Hi! Did you know that you aren’t pronouncing axolotl correctly? Suppression of indigenous languages by the Spanish is one of the Four Wounds of Colonization. This is a small subversion of colonial power you can use! Axolotl is a Nahuatl word, and it sounds like this:

So... this happened. Still in shock

What Are My Top 5 Favourite Books This Year? At the Big Malarkey, author and illustrator Ramzee picks his best reads from 2025 so far. Supplementals: tinyurl.com/3nx7jkdn @hulllibraries.bsky.social @hullsls.bsky.social @clareharlow.bsky.social @ramzeereads.bsky.social

Peer inside the mind of author @clareharlow.bsky.social and help pupils understand how flashbacks can help to set up mystery stories with this free WAGOLL based on Tidemagic: Ista Flit and the Impossible Key…

Apparently Guillermo Del Toro has ruined Frankenstein by… being relatively faithful to the source material. Oh my.

Hands Up who leaves entering competitions til the very last minute??!! Me! Me Me! When I entered this comp in 2023, I totally left it until the last couple of days - as always! But it was worth it! And now it's your chance. If you're a SCBWI member, you're eligible -and anyone can join SCBWI.

Wrote a few words about how fantasy can be an effective and safe space for teaching real histories and cultural experiences. clpe.org.uk/blog/spirit-...

Such a relief

So excited about my upcoming chat with Tabrizia on the 10th. For anyone who wants to join live in the UK, it's at 8PM for you!

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 1st July 8-9pm BST with the lovely @lisajallen.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her #MG Undercover Angel Crash Landing. All welcome to come along and join in the chat 🙂 #UndercoverAngel #kidlit #writerslife @tinytreebooks.bsky.social

Ha, the longer I do this, the more convinced I am that there’s no advice that’ll suit everyone. For me, the things that work practically are setting deadlines and making sure to take breaks. #UKTeenChat [1/2]

I can tell you almost nothing (I’m so sorry!) except that it’s more magical middle grade, although not Tidemagic-related, and it’s out with Puffin (UK) and Knopf (North America) in May 2026. #UKTeenChat

I’ll do a few days in one spot (sofa, desk, bed, kitchen table) then I need to move or my mind stagnates. If I have a ritual, it’s that I tell myself I’m just doing five minutes or just a hundred words. But once I’m in, I’m IN, and I’ve learnt that I need to set alarms to take breaks #UKTeenChat

Honestly, I’m so proud of it, and I just hope people feel it’s been a sequel worth waiting for, esp. after the aforementioned bk1 cliffhanger. I’m so grateful to all the readers, booksellers, librarians, teachers and bloggers who’ve taken Ista and Co. into their hearts and imaginations #UKTeenChat

Ooh, I can never choose between characters. There are some great new arrivals in book 2, as well as pretty much the whole gang from book 1. I got to write some bits from different perspectives, and I loved that #UKTeenChat [1/2]

I had a much more detailed outline in place for this one before I wrote it, really just because I had to write to schedule, and I was doing an MA and working, so time was tight. #UKTeenChat [1/2]

Ha, I’ve become greedier and can no longer choose, so what I really need now is Ista’s Tideblessing, because each time she copies someone’s appearance she gets to copy their Tideblessing too, although not for long. #UKTeenChat

I actually didn’t do lots of new research for this because it’s full of echoes of the fairy tales and folk tales I loved when I was younger #ukteenchat

It picks up immediately after the events of book 1. So if anyone’s still furious about book 1’s cliffhanger ending, all the answers are now available! #UKTeenChat

So... the Tidemagic books are set in a world where magic rises and falls with the tide, and in book 2 we rejoin our central trio of Ista, Nat and Ruby as they try to outwit new foes called marsh spinners, who enchant people using the sinister power of their music. (Cue evil laughter.) #UKTeenChat

Submissions open NEXT WEEK for #UV26 - how's your manuscript looking? Our amazing co-founder, author and editing guru @authorsaragrant.bsky.social has put together this helpful checklist to help decide if you're submission ready 👇 undiscoveredvoices.com/news/checkli... @scbwi-bi.bsky.social

Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 24th June 8-9pm BST here on BlueSky with the fabulous @clareharlow.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her second TideMagic book - Ista Flit and the Impossible Key 🗝️ All welcome to come and join in the chat 🙂 #MG #kidlit #writerslife

In today’s Bookseller: Unbound authors (myself included) need to know how and why the company collapsed, where our money went, and who was responsible www.thebookseller.com/comment/the-...

