This year’s PB Party finalists are a group of truly talented creators. I’m honored to be among them. It’s been a couple of weeks since the showcase started, but it’s still going on. If you’re an agent or editor looking for an amazing story, check them out: mindyalyseweiss.com/pbparty-2026...

Still reeling from the news that I’m a #pbparty finalist this year! So grateful that “Olivia Huang and Luna Park are Not the Same Person” was well received! Very appreciative to @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social and @sylviaichen.bsky.social and the other judges for putting on this amazing contest!

Love this time of year with so many Kidlit writing contests going on! Glad I was able to enter #PBParty for the second time. Best of luck to all who submitted their stories! And many thanks to @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social and @sylviaichen.bsky.social and all of the amazing judges!

My writing lately has taken a different direction that has led me to start a small business where kids (and adults) can learn about America’s national parks through monthly letters, activities, stickers, and postcards. Check it out to get your first letter in 2026! #writing #kidseducation #travel

A CITY FULL OF SANTAS X FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER Novice baker Bonnie wants to gift her neighbor some holiday sweets. But after a series of kitchen catastrophes, she’s ready to give up until she learns a piece of home is a gift from the heart in DUMPLINGS FOR CHRISTMAS. #RoundTableMentor #PB

Tilly wants both sides of her mixed-race family to be happy. When they meet, she doesn’t know whether to wear a qipao or spring dress, eat pancakes or dim sum. Seeing both parts of her family together, Tilly learns she doesn’t need to choose because this is her whole family. #RoundTableMentor #PB

EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS x I AM GOLDEN I don’t look like Mom or Dad or anyone in my family. I feel so different from them. In the mirror, all I see is me, but maybe that’s all I need to be. I LOOK LIKE ME is a lyrical celebration of self love and mixed-race heritage. #RoundTableMentor #PB #UN

THERE ARE MOMS WAY WORSE THAN YOU x DO MOMMIES EVER SLEEP? The sister-brother duo of Astronaut Girl and Starfish Baby are the best helpers, at least in their minds. So when Mommy gets sick, they know just how to help and won’t let anything stop them from making her feel better. #DVPit #PB #Asian

A CITY FULL OF SANTAS X FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER Novice baker Bonnie wants to gift her neighbor a plate of holiday sweets. But after a series of kitchen mishaps, she’s ready to give up until she learns a piece of home is a gift from the heart in DUMPLINGS FOR CHRISTMAS. #DVPit #PB #Asian #WOC

I CAN BE ALL THREE X SEOUL FOOD The two halves of Tilly’s mixed-race family are meeting, but will she eat pancakes or dim sum? Wear a qipao or her spring dress? When the guest of honor arrives, she doesn’t need to choose—only with both halves can she introduce OUR WHOLE FAMILY. #DVPit #PB #Asian

EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS x I AM GOLDEN I don’t look like Mom. I don’t look like Dad. I don’t look like anyone in my family. In the mirror, all I see is me, but maybe that’s all I need to be. I LOOK LIKE ME is a lyrical celebration of self love and mixed-race heritage. #DVPit #PB #Asian #WOC

I was beyond excited to get this latest delivery of #bookmail with a signed copy of #aforgeryoffate by @elimpix from @booksofwonder.bsky.social plus the incredibly adorable Truyan pin! I was drawn to the cover months ago when it came out, and the story inside did not disappoint!

DVpit is officially coming back on October 8th, 2025 and we have over 50 agents and editors excited to participate. Follow this account for all announcements and check out dvpit.carrd.co for more details and information! #dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks

In the winter of 1894, Florida’s citrus industry struggled. As oranges withered in the cold, Chinese American horticulturist Lue Gim Gong knew he could help. Years of experiments brought an orange that could thrive in harsh conditions, something Lue was all too familiar with. #QuestPit #Q #PB #NF

There wasn’t room in my backpack for writing supplies, but there was infinite space to think and reflect. And that’s what I really needed. 100% inspired by these scenic views and just the wonder of nature. #writingcommunity #aspiringauthor #kidlit

The two halves of Tilly’s multi-ethnic family are finally meeting, but she worries what will happen. Does she have to choose between her Chinese and American sides? When their guest of honor arrives, Tilly learns that BOTH sides together is what makes her family whole. #BluePit📖 #PB #POC #OV #Q

