iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Forget the maple, sumac is the stealth MVP of Vermont fall foliage.

030

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

We live in a golden age of discovering you're involved in a class action suit via your SPAM folder.

000

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I haven't achieved true longevity in the children's book industry until I discover that one of the kids who read my first books is now a parent who hasn't read my latest books, but is asking local school boards to ban them anyway.

120

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Authors - Why not write some nice books, about nice people, doing nice things for a change?

210

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

THE SWANS. My new novel about true crime podcasts, off-kilter teen romances, and big, beautiful, angry birds. Preorder…now!

010

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Here's an idea. Publishers collecting 50% of the Anthropic claim and raking in millions, how about applying that money to marketing authors' new books, or setting up new contracts? The "we don't have the budget for that" excuse will ring a little hollower this year.

000

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Katherine Locke @katherinelocke.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

One day, this publisher's name will be a distant memory that no longer brings me intense frustration. That day is not today. If you're an Albert Whitman author who has a book in the Anthropic case, you should go check your email in case they're trying to claim 100% of the $$ for your books too.

612979

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

NANCY COMICS BY ERNIE BUSHMILLER @nancycomics.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Nancy By Ernie Bushmiller August 28,1959

P1- NANCY SEES SLUGGO DRINKING WATER FROM A GARDEN HOSE
NANCY: YOU SHOULDN'T DRINK FROM A HOSE- - IT'S FULL OF GERMS
P2-NANCY: YOU’LL GET SICK
SLUGGO DROPS THE GARDEN HOSE
SLUGGO: YOU’RE RIGHT
P3- NANCY AND SLUGGO ARE WALKING DOWNTOWN AND THEY A BACK TO SCHOOL SALE SIGN IN A STORE WINDOW
P4- NANCY AND SLUGGO ARE BOTH DRINKING WATER FROM A GARDEN HOSE
SLURP SLURP SLURP SLURP

271475162

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I’m gonna make you hear a guitar riff in 3…2…1: Slow ride…

100

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

SPONTANEOUS is 10 years old this week, which I’m pretty sure is the oldest a book can ever be.

130

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

All of this is spot-on, but I'd also add that like in all industries, relationships are a huge factor. When you have the support of a big author/editor/PR rep it can tip the scales because the people who make decisions start to listen more. And sometimes this simply comes down to friendships.

010

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Megan Hirsch is writing @meganhirsch.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Worth reading because it’s fantastically creative, with a healthy dose of weird. TITLE: You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This AUTHOR: @aaronstarmer.bsky.social AGENT: @michaelbourret.bsky.social PUB: Penguin Workshop, 2026 #kidlit #mglit #booksky #middlegrade #bookrec #mg

Hand holding a library book. The cover is primarily gray/steel blue.The font is hand drawn. The letters look like twigs and branches, to resemble a family tree. Inside every “O” is a portrait of a different person. The cover reads “You Are Now Old Enough To Hear This by Aaron Starmer.”

1141

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

I've published 16 books for young readers and received at least as many starred reviews. But none of my books has ever been officially reviewed by Horn Book. I think a few have appeared in the guide, but otherwise...zilch. Did I make an enemy there once upon a time? One of life's great mysteries...

000

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I know they probably meant to write "reread" but in its present form this works as a deadly accurate review of ALL of my books.

130

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Writer: I'm thinking the headline should be JAWS NOW STREAMING Editor: Hmm. I don't know. Do you have anything way stupider?

010

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Modern slang has made copy editing notes both confusing and confrontational. Copy Editor: Cap? Me: Stet! Why would I lie about kleenex?

000

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

And so the Starmer name will once again fade back into obscurity. As we are accustomed...

100

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

It's heartening to see the publishing world is taking some big chances on smaller, more personal stories.

000

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Steph Cherrywell @stephcherrywell.com · 12/06/2026

Middle grade book You Are Now Old Enough To Hear This by @aaronstarmer.bsky.social. Holy moly, this was so good! Like reading Riverman again. A wonderfully strange book about family mysteries which seems like it's going four or five different directions and yet manages to make it all fit in the end.

Cover of 'You Are Now Old Enough To Hear This' by Aaron Starmer.

172

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Me, giving contract advice to debut authors.

010

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Wanna feel old? How about this? The giant baby from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is now old enough to rent a giant space car.

000

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

It's hard to believe that this company could publish a quality children's book in only 3 weeks! Until you notice their impeccable attention to detail...

000

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The great thing about being someone who has an opinion on the state of the children's book industry is that I can lean over and whisper that opinion to my dog, and she can turn to me and nod knowingly, as if to say, "right again, old friend," and I can snap my fingers and get on with my day.

