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

Here's the prompts for #folktaleweek2024! #folktaleweek #kidlit #kidlitart

Been doodling this character a lot recently. Royal Detective Griselda Fuego, dragon turned human (with a fiery temper). #kidlitart #comics #doodles

Ah the existential dread of knowing I am not immortal and will never have enough time to draw/write all the projects in my head. 🥲

[frantically dialing the Dad Joke Hall of Fame]

Sometimes you just have to watch Sabrina Carpenter's Taste MV on loop, ok??

Hi #editors and #artdirectors! Don't be scared by this spooky #kidlitartpostcard, I promise I am very nice to work with! I love to illustrate books with sweet stories, colorful characters and a dash of magic! (whether it's halloween themed or not) More art on my website: dianacastleart.com

My dog Gwen said It's September, time for #cozyvibes ! Time for naps!

Comic making is the fine art of recognizing "this is the best I can do right now, in the time I have" 😂

It's time for the 2024 Comics Worker Survey for US workers! Pay transparency is crucial to uncovering patterns in pay inequity & learning what publishers and clients can ACTUALLY pay us. Submit your info and encourage your peers to do the same! cartoonist.coop/2024USsurvey (art by Phil McAndrew)

Happy doggo day from my two kiddos💓 . . #internationaldogday #dogs

Writing can be such a mystery sometimes! Usually a new PB idea simmers in my head for a week (as mostly visuals) before I can even get words out. Then another 4 weeks to polish it. Then there's this PB which I wrote in 10 days, and absolutely love? 😂♥️

Wait...is this a COVER REVEAL?? (yes, yes it is). My debut early reader GN comes out next year and I can't wait to see it in the wild! You can pre-order it here ♥️ www.amazon.com/dp/082345696X #CoverReveal #kidlit #EarlyReader #booksky

🌈 Calling all artists! We’re looking for more artists to commission for our upcoming special editions. We are looking for cover, endpaper and hardcase artists for both our Rainbow Crate monthly box and our Rainbow After Dark quarterly box.

I am BURSTING with excitement to finally go on sub with this #MG #GN 😍 #kidlit #watercolor

Second window display under my belt! Swing by Mr B’s Emporium in Bath, pardners 🤠 and pick up a signed copy of Cowgirls & Dinosaurs whilst you’re there ;3

On a related note, if you want a beta reader with fifteen years of experience as #kidlit buyer for an indie bookstore and has served as an award judge for picture books, MG, and YA, I’m open to reviewing one manuscript, pro bono. Feel free to DM and we can discuss. 📚❤️

Hey #kidlit designers, our Graphix graphic novel imprint (kids.scholastic.com/kid/books/gr...) is hiring a senior designer: scholastic.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...

#illustrators I am currently looking for a stellar middle-grade illustrator whose work skews toward spooky/horror without being scary. Would love to see you drop your portfolio below (not currently taking DMs) 🖌️

#SCBWISummer2024 has ended, and I am again so grateful to have these virtual conferences! There's no way I could have flown in for a live conference this year. The accessibility that virtual conferences bring should not be underestimated! 😍

Having a blast today at the SCBWI summer conference, and @whitleopard.bsky.social 's graphic novel talk was super insightful! 😍 If you missed it make sure you check out the replay for it (once videos are uploaded after the conference)! #kidlit #graphicnovels #scbwi

Would love some advice from #librarians and #teachers! Do you use/like activity sheets for early reader books? What ways do you and your kids engage with early readers books/comics? Any suggestions? 🤔

👻 If you see the ghost... post a ghost! 👻 #kidlitart #illustrator #halloween #addKidLitArt

Publishing you should hire me for your YA book covers!! People who didn’t even know me and my art bought ICEBREAKER just because of the cover! You want me!