The sister-brother duo of Astronaut Girl and Starfish Baby are the best helpers a parent could ask for, at least in their minds. So when Mommy gets sick, they know just how to help and—for better or worse—won’t let anything get in their way of making her feel better. #BluePit #PB #POC #BluePit📖 #Q

I had the honor of leading a discussion with my coworkers this week about #aanhpi creators and representation in literature. It was an absolute blast sharing some of my favorite stories with them. Wish I could have included dozens more, and I hope I get the chance to at a future event. #kidlit

#BluePitHype ADVICE SHARE Tip 3: Elevator Pitch Sometimes called a 'logline', this is a 1-2 sentence summary of the story. Here's a very basic way to brainstorm one. As always, do try different things! There's no one right way to pitch your story! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Hi, Story People! I’m a biracial Chinese American PB author writing about the mixed-race American experience and other niche topics I like learning about. I’m seeking representation and loving improving my craft along the way with challenges and events like #BluePit #BluePitHype ✍️ Let’s connect!

It has been a busy week, but I’m so glad the extended deadline gave me a chance to work on a pitch for my zombie manuscript! Falling back into love with this one after giving it some needed TLC the last few weeks. So grateful for amazing contests and challenges like this one!

⭐️Upcoming Pitch Events⭐️ @joypit.bsky.social June 6 @swiftiepitch.bsky.social June 13 @smallpitch.org July 7 @wickedpit.bsky.social July 31 @questpit.bsky.social August 6 @posterpit.bsky.social August 16 @pitchdis.com September 9 @youdeservepit.bsky.social TBD @dvpit.bsky.social October 8

Because parents don’t get a day off, even when they’re sick. I have been sick FOUR times as I’ve written and revised this, and I wished each time I could read this to my kids so they’d let me rest. 😴 Apparently, they don’t remember things unless they learn it from a book. 😆 #JoyPit #PB #amquerying

The two halves of Tilly’s multi-ethnic family are finally meeting, but she worries what will happen. Does she have to choose between her Chinese and American sides? When their guest of honor arrives, Tilly learns that BOTH sides together is what makes her family whole. #JoyPit #PB #OWN #POC #C

A biracial girl struggles to feel connected to her family, thinking she doesn’t look like any of them. Seeing her reflection in the mirror, she realizes the only person she needs to look like is herself and celebrates the traits that are uniquely her own. #JoyPit #PB #OWN #POC #C

The sister-brother duo of Astronaut Girl and Starfish Baby are the best helpers a parent could ask for, at least in their minds. So when Mommy gets sick, they know just how to help and—for better or worse—won’t let anything get in their way of making her feel better. #JoyPit #PB #POC #HA

Hello #writers #agents and #editors, #JoyPit is back this year. ✨Save the Date✨ #amquerying #writerscommunity

It's ba-ack. Dunh, dunh, DUNH! Hey, #KidLit #WritingCommunity! #kidlitzombieweek hosted by @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social & Co has moved right here to BlueSky. Check it out: sites.google.com/view/kidlit-... #WIP #PB #MG #YA #kidlitart

Another Honorable Mention! What a joy it was to submit to the #springflingkidlit contest. And I 1000% agree with categorizing my Tax Day story as “wonderfully unique.” Accountant husband was just as thrilled as I was! Thank you , @ciaralovesbooks.bsky.social and @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social 💕

Finding out “Dumplings for Christmas” is a 2025 #PBParty Honorable Mention has been beyond surreal. So grateful to my CPs who helped shaped this story along the way and judges like @sylviaichen.bsky.social and @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social for their hard work in putting together this contest!

This was such a fun one to submit to. It’s not often you get your writing in front of your intended audience before publish. So grateful to be participating in the inaugural year of the #PBandkidJudges writing event, wonderfully hosted by @authorkelliebeggs.bsky.social Truly a unique opportunity!

With several accountants in my family, springtime means tax season to me. So, naturally, that was the theme of my entry to the #SpringFlingKidlit contest hosted by @ciaralovesbooks.bsky.social and @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social 🌼 Happy Tax Day Eve to all!

