Avi Lewis: "We have shoved Canada Post so far into the market mindset that every few months we have a national conversation about why isn't Canada Post making money. Does the ambulance service make money? Do the police services make money? We're talking about a fundamental public service."
This program is best suited for those writing fiction, although there are some elements that could be helpful for non-fiction writers. I will not have any information on self-publishing.
If you're interested, please click here to register: middlesex.libnet.info/event/15937686
The second half will focus more on the business side of publishing. We'll be talking about literary agents, what they do, how to find one, IF you need one, how to find publishers, and how to write a query letter, etc. There will be time for questions after each half as well.
The session will be a mini-conference experience! During the first half, we'll focus on craft with a discussion on tackling the blank page, outlining a story, how to build characters and settings, as well as various resources you can make use of for this part of your journey.
Are you interested in writing, but don't know where to start? Join me on Saturday, April 11th at the Strathroy Public Library for the All-in-One Writers' Workshop. It's a free event that runs from 10 am to 1:30 pm and is open to writers age 18 and up.
A poster for the All in One Writer's Workshop event. At the top there is an image of an open notebook on a table with a pencil beside side. Below, there is a blue rectangle with text that reads 'All in One Writers' Workshop' Underneath that, there is a paragraph that reads: Join author Casey Lyall for a mini-conference experience. With a focus on both craft and business, attendees will learn everything they need to get a start on their publishing journey. Saturday, April 11th at 10 am. Registration required. Register online or in branch. At the bottom left, there is the logo for Middlesex County Library: a stylized yellow sun over three stripes that look like rolling hills, but also the letter m. Also at the bottom, in the center, there is the website which is library.middlesex.ca and then the Strathroy Library address which is 34 Frank St. and the phone number which is 519-245-1290.
If you live in the Middlesex County area (of Ontario) and you're interested in writing, check out this program that I'm running at the Strathroy Public Library on Saturday, April 11th from 10 am to 1:30 pm. More info below, but here's the link to register: middlesex.libnet.info/event/15937686
It's my birthday! A preorder makes a lovely gift! I'm just saying! 😂❤️
Rounding out the trio of June books - the Kirkus review for THE BAND OF BIGS is here! Thanks, Kirkus!
"A lighthearted caper with a dash of familial intrigue." - Kirkus Reviews
THE BAND OF BIGS (illustrated by @sarafaber.bsky.social, and published by Greenwillow Books) arrives on June 23rd!
Squeezed by data centers' relentless demand for electricity, a Nevada energy company just said it's going to stop supplying energy to Tahoe. The city has a year to figure out how to meet 75% of its energy needs without it.
A square image with a light blue background. Black, blocky text at the top reads 'First review for I Used to Be a Dinosaur!' Below that there is a cover image for the book on the left. It features a green dinosaur and a shocked chicken. The title is written in blue text with the author, Casey Lyall, and the illustrator, Laurie Keller, written below. There is also another chicken pecking at the ground and a tree branch in the background. To the right of the cover image, there is text in the same font that reads 'A solid primer on evolution doubling as a silly story of the ultimate identity crisis. - Kirkus Reviews' Below that, there is text that reads 'Available June 9 from Greenwillow Books'
The first review for I USED TO BE A DINOSAUR is in! Thanks, Kirkus!
"A solid primer on evolution doubling as a silly story of the ultimate identity crisis." - Kirkus Reviews
I USED TO BE A DINOSAUR (illustrated by Laurie Keller and published by Greenwillow Books) hits shelves on June 9th!
I'm offering a picture book critique to help celebrate the launch of this year's Picture Books, Eh! roster. Check out the post for details! 😊❤️
Want more picture book news? Follow our 2026 Bluesky #PictureBooksEh creators through our Starter Pack!
#GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the launch of #PictureBooksEh 2026, we’re giving away 4 manuscript crits & many PBs! Details on website below. To enter:
1. Follow @picturebookseh.bsky.social
2. Like + repost this post (extra entry for tagging a friend)
3. Winners announced Mar. 27 at 9 am #kidlit #cankidlit
Read the full review here: www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
WHALE, THAT WAS UNEXPECTED (written by me, illustrated by Kathryn Durst, and published by Tundra Books) is hitting shelves on June 30th!
The first review for Whale is in! Kirkus Reviews said:
"Stand aside, Pinocchio. There’s new whale bait in town, and she’s got her own kind of flair."
...which, I think we can all agree, Maude would be pleased by. (Even if she doesn't show it 😂) Thanks, Kirkus!
