Hi agents, I’m on the hunt for high-concept layered YA & MG novels! #MSWL For YA: romantic fantasy; dark academia; mystery/thrillers like We Were Liars or Firekeeper’s Daughter; thought-provoking horror or gothic; romantic coming of age like Aristotle & Dante & Last Night at the Telegraph Club 1/3

Hello Writing Community! We are delighted to announce our Second Official Bluesky *** #MSWL Day *** February 26, 2026. 🎉🎉🎉 Agents + editors can post what they ✨wish✨ they had in their inboxes; writers can find their next best fit for querying. Learn more: manuscriptwishlist.com/2025/01/the-...

relevant to many of yalls interests.

it's true

Liam was taken from Columbia Heights, the town just south of my high school in Fridley and just north of the Arts district in NE Minneapolis. I spent a lot of time with friends there after extracurriculars. News of his abduction completely broke my heart. I’m glad he’s home. #Comics4Liam

We raised over $200k to help communities affected by ICE in Minnesota! 🎉 Thank you to everyone who donated or have supported in other ways! 💛✊️

Wild that there was an open lane called "what if we just explain things clearly to people?" and he's the first one to ever fill it

❤️

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or in despair, I highly recommend reading middle grade fantasy. An epic story of good vs. evil, where the unexpected hero must be courageous, and in the end wins, is a balm for the soul. Which stories would you recommend? Share them below. #kidlit

now feels like a good time to remind agents that i do in fact still publish MG! lately my only submissions have been for requited, but i am actively still acquiring for LBYR across age categories 😃

It’s been so hard to create lately. I spend way too many hours doomscrolling then compartmentalizing those feelings to parent a young child. But art is still important right now. It’s one our most powerful tools of self expression and keeping us connected to one another. Keep creating ❤️ #kidlitart

Your first look the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2026 longlist 🤩 The quality of titles this year were truly extraordinary. Our judges have managed to narrow it down from a total of 151 submissions to these 17 Congratulations to all nominees 🏆 childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/...

If you're determined to take that next step in your writing or publishing journey this year, but aren't entirely sure where to start, I'd be thrilled to help! Check out my services here, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. www.alisonweisseditorial.com

Dear #Querying #Writers, Come join me here on #Bluesky for an #AskMeAnything session, this coming Wednesday, January 14, from 5pm - 6pm PT / 8p.m. - 9pm ET. Happy to share #tips for #Writing #Revising #Querying + anything I can to help you succeed. See you Wednesday evening! #StarlingLit

had to grind for this view 😮‍💨

Hey illustrators/agents! I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; fantasy; magic; AND Mahjong! The tiles! The drama! Please respond w/ samples + folio link. Please no emails/DMs. 💙❤️ #artcommissions

New year, new work. “Yeti or Not,” the holidays are over and 2026 is here. #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #mgcover #bookcover #bookcoverart #bookcoverartist #bookdesign #illustrator #illustration #scbwi #middlegradeillustration #mockcover

I’ll see yall next year ✨

TOPIC: Let's talk endings here at 2025's end. Do you know how you're going to end your story when you start? Do you know the ending first? Do you have tricks/tips for making your story's ending as satisfying as possible? #kidlitchat

TODAY ONLY! We are retiring 12 webinars from our #12x12PB, not because they're not fabulous, but b/c we need to make room for the new ones coming. But before they go for good, you get one last chance to grab these programs from some true #picturebook writing luminaries. #kidlit (Thread with links)

Snow angels 🥰 watercolour and oil pastel #KidLitArt #cuteart

I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.

★ Aaron Starmer sets up a “unsettlingly strange and seemingly disjointed journey” featuring illustrations by Jaime Zollars in his “genuinely touching” middle grade novel YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS

This is absolutely true. I worked at a small indie store and if a book that wasn't from a major author sold within a month of being brought in, we would reorder. The margin for success is tiny in small bookstores.

Today is the birthday of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts. (Nov. 26, 1922-Feb. 12, 2000.)