Yesterday was a little rough. So for our Mommy-Daughter date, we got ice cream and stopped by one of our favorite local bookstores. An hour or so at Talking Animal Books was exactly what we needed to recharge and press on for the rest of this week. 💕

Finding out my piece “And Back Again” is an honorable mention for 2025’s #50preciouswords was the highlight of my day, my week, my month! And certainly a highlight of my writing career thus far. I almost didn’t participate, but I’m so glad I did. Sometimes success is just one submit button away.

We had a wonderful time at the @book.drive.for.kids adult spelling bee. The night was full of great company and a great cause! Excited about how much money was raised to help get books in the hands of kids around the metroplex. #kidlit #weneeddiversebooks #aspiringauthor

I am not one for brevity (or rhyming for that matter), so trying my hand at #50preciouswords was definitely a challenge for me. But I had so much more fun with this than I thought I would! Paying homage to all the like-minded #wanderlust introverts out there, here’s my entry for 2025. 🤞🏼 🌎

This is our second time checking this one out from the library in just a couple of months. You can tell it captured the heart of our little naturalist. Much love to @jennytwrites.bsky.social and Izzy Burton for creating this for our little wild ones. 🐾

Want to win a signed copy of MADE FOR MORE? 1.) Follow me 2.) Like this post 3.) Tag 2 friends And you're done! *You can repost this for a bonus entry Giveaway ends February 28th For US residents only More giveaways to come! #Skybrarian #KidlitMegaFeed #teacher #parenthood #librarian #Edusky

Jumping for joy! I hope you will be, too! Please check out & share the HEADS-UP-The-#50PreciousWords CONTEST-IS-COMING-SOON post! Find DATES, GUIDELINES, and a list of fabulous PRIZES! And I hope you love my updated website thanks to @thebooklinksllc.bsky.social viviankirkfield.com/2025/02/01/h...

It’s #pbparty day! I’m proud to say I submitted, and I wish all the other participants the very best luck! Grateful to Mindy, Sylvia, the incredible team, and panel of judges who put this amazing opportunity. Things like this make me absolutely love the beauty of the #writingcommunity

Here are our mentees from the Middle Grade and Picture Books category:

It’s my first year as a member of @12x12challenge.bsky.social and I already love how it’s such a welcoming and supportive community! Can’t wait to soak up all of the shared knowledge and see how much I grow as a writer throughout 2025 thanks to #12x12pb ❤️ ✍️ #writingcommunity #aspiringauthor

恭喜发财! 새해복많이받으새요! We got the most precious and lovely Lunar New Year gift from @jocelynschung with richly colored and beautifully detailed illustrations by @juliaskuo Reading this story has been a wonderful part of our celebration today to welcome in the Year of the Snake! 🐍🧧 #writingcommunity

🌟But since we can’t wait…we’re hosting a social media GIVEAWAY! 🎁 You could win ONE MONTH FREE of Ebony Lynn Mudd’s PB courses at The PB Retreat! How to enter: 1. Follow us 2. Repost! 3. Tag a friend in the comments! A winner will be chosen on Friday, 1/10! Enter on IG too to DOUBLE your chances!

Was so happy to snag the last signed copies of #andbreaktheprettykings and #thewitchofwolsinlake at King’s English Bookshop. Couldn’t resist especially after I found the swag bag inside with the coolest stickers, bookmarks, and artwork. Totally ready to dive into this beautiful world!

Once a year, Mai’s family gathers to make Hmoob egg rolls. Her aunt is the fastest–producing two egg rolls every minute! But Mai’s been practicing and looks forward to taking over the record. Except her egg rolls keep falling apart! #HoliPit #PB #BIPOC #OWN #agented ❄️

A CITY FULL OF SANTAS X FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER Novice baker Bonnie Liu-Miller is set on gifting her neighbor with a plate of holiday sweets. But after things go wrong at every turn, there’s not much hope. That is until she learns how special it is to give from the heart. #HoliPit #PB #Q ❄️

Enjoyed seeing all of the #brandonsanderson fans flying out of SLC this morning. Half our flight was wearing their #dragonsteel merch. Coolest conversations to eavesdrop on.