I talk a little bit about my journey and Yeti Is Not Ready for School on the Writer-Reader-Teacher blog. Many thanks to @janmilusich.bsky.social for the interview: writerreaderteacher.wordpress.com/2025/09/17/y... #kidlitart #kidlit

Check out my interview with Leigh Anne Carter about her picture book debut, Yeti Is Not Ready for School! writerreaderteacher.wordpress.com/2025/09/17/y... #randomhousekids #picturebookillustrators #picturebooks #kidlit #lacarterbooks

Thank you so much for the fabulous critique @kidlitzombieweek.bsky.social hosts! @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social @rebecca-ensign.bsky.social @midfreeman.bsky.social @byaliciameyers.bsky.social @janmilusich.bsky.social @drenderturmaud.bsky.social @kcstrocchia.bsky.social @storiesbystephm.bsky.social

What we put into our picture books (or don’t), matters! Even in how we choose our characters. I highly recommend this read for #PB and #kidlit friends! #writingcommunity www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

On the Writers’ Rumpus Blog, my friend Danna Zieger interviews UK-based husband and wife kidlit authors and literary agents James and Lucy Catchpole. They discuss their experiences as two people living with disabilities, and how they write about it for children: writersrumpus.com/2025/08/05/i...

Penguin’s reaction when her favorite human comes to check up on her... 🥹 #bluesky

INTERVIEW WITH #KIDLIT #PICTUREBOOK AUTHORS AND #AGENTS HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM JAMES AND LUCY CATCHPOLE, PLUS A CRITIQUE/AMA GIVEAWAY writersrumpus.com/2025/08/05/i...

IT’S HERE!!!!! So excited to share the Season 2 finale with you with the AMAZING @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social ! 👇👇 You should go listen TODAY!!! #writingcommunity @drenderturmaud.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/31Vr...

Celebrating with you, Jan! Congrats!!

Celebrating World Tiger Day! Interview with Debra Kim Wolf, author of A FAMILY FOR ZOYA: The True Story of an Endangered Cub ... and a giveaway!! writersrumpus.com/2025/07/29/c...

Thanks again for a great #KidlitZombieWeek! If you participated or were a winner, you can pick up your badges here. sites.google.com/view/kidlit-... #kidlitzombieweek2025

It’s so incredible to at long last hold my picture book in my hands! Thank you Anne Schwartz Books and Penguin Random House for making my dream a reality! #anneschwartzbooks, #randomhousekids#jrlguild

Congrats @janmilusich.bsky.social and #chrisraschka on I HEAR THE SNOW, I SMELL THE SEA! Read more here: www.pathstoliteracy.org/i-hear-the-s... @anneschwartz.bsky.social @penguinkids.bsky.social #picturebook #visionimpairment #Braille

Wahooooo!!! Congratulations everyone!!! 🥳🥳🥳

The best 🥹😭

This compliment is exactly what the YMWJ Podcast is here for. I’m so grateful 🥹 #writingcommunity @rebeccaglevington.bsky.social (Here’s Ep. 8 (Coping with Anxiety, and Whatever Comes Tomorrow) link for anyone who wants to check it out: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...)

Just waiting on her close up! 😂

⚔️💀

Grateful to @janmilusich.bsky.social for inviting Sloth & Squirrel to share more about their #vacation on her blog! 🪂 @kidscanpress.bsky.social writerreaderteacher.wordpress.com/2025/07/23/s...

Being a #KidlitZombieWeek cohost this year was an absolute blast! It was so special to read all of your amazing pitches! Congratulations to the pitch winners 🤗 Keep writing and bringing those manuscripts to life! We are rooting for you!! #kidlit #writingcommunity

Thank you so much, Zombie Brain Trust!

Ooo, LOVE that term: Zombie Brain Trust.

Guess what??? Gilbert's release date is almost here! You're going to fall in love with this book! I just know you are.😍 #WriterSky #KidLit #WritingCommunity

This was such an incredible event! Thank you for creating it and including me. I’d love to be part of it every year!

