For Independence Day, consider supporting voting rights organizations with a donation or by participating in the #RomancingTheVote auction (ends 7/5).

Agreed!

#KidlitZombieWeek Day 6 is here! Thanks to @amynielsen.bsky.social for digging into the important element of voice. Read it here: amynielsenauthor.com/2026/06/06/t... Then come & tell us: Which tip would help your story to sound more contemporary? #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

🧟‍♀️☎️Need we say more? #KidlitZombieWeek June 1-5. Blog posts. Discussions. Community. And prizes. #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

It's #Disability Book Week. While I usually talk about writing and creating on my blog, I decided to focus on reading and why it is important to have books for every type of reader. writingwhileimpaired.substack.com/p/reading-an... #KidLit #Libraries #Teachers

Kidlit HaHa Week is off to a great start. Check it out: www.brittanypomales.com/2026/04/01/k...

A sizeable turnout in Chico, California for the No Kings March today. Lots of support from drivers and nobody yelling or flipping us off (somewhat to my surprise). #defendersofdemocracy

He is missed.

Submit early. Eleventh hour technical difficulties = 😭

A good opportunity to connect with people looking for your manuscript.

I highly recommend pitching with @middlegradehub.bsky.social if you have something ready (or close to ready) to go. Picture books, chapter books, MG, YA. #kidlit

Had an opportunity to read and review @jlockettauthor1.bsky.social 's new #kidlit book, coming out on 4/14. It's an important read for children coping with asthma, but also for friends and classmates wanting to offer support. #disability www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Looking for something good to read? #kidlit www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...

BUSTED by @dangemeinhart.bsky.social is a top contender for best middle grade read of 2025 IMHO. Laugh out loud funny with lots of heart. #kidlit

#Storystorm is gearing up to kick off 2026. I'm in. How about you? #kidlit taralazar.com/2025/12/26/s...

Should I be concerned about the quotation marks? 🤔

Because we don't have microbes here.

An instructive thread. I had tried (sometimes terribly unsuccessfully) to make pitching comps and selling comps be the same thing.

"What do I do about writer's block? I lower my standards and carry on." -William Stafford

Human creatives will be fighting this battle across all industries as book publishers, film production companies, etc. look to save 💰💰💰 WOULD YOU WATCH A FILM WITH AN AI ACTOR? WHAT TILLY NORWOOD TELLS US ABOUT ART -- AND LABOUR RIGHTS picks.my/en_v2/s/deta...

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My life is maybe a little like this...

What a life and legacy. So glad you were here with us.

On the rare occasion when I have a morning to lie in bed for a bit (sans alarm), I find that is some of my most productive time for thinking creatively about stories. When/Where do you get your flow going?

We'll see how this and other class action efforts play out across AI and publishing landscapes, but pretty earthshaking. arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...

Insane. This is simply banning truth from our history.

This about covers it. 😆

I appreciate the advocacy for "unsanitized" picture books. Wouldn't it be great to write FOR children and their interests, not so much for the adult buying the book? But as @taralazar.bsky.social says in the blog comments, it seems only the most well known authors could sell such work. Am I wrong?

You go, Lisa!

Thrilled to be participating in the first #PBandKidJudges contest, hosted by @authorkelliebeggs.bsky.social . Students in 3rd and 4th grade will be judging picture books written by adult authors. So much fun! Thanks to Kellie and her students! (And the artwork is top notch. 👍)

I need to hear words like this sometimes. Enjoy the process, and don't worry about what you can't control.

The last sentence in particular is gold.

The drum I will beat forever is that picture books don’t need lessons, because all picture books are already lessons—in storytelling, language, art and design, etc.

I'm glad to hear voices like this out there because sometimes I feel pressure to create something of weighty significance or at least less frivolity. But really, who doesn't love frivolity? I even love the word.

Storystorm always starts my year off right. Sending @taralazar.bsky.social and all the contributors much gratitude and appreciation. 🙏

I had so much fun coming up with titles with the ideas from this blog--75 total. Thanks, Lisa and @taralazar.bsky.social . taralazar.com/2025/01/25/s...

Writers: word count is not everything. Thinking is writing. Rereading is writing. Daydreaming is writing. Deleting a chapter because you’ve realized it doesn’t work is writing. Word count is just one part. #writing #writers

Creating all the fun new ideas is my favorite part of the writing process (at least for now). It's where work and play merge the most for me.

And it's such a joy to do. ❤️

How do you avoid getting resentful when someone doesn't say they are sorry? I can let it go several times, but when it's a pattern... 😔

It's great to see so many writers of nonfiction migrating to Bluesky! If you're new here & looking for your community, I put together a Starter Pack to help! Hint: This one's also great for K-12 educators & librarians! go.bsky.app/JZgaoQ

So glad people are making starter packs like this to welcome the big influx of people to Bluesky. Thanks @katemessner.bsky.social !

I made a Picture Book Author Starter Pack! This is trad pub'd authors with books currently out 🙂 go.bsky.app/B8U5Ekc

My big one: taking too much time reading heartbreaking news.

One of my new favorite quotes, this one attributed to the Baal Shem Tov: "Let me fall if I must fall. The one I will become will catch me."

Seero wants to work and help other aliens but messes up every time. She worries she’s “Seero the Zero.” But when a friend gets hurt, Seero has another chance to help…and maybe learn what she truly loves to do. Rich in wordplay, HELP WANTED? AN ALIEN JOB SEARCH is a PB for ages 4-8. #SkyPitch

WITCH HAZEL x THE INVISIBLE STRING Jasper and his dad grieve the loss of Grandpa. As they lean on each other, they realize his joy, dancing, love, and even silly jokes have carried on through to them. Grandpa may not be around, but there’s still a deep connection to GRANDPA’S HEART. #SkyPitch #SEL

Woo hoo! So glad to see a quality pitch event getting started here. Three cheers to the organizers!