Introducing the members of the Squad - meet @lizziebrooksauthor! Lizzie is a mom, yoga teacher, freelance editor, & writer repped by Emily Keyes of Keyes Agency. Her new book IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY: A WOBBLY YOGA STORY is coming on June 9, 2026 with Spinning Wheel Stories. #kidlit #picturebooks
Meet our next Squad member - Debbie Loren Dunn! She writes nonfiction that uncovers remarkable events and people that have quietly changed our world. Her new YA book is THE REAL ROSALIND: The Truth About Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery and How it was Erased, releasing April 7th with Zest Books.
Meet Squad member @johannapeyton.bsky.social! Johanna Peyton is a proudly neurodivergent writer. Her debut nonfiction picture book, ALL BRAINS WELCOME: Embracing ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and More, illustrated by Olga Popova, releases in October of 2026 with Sourcebooks eXplore. 1/3 #kidlit #stem 1/3
Meet Squad member Sue Young! @sueyoungmusic.bsky.social is a bilingual storyteller, performing singer songwriter, children’s librarian, and Spanish teacher. Her debut picture book COURAGEOUS COWGIRLS, publishes October 27, 2026 with TCU Press. #kidlit #picturebooks 1/2
Happy Book Birthday! THE REAL ROSALIND: The Truth About Rosalind Franklin’s DNA Discovery and How It Was Erased hits the shelves everywhere today. Get your copy now! Congratulations Debbie Dunn and Janet Fox! #YA #kidlit #stem
Meet Squad member @melissa_stoller! Melissa writes to bring heartfelt connection and joy to her readers. Hernext picture book, Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, releases from Kar-Ben Publishing on August 4, 2026. #kidlit #picturebooks 1/3
Thrilled to attend the Writing Barn's Picture Book Creation session with Agent Elena Giovinazzo, author/illustrator Zoey Abbott hosted by Susan Johnston Taylor.
@thewritingbarn.bsky.social @sjohnstontaylor.bsky.social @elenagiovinazzi.bsky.social IG @zoey.abbott
Thanks so much for joining us, Sheryl! Glad you're enjoying it. Maybe Zeke will perk up for the picture book pitches this afternoon. 😂
My laptop showing the Writing Barn event on screen. There are two stickers; one says “artist” and the other says, “Every now and then, scream at the top of your lungs. It helps.”
Sorry, I won’t be doing a haiku today…attending the Industry Engagement Event with @thewritingbarn.bsky.social instead.
(I promise I won’t be screaming at the top of my lungs despite what my sticker tells me to do)
Thanks so much for attending!
Attended @thewritingbarn.bsky.social Industry Engagement Event today and was empowered and encouraged! Can’t wait to query with the submission opportunities! #WBPitch
Learning so much at the October Industry Engagement Day!! Consider signing up for the next one coming in the spring! #wbpitch @thewritingbarn.bsky.social
Excited to share that I’ve officially signed with literary agent Maura Kye-Casella at Don Congdon Associates, Inc.!
@thewritingbarn.bsky.social @inkedvoices.bsky.social
@ctcwriters.bsky.social
#WritingCommunity
#kidlit
🌐 Today in The Courage to Create: Author Websites 101 with The Method Agency! 💻 Learn how to design your site, boost SEO, and build your author brand with expert guidance. Join the community 👉 courage.thewritingbarn.com/courage-to-c...
We’re thrilled to welcome Jennifer Rofé and Caryn Wiseman from Andrea Brown Literary Agency for a special Ask an Agent session inside the Courage to Create community this Thursday!
Register: courage.thewritingbarn.com/courage-to-c...
Want your stories to connect with readers on a deeper level?
Jessixa Bagley’s 6-week class on authentic writing begins Sept 16. Spots are limited.
Register: courage.thewritingbarn.com/authenticity...
Always love Industry Engagement Day that The Writing Barn's Courage to Create community hosts! Learning so much from all these pitch critiques! @thewritingbarn.bsky.social @ctcwriters.bsky.social
There’s space in the market for your nonfiction work! 📚💭
Join these talented NF writers for a FREE event next Monday to remind authors that nonfiction IS making sales, getting people agented and thriving in the writing community!
Register here: thewritingbarn.com/class/a-nigh...
So glad you enjoyed it. Carter’s amazing! Happy writing. ✍️ 🌻
Congratulation to Karla Sy whose debut PB was picked up by Beaming Books!🥳🎉
In this interview she discusses how WB aided in her literary journey for STRONG AS A LION, the importance of community and her boost of confidence in her writing.
Read more about it here: thewritingbarn.com/writing-barn...
"Heavy" topics for children are complex but necessary.
TOMORROW: Join @casahasegawa.bsky.social
to for an honest conversation on these stories + current market for them.
*PLUS submission opps available to ALL registrants!
Register Here: thewritingbarn.com/class/yes-yo...
Find yourself wondering what makes a book successful? 📚👀
Author Candy Wellins will be teaching our Tried and True Topics in PB to spot what makes a book stand out and how to incorporate those techniques in your own WIP.
Register here: thewritingbarn.com/class/craft-...
Start your Spring by cleaning up your WIPs with our upcoming WSS programs for NF and PB writers! 🌷✨
These quotes from former students discuss the camaraderie, insightful one-on-one feedback and progress they were able to accomplish in the program.
Apply by 04/20: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Only 2 spots left! 📣
Join instructor @marciecolleen.bsky.social for 6-months of drafting, deadlines, goals, support, feedback and MORE.
**Applications close on 4/20.
Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
April is for watering the seeds of our future success! 💧🌱
This month we have two exciting webinars and our spring Write. Submit. Support. for PB/Chapter Book and Nonfiction sessions.
Check out our classes at:
www.thewritingbarn.com/classes
It’s time for another exciting Sunday Shoutout! 📣
This time we’re celebrating Verge member, Christal Presley’s NF PB getting acquired by Carter Hasegawa. This beautiful story is set for publication in Fall 2027.
Cheers to Melissa Koch on her exciting news! 🎊🙌
Her picture book STONE BY STONE: A ROCK’S JOURNEY THROUGH TIME is set for release in 2026.
Read the full interview here: thewritingbarn.com/writing-barn...