I moved a lot as a kid and first days were tough—even after learning how to retreat into my own head where it felt safer. My #50preciouswords entry tries to reflect that in 50 short words. Thanks @viviankirkfield.bsky.social for all the goes into this event!

Yay! I can shout about this book now. Super excited to be working with Brittany at Moon and Bird. Having my book released in the UK too is super exciting. Let packing for London commence! 😁☕️🇬🇧💂

Published authors and illustrators, don't miss your chance to sell and autograph your books at WIK 2026. Conference attendees can sign up for a free table at this public event held at the Homewood Library on Friday, March 27. Deadline for the bookstore: FEBRUARY 23. www.scbwi.org/events/south...

These birds are a small glimpse into the world of Sun, Moon, and Star, my upcoming picture book with Holiday House 📚, being published on Feb. 24, 2026. I’ve poured so much heart into this story, and I can’t wait to share the cover with you soon. 💛

I’m so thrilled for you!!

I guess you’re never too old to try something new. I survived my first quest today!

So much fun at SCBWI New England!

@pbrisingstars.bsky.social Thank you all! I’m honored to be a runner-up again.

Congrats Borko! Welcome. ❤️

I love seeing magic happen at our conferences!

Conferences build connections. Not every conference has a success story, but our last regional conference had three! Read about one here, and don't miss the chance to connect with agent Rebecca Rodd & editors Eileen Robinson & Zoie Konneker. scbwi.org/events/full-...

Thanks to all of the judges and prize donors! If you’d like to read my entry, I’m sharing it here. 😃 www.melissajohnstonmiles.com/holiday-cont...

#NCTE24 It’s my first time here and I’m looking forward to a day full of making connections, learning, and seeing old friends.

Scam/phishing alert: if you received an email apparently from Laura Bradford of @bradfordagents.bsky.social with the subject line "Review Invitation/Bid Proposal", don't click on the link inside and delete immediately. Laura has confirmed that her account was hacked and the message is NOT from her

Today is Trans Day of Remembrance, a day to honor lives lost to anti-trans violence. Books are a powerful tool for empathy, so I'm resharing this @lgbtqreads.bsky.social page—use it to find great #mglit with trans MCs: https://buff.ly/3qh5DgW More on the observance: https://buff.ly/2z1VaK7

My amazing CP and friend Reem Faruqi’s latest book releases next May. It’s a beautiful MG NIV and you’ll want to add it to your TBR list. #kidlit #MG

This week's kid lit #giveaway ends tomorrow Nov 13! Enter to win a copy of the MG fantasy BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS by @alysawishingrad.bsky.social (HarperCollins). To enter, repost & confirm your entry in our Friday weekly update: www.kidlit411.com/2024/11/the-...

Good Morning! I’m looking for other #Kidlit folks who will be at NCTE next week. It’s my first time going and I’m super excited. I’d love any tips about making the most of the experience. I’d also love to connect in person. Thanks!😊

Happy Book Birthday to MAUNTIE AND ME, written by me, illustrated by Nadia Alam, and published by Candlewick Press! This is a sweet story about Priya and her favorite auntie. But when an older cousin comes to visit, jealousy rears its head. Can Priya find a way to share? youtu.be/K3Pjk8DBMbE?...

I cooked up a banana blossom tonight and it was amazing! It’s never too late to try something new, right?

SOURGRASS by @hopelim.bsky.social & Shahrzad Maydani is a sweet story about friendship and how it changes when one friend moves away. It handles those complicated feelings with a light touch, and it shows kids that it's okay to feel unsure & sad, but also hopeful, when life changes happen. #kidlit

It’s a tough time to be on submission with Middle Grade Novels. Sigh. Another pass today. Onward and upward, I guess.

Had so much fun doing this webinar with @nmillerillo.bsky.social this weekend with SCBWI Southern Breeze. We talked about so many aspects of writing nonfiction picture books! I could have chatted with them all day!

