The Write Space is a monthly Q&A series from Creative Collective covering a local writer and a North Shore space(s) s/he associates with writing. Questions? Contact: pmcyran@pamelasmark.com
Give us your best writerly bio.
Hi there! My name is Cynthia Platt and I write books for kids of all ages. I’m the author of three picture books—Panda-monium, A Little Bit of Love, and Grow—with another on the way in spring 2022. My first chapter book, Parker Bell and the Science of Friendship, was published in 2019. And coming up in summer 2022, my first young adult novel, Postcards from Summer, will be published. In between all of that, I’ve been lucky enough to write more than twenty Curious George books, and I also write stories for the Khan Academy Kids learning app.
Tell us about a North Shore Write Space.
I have a little office in my house since I work from home almost all the time. But sometimes I really need to get out of there and be, as Ariel from The Little Mermaid would say, “where the people are.” When that happens—and when we’re not in the middle of a pandemic—I head to either Jaho Coffee in Salem or Atomic Café in Beverly to have a cup of tea and spend some focused time writing.
When I’m in the North Shore, not writing, I’m …
My family always has an Audubon membership and we use it! We love to go out bird watching and just enjoy a good long, walk at an Audubon preserve (our favorite is definitely Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary). I also love to going to Smolak Farms or heading to Salem Willows to play some Ski Ball in the warmer months (again, during non-pandemic times). In the end, though, my favorite thing about living on the North Shore is being near the ocean.
What are you working on now?
This is a tricky one! For a long time, I’d been working on too many things and not anything with enough focus. I’ve started two different novels—one middle grade and one young adult—and am also doing some research for a middle grade nonfiction project. But lately I’ve focused in more on the YA story and am trying to keep push myself to finish the first draft.
And finally —
I just finished working on a picture book in metered verse and am in the revision process for the young adult novel that will be published in 2022. They have absolutely nothing in common, and that makes me happy. I’m lucky to be able to write for such different age groups, as they’re completely different challenges.
Find out more at —
You can find out more about my books at my website, cynthiaplattbooks.com, or on Twitter (@cynplatt) or Instagram (@cynthiaplattbooks). You can also find my books at some of the wonderful local indie booksellers on the North Shore, including Copper Dog Books, the Bookshop of Beverly Farms, and Whitelam Books.
Support Accessibility on the North Shore
Creative North Shore is having ongoing discussion of Accessibility and Disability Awareness leading up to the International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3 and the hopeful introduction of a Disability Parade in 2021. If this is a topic you are interested, have thoughtful story ideas, or know of an organization to add to the list below please reach out to joeyphoenix@creativecollectivema.com
Organizations to Support