010

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Scott 𐚁 Cataloochee Hogtoe 𐚁 Cave @hellabarnes.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

there’s an in depth discussion of this in Braiding Sweetgrass, but ramps in particular don’t have a good seed dispersal mechanism and can only move as far as their seed-bearing stems allow them. Wiping out a patch might be a millennia-long local extinction event

26338

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Upper Valley! Join me and other finalists for the Vermont Book Award tomorrow night (Thursday, April 30 at 7PM) at Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT. Fiction! Poetry! Young Adult! Graphic Novel! History! Middle Grade! Memoir! What more could you ask for?

030

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

I feel like I’ve been neglecting NIGHT SWIMMING as I focus on my newest book, but it’s up for the Vermont Award this weekend and it’s out in paperback tomorrow. Rumor is that bookstores will accept your money if you try to buy it!

000

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Amanda MacGregor @amandamacgregor.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Fast Five Interview: Aaron Starmer Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS. teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/04/21/f... @tltkaren.bsky.social @aaronstarmer.bsky.social

teenlibrariantoolbox.com

Fast Five Interview: Aaron Starmer

Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS.

032

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

When did a writing career become audience members yelling suggestions to an improv comedy troupe?

120

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Join me and other finalists for the Vermont Book Award at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont this Saturday at 6pm. We'll be dropping knowledge and crumbs (which we will dutifully sweep up).

000

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

If you want your child to read books that they’ll forget in a month’s time, hand them pablum. If you want them to think, rethink, and return to a book for the rest of their life? This is what you give. I review @aaronstarmer.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2026/04/12/r...

afuse8production.slj.com

Review of the Day: You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This by Aaron Starmer, ill. Jaime Zollars - A Fuse #8 Production

0245

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

It's basically the Super Bowl, the Oscars and the Tunbridge World's Fair all rolled into one. I'm talking, of course, about the Vermont Book Awards! Join the Green Mountain Glitterati on Saturday, May 2nd in Montpelier for food, drinks and bookishness. Tickets here www.eventbrite.com/e/the-vermon...

eventbrite.com

The Vermont Book Awards: A Celebration of Vermont Writers

Join us for a cocktail and dessert reception celebrating writers and readers at the 2025 Vermont Book Awards!

130

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

I am, and it is, and no, they don't

443003602

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Kate Milford @katemilford.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

I have this fantasy/mystery hitting the world next week!

1105

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Dan Poblocki @danpoblocki.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I made a podcast episode! This one is with @aaronstarmer.bsky.social talking about how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 90s freaked us out. We also talk up his latest novels NIGHT SWIMMING and (the newly released) YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...

263

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

There's wonderful writing going on in the middle grade sphere right now, but opportunities to promote these books are dwindling. Case in point: @katemilford.bsky.social's brilliant RIALTO, which comes out in exactly two weeks. An advance copy visited me in snowy Vermont and asked for a photo shoot!

222

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The cover story for the latest issue of Vermont's favorite newspaper Seven Days is about good ol' Ben trying to buy back Ben & Jerry's from Unilever, but the biggest jump-scare is the appearance of my big old face! Thankfully, there's also a review to go with it. www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture...

sevendaysvt.com

Review: ‘You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This,’ Aaron Starmer | Seven Days

The Vermont author’s new middle-grade novel is a twisty puzzle with a creepy atmosphere and themes that should resonate with readers of any age.

231

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Today is the day! YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS is here! Ask your local indie to order a copy...or ten. Give it to a kid. Or keep it for yourself. Spread the word but don't spoil it. And thank you for enduring my onslaught of promotion. It's part of this job I'm so lucky to have.

120

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

I never fully understood the huge success of the book (and now movie!) THE POUT-POUT FISH, but I have to admit that "kaleidoscope of mope" is one of the great turns of phrases in all of children's literature.

001

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

The lack of editorial oversight this book went through is disheartening. Traditional publishing needs to speed up its processes if it wants to compete with self publishing, but not the editorial part. That's where traditional should have the distinct advantage. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/b...

nytimes.com

Horror Novel ‘Shy Girl’ Canceled Over Suspected A.I. Use

011

Reposted by Aaron Starmer

Andrew Karre @andrewkarre.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

"Hot, sexy, dangerous boys—central to virtually all young adult romance novels—cannot be copyrighted."—Judge Colleen McMahon Glad we've got that settled, at least. lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/wp-content/u...

lunch.publishersmarketplace.com

914139

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

How about this? NIGHT SWIMMING is a finalist for the Vermont Book Award, along with some other amazing books by Vermont authors. What an honor! www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...

vermontpublic.org

Meet the 2025 Vermont Book Award finalists

The Vermont Book Awards recognize excellence in locally produced works of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and children’s literature.

230

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS comes out in exactly two weeks! I'm fairly confident that you're also old enough to preorder a copy. So ask your local bookmonger!

100

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Why is it that women only get a day when vampires get an entire weekend?

010

Aaron Starmer @aaronstarmer.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

I have a couple ARCs left of YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS. Want one? Lemme know!

100