Posts by Michael Benner
Thank you! I’m on IG @michaelbennerwrites. Many thanks for any shares over there! 🙏
I do! My debut picture book full of puns, wordplay, and big adventure!
Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story cover
Just three short months until the cheesiest day of the year - Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story launches on July 7, 2026 to bookstores everywhere!
#picturebooks #booklaunch #humor #kidlit
I loved Gilbert and the Ghost by @heatherstigall7.bsky.social. The story's theme of perseverance despite feeling invisible and unanswered, the beautifully spooky illustrations, and the easy readability make this a great bedtime story, especially during the spookier times of the year!
If you're a fan of escape rooms like me, The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsey Currie is a must read. The majority of the book is set in an abandoned escape room house, filled with puzzles, tricks, and a treasure if you make it to the end. I look forward to the next book in the Delta Games series!
Storystorm wrapped up and 30 new ideas in the bank! Now, onto writing a a few of them...
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
Help support immigrant communities and those most impacted by ICE in Minnesota through an auction of terrific services from industry leading authors and illustrators. Auction opens Thursday 1/29 at 12:00am EST and ends Friday 1/30 at 11:45pm EST. www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Getting into the mood for writing a Christmas-themed picture book by listening to Christmas songs. In January. Kinda weird but kinda awesome, too. 🎅🤶🎄⛄️
#picturebooks #christmas
Meg Eden Kuyatt's middle grade novel, The Girl in the Walls, is a novel-in-verse about a neurodivergent girl who uncovers a not just a ghost but a set of dangerous family secrets in her grandmother's house. Hard to put down, it's a fun, fast, nail biting read, and ghostly read!
My writing goals for 2026:
* Complete at least 2 submission-worthy picture book manuscripts.
* Complete the first draft of my MG horror novel.
* Complete the 12x12 Challenge (write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months).
* Take at least 3 writing classes.
* Sell one of my picture book manuscripts.
I love @stephaniebearce.bsky.social's MG debut, The Secret of Moonrise Manor. Beautifully written and filled with mystery, paranormal, teen emotions, and science-based reasoning wrapped up in layers upon layers clues, plot twists, and suspense.
#middlegradebooks #middlegrade #review #kidlit
Excited to get started with Storystorm 2026 - 30 picture book ideas in the 31 days of January! It's a great way to get into a groove in the new writing year!
Sign up here to get started: taralazar.com/2025/12/26/s...
#storystorm #storystorm2026 #picturebooks
Announcing the 2nd book in the Delicious Duos series, Milk & Cookies! Join Milk & Cookies in their funny, punny adventure as they form one of the most enduring friendships ever. Illustrated by Alison Hawkins, Milk & Cookies launches Summer 2027 by Scholastic.
#kidlit #picturebooks #milkandcookies
Writing prompt for 11/14/25:
"Deep in the forest, past the cave beneath the cliff, an old gentleman awaited my arrival..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/13/25:
"I thought I showed up to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead, I walked into the middle of..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/11/25:
"Today, I wish for..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/10/25:
"Never, ever ask a nun about..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/07/25:
"A woman asked me today why my left eye was..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/06/25:
"The spotlight shined on me, but what I forgot my line..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/05/25:
"What a dirty trick..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/31/25:
"When the witching hour arrives on Halloween night, I must..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/30/25:
"The last thing you should ever say to a ghost is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/29/25:
"The lights dimmed and went out, and three pounding knocks rattled the door. I only had time to..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/27/25:
"I opened my eyes, and there it was, looking at me from the foot of my bed..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Love this. Well done, and I wholeheartedly agree.
Writing prompt for 10/23/25:
"The creepiest thing about a cemetery is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/22/25:
"A songbird landed on my shoulder..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/21/25:
"After an hour carving this stupid pumpkin, it looks like a..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts