Hey, everyone! Quick announcement from the PBRS team: We’ll be taking the summer off BlueSky, so if you want to stay up to date on all things PBRS, giveaways and other fun, be sure to follow us on IG and stay subscribed to our newsletter. See you there!

We’ve given you a BTS look at mentee selection, but what actually happens once they’ve been chosen? It’s a two-week flurry of welcome packets, intro emails, bonding events & mentee orientation (which takes place TONIGHT! Eeeek!), all geared towards welcoming mentees to the #PBRS family. ⭐️

Think choosing a mentee was easy for our mentors? Think again! Hear what @nellcrossbeckerman.bsky.social had to say about how WOWed she was by the talent and storytelling in her apps, and use this as motivation as you keep writing and revising this summer! #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

It's been ONE week since we announced our 2025 #pbrisingstars Mentees! With 2,403 applications, Mentors had impossible decisions to make! Have you wondered what each mentor's process was like?! Check out what Mentor Jackie Morera said about how she chose her mentee below👇🏾 #kitlitmegafeed #kidlit

It's time to ASK @natashakhankazi.bsky.social anything!!!! Today only until 9 PM Eastern Time, comment your questions and Natasha will pop in today to answer!!! Questions about publishing? An artist interested in writing? Let us know below!!! #kidlit #kidlitart #askmeanything #pbrisingstars

Please join us in supporting our co-director and dear friend, Trenise. Our hearts are breaking and we’re hoping to at least slightly ease the pain she and Travis are going through.

#Kidlit friends 💔 Please share this far and wide Our dear friend, Trenise Sabin, was the victim of a major burglary over the weekend. She and her husband Travis have lost everything— from clothing and appliances to irreplaceable items from their recent wedding and the urn gofund.me/ce50d993

PRESENTING: the 2025 PB RISING STARS mentees, runners up, and honorable mentions! 🤩🤩🤩 We’re thrilled to work with our 28 new mentees, and we’re so proud of our RUs and HMs. CONGRATS TO ALL! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Today’s the BIG DAY!! Tonight, we’ll be announcing our 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees! We’re so blown away by ALL of you who and are in awe of your talent. 🥹🥹🥹 Check out what Mentor Alliah L. Agostini said about reading all of your work, and we’ll see you soon! 👇🏾 #pbrisingstars #kidlit

TOMORROW! TOMORROW! We announce mentees TOMORROW!!! and GUESS WHAT, everyone?! We have ONE 👏🏾 MORE 👏🏾 SUPRISE 👏🏾! Make sure you’re there on time because we have one huge huge HUGE announcement, and you’re not gonna wanna miss this 👀😎 #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

TWO more days until the 2025 PBRS mentees are announced! And this summer, mentees and mentors will get to learn craft from TWO of the best in the game — Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey! 🤩🤩🤩

Three more days until we announce 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees! And did you know? Mentees get THREE things beyond 1:1 mentorship: ⭐️ Craft workshops with the pros ⭐️ Access to PBRS events ⭐️ A private mentee discord Can’t wait to announce who’s joining the PBRS family in 3 days! #kidlit

Guess what?! We’re officially ONE WEEK OUT from announcing the class of 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees and WE CANNOT WAIT!!! 🤩 Register now so YOU can be there live when your name is called! 🤞🏾 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #amwriting #amillustrating

Today we’re screaming THANK YOU to orgs like @scbwi.bsky.social, @kidlit411.bsky.social, @lasmusasbooks.bsky.social, @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social & the #PBParty team, @subitclub.bsky.social, BCHQ and KidLit In Color for all the support they’ve given in helping us spread the word this year!

#PBRisingStars mentor @jmorerabooks.bsky.social has a NEW BOOK dropping in EIGHT days, so let’s run those pre-order numbers up! TOGETHER WE REMEMBER is an imaginative exploration of finding joy amidst grieving, and we can’t wait to read! Pre-order your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/toge...

It’s #FunFriday around these parts, #PBRisingStars friends and family, so we want to play another game! FINISH THE SENTENCE: The PB Rising Stars mentees are… ✍🏽 ✍🏽 ✍🏽 ⭐️Comment below to complete the thought! 👇🏾⭐️ #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #picturebooks #kidlitmegafeed

Guess what Guess what Guess whaaaaat?! 2025 #PBRisingStars mentee selections ARE IN!!!! And in two-ish weeks, we get to SCREAM about the new mentee class! 😱😱😱😱 How are you feeling as we inch closer to May 15?! Tell us tell us!

Our #PBRisingStars live mentee announcement on MAY 15 is officially SOLD OUT…kinda!!! Yes, 500 (!!!) friends have already registered…but not everyone will attend! That means YOU can still register & when virtual doors open at 8 PM ET, secure a seat. Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Pre-orders matter for authors. Why? 1. They tell retailers/publishers there’s demand for a book And 2. They generate buzz and excitement, which is great! Looking to preorder? #PBRS mentor Aya has a book dropping in August that you’re gonna want 👇🏾 bookshop.org/p/books/ever...

We got a question for you, #PBrisingStars applicants! As we plan for the offseason after mentees are announced, what do you want to see from us on the socials? How can we serve you until it’s time to talk about the 2026 mentorship? Tell us what you’d like to see! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

Ok, you got us: #3 is DEF the lie! We’re so proud of our 20+ mentees who have ✍🏽 with agents/their first deals, and of course, PBRS was started by a tweet between the GOATs @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social & @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social. But shutting down in 2025?! NEVER!

been using nothing but bookshop.org to buy books. it's terrific. I get to pick a local indie bookstore that gets a cut from every purchase. I still read ebooks on kindle. I use the Silk browser. requires an internet connection to read. they're a great alternative to Amazon.

