Thanks to the fine folks at @dandelionbookshop.bsky.social for hosting Sara Fujimura and me for our author talk on creating accessible books for @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social yesterday! Ann Rose Simon Kids

Hey, Anime Midwest! I'm all loaded into Artist Alley and can't wait to meet you starting tomorrow. Let's play with our food! As always, if you show me you made bento, then you get a prize. All weekend long! #animemidwest #animecon #chicagoland #bentobox #authorlife

ALA might be over, but let's continue the conversation about how to create books that kids and teens WANT to read. @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social @zombicatures.bsky.social @dandelionbookshop.bsky.social #kidlit #yalit #summerreading #creators #authorpreneurs

Looking forward to co-hosting this @scbwi-illinois.bsky.social event with Jamie Ericson. @authorsarafujimura.bsky.social and @zombicatures.bsky.social are a stellar team! See link for details myemail.constantcontact.com/2026-SCBWI-I...

Let's go to Chicago for ALA 2026! I won't be on the floor of the conference, but my lil pandemic book BREATHE will be. Woo hoo! Tonight, I went to the historic Chicago Athletic Association for a special soiree hosted by the Indie Author Project and The Palace Project. #ALA2026 #library #yabooks

Godzilla says your lunch is boring. 😴 Meanwhile, teens at the Elk Grove Village Library (IL) made some artistic, delicious obento today. Everyone had the same boxes, tools, and food to work with, but no 2 bento turned out the same. 🍱😋 #Library #ALA2026 #Librarian #teenprogramming #foodies

Hey, Kermit! Let's do a Summer Reading book signing in Schaumburg! A big thank-you to the @schaumlib for providing 50 copies of my historical novel, BREATHE, to be given away at tonight's outdoor concert. We ran out of copies before the concert ended! #summerreading #library #yabooks

The lions got loose again in downtown Evanston, IL. They brought all the good luck and positive vibes to the Umbrella Arts Festival. We were there repping Team Mixed Asian Fam. Hubby and I were Team Japan on one side of the tent. #mixedasianfam #bicultural #biracial #authorlife #liondance

It's time for another summer adventure in Japan, Kyuubi! #japantrip #mixedasianfam #kitsune #authorinspo #writerinspo

I had such a good time at the Oak Lawn Public Library teaching teens and adults about making obento that I forgot to take any pictures! This is my newest foodie workshop. Along with general instruction, library patrons got to try at least #library #libraryprograms #theobentolady #bento #foodies

I was so inspired by @uncannyjapan.bsky.social podcast on #Kodomonohi, that I went on the search for the special treats today. Found 2 of them! #japanesefood #foodies youtu.be/XTOhypQNwEk?...

Hey, Oak Lawn Public Library #foodies! What are you doing this Wednesday, 5/6/26? Join me at 6:30 pm. for my newest bento-related workshop, Cute Lunches Every Day. We'll learn how to create quick, artistic, delicious lunches for yourself and/or loved ones with a few simple tips and tricks. #library

Oh my goodness! I won! 🎊 I'm so happy that this little pandemic book is finally finding its audience. The contest is judged by Illinois librarians. Just when I thought I couldn't love Illinois libraries more...🥹🫶. #illinoisauthorproject #indiebooks #indiepublishing #chicagobookstagram #library

Hey, this includes my 2-hour master class "7 Ways You Are Leaving Money on the Table at Events". I have made every mistake so you don't have to! #authorlife #writingcommunity #authorpreneur #writer

Thank you to all the #kidlit creators who joined us tonight. #SCBWI -New Mexico has a bunch of online webinars available for #authorpreneurs. You don't even have to belong to the New Mexico chapter. A big thanks to Susan and Christine for hosting me tonight. Your region is lucky to have you both.

