Emma the dog and I have been reading about the magic and wonder of nature this morning. ✨️ Here are our favorites from today's reading stack. 📚👍 BEFORE I LIVED HERE (Stacy S Jensen / Victo Ngai) NATURE'S FRIEND: THE GWEN FROSTIC STORY (Lindsey McDivitt / Eileen Ryan Ewen) REDWOODS Jason Chin

@drenderturmaud.bsky.social is amazing, and @ryanraeharbuck.bsky.social is also amazing... so you know that this episode of @ymwjpodcast.bsky.social was absolute 🔥🔥🔥! I highly recommend you listen to it right away. Trust me, you're going to find it inspiring. ✨️

Take a look at these spooky great books! 👀 THIS YEAR, A WITCH! Zoey Abbott 👀 THE ZOMBEES Justin Colón / Kaly Quarles 👀 BOB THE VAMPIRE SNAIL Andrea Zuill 👀 GILBERT AND THE GHOST Heather Pierce Stigal / Jess Mason Perfect reads for Halloween and beyond! 📚👍

Our spooky chat is happening tonight! Join me and @charlenedraws.bsky.social to talk about all things scary and mysterious during this month’s #KidLitArt chat. 9pm ET/6pm PT.

What a great episode of the @booksmitten.bsky.social podcast! It was fascinating to learn more about Kate DiCamillo's writing processes. (Kate DiCamillo!!!!! 🤩)

Likewise, Lori! It was a joy working with you on this delightful story. I'm so glad you found my feedback helpful. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of this picture book's journey. aprilberrybooks.com/services/

⭐️ GIVEAWAY TIME! ⭐️ We’re just ONE WEEK from our big, history-making #PBRisingStars announcement, so let’s celebrate with 4 incredible picture books from past mentors! 📚✨ To enter: 1️⃣ Follow us on Bluesky 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag a friend (1 tag = 1 entry!) Winner announced on 10/30 with our big news!

Shouting this announcement from the rooftops! 📣📣📣 Congrats to my super talented CP, @haloteachlearn.bsky.social! ✨️

MY FAIRYTALE ADVENTURE SERIES CONTINUES: I've been on three fairytale adventures recently. Here's the second fairytale adventure. WE WENT TO NARNIA!!!! I know, I know. Technically, that's not a fairytale... but to this fangirl (me), it very much felt like a fairytale.

Hey, #kidlit #writingcommunity friends! I'm looking for some book recommendations. Can you recommend any recent picture books centered around procrastination? Thank you!

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

2AM WRITER'S CLUB I woke up in the middle of the night with the perfect idea for fixing my latest picture book manuscript, and my mind would not let me get back to sleep. And that is the story of why I'm up and writing at 2am.

MY FAIRYTALE ADVENTURE SERIES: I've been on three fairytale adventures recently. Here's the first fairytale adventure.

In yet a new episode of failed autocorrects... What I wrote: always What my phone changed it to: ashtrays

Lately, the big dipper constellation has been tipped up on its side when I wake in the mornings. It reminds me of a question mark... and I can't help but to wonder what the universe is trying to ask us.

OMGoodness! I'm only 16 minutes in to this podcast episode, and it has been so fascinating and informative so far. Wow, wow, wow! Thank you, @lydialukidis.bsky.social! #kidlit #writingcommunity

Yayyyy! 🎉🎉🎉

After a bit of a dry spell, I'm feeling very writery again. This morning, I wrote a new PB draft AND a contest entry. Three cheers for new WIPs! 🎉🎉🎉

In today's episode of failed autocorrections... What I typed: fantastic What autocorrect changed it to: gangstas

I have been making some healthy life changes lately. This week, I gave up soda... ...and I am so freaking tired!

I have been listening to Slow Productivity by Cal Newport on audio, and all I can say is YESSSSSSS! When it comes to knowledge work and creative work, a slower pace can really be key to higher quality. I've definitely seen this in my own writing.

I always enjoy reading @robynnhyde.bsky.social 's blog, so I was especially tickled to see our #KidlitChuckleChallenge humor writing contest mentioned in today's post. Thanks, Robynn! 🥰 I'm so glad you found the contest experience so rewarding!