Lauren, thank you for posting this. I support independent bookstores with all my heart! People can follow 150 indie bookstores on Bluesky with one click by subscribing to my Starter Pack: go.bsky.app/AHQhv2z

Let's play 2 truths and a lie, #PBRisingStars fam! Do you know which one is a fib? ⭐️PBRS started with a tweet ⭐️20+ Mentees have signed with agents and/or their first book deals after completing PBRS ⭐️This is the LAST year (!!!) PBRS 😔 Comment your guesses and tomorrow, we'll reveal the truth!

Today is another great day to hit the library or your favorite bookstore, #PBRisingStars fam, and read some PBs! We recommend these BOMB books by @storiesbysingh.bsky.social, Julia Mills, @asiqueira.bsky.social, Seina Wedlick, Natasha Triplett & co-founder, @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 #kidlit

@yamilesmendez.bsky.social Love her books!! @pbrisingstars.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️

Recently, I've been really into the work of @gregpizzoli.bsky.social. His art and writing are both wonderful and "Good Night Owl" might be the funniest picture book I've ever read! #PBRisingStars #kidlit #kidlitart

@bandersonwriter.bsky.social definitely inspires me. She's one of the hardest working #picturebookwriters I know, and besides her expertise in the field, her generosity knows no bounds! If you're not familiar, look her up. 🥰

My critique partners are also my mentors. Thankfully, @judithvaldesb.bsky.social who authored AN OFRENDA FOR PERRO shares her insight as an author/illustrator with me. #kidlit

I am particularly loving Laurie Keller - POTATO PANTS is laugh out loud funny and delivers every time!

We gotta know, #PBRising Stars friends and family: Who is a picture book author, illustrator or author-illustrator that's NOT a PB Rising Stars Mentor who inspires you? Tag them in this post and tell us in the comments! #PBRisingStars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #amwriting

We’re just under a month out from #PBRisingStars Mentee Announcement Day!! Register TODAY to attend LIVE, where we’re bringing you (literal) fun and games, community, special guest speakers and, of course, the BIG NEWS! Are you coming? Tell us in the comments! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Picture books evoke emotion, connect us, and inform through the marriage of art and text. As the writer, I love the search for the perfect words (not too many) to show (not too explicitly) the tone, voice, message and growth of character through their pivots and feelings.

SWEET JUICY MANGO!! A @pbrisingstars.bsky.social #Mentor and #friend @sadesmith_author #JulieAndTheMangoTree is the first #PictureBook in the #Terrific2!!

Today is a great day to visit your local library/fave indie to snag these titles from more of our amazing mentors: CK Malone, @rajanilarocca.bsky.social , @monicamancillas.bsky.social, @msmarianayagam.bsky.social, @jmorerabooks.bsky.social, and @michellejingchan.bsky.social!

Mentors are still hard at work reading their applications, and you guys -- when we say y'all brought it?! But don't take out word for it — check out what Shamar, @nellcrossbeckerman.bsky.social and @ritalorraine.bsky.social said about your work! #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #amwriting

Picture books have been important to me all my life. I still have a number of my books from childhood. I have always loved to write stories and it's been a dream to do this. It's been a favorite challenge to study this, to get lost in writing. And, such a wonderful, inspiring community!

I could probably write 600+ words about all the reasons I love picture books. One key factor is the re-readability. Picture books are quick to read, but they have lasting impact. I might forget a novel a week after I read it; I'll remember a great PB for years.

I love the way picture books are told through both art and words--the art isn't a supplement, but rather an equal part of the storytelling. I also just love how much room there is to be silly! #pbrisingstars

there are not many words. i'm an introvert, it's easier for me. i have attempted one lower mg. hopefully, i can get to at least 17k words. i agree about re-readability.

When I was a child, reading PBs was my way to escape, explore, dream, learn, giggle, cry, and find myself. I still feel the same way, but now I get to be the maker! 🥰

As a kid, parent and teacher turning the pages and becoming immersed in this magical world is something I wish now to create. I know it is a challenging niche, but it is worth the angst. It is creating something which truly touches the heart and soul.

Like Mac Barnett tells Nikki Gamble in this interview, I have no interest in teaching children a lesson in my manuscripts. For me, writing PBs means sharing my experiences and emotions. Children can handle it! www.youtube.com/watch?reload...

We want to hear from you #PBRisnigStars mentors, alumni & applicants! You could write for any age group in the world, so why PBs? What is it about this magical medium that calls to you? Tell us! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 #pbrisingstars #kidlit #amwriting #picturebooks

Celebrate #NationalLibraryWeek by checking out any of these GEMS by 2025 #PBRisingStars mentors, and tell us in the comments what you’re reading this week! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

If you haven't already, today is a GREAT day to subscribe to our newsletter! Want to stay in the loop? Or find out about other #kidlit opportunities + news from our leadership team? Or just because you love us and want to support or efforts? Subscribe! Pbrisingstars.com/subscribe

Check out what @monicamancillas.bsky.social, @michellejingchan.bsky.social and @anneappert.bsky.social had to say about this year’s mentee apps! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

So, Mentors are reading your applications, and we know you must be wondering: What are they thinking? Do they even like what they are reading?! We got you. 😎 Here’s a peek behind the curtain of what mentors are saying. Seems like you’ve made it tough for them to choose! #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

Running a mentorship program like #PBRisingStars isn't easy, but @booksbytrenise.bsky.social and @laylafallah.bsky.social like absolute pros! So today, we want to take a moment to appreciate our new leadership team in Trenise and Layla.

You may have heard that #PBRisingStars quite literally started with a tweet between @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social and @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social. Four years later, PBRS has paved the way for 60+ mentees grow as creators! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 for Kailei and Ebony! Let’s show them the support they’ve shown us.