Did you know: The book that gets you an agent is rarely the first one you write. And the book that gets you an agent? It’s rarely the first to sell to a publisher. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and just...write.

🎉

TAKE 5 with LIZZIE BROOKS It’s about a little girl who’s great at just about everything, so she assumes she'll be perfect at yoga poses too–her name is Pose-y, after all. But to her dismay, she can’t do the poses like the other kids. Frustrated, she quits. She continues other activities, but yoga…

mighty-kidlit.mn.co/share/GIxDTK... ✨ Some amazing industry and craft events coming up! 🤩 Check it out as well as the sparkly new website and MENTORSHIP opportunities. ✨ kidlitfirefly.com #kidlit #submission #craft #growth

@kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social I solemnly swear I’m using my yummy brain to bring a zombie manuscript back to life. #KidLitZombieWeek

You've made it to #KidlitZombieWeek Day 4! HUGE thanks to Rosie J. Pova for today's post! Check it out: writerreaderteacher.wordpress.com/2026/06/04/g... Then come back & let us know: Which question best embodies what you need to focus on in revisions? Why? #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity

It's #KidlitZombieWeek Day 3! Get ready for another round of killer revisions with today's post: www.christinashawn.com/blog/asrama0... Then come right back here and tell us: Which story element would help your revision feel more seamless? #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

#SCBWI members: First Round Voting is open for this year's Crystal Kite Awards, and The Abominable Snow Dancer is in the CA/Hawaii Division. This division might be the biggest (plus, there's a *Caldecott Honor*), but vote for my book if you're so inclined! #kidlit www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite

Hello SCBWI friends! KAI PO CHE: MINI'S PERFECT KITE by DevikaOza & me is in the Texas-Oklahoma Division of the Crystal Kite Awards! 1st round voting is OPEN! Please consider voting @ scbwi.org/crystal-kite. I appreciate your support! TY🙏🙏 #kidlit #scbwi #CrystalKiteAward

It's time to vote for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards! Round 1 goes til 6/23 - Vote in all 15 divisions If you ❤️ GILBERT & THE GHOST👻, by me & Jess Mason, pls consider casting your vote for it in the ATLANTIC DIVISION www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite #scbwi #CrystalKiteAward #gilbertandtheghost #kidlit

Happy Book Birthday to MUSIC PLANTS HOPE by Tonnye Fletcher! @seymouragency.bsky.social

Friends!!! It’s Kidlit Zombie Week!!! #kidlit friends, join us for blogs about revising old manuscripts and a pitch contest with PRIZES!!! But seriously, look at these prizes 👀👇🧟 sites.google.com/view/kidlit-...

The hour of reckoning is at the door! Grab your story and your badge, and be sure to follow each of our #KidlitZombieWeek hosts and guest bloggers for all of this week's manuscript-raising fun. sites.google.com/view/kidlit-... #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

YOU matter, and on International Being You Day, we celebrate our books with characters who know THEY matter. @kidlitcollective.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitcommunity #booksky #picturebooks

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” Richard Bach #justwrite#15minutesprint#pb #authors #kidlit#writers

The forest smells lovely when it rains. #kidlitart #illustration @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

#NationalMentalHealthAwarenessMonth If you're a #KidLit creator with #anxiety, all this week I'll be unpacking the ins and outs of #Self-Care planning for before, during, and after conferences— Preparing for the Worst, Making the Best kcstrocchia.com/2026/01/08/p... #WriterSky #WritingCommunity

Wanted to do a sweet little playground scene 🥰 Played around with a mid century palette, which isn’t usually my thing, but it was nice to experiment with something new ! #kidlitart #cuteart #illustration

I read it. Here are my thoughts. #kidlit #booksky #edusky #skybrarian #crudgate

There’s a good chance that I’m never going to sign with an agent or get any or my stories published and that hurts but—

🌼 #writing #revising #storiesmatter #one-man's-crud-is-another's-gold

So I just wrapped up an online panel about having a long career in children's literature and want to share some of the resources I talked about. The secret to picture books? It's about practice and play. katemessner.com/picture-book...