A big thank you to Olivia & the Green Hills Public Library team for hosting the local author fair tonight in honor of National Library Week. We enjoyed sharing our stories with readers. 🫶 #nationallibraryweek #library #authorpreneur #writingcommunity #readingcommunity

Let's celebrate National Library Week at the Green Hills Public Library! I will be signing books and chatting with library patrons on Wed. 4/22/26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join us! #nationallibraryweek #findyourjoy #authorlife #writingcommunity #yabooks

After an excellent weekend as Author Sara at the Chicago-North Romance Writers' Spring Fling, it's time to sell some mochi in the sweet shop. BTW, Book Dragon ❤️s mochi. #writerlife #authorlife #bookdragon #mochi #japanesesweets

Chandra Blumberg had the best tip for authors who want to write what they DON'T know. Go to the children's section of your local library and checkout upper elementary school nonfiction books on the topic. #writingtipsandtricks #Writingcommunity #romancewriter #cnsf26 @chicagonorthrw.bsky.social

Hey, Spring Fling Authorpreneur! See you tomorrow (Fri. 4/17/26 at 8:30 a.m.) for my 2-hour master class 7 WAYS YOU ARE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE AT BOOK SIGNINGS. #Author #Writingcommunity #romancebooks #readerevent #chicago @chicagonorthrw.bsky.social

Tonight, the @chicagonorthrw.bsky.social put super agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social in the hot seat to answer all our burning publishing industry questions. Thank you, Eric! #agents #romancewriter #yabooks #authorlife #publishing

My blog post about this very widespread scam, which arrives out of the blue in the form of a highly flattering (AI-generated) email writerbeware.blog/2026/03/27/w...

Thanks for a fun, educational day, SCBWI-IL. Editor Hannah Hill (Delacorte) was the leader of our 7-person writer group. We all shared loglines & the 1st page of our WIP. Where else can you get live feedback on your WIP? #scbwi #writingcraft #writingcommunity #authorlife #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social

Now is the perfect time to take stock & evaluate Q1's authorpreneurial endeavors. Are you on track to complete your 2026 goals, or do you need a course correction? Use my 2026 Q1 Authorpreneur Assessment to launch you into Q2 with focus and actionable steps at: tanabatawishes.com #writingcommunity

Kyuubi and I enjoyed learning how to find international publishing markets this morning. Thanks, co-RA Tanja Bauerle & the awesome SCBWI-AZ team for putting on this thought-provoking webinar. It won't be easy, but at least I know how to start now. #scbwi #kidlit #writerscommunity #yabooks #authors

Our next meeting: Mon April 13, 2026 with Eric Smith! Eric is an award-winning Young Adult author and literary agent living in Philadelphia. He’s worked with NYT bestselling and critically acclaimed authors across genres and categories. Request a guest link here: www.chicagonorthromancewriters.com

The last day to register for our writers conference is April 7! We have a virtual option if you can't make it to Chicago! Don't miss out on 40+ workshops on writing craft, book marketing, and author life programs! #writersky #authorsky #romancewriter www.accelevents.com/e/chicago-no...

Psst...It's that time of year again, "Ramily" creators! Thank you for having me, Grayslake Central HS (IL). I enjoyed sharing some writing craft w you and hearing your flash fiction stories. A big 🫶 to the creators who told me about the novels, screenplays, and D&D campaigns they've been working on.

Thank you Illinois libraries for making BREATHE a finalist for this year's award. It means the world to me. 🫶 Are you an indie/hybrid author too living in Illinois? The next award cycle is about to begin. #writerscommunity #authorlife #indiebooks #historicalfiction #library

Thanks for inviting me back for your Lit Fest, Tinley Park High School. I enjoyed working with your talented teens today. Kudos to Ms. Yunker and the TPHS team who put this event together. Your community is lucky to have you. #writingcommunity #schoolvisit #authorlife #yabooks #creativewriter

Hey, authorpreneur! Are you attending this year's Women's in Publishing Summit? Want to know how I was able to rebuild my author career (and surpass it!) after moving across the country 3 years ago? The simple answer: Friends and colleagues. Our panel will be sharing actionable tips and

Hey, Chicago Book Dragons, have you been out to B&N Old Orchard's new location yet? It was hopping today. So many teen and younger readers about! It makes my ❤️ happy. It was fun to sign with YA fantasy author Markelle Grabo (and her adorable fox). #books #yabooks #reading #authorlife #skokie

See you tomorrow, Skokie Book Dragons! stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/978006... #booksignings #authorpreneur #readers #books

Happy Anniversary Lil Book! You launched 2 weeks before the US went into lockdown in 2020 (1 out of 10, highly DON'T recommend), but you've gone on to do some amazing things. I can't wait to see where we go next. Netflix...cough cough...Hulu? I'm open for another on-the-ice romance adaptation.

