But unlike sirens, sulkies don't mean any harm with their songs. They don't sing to seduce or to kill. Their songs have nothing to do with anyone but themselves. They sing for the simple joy of it, and because of that, I imagine their songs are more beautiful than those of any siren.

— Betsy Cornwell

Children’s and YA books are about being brave and kind, about learning wisdom and love, about that journey into and through maturity that we all keep starting, and starting again, no matter how old we get. I think that’s why so many adults read YA: we’re never done coming of age.

— Betsy Cornwell

Everything was a broken line for me in those days. I was slipped into the empty spaces between words.

— Betsy Cornwell

I brought my hand to the back of his neck and leaned into him, sliding my fingers into the curls at his nape. His arms clasped tighter around me. I sighed just a little against his mouth, feeling that it was almost too much, all this newness, this feeling that there was space and light inside me, I’d never noticed before. Every part of me down to my fingertips felt like reworked glass, melting into some new shape, my edges beginning to glow. I wanted to do nothing but change this way, pressed against his body, his warmth and goodness, forever.

— Betsy Cornwell

I do the same with my books... Nothing like a good argument in the margins with someone who's already said all they have to say on the subject.

— Betsy Cornwell

I had rescued myself entirely.

— Betsy Cornwell

I have to believe it’s right to be a warm voice, a companion if I can be, as soon as ever I find a friend.

— Betsy Cornwell

It's the colors that will make you stray. They sing to you, the not-blue and the searing light, and no matter how tightly you tie yourself to the in between, eventually you will break free. No one swims only in the shallow water.

— Betsy Cornwell

It was always the secrets that hurt us, wasn't it? Not the telling of them.

— Betsy Cornwell

One must always account for the vagaries of truth.

— Betsy Cornwell