Apparently if you leave the do not disturb sign up on your hotel door long enough, security will come check on you. I explained that I'm just writing and don't really need someone to clean the room. There's no hiding out in Vegas it seems, no matter how hard I try. But maybe I should get out more?

Stretch goal time (I've always wanted to say that)! We are currently at $390 (which is amazing, and huge thanks to everyone who has bid so far!). I will be adding 10 minutes to the follow-up phone call for every $100 milestone that we hit (e.g. 30 minutes for $400+; 40 minutes for $500+; etc.).

Pssst! If you'd like to have me critique your full picture book (ms or dummy) AND get a 20-minute follow up phone call AND support folks in need in Minnesota, do I have good news for you! Full details charity auction (which starts on Thurs!) below. www.32auctions.com/organization...

Unicorn and Yeti are in Storyworks magazine! Read Up and Down and check out the resources and lesson plan here: bit.ly/48SwlBc #edusky

I am going to challenge myself to attend at least one large in person book event next year. I haven't really done something like that, but it sounds fun.

I've been missing my critique group lately. Just peeked and saw it has been 15 years since it came to its natural end. That is shocking to me! Time has definitely marched on.

Hooray!

Why not spend an hour talking #kidlit here on Bluesky? Why not make that hour be today at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific when we have #kidlitchat (like we do every Tuesday)? Good plan! And I hope to see you then….

I got one manuscript in that I've been working on for a while now and, even though I really like that one, it is very fun to work on something new! I am definitely a proponent of taking breaks from a manuscript. #amwriting #kidlit

The time has come: Vote in the 2025 Undies Case Cover Awards! 100scopenotes.com/2025/11/10/v... @carterhiggins.bsky.social @spikypenelope.bsky.social

Changing the manuscript I'm working on to a fancy font has made revising easier. #writetip :)

🎉 NEW EVENT! Featuring @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social and @mrschureads.bsky.social! 📚❤️ Register: www.bookelicious.com/event/22 Jennifer and John share their fave books of the year! 📚 FREE event! 📚 Book giveaways! 📚 Bookelicious Bookstore Discount Code to tackle your holiday shopping lists!

GN creators, only TWO days left to load your PB, Early, MG or YA #graphicnovel projects at the #KidLitGN 2025 pitch event at www.kidlitgn.com The pitch window closes on Oct. 1 at 11:59 EDT but #agents and #editors can look all month! #pitchevent #kidlit #illustrators #graphicnovels #comics

Hooray for Mychal! Hooray for Marc Brown! Hooray for PBS! Hooray for Reading Rainbow! Hooray for graphic novels! Hooray for library cards!!!

I am again writing a story that I have rewritten so many times in so many ways. Maybe today I will find a way that works.

This is what my days look like lately but I am still sneaking in some writing where I can. Garlic shipping season is short but intense!

The idea of upgrading our business quickbooks for the garlic farm is that it will be less work… eventually… someday… but not today. Today I enter much repetitive data and try to configure things I scarcely understand.

Today I will focus on writing and making apricot fruit leather.

I have just been delivered a mojito as a bribe to go hang up the garlic we harvested this morning. I guess it is working. Writing time is over for now.

As someone in the midst of garlic harvest and I concur.

#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

Every so often I like to put my Unicorn and Yeti books in order of publication by memory and see if I can still get it right. Just a little brain test. So far, so good.

I do not enjoy 80 mph as a speed limit.

Now I am in a poker room listening to the sweet sound of men (mostly) shuffling their poker chips. 😂

I got to hear from some writers and do some fun writing exercises, then I found Unicorn and Yeti at the East Las Vegas Library!

I have never been to an scbwi meeting/workshop before. I did go to a western Washington conference like 25 years ago but that’s it. 🤔

Maps rerouted me and I had to drive on the highway, which was not the plan, but I have arrived. 🤪

Currently forcing myself out of the hotel room and over to the library. That’s me in Vegas. 😂

Taking two different stories about the same characters and meldging them into one. Also making a big mess. #amwriting

The most Vegas thing I have seen so far is a bride jumping out of a car at an intersection, then the groom running after her. They stopped to fight in front of the liquor store. As a bonus I was real close to ripping that car door off and hitting the groom with the van but I just missed them!

Thinking about going to an SCBWI presentation while I'm here in Vegas. Am trying not to let the thought of driving the box van into unknown territory stop me. But...we shall see.

I’m about to drive a sprinter box van through the Las Vegas strip. Wish me luck.

Just had to check my snap map to figure out my own location. Everything looks the same here.

Wsop=World Series of poker incase you do not live and breathe poker as I, a mostly non-poker player does. 😂

Also I just drove for like 18 hours so I have typos.

I have suddenly and unexpectedly found myself waiting around in Las Vegas while my husband play in the wsop. Is it possible to find a quiet spot to write inside a casino?

Oh dear. I am procrastinating and snacking right now! Back to work! #kidlitchat

My favorite part of the creative process is snacks and the hardest part to work through is procrastination. #kidlitchat

I successfully dodged a striking snake today! Bonus: I will remember to look for snakes while walking around the farm and especially while picking asparagus.

I changed my manuscript's page color from white to pink and revisions are going much better now.

The work space at the Lewiston Public Library is fantastic. #librariesrock #supportlibraries #visityourlibrarytoday

Thank you library workers!❤️

I have to keep reminding myself that I am writing a fun book for kids, not reading about all the horrible news in the world.

It’s economic blackout day so go to your library and use this free resource paid for by you tax dollars. Support libraries and support the freedom to read! #freepeoplereadfreely

I’m somehow on a Heritage Foundation mailing list (😂) and they sent a survey to see what we think of DOGE. Who wants to offer some m-fing feedback?!? secured.heritage.org/the-heritage... Please share with a friend or a thousand :)

The 2025 #PBParty contest entry window is officially open... until 8 pm Eastern. 🎉 The judges and I are sending tons of good luck wishes your way and can't wait to read your submissions. ✨✨✨✨ How many entries do you think we'll have this year? mindyalyseweiss.com/...

I have this amazing skill where I think I've typed one word and have actually typed a completely different word. I just typed "people" when I had thought I had typed "because". There are no people in this story so that doesn't make sense. Not sure how the brain to fingertip transition is working.🤔

There's still 8 hours to bid! Sean's feedback is priceless. #kidlit #pb

I work at a job where I sometimes get hugs just for getting a laptop to connect to the printer and print a document. #librarian

If you're an unagented writer or author/illustrator of picture books, I hope you'll enter the 2025 #PBParty contest. It has helped make so many agent and editor matches in the past...and we can't wait to see the magical matches that will happen this year. mindyalyseweiss.com/2025-pbparty...