Join us tonight - Tues 24th June 8-9pm BST for #ukteenchat here on BlueSky with the fabulous @clareharlow.bsky.social - who will be chatting all about her second TideMagic book - Ista Flit and the Impossible Key 🗝️ All welcome to come and join in the chat 🙂 #MG #kidlit #writerslife

Book Review: Tidemagic: Ista Flit and the Impossible Key by @clareharlow.bsky.social Just as uncanny, atmospheric & captivating as the first one. Bravo! 🙌 swimminginbooks.blog/2025/06/20/t...

If you don't read to your cats they won't grow up to be readers. 💙📚 Elsa loved 'Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit' by @clareharlow.bsky.social and she can't wait for the newly released sequel 'Ista Flit and the Impossible Key'!

I'm so looking forward to this! Come and join us! #kidlit #MG #writerslife #ukteenchat

Tonight's the night 🤩 Who's coming to the launch of #UV26? Our amazing judges, that's who! Come and hear from them what makes a winning submission 📚 If you haven't booked a place yet, do it now! 👇tinyurl.com/3sbw5tzp Online TONIGHT at 7.30pm (BST) See you there 😀 @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #KidLit

If you're in the UK and you're annoyed that you don't know which AI companies are training on your copyrighted work without permission, the reason is now simple: the Labour party. This isn't a political statement - it's a fact. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

And people think £8.99 is steep for a novel - a year's work for some creative brain and many hours of entertainment!

An island of strangers? Just imagine British children's books without the work of migrants & their children – all of these & more! www.sfsaid.com/2017/02/one-...

There is going to be a nationwide ban on abortion in America and this will have global implications because the insane Christian evangelical lobby that wants this is then going to start pushing governments in other nations extra hard to also ban abortion using US government power.

Keir Starmer is my MP. This is the letter I wrote to him today. Subject: Island of Strangers? Mr Starmer, Let me tell you about this ‘stranger’.

Have you signed up for the #UV26 masterclasses yet? Sign up by 31 May for chance to win The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel by @authorsaragrant.bsky.social or Pitch Your Book by @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social Find out more and book your spot: tinyurl.com/4tjm6m9r @scbwi-bi.bsky.social #UV26

LOVE this book! Huge congrats @krahim.bsky.social

I grew up knowing nothing of this – luckily there are now great books for teachers, educators and parents with a global perspective on WW2 for young readers. (personally have mixed feelings about VE/VJ day and would prefer the International Day of Peace (21st September) marked instead) #kidlituk

It’s this week’s KS2 #jamesreckitt #hullchildrensbookaward Reckitt Recommendation! For fans of The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant @faberchildrens.bsky.social then check these other amazing titles! @hulllibraries.bsky.social

One heck of a line-up, gang... Totally gobsmacked to be here! www.waterstones.com/book/some-bo...

This is an absolutely blooming BRILLIANT sequel from @clareharlow.bsky.social The same wonderful characters & exquisite writing, wrapped up in a highly original thrilling plot. Set on an atmospheric island where people are enchanted to dance forever at the marsh queen's revels. LOVED IT #kidlituk

@clareharlow.bsky.social got my (paperback) copy of tidemagic #1. Very fun! (Your eel is ♥️♥️♥️!)

TideMagic book two is out TODAY! Can't wait to dive in and see what @clareharlow.bsky.social has in store for Ista and friends. The first book was a stunner. Just loved it.

Writers! If you stand in solidarity with trans people, please sign this letter about the recent supreme court judgement. Whether you write films/tv/books/journalism/poetry etc docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Thanks for flagging!

You have reached the Abyss. Your scream is very important to us, but we are currently experiencing an unusually high volume of despair. Please stay on the line and the next available void will embrace you soon.

There seems to be a real uptick of people this year buying books for kids instead of Easter eggs. They certainly last longer, that's for sure. - Michael

We also have ten FREE places for writers on a low income who can’t afford to attend. Email [email protected] to enquire about a place. (No proof of income needed. If there’s a place still free, it’s yours.)

It’s time for our next KS3 Reckitt Recommendations for the #JamesReckitt #hullchildrensbookaward Fans of Clare Harlow and all things magical, check this out! #hullreads #childrensbookawards #kidlit #middlegradeficton #readingforpleasure #readingisfun #schoolslibraryservice

Parents and educators - there are a lot of discussions in publishing about how to improve reading for pleasure. Is there anything you wish publishing would do more of? Or just understand about kids and reading? Any insights from teaching/parenting of what gets kids reading? #KidLitUK #Edusky #KidLit

Just a reminder we close on Friday at 11.59pm, so do pop over and get your applications in! Good luck!

Ahhhh, such exciting post yesterday!! I LOVED the first in this series & I'm so looking forward to diving back into this magical world. "...where a beautiful queen tricks unwary humans into joining her endless revels" - so enticing! Publishes 1st May @clareharlow.bsky.social