How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? I was 10, and I distinctly remember because it was my 5th grade language arts teacher who looked me in the eye and scoffed, “you don’t seriously believe in all that still?” And as a *highly imaginative* child, it was such a blow.

Sweater weather > sweatin’ weather

👀COVER REVEAL!👀 Here it is: the official book cover for THE GINGHAMS, my debut spooky middle grade mystery, launching 7/21/26 from @mackidsbooks/Henry Holt!The artist, @albafilella, did an AMAZING job capturing my characters, and I just know kid readers will love this! #booksky

After 5 long years working to become a published author, this is such a huge milestone: seeing my debut book cover. I’m still crying over how perfect they made it! Tomorrow, you’ll get to see it too! THE GINGHAMS, my debut spooky MG mystery, launches 7/21/26. Join me tomorrow for the big reveal? 🤍

Cover reveal this week, anyone?👀 EEEEEK! I got to see my final book cover for my middle grade spooky mystery, THE GINGHAMS—and you get to see it soon, too! 👀 Keep an eye on this space in a few days; in the meantime, here’s a little sneak peek! #booksky

I JUST SAW MY FINAL BOOK COVER AND I AM HYPERVENTILATING I LOVE IT SO MUCH

On Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom and recommit ourselves to the work that remains undone. We remember that even in the darkest hours, there is cause to hope for tomorrow’s light.

NO better feeling as a writer: getting unexpected good news in your inbox 🤩

Yesterday my mother-in-law was over and we were talking about flowers. Me: “I can’t let myself become a plant person. I don’t really have time to garden.” Her: “…I just stood here and watched you count all 19 buds on your butterfly bush. Out loud.”

Just a writer being mean to their characters 😅 #booksky

Don your pearls and curl your hair, we have an official release date for my debut novel, THE GINGHAMS! This spooky MG will release with Henry Holt BFYR/Macmillan on ✨July 21st, 2026!✨ EEEK! I can’t WAIT to see this story on bookshelves! #booksky

We love an accessory that doubles as a cry for help 😂. Got some incredible mail today from a friend of mine— catch me grocery shopping in this amazing hat every weekend, y’all. Hamburger help me, we’re gonna make it through 2025 one way or another!

#booksky, there’s a COVER-SHAPED THING IN MY INBOX AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

*yells at sky* IGNORE ALL PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS, I'd like a cream cheese cupcake recipe along with a normal reality *waits to see if that worked* *keeps waiting* *kicks rocks*

The 50501 Protest at the KY State Capitol today: www.courier-journal.com/picture-gall...

Read diverse books every month. Read diverse books every month. Read diverse books every month. Read diverse books every month. Read diverse books every month. Read diverse books every month. Read diverse books every month. #BookSky #BlackBookSky

Today is not a great day for biz as usual. Please take a moment to call your senators and demand they stop the illegal takeover of treasury functions (budgets and payments are approved by congress, not subject to unilateral decisions by presidents or their reps): www.senate.gov/senators/sen...

Happy Black History Month 2025! Happy Black History Month! Like the other eleven months, it’s an excellent time to buy queer books by Black authors! For even more recs, check out previous years’ posts! Middle Grade Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch Eleven-year-old Naomi loves all things…

Sorry I’m late, I was having a lot of feelings and had to write a poem

ANYWAY, sorry, here's a bird. Pause and regard the bird. The bird is happy, for the bird has found a peanut. May we all find the small joy of finding a tasty snack today. (photo by me)

January is a treadmill. #poem

A soft, small, hopeful thing.

THE meme of 2025 for me.

Congratulations to all the honorees of this year’s Youth Media Awards! Thank you to ALA members & library professionals everywhere who pour their passion, time & dedication into finding the very best books & media for their communities. Your work matters.📚 #ALAYMA ilovelibraries.org/article/2025...

