iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

We had a blast talking to Jerry Spinelli about his characters, books and writing career. Want to write novels? Follow Jerry's advice - get a boring job that doesn't deplete your creative energy. booksmitten.us/episodes/jer... @scbwi-mi.bsky.social #kidlit #MGlit

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Proud to be a judge for the remarkable Kelly J Baptist and her brand new venture Camp Kejeba! The first camp and contest for young writers was a hit! www.kellyiswrite.com/campkejeba @scbwi-mi.bsky.social #kidlit

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Dial Books has been with us since childhood. Launching some of the best kidlit titles into the world. From ROLL OF THUNDER HEAR MY CRY to SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS. Dial Books was abruptly shut down yesterday. Hearts out to everyone who loves kidlit.@scbwi-mi.bsky.social #kidlit @jackcheng.bsky.social

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Kyle Lukoff @kylelukoff.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Penguin Random House decided to shut down Dial Books for Young Readers and fire my editor, who shepharded "Too Bright To See" and "I'm Sorry You Got Mad" into the world. Devastated and gutted isn't half of what I'm feeling.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Wonderful time today with the savvy and sophisticated teen writers at GET INKED. If you know a teen who loves writing with a passion, tell them about this conference built just for teens! Virtual and in-person options. @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Excited to welcome a brand new indie bookstore to Traverse City! Hooray for Artemis Books! Launch party on Saturday. Something to celebrate! @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Teen Writers - get autographed books, meet real authors, and expand your writing toolkit, all at Get Inked, a conference designed just for teen writers. In-person and virtual options! #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social saintmarys.imodules.com/controls/ema...

saintmarys.imodules.com

A writing conference for students in grades 7–12 on the beautiful campus of Saint Mary's College. Virtual option available.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

SCBWI has active groups of #kidlit creators all over. Here's our next local event for up northers.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Fantastic to be a guest with Ginny Yurich on her podcast 1000 Hours Outside. The premise - kids need to spend 1000 hours outside every year. How close do you get? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

podcasts.apple.com

1KHO 650: An Antidote to the Crushing Pace of Childhood | Heather Shumaker, It's Ok Not to Share

Podcast Episode · The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast · 12/15/2025 · 1h 2m

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Book fans - a great chance to support local bookstores. I hope to see you at Horizon Books in Traverse City this weekend! #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

If you're up north in Michigan, come by the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. A host of local authors gathering in Traverse City on Friday.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Do you love kids and play? I don't often look to ads for inspiration, but this one gives serious food for thought. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q2W....

youtube.com

Free the Kids - Dirt is Good

YouTube video by PersilUK

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Jodi Picoult reacts to Indiana high school canceling performance of "Between the Lines" musical. "It's a colossal problem when one parent makes the decision for everyone." Banning books is creeping into wider freedom of expression. www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Iy... #kidlit @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

youtube.com

Author Jodi Picoult speaks out after Indiana high school cancels play based off her book

YouTube video by FOX59 News

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

I was re-reading Raymie Nightingale thinking - wouldn't it be great to ask Kate how she came up with her characters? She told me here. open.spotify.com/show/4SkkjZC... @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights. Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights. www.ala.org/bbooks.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK Oct. 5-11, 2025. Censorship is so 1984 - Read for Your Rights. ala.org/bbooks. American Library Association

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Our Up North Michigan SCBWI Shop Talk is hosting a community wide event "Storytelling with an Invisible Partner." Free and virtual. www.scbwi.org/events/commu.... @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Yesterday had the wonderful chance to chat with Kate DiCamillo. She is as full of heart as her books. And yes, she cries and laughs as she writes them. Listen to the new episode of BookSmitten to be released later this month. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social @scbwi-mi.bsky.social @booksmitten.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Enjoyed this "Mixed-Up Files" post welcoming Carter Hasegawa to the agenting side of life.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Best way to show your love for your country this Fourth of July week - Call your reps with @5calls.org. I just called again. You should too! 5calls.org

5calls.org

5 Calls

Spend 5 minutes. Make 5 calls. Make your voice heard.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Here is the fake reading list in all its infamous glory.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Oh my. The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Chicago Sun-Times both ran a feature on summer reading that lists fake book titles. Nine fake books? More and more of this will be cropping up. arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/c...

arstechnica.com

Chicago Sun-Times prints summer reading list full of fake books

Reading list in advertorial supplement contains 66% made up books by real authors.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Keep NPR and all our beloved local public radio stations on the air. Strong public media is essential to democracy. If you're concerned about this, use 5 Calls to protect Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. @iprnews.bsky.social @5calls.org 5calls.org

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

I LOVE our inter-library loan system, and use MelCat for research for all of my books. Proudly part of the 1 million books checked out through MelCat last year. www.tadl.org/imlsfunding @milibraries.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

This will be heartening for many kids, my own included. Dyslexic brains are amazing. Congrats Rachael Allen!

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Malinda Lo @malindalo.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

If you're concerned about the continuing problem of #bannedbooks you should check out @freedomreadproject.bsky.social's feed today where they're recognizing citizens and groups working to fight censorship in communities across the US!

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Welcome to Traverse City for our Battle of the Books, Lindsay! Looking forward to being with you next week. @lindsayncurrie.bsky.social #kidlit

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Caroline Carlson @carolinecarlson.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

To recap the highlights of the past month in publishing economics: * Libraries’ budgets to buy new materials are destroyed * The cost of printing books