7 Answers
Hunting down interviews with Cynthia Hand has become a little hobby of mine, especially because I love hearing authors talk about world-building and why they gave Clara some of those awkward, beautiful moments in 'Unearthly'. A great first stop is her official website and blog — most authors keep a curated list of press, Q&As, and event recaps there, and Cynthia usually links to recorded panels and longer interviews. Right after that I always check her publisher's author page (she's published through HarperTeen/HarperCollins), which often hosts short Q&As and links to magazine pieces and press kits.
Beyond the official spots, I dig into podcasts and video platforms. Search Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for terms like "Cynthia Hand interview" or "Cynthia Hand 'Unearthly'" and you'll find panel recordings from book festivals, school visits, and interviews on YA-focused shows. Goodreads author interviews and archived bookstore event pages are gold too, and you can sometimes find transcripts or highlight clips. I also keep an eye on library and bookstore channels—local events or conferences (think regional book fests and BEA-style panels) frequently upload panel footage.
If you want a practical route, type "Cynthia Hand interview site:youtube.com" into a search engine, scan her author/publisher pages, and subscribe to her newsletter or follow her social accounts for announcements. After a handful of listens, I always walk away wanting to reread 'Hallowed' and the rest of the trilogy because her interview style makes those scenes pop even more.
If you want short, accessible interviews I recommend starting with video platforms and audiobook/podcast stores — YouTube and Spotify often carry recorded festival panels and radio-show-style chats. I often search with phrases like "Cynthia Hand interview" or include 'Unearthly' to narrow results, and then follow links to the hosting sites, which might include book blogs, university reading series, or bookstore event pages. Goodreads has author Q&As and reader-submitted links too, and many book bloggers post transcribed interviews after a blog tour. I enjoy these because they range from casual fan questions to deeper craft-focused discussions, so you get different tones and energy depending on the outlet. It’s a great way to hear her voice beyond the pages of 'Unearthly'.
If you prefer a more methodical hunt, here’s how I do it: first I check the author’s official site and any newsletter archives because authors often link interviews there. Next I search YouTube with filters for longer videos so I find full panels or bookstore talks rather than minute-long clips. After that, I comb through podcast directories — many interviews live as podcast episodes and are easy to stream while doing chores.
For older or print interviews, I’ll check publisher press pages and major book-review sites; sometimes local newspapers and college reading-series pages keep recordings or transcripts. Social media is surprisingly useful too: Instagram Lives and Twitter/X threads often get saved or summarized by fans. If you enjoy a deeper dive, search library event pages and literary festival archives where YA authors frequently appear — those recordings tend to be longer and more candid. I always come away with tidbits about character arcs and craft that make rereading 'Unearthly' feel fresh.
Quick practical guide from someone who likes efficiency: start at Cynthia Hand’s official author page and the publisher’s site (they often host interviews and press kits). Then hit YouTube and podcast platforms with search terms like "Cynthia Hand interview" plus 'Unearthly' to filter out unrelated hits. Goodreads, book-blog tour pages, and independent bookstore event pages are great for transcribed interviews or recordings. Don’t forget to check social platforms — Instagram Live sessions, archived Twitter/X threads, and Facebook event pages sometimes contain casual chats not posted elsewhere. I usually bookmark my favorite conversations; they’re lovely to revisit when I’m re-reading 'Unearthly' and want fresh insights. I always enjoy hearing an author explain their choices — it adds another layer to the story.
If you want a quick map, I usually check four places first: Cynthia Hand’s official website and blog, her HarperTeen/HarperCollins author page, YouTube/podcast platforms, and recorded bookstore or festival panels. Typing 'Cynthia Hand interview' or "Cynthia Hand 'Unearthly' interview" into Google, YouTube, or podcast apps pulls up author talks, Q&As, and recorded school visits. Goodreads sometimes hosts interviews and reader-submitted Q&As, and local library or bookstore event pages can have recordings or links.
Social media is useful too — she may announce Instagram Live Q&As or share links in a newsletter. If you prefer long, thoughtful discussions, prioritize podcast episodes and festival panels; for quick read-throughs, check publisher pages and magazine features. I always end up re-listening to a good chat because her insights make the 'Unearthly' scenes feel brand new to me.
You can find Cynthia Hand talking about 'Unearthly' and her other books in a surprising number of places, and I love how many formats she uses — interviews, panels, and live chats all turn up. I usually begin at her official website and author page; those pages often link to recent interviews, event recordings, and contact info. Publishers’ sites (look for the HarperCollins/HarperTeen author page) are another reliable repository for Q&As, press interviews, and excerpt features.
Beyond the official channels, I’ll hunt on YouTube for recorded festival panels, bookstore events, and archived livestreams. Podcasts geared toward YA readers or bookish conversations also host authors regularly, so searching for podcast episodes with her name plus 'interview' or 'author chat' turns up casual, long-form conversations where she digs into craft, character choices, and how 'Unearthly' came together. I love listening to those because she’s open about inspiration and revision — it feels like overhearing a great conversation at a convention.
I still get excited when I stumble across an interview that dives into craft, and Cynthia Hand often offers thoughtful takes on character arcs and myth-building for readers who loved 'Unearthly'. To be systematic, I start with official channels: the author’s website and the HarperTeen/HarperCollins author page. Publishers often host media interviews, excerpts, and links to podcast appearances. Next, I scan YA- and book-focused podcasts and blogs — many hosts invite authors for hour-long conversations that go deeper than print interviews.
Video is invaluable; panel recordings from literary festivals, school visits, and comic-cons are usually on YouTube and can be searched by event name plus her name. Goodreads features interviews and reader Q&As, and archived bookstore or library event pages sometimes provide audio recordings or summaries. For academic or long-form coverage, local newspapers and literary magazines occasionally publish profiles or interviews, which are findable via news-archive searches.
My practical tip: use a few targeted search queries like "Cynthia Hand interview podcast," "Cynthia Hand 'Unearthly' Q&A," and check results on YouTube, Spotify, and the publisher site. Following her social feeds and newsletter is an easy way to catch live chats and Instagram Lives. After listening to a couple, I always appreciate how she blends plot intuition with warm, practical advice for readers and aspiring writers.