iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

It’s Agency Art Blast time! Growing up in Miami, snow only existed on TV and in classroom crafts ❄️ So here’s to all the older siblings living in warm climates, bringing the magic of winter to their fams. Title: Baby’s First Snowflake Medium: Watercolor ink and digital editing #kidlitart 🎨 #kidlit

An older sibling on the top left panel is cutting paper and a confused baby is on the top right. The main panel below shows the older sibling presenting a paper snowflake to the excited baby with a beam of sunlight coming in through the window highlighting the snowflake with dust motes that could be snow.

162

Reposted by Heather Bell

Kidlit411 @kidlit411.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Our weekly big list of kid lit links is up (Nov 14): kidlit411.com/2025/11/the-... Inside: Writing Scenes with Senses, Tabling Comic Shows, Crowdfunding webinar, more. Thanks @heatherbell37.bsky.social for the illustration, Manu Delpech and @laurenkerstein.bsky.social for the PB giveaways.

kidlit411.com

The Weekly 411 (11/14/25)

A one-stop place for all your kid lit information needs.

0127

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

🍁Spooky season is almost here, and so is our agency’s Fall Art Blast! 🍂✨ Meet this brave kiddo and the not-so-scary monster in their closet! 👒 Title: They Only Come Out at Night Medium: colored pencils on black paper #kidlit #kidlitart 🎨

A child is putting a cowpoke hat on a purple monster emerging from a closet. A light is shining on them and they are casting shadows in a dark room. Both are enjoying playing dress-up.

0234

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Summer Solstice has finally come, and it's time to cool off with some ice cream. #KansasCity is blistering hot right now, but a towering cone of creamy scoops would certainly help take the edge off. Title: A Summer Dream #bombayinks #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart 🎨#illustrations

Frames show a girl holding an ice cream cone that is reaching out to space. An alien ship has a mechanical arm that puts a cherry on top. Text reads: It's...perfect.

0172

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

🥳 Happy Book Birthday to Katie Finds Her Voice! 🎉✨ I’m so excited to see this story, written by the wonderful Amy McCoy, out in the world today! Loved illustrating Katie's journey and can't wait for readers to experience her story! #BookBirthday #Illustration #PictureBook #kidlit #kidlitart 🎨

191

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

It's the Holiday season! ❄️Hope everyone living in a cold climate is staying toasty and warm! Sharing my illustration for Bradford Literary's Winter Art Blast ⛄️❄️ Title: "Found Family Festivities" Media: Watercolor ink and digital editing #scbwi #illustrators #kidlitart 🎨 #kidlit

A group of friends and family gather in a kitchen getting food together to celebrate the holidays. A boy in front is sneaking a cookie for a puppy.

0201

Reposted by Heather Bell

SkyPitch @skypitch.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

Get ready, #skypitch is happening on Wednesday. boringstorybook.com/skypitch/

GET THOSE PITCHES READY
#SKYPITCH WEDNESDAY
2 DAYS 10/23
A PICTURE BOOK PITCH PARTY ON BLUESKY

56028

Reposted by Heather Bell

Bradford Literary Agency @bradfordagents.bsky.social · 23/09/2024

"Fall Moods" by @heatherbell37.bsky.social 🎒 Heather is available as: an author-illustrator or illustrator Focuses: picture books and graphic novels (open to all #kidlit projects, including, board books, cover art, MG) Rep: @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social Website: heatherbellbooks.com #kidlitart

282

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 21/06/2024

It's SUMMER! So, here's my illustration for our agency's Art Blast going out next week. Whether you have fireflies or click beetles where you live, summertime is the best time for catching summer night's winged lights. Title: Catching Hope #bombayinks #kidlitart 🎨 #kidlit #illustrator

Child with glasses catching fireflies at night with the moon shining.