This….

DID YOU KNOW... I have critiqued 100s of picture book manuscripts. Some of those manuscripts have gone on to land offers of representation from agents, some are out on submission, and some are even published books found on store shelves right now.

Happy apples. Happy honey. My only wish for this new year is peace 🤍

Fall Art! ❤️

FYI - @authorsguild.org has an upcoming webinar for authors & illustrators. "Anthropic Settlement: What Authors Should Know" looks very worthwhile for those whose books were involved. authorsguild.org/event/anthro...

I have my caffeine and a handful of Nutter Butter cookies as well as my pen, notepads, and laptop. I'M READY FOR PB SUMMIT! 🎉🎉🎉 #pbsummit

Also, let's give a HUGE CHEER for this year's #KidlitChuckleChallenge HA-norable Mentions! 🎉🎉🎉 These entries were so good, we simply could not let them go without any recognition. Truly hilarious! Well done, HMs! #kidlit #WritingCommunity

OMGoodness, #kidlit friends! You are all so funny. 😂 It was so difficult (yet so very fun) judging the #KidlitChuckleChallenge entries this year! I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨ Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉

Ooooh! Another great interview on Stacey's blog! I loved hearing more about @lorikeating.bsky.social and her latest literary adventures. #kidlit #writingcommunity www.staceybennettramirez.com/blog/intervi...

The #kidlitchucklechallenge judging is under way! Now for a little bit of fun while we work out the winners... Participants were given a list of characters to choose from. WHICH OF THESE CHARACTERS DO YOU THINK WAS MOST USED IN THE ENTRIES?

We discovered this monarch chrysalus a couple weeks ago. 11 days later, the chrysalus started turning translucent. See how you can see its wings through the chrysalus walls. So pretty, so fascinating!

Whoa! This was super informative! youtu.be/ia46dIvewQg?...

Drove the kids to school, started the dishwasher, threw a load of laundry into the washing machine, walked the dog...What should I do now? Hmmm. Maybe I should start reading some #KidlitChuckleChallenge contest entries?

Hey all you ghoulies and ghosties, I'm Trick-or-Treating @ #seasonsofkidlit.com! Join in the spooky fun! #KidLit #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

The #KidlitChuckleChallenge entry submission window is now closed. Stay tuned though! Winners will be announced as soon as possible.

Ooooh! I bet this webinar will be really good!

Have you submitted your #KidlitChuckleChallenge entry yet? Deadline is TONIGHT!

Woohoohoo! It's LOL time! Submit your #KidlitChuckleChallenge entry now! (Submission window closes on September 16 at 10pm Central.)

What were some of your favorite recent moments? Here's a thread of a few of my favorite moments from the last few days: We found a monarch chrysalus at our house. It's been really fun checking on it every day.

You have one more day to submit your story for the #KidlitChuckleChallenge! There are tons of great prizes, including an AMA session with me. 🙂

Aurora came to visit again tonight! Isn't she stunning???

Woohoohoo! It's LOL time! Submit your #KidlitChuckleChallenge entry now! (Submission window closes on September 16 at 10pm Central.)

Tomorrow is the big day! 🎉 The #KidlitChuckleChallenge entry submission window opens tomorrow at 8am central. aprilberrybooks.com/2025-kidlit-...

Oh, friends! My heart is so full. The #kidlit community has been so supportive of the 2025 #KidlitChuckleChallenge humor writing contest. Please take a moment to follow our generous prize donors on social media. Find the full list of prize donors here: aprilberrybooks.com/2025-kidlit-...

👻 👻 B O O ! 👻 👻 This morning's book stack was all dark and creepy fun reads. 📚👍 SUBSTITUE CREACHER Chris Gall THE UGLY DOODLES Valeria Wicker THERE'S A NIGHTMARE IN MY CLOSET Mercer Mayer THE SCARIEST BOOK EVER Bob Shea PRETTY UGLY David Sedaris / Ian Falconer

Eek! It's almost time! Is your #KidlitChuckleChallenge entry ready yet?

Hey, #kidlit friends. The #KidlitChuckleChallenge humor writing contest is coming up fast. Will you be participating this year? I hope you do. 😊