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!🎉

Think choosing a mentee was easy for our mentors? Think again! Hear what @nellcrossbeckerman.bsky.social had to say about how WOWed she was by the talent and storytelling in her apps, and use this as motivation as you keep writing and revising this summer! #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

I created a starter pack of the 2025 #PBRisingStars 2025 Mentees, Runners-Up, and Honorable Mentions. You know you want to follow all these ✨rising stars✨ (and, yes, this is obviously mildly self-serving 😂) If I missed you, DM me! #kidlit #kidlitart go.bsky.app/5beJGx3

It's been ONE week since we announced our 2025 #pbrisingstars Mentees! With 2,403 applications, Mentors had impossible decisions to make! Have you wondered what each mentor's process was like?! Check out what Mentor Jackie Morera said about how she chose her mentee below👇🏾 #kitlitmegafeed #kidlit

It's time to ASK @natashakhankazi.bsky.social anything!!!! Today only until 9 PM Eastern Time, comment your questions and Natasha will pop in today to answer!!! Questions about publishing? An artist interested in writing? Let us know below!!! #kidlit #kidlitart #askmeanything #pbrisingstars

#Kidlit friends 💔 Please share this far and wide Our dear friend, Trenise Sabin, was the victim of a major burglary over the weekend. She and her husband Travis have lost everything— from clothing and appliances to irreplaceable items from their recent wedding and the urn gofund.me/ce50d993

PRESENTING: the 2025 PB RISING STARS mentees, runners up, and honorable mentions! 🤩🤩🤩 We’re thrilled to work with our 28 new mentees, and we’re so proud of our RUs and HMs. CONGRATS TO ALL! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hello, hello! My name is Maruga, an illustrator from the Netherlands. I love to create illustrations for children’s books and greeting cards. Diversity and representation are important themes in my work. I especially would love to connect with: #illustrators #artdirectors #editors #booklovers

Today’s the BIG DAY!! Tonight, we’ll be announcing our 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees! We’re so blown away by ALL of you who and are in awe of your talent. 🥹🥹🥹 Check out what Mentor Alliah L. Agostini said about reading all of your work, and we’ll see you soon! 👇🏾 #pbrisingstars #kidlit

TWO more days until the 2025 PBRS mentees are announced! And this summer, mentees and mentors will get to learn craft from TWO of the best in the game — Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey! 🤩🤩🤩

Three more days until we announce 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees! And did you know? Mentees get THREE things beyond 1:1 mentorship: ⭐️ Craft workshops with the pros ⭐️ Access to PBRS events ⭐️ A private mentee discord Can’t wait to announce who’s joining the PBRS family in 3 days! #kidlit

Guess what?! We’re officially ONE WEEK OUT from announcing the class of 2025 #PBRisingStars mentees and WE CANNOT WAIT!!! 🤩 Register now so YOU can be there live when your name is called! 🤞🏾 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #amwriting #amillustrating

Today we’re screaming THANK YOU to orgs like @scbwi.bsky.social, @kidlit411.bsky.social, @lasmusasbooks.bsky.social, @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social & the #PBParty team, @subitclub.bsky.social, BCHQ and KidLit In Color for all the support they’ve given in helping us spread the word this year!

#PBRisingStars mentor @jmorerabooks.bsky.social has a NEW BOOK dropping in EIGHT days, so let’s run those pre-order numbers up! TOGETHER WE REMEMBER is an imaginative exploration of finding joy amidst grieving, and we can’t wait to read! Pre-order your copy today: bookshop.org/p/books/toge...

It’s #FunFriday around these parts, #PBRisingStars friends and family, so we want to play another game! FINISH THE SENTENCE: The PB Rising Stars mentees are… ✍🏽 ✍🏽 ✍🏽 ⭐️Comment below to complete the thought! 👇🏾⭐️ #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #picturebooks #kidlitmegafeed

👀👀👀 So excited! Such a hard decision this year, but I can’t WAIT for the mentee class announcement. 🥳🥳🥳 @pbrisingstars.bsky.social, summer 2025 is going to be amazing!

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾

Our #PBRisingStars live mentee announcement on MAY 15 is officially SOLD OUT…kinda!!! Yes, 500 (!!!) friends have already registered…but not everyone will attend! That means YOU can still register & when virtual doors open at 8 PM ET, secure a seat. Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Pre-orders matter for authors. Why? 1. They tell retailers/publishers there’s demand for a book And 2. They generate buzz and excitement, which is great! Looking to preorder? #PBRS mentor Aya has a book dropping in August that you’re gonna want 👇🏾 bookshop.org/p/books/ever...

We've been asked this a few times & now have an answer! If you're in publishing, but not author you can join Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans! The group is still in development but you can sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We got a question for you, #PBrisingStars applicants! As we plan for the offseason after mentees are announced, what do you want to see from us on the socials? How can we serve you until it’s time to talk about the 2026 mentorship? Tell us what you’d like to see! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

Ok, you got us: #3 is DEF the lie! We’re so proud of our 20+ mentees who have ✍🏽 with agents/their first deals, and of course, PBRS was started by a tweet between the GOATs @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social & @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social. But shutting down in 2025?! NEVER!

Let's play 2 truths and a lie, #PBRisingStars fam! Do you know which one is a fib? ⭐️PBRS started with a tweet ⭐️20+ Mentees have signed with agents and/or their first book deals after completing PBRS ⭐️This is the LAST year (!!!) PBRS 😔 Comment your guesses and tomorrow, we'll reveal the truth!

