I always feel icky writing about social media, and that’s not what this is, I promise. This interview is not about being an “influencer” or gaming the algorithm or whatever. It’s about creating great stuff for a great audience. sarahallen.substack.com/p/creating-s...

There is such great insight in this interview with kid lit bookseller Melissa LaSalle! Her hot take about "writing the book you wish you had as a child" is one I'll be thinking about for a while. sarahallen.substack.com/p/lets-see-w...

Day 2 of my silly lil Back To School Animal Alphabet Countdown :)

Happy August, and happy Back To School! I wanted to write some limericks and draw some animals, so we're doing an Animal Alphabet Back To School Countdown! Today: A for Aphid. And we're giving away some back to school bundles while we're at it. Teachers, hope this helps! sarahallen.substack.com

I love spooky stories and this anthology includes some amazing authors! Just added to my #BookPosse TBR pile. Maybe the extreme triple digit heat will break so we can read the stories outside while making s’mores! @allymalinenko.bsky.social @sarahallen.bsky.social @owlhollowpress.bsky.social

Holy potates this is awesome!!! (Come on over and join! sarahallen.substack.com )

THIS A MILLION TIMES THIS!!!

But really, there are people out there to help so you never have to wonder what books to get for your kiddos again. Let me know if I've missed anyone! sarahallen.substack.com/p/the-master...

Do audiobooks count as reading? Let's talk to a Certfied Academic Language Therapist about it.

Authors—want your books to reach all kids, including those with dyslexia? 👇 I interviewed Kathy Tenney, a Certified Academic Language Therapist with 30+ years helping struggling readers. I absolutely LOVED what she said. 🧵

Today in the newsletter we're talking about 1) making summer reading a positive thing for all your kiddos and 2) teaching myself art with a clinically spatially inept brain. Come on over and tell me what you're working on and what you're reading! sarahallen.substack.com/p/ear-readin...

Some time ago I submitted a pitch for a WFH project, and went full dorky Sarah on it, figuring it would either hit the mark or…way not. But they chose my pitch! And this morning I turned in the first part of the project, and honestly, I’m thrilled! Can't wait to tell y'all more!

Ahhhh!!! Anyone wanna be the one to take us over the 900 mark?? sarahallen.substack.com

I'm only sorry I didn't put exactly Eleven on this list. (There are so many more I could have added!)

Because summer is hot and we're tired and ain't got time nor energy to waste, y'all. sarahallen.substack.com/p/low-energy...

Middle grade summer road trip books comin at ya!

This might be hugely controversial, but I think the best John William's score is HOOK.

8000 words on the new middle grade WIP as of last night! The last thing I typed up is: I grab Russell’s wrist and pull him over to our car. “Dad, can Russell come over tonight? There’s something I need to show him.”

Eeee!! I got to interview editor legend Lisa Mangum (@lisamangum.bsky.social)! 🎉 She’s edited Brandon Mull, Ally Condie, and so many other stars at Shadow Mountain. Her book Write Fearless. Edit Smart. Get Published. is a must-read. Here are my fave gems from our chat 🧵

There’s always one kid at school visits. Front of the front row. Bouncing. Beaming. Hand in the air—not because they have an answer, but because they need me to know their hedgehog is named Pickle and loves french fries. Pickle is iconic. But that kid? They’re who I write for. 🧵

Yesterday was World Bee Day, so let's celebrate some great middle grade books about bees! (and, in one case, wasps):

Thanks @sarahallen.bsky.social for this creative MG Books bingo chart!! #kidlit, #middlegrade, #MGlit, #WritingCommunity, #EDUsky

When in doubt, remember who you write for. sarahallen.substack.com/p/i-spent-a-...

If you hear a squeal of excitement in the distance that’s me after a teacher just sent me a picture of her elementary student reading my book in a limousine!!!

Wrote the first words of a brand new middle grade novel this morning. HERE. WE. GO!!!

Arbor Day is tomorrow so LETS DO A GIVEAWAY!!! Let's spread some books and plant some trees!! Enter here: www.facebook.com/sarahthewrit...

GUYS!!! There are 18 chances to win a spooktacular middle grade book as we celebrate Halfway to #Halloween. Enter here: instagram.com/p/DIyg8cqRRq2/

For if you, like me, are feeling unmotivated today: sarahallen.substack.com/p/creative-h...

They were delicious, but...

Brooklyn! Tonight at Desert Island Comics, it’s the release party for Jon Allen’s terrific office comedy/horror/drama graphic novel, THE WELL! Thursday, April 17th at 7pm Desert Island 490 Metropolitan Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211 Beer generously provided by Brooklyn Brewery

Happy International Haiku Poetry Day! If you want, respond with a comment haiku to celebrate :D (Download this for free here: www.sarahallenbooks.com/activities)

Don't miss the incredible tips from Melissa here. She's really going to help us writers turn our school visits into something extraordinary!!

I adore @sarahallen.bsky.social's books & her helpful newsletter. In today's newseltter, she interviewed ME for helpful school visit tips! :) Thanks, Sarah! sarahallen.substack.com/p/common-sch... #kidlit

Surprise!!! I wrote a book!! I was so honored to write BIG NEWS, SMALL WORLD for HarperCollinsUK #BigCatReadOn series. Lily is ready to share her story, and many others! collins.co.uk/products/978...

IYKYK

One day I will own a hairless cat and I shall name him Yul Brynner.

Here's a list of things my library offers for checkout that surprises patrons frequently: + Musical instruments + Laptop computers + Science kits, telescope + Green screen, tripod, iPad + Pocket translator + Radio / CD Boombox + Art tablet + Instant pot + Mobile hotspots + Roku (includes Netflix)

Come out with us! @erinentrada.bsky.social and I will be taking our story on tour in all of its awkward glory.

"AI can only recombine ideas already in its system--it can't create anything new without human engagement...Creativity is a uniquely human characteristic." -Dr. Rosalyn Eves You can read the full interview here: sarahallen.substack.com/p/blood-guts...

Teachers deserve free stuff, especially these days, and all the help they can get. In each newsletter I've got a Teachers Table of freebies--resources, lesson plans, articles, etc.--to help teachers out the best I can. So teachers, make sure to subscribe! sarahallen.substack.com

I'm a very serious poet.

My cat is revealing all my secrets gosh dangit sarahallen.substack.com/p/10-things-...

Step 1. Click mysterious the link below. Step 2. Click 5 stars. Step 3. Write one sentence about your Fear Maker. What do they look like? Step 4. Click submit. Step 5. The Fear Maker will now be stopped by the power of The Five Stars and will not haunt you tonight. Begin: tinyurl.com/yz8h2h8w

There once was a writer named me who was fighting with anxiety. She wished she could roam and pay rent with a poem but that just ain’t how the world be.

The kids who look like they're nine, ten, even eleven, and are still gleefully running through the splash pad are my kind of people.

If you could write a book for a side character from classic literature, who would it be? Mine would be Miss Bates from Emma. Justice and Romance for Miss Bates!

This looks delightful.

What 5 writers combined to make you? I think mine are 1-Beverly Cleary, 2-Roald Dahl, 3-Shel Silverstein, 4-Gary Larson, 5-CS Lewis.

In Dr. Becky we trust! ❤️ ICYMI, clinical psychologist and creator of the breakthrough parenting company Good Inside, Dr. Becky Kennedy, is releasing her highly anticipated debut picture book next month! Preorder your copy before the book releases on April 1st!