These three books make great new grad gifts. I know folks who bought one and had teachers sign it each year so when the child graduates, it recaps their education. Order from Mystery to Me, and I'll sign the book and the store will ship to you. (Plan ahead to get it in time!) #graduation #booksky

I have found this to be true and applies to many things! 👇

Ahhhh!!! Thousands of Poseys are officially printed! I'm not crying. You're crying! 🥹 She's available for preorder everywhere (yes, even Ama...). And if you're in Austin July 11, come see me at Book People for a story time & signing. RSVP & order link in comments. 🩵 #picturebooks #writers

So excited to be one of the hosts for the #KidlitZombieWeek again this year! It’s a fun #kidlit event with blog posts from professionals, a pitch contest, and amazing kidlit prizes!! Stay tuned 😄 #writingcommunity

Have a manuscript that's been dying for a second chance? Follow #KidlitZombieWeek 2026 on Instagram www.instagram.com/kidlitzombie... and right here on BlueSky for a week of blog posts and #prizes sure to breathe life into that old story. #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

🦋💓 This is a FREE event for ALL Mighty Kidlit members. Max capacity 100. Curious about Mighty Kidlit? Check it out! Link below. #kidlit #picturebooks #PB #CB #MG #YA mighty-kidlit.mn.co/share/GIxDTK...

NEW PICTURE BOOK POSTCARD! 🩰💌✨ I love this sweet postcard from Jen. 💃 I SPARK LIKE LIGHTNING Author: @kidlitjennaj.bsky.social Illustrator: Sue Teodoro Publisher: @freespiritbooks.bsky.social Read the entire postcard here: aprilberrybooks.com/i-spark-like... #amreading #kidlit

It’s been bad news after bad news so sharing this with others who may need to hear it! #affirmations #writer #life #encouragement #mentalhealth

The ADHD girl is tired. But no one sees it because she’s still smiling. Still showing up. Still doing everything she’s “supposed to.” From the outside, she looks like she has it together — witty, warm, reliable, maybe even the “bubbly one.” But inside, she’s running on fumes.

Congratulations to the 2026 #PBParty finalists! 🎉 You truly dazzled us. The judges and I can't wait for the agent/editor/AD showcase on May 4 - 8. Huge hugs and cyber chocolate to those who need it. (((Hugs)))

WHAAA?!! KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW?! With so many lows in the publishing journey, I'll take this high. Keep writing & believing, my friends. 🩵 #kidlit #writingcommunity #publishing #picturebooks #yoga

#MusicPlantsHope #BackMatterBlitz Pre-orders available now! Scan the QR code for links. Request it at your local library and bookstore if you're willing! Soaring onto shelves near you 5.26.26

IT STARTED WITH A P was such a fun read! My toddler and I laughed out loud. Love the illustrations and color in this #picturebook 📚👍 @brittanypomales.bsky.social

Being immersed in #pbparty as a judge this year has confirmed for me that the prize is the process: preparing a great submission that is streamlined to stand out among hundreds or thousands of other subs, catching attention in the fewest words possible. Always be crafting your pitch, and simplify.

We have now held our first two Hangouts, both of which were fun for us and informative for those attending, and there is still room to sign up for the third and beyond...

This is such a hard industry and we have no control over whether or not our works gets published. I think that we have to prioritize the process of creating, and make that the source of joy. I hope you keep creating!

This newsletter about the difference between "idea" and "concept" is about documentary filmmaking, but it 100% applies to books, especially picture books. Super smart, and now I have three more films I want to see: lennypane.substack.com/p/ideas-are-...

What can you do to make readers fall in love with your story? Add big feelings! Get more tips here: picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #amreading #picturebook #kidlit #PBSummit #booksky

🚨 Christina Koch has officially become the farthest any woman has ever traveled from Earth

It’s playtime because… Kidlit Haha Week is headed to the playground with Rachel Michelle Wilson, author/illustrator of HOW TO PEE YOUR PANTS THE RIGHT WAY (and member of Team Nothing Learned 😉) Tag. You’re it! #kidlithahaweek www.brittanypomales.com/2026/04/01/k...

Thank you @viviankirkfield.bsky.social for creating and championing this contest that brings the Kidlit community together. And thank you and the judges for the hours spent reading each story. You all amaze me. Thank you!!!🙏 😊 My story Hide-and-Seek, Wild Child earned an HM!🥳🤩🎉🎊 #50PreciousWords

Been a rough week in publishing (it’s Tuesday, Lemon), and I’m reminding myself of the advice I give everyone else. Focus on what you can control. I’m doing my best to check in with colleagues and planning with my creatives. Be angry + frustrated, but don’t lose focus, and don’t lose each other.

My son will ❤️ this!!! 🦖🦕 @joshfunkbooks.bsky.social

Anyone else checking /refreshing the #pbparty page for teasers? Tell me I’m not alone. 🙈 Good luck, everyone!!! And thank you, judges, for your hard work. It means a lot!

It's time to rein in those manuscripts! Download Picture Book Summit's Tips for Trimming 10% and be reading a streamlined manuscript by tonight! Get the freebie here: picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #amreading #picturebook #kidlit #PBSummit #booksky