For me, it’s that there will always be a time during the process of making a thing where I absolutely despise everything about it. I need to stop, take a break from it, and come back to it and see if I feel the same way *before* I decide to scrap it. I always forget that it’s coming.

Fellow kidlit comic artists: How messy are your first round of sketches? Do you find yourself cleaning them up before sending to editors? I'm rarely, if ever, brave enough to send my first round sketches. 😂 #comicartists #comics #graphicnovels #kidlit #kidlitart #kidscomics #sketches

I'm going on sub with a really funny MG GN (about a clueless prince who'd rather interview monsters than battle them) and, as you might guess, the series is full of cool monsters! But these two are my favorites <3 #kidlitart #middlegrade #middlegradegraphicnovels #MGfantasy #MGmonsters

Post office run in six hours, it’s a good time to grab something from the shop and get speedy shipping :) all while supporting a trans artist! I got 7 orders this month, not bad but I know I can do better 🌞 Shop: linktr.ee/thesunxix #shopsmall #art #illustration

A year ago, my nephew was born the same day my book was published ... so on Wednesday, we threw an animal themed birthday party for both of them!! 😂 happy birthday to my two favorite babies! #kidlit #animalbooks #earlyreadercomic

The more I draw this early reader #comic, the more I want to pitch an animated show about them! ♥️ - Monster boy scared of all things spooky? ✔️ - Cute ghost friend obsessed with cookies? ✔️ - A (not-so-scary) haunted house with a new monster friend in each ep? ✔️✔️✔️ #Frankie&Boo #kidlitart #spooky

Do you have a kids’ book idea about #autism? Are you an ND children’s book creative looking for help on your career path? This workshop is specifically for you. April22nd 4pm EST. + rare pitch opportunity! childrenspublishingacademy.com/neurodiverge... #kidsbooks #publishabook #autismawareness

Hope everyone has an action-packed, dramatic, and heroic #KidLitArtPostcard day! I'm open to #MG and #CB projects, as well as #EarlyReaders and #GraphicNovels. Portfolio: dianacastleart.com Agent: [email protected] @litagentsaritza.bsky.social

This was useful & interesting last time, so I'll try again: ISO a Black comics artist for a short, 2-color, YA historical & contemporary graphic NF project. Atmosphere more moody/realistic than superhero, manga, or cute. If you have suggestions or links to a portfolio, please drop them below!

It's a special kind of whiplash to be working on silly kids books, then take a break to help mom set up her will for the care of your special needs, older brother who will be 100% dependant on you,living an ocean away, on the eventual passing of your mom... & then back to drawing burping dragons. 🫠

A CELEBRATION OF YOU by kip alizadeh & me. Available wherever books are sold! #bookbirthday #kidlit #edusky #skybrarian Bloomsbury Books US @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Halloween is months away but I've been drawing this dynamic duo a lot lately! Frankie Stein is scared of all things scary...so he's not too pleased to find a ghost in his new house. Boo (the ghost) doesn't see what the big deal is. 😂 #kidlitart #FrankieAndBoo #ghost #frankenstein #NotSoScary

I'm rewatching #KPOPDemonHunters for like, the millionth time and it's still such a banger. In my headcanon, Rumi is a total worrywart about training, even as a kid. I'd love to see the next movie feature a kid #Huntrix training montage! Come on Netflix!! 👹⚔️ #Kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard

Want to buy some original ink & watercolour #Adventuremice illustration artwork? ...Not a print, the actual one-off picture that appears in the book! Mark your diary if you want to get in quick to nab the best paintings or the best deals. Prices will vary widely: £7-£300!🐭🎨🖌️

I loved working with Laura and can't wait to see what lucky publishing house snaps her up 🎉

New bookshop alert! The Book Shop of Needham (MA) is having its grand opening today! And it’s packed with readers despite the “storm”. #indiebookshop #books #booksky #reading

I’m contributing to this auction. Waiting for my auction item to go up on IG before posting the direct link; link to the whole auction & more details in comment. Pls bid, or share if you can’t bid! #kidlit #booksky

🎁If you're still holiday shopping for a young reader, don’t forget to check out my books! Both got lovely honors this year and are available on Amazon for quick delivery!🎁 If you use my Amazon affiliate link, I get a small commission (thanks!): 📖 SCM: amzn.to/3MYzHLD #comics #holidaygiftsforkids

My latest author interview, where I talk about my pet bunny, my artistic journey, and how Over and Under the Snow saved my bacon.

If you're an artist wanting to break through in TTRPG illustrations and feel like you need an Art Directors feedback on your current portfolio. Feel free to reach out, comment or DM me here. I feel like the industry is hard enough as is. I will reply slow but I'll do my best to support! 💜

New books on the way from @dianaacastle.bsky.social @studioespinosa.bsky.social @sudiptabq.bsky.social + more buff.ly/4hWZfBl

I've been waiting so long to announce this!! One year after I first sketched this crazy little character, I can now share her book will be out in the world in 2027! I'm super excited for readers to meet the chaotic and fiery dragon/detective FUEGO! 🔥🐉♥️ #chapterbooks #kidlit #booksky

I unkilned the kiln today ✨️ shop update coming Saturday October 11th 🍂🧡

Big, big news! My debut early reader comic #SnapCrunchMunch can now be found at the #MiamiZoo gift shop!😍 I grew up visiting Miami Zoo so this is a dream come true! If you're in Miami and spot my book please share your pics! 📸 #kidlit #kidlitart #authorillustrator #earlyreader #booksky #bookdebut

Win an Inspiroy 2 S pen tablet from Huion Two winners will be selected and you can enter to win until 8 p.m. EDT on Sept. 15. See here to enter: wp.me/pcVwAl-1Gf GN creators, load your pitches on Sept 28 at kidlitgn.com #kidlit #pitchevent #graphicnovels

How wild has 2025 been for you so far? I started 2025 working a totally normal office/admin job and now I sit in an office in a themepark/zoo, illustrating while I listen to the lions roar next door.