Describe your in person social skills with a GIF

Just a reminder that the books we call "children's books" are really books written for an audience that includes children, but excludes absolutely no-one at all. They are BOOKS FOR EVERYONE - and you can never, ever be too old to read them, and to love them!

I have a little plea and it's this: please keep posting about things that aren't The Horrors. I am not saying to not look at or be informed about The Horrors. What I am saying—what I am genuinely kind of begging you to do—is keep posting about books and movies and sunsets and pets and joy. Please.

I am not saying things are going to be fine. I am saying, find a thing to do that will put a little more hope in the world, however small.

This. Do what you need to do. 🫶🏼

Or both

this is why I write. i write for the kids sitting in their bedrooms, feeling like the world doesn’t understand them. i write for the adults who’ve fought to live authentically in a society that tells them they’re too much or not enough.

Genre villains in a nutshell: Fantasy: There’s something magical and bad Sci-Fi: There’s something technological and bad Horror: There’s something spooky and bad Dystopian: Everything is bad

Is there any better feeling than typing “THE END” at the bottom of a finished WIP? 🥹

Happy Howlidays from my distinguished old pup to you and yours! 🐾🎄❤️

One of my favorite ornaments this year. I love hanging ornaments that represent milestones, achievements, and fond memories—this one, my debut book deal announcement, is certainly something special! (And peep the back for my characters!)🎄 #booksky

Found the sweetest surprise in my mailbox today! Thank you, @mackidsbooks.bsky.social and my lovely editor, Carina Licon, for the fancy chocolates! Not too long ago, I was dreading checking my email for rejection letters—Now, I’m getting unexpected treats shipped from my publisher! What a RIDE! 🥹❤️

How to have a festive little weekend: ❤️Drink hot cocoa ❤️Go see Santa ❤️Watch a holiday movie ❤️Temporarily block out the current and looming man-made horrors ❤️Put on a fun headband

Some of my favorite gifts to give are handmade, & I had a wonderful time experimenting with Cyanotype art yesterday! I drew this boy and dragon on cardstock, cut it out, placed it on Cyanotype solution-treated paper, and then started it under a UV bulb before moving it into the sun to finish.💙

how many nogs did we actually try before settling on egg

We’ve been watching the show ‘Is It Cake?’ this week, and now our toddler is convinced everything he knows might actually be cake. Last night, he turned to me, little eyes wide, and asked, “Mommy cake?” 😳

Your writing process will change on a daily basis with every project, because every project is different. Whatever gets you to the final product is the way that that book needed to be written. So I need you to stop scrolling and say this aloud right now. "My writing process is not broken."

When you’re almost done with your draft and you’re not sure if it’s a work of genius or 3 plot holes in a trench coat #booksky

I’m so excited to share this list! There were so many fabulous #MGLit titles this year to choose from. Want an inside peak? Don’t forget to register and join me on Monday! ow.ly/tOLw50UaZXU

The little dopamine burst I get every time I find a writing friend on here 🥹🦋 #booksky

Things to remember if you're a first-time author: ✨ One sentence at a time is still progress ✨ Plotter or panster, every first draft is messy ✨ Progress doesn't always mean word count ✨ You do NOT have to write chronologically ✨ Always remember what drove you to write your story #WritingCommunity

Time for a book giveaway! If you'd like me to mail you an advance copy of my Apr. '25 MG novel in verse THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES, follow & share this post. Bonus entry if you also reply w/ a pic from a recent hike! I'll draw winners on 12/1. About the book: bookshop.org/p/books/the-... #edusky

Elizabeth, I have included you in the Starter Pack, “People who have had the pleasure of my company.” You’re welcome, Darcy

Find other middle grade hub members and support the vibrant middle grade writing community. To be added to the MGhub list dm Christiana at @doucette515.bsky.social

Bluesky in a nutshell 🦋

Since moving here from the hellscape that is X, my feed is somehow now full of posts about how awesome libraries are and I am HERE FOR IT! Support your local libraries, they provide a warm space safe for everyone and the free gift of knowledge!