Episode 11

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Published on:

17th Aug 2026

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Episode 11 – Cynthia Leitich Smith

How did a chance encounter with a picture book and the horrific Oklahoma bombing lead to a career change and debut picture book?

Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith about the winding path from law school clerk to publishing legend. Cynthia shares how a chance encounter with a picture book in a Chicago bookstore sparked her calling, how the Oklahoma City bombing gave her permission to follow it, and how a nervous email to a top literary agent launched a lifelong partnership. Cynthia shares her story with generosity, wisdom, and her signature warmth.

Books mentioned

  • Jingle Dancer (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Jingle-Dancer-Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/dp/068816241X)
  • Dancing with the Indians (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Indians-Angela-Shelf-Medearis/dp/0590459821)
  • Indian Shoes (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Shoes-Cynthia-L-Smith/dp/0060295317)
  • On a Wing and a Tear (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Wing-Tear-Cynthia-L-Smith/dp/0062870009)
  • Here Come the Aunties! (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Here-Aunties-Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/dp/0063374692)

Links

  • Cynthia Leitich Smith (https://cynthialeitichsmith.com)
  • Meredith Davis (https://meredithldavis.com)
  • Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org)
  • Vermont College of Fine Arts (https://vcfa.edu)
  • Heartdrum (https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/heartdrum-a-native-focused-imprint-of-harpercollins)
  • Curtis Brown, Ltd. (https://curtisbrown.com)
  • Episode Webpage (link https://meredithdavis.substack.com/p/cynthia-leitich-smiths-first-book)

Theme music by Nate Davis

Produced by Clay Davis

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About the Podcast

My First Book Story
Interviews with successful authors about their journeys to their first published book
Welcome to My First Book Story, where I interview successful authors about their journeys to their first published book. Whether you’re still chasing your first book contract, going after the next one, or pursuing some other dream, these short interviews will inspire you to keep going.

Have you ever wondered how to break through an editor’s slush pile and breach the publishing wall? There are many paths to success, and each one is different. Mine was more than a decade in the making, others happened almost overnight. But the one thing each of these stories has in common is that it ends with a published book in the hands of readers.

I’m Meredith Davis, a traditionally published children’s book author living in Austin, Texas, a hotbed of talented book writers and illustrators. I’ve been in this world for thirty years, I’ve heard some great stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

About your host

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Meredith Davis

Meredith Davis is the author of THE MINOR MIRACLE and THE MINOR RESCUE, books one and two in THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF NOAH MINOR series (Waterbrook, 2024/25) and co-author of HER OWN TWO FEET: A RWANDAN GIRL’S BRAVE FIGHT TO WALK (Scholastic, 2019). She once worked at an independent children’s bookstore, started the Austin Chapter of SCBWI, and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults at VCFA. Her superpowers include reading, grandmothering, and finding ways to fit more books in her Austin, Texas home.