I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to Stephanie Ford, who wrapped up her duties as a panelist in fiction picture books recently.  She blogged about what went on behind the scenes, which I found fascinating and fun.  We're all about transparency here, so thanks, Stephanie, for parting the curtains for us.  –Anne Levy, Editor

Since we announced the Cybils Finalists last week, we've noticed online responses from several authors, happy to be shortlisted. (Formatting in the quotes below was edited for consistency, with book titles in italics, and author names in bold.) Sara Zarr says: "Sweethearts is a finalist for the 2008 Cybils, which makes me very, very, very, very happy. If you don’t know, the …

(A few thank yous have come our way from 2007 winners.  We’d thought you’d like to know) This one arrived stamped Par Avion from across the pond, handwritten from one of the "Artemis Fowl" writers in England.  They won for Best Graphic Novel, Middle Grade: Dear Anne and all at blog.cybils.com: A big thank you from myself, Eoin, Giovanni, and …

As with last year, we’re asking participants, readers and random visitors to comment on the contest. We’re not looking for lavish praise (though we won’t delete it, either:-) but a frank appraisal of what is or isn’t working, and what needs to improve for next year. We already know we need to work on our judging criteria–what specifics would you …

Kelly here, again. We’re cleaning up behind the scenes, ordering prizes for our winners and stickers for their books, and soon we’ll be soliciting your thoughts on the Cybils process. In the meantime, here’s some serious linkage. Take a look, and comment where you can. The Cybils made Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf this week. (Squee!)  Children’s Bookshelf is a weekly …

Kelly here. I hope everyone’s had a wonderful weekend–reading, writing, and surfing (the blogs, of course).  The blogs have been buzzing since the Cybils announcements this Valentine’s Day.  I thought I’d jump in and tell you what everyone’s saying. Our writers and illustrators react with good humor and humility.  Brian Floca, author of Lightship (winner Non Fiction Picture book), has …

Sorry I didn’t think of this earlier, so that I could’ve run polls for all eight genres. As it is, the feedback is fun. Today’s poll is about nonfiction picture books. Have at it! And again, here’s the full list of finalists.                Cybils 2007Pick your favorite nonfiction picture book Guess What is Growing Inside …

Today’s poll is for Middle Grade novels. We know you love ’em all. But if you had to get behind just one, which would it be? Oh, and if you need a memory jog, run here.                Cybils 2007Which is your favorite Middle Grade Novel? A Crooked Kind of Perfect Cracker: The Best Dog in …

Back with another poll today. Remember, full blurbs for all the finalists are here.                Cybils 2007Pick your favorite poetry finalist Animal Poems Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Here’s a Little Poem Poems in Black & White This is Just to Say Twist: Yoga Poems Your Own, Sylvia view results           

Just having some fun here. You excited about our announcements on Thursday? Yep, Thursday. It’s almost here. Yipes. Who would you pick if you were a judge? Today’s genre: fiction picture books. Read all the blurbs here.                Cybils 2007What’s your pick for best fiction picture book? Pssst! Knuffle Bunny Too The Chicken-Chasing Queen of …