It's Hinamatsuri! 3/3 is Girls' Day or Dolls Day in #Japan. A time to celebrate the health, happiness & prosperity for girls. Because we are both foodies & I work PT in a Jpn sweet shop, I bought this special goodie bag for my daughter. #ひな祭り#hinamatsuri #girlsday #mixedasianfam #japanesefood

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Let's start Spring Break early! I'll be signing this Sat. 3/7 from 12-3 pm at the new B&N Old Orchard store in Skokie, IL. 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 #springbreak2026 #reading #yabooks #authorlife #booksigning

I am so bummed to miss tomorrow's (2/28) Books & Brews event at Brother Chimp Brewery in St. Charles. I have caught some kind of bug. And though I love to share with readers, you don't want this. 🤒 #readers #authors #occupationalhazards

Don't let my cat's apathy fool you. I took 6 pages of notes during today's @chicagonorthrw.bsky.social workshop on #screenwriting with @audreywilsonauthor.bsky.social. My brain right now...🤯. I've been studying screenwriting off & on for a while now. This was a great kick in the pants. #writer

I was walking along Lake Michigan yesterday with Hubby when we stumbled across...Sparkle Shark! 🦈 #lakemichigan #northwesternuniversity #sparkleshark #shark #authorlife

I've been going to #Japan for 30 yrs & always sleep on futon while I'm there. I was today years old when I learned that the layers actually have different names under the broader term. Time to fix that in my current WIP. #writer #writing Here's the answer: jlifeinternational.com/blogs/news/a...

I went to the @dandelionbookshop.bsky.social in Oak Park last night for an @scbwi.bsky.social IL event. I didn't know they had my books on their shelves. 🥹 Thank you, Jamie and Team Dandelion, for championing Chicagoland authors. We appreciate you.🫶 #indiebookshop #oakpark #books #sweetromance

Are you as obsessed with the #figureskating & #icedancing at the #WinterOlympics as I am? Many of the costumes are gorgeous works of art. Madison Chock's designs for her pair, along w other skaters, are particularly amazing. Did you know that I had to change Olivia's skating costume in ERWS at

The 2026 #WinterOlympics start tonight! What's your favorite winter sport to watch? To nobody's surprise, #figureskating is my fav sport, but I will also be glued to the TV for short track #speedskating & #icedancing. We are a house divided. I cheer for Team USA, while Hubs cheers for Team Japan.

It's World Read Aloud Day! Did you know that we're not just reading to little kids today? I read to multiple classrooms of 9th/10th grade students at Foster High School in Richmond, TX. Since the #Olympics start on Friday, I read from EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T. @litworld.bsky.social #WRAD #literacy

A big thanks to the Oak Lawn Park District for having me do my bento-making workshop with their special recreation participants. We had a lot of fun together making bento for their loved ones. Kudos to Jacqueline for making it all happen. She's the best! Food is love. 🍱🫶 #bentobox #autism #foodies

Hey, @npr.org, thank you for giving EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN'T (@torbooks.bsky.social) a shout-out. It made my day. This one goes out to all the 1-in-a-million teens dreaming of competing at the #WinterOlympics --like Olivia (figure skater) & Jonah (speed skater). #books www.npr.org/2026/01/24/n...

I'm hoping to make this event. It looks like so much fun! #Writers #kidlit #yabooks

A big thank you to super librarian Kat and the Glenview Public Library (IL) writing community for having me speak tonight. I look forward to seeing you at IL bookish events with *your* book (trad or indie!) in the future. #writingcommunituly #library #authorpreneur #tradauthor #indieauthor

Let's play with our food! A big thanks to Susan and the Forest Park Public Library team for having me out tonight to teach my bento-making workshop. I loved working with your community members. Though we all had the same box, tools, & food, no two turned out the same. Itadakimasu! #foodies #library

Hey, school/public libraries getting ready to build special collections for their teen readers in honor of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Here are some titles for your consideration. Thank you! @torbooks.bsky.social www.slj.com/story/five-t... #winterolympics #library #YAbooks