Illustration of four stylized axolotls playing underwater. One rests gently on the bottom looking at a cute orange copopod. One has a dancing vibe. One is showing the dancing friend a cool plant. One is nuzzling another copopod. The water is green, loose moss floats about. The axolotls are various shades of pink and yellowy beige with bright pink and orange gills. Art by Gina Perry
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I'm Gina Perry, an author and illustrator looking to work on new, cute picture book projects. I'm rep'd for books by Sean McCarthy Lit. See more work at: www.ginaperry.com #kidlitart
Illustration of forest animals having a picnic in a clearing, surrounded by wildflowers
Hello #kidlitartpostcard ! I am Charlene Chua & I illustrate for kids.
🌟Interested in new book projects + other kids-related projects 🌟
Portfolio - charlenechua.com
Rep' by Tracy Marchini Literary
#kidlitart #kidlit #illustration
Hi !!!
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Sarah and I’m a children’s book illustrator (and aspiring author).
I’m very interested in children’s book projects.
View my Portfolio - sarahnevillestudios.com
Currently looking for representation
#kidlitart #kidlit #illustration #canadianillustrator
Top text reads: Get a sneak peek! Want to digitally read any of these books before their June release dates? Then there are three book cover images shown in a row. The first one is for I Used to Be a Dinosaur. It has a large cartoon t-rex in the top left corner with a surprised looking chicken beside it. The title is below along with a second chicken and the author and illustrators names: Casey Lyall and Laurie Keller. The second cover is for Whale, That was Unexpected. It shows a large whale with a wide open mouth in the background and an old fisherwoman and her dog standing on their boat in the foreground. The title of the book is shown inside the whale's mouth along with the author and illustrator's names: Casey Lyall and Kathryn Durst. The last cover is for The Band of Bigs. It shows three kids in a basement along with a hamster - all in action poses. The title is at the top and the author and illustrator's names at the bottom: Casey Lyall and Sara Faber. Below the covers, the text in the image reads: You totally can! Message me for details!
I have 3 books coming out in June:
I Used to Be a Dinosaur (w/ Laurie Keller), The Band of Bigs (w/ @sarafaber.bsky.social), and Whale, That was Unexpected (w/ Kathryn Durst.)
They're available to read digitally on various platforms. Message me if you're interested in & I will give you the info!
Absolutely devastating for book publishers in Nova Scotia. Canadian arts and stories deserve better.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/dismantling-...
Hurray, I'M BUSY by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and me launches today from @simonkids.bsky.social!
Educators: Help us celebrate & I'll record a special video msg just for your students. More: debbieohi.com/2026/02/imbu...
#KidLit #BookBirthday #Edusky #LibrarySky
If you are a Canadian author and you're not yet registered for the Public Lending Right, read this thread! Registration costs nothing and you get money every year if your books are in libraries.
Logo reading “Publishing for Minnesota,” featuring a raised fist emerging from an open book.
So many amazing donations from authors, illustrators, agents & editors to the #PublishingForMinnesota auction! Bidding now open, ends Jan. 30th:
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
#KidLit #BookSky #EduSky #WriterSky
A poster advertising an author signing. The top text reads OLA Super Conference Book Signing. There are two circles featuring the faces of Casey Lyall and Jessica Vitalis with text in between that says Friday, Jan 30th, 10 am and their names listed below. Two book covers are shown below that. One on the left for The League of Littles which shows three kids in action poses and a leaping hamster. The one on the right is for Unsinkable Cayenne which shows a girl and dog standing on train tracks, looking up at birds in the sky. Orange arrows in the centre point at either book. The top one pointed at The League of Littles says that it is a Silver Birch Express nominee. The bottom one pointed at Unsinkable Cayenne says that it is a Red Maple nominee. The bottom text says 'find us at the HarperCollins booth!'
If you're headed to @onlibraryassoc.bsky.social's Super Conference this week, make sure you stop by the HarperCollins booth @ 10 am on Friday! @jessicavitalis.bsky.social and I will be signing copies of our @forestofreading.bsky.social nominated books! (And I've got fun swag to hand out!) #OLASC2026
crazy that the website that I randomly decided to put together at 10AM yesterday has had over 25k unique visitors in 24 hours.
please keep sharing with your networks.
One thing that irks me: people keep calling the folks on the streets in Minneapolis protestors. They are not generally there to protest, they are there to observe and document. This is the product of organizing and mutual aid. It is telling that these acts of citizenship are seen as protest!
Here's to a new year of great Canadian picture books! Please follow our 2026 authors & illustrators on Bluesky who are participating in Picture Books, Eh! Check out our Starter Pack below!
Anyone interested in joining our little co-promotional community can get in touch at picturebookseh@gmail.com.
Thank you, Stephanie! It's a funny old process, isn't it?
