What If You're Scared: Of Writing The Latest Entry in Our Series About Being Scared Shitless

Another great read from @katemckean.bsky.social Agents and Books. I relate so much to this!

He is amazing. I love his music and his message. <3

Handwritten quote on a white sheet with an illustrated face at the bottom and pink hearts around the text. The quote reads: "If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting." — Liana Brooks

If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting. - @lianabrooks.bsky.social

#WriterSky #BookSky #ReaderSky

Thank you!!

I'm thrilled to share I have signed with agent Robert Broder at Martin Literary Management! Rob's enthusiasm for my writing, and his experience championing timeless books through Ripple Grove Press, make him the ideal partner for my stories. I’m excited to see where this next adventure leads!

Querying writers! Please take note of my new schedule for submissions. I will be open to queries for 2 weeks every month, beginning on the first Monday of the month.

Check out this amazing new album Graze the Bell from my brother in law, David Moore.

Q&A Thursday: Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Writers Edition Dear friends, It's Q&A time! As always, if you're a paid member and you have a question for an upcoming Q&A Thursday, just fill out this form. Shall we? B: My daughter has written a YA contemporary...

Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be writers. Today on Agents & Books we answer two questions for our weekly Q&A:

Should my kid self- or traditionally publish their book?

Does it matter what time of year my pub date is?

www.agentsandbooks.com/q-a-thursday...

The pleasure is all mine! I'm sure your tips and advice will help countless authors interested in pursuing indie publishing. 📚😊

Self-Publishing Picture Books - Jenny Bowman How to Self-Publish: Learn all about Self-Publishing Picture Books with editor Jenny Bowman and author Super Jane Smith

Check out this article and interview with @superjane.bsky.social where we talk about self-publishing picture books.

🎉📚 MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Super Story Time LIVE is celebrating all the FEB holidays next week on WED 2/11/26 @ 1pm EST on Substack @ the Super Readers Club! Funny lady author-illustrator @jannieho.bsky.social will be joining me 4 a fab #kidlit #bookchat + double #storytime #readaloud!
❤️ LINK in bio!

FREE WEBINAR! FROM CONCEPT TO PUBLICATION: WAYS A VILLAGE SAYS LET'S MAKE A BOOK!—Thursday, February 26, 2026, 3:30PM Pacific Time/5:30PM Central Time/ 6:30PM Eastern Time—SIGN UP LINK: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Query letters are confusing and hard. Join me for a virtual seminar with @mcnallyjackson.bsky.social on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7pm ET where I will make the whole process clear and manageable. Lucky participants will receive a LIVE query critique. www.mcnallyjackson.com/demystifying...

A colorful graphic promoting “KidLit/YA Agents,” featuring a large blue title at the top and an illustration of a person with purple skin and dark hair, happily holding up a yellow book against a sky-blue background. Below the illustration are two QR codes with labels “Feed:” and “Info:” on the left and right, respectively. The text explains that the feed posts on Debbie’s KidLit/YA Agents list with a filter for work-related words and phrases, and cautions users to research agents and their submission guidelines before querying. A URL is provided at the bottom: https://debbieohi.link/feed-agents.

This is a pinnable post for the KidLit/YA Agents Feed, which finds work-related posts via a curated list, filtering out replies.

More info & check if you're on the feed here. To be added, pls reply to this post (but PLEASE read info first). If I "Like" your post, you've been added. #Agents

This is a fantastic recommendation! I just ordered it! Thank you.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS WANTED!

What are you reading lately? I am looking for some new chapter book recommendations, or middle grade books that skew younger. Drop in the comments below, especially recent publications, say after 2021.

Thanks!

Lovely spot!

A scene from the book of children at a birthday party and the text CELEBRATING TWO YEARS

I THINK I THINK A LOT has been out for 2 years today! If you've borrowed it, bought it, read it, shared it, opened it up to flip through the pages, talked about it, or you're simply following me here, thank you. @joseebisaillon.bsky.social @esckeyes.bsky.social @freespiritbooks.bsky.social

Yay! Welcome!!

IT'S TIME TO REVEAL THE WINNERS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR #50PRECIOUSWORDS!! Huge thanks to my judges, prize donors, and of course, to all 586 brave writers who submitted their precious words! You are ALL winners in my book! viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/31/5...

RISING STARS MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITY OPENS TODAY Hello dear blog followers and friends! I’m catching my breath after a super successful #50PreciousWords…thank you to all who entered, all who left comments, all who donated prizes, and …

Looking for a writing mentorship? Please check out #PBRisingStars: Deadline to apply is March21! viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/07/r...

Share your best tips & resources for writing PBs. What surprised you about writing & revising, #PBParty?

*Read, read, read!
*Join supportive groups like SCBWI, 12x12PB & take workshops
*Great critique groups are priceless
*Don't get stuck on 1 PB - keep writing new ones, too

Love children’s nonfiction? 📚✨ Want craft tips, insider insights, and real talk from industry pros? Check out the Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Podcast! 🎙️

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite podcast apps! 🎧 Tap the website link in my bio to tune in. #kidlit

I am honored to be part of SPINNING TOWARD THE SUN: ESSAYS ON WRITING, RESILIENCE, & THE CREATIVE LIFE, curated by Nora Carpenter and forthcoming from Burlwood. Proceeds benefit continued hurricane recovery. Link in bio for reminder to buy.
.
S/O to beloved Nora, who I am happy to know.

Thank you for helping to support Western NC and other devastated communities. <3

Anyone else read Impossible Creatures and love it? I think it’s my new favorite book (at least for now 😉).

Where Is the Kid Lit Community Online? As social media communities splinter, authors and publishers wonder where their next digital water cooler will be.

Thx @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social for incl me in round-up of opinions about #KidLit & social media, with @laurelsnyder.bsky.social @katemessner.com @studiojjk.bsky.social @katemckean.bsky.social @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social @ryanlasala.bsky.social & others:

www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

Congrats!!

Some days we want to scream (and we do). But we also keep putting in the work that can counter the things worth screaming about.

You can BID LOUDLY and help keep ALL Latinx kidlit in classrooms.

#diverseshelves #representationmatters #allstoriesmatter

🚨🚨🚨 Cover Reveal 🚨🚨🚨 Get those PREORDERS in now!

V. excited for Write Through It by @katemckean.bsky.social, author of Agents + Books, the only blog I read religiously. Preorder available, and book out in June. Whoop! katemckean.substack.com/p/cover-reve...