Thank you @drenderturmaud.bsky.social‬ for including me in Take Your Kid To Publishing! It was an honor to be among such amazing authors, editors & illustrators. #kidlit #BookSky #Edusky #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #amwriting #kidlitcommunity #middlegrade

🦸‍♀️ GIVEAWAY!!! 🦸‍♂️⁠ Every reader deserves to feel seen, strong, and celebrated - this is where Vashti Harrison shines! ⁠ Enter to win a bundle of picture books by Vashti Harrison July 22–28 at picturebooksummit.co....⁠ ⁠ Don’t miss out!⁠ #vashtiharrison giveaway #kidlit #booksky

It took guts to pitch your dead story hearts! And there were so many great entries. After getting all of our brains together, a few pitches really stood out in the graveyard. The winners of this year's #KidlitZombieWeek host critiques are... (Wait for it... Wait for it...)

@melissajmiles.bsky.social @santiagocasares.bsky.social @beckygoodman.bsky.social @laurelneme.bsky.social and @merylwrites.bsky.social Congratulations to you all! Watch your email for next steps. We will be in touch shortly.

me too! And the rest of the book is just as clever!

Woohoo!

This Sunday, @YMWJPodcast Episode 19 releases on: “How to Find Hope and Balance in the Pursuit Towards Publication” with the amazing @valeriebolling.bsky.social ! 😁🤗 Stay tuned! #writingcommunity #kidlit

“Superman is too woke!” Literally the first page of the first ever appearance of Superman:

You don’t have to be the fastest. You don’t have to be the most followed. You don’t have to be the most polished. You just have to write your story. Nobody else can do that part but you. #WritingMotivation

Have you ever wondered how to maintain your voice instead of writing w/ the approval of others in mind? I know I have! Ep. 18 of the @ymwjpodcast.bsky.social is out today w/ @christinashawn.bsky.social where we discuss keeping our journey our own 💜Link below! 😁 creators.spotify.com/pod/show/dan...

#BluePit is coming up fast on July 13th! We'll be starting our pre-event Q&A #BluePitHype starting on July 8th! We can't wait to see all your great pitches! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying #Writers #WriterSky

How to write comedy for kids: ❌ Step 1: Add fart ❌ Step 2: Hope for the best ✅ Step 1: Learn from Brian Gehrlein July 22 ✅ Step 2: Still maybe add the fart—but with intention buff.ly/kWWPMXB

Hooray! 🎉🎉🎉

I’ve compiled a list of kidlit contests, and events for July for writers and illustrators. Check out my Substack post: open.substack.com/pub/olgasmit... #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitcontest

Many thanks to all the amazing bloggers and generous prize donors! 🧟‍♀️ 📚🎉🧟 #kidlit #kidlitZombieWeek

www.publishersweekly.com/9780593308172 So excited to read Publisher Weekly’s Review for I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea!

Writing is emotional whiplash. “This is brilliant.” “This is trash.” “I think I’m a genius.” “Why am I like this.” If you’re feeling all four in one hour, you’re not broken. You’re a writer. #AmWriting

Join the amazing @etraintalks.bsky.social on July 17th from 11 AM to 2 PM for storytime, crafts & endless fun at Fairytale Town, in Sacto! Every child will receive a FREE book to take home and treasure forever! 📚 Get ready for a day filled with book joy, creativity, and adventure! 💚 #Reading

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day 🤗 I’m a children’s book author-illustrator & amigurumi artist. I love creating heartfelt stories & am inspired by all things kawaii & kind. Rep’d by Miranda Paul 🩵 • instagram.com/autumnleaflet Hope you’re all doing well. Wishing you a happy & peaceful July ❤️

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm an author/illustrator creating humor-driven picture books. Visit me at BrianKirbyStudio.com! Represented by @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social at @bradfordagents.bsky.social #kidlit #booksky

OMG!! Thank you @aprilberrybooks.bsky.social!! @joshmonkwords.bsky.social and I had such a delightful and thoughtful convo with @drenderturmaud.bsky.social! #kidlitmegafeed if you haven't listened to this gem yet put on your list!

Writing is healing. Keep writing friends. You deserve it! 💜 #writingcommunity #kidlit

We are so excited our podcast, Library Exchange, has been nominated for an award! Cast your vote by July 31st for Library Exchange for the People’s Choice and Education Categories @ podcastawards.com. Library Exchange podcast is on all podcast platforms. #schoollibraries #schoollibrarians

It has been a busy week, but I’m so glad the extended deadline gave me a chance to work on a pitch for my zombie manuscript! Falling back into love with this one after giving it some needed TLC the last few weeks. So grateful for amazing contests and challenges like this one!