Does anyone use a writing utensil for their first draft?

I’m talking pen or pencil.

The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau - animated gif A bunch of unicorns with varying facial expressions watch a yeti in a tutu and scarf jump gracefully across the stage. THERE ARE SPARKLES!

It's the cover reveal! My picture book debut, 🩰❄️The Abominable Snow Dancer❄️🩰, is now available for pre-order:
✨Amazon: amzn.to/4hBtlfs
✨B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-abomin...
✨Bookshop: bookshop.org/a/17193/9780...
✨And at select indies!(www.mrsdalloways.com/book/9780593... is one of my locals)

I will be closing the thread to new replies below, in a few days. Reminder: pls read GUIDELINES before replying! People keep posting comments I end up having to hide, & I'm trying to keep this easy to browse (for agents). I lack time to keep monitoring, so will be closing the thread soon.

Thursday at 8PM EST, I’ll be joined by the maker of all things cool author/illustrator Ruth Chan @ohtruth on insta.

#ruthchan
#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrators #childrensbookstagram #kidlitartists
@rebeccagent.bsky.social

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. What's something nice you can do to brighten someone's day? Get some ideas in KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING: https://buff.ly/3CaGrRJ

🥳Amazing—just finished reviewing all the #PBParty author-illustrator entries! I enjoyed all the visually creative storytelling and especially loved discovering well-crafted dummies. Thank you for entrusting us with your heart-filled art! SO excited for our judges' Zoom soon!🤩💫

e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See - Debbie Ridpath Ohi - Obsidian Publish Cover-Moderation-Preview-v3-flat-1024.jpg Tips On How To Curate What You See (and Don't See) on Bluesky (Last updated February 17, 2025) INDEX Impersonator accounts Muting and Blocking How To Block S…

I've updated "How To Control What You See (& Don't See) On Bluesky" with new info/screenshots about how to limit interactions on your posts with those who follow you:

publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bl...
#BlueSkyTips

Books to share with your kids on International Women's Day!

Look what's coming!

We're hosting a BONUS #12x12PB Book Chat w/ author Heidi E.Y. Stemple for her #picturebook, JANIE WRITES A PLAY! This story is based on Heidi’s mother & children’s author legend, Jane Yolen, & the 1st play she wrote as a child.

Join us on 2/25 @ 8pm ET/5pm PT! https://buff.ly/419prE6

#picturebook authors...

Would you rather:

a. publish 20 average-selling picture books
b. sell one NYC best seller

You only get one choice...

I wrote this book to the kid I was. Quiet. Introspective. Introverted. Full of ideas. It releases Sept. 2 from @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social . Lovely art from Annie Cron. And, 25 percent off at @barnesandnoble.com if you pre-order now through Feb. 7 using code PREORDER25. #kidlit #megakidlit #onecanbe

And just like that...

I've finished my first ever MG novel.
🎉🥳🎉

It may not seem like much to some, but typing THE END was emotional, liberating, and exuberating!

It's an absolute mess, and I have tons of editing & formatting ahead, but...

I feel accomplished! 🥇
#kidlit #middlegrade

My pleasure!

a man in an orange shirt is typing on a keyboard in front of a computer monitor ALT: a man in an orange shirt is typing on a keyboard in front of a computer monitor

I wrote 2,500 words today. Yay! I feel somewhat accomplished!!
I know there are a few places that need some major work and probably additional research, but the juices stopped flowing. So, I closed the laptop! #kidlit

Hey, #kidlit #writingcommunity I’m looking for a #picturebook (or several) that have a 50/50 mix of fiction & nonfiction. Any suggestion? TIA!

Hope you have a blast! I’d love to make it up there for a conference someday!

But, can’t you be a sincere smart a$$?

On the fence about trying #PBParty this year? Give me one GOOD reason not to go for it. It has to be a good one.

Not a lame one, like

you're scared to fail, or
afraid nobody will like your stuff, or
you don't have time to get everything together, or
your stuff isn't quite ready, or
WHATEVER!

Peanut butter/honey/oatmeal protein balls, meatballs and meatloaf with gluten free bread crumbs, eggs and bacon. I can’t eat gluten, and those are my regular meals.

Roast, steak, hamburger with no bun, salad, rice, taco soup, street tacos (with corn tortillas), Cheerios, gluten free Oreos, beans, sausage, chicken & rice in the crockpot, grilled chicken, all veggies and fruits, mashed or baked potatoes, little smokies, tater tots and fries

Thanks ☺️☺️

I am excited to be here and can't wait to connect with fellow writers, illustrators, and book lovers in the #kidlit #writingcommunity

Let's talk!

Step 1: Write a new #picturebook. Step 2: Convince yourself it’s good. Step 3: Read it to an actual child. Step 4: They walk away mid-sentence for another bite of dried glue. Step 5: I haven't figured that out yet