We are very excited for this upcoming webinar with @sylvialiu.bsky.social on unblocking & unlocking creativity! Open to non-members too! app.inkedvoices.com/event/webina... #Writingcommunity

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Nov 7): kidlit411.com/2025/11/the-... Inside: What Makes a PB work, @scbwi.bsky.social Winter Conference, Copywriting, more. Thanks Nancy So Miller for the illustration & @darahenrywrites.bsky.social for the PB giveaway.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Oct 31): kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-... Inside: Purpose of the Second Act, Free PB webinar, School Visit Primer, more. Thanks @mirandakramos.bsky.social for the illustration, @cindyschrauben.bsky.social & Scholastic for the giveaways.

VAASL's Annual Fall Conference will be held in Williamsburg, VA, on November 5-7, 2025. We spy a great lineup of #SCBWI #kidlit creators authors who'll be there, including our member Dionna, @sylvialiu.bsky.social, @cynthiacliff.bsky.social, @ginjerclarkebooks.bsky.social, @suefliess.bsky.social

Hi friends! An e-ARC for STEALING THE SCORE, my World Cup-themed mystery is available on Edelweiss. Check it out. Coming out from @scholastic.bsky.social on Feb. 3, 2026. #bookposse #bookallies #booksoujourn #bookexpedition #booksquad #booktrek

I'm excited to host a creativity workshop on Fri, Dec. 5 with @inkedvoices.bsky.social, 12:30 pm-1:45 pm ET. I'll be giving my popular class on breaking through creative blocks at the start and during writing projects. Sign up: app.inkedvoices.com/event/webina... (Free members/$25 others)

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Oct 24): kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-... Inside: Powerful PBs, Fix Word Count, Creativity Workshop with @sylvialiu.bsky.social, more. Thanks @nmillerillo.bsky.social for the illustration, @justincolonbooks.bsky.social and Sheri Dillard for the PB giveaways.

Listen to the full episode here: youtu.be/aIkU6abeIb4?...

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Oct 17): kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-... Inside: Halloweensie contest, illustration classes, TikTok virality a myth, more. Thanks Tricia Candemeres for the illustration, @reneemlatulippe.bsky.social and @cassfederman.bsky.social for the giveaways.

We're pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade poetry anthology, LIMELIGHT: CURTAIN UP ON POETRY COMICS! by @reneemlatulippe.bsky.social illustrated by Chuck Gonzalez (Charlesbridge) out Oct. 28. To enter, L + RP and confirm your entry in our Friday weekly: kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-...

We're pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, GRAY SQUIRREL LOSES IT written & illustrated by @cassfederman.bsky.social (Penguin Random House) out on Oct. 21. To enter, L + RP and confirm your entry in our Friday weekly: kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-...

Thank you @cindyschrauben.bsky.social - I had a lot of fun chatting with you yesterday about the importance of joining creative communities. youtu.be/aIkU6abeIb4?...

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Oct 10): kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-... Inside: Writing Voice, Plot & Story Arc, KidLitWriMo & more. Thanks Judy Elizabeth Wilson for the illustration & @jennmoudahi.bsky.social and @swildmansf.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

Fairytale in Progress @carastoutauthor.bsky.social Marvelous Morrie Turner @dontate.bsky.social The River She Became @emilyvargabooks.bsky.social Friends Furever @sylvialiu.bsky.social

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Oct. 3): kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... Inside: Story in Reverse, PB Endings, PB pacing workshop, more. Thanks @staceybyer.bsky.social for the illustration, @kidlitjennaj.bsky.social & Jenna Elyse Johnson for the giveaways.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Sept 26): kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... Inside: PB Tips, Humor in Kid Lit, Comp Title Workshop, more. Thanks Bodhi Kim for the illustration, @victorpineiro.bsky.social & @meganclendenan.bsky.social for the MG & PB giveaways.

