iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 03/09/2026

Hey illustrators, How about this, to celebrate the 1st #kidlitartpostcard of the fall season (Labor Day is so late this year!) I’m going to offer a free 1 hour portfolio review + coaching session via Zoom. To enter share 1 image from your portfolio below and a winner will be chosen at random. 💙❤️

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Today at the library a little girl was checking out two Unicorn and Yeti books and told me about how they are her very favorite. She had no idea that I wrote them. And that could very well be the most amazing thing about being an author and a librarian.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Apparently if you leave the do not disturb sign up on your hotel door long enough, security will come check on you. I explained that I'm just writing and don't really need someone to clean the room. There's no hiding out in Vegas it seems, no matter how hard I try. But maybe I should get out more?

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Sean McCarthy @mccarthylit.com · 30/01/2026

Stretch goal time (I've always wanted to say that)! We are currently at $390 (which is amazing, and huge thanks to everyone who has bid so far!). I will be adding 10 minutes to the follow-up phone call for every $100 milestone that we hit (e.g. 30 minutes for $400+; 40 minutes for $500+; etc.).

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Sean McCarthy @mccarthylit.com · 26/01/2026

Pssst! If you'd like to have me critique your full picture book (ms or dummy) AND get a 20-minute follow up phone call AND support folks in need in Minnesota, do I have good news for you! Full details charity auction (which starts on Thurs!) below. www.32auctions.com/organization...

32auctions.com

Full picture book Critique + Call

Auction item 'Full picture book Critique + Call' hosted online at 32auctions.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Unicorn and Yeti are in Storyworks magazine! Read Up and Down and check out the resources and lesson plan here: bit.ly/48SwlBc #edusky

bit.ly

Up and Down: A Unicorn and Yeti Story

Read a story about playing together with friends.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I am going to challenge myself to attend at least one large in person book event next year. I haven't really done something like that, but it sounds fun.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

I've been missing my critique group lately. Just peeked and saw it has been 15 years since it came to its natural end. That is shocking to me! Time has definitely marched on.

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Greg Pincus @gregpincus.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Why not spend an hour talking #kidlit here on Bluesky? Why not make that hour be today at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific when we have #kidlitchat (like we do every Tuesday)? Good plan! And I hope to see you then….

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

I got one manuscript in that I've been working on for a while now and, even though I really like that one, it is very fun to work on something new! I am definitely a proponent of taking breaks from a manuscript. #amwriting #kidlit

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Changing the manuscript I'm working on to a fancy font has made revising easier. #writetip :)

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Bookelicious @bookelicious.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

🎉 NEW EVENT! Featuring @jenniferlagarde.bsky.social and @mrschureads.bsky.social! 📚❤️ Register: www.bookelicious.com/event/22 Jennifer and John share their fave books of the year! 📚 FREE event! 📚 Book giveaways! 📚 Bookelicious Bookstore Discount Code to tackle your holiday shopping lists!

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

KidLitGN @kidlitgn.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

GN creators, only TWO days left to load your PB, Early, MG or YA #graphicnovel projects at the #KidLitGN 2025 pitch event at www.kidlitgn.com The pitch window closes on Oct. 1 at 11:59 EDT but #agents and #editors can look all month! #pitchevent #kidlit #illustrators #graphicnovels #comics

The pitch window for #kidlitGN is OPEN! Editors and Agents can start reviewing pitches on Oct 1. Start here - KIDLITGN.com - and pitch now on our website.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Hooray for Mychal! Hooray for Marc Brown! Hooray for PBS! Hooray for Reading Rainbow! Hooray for graphic novels! Hooray for library cards!!!

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

I am again writing a story that I have rewritten so many times in so many ways. Maybe today I will find a way that works.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

This is what my days look like lately but I am still sneaking in some writing where I can. Garlic shipping season is short but intense!

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

The idea of upgrading our business quickbooks for the garlic farm is that it will be less work… eventually… someday… but not today. Today I enter much repetitive data and try to configure things I scarcely understand.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Today I will focus on writing and making apricot fruit leather.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I have just been delivered a mojito as a bribe to go hang up the garlic we harvested this morning. I guess it is working. Writing time is over for now.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

As someone in the midst of garlic harvest and I concur.