For querying writers: I did a critiques today for an SCBWI conf & got questions about what kind of books you can cite as comps, & I think it’s worth distinguishing between *pitching* comps and *selling* comps. A brief 🧵:

Sourcebooks is the fifth-largest trade publisher as measured by print books sold, breaking the dominance of the biggest conglomerates for the first time since Bookscan started> lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/11/sour...

On a special night, This Tuesday at 6pm Eastern, on insta, I’ll be joined by the powerhouse Lian Cho @liantomato.bsky.social on Gab ‘n’ Doodle. #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrators #kidlitartists @rebeccagent.bsky.social @harperkids.bsky.social

Happy November #kidlitartpostcard . Who else has been carving pumpkins? 🙋🏻‍♀️🎃 If you’re on the lookout for an illustrator to bring a little magic to a story, please reach out! I’m open to both PB and MG. Portfolio: kirstenmcgonigal.com rep’d by: @beccalangton.bsky.social of @da-childrens.bsky.social

Hi all. A tired wolf is walking into the weekend with a belly full and a cosy book! Used @clr_collective #ccdarkcharcoal. He is deciding whether to join #folktaleweek too!? Speak soon 🐺🖤 • #kidlitart #kidlit #illustration #fairytale

Getting geared up to query, but need that extra boost? I have openings! Whether you're looking for developmental guidance or an extra eye on your query letter or synopsis, I can help get you to your next step. www.alisonweisseditorial.com/services Please reach out with any questions!

Teacher & librarian friends! I'll be doing free school visits in selected cities when I hit the road for my CAMP MONSTER graphic novel tour the first two weeks of February- and if you're in CA, TX, NC, SC, GA, or FL I might be able to visit YOU! Details & request form here: forms.gle/5taUP2Zc87GQ...

the Pumpkin carver 🎃

October sunset. #kidlit #cat #october #kidlitart

Psst! I am opening up to unagented children's book submissions *just for the month of October*! This is an exciting experiment. The email to send submissions to is [email protected]. You can find out about what I'm looking for at www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/me...

Actually if you want to know my #mswl this thing on the Atlanta Writer's Conference is Accurate. A good distillation. + there are other good people on this list if you wanna just look at people and their vibes. atlantawritersconference.com/the-editors-...

So thrilled that @slj.com called my and Megan Elizabeth Baratta's picture book, My Backyard Used to Be, "a meaningful addition to school and public libraries, as well as a lovely choice for readers to take home." #kidlit

I love seeing how picture books can be used for project-based learning! Great examples here! #kidlit. #Edusky #teachers #librarians #Skybrarians #STEAM #STEM bethandersonwriter.com/2025/10/03/e...

#RevisionTip Dreaming--or waking up from a dream--is passive, and the moment can feel flat to the reader. If the dream is important, try revising it as a scene that happens in real time on the page. It will give your character agency and push the drama forward in an exciting way. #revising

I hear *someone* is having a sale next week. I guess they have to try and recoup some of that $2.5 billion they’re forking over for *checks notes* being deceptive? Who would’ve thought? Feels like Oct 7 & 8 will be prime days to support independent bookstores. 😌

EVERYONE STOP EVERYTHING Mychal the Librarian is hosting the Reading Rainbow revival!!! reactormag.com/reading-rain...

New Halloween Picture Books for Kids (Plus Some Backlist Favorites) | Book Riot

COVER REVEAL! Coming in May and available for pre-order. bookshop.org/p/books/stil... By me and Mike Deas and @orcabook.bsky.social.

I've compiled a bunch of picturebook #kidlit #kidlitart making truths that I think are helpful. Things like #9: From my Mom: “If you speak with your heart, people will hear with theirs.” open.substack.com/pub/jacobsou...

The morning’s bright the sky is blue and we have a teaser trailer! WAKE UP DEAD MAN the new Benoit Blanc mystery, in theaters Thanksgiving and on Netflix 12/12

Some favorite kids books covers #kidlitart

Triumphant luchador!! 👻 #luchador #kidlitart #aughost #killustration @therealaughost.bsky.social

This feels like a spot of good news www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...