iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Eric Bell

Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Hey everybody! I'm going to be teaching an 8-week virtual class through WritingWorkshops. It's going to cover all sorts of kidlit fundamentals, from picture books through young adult. We start 8/6. Reply or DM me if you have any questions! writingworkshops.com/collections/...

writingworkshops.com

Online Writing Courses at WritingWorkshops.com: Unleash Creativity

Join WritingWorkshops.com for expert-led online courses in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, screenwriting, and children's writing. Elevate your skills with our global community and unique destination retr...

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

writingworkshops.com

Online Writing Courses at WritingWorkshops.com: Unleash Creativity

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Hey! I have a children's book writing workshop starting April 27. You can get feedback on your manuscript from a group of your peers, including a published writer (me!). Maybe I'll see you there? For more info: iamericbell.com#/kidlit-manu...

iamericbell.com

Eric Bell: Writing Services

Official website for the author: books, services, events, and resources.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Michelle Cusolito is a cool person and she has a new kids' nonfiction book coming out this Tuesday about national trees! Books about the environment are even more important than ever nowadays. Check out ROOTED IN WONDER, on sale March 31! www.eightcousins.com/item/nfLvOvw... @mcusolito.bsky.social

eightcousins.com

Rooted in Wonder by Michelle Cusolito | Eight Cousins

Get to know the tremendous trees that shape our world!Meet 12 national trees and uncover WILD facts, ANCIENT legends, and the INCREDIBLE creatures hidden in their leaves! Travel the world and find out...

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

H.R. 7661 is a national book banning bill which seeks to remove any book that "involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism" from all public schools in the US. This would ban all my books, & any other book with trans themes, from public schools. PLEASE call your House Reps & say: NO ON H.R. 7661!

A digital drawing of author Maia Kobabe, a white nonbinary person with short brown hair wearing a patterned blue shirt, who scowls while holding up a copy of eir book GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR. Maia is saying: H.R. 7661 is a national book banning bill which seeks to remove any book that "involves gender dysphoria or transgenderism" from all public schools in the US. This would ban my books, and any other book with trans themes, from public schools. PLEASE call your House Reps and say: NO ON H.R. 7661!

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

As hard as we are fighting, book bans are having an impact on the books being written and published. To put this another way, a very small number of well-funded people who don't write books, don't teach books, don't work in libraries are trying to decide what books are available for everyone else

pen.org

Book Bans ‘Kill Creativity,’ Sow Self-Doubt in Authors

For the past few years, author Charlotte Sullivan Wild has been working on a picture book about an LGBTQ+ family who learns to cope with one member’s deployment to the military. The story is inspired…

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Laura Zats @lzats.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

We’re doing a query drive to raise money to help relieve acute food insecurity among families sheltering in place. Come through!

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Do you want to get up to 4000 words of your children's novel/chapter book read? What about up to 1000 words of two picture books? If so, join the Kidlit Manuscript Workshop! You'll get feedback from your peers, including me! Why not make writing a priority in 2026? iamericbell.com#/kidlit-manu...

iamericbell.com

Eric Bell: Writing Services

Official website for the author: books, services, events, and resources.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

SCBWI Eastern PA @scbwiepa.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Meet author Eric Bell! Today on the blog Robyn interviews @ericbellwriter.bsky.social in advance of our FREE event for all creatives: "Arting When Able - What to Do When You Can't Be Creative." Event details can be found at the end of the interview. easternpennpoints.wordpress.com/2025/11/26/c...

easternpennpoints.wordpress.com

Café Chat with Author Eric Bell, by Robyn Stone

Robyn Stone interviews author Eric Bell in advance of his free webinar Arting When Able—What to Do When You Can’t Be Creative on 1/5/26, followed by an add-on critique offering in February. C…

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Reposted by Eric Bell

SCBWI Eastern PA @scbwiepa.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

🐻🐻🐻Scholarship applications are now available for the 2026 annual Pocono retreat! 🌲 Members on the EastPA mailing list: Check Your Inboxes!📨Contact our regional team epa@SCBWI.org if you would like to receive the informational email and application link 📩 Held at the Highlights Foundation Apr 24-26🌲

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Reposted by Eric Bell

SCBWI Eastern PA @scbwiepa.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Join East PA authors and illustrators for a night of camaraderie and books @childrensbookworld.bsky.social ✍️🤩 #authorevent #illustratorevent Lots of local members...Will you be there? @nicolemwolverton.bsky.social @danakramaroff.bsky.social @brianbiggsstudio.bsky.social @berrietr.bsky.social and...

