One of my kidlit groups was on @cindyschrauben.bsky.social's podcast, Author Peptalk, this wk! We chatted about how our kidlit friends help us along our journeys. Below is a clip. If you like podcasts, consider subscribing here:
www.youtube.com/@Cindy-Willi...
drive.google.com/file/d/1pJjn...
We're pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book HANK'S CHANGE OF HEART by @cindyschrauben.bsky.social, illustrated by @schadefox.bsky.social (The Little Press Publishing)
To enter, L + RP and confirm your entry in our Friday weekly update: kidlit411.com/2026/02/the-... (+ more ways to win)
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Feb 6): kidlit411.com/2026/02/the-... Inside: Annual Valentiny contest, How to Promote on Tiktok, MG craft tips, more. Thanks @debbiefong.com for the illustration, @cindyschrauben.bsky.social & Jennifer Butts for the PB giveaways.
What are your top obstacles #writing friends? #author #amwriting #writingcommunity
That's a great one
Love it!
Emotion and a spark of curiosity. "Until he was four years old, James Henry Trotter had a happy life." James and the a Giant Peach. Ronald Dahl
Genius
Four-panel comic of a child sitting by a decorated Christmas tree with wrapped gifts. Panel 1 text: “I love our Christmas tree.” Panel 2 text: “I love the scent, the decorations, the nostalgia.” Panel 3 text: “But most of all…” Panel 4 shows the child smiling with text: “I love all the book-shaped gifts with my name on them!” Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
POLL: Who bought or received bookish gifts this holiday season? (Psst: buying a bookish gift for yourself totally counts)
Have questions about children's publishing? Check out my interview with @cindyschrauben.bsky.social! I had so much fun chatting with her! youtu.be/1Dd_fEyop1Q?...
an illustrated sticker design in bright colours a "no parking anytime" sign, but half the letters have faded away to read "NO AI ANYTIME" and the no parking symbol has been spray painted to with a dripping red circle crossing out black dripping AI letters
won't have em for this weekend, but i've been getting a few more people at my table than I'd like lately asking *very pointedly* if i drew everything myself, so i designed a new sticker this afternoon that will hopefully quell some of those concerns.
#art
I was wondering if that was a new term 🤣 gotta hate autocorrect
Yes!
For my PBs, I'm a hard-core pantser which probably makes the process slower, but it's just the way my brain works. I am working on a MG and trying hard to follow Save The Cat.
Thank you, Jena!
This book is perfect for every little collector out there. 📚👍🏽 #interview #picturebook #KidLit #bookblogger jenabenton.com/2025/11/10/s...
I will be interviewing the editor Adam Blackman soon on my YouTube channel Author Pep Talk. What would you like to know? Post your questions below or send me a DM.
Tuesdays in the publishing world are a BIG DEAL! It's the day new books are sent out into the world. Two Critical Friends (aka critique partners) are celebrating their books and each one deserves its own post.
#picturebookrecommendation
#picturebook
@cindyschrauben.bsky.social
Thank you!
Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Oct 31): kidlit411.com/2025/10/the-... Inside: Purpose of the Second Act, Free PB webinar, School Visit Primer, more. Thanks @mirandakramos.bsky.social for the illustration, @cindyschrauben.bsky.social & Scholastic for the giveaways.
YouTube KidZuko clips of the first two episodes of the revival of Reading Rainbow. Both of the clips have over 400,000 views each
The first two episodes of the revival of Reading Rainbow have nearly 500,000 views each 🤯
Do you know how cool that is for literacy, for book joy?! We are all worthy of reading, we are all readers 💚
And NOW episode three is out! Take a look, it’s in a book 📚🌈🦋
youtu.be/e4VIV48ZB0M?feature=shared
Listen to the full episode here: youtu.be/aIkU6abeIb4?...
Thank you @cindyschrauben.bsky.social - I had a lot of fun chatting with you yesterday about the importance of joining creative communities.
youtu.be/aIkU6abeIb4?...
YouTube.com/@Cindy-Williams-Schrauben
Do you want to create books for kids? Join The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators @scbwi.bsky.social Today on Author Pep Talk I chat with @Jodi McKay the Co-Regional Advisory for @scbwi-mi.bsky.social about all things kids books and how this organization can help. Link in comments.
My #1 tip for appreciating rejection letters. What do you do? #authorpeptalk #writing #books #inspiration #kidlit #dontquit #inspiration #writeabook #author #support
Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?
Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚
Agreed! There are so many more aspects to target such as character similarities, tone like humor, or a unique audience.
I find Pinterest to be a valuable search location because many teachers and librarians post lists.
#kidlitchat
Yes, that one aspect makes it far more difficult. Staying on top of new releases is tough but so important
