I asked A.I. to complete my novel using my own writing style and it did my laundry, went shopping, cleaned the kitchen and spent the rest of the day dicking around online.

If you can’t say something nice, please don’t say anything at all.

Potentially interesting data point. I put up a little display with three books just marked "Weird" "Weirder" and "Weirdest" and so far the 2 "Weird" books have sold but not the others.

How we treat our main characters

"Meg March specializes in getting good looks, and her outside game is unstoppable. She moves well without the ball and moves well at balls. But Meg’s vanity causes her to choose ill-fitting high-heeled boots known to cause ankle injuries." www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/meg...

Your password must contain a character with a tragic backstory.

I keep looking for a central repository of charity auctions of interest to writers and readers, but none seems to exist. So I am going to start tracking them in this thread. Feel free to message need if you know of an auction I should include.

I'll be traveling to a handful of places to share my next book, 102, when it comes out in April! If you are in/near any of these spots, please come and say hello and hear me talk about it! bit.ly/read102

Signs of spring, ranked. An older comic. Feel free to argue with my ranking.

"First of all, I must thank the comb. And the brush! And my God, the bowl full of mush! My warriors. My champions. This award will be next to you on the bedside table VERY soon."

if you were good at these books, the rest of us are counting on you to tell us when something is AI

Coming soon! www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/merri...

Oven clock, we meet again.

Behind the Book: Gennifer Choldenko’s Writing Process @mgwg.bsky.social March 16, 2026 7 pm CT Free gennifercholdenkoswritingprocess.eventbrite.com NYT bestseller & Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko shares craft tips. Find out the writing tips & tricks she uses with her own books. #kidlit

Roz Chast, from this week’s New Yorker

This one is probably on your radar already but the forthcoming Mac Barnett

This frog nailed my sixth-grade look!

My live, on-the-scene weather report for today. (Art by DWWilliamson)

On the bird cam today. How can that tiny slice of face hold so much outrage?

Fascinating article about the intimidating task of designing a cover for a book by a book cover designer from @literaryhub.bsky.social. lithub.com/when-a-book-...

I have received what must be a contender for tiniest pop-up Valentine ever. 😍 (Paper clip and dust specks for scale.)

It's the annual #AuthorsLoveTeachers giveaway! A bunch of creators and I have banded together to do this annual gieaway to honor teachers and school librarians who are in the trenches each day. ❤ THANK YOU for all you do for kids.

The world of elite musical chairs has never been this steamy: Seated Rivalry

An icy morning in more ways than one as @sarahsbrannen.bsky.social read her newest, Lolly on the Ice, at @silverunicornbooks.bsky.social! One star-struck fan was almost overcome seeing Johnny Weir's actual National Championship skates, which are touring with Sarah. (It was me.)

Anne herself would love this little free library in Davis, CA.💚

We want ICE out. Period. We're going to be open tomorrow, and look forward to engaging with our community, as we do each day. And tomorrow, we'll be donating 50% of our sales to MIRA, the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Coalition. 1/2

My critique group hosted Lynda recently, and it was highly informative and inspiring. Also fun!

I donated a manuscript critique and a (hot off the press!) print ARC of GET A CLUE: HOW TO PLOT, WRITE, AND SELL YOUR MG OR YA MYSTERY (out 7 Apr.). Publishing shows up, y'all... www.32auctions.com/organization... #publishingforminnesota #publishing #writingcommunity #forwriters #kidlit #mglit

Is it me or do these tables look like they walk around after hours?

Feel helpless? Want to do something to help the brave folks in Minnesota? If you're a writer, teacher, book club, there are great items to bid on here: www.32auctions.com/organization...

If you or your little ones in the Boston area want to meet a real-live skating star (or author!) before the Olympics, this is your chance! Sarah Brannen reads with Mirai Nagasu at @portersqbooks.bsky.social this Saturday! ⛸️🤩 portersquarebooks.com/event/2026-0...

Only one week to go before an event I've been looking forward to for months! Please come see Mirai Nagasu and me in conversation at Porter Square Books January 24 at 11. Mirai is a former US champion and won a medal in the team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics. portersquarebooks.com/event/2026-0...

Arruba is “my” adopted orphan, and I’m honestly shocked at how proud I am of her 🥹.

Among the many excellent choices:

Looking for a way to support Minneapolis-area kids? A Book of My Own will be using all donations for the month to get books to kids who can’t go to school because the federal government is terrorizing their home. #kidlit bookofmyown.com/donation/

I never fully understood Muppet lore until AI Overview stepped in. Thanks Google!

Tove Jansson's Comet in Moominland is 80 years old this year and more relevant than ever. "Even the tiniest of creatures can be brave when they band together." www.youtube.com/watch?v=dltk...

Today's newsletter has reached the inbox of our more than 10,000 subscribers. In this edition, Paul wrote about the value of independent media, and then (with some help from Megan and Casey) made a big list of independent media outlets. Read and/or subscribe: mailchi.mp/silverunicor...

“Wallace the Brave” by Will Henry

Absolute perfection

Now that the holidays are over, and the Winter Olympics are nearly here, I'll be starting my book tour for LOLLY ON THE ICE! I'll be joined by US champion and Olympic medalist Mirai Nagasu on January 24, and popular ice dancer and author Karina Manta on February 1. Please come!

2-minute comic

I don’t think being “the most famous reindeer of all” is as impressive as they think it is

Sometimes writing is slap words on the page and reaching your word count goals. Sometimes it's looking out through your window while sipping tea and asking yourself "man, how do I get out of this one?" #writersky

A tricky word problem: If Betsy is down to writing two sentences a day, averaging ten words per sentence (being generous), how long will it take her to finish the ms she's working on? State your answer in eons.

Attention frantic shoppers: Books are substantial, easy to wrap, and in this case under $10 each! Get all four for the price of four! Available here or at your favorite indie: bookshop.org/beta-search?.... Happy holidays! ❄️

Join me at @beaconhillbooksandcafe on Tues. Dec. 16 at 4pm for story hour, Hanukkah crafts, and book signing! It's a delightful bookstore with an enchanting children's section. #booksigning #booksigningevent #hanukkah #hanukkahgiftforkids #hanukkah2025 @kidlitcollective.bsky.social

Congratulations, @heatherlangbooks.bsky.social and Jamie Harper on your latest STEAM book for young readers! #STEAM @candlewickpress.bsky.social nancycastaldonaturespeak.blogspot.com/2025/12/cong...