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

#BluePit - A Storytelling Hype & Pitch Event @bluepit.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

#BluePit is coming up fast on July 13th! We'll be starting our pre-event Q&A #BluePitHype starting on July 8th! We can't wait to see all your great pitches! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying #Writers #WriterSky

#BluePitHype

Pre-Event for #BluePit

We can hardly wait until Jan 13th to see everyone’s amazing pitches. So join use our pre-event Q&A!

#BluePitHype Q&A Schedule

July 8th - Introductions
July 9th - Art Share
July 10th - Character Interviews
July 11th - Advice Share
July 12th - Build Your List
July 13th - #BluePit

Join us starting July 8th!

@bluepit.bsky.social

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Every so often I like to put my Unicorn and Yeti books in order of publication by memory and see if I can still get it right. Just a little brain test. So far, so good.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

I do not enjoy 80 mph as a speed limit.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Now I am in a poker room listening to the sweet sound of men (mostly) shuffling their poker chips. 😂

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

I got to hear from some writers and do some fun writing exercises, then I found Unicorn and Yeti at the East Las Vegas Library!

Me pulling Unicorn and Yeti Fun and Games from a short, white bookshelf.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

I have never been to an scbwi meeting/workshop before. I did go to a western Washington conference like 25 years ago but that’s it. 🤔

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Maps rerouted me and I had to drive on the highway, which was not the plan, but I have arrived. 🤪

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Currently forcing myself out of the hotel room and over to the library. That’s me in Vegas. 😂

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Taking two different stories about the same characters and meldging them into one. Also making a big mess. #amwriting

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

The most Vegas thing I have seen so far is a bride jumping out of a car at an intersection, then the groom running after her. They stopped to fight in front of the liquor store. As a bonus I was real close to ripping that car door off and hitting the groom with the van but I just missed them!

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Thinking about going to an SCBWI presentation while I'm here in Vegas. Am trying not to let the thought of driving the box van into unknown territory stop me. But...we shall see.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

I’m about to drive a sprinter box van through the Las Vegas strip. Wish me luck.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Just had to check my snap map to figure out my own location. Everything looks the same here.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Wsop=World Series of poker incase you do not live and breathe poker as I, a mostly non-poker player does. 😂

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Also I just drove for like 18 hours so I have typos.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

I have suddenly and unexpectedly found myself waiting around in Las Vegas while my husband play in the wsop. Is it possible to find a quiet spot to write inside a casino?

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Oh dear. I am procrastinating and snacking right now! Back to work! #kidlitchat

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

My favorite part of the creative process is snacks and the hardest part to work through is procrastination. #kidlitchat

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

I successfully dodged a striking snake today! Bonus: I will remember to look for snakes while walking around the farm and especially while picking asparagus.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

I changed my manuscript's page color from white to pink and revisions are going much better now.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

I have to keep reminding myself that I am writing a fun book for kids, not reading about all the horrible news in the world.

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

It’s economic blackout day so go to your library and use this free resource paid for by you tax dollars. Support libraries and support the freedom to read! #freepeoplereadfreely

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Caroline-of-the-Cornfields @ahoycaroline.com · 26/02/2025

I’m somehow on a Heritage Foundation mailing list (😂) and they sent a survey to see what we think of DOGE. Who wants to offer some m-fing feedback?!? secured.heritage.org/the-heritage... Please share with a friend or a thousand :)

secured.heritage.org

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Reposted by Heather Ayris Burnell

Mindy Alyse Weiss @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The 2025 #PBParty contest entry window is officially open... until 8 pm Eastern. 🎉 The judges and I are sending tons of good luck wishes your way and can't wait to read your submissions. ✨✨✨✨ How many entries do you think we'll have this year? mindyalyseweiss.com/...

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I have this amazing skill where I think I've typed one word and have actually typed a completely different word. I just typed "people" when I had thought I had typed "because". There are no people in this story so that doesn't make sense. Not sure how the brain to fingertip transition is working.🤔

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Heather Ayris Burnell @heatherayris.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

There's still 8 hours to bid! Sean's feedback is priceless. #kidlit #pb

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