“Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.” —Virginia Woolf

I am very proud of the characters and stories I create.

Nobody panic! Two days is PLENTY of time to dig up that old manuscript.🧟‍♀️🧟😱 #KidlitZombieWeek #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

My worthiness as a writer is not dependent on my achievements.

If you’re struggling to step away from your own experience to fictionalize your characters, here’s how to imagine the impossible, from Courtney Maum.

If you’ve written a book, you already have everything you need to build a game—no coding or technical experience required. Insight from Heather Rose Walters.

“The first act of insight is throw away the labels. In fiction, while we do not necessarily write about ourselves, we write out of ourselves, using ourselves; what we learn from, what we are sensitive to, what we feel strongly about these become our characters and go to make our plots."Eudora Welty,

My writing is an important part of who I am.

I am talented and hone my skills when I write.

"When you are inside your characters' yearnings, whenever they're feeling one way, going in one direction, showing certain attitudes, emotions—open your unconscious to the opposite; cut against the grain."—Robert Olen Butler

Psst. Want to get a jump scare...er, start on reanimating that manuscript? Check out all of the great advice left by our past donors. sites.google.com/view/kidlit-... #KidlitZombieWeek #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

I'll be donating this year!

@mstewartscience.bsky.social makes great points here. celebratescience.blogspot.com/2026/05/mac-...

If your manuscript moves more like a blob (close cousin to the zombie) we've ABSolutely got the story workout for you—deadlifts. Join us for #KidlitZombieWeek June 1-5 to help whip that sagging middle into shape. #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

This book is BEAUTIFUL. I saw the F&Gs last month and it's just stunning--the story, the art, everything. #kidlit

When I revise, I write with intentionality.

"You have to throw yourself away when you write." ~~ Maxwell Perkins

Excited to announce our 3rd annual MGHub Off-Social-Media pitching event for all ages of kidlit: PB / CB / MG / YA Click to learn more… #mglit #kidlit #pitch

I write honestly and fearlessly!

"You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist you must learn your craft—then you can add all the genius you like." --Phyllis A. Whitney

Is your manuscript in a slump? Does its head loll? Do its limbs hang limp? Give that story the tightly arched spine of a black cat with #KidlitZombieWeek. June 1-5 right here on BlueSky and on Instagram www.instagram.com/kidlitzombie... #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

This Wed, 7-8pm EST, editor Paula Wiseman is giving a workshop on the importance of picture books and how to sell them: "How do you write books that are relevant, interesting and that matter to readers and what do editors look for in picture books?" #kidlit www.eventbrite.com/e/rs-present...

I am capable of any type of writing I set my mind to.

Have a manuscript that's been dying for a second chance? Follow #KidlitZombieWeek 2026 on Instagram www.instagram.com/kidlitzombie... and right here on BlueSky for a week of blog posts and #prizes sure to breathe life into that old story. #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

"This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don't consider it rejected. Consider that you've addressed it 'to the editor who can appreciate my work' and it has simply come back stamped 'Not at this address.'"--Barbara Kingsolver

My nature is creative and writing is my way of honoring who I truly am.

The #wordoftheweek from @thetoypress.bsky.social is "Dwindle." I rather think this poem should be read aloud for full effect. #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #writingforchildren

Like Reservoir Dogs, but, you know, for kids! Thanks @thetoypress.bsky.social #WordOfTheWeek #WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #WritingPrompt #PoetryForKids #PoetryForChildren #PoetryCommunity #KidLit #KidLitUK

A little word play and a little imagination go a long, long way in this picture book! 📚👍🏽 #KidLit #picturebook #interview #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2026/05/18/s...

"Writing is an act of discovery, full of epiphanies and surprises. My only intention was to try to capture the beauty and fragility of a place I love, combined with a storm I will never forget..." We discuss Lauren Wolk's latest with the author. #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2026/05/19/w...

It is safe to experience resistance to writing. I know resistance comes from fear. I can feel this fear and still write. #AmWriting #KidlitWriter #WritersLife

AT THE EDGE: CURIOUS CREATURES OF PLANET EARTH by David Elliott, illustrated by Clover Robin has received a starred review from School Library Journal! ⭐ Read the full SLJ review here. In stores and libraries everywhere tomorrow, May 19, and available to preorder now! @ksonnack.bsky.social

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." --- Roald Dahl

**Like/share for a chance to win RITU IN THE SUN!** Read my #interview with @monizahossain.bsky.social at www.sarahsteinbacher.com/blog/intervi... Up next, Olivia A. Cole on 5/19. #picturebooks #kidlit #author #kidlitauthors #diversekidlit #representationmatters #colorism #BeAnAmbassador #booksky

So, you've finished your manuscript and are eager to share your work with literary agents. How do you write the perfect pitch letter to a literary agent? 🤔 Here are CBC founder Anna Davis' top tips on how to make your submission pitch letter stand out from the pack:

"If you do not hear music in your words, you have put too much thought into your writing and not enough heart." --Terry Brooks

Two more days to submit!! I appreciate the incredible response and am working hard to review each query! So many wonderful people have reached out and I have decided to respond to each query so you know it was considered, but I will have to send a form rejection unless interested.

Thoughts on community, responsibility, and why I love this community. We are not crud. saraharonson.substack.com/p/look-what-...

Episode 12 of In the Picture is out today with author illustrator Adriana Hernández Bergstrom. @adriprints.bsky.social. Take a listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify lnkd.in/e3qSAJ8e Check out her books (they are so wonderful!) and also her latest with @elizabethsuneby.bsky.social, CHALLAHBALOO

New book recs on my substack—this time about novels in verse and the importance of poetry! #reader

Our continued commitment! 2026 Community Giving Project: Pathways to Connection We are proud to continue our commitment to create pathways. This year, we want to expand the pathway network to the back cabins, continuing to connect spaces and people here on campus. boydsmills.org/pathways-com... \

Did you hear that scratching? That manuscript isn't dead yet! #KidlitZombieWeek is coming June 1-5. Join us for blog posts and #prizes that will get to the heart of your lifeless story. #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity #KidLitArt

A great resource for those in the query trenches.

49 Traditional Children’s Book Publishers Seeking Submissions (No Agent Required) authorspublish.com/49-tradition... #SubOp

Just updated my Upcoming Events page, including a free Query Letters session I'm moderating and a free Press Kit workshop I'm teaching! sarahnicolas.com/about-sarah/...

Today's newsletter: saraharonson.substack.com/p/break-a-rule

Join us! This is so much more than writing sessions!

Tomorrow -- April 29th--- is the next one.

Today's newsletter. ISO meaningful details? Get out of your office and explore the setting of your book. saraharonson.substack.com/p/walking-yo...