Model and activist Grace Strobel, profiled in my newest book DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD, didn't realize the book was front and center in her local library. This reel of her discovery is pure joy! www.instagram.com/reel/DRFPp6e... #downsyndrome #inclusion #books

I've visited dozens of different environmental websites run by government agencies during the shutdown while researching for my newest book. This is my favorite juxtaposition yet. #shutdown #nature #humor

Writers, we can't afford to shut down this season. Here's a better way: writingwithhart.substack.com/p/writers-he... #creativewriting #gratitude

If you're concerned about dwindling Monarch populations and you belong to a school or educational nonprofit, here's an opportunity for FREE MILKWEED! #sustainability #butterflies monarchwatch.org/bring-back-t...

I've had the honor of appearing on three panels with Kayla McKeon, the first U.S. Congressional lobbyist with Down syndrome. Here's a terrific interview with McKeon in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: www.localsyr.com/bridge-stree... #downsyndrome #inclusion #education

The current administration fired most employees at the Office of Special Education. The activists and athletes, artists & entrepreneurs in DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD depended on this Office for access to mainstream education, tutoring, and college prep. The cruelty of this administration astounds me.

Happy Migratory Bird Day! I'm still waiting to hear this lovely birdsong in Eugene; I may have to get back to the Oregon coast, instead. #migratorybirdday #nature @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/issues/50-9/...

It's National Coming Out Day. My mom came out in 1979. Here's our story. longreads.com/2022/06/28/q... #nationalcomingoutday @colage.bsky.social

It's Banned Books Week. I wrote about this for @huffpost.com : www.huffpost.com/entry/daisy-... #bannedbooks #bannedbooksweek #downsyndrome @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month from my brother and me! @oregonduckfootball.bsky.social @universityoforegon.bsky.social #downsyndrome

Right there with you, Tim Flach.

It’s #DownSyndromeawareness Month! Celebrate with this #mg #nonfiction inspirational title: bookshop.org/a/102434/978... @wildmelissahart.bsky.social @sourcebooks.bsky.social

My free October newsletter for creative writers is packed with excellent opportunities and inspiring articles; it has only a little to do with obese black cats. #creativewriting #writing writingwithhart.substack.com/p/harness-th...

I think this publicist got some incorrect information about my newest book. Nevertheless, I'll be reaching out the Hallmark Channel today.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. To celebrate, purchase a copy of DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination for your library, school, bookclub, community center, Little Free Library, family member, or friend! #downsyndrome #disability #inclusion #teacher #librarian

Thanks to the @dsrfcanada.bsky.social for featuring DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on The LowDOWN and including insights from activists Karen Gaffney, Charlotte Woodward, and Zack Gottsagen! www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPZ... #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness #inclusion #reading #teacher #newrelease

As I tell my creative writing students, it's just so important to read your work aloud to catch typos.

"Just remember, no matter how bad your job is, even if you shovel crap for a living, at least you're not doing it naked, and with your mouth, and then eating it."--Ze Frank www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1zb... #nature #humor

How wonderful to see DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on display at the NYC Buddy Walk! #downsyndrome #mglit #disabilityawareness

Thanks to @drtlovesbooks.bsky.social for this lovely review of Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability and Determination! www.middleweb.com/52613/listen... #mglit #middleschool #kidsbooks @unteragency.bsky.social

What's making me happy today is this school library photo from teacher Michael Holton, who's featured in my newest book Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination. I hope every school librarian will order a copy of this inspiring and important book! #backtoschool #librarian

For the rest of this summer, please always carry a couple of dollars in cash and stop at kids' lemonade stands, even if you have to make a U-turn. We did this yesterday, and there was much rejoicing all around.

My latest story for Hidden Compass feels particularly relevant right now, as environmental activist groups raise concerns over the building of "Alligator Alcatraz" on vulnerable Florida wetlands. hiddencompass.net/story/where-... #florida #nature #everglades

I feel weird and vulnerable publishing a link to my Substack newsletter here--is imposter syndrome after 25 years of writing professionally a thing? Apparently, it is. writingwithhart.substack.com/p/immerse-yo... #creativewriting #writing #journalistm #author #writingtips

I get to teach a workshop on how to write social and political commentary at the Willamette Writers' Conference in Portland, Oregon tomorrow, and I am so very excited to empower people to get their stories out into the world! #creativewriting #politics #writer

I adored this talk with Jessica Shaw about loneliness in Gen X women, inspired by my essay in @damemagazine.bsky.social . We discussed friendship benches, @roadscholarorg.bsky.social adventures & why you should attend Salamander Science Night at the pub. tinyurl.com/8nuusete #loneliness #friendship

Thank you @opb.org for this amazing piece with Ellen Morris Bishop! OSU Press is excited for the new edition of "Living with Thunder" coming this October! 🗻

Friends at #mswishlist , does anyone rep middle-grade memoirs written by adults with Down syndrome or other intellectual/developmental disabilities? Literally asking for a friend profiled in my newest book, Down Syndrome Out Loud. #books #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness @mswishlist.bsky.social

Should you need some distraction & creative writing tips/ opportunities, my July newsletter is out. Also, please read the new novel CLOSER by my friend Miriam Gershow . #creativewriting #fiction open.substack.com/pub/writingw...

