Still space available (for writers of ANY format or genre--illustrators, too!) and it's happening Thursday:

I wrote three new poems in my novel in verse WIP yesterday, and today I'm ignoring the voice in my head saying, "You made such progress yesterday. Take today off!"

I decided to create a series of lino cut book covers for some of my favorite middle grade books. Here's the first one! #BookArt #Illustrator #MiddleGrade #LinoCut

Write what you want to write. You can figure out the rest later.

A poetry book is like the food table at a party. Stand and feast if you like, or taste a bit here and there, savoring, letting the flavors linger. Here are a couple favorites (for feasting or snacking).

It's been a challenging week, and I can't decide if I should spend today recovering or playing catch-up. Maybe half and half?

I'm rarely around for #kidlitchat live because we have grandkids at the house on Tuesday nights. But I write MG because MG books are always at the top of my favorites lists. And I write rhyming PBs because they are my favorite thing to read aloud. I guess that part of me has never grown up!

Happy First Day of School to all who celebrate! Illus Claire Messer @simonandschuster.bsky.social

Plan for the day: 1. Work on my verse novel revision 2. Finish my picture book dummy 3. Try not to add too many more books to my enormous library holds list

My 3yo grandson is really excited about playing in the snow this year, and now I'm like, "Why isn't it December yet?"

Just finished this fun, action packed middle grade adventure!

Much of my writing time is actually spent meandering around the garden while drafting rhyming lines in my head.

I'm a long time kidlit author, now author-illustrator working with a mix of analog and digital media. Though I sometimes do purely digital work, I love drawing with paper and pen or making block prints by hand, then painting digitally. Seeking representation! #kidlitartpostcard

A manuscript about a lonely dragon, though never published, played a key role in my growth as a writer.

The words "not currently open to queries" might be worse than "this manuscript is not for us." Certainly more frustrating, anyway!

There are few things better than when a parent lets you know that her daughter loves your book and takes it with her everywhere she goes. This is the book 👇

I spent some time writing in my notebook while seated in the dappled shade this morning, ahead of the extreme heat we're supposed to get. Now I've retreated into the office, and writing on the computer just doesn't feel the same!

You know you have to buy a book when you've already read it and want to keep it for yourself instead of returning it to the library.

I stayed up entirely too late (1:30 a.m.) last night because I could not stop reading this book. If you like novels in verse, historical fiction, and writing that grips you and crushes your heart, then this book is for you.

Haven't been around because I've been busy doing other stuff.

It's been a year since @bethspencer.bsky.social created the first #HIBadge and inspired so many of us to do the same.

Two novels in verse that I read and enjoyed recently. In each one, music is a consistent thread, and the stories have more in common than you might think at first glance. One is MG fantasy and the other YA historical fiction. @sharigreen.bsky.social @nicolemhewitt.bsky.social

The #Kidlit industry can be agonizingly slow, but better a slow yes than a no. I got confirmation that a PB manuscript that I revised and resubmitted is still under consideration, so I'm holding out hope! Trying not to think about it too much, though.

My to-do list today is whatever was on my to-do list for yesterday because I didn't get any of it done. Plus laundry.

I went to visit my family in Minnesota last week, and one of the highlights of the trip was watching my 77yo dad find the "perfect" climbing tree, and proceed to climb it.

Sometimes planned writing time turns into unplanned grandma time with cinnamon rolls, train sets, and bubbles.

I sat down to work on my novel revision, but instead started researching lino printing presses.

I can't be the only one who wishes people would learn the difference between "knew" and "had known." Right?

One of my favorite things to do is listen to an audiobook (usually MG) while working on an art project. These are my most recent listens, which I really enjoyed: #kidlit #audiobooks #mgfiction

Another #kidlitartpostcard day crept up on me! I like to do ink drawings and block prints, and, if color is called for, I usually paint my work digitally.

I have a poem published in The Way Back to Ourselves literary journal. I hope you'll read it and browse through the rest of the journal and find something to bless your day. www.thewayback2ourselves.com/journal/ithi...

When I open a book and am drawn into the world of Narnia, I can’t help but feel a little bit like how the Pevensie children must have felt upon returning to Narnia in Prince Caspian. Like I’ve been away far too long and am finally home. What books feel that way to you?

My latest newsletter - I want to have tea with C.S. Lewis open.substack.com/pub/gomezwri...

Repost with a favorite book from childhood. A Walk in Wolf Wood by Mary Stewart was one of the first fantasy novels I ever read on my own, and it completely captured my imagination!

I write picture books and verse novels because I love concise, poetic language.

I spent basically all day trying to decide which vacation rental to book and working myself into a state of anxious overwhelm. But the decision has been made! And I somehow managed to write a poem about a shade tree. So, not a total loss.

I'm a long time kidlit author, now author-illustrator working in a blend of analog and digital media. I love drawing with paper and pen or carving and printing block prints by hand, then painting digitally. Seeking representation! #kidlitartpostcard

Sometimes when I write I think, "Ugh I wrote this," and other times when I write I think, "Wow. I wrote this!"

National Poetry Month begins tomorrow, but the Weekly Poetry Challenge begins today! Come write haiku with us! readdiscussdo.substack.com/p/weekly-poe...

I'm not sure why this is, but all of my current book projects take place in winter.

Reading picture books in the morning is a good way to start of the work day.

I'm here because I succumbed to peer pressure. Actually I'm just reluctant to try new things on the internet, which is why my website is still hosted on blogger.