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

My books have been out for 7-8 years, but I stopped opening royalty statements a few years ago because I was scared of how "bad" they'd look. Recent circumstances compelled me to take the plunge and open one, and I'm glad I did. Does anybody else have this hangup with book-related finances?

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Daniele Hunter @danieledhunter.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Writers! I’ll critique a query letter and first page for 5 people in exchange for a donation to a food bank, local restaurant with a free-meal program, program collecting funds for people in need of food, etc. If you need food, or know someone who does, DM me or comment below. ❤️❤️❤️

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

I've been thinking about spicing up my reading next year with some ~Reading Challenges~. Does anyone have any categories they like? I'm especially excited about "A book written by the author of another book I dislike" lol

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Favorite picture book in recent memory is CABOOSE by @100scopenotes.bsky.social and @ohtruth.bsky.social. This hippo child chooses chaos by messing with the front of the school lineup. Then he gets sent to the back, and does the same exact thing. Truly an agent of anarchy.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Friendly reminder that book platform The StoryGraph can do everything Goodreads can do, plus many additional features, and it has the added benefit of not being owned by corrupt billionaire and free speech suppressor Jeff Bezos. app.thestorygraph.com

app.thestorygraph.com

The StoryGraph

A site for you to track your reading and choose your next book

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Hey all! I'm running a free virtual event through Blue Stoop on Thursday, 3/27 from 4-5pm ET. It's going to be generative writing structured around the idea of writing a young person's book. All kidlit folks are welcome! To preregister: www.bluestoop.org/events/

Eric Bell (me!) is running an event for Blue Stoop on Thursday, 3/27 from 4-5pm ET, called Writing for Young Readers: See the World From a Younger POV! It's free on Zoom.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Today I want to spread some positivity in the world. If you reply to this post, I'll recommend a song for you. If you want to mention some music you enjoy, you can, or you go for the chaos option and not give me any hints lol Feel free to laugh at my foibles. That's okay by me!

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

app.thestorygraph.com

The StoryGraph

A site for you to track your reading and choose your next book

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Heather Stigall @heatherstigall7.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

If you're near Blue Bell, PA and want to hear from some children's authors, join Charles A Bush, Jess Callans, @ericbellwriter.bsky.social, and me at the Wissahickon Valley Pub Library on 3/13. Come with questions! www.eventbrite.com/e/writing-ch... #kidlit #kidlitcommunity #authorlife #authorevent

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Hey school friends. I've posted about how I do school visits and library workshops. But I'm also more than happy to show up to GSAs (or other equivalent groups) for free and talk to your kids about what it's like to be a published queer (and neurodivergent) author. iamericbell.com for contact.

iamericbell.com

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

I have a feeling this is going to keep being relevant for a while.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Look who cartwheeled onto Bluesky: the irrepressible Zack, from my ALAN COLE books. Give him a follow and say hi 👋

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Celeste Ng @pronounced-ing.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Been thinking about this a lot (not tagging the sender, for their privacy). Most of us won't have the chance for for grand, capital-R Resistance heroics. But every one of us will have a thousand small choices to make about how to live our lives and where to draw lines. Use them well.