Today is another great day to hit the library or your favorite bookstore, #PBRisingStars fam, and read some PBs! We recommend these BOMB books by @storiesbysingh.bsky.social, Julia Mills, @asiqueira.bsky.social, Seina Wedlick, Natasha Triplett & co-founder, @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 #kidlit

We gotta know, #PBRising Stars friends and family: Who is a picture book author, illustrator or author-illustrator that's NOT a PB Rising Stars Mentor who inspires you? Tag them in this post and tell us in the comments! #PBRisingStars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #amwriting

We’re just under a month out from #PBRisingStars Mentee Announcement Day!! Register TODAY to attend LIVE, where we’re bringing you (literal) fun and games, community, special guest speakers and, of course, the BIG NEWS! Are you coming? Tell us in the comments! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Remember when Harper Collins was the only major publisher not to sign the letter protesting the defunding of the IMLS? That sucked. Anyway if you're a Harper author, sign the letter urging them to join their colleagues and get on board. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Today is a great day to visit your local library/fave indie to snag these titles from more of our amazing mentors: CK Malone, @rajanilarocca.bsky.social , @monicamancillas.bsky.social, @msmarianayagam.bsky.social, @jmorerabooks.bsky.social, and @michellejingchan.bsky.social!

Mentors are still hard at work reading their applications, and you guys -- when we say y'all brought it?! But don't take out word for it — check out what Shamar, @nellcrossbeckerman.bsky.social and @ritalorraine.bsky.social said about your work! #pbrisingstars #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #amwriting

We want to hear from you #PBRisnigStars mentors, alumni & applicants! You could write for any age group in the world, so why PBs? What is it about this magical medium that calls to you? Tell us! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 #pbrisingstars #kidlit #amwriting #picturebooks

Celebrate #NationalLibraryWeek by checking out any of these GEMS by 2025 #PBRisingStars mentors, and tell us in the comments what you’re reading this week! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

If you haven't already, today is a GREAT day to subscribe to our newsletter! Want to stay in the loop? Or find out about other #kidlit opportunities + news from our leadership team? Or just because you love us and want to support or efforts? Subscribe! Pbrisingstars.com/subscribe

So, Mentors are reading your applications, and we know you must be wondering: What are they thinking? Do they even like what they are reading?! We got you. 😎 Here’s a peek behind the curtain of what mentors are saying. Seems like you’ve made it tough for them to choose! #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed

Running a mentorship program like #PBRisingStars isn't easy, but @booksbytrenise.bsky.social and @laylafallah.bsky.social like absolute pros! So today, we want to take a moment to appreciate our new leadership team in Trenise and Layla.

You may have heard that #PBRisingStars quite literally started with a tweet between @ebonylynnmudd.bsky.social and @kaileipewbooks.bsky.social. Four years later, PBRS has paved the way for 60+ mentees grow as creators! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 for Kailei and Ebony! Let’s show them the support they’ve shown us.

While you wait for mentee announcements, now is a great time to 📚READ!📚 Check out these titles by some of our amazing #PBRisingStars mentors! @marziehabbas.bsky.social @sarahollyackerman.bsky.social @nellcrossbeckerman.bsky.social @natashakhankazi.bsky.social

IT'S TIME TO REVEAL THE WINNERS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR #50PRECIOUSWORDS!! Huge thanks to my judges, prize donors, and of course, to all 586 brave writers who submitted their precious words! You are ALL winners in my book! viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/31/5...

This video is for all US citizens who are currently overwhelmed by Trump's more than 200 executive orders. THIS should be retweeted to the MAX. I never saw a more helpful video. (It's about two minutes long. It's worth a lot.)

#PBRisingStars apps are closed. What's next? ⭐Mentors are reading your apps! ⭐You may get a request for more work OR you may not. Don't stress either way and check your spam! ⭐We are planning our summer meetup! 2025 mentees will be invited! ⭐& we're chatting in our Discord! Join us: bit.ly/4kVq2Cg

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It's the final countdown! Unagented and Agented PB authors, illustrators, & author-illustrators who want 1:1 mentorship, this is your last chance to apply! www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitmegafeed #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcard #pbrisingstars #pbparty #kidlitchat

Have you checked out the 2025 #PBParty Illustration Showcase? The talent is AMAZING! Everyone is welcome to browse. Agents, editors & ADs request more from author/illustrators by number at the bottom of the post. mindyalyseweiss.com/...#PBParty Hurry! The showcase closes Sunday.

Got a story full of HEART but it’s missing something to truly sing? These mentors want to help you find its voice! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 ⭐️You’ve got TWO MORE DAYS to apply to #PBRisingStars! ⭐️ www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors

⭐The mentors below are ready to see your stories/dummies that center family, community, and/or intergenerational connections! FIVE DAYS LEFT TO APPLY: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlitmegafeed #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #kidlitart #kidlitartchat #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcard #pbrisingstars

These SIX mentors are not only pros of prose—they're also incredible visual storytellers that can teach you how to perfectly blend words + art! Apps close in SEVEN days! APPLY NOW: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartchart #kidlitpostcard #kidlitmegafeed #bipoc #artists

AGENTED and UNAGENTED PB authors, illustrators, & author-illustrators who want big laughs from kids, please HUMOR us and apply to these mentors!🤣 APPLY: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #kidlitcommunity #kidlitpostcard #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitartchat #pbrisingstars

✨We have THREE #pbrisingstars mentors looking to EXCLUSIVELY work with BIPOC and/or marginalized PB authors, illos, or author-illos! IS THAT YOU?! APPLY: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #kidlitart #kidlitartchat #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitmegapeed #bipocartist

PB authors & author-illos! Got a cultural story that would be GREAT but could use the help of one of our mentors? Check these mentors out! APPLY TODAY: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors #kidlit #kidlitmegafeed #kidlitcommunity #kidlitart #kidlitartchat #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcard #pbrisingstars

Are you an Agented author, illo, or author illo but feeling stuck in your career? PBRising Stars could be what you need to jumpstart your career! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