anita Diamant's writing repertoire has extended across genres since she began her career in Boston as a freelance journalist. This past January, Teen Voices was excited to welcome Diamant as a finalist judge of our "20 Under 20" short story competition. Teen Voices' editorial intern Anya Krenicki had the chance to chat with Diamant about her love of the written word. Here, Anita tells of her experiences as an author and offers advice to teen girls who may be dreaming of a career like hers.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know: Ask Elizabeth

You might remember Elizabeth Berkley as Jessie Spano from the hit television series Saved by the Bell. But since those Saved by the Bell high school days with Zack and Screech, Elizabeth has made herself an admired favorite amongst teen girls. Elizabeth brings girls together through interactive workshops that focus on self-esteem. Teen Voices' Michelle Golden got to speak to Elizabeth about her empowering and uplifting organization, as well as how teens can turn negative experiences into something positive!

Political Powerhouse Donna Brazile

Donna Brazile is no ordinary woman. She's a leading lady in the world of politics and she's the keynote speaker at our upcoming fundraiser, "amplify." Teen Voices' peer leaders had the honor of speaking with her about her life, her passions, and her view on the challenges facing girls today.

Breaking Night: Liz Murray's Journey from Darkness to Light

In her book Breaking Night, Murray writes about the emotional rollercoaster she went through as a homeless teen roaming the streets of The Bronx. The author tells Teen Voices about her struggle and survival: "Choice by choice, inch by inch, you can carve out a life for yourself that is not in any way limited by your past."

Inside The Mind of a Poet:" Teen Voices chats with Elizabeth Alexander

Teen Voices editor Wilza Merzeus had the chance to sit down and speak with Elizabeth Alexander one-on-one about her life, her poetry, and her views on feminism. Read the interview!

Speaking Up is Slammin!

Many teens write poetry but don't share it with the world -- but that's not the case with spoken word and slam poets! Spoken word poetry and poetry slam competitions enable you to share your work, to develop a voice, and be heard by many people. Knowing that spoken word has such a huge impact on teens, we interviewed two girls from Boston Youth Poetry Slam Team, to find out how they feel about the poetry they write and perform.

Liz Funk Tells It Like It Is

Liz Funk was Teen Voices' Activist of the Month in September 2006. In just a few short years, she has come a long way." "  Her voice is reaching even more people thanks to the release of her new book, Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls. Her message: Listen to yourself.