Skip the candy and flowers this year. Ask your sweetheart (or treat yourself) to a career boosting conference! Https://bit.ly/SoBrzEvents #kidlit #amwriting #amillustrating #scbwi

Same!

I love working alongside Leslie. I come away from Zoom meetings with her energized for revisions, and excited about her plans for sub. If you're looking for a great agent, she's open to queries this first week of February.

Yay! Perfect gift for the writer in your life.

Hey SCBWI members… who wants to go to NY in February?

It's tomorrow!

Teachers & librarians! Hundreds of authors have signed up to offer free virtual read-alouds for LitWorld's World Read Aloud Day in February! If you'd like the full list & authors' contact info, it'll be in my email newsletter next week! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

(*Updated Nov.17*) My starter thread for Bluesky newbies, pls see full thread. 👇🏼 Why I'm on Bluesky Quick tips & resources My Bluesky How-To Videos My Bluesky Lists My K-12 Educators/Librarians List KidLit Creators who enjoy connecting w/schools & libraries Kate Messner's KidLit list cont'd

First: Sign this petition to let Goodreads know how important graphic novels and books for children are. chng.it/g4R7YqhJ4D Next: Buy a book this weekend.

Debbie has done so much to make the writing community here more accessible. If you haven't yet found her lists, do yourself the favor of pinning a few of them for easy access.

This conference is a huge goal of mine. 😮‍💨 Maybe one day. Hoping it’s a great time for everyone who gets to attend!! 😊

#kidlit community, welcome @aobriencarelli.bsky.social to BlueSky! And #educators, check out this awesome #book giveaway she's going.

What a great weekend at the #scbwi Southern Breeze MG retreat at the beach!

Love seeing these at the beach. Accessibility means so much to do many.

Advice to live by! 😊 Saw this in Hilton Head and had to snap a picture. Made me think of Ellie in Lisa Fipp’s powerful verse novel STARFISH, but also my precious dad’s eye roll inducing puns. I’d give anything to hear them again.

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT! We're SO excited to have #MG author Emily Deibert (@emilydeibert.bsky.social) as a member of the Fairly Odd Debuts! Emily is the author of a BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT (Random House Books for Young Readers, Spring 2025). #kidlit

As well-meaning publishers try to navigate the coming storm of state laws against diversity, I hope they'll consider Timothy Snyder's Rule #1 (from his slim book ON TYRANNY).

Thank you, We Need Diverse Books. Diversity is not a choice. Thank you to all the librarians speaking out. Thank you to all the authors speaking up. Thank you to all the customers speaking out. Scholastic must hear us. Collective action works. We must be relentless. We are not optional.

I visited an elementary school this week to teach a memoir writing unit with fifth graders. Couldn’t stop myself from capturing this awesome book Vending machine. #amwriting

🚀 Penguin Random House is hiring a Marketing Manager, Inklore (Manga, Manhwa, Pop Comics). Full time, open to remote, 4-6 years relevant marketing or publicity experience required, $70k-73k. #comicjobs #comicsjobs #marketingjobs jobsearch.createyourowncareer.com/PRH_US/job/N...

Querying writers, there are constantly evolving scams targeting you. @victoriastrauss.bsky.social is a great follow to help you stay informed and protect yourself. Also, a gorgeous cat sometimes makes an appearance.

For those looking to connect with others: My Bluesky post with custom feeds & other info: debbieohi.link/bluesky-kidlit You can find my Custom Feeds by going to my FEEDS tab on my profile. Working on Bluesky intro post with tips! Thx to all who have contributed so far: bsky.app/profile/debb...

Anyone in the Savannah area who’d like to learn more about creating books for kids is welcome to this free event sponsored by SCBWI Southern Breeze. Saturday, September 9th from 10-2.

Teacher friends, please check this out! 💕

Any picture book writers in Atlanta interested in a free event?

I love this!