2262

Reposted by Heather Bell

KaitlynLeann7 @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social · 15/06/2024

#kidlitzombieweek starts Monday! Do you have manuscripts you thought were dead? Join us to bring those zombies back to life w/ blog posts, discussions, & of course #prizes! Check all the details out here: sites.google.com/u/0/d/1uPxbh... Share and tag all your #amwriting #amrevising #kidlit friends

55523

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 15/03/2024

Today is our agency's Spring Art Blast! Here's my piece. Title: "Make the Morning Last" ... a little nod to Simon and Garfunkel on this gorgeous spring morning🌞 🌱🌷 #kidlitart 🎨 #scbwiillustrators #illustration

Porch in the light of morning in the early 70s, mom rocking her baby in a yellow rocking chair. Ferns decorate the porch.

0133

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 07/03/2024

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day from my creative spark! I love portraying diverse characters and different perspectives in PBs, CBs, and MGs, and love exploring the magic in everyday life. ✨🎨 Website: heatherbellbooks.com Rep’d: Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration

A creative spark emerging from an open book to explore the outside world.

0222

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 01/03/2024

My newest commission painting in honor of a gorgeous pup who has crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈 🐕‍🦺 🎨 #petportrait #artist

Large dog looking back while walking down gravel path.

180

Reposted by Heather Bell

Laura Roettiger @ljrwritenow.bsky.social · 31/01/2024

youtu.be/lxBrtswO_TE?... My book comes out in 2️⃣ weeks and I have a trailer! Am I excited? Yes! 🎬 #kidlitchat

youtu.be

January 29, 2024

An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story book trailer

2146

Reposted by Heather Bell

Queer Kidlit Mentorship Program @queerkidlit.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

The 2024 Queer Kidlit Mentors are posted! We have mentors for PB (manuscript or dummy), GN (script or pages) CB, MG, YA, and illustrator portfolios Applications for this program will be open on January 10th. Thank you for sharing to help spread the word! #Kidlit queerkidlit.weebly.com

13024

Reposted by Heather Bell

Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 14/12/2023

Exciting news! We’re bringing our beloved #KidLitArt chat over to BlueSky in 2024! Stay tuned & please follow @kidlitart.bsky.social for updates to come! #KidLit

Colorful background announcing KidLitArt chat is coming, January 25, 2024, 9pm EST

914759

Reposted by Heather Bell

Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 11/12/2023

There's only about a day left in the auction and, alas, this morning there were still no bids, so I bid on myself, lest WNDB lose out on the minimum donation. I do enjoying talking to myself, but, also, I would genuinely love to talk to you! I invite you to outbid me! Give WNDB your $upport! 💙❤️

11312

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 11/12/2023

❄️I never saw snow until I moved away for college, and I spent literal hours lying on my dorm bunk staring at it falling when it finally came 😻 "Let it Snow" 🎨 #kidlitart #scbwi #illustrator

Child staring out window where snow is falling. Holiday lights surround window. Grandma in room behind reading and dog laying down by the warm fire.

160

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 29/11/2023

Got a bit sidetracked, but may I present—#inkvember 27 and 28. See? I didn't totally forget about these kids and their adventures. Drawing Prompts: Beast and Sparkle #kidlitart 🎨

Three graphic panels depicting a flying roaring beast protecting a chained egg. Two beings appear (an angel and a demon) along with three children. Two other children discuss plans in the foreground.

061

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 05/11/2023

November always seems to be chockful of commission work and other things, so I haven't tried it yet. But I am curious how others feel about it. It seems like a good way to encourage butt in chair. #middlegrade

140

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 05/11/2023

I can only speak to this for picture books for which I've done many! 😜 But I have not done a whole rewrite for #middlegrade and even hearing others around me working on one causes me to break out in a sweat 😆

040

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 05/11/2023

Still finishing up #inktober prompts...er....#inkvember 😅... Here's a whole bunch in one, the story is almost done: Daily Drawing Prompts: Scratchy, Celestial, Shallow, Dangerous, and Remove from days 22-26. #kidlitart 🎨 #illustrator www.instagram.com/heather.bell...

A ferret and two children attempt to remove a giant egg in chains from a shallow nest. In the background it is snowy and night with large planets and a mythical beast swooping in from the sky.

