iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

What do you get when you mix macaroni, Mel Brooks, and dachshunds? Three crazy creatives who know their craft and are ready to help you find the funny in your manuscript! Sign up at SCBWI.org/regional-virtual-events. SEPTEMBER 3. #childrensbooks #authors #kidsbooks #teachingwriting #funnybooks

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Write for kids? We’ll provide helpful information no matter where you are on your journey. In addition to writing, Kim and Moni illustrate; I’m an editor. @bookthreader.bsky.social #KimDwinell @scbwisocal.bsky.social @scbwi-losangeles.bsky.social #anaheim #losangeles #writers #writingcommunity

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

This concludes 24 weeks of free tips for tips for authors and behind-the-scenes insight into our industry. To view all of the posts, search on #writingtipsonthursdays in Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. #writing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #authors

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Part one of a three-part series gives children's writers a glimpse into school visits. Article on @scbwi.bsky.social Tri-Regions Chapter at https//scbwikitetales.com. #authorvisits #writers #writingcommunity #losangeles

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Writing a book? Wonder how long it’ll take to sell your manuscript? Read on for info to help you plan your path to publication. #writing #writingcommunity #authors #books #writingtipsonthursdays

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Writers - Let’s talk about pitches! We all need to write them and we all dread it. Right?! Like anything else, practice and prepare. See slide 2 for a few quick tips. #writing #writingtipsonthursdays #writingcommunity #authors #books

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

If you’re stuck writing your book, it’s okay to ask for help. I’m often asked where an author can find a reputable editor. Here are the top three resources to find an editor to hire. #writingtips #writingtipsonthursdays #editor #author #writingcommunity

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Buns come in 8s and hot dogs in 10s. Why? Find out at www.patriciamnewman.com/litlinks-eas... by @patricianewman.bsky.social. #STEM #classroom #teachers #resources #hotdog @mackidsbooks.bsky.social Art by Steven Salerno #history #dachshund @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection #jlg

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

What are Americans going to be eating for the Fourth of July? Hot dogs! Before you fire up the grill, tune into KSRO and Steve Garner’s Good Food Hour. #fourthofjuly #hotdog #bbq #sausagedog @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social 2026 gold-standard selection @mackidsbooks.bsky.social art by Steven Salerno

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Fiction book authors - See the second slide for a simple formula to describe (and help sell!) your book. #writingtipsonthursdays #writingtips #bookgenre #publishing #marketing #authors #writers #fictionwriters

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I'm often asked to explain categories of children’s books so I’ve provided a quick summary on the second slide. If you have questions, please reach out. I’m happy to help authors get their books published. #writingtipsonthursdays #kidsbooks #writers #kidlit #childrensbooks

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Waiting for your book to be published can be tough. Take a step away from writing your book and try entering a writing contest. See the second slide for pros and cons. #writingtipsonthursdays #amwriting #writingcommunity #writers #authors

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Authors may know about the main two paths to publication—traditional and self-publication—but there’s another choice: hybrid. Feel free to reach out w/ questions; my contact info is on the last slide. #writingtipsonthutsdays #writing #hybridpublishing #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Don't be afraid of a ghost! We’re here to help authors with their books whether you have an idea or the book’s been written. I've helped authors by ghosting all or part of their book. #writingtipsonthursdays #ghostwriter #author #writing #writingcommunity

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Should we write a book that appeals to everyone? Learn how defining our book’s audience can help sell a manuscript in today’s tight market. More free, insider tips can be found on my website writeforsuccessediting.com or search #writingtipsonthursdays #amwriting #writing #writingcommunity #authors

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Do you know what it means when an agent, editor, or publisher asks for your comps? Comps are important and something to be working on as you write your book. Free insider tips on my website writeforsuccessediting.com or at #writingtipsonthursdays #amwriting #books #tipsforwriters #writers #books

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

A big thanks to Childrens Book World in Los Angeles for hosting Hot Dog’s Book Launch Lunch! By @mackidsbooks.bsky.social. Art by Steven Salerno. I’m repped by Liza Fleissig. #newbooks #kidsbooks #STEM #bookstores #kidsevents #JLG A 2026 @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection.

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Let’s demystify some lingo! Authors are often thrilled to get an R&R. Read on to see what that means. More free insider tips for authors can be found on my website writeforsuccessediting.com. #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingtipsonthursdays

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Frank de Wienerdog, a fabulously cute dachshund, takes you on a fun journey through history. Discover who brought this favorite food to the US where we now consume about 20 billion (!) hot dogs each year. 🌭 ❤️

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

A toast to our team from Steven Salerno's sizzling fun art to the frankly fabulous @odddott.bsky.social to my “bun” and only agent, Liza Fleissig, to the folks at the @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social who gave us gold, to my family and friends. ❤️ @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #hotdog #dachshund #humor #jlg

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Sharing one of my favorite images by Steven Salerno from our book Hot Dog! by @mackidsbooks.bsky.social, a @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection. I’m agented by Liza Royce Assoc. #dachshund #dogmom #doxie #dog #wienerdog #JLG #hotdog #newbooks #kidsbooks #humor #picturebook #comingsoon

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Not to "name-drop," but my funny new book is a @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection. Frank, the adorable #dachshund on the cover, narrates the book. Art by Steven Salerno @odddott.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #hotdog #humor #kidsbook #picturebook #jlg #STEAM #nonfiction #read

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

You may have heard that authors receive an advance when they sell their book to a publisher. Here’s a quick look at what that means. More free writing tips can be found on my website writeforsuccessediting.com #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingtipsonthursdays #authors #books