Post from John Perricone
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Several years ago l invited a Buddhist monk to speak to my Senior elective class, and quite interestingly, as he entered the room, he didn't say a word (that caught everyone's attention). He just walked to the board and wrote this: "EVERYONE WANTS TO SAVE THE WORLD, BUT NO ONE WANTS TO HELP MOM DO THE DISHES." We all laughed. But then he went on to say this to my students:
"Statistically, it's highly unlikely that any of you will ever have the opportunity to run into a burning orphanage and rescue an infant. But, in the smallest gesture of kindness -- a warm smile, holding the door for the person behind you, shoveling the driveway of the elderly person next door -- you have committed an act of immeasurable profundity, because to each of us, our life is our universe."

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

It's a shame that millions of Harry Potter fans will never realize how much of a hateful, spiteful bigot JK Rowling is.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Hey school people! Are you looking to bring in a fun, engaging, and dynamic writer to speak to your kids? Well, if I run into anyone I know who fits that bill, I'll let you know. Or you can host me instead. I'm pretty okay! iamericbell.com/author-servi...

iamericbell.com

School Visits - Eric Bell, Children's Writer

Book school visits, assemblies, or workshops with Eric Bell, the author of the Alan Cole novels, for anywhere from grades 4 through 9.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Daniele Hunter @danieledhunter.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Hi, writers! I've taken a step back from conferences/events lately, but am excited to take pitches at the #PictureBookCreatorConference next Friday, Jan. 24th! They've kindly given me a discount code, DANIELE30. Here's the registration page if you're interested! www.allthingspicturebooks.com/pbcc

allthingspicturebooks.com

Picture Book Creator Conference

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Happy #PortfolioDay - I'm Gina Perry, a #kidlit illustrator seeking new picture book, chapter book, or middle grade projects. I live for cute kids and animals, bold colors, big feelings, and cozy spaces. Rep'd for books by Sean McCarthy. www.ginaperry.com #kidlitart #childrensbooks #illustration

Colorful illustration of an underwater birthday party for a shy crab. A variety of different sea creatures are celebrating including a whale shark, sting ray, mola mola, flounder, baby crabs, cuttlefish, nautilus, etc. Art by Gina Perry

Text at bottom reads 'When in doubt, draw animals dancing'. Illustration of several animals dancing over a light splatter art background. Animals include a hippo, pig, cat, dog, bird, mouse and donkey. Art by Gina Perry.

Busy illustrated image with many character spots. All making jokes or comments referring to farts. One old woman shouts 'Who farted?', two teens say 'ewww....' and 'grosso serioso'. A robot says 'I do not smell anything'. Green clouds of fart smell wander around the background. Art by Gina Perry.

Illustration of a young Black toddler looking all over her room for her big stuffed teddy bear. Art by Gina Perry

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I suspect we're going to be seeing a lot of great days for below average white men in the foreseeable future.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Hey librarians! I run writing workshops for kids and teens. I also give lectures on the basics of writing kids' books, for grownups! Don't those sound like amazing programs for your 2025 calendar year? You can reach me at iamericbell.com for more info.

iamericbell.com

Eric Bell, Children's Writer - Eric Bell, Children's Writer %

Check out the latest news from children's writer Eric Bell, author of the Alan Cole series and creator of KNoW, the Kidlit Novel Workshop.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

iamericbell.com

School Visits - Eric Bell, Children's Writer

Book school visits, assemblies, or workshops with Eric Bell, the author of the Alan Cole novels, for anywhere from grades 4 through 9.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

What are your habits when it comes to dropping books? Do you feel the urge to finish everything you start? If you drop a book, how long do you typically give it beforehand? I try to give books 50 pages minimum, but it's not a hard rule. In 2024 I had 69 DNF books, which seems higher than most?

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Finally brainstormed enough that I feel comfortable tackling the actual writing! I've always given the advice of writing antagonists who aren't just pure evil, but I'm going against that advice here for the simple reason that our real life antagonists now are pure evil. I want kids to be ready.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Hey middle grade/young adult writers! I'm doing a thing with the Highlights Foundation called the Whole Novel Workshop, where you can get your whole draft critiqued. Pretty exciting! Check it out here: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/who...