0101

Reposted by Heather Bell

Josh Funk @joshfunkbooks.bsky.social · 02/11/2023

Teachers, librarians, educators, parents, & readers! It’s #giveaway time! I need to find these 18 middle-grade illustrated/graphic novels a new home! FOLLOW, ❤️, and RT/QT or Comment+Tag a friend to enter for a chance to add these great books 📚 to your collection! Winner selected 11/5.

0105

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 01/11/2023

Not sure if it's a hack or just a way to postpone getting down to the actual art, but when I have issues getting a sketch to look how I want, I switch mediums (sketchbook-pen, pencil, then iPad, and maybe Photoshop)...see what works best or hope that along the journey one will just work. #kidlitchat

140

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 29/10/2023

The journey is almost over! Here's a piece for #Inktober days 20 and 21. Daily Drawing Prompts: Frost and Chains 🎨 *mini-movie @ www.instagram.com/heather.bell... #kidlitart #childrensillustration #scbwi

Two children riding a ferret through a snowy landscape with a castle in the background, climbing a mountain, and finding a chained object in a nest.

092

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 24/10/2023

So, other things took priority making #inktober day 19 incredibly late. But...I can't let time stop me...which means? Here we come #inkvember!!! 😅😆 Daily Drawing Prompt: Plump...and pie is something I'll happily get plump on—any day. #kidlitart 🎨

Comic-style panels of an argument between an angel and demon with three small children lowering a pie from a rope. The angel and demon share the pie and shake hands agreeing to work together.

040

Reposted by Heather Bell

Pamela Morgan @pamelamorganwrites.bsky.social · 22/10/2023

I’m so proud that Simply Skye has made a list like this. These are the kinds of lists schools should be making, not books to ban. Representation matters! @heatherbell37.bsky.social www.autostraddle.com/10-picture-b...

autostraddle.com

10 Picture Books To Teach Little Ones About Gender Expression

Trying to explain gender expression is hard when you don’t have anything concrete to point to. Picture books come in handy!

3185

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 19/10/2023

Today's combo is for #Inktober days 14-18. Daily Drawing Prompts: Castle, Dagger, Angel, Demon, and Saddle. 🕌🎨 Less than half a month to go! 😸 #kidlitart #inktober2023 #scbwi #childrensbookillustration www.instagram.com/heather.bell...

Graphic panels of five children moving through clouds to a castle. An angel and demon are arguing when the kids come in the front arch. The children spot an empty next between the giant angel and demon's feet. A hamster points out a bird-like shadow and the group of kids split up. Two ride off on a ferret.

080

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 18/10/2023

For illustrations I have tons of folders and subfolders. Depending on the project, most of the folders are time based (September B/W Spreads, etc.). Each category has a list of versions (in case a file becomes corrupt or I make a change that I regret (or aren't sure if I want to keep). #kidlitchat

060

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 14/10/2023

Happy Friday! Here's a combo for #Inktober days 11-13. The Drawing Prompts were: Wander, Spicy, and Rise. "Spicy" threw me for a bit, but then I remembered—cayenne pepper stalks have always been faster growers than giant bean stalks. 😜🌶️ #kidlitart #childrensillustration 🎨#scbwi

A giant cayenne pepper plant (like a twirling beanstalk), grows past a pirate ship and into the sky, with five children going up it into the clouds.

2110

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 10/10/2023

Decided to combine #Inktober Days 7, 8, 9, and 10. 😅 So, here are the Drawing Prompts: Drip, Toad, Bounce, and Fortune!🎨 And head over to my Instagram for mini-movies with each one 😆 www.instagram.com/heather.bell... #kidlitart #kidlit #scbwi #scbwiillustrators #graphicnovelart #childrensbooks

Comic-style panels of children bringing a coin to a giant toad who is blocking a hole in the wall. Children sneak by as the toad pounces on the coin. Five children find out their fortune from an old wise mouse.

0110

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 07/10/2023

"Technically" I finished this just minutes before midnight (which means I made it in time) but was too tired to post 😅 So, better late than never? Days 5 and 6: #inktober Drawing Prompts: Map and Golden #kidlitart #illustrator #scbwi

Five tiny children on a giant pirate's table filled with gold doubloons, pearls, and a gem. Laughing giant animal pirates in the background. Two children are studying a map.

