This is a great addition to the discussion on queries at #kidlitchat last month. Many thanks to @cherylklein.bsky.social for sharing!

I am REALLY feeling the time change tonight, but, as always, Tuesday nights are worth the effort! Thank you all for hanging out with us. See you next time. #kidlitchat

I don't think you should write to trends--but knowing what the current trends are helps you focus your pitch. What we create can be packaged so many different ways. #kidlitchat

There are a couple of business trends I've run across lately: looking for series potential, and cross-pollinating (as in a pb with a bb tie-in). #kidlitchat

If you're interested in kidlit business trends, keep an eye out for workshops led by @hunderdown.bsky.social , and follow Harold's website for the latest. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: We just had a time change and, as always, times are changing, too. Do you keep an eye on trends? How do they inform how you work? And what trends are you noticing in the kidbook biz these days? #kidlitchat

Almost time for #kidlitchat! See you in just a few (9E/6P).

Time to go grab a couple of Reese's minis from the fridge. Have a safe and fun and CREATIVE Halloween, everyone! See you in November. #kidlitchat

I do love Reese's--I have some in the fridge right now. But (I apologize in advance to those of you who have strong feelings about this) I am also a Candy Corn fan. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: It's almost Halloween which has us thinking about a lot of things, including... what makes a great Halloween (or any holiday tie-in) book? What #kidlit characters do you see becoming classic costume choices? And why are Reese's cups the best Halloween candy? #kidlitchat

One thing I'm sure of: I'm happy to be here with all of you! Thanks for another great hour. See you next time--or maybe before! Goodnight, all. #kidlitchat

This! #kidlitchat

I'm so glad you found the #kidlit community here. It's been such a beacon of hope for those of us scarred by Twitter's implosion. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: How are you using social media and the online world for your career these days? Which networks or sites are still worth your time and energy? Are you posting more? Less? Both??? #kidlitchat

Come hang out with us! Brew some tea, bake some cookies, make some friends! If you're shy, hit me up and I'll be your buddy. :) #kidlit #kidlitchat

If you're new to Bluesky, and your focus is #kidlit, @doucette515.bsky.social has done a great job of gathering some resources for you in this series of posts:

Psst! I am opening up to unagented children's book submissions *just for the month of October*! This is an exciting experiment. The email to send submissions to is [email protected]. You can find out about what I'm looking for at www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/me...

Thanks, everyone. I have to go check on an illustration I left simmering in Photoshop and see if it's magically turned into something wonderful. See you all next time--when it will be even Fallier. #kidlitchat

I finally found a fall photo--you can even see some of that brilliant blue peeking through. #SouthCarolinaFall #kidlitchat

Like . . . I noticed the sky this week. An October sky is just so heart-breakingly BLUE. I guess it surprises me every year. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: It's Fall, a new season! The light is changing, disappearing sooner. And it makes us wonder - how do you use things like the seasons or light and darkness or other nature-driven details in your work? And when you read, how do those details affect you (and the story)? #kidlitchat

Yikes--guess what just sneaked up on me? #kidlitchat! If it is sneaking up on you, you have about 5 minutes to get ready! See you there!

I don't know what makes the October sky so glorious, but it is especially beautiful today.

I'm taking notes tonight--so many good tips. Keep 'em coming! Collective wisdom is such a valuable resource. Thank you all. See you next time! #kidlitchat

How do we all feel about the "_____ meets ______" format? I can do that kind of comp--but coming up with titles is hard. #kidlitchat

yes - just tell them the story, quickly and concisely. give away the ending. plainly state the conflict. #kidlitchat

An important point. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: Queries, pitches, log lines, synopses, comps--all the stuff that someone other than you needs to see (sometimes before they agree to see your work itself!). What are you especially good at? What do you dread? Any tips for coming up with good versions of any of those steps? #kidlitchat

Do you hear that sound? It's #kidlitchat approaching the station, right on time! See you in just a few. (9E/6P)

This has been so much fun--such wonderful memories! Thank you, all. See you next time! #kidlitchat

The first book that changed my life (there have been many) was The Once and Future King. I was obsessed with that book--the absolutely masterful segue from high humor to tragedy . . . #kidlitchat

I was an indiscriminate reader--everything I could get my hands on. But one standout was a poetry anthology. I memorized the poems and dreamed of someday drawing like the illustrator, Joan Walsh Anglund. I still have the book, and revisit often. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: What were your own favorite books from childhood? (Extra points if they're in the same genre you create now.) Do you ever revisit them for inspiration? #kidlitchat

It's almost time! Warming up the #kidlitchat engines and ready for take-off at 9E/6P--all aboard!

Hey, all. I don't usually post political stuff, but this article appearing in the New Republic is by a family friend we are all extremely proud of--not only for the sentiment, but for his clarity. Well done. newrepublic.com/article/2009...

The next #KidLitArtPostcard event is Thursday, October 2nd. Just over a week away! We will be extending the event through Friday in recognition of Yom Kippur. #kidlit www.ginaperry.com/postcard

What advice would you give your younger self just embarking on a career in children's books? Scroll back through hard-won wisdom in the comments from last night and add your own to the #kidlitchat conversation.

No matter what our younger selves did wrong (or right), I'm glad we all ended up here. Right here, tonight. We made it this far, and that's huge! See you next time. #kidlitchat

What's bad about tonight's topic is having a good friend here who knows you are STILL NOT TAKING that good advice :-) {Shhh, @debjohnsonart.bsky.social , don't give me away!} #kidlitchat

I would tell myself not to get discouraged too early in the process. Everything goes through at least one (usually more!) horribly awkward stage before it resolves itself. The art I gave up on . . . #kidlitchat

I would tell younger me that the journey really is where the joy and satisfaction happens--but I doubt she would listen. She was VERY results oriented. :-/ #kidlitchat

TOPIC: What professional or creative advice do you wish you could pass on to your younger self? (And would your younger self listen?!?) #kidlitchat

***URGENT BULLETIN: #kidlitchat comes your way at the top of the hour (9E/6P)!*** (See you there!)

Witch King is on sale right now in ebook for 2.99US across various ebook retailers (I don't know if this applies to other countries.) bookshop.org/p/books/witc...

I am inspired! But also sleepy. Goodnight, all. I can't wait to read back through tonight's post in the morning. Carry on! #kidlitchat

I have the same problem. #kidlitchat

I flip back through mountains of sketches and notes in the "not yet" file and can usually remember and engage with what caught my imagination the first time around. #kidlitchat

TOPIC: How do you recharge your creative energy? Is it by digging into more work? Time off? Going to a concert? Performing a concert??? What works for you... and how do you make sure you do it? (Psst. Please remember to do it!) #kidlitchat