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

I’m Team Ketchup all the way! On 5/12, my new book (a @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection) about the hot dog history sizzles onto the scene. Some sneak-peek shots! Narrated by a #dachshund. Art: Steven Salerno @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #hotdog #historybooks #funnybooks #newbook #jlg

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Love building models? There's a new #mightymodels series by @unionsqandco.bsky.social @hachettechildrens.bsky.social. LEVER had a catapult model; COGWHEEL has a clock. A fun way for kids to learn the key roles #simplemachines played in history. #STEM #kidsbooks #newbooks #teachers #elementaryschool

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

🌭❤️ I'm doggone thankful my book is alongside such great STEM reads. HOT DOG! is a 2026 @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection. Perfect for kids who love funny, foodie, or doggie books. And for #dachshund lovers everywhere. Art by Steven Salerno, published by @mackidsbooks.bsky.social.

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Clyde likes to slide … is a slide a lever? Hmm. Stop by Sunday to talk hippos and #simplemachines with Larissa Brown and Christine Van Zandt. We’re at the @scbwi.bsky.social booth 826 in the Green Zone #levers #nonfiction #picturebook by @unionsqandco.bsky.social @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I’m captivated by lyrical, rhyming picture books for their lovely, lively read-aloud quality. The LouAnn books by @carriefinison.bsky.social and #briannefarley are some of my favorites. Plenty of Pancakes is as deliciously delightful as Dozens of Doughnuts. #nationalpoetrymonth #poetry #putnambooks

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Feeling nostalgic on my one-month-to-publication date. Lots of love to dachshunds everywhere #dachshund #dogs #dachsundoftheday #hound #doglover

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Hot (dog!) deal: Preorder HOT DOG! THE HISTORY OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE SAUSAGE from childrensbookworld.com/christine-va... & get a free copy of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS. While supplies last. Illustrators Steven Salerno, Harry Briggs; Publishers @mackidsbooks.bsky.social, @quartokids.bsky.social.

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Writers - This week’s post is about HOW to find a critique group. More free tips can be found on my website writeforsuccessediting.com. #amwriting #writingcommunity #authors #writingtips #writinglife #writingtipsonthursdays #writerslife #amquerying #writers #critiquegroup #books

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I kicked off #worldreadaloudday with my funny NF PB HOT DOG! (A @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social gold-standard selection.) The best part about writing for kids? Interacting with them. Art by the amazing Steven Salerno and published by @mackidsbooks.bsky.social #hotdog #dachshund #history #nonfictionbooks

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Awesome presentation by 30+-book author @annettewhipple.bsky.social for @athomeauthor.bsky.social! Jam-packed with info about getting publishied in the Educational Market. So thankful for the 2nd year of the PB Creators Conference by @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social. www.allthingspicturebooks.com/pbcc

allthingspicturebooks.com

Picture Book Creator Conference

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Want to see some of what goes into making a children's picture book? This Q&A gives a behind-the-scenes peek!

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Check out this ongoing column for tips about writing, querying, and the book publishing business overall. #writingcommunity #amediting #kidslit #kidsbooks #writingtips

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Thank you, @jrlibraryguild.bsky.social, for choosing our book as a Gold Standard selection! Steven Salerno’s art = a doggone funny way for kids to learn some history about a favorite food. Preorders available wherever books are sold. @macmillanlib.bsky.social #hotdog #teachers #librarians #dachshund

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Christine Van Zandt @christinevanzandt.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Tomorrow I'll share my passion for helping monarch caterpillars and butterflies via my #milkweedformonarchs #nonfiction #picturebook by @beamingbooksmn.bsky.social. I'll be receiving the Excellence in Nonfiction Award from the Children's Literature Council of Southern California (CLCSC). #milkweed

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Reposted by Christine Van Zandt

KidLitGN @kidlitgn.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

We had almost 200 pitches at last year's pitch event and 80 requests from agents, editors, and publishers, so get ready for our 2025 pitch event this October: kidlitgn.com/2025/06/20/k... #kidlitgn #kidlit #pitchevent #graphicnovels

media.tenor.com

a cartoon of a girl riding a broom with seagulls in the background

ALT: a cartoon of a girl riding a broom with seagulls in the background

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Reposted by Christine Van Zandt

Magic Cat Publishing @magiccatpublishing.bsky.social · 11/04/2024

Cover reveal! My First Day Fishing by Will Millard, illustrated by Joanna Lisowiec and with a foreword by Jeremy Wade will be out on 9 May. Pre-order your copy here: bit.ly/3x18hNn

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Reposted by Christine Van Zandt

Lindsay H. Metcalf @lindsayhmetcalf.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

It’s a book birthday #giveaway! TOMATOES ON TRIAL: The Fruit V. Vegetable Showdown hits shelves today, and I’ll choose FIVE winners of free copies on Friday, 8/15. (U.S. entries only.) To enter, by sharing the image of your choice, tag and follow @lindsayhmetcalf. LET THE FOOD FIGHT BEGIN!!!!!

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Reposted by Christine Van Zandt

Patricia Newman @patricianewman.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Excited to be featured on Teacher Tuesday with @christinevanzandt.bsky.social. Celebrate this true story about Kerstin Forsberg who saves giant mantas in Peru A Teach the Hope story inspiring action, not anxiety bit.ly/4ctWczl #edusky #greensky @lernerbooks.bsky.social @steamteambooks.bsky.social

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