I have been very busy lately with family matters and haven't been able to query much. BUT, I did receive a very late rejection so… #creampuffrejection #amquerying #kidlit #WhenItRainsItPours

Yay! I got an idea for a picture book today AND I wrote it today! That NEVER happens. Also, the the kids went back to school today. 🤔

Omg! This is genius! I can't wait to read it. ☺️ @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social

This is why moms go crazy. The lime juice has been missing for weeks and I finally found it. Behind a picture frame in the bedroom! Well of course! Why wouldn't it be there?! 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️😤

Little stars aloft Ephemeral glints of light A forest of hope #HaikuSaturday #adaylate #summertime #lazydays #cottonwood

This must be what it feels like to be friends with Monet or Picasso. I am genius adjacent and it feels very special indeed. 🥰

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms. My family spoiled me today with homemade lavender and fennel scones, my new stylish overalls, a beautiful, hand-crocheted infinity scarf and a pile of picture books. My heart is full. #mothersday #kidlit #picturebookpile

And out of the darkness comes a ray of sunshine. 🌞 I am so happy to see that my entry, THE MERRY-GO-ROUND TREE, has received an honorable mention in the #SpringFling competition. Thank you to @Ciaralovesbooks and @KaitlynLeann17 for this fun and uplifting contest. ☺️

I'm having so much fun with my new herb and flower garden. Trying to keep it very Rosemary Gladstarish, purposefully planned but wild. 🥰

Since it's #mentalhealthawarenessmonth, i'll share: Two Novembers ago I spoke about my experience having OCD and Major Depressive Disorder. Even if that's not your situation, perhaps there's something here for you. Shares VERY welcomed. Listen to the whole talk (35 mins.) at www.therowhouse.org/ocd

I am so happy to see that I have been named a #50preciouswords 2025 Honorable Mention with my entry ‘A Song in Her Heart’. viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/31/5...

It is done. 🤞🏻

Horse people, Tell me it's spring without telling me it's spring. 🌸🐴

Spring Fling Kidlit #Contest 2025 is coming! Submit your 150 (or less) Spring-themed stories to win writing #prizes. @kaitlynleann17 & I can't wait to read your #kidlit stories! Check out the rules & prizes here: ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling... #kidlit #springflingkidlit #writingcontest

Unagented picture book author seeks relationship with available agent. Must like heartfelt stories that address big subjects for little people. If you like SEL, neurodiversity, and underdog stories then I’m the author you’ve hoped for Write to me and lets make books.

Just once, I want someone to read one of my manuscripts and say, “It’s ready.” I feel like I could perpetually revise into oblivion. #amwriting #amrevising #kidlit

Today was a cream puff alone in the car kind of day.

This will be my fourth time entering Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest, which is always a fun, mind-bending challenge. Please enjoy. erinrew.com/blog/f/vivia...

My neighbors have an owl perched on their porch roof. I want one too. 🦉🥰

We had another glorious snow day today. I love winter and snow! And I cherish this peaceful, restful time with my children. 🥰

When my girls were little, we read many fairytales. It occurred to me that the immediate punishment for evil women is to grow old the moment their power is taken from them. As if being an old woman is the worst possible outcome for any woman! What are we teaching our girls? ☹️

It was -4° this morning when I went to the barn, and aside from my face being cold and my horse not being able to cope with the cold, I LOVE this weather!

My sweet little girl was so excited when I picked her up from school she said "Mommy, I want to tell you about someone I learned about today! He was a real life HERO Mommy!" Me, "Was his name Dr. Martin Luther King?" Wide-eyed and full of wonder "Yes, Mommy! How did you know?"

📖 When Lila’s Little Bird stops eating she will do anything to help her, but will Lila’s love be enough to rescue Little Bird? ‘Lila’s Little Bird’ is a gentle SEL picture book that addresses eating disorders and a path to understanding recovery. #Bluepit #PB #Q

📖 Reading challenges can be fun, but not if you’re a struggling reader. Will perseverance be enough to help Kit meet their goal or will a little understanding and acknowledgment be the best reward of all. #Bluepit #PB #SEL #Q

📖Losing a home to fire can be a frightening thing to experience but AFTER THE FIRE comes trucks, people, and hope together these things can repair a family’s home and help to build new memories. #Bluepit #PB #Q

📖It’s Cora’s first day of kindergarten and mistakes were made! In ABC’S AND NORMAL YELLOW PEE learning to cope with embarrassment may be the most valuable lesson of all. #Bluepit #humor #SEL #PB

I just received a pass on a submission so old that I completely forgot about it—so old that I’m not even bothered by it, Plus, cream puffs. 😊 #creampuffrejection #betterlatethannever

The love of my life. 🥰

This morning I did something I said I’d never do, I woke up early on a Saturday and participated in the 2024 St. Charles Santa Dash 5k. It was fun! 10/10 will do again. 🎅🤶🎄🏃

Library pick up day is my favorite day. 😊

I finally got some time to do some revision! I am SO excited about my most recent manuscript tackling a very sensitive topic and one near and dear to my heart.

Boo! My season has finally arrived. 🥰🎃

Spotted Nessy on the Mississippi, or would that be “Missy”?

It's been a minute since I checked out a good #librarystack. It feels good to have some normalcy and something to look forward to. 😊📚 #kidlit #pb #amreading

There is no occasion. Today, I just needed to wear something cheerful.

My nerdy little heart is so happy! 🍓

Sometimes I’m funny.

My current library stack. Libraries truly are a treasure we should cherish and protect at all cost! #librarystack #amreading

Well, at least I’ll always have cream puffs. #creampuffrejection #amquerying

I sent out four queries over the last two days. For someone who never queries this is BIG! 😊

Look at what I spotted in the wild. @katelynaronson.bsky.social’s book ‘Clovis Keeps his Cool’ featured at a local storywalk. 🥰

My youngest rose early and made an absolutely scrumptious egg bake for breakfast this morning and then we spent the day doing what I love best… spending it with the horses. 🥰 What will you be doing this Mother’s Day?

It has been a bucket list item of mine to see the Aurora Borealis and tonight they were visible on camera through long exposure. Does this count? 🤷‍♀️

I finally finished my Merdragon. Drawing during the week is HARD when you have kids! 😕 #mermay

I have big plans! #creampuffrejection #amquerying #kidlit

My youngest gave me the prompt “dragon” this time, so I decided to make a sea merdragon for #mermay. Hopefully, I’ll find the time to finish it during our busy week. I’m really happy with how it's turing out thus far.

It's been a while since I've drawn something. My youngest gave me ‘Mushroom’ for a prompt, and I decided to combine it with #mermay. So, behold my Mershroom. 🍄🧜

Seeing my PB LATE BLOOMER as a #KidsChoiceKidLitWritingContest Honorable Mention was the pick-me-up I needed this week. Thank you so much, @KaileiPew, and to all the kid judges! It means the world to me to know that my writing is liked by the very people I am writing for. 🥰

I took this picture 10 years ago, not knowing it would inspire my PB manuscript LATE BLOOMER. Never be afraid to stand out. 🥰 #kidlit #amquerying #picturebook