Gossip is a currency; does it help to know a certain press has a ban on cat stories? Yes! But it's not posted anywhere. PW sales reports, agent newsletters, and SCBWI talks are VERY useful. But hearing what friends are hearing from their agents and editors: that gossip is GOLD #kidlitchat
Years of academic writing have made it clear to me how important it is to know when you're being precious about your work, versus being principled. Whether assessing your own work, or receiving feedback from others, understanding that distinction when revising is a strength #kidlitchat
Apparently, school visits are down substantially. Grace Lin talks about how she used to do them regularly, and they've dried up. (See the podcast Book Friends Forever). #kidlitchat
I have a picture book THE STORY OF A DIME coming out in 2027 (illus Udayana Lugo; Kids Can Press). The idea came while rolling all of the loose change my children found in jars and bowls at my dad's house. #kidlitchat
If you're interested, there's a Facebook group for traditionally published authors titled "Children's Book Marketing that Works"--I accidentally became an admin a few years ago. Accidentally doing things is one of my greatest skills. #kidlitchat
Not a topic, but an idea: remember children's birthday parties in the party room at McDonald's? I want bookstores to have party rooms for adults, with books and Happy Hour instead of toys and Happy Meals. #kidlitchat
I want to normalize EVERYONE reading picture books.
Not because I am a picture book writer. But because I am a picture book READER - and a childless one, at that.
But alas, even my own family only reads my picture books and no one else's. They're missing out - and so are too many others.
graphic detailing a writing course about nonfiction book proposals with the SCBWI Canada East chapter
I'll be teaching a webinar on crafting irresistible nonfiction book proposals this Saturday, March 14, for the @scbwicanadaeast.bsky.social Digging Deeper series!
Join me at 1 pm ET or register for the recording. More information can be found here: www.scbwi.org/events/craft...
#kidlit #CanKidLit
Try asking the IG account "My Old Books" which helps people find titles they've forgotten. #kidlitchat www.instagram.com/myoldbooks/
Matt Forsythe's picture book POKKO AND THE DRUM reminds us that if you keep eating the other members of the band, they'll kick you out #kidlitchat
I mean, after Jon Klassen's THE SKULL, where a little girl grinds the bones of her enemy and burns them to ashes while making herself a cup of tea.... #kidlitchat
Books where characters get eaten! We'll cover more than these, these are just the two I hope people will read for discussion. Both are on youtube. #kidlitchat www.scbwi.org/events/booki...
Do you know Antje Damm's picture books? I also really like Baek Hee-na, Soyeon Kim, Red Nose Studio, and Elly Mackay. I have a manuscript I built dioramas for, but I have other things on sub, so it has to wait! #kidlitchat
I'm giving an online talk for SCBWI - Canada East in March (open to all SCBWI members) about picture books where characters who get eaten. Interesting enough?! #kidlitchat
It's an undergrad creative writing course, so most of them are not focusing on pbs--but it gives me the opportunity to walk them through the submissions process, pitches, etc., which will be useful regardless of their genre! #kidlitchat
I have a quirky graphic novel ms, but everyone seems to want them with illustrators attached. So it languishes, since my stick people will not cut it. I envy your illustration skills! Crossing fingers you GNs find a home soon!
I was modelling for my students how I come up with picture book ideas. So I tossed out a REALLY ridiculous idea. Then, of course, I had to write it and revise it, as part of the exercise. For fun, I made it SOOO over the top, because how could I not? And now... I think it might sell?! #kidlitchat
In these times it can feel like writing low selling children's books isn't the biggest help for the world, but then I remember the kid I've never met many timezones away who reads This Wolf Was Different each night before bed as their comfort book, and I remember... it's helping someone's world. ❤️
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, it's worth remembering that writing for children is a hopeful act. It's a way of nurturing and supporting the growth and emotional needs of children. I'm all for celebrating acts of hope #kidlitchat
Want to pick a timely name for a protagonist? Or convince the largest volume of grandparents to buy a book, because the protagonist shares the same name as a beloved grandchild? Check the Social Security Baby Name tracker. #kidlitchat www.ssa.gov/oact/babynam...
Some of our books are on the Children's Book Council Winter 2026 Showcase: Dream A Little Dream 🌙
THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
MOON POPS
ELEANOR’S MOON
WHO NEEDS THE DARK?
THE KEEPER OF STARS
Thank you to the Children's Book Council for featuring us amongst a lovely list 💙
#Winter2026Showcase #CBCShowcase
Image shows Owlkids logo and OWL 50 anniversary logo side by side. Text reads: giving a hoot about reading for 50 years!
‼️ IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY 🎂 (and a big one) ‼️
We're kicking it off with our #AnniversaryLogoReveal, featuring OWL's original Owl! 🦉
Stay tuned all year for fun content ... we look forward to celebrating with you! ❤️🎉
#Birthday #Anniversary #50 #50Years #OWL #1976 #2026
I'm thinking of taking a specialized university course in children's book marketing and publicity--maybe I'll develop expertise, or maybe I'll recognize we're all just throwing spaghetti at the wall #Kidlitchat
I have a few openings on my School Librarian Advisory Team for 2026 – if you're interested in taking the occasional survey, getting early copies of new books, & taking a peek behind the scenes of making kids’ books, it might be a good fit for you & your readers! Details: forms.gle/mkA9L5EuvjTu...
I took a publishing course this fall, and learned that while editors say they don't care about social media, publishing and marketing do--and they have a more significant voice at acquisitions than many realize. #KidLitChat
Someone made me a custom button of one of my book covers for its launch, and it was so sweet. If you want to buy an author a gift, what about an enamel pin with their favourite book cover? Or jewellery of the same? Etsy is great for this! #kidlitchat
Have you seen Anna Humphrey and Kari Rust's picture book AT THE RESCUE CAT CAFE? 100% recommend! #kidlitchat shop.owlkids.com/products/at-...