090

Reposted by Heather Bell

Laura Roettiger @ljrwritenow.bsky.social · 07/10/2023

Today’s #ILoveMyLibrary books by my PictureBookGold pals Anita Crawford Clark Vivian Kirkfield Songju Ma Daemicke @judithvaldesb.bsky.social @heatherbell37.bsky.social @pamelamorganwrites.bsky.social

0152

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 04/10/2023

Looks like I'll have to skip a day (or a few) of the #Inktober drawing prompts (ya know, because of that "life" thing). But here's Day 4: Drawing Prompt "Dodge" from #inktober2023 There are also mini-videos for each one. You can check 'em out here: www.instagram.com/heather.bell... #kidlitart

Tiny children in pajamas running past the boots of giant pirates.

1100

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 01/10/2023

All three of the PBs I’ve illustrated have been dedicated to my kiddo (and one to kid thing and my partner). So far they’ve been related to the book in one way or another. #MiddleGrade

050

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 01/10/2023

Writing—not so much, but I did take a bunch of MG/YA webinar notes this week. 😝 So, plans are on the making! And working on Inktober drawings to try to get some new work together. #MiddleGrade

240

Reposted by Heather Bell

Teresa Robeson @teresarobeson.com · 01/10/2023

When someone follows me on Bluesky and I follow them back, I always try to like or repost one of their unique posts…it’s my social media equivalent of bringing baked goods to welcome a new neighbor 💙

5363

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 01/10/2023

October means #inktober, #artober, and ALL the Autumn Art challenges. Doubt I’ll keep up, but at least going to try. Today is Day 1: Prompts are "Dream" from #inktober and "Fur" from #scbwiArtober by #scbwi #inktober2023day1 #inktober2023dream #kidlitart #picturebookart #childrensillustration

A fish in a tea cup points to a child in a bedroom while talking to a bear with a spider on her shoulder and a lizard in a sweater.

0215

Reposted by Heather Bell

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 26/09/2023

*Updated* Why I'm On Bluesky (and my personal take on social media for the kidlit community right now): debbieohi.com/2023/09/soci... Includes quick tips for newbies, links to community connect threads & custom feeds, my new approach to social media.

Illustration of long-haired girl in red clock on flower-filled green hillside, looking up into the blue sky. In the sky, we see a few fluffy clouds along with some white skywriting that spellings the word "bluesky."

106725

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 24/09/2023

Introduce yourself with some jobs you've done apart from what you do now. -School Bus Driver -Art Teacher for Adults with Developmental Disabilities -Program Manager -Pierogi Maker -Waiter -Line Cook -Soda Jerk -Cashier -Barista -Secretary

160

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 24/09/2023

Not exactly "celebration": As usual, the bus is packed. Mark finds a spot immediately. His rowdy 5th-grade friends practically cheer the arrival of their king. I try squeezing in next to a 4th grader, but Nat calls me. She’s kicked the twins out of their seats so we can sit together. #MiddleGrade

280

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 24/09/2023

The only books of mine that have been published (as illustrator) are PBs. For those, I've done bookmarks and stickers mostly. Also, teacher guides and some activities (coloring pages, crosswords, etc.). #MiddleGrade

2100

Heather Bell @heatherbell37.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

The first day of #Autumn is tomorrow! And Fall is my all time favorite season 🍁 Here’s a piece I painted for our agency’s Fall Art Blast. Title: A Perfect Pumpkin Picking Day Medium: pen and Bombay ink with digital touch up #kidlitart

A grandmother and grandchild riding in the back of a hay wagon holding a freshly picked pumpkin.

0140

Reposted by Heather Bell

Kellie Nicely @kellienicely.com · 17/09/2023

Here are step-by-step guides with screenshots on "How to make your own Art Feed" and "How to make a Pinned Post." Please share with art friends! ✨ #kidlitart Art Feed Guide: docs.google.com/document/d/1... Pinned Post Guide: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Screenshot showing the start of how to make your own art feed

Screenshot showing the start of how to make a pinned post

53682279