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade novel, THE ISLAND OF FORGOTTEN GODS by @victorpineiro.bsky.social (Sourcebooks) To enter, L + RP & confirm your entry in our Friday update: kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... (+ more ways to win)

In case we don't have enough things to worry about. . . www.livescience.com/health/neuro...

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Sept 19): kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... Inside: Kid Lit Trends course @hunderdown.bsky.social , Joyful Marketing @juliefhedlund.bsky.social Reverse Outline, more. Thanks Erin Niehenke for the illustration, Running Press Kids & Scott Lape for the giveaways.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Sept 12): kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... Inside: Successful Query Examples, Voice vs. Tone, Book Awards, more. Thanks to Eric Castleman for the illustration, Macmillan and Third State Books for the PB giveaways.

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, TIC-TAC-TOE CHICKEN by @kimberlytso.bsky.social, illustrated by Louie Chin (Third State Books). To enter, L + RP and confirm your entry in our Friday weekly update: kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... (+ more ways to win)

A bit over a month left to enter into the Kidlit411 banner design contest...

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Sept 5): kidlit411.com/2025/09/the-... Inside: PB Tips, Writing MG, How to Title Your Book, more. Thanks Katy Tannis for the illustration, @rebeccaglevington.bsky.social & Sonja Anderson for the PB giveaways.

I'm super excited to be a 2026 middle grade mentor with @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social! Can't wait to work with an up-and-coming MG writer next year.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Aug 29): kidlit411.com/2025/08/the-... Inside: Reading Like a Writer, Art Notes in PBs, Submission Process, more. Thanks @colleenmuske.bsky.social for the illo, Scholastic, @maritererbellas.bsky.social @stephaniegibeault.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Aug 22): kidlit411.com/2025/08/the-... Inside: Kidlit411 banner design contest, Better Books Workshop, Query Letters, more. Thanks Sue Macartney for the illustration, @penguinkids.bsky.social & Simon & Schuster for the MG giveaways.

one more day to enter to win 7 books...

It's hard to find new action/adventure sci Fi sometimes. @joshuaslevy.bsky.social‬ SEVENTH GRADE VS THE GALAXY, @bycatherineegan.bsky.social THE FACTORY, Reintgen's HE LAST DRAGON ON MARS, @jessicakhoury.bsky.social THE RUBY CODE, @sylvialiu.bsky.social HANA HSU are great!

I'm getting close to a fun number of followers. To celebrate, I'm giving away 7 amazing PB and MG books! To enter, L + RP. 3 bonus entries: (1) follow, (2) leave a comment, (3) subscribe to my newsletter (eepurl.com/hFrcyr). Ends Aug. 16. 🇺🇸 only. #kidlit #giveaway

Our Friday big list of kid lit links is up (Aug 8): kidlit411.com/2025/08/the-... Inside: Formatting PBs, 5 Types of Scenes to Master, Illustration Banner Contest, more. Thanks Heli Pohjoisaho for the illustration, @evelynbookless.bsky.social and @laurasmetana.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

In case you missed it, we're running our Kidlit411 website banner contest: design a banner to win cash prizes ($175/ $125/ $75), an Illustrator Spotlight, and your design featured one month in 2026. Deadline: Oct. 15. #kidlitart www.kidlit411.com/2025/07/kidl...

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Aug 1): kidlit411.com/2025/08/the-... Inside: Kidlit411 Banner Illustration Contest, DIY Promotion, PB tips, more. Thanks Johanna H. Kim for the illustration, @carolynbfraiser.bsky.social for the PB giveaway.

Local writers: I'm giving a workshop on submitting to agents and writing queries (including query critiques) on Sat. August 16 in Norfolk, VA. Sign up here: the-muse.org/event/submit...