Promotional flier for the Highlights Foundation's Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers

Apply on or before March 24
Workshop starts May 7
Whole submission due between May 28-June 5

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

I just put up a "leaving Instagram post" due to Meta's new homophobic/transphobic guidelines on "hateful conduct." Since I don't want to give Zuckerberg the clicks, here's a screenshot of it.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

@carriefinison.bsky.social Hi! I love DON'T HUG DOUG. It's a book I would've really benefited from having when I was a kid.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

This week I decided to take my big, messy feelings about the state of this country and make a contemporary middle grade novel out of them. This is going to be interesting.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

kidlitchat @kidlitchat.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

TOPIC: Tonight, we're thanking those individuals who have meant the most to us in our careers: a mentor, a critique partner, a reader who wrote a glowing review, a professor who pushed us to succeed, a spouse who never stopped believing, or... you tell us! #kidlitchat

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Get to know your mutuals: in no particular order post ten things you like 1. Mario saying VERR-sus in Mario Kart 64 2. white noise 3. pumice soap 4. a good nail clipper 5. checking out library books 6. Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls 7. guestbooks 8. lemon poppy muffins 9. jazz rap 10. Roger Ebert

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

The right has taken the term "woke" and desecrated it, much like they do with many positive things. Now we have bad actors going on crusades about "ending wokeness," which is code for "let's continue to not only be hateful, but to make even more hateful policies." Don't shop at Walmart, everyone.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Phil Bildner @philbildner.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Books. When buying books for gifts this holiday season, please don't buy from Amazon. Please shop at your local independent bookstore/bookseller. Ask for recommendations. If they don't have a particular book in stock, ask them to order it. Support creatives, local businesses, and your community.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Wise words from Amelia Bedelia.

A page of the early reader AMELIA BEDELIA 4 MAYOR by Herman Parish, with a picture of Amelia Bedelia being comforted by Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. The text reads:

"Now, let's welcome the mayor and Amelia Bedelia!" said the announcer.
Everyone clapped and cheered.
"I am nervous," said Amelia Bedelia.
"Just be yourself," said Mrs. Rogers.
"I always am," said Amelia Bedelia. "Who else would I be?"
Mr. and Mrs. each gave her a big hug.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I made a post about StoryGraph a few days ago (I have read 28 books this year tagged with "lighthearted") but I think I'm just going to boost every post I see promoting it too. It's so good and Goodreads is so foul.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

Meg Eden Kuyatt @medenkuyatt.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Preorder THE GIRL IN THE WALLS and get some goodies--including entry into a raffle for a 30 min visit! forms.gle/XbJKf7E7wRDw...

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

One of the underlying principles of my life is self-kindness. As somebody facing often severe mental health obstacles, I've had to learn to celebrate small victories, work incrementally, and especially to not beat myself up as much. Life is hard enough. Let's not make more obstacles for ourselves.

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Hello, sentient beings and/or giant ladybugs. If you're just joining me, I'm a kidlit writer with a few published middle grade titles (see profile for deets). If you want some writing thoughts, meditations on self-kindness, or random music recs, stay tuned!

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Eric Bell @ericbellwriter.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I've seen a few posts about The StoryGraph, an independently owned alternative to Goodreads that, among many other sterling qualities, is not owned by Amazon. The data nerd in me especially loves this aspect of StoryGraph: you get nifty stats about the books you read. Here are my 2024 reads by mood:

A pie chart of various moods ascribed to my 2024 book reads from The StoryGraph. Lighthearted has the largest slice, then in descending order: adventurous, emotional, reflective, funny, hopeful, mysterious, informative, dark, inspiring, sad, tense, relaxing, and challenging as the smallest slice.

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Reposted by Eric Bell

spinelli ✨ @spinellicross.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

people who use goodreads: jeff bezos owns goodreads and if you want a better alternative there is a black woman owned company called storygraph that you can use to replace it. you can transfer all of your data from goodreads to storygraph and have your mind be free of trumpie jeff bezos! win win. 💙

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