The more things I've made, the less I've been interested in publicly criticizing the things that other people make, because once you make a few things you start to understand what a miracle it is that anything gets made at all

comics take a long time to draw. no, but really. if artists were paid an hourly rate it would explode the brains of most people both out AND in/adjacent to the field

What is something that is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders? Illustration pay has not kept up with inflation. We get paid approximately the same dollar amount as an illustrator in the early 2000s. Some of the big companies are the worst for this.

Next Thursday, June 5th, is the 3rd birthday of #KidLitArtPostcard Day! Illustrators: get that work ready (new or gold!). Art Directors, Editors, and Agents: get ready to make some new connections! #kidlit #kidlitart

Finished this just in time for #KidLitArtPostcard!! I'm looking for that next #picturebook, #chapterbook or #graphicnovel project! 🎨 Rep by @litagentsaritza.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #magicalgirl #cat

I feel seen. 🥲😅

Tonight I'm painting something moody (and dragony) while rewatching #HouseoftheDragon because... well, dragons, am i right? 🥰 #illustration #workinprogress #dragonart #kidlit #kidlitart

I'd love to see more #d&d vibes in #kidlit (old/castle settings, wizards, dungeons, dragons and monsters, etc). Anyone got suggestions? Doesn't have to literally include dice rolling, just the vibes (think Delicious in Dungeon, Disenchantment, Nimona, Gravity Falls etc).

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to Snap! Crunch! Munch? & @dianaacastle.bsky.social 🦁🐘🦩🦒🐰 #earlyreader #easyreader #kidlitcomics #kidlit #debutauthor #comicsforkids

BIG NEWS: My debut early reader comic Snap! Crunch! Munch? is officially out in the wild today—published by Holiday House! 🎉🥳 #kidlitart #kidlit #earlyreader #comic #holidayhouse #bookdebut

POV: You start a new project and your brain is fighting with itself on what art style it wants to use. 😅 #kidlitart #comics #GN #graphicnovel #illustrator

I don’t art direct comics or graphic novels so I never work with coloring artists but I'm working on a new illustrated chapter book where we'd be repackaging existing grayscale finished art and need to colorize it. If you’re a colorist, please share samples and a link to your folio. No DMs pls. 💙❤️

Today is #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay! If you’re celebrating, tag us so we can follow along with the festivities! Unsure of what to read? We’ve recommended titles for all ages, and you can win ALL of them in our special giveaway, only on Instagram 🎉 🎁 bit.ly/4cd5vVE

Did you know today is #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay? Fun fact: Their 2022 mentorship program connected me with my wonderful mentor @brianlarossa.com, which led to meeting my stellar agent Sary— and now, my debut book releases this month! Couldn't be more grateful to WNDB!😍 #kidlitart #weneeddiversebooks

Sometimes when my brain needs to reset I just go look at the sea. 🌊❤️

I'm looking for an #illustrator for a history textbook that can do line drawings of ancient structures. 3-4 drawings needed. If you think you'd be a good fit, drop your portfolio below. Thanks! #illustration #architecture

Hearing there might be another wave of newcomers? Welcome! 💙❤️ For any illustrators and/or designers Here’s my starter pack of hiring art/design/creative directors.✨ go.bsky.app/Hxoz9KX

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that" the inspiration to write will only come the minute you need to do chores/ work/pay attention to someone else talking. 😭 #writing #inspiration

I am SO thankful for #audiobooks! I grew up an AVID reader then had a huge dropoff when I studied/pursued art (because every minute spent reading made me feel guilty I wasn't drawing). The rise of audiobooks helped me return to that insatiable appetite for books/stories. #bookhungry #booksky

Great to see @dianaacastle.bsky.social's debut early reader on this 2025 Preview of Middle Grade, Comics, and Graphic Novels: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

My writing process is to go weeks without ideas then spontaneously combust with too many in a few hours. 🤷‍♀️ #comics #writingprocess #kidlit

Hey #kidlit illustrators, I'm a children’s publishing #art director. To celebrate Bluesky’s recent 20M user milestone I’d like to gift a FREE one hour Zoom portfolio-review/coaching-session. 1. Reply w/ your art. 2. Random winner. 3. No DMs please. I will look closely at every reply! 💙❤️

In honor of rebuilding the #kidlit #YaLit community here, you can AMA! -comment by Fri, Nov 22 5:00 ET with a question about publishing, craft, the industry, etc - silly, funny questions welcome! -No pitching allowed. Let’s save that for future pitch events -limit to 1 question per person

When you think you're just doodling a funny dragon-turned-human-turned-detective.... and 1.5 months later you've developed a 5 book chapter book series about them. 😅😂😐 #chapterbook #kidlit #kidlitart #detectivefuego