I had the honor of attending Longwood's Summer Literacy Institute as a vendor! So good to meet everyone and learn so much from inspiring authors about literacy and the power of storytelling @jarredamato.bsky.social @sylvialiu.bsky.social @mrschureads.bsky.social

I had an amazing time at Longwood's Summer Literacy Institute conference. I was honored to be the banquet speaker, where I spoke about the power of the universal and the particular story. Loved meeting @mrschureads.bsky.social & can't wait to read his award-winning novel-in-verse LOUDER THAN HUNGER.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (July 25): kidlit411.com/2025/07/the-... Inside: Why Your Story is Not Working, Unlikeable Characters, Publishing FAQs, more. Thanks @artwithheather.bsky.social for the illo, @rebeccaglevington.bsky.social @katieleereinert.bsky.social for the giveaways.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (July 18): kidlit411.com/2025/07/the-... Inside: PB Page Turns, MG Golden Rules, Marketing only Authors Can Do, more. Thanks @krisfulkart.bsky.social for the illustration, @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social & @elaynecrain.bsky.social for the giveaways. ‪

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (July 11): kidlit411.com/2025/07/the-... Inside: Children's Book Market, Why your Plot Isn't Working, 10 Things to Avoid in PBs, more. Thanks @me-mwai.bsky.social for the illo, @mariawenadcock.bsky.social & @beckyscharn.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

always strange to see my face in one of these posts, but fun news!

Grab your pre-order discount on upcoming titles from Authorcade! With everything from fantasy and adventure to sports and contemporary, there's something for everyone on the bus! @victorpineiro.bsky.social @alyssacolman.bsky.social @chadgalucas.bsky.social @sylvialiu.bsky.social

this was such a blast to illustrate! stay tuned for sylvia’s incredible STEALING THE SCORE ☺️⚽️

I'm grateful and thrilled to announce another book with Scholastic, FRIENDS FUREVER, about a pug and Frenchie who try to "parent trap" their feuding owners to become besties again. Coming out Fall 2026. Thank you @marchsoloway.bsky.social and @yourfriendmaya.bsky.social!

Ahhhh.... I'm so happy to be able to announce this book! Look for it in Fall 2026 from Scholastic.

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (July 4): kidlit411.com/2025/07/the-... Inside: Picture Books 101, Unputdownable Openers, What Debut Novelists Should Know, more. Thanks @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social for the illo,@berrietr.bsky.social @pragmaticmom.bsky.social & Macmillan for the giveaways.

I'm honored and thrilled that NEAR AND DEER is in the final round of voting for SCBWI's Crystal Kite Award! If you're a member, please consider voting for my book: www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite

Thank you @kidlit411.bsky.social for featuring my banner entree and interviewing me for the July kidlit411.com blog. I appreciate the thoughtful and fun questions penned by @sylvialiu.bsky.social. @kidlitart.bsky.social

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (June 27): kidlit411.com/2025/06/the-... Inside: Lyrical Language Lab Summer Poetry Contest, Comic/Manga Art contest, Marketing 101, more. Thanks @susischaeferart.bsky.social for the illustration and Erika Lynne Jones and Nadia Solomon for the giveaways.

⚽️ COVER REVEAL ⚽️ So excited to share the cover for STEALING THE SCORE, my World Cup-themed middle grade about a missing soccer superstar. Thank you @polymorphin.bsky.social for the amazing art/ Stephanie Yang for the design! Add this to Goodreads: bit.ly/soccerGR or pre-order: bit.ly/soccerBN

Just in time to celebrate Messi's birthday, I got an advanced copy of this cool picture book, MESSI'S MAGIC: HOW LIONEL MESSI BECAME THE G.O.A.T. by @carolinelperry.bsky.social illustrated by Luciano Lozano (Scholastic). Perfect for young soccer fans, it'll be out Sept 2, so pre-order it now!

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (June 20): www.kidlit411.com/2025/06/the-... Inside: Messy Characters, POV in Picture Books, Hiring Illustrators, more. Thanks @cyndiharvell.bsky.social for the illustration, @lindsayleslie.bsky.social & @tanyakonerman.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.