I am grieving the barbarism that is going to unfurl from all this. People are going to die. Livelihoods gone. All to feed a corrupt kleptocracy. I see every day up close how different it is from the first time around. There are no guardrails. A disaster. I’m sorry we have to live through this.

Friends, how do you connect with Republican House leaders if you're not in their district? Help! This tax/spending cuts package will devastate the lives of people like my brother with Down syndrome and people featured in my newest book, Down Syndrome Out Loud. We need to act today. Advice?

I ran across the Worldwide Sidewalk Joy Project while working on a chapter about how to build community for my newest book. I think you're going to love this map, which shows whimsical and generous displays in neighborhoods around the world! #community #neighborhood worldwidesidewalkjoy.com

"Happy #Juneteenth! 🌟 One great way to celebrate is to read, recommend, and support books centering Black characters and experiences. Here is a list of recommended titles, a directory of Black-owned bookstores, and more from @libro.fm! buff.ly/QA7ZhxA%22

The Family Cafe, the largest statewide cross-disability conference in the U.S., turned out to be a remarkable experience. I adored modering panels of five people profiled in Down Syndrome Out Loud. #inclusion #disabilityawareness #DownSyndrome #autismawareness #MentalHealth #neurodiversity

We KILLED it this morning on Portland's KATU AM Northwest. You've gotta hear Karen from Karen Gaffney Foundation talk about activism and long-distance swimming over decades, and about DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD! @sourcebooks.bsky.social @dsachieves.bsky.social katu.com/amnw/am-nort... #downsyndrome

Hot damn, this just never gets old. But seriously, I'm almost as excited by the flyer next to me at the crosswalk across from @powells.bsky.social .: "It's like Cirque du Solei for your cats." Ha!

School Library Journal published this essay of mine today. Enormous thanks to Charlotte Woodward and Sofia Andrea Sanchez from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes for sharing their perspectives. #inclusion #politics #downsyndrome teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2025/06/02/t...

With thanks to @amandamacgregor.bsky.social & @slj.com , and especially to Charlotte Woodward of National Down Syndrome Society and actress Sofia Sanchez for sharing their wisdom and their hopes for respectful inclusion of all people. #inclusion #newrelease #disability #DownSyndrome #politics

I've been sitting on this news for a few weeks. My brilliant agent Jennifer Unter once again took a chance on one of my weird ideas, and lovely editor Naomi Ruiz at @timberpress.bsky.social accepted it! #nature #science #authorsofbluesky

California friends, I get to sign copies of DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD in Palm Springs this Saturday. Come on over...it would be lovely to see you! www.eventbrite.com/e/dsi-3rd-do...

"Encouraging people with disabilities to participate as widely as possible in social life should be one of the goals of a decent society."--Kwame Anthony Appiah from The New York Times Magazine, April 18, 2025 #inclusion #disabilityawareness #kindness

Meet Ronnie Brown, The Fry Guy, from Down Syndrome Out Loud!

I'm excited to play a small part in this big festival next weekend. I'll sign copies of DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD with actors Jamie Brewer (American Horror Story), John Tucker (Born this Way) & Zack Gottsagen (Peanut Butter Falcon). Festival trailer here! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wunh... #downsyndrome

This is why I should always have a second cup of coffee before using voice to text.

Wait, is this a thing? So all these years, I could have gone to all my kid's three-day dance competitions and passed out pot brownies to the parents?

Possibly the finest sentence in a book review ever. Thanks, NYT.

This might be my greatest newsletter ever. It was certainly the most fun to write. writingwithhart.substack.com/p/why-real-l... #creativewriting #epicfail

Join me & the stars from DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD at the Down Syndrome International Film Festival in Palm Springs. Meet Jamie Brewer, John Tucker from Born This Way & Zack Gottsagen-The Peanut Butter Falcon! www.eventbrite.com/e/dsi-3rd-do... #downsyndrome #palmsprings #film #filmfestival #inclusion

I put my whole heart and soul into writing this one. Very grateful to @damemagazine.bsky.social & @kerabolonik.bsky.social for the skillful editing/publishing. www.damemagazine.com/2025/04/17/o... #mentalhealth #travel @roadscholarorg.bsky.social

I survived. But friends, it felt like attempting to sleep in my grave. #camping #adventure #skipatrol