iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Jyoti Rajan Gopal @jyotigopal.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thank you Susan Cabael for highlighting AMERICAN DESI. I can't believe this debut book of mine is now 4 years old. 🎉 I love the picture of us 2 at Highlights (now @boydsmills.bsky.social) - that was a delightful and unexpected meet up! How’s School? susancabael.substack.com/p/hows-schoo...

susancabael.substack.com

How’s School?

Newsletter #137

052

Carol Gordon Ekster @cekster.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It's National Family Day today - a perfect day to read SOME DADDIES, @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social #JavieraMaclean, illus. & TRUCKER KID @capstonepub.bsky.social @russcoxbooks.bsky.social Sharing #PICTUREBOOKS is the best way to celebrate!

000

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Let's take a trip to Italy with Julie via the #podcast! In this episode, Julie shares her adventures at the #Bologna Children's Book Fair, interviewing other creatives in attendance. Discover what's going on in today's market 12x12challenge.com/b... #author #kidlit #writinglife #picturebook

031

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Marcia Parks @mzparks.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Remembering John Steptoe, American author-illustrator who began his first book, STEVIE, at age 16. Based on his younger brother, it was published when he was 19. He illustrated a further 15 books, 9 of which he wrote. #childrensbooks #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks

182

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Bigfoot Kids' Book Festival @bigfootbookfest.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It's our first ever Bigfoot Festival MAGAZINE!packed with PNW-themed comics, poetry, art, and puzzles local authors and illustrators! Pre-order at a special discounted price of $15. Festival price is $18. All proceeds go to benefit the Bigfoot Kids’ Book Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

265

Carol Gordon Ekster @cekster.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

@meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social Congrats on winning the children's Julia Ward Howe award for GATHER GRATEFUL. Such a beautiful #picturebook! @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

040

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

The Authors Guild @authorsguild.org · 14/07/2026

Narrating your own audiobook could mean significant money—or a significant headache. We’re hosting a free webinar to help you figure it out on WEDNESDAY JULY 22. Register here:

authorsguild.org

Narrating Your Own Audiobook

As audiobooks continue to grow in popularity, more authors are getting into narration. Learn about what goes on behind the scenes in this discussion with author and educator Torrey Maldonado, executiv...

062

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Hilary Elizabeth Margitich @hilarymargitich.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Every writer needs a support system. And sometimes, they’re sitting across the breakfast table from you. Don’t miss my new interview with married #kidlit authors James Bird and Adriana Mather: writersrumpus.com/2026/07/07/wri… 📚🩷✍️ @jamesbirdbooks.bsky.social @writersrumpus.bsky.social

writersrumpus.com

082

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

P.S. Literary Agency @psliterary.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

A new week means new opportunities. What will you accomplish with your writing this week? Share your goals with us.

031

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Vicky Weber - Agent, Author, Educator 📚 @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Query letter breakdown: Hi ____, HOOK (pitch) BOOK (metadata; word count, genre, comps) COOK (your bio) Thanks, (Author Name) But you can flip HOOK and BOOK if you'd like! The important part is that the information is there.

3215

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Beaming Books @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Looking for summer stories for the kiddos? ⛲🌷😎 These vibrant summer picture books make great read-alouds. blog.beamingbooks.com/get-ready-fo...

blog.beamingbooks.com

Get Ready for Summer Reading

Many schools offer summer reading lists. But what if you want to expand? What if you are looking for fun summer books to read aloud to kids in your life?

032

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Laura @lauramakesthings.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

A piece I made for National Library Week last month; time got away from me and so I’m just getting around to finishing my WIPs and posting them.. the message still stands- support your local library!! #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #papercollage #libraryjoy #picturebookillustrator #picturebookart

a paper and cardboard collage of a little girl laying down and reading a book. She has brown skin and black hair in pigtails; she wears a colorful plaid shirt, red pants, and teal glasses. A paper library card slip in its envelope is placed in the middle of the piece surrounded by red and yellow flowers with “Support your local library” in blue paper cut letters on top just above the little girl. The picture lays on a yellow background

A close up of the collage showing the texture and depth of the paper and colors

“Support your local library” cut from paper scraps laying on Laura’s desk

Mid process photo of painted paper being cut into shapes

1174

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Picture Book Summit @picturebooksummit.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Be a Good Literary Citizen! The Picture Book Summit Roundtable discusses what it means to be a literary citizen with easy (and free!) ways to support your fellow creatives. picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #amreading #picturebook #kidlit #PBSummit #booksky #podcast

0131

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Writing & Editing @wrtrstat.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Connect with other authors. Writing is a movement, a dance. Not a race against other authors. ...Keep Writing. Connect. Learn. Grow. - Wrtr #AmWriting #AmEditing Writing. #Writing #Writer #Author #BookSky #AuthorSky

Let's root for each other and watch each other grow. - Illustration of a two green leafed plant stating to grow.

0153

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Nancy Hudgins @nancyhudgins.com · 06/05/2026

Seen in the wild at the Mall at Short Hills @suzylevinson.bsky.social @100scopenotes.bsky.social

292

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

P.S. Literary Agency @psliterary.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

"No rejection is fatal until the writer walks away from the battle leaving dreams and goals behind." —Jeff Herman

0102

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

eastwestlit.bsky.social @eastwestlit.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Happy Book Birthday RAINBOW COOKIES Illus. ZB Asterplume / by Lesléa Newman @chroniclekidsbooks.bsky.social 🌈 A girl rallies her friends & family to show the power of love and acceptance when the Pride-inspired rainbow cookies sold at Ms. Madeleine's bakery spark backlash in the neighborhood

093

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Carol Gordon Ekster @cekster.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

@pragmaticmom.bsky.social Congrats on winning the Julia Ward Howe award for your powerful #picturebook We Sing From The Heart

041

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

National Council of Teachers of English @ncte.org · 07/05/2026

Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek 2026! We are so happy to be celebrating with you. Tell us in the comments: What do you remember about your favorite childhood teacher who sparked your love of story?

111

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

📚✨Caroline L. Perry ✨📚 @carolinelperry.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

✨ 🇲🇹 The Memory Cake won a Christopher Award! ✨ 🇲🇹 The Christophers celebrates work that “affirms the highest values of the human spirit” + reflects the Christopher motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Previous recipients include Dolly Parton and Fred Rogers 🥰 #kidlit

191

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

drydenbks (Emma D Dryden) @drydenbks.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Thoughtful, level insight from my friend and colleague @hunderdown.bsky.social on where the #kidlit industry is right now in terms of recent layoffs and reorgs, and how we may have gotten here, and what we can do.

184

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Harold Underdown @hunderdown.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

My thoughts on what's going on in #kidlit publishing now, a little history, and what we can do: mailchi.mp/435ed3c02d61...

125523

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

P.S. Literary Agency @psliterary.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

"Listen to yourself. If you are excited by what you are writing, you have a much better chance of putting that excitement over to a reader." —Robin McKinley

181

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Keshet @keshetlgbtqjews.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Protecting trans rights is a Jewish value! Read this powerful piece in The Forward by Rabbi Eliana Kayelle of Keshet and Rabbi Jonah Pesner of the RAC explaining how Jews understand what’s happening to transgender people in our country.

0217

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Publisher Spotlight @pubspotlight.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Congratulations to @barefootbooks.bsky.social @nosycrow.bsky.social and all! "Children’s Choice Awards, established by IBC...were won by Won’t Go!, Cloud Boy, and Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy...Primary school children across the country voted" www.inclusivebooksforchildren.org/blog/six-wom...

052

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Happy to share, and happy to celebrate book friends!

011

Reposted by Carol Gordon Ekster

Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I’ll post more about my #kidlit book event at Molly’s Bookstore (Melrose, MA) next week, but I wanted to share this super cute display with book friends @cekster.bsky.social and @russcoxbooks.bsky.social

Photo at Molly’s Bookstore in Melrose, MA. Children’s books and wooden toy trucks near the picture book Trucker Kid by Carole Gordon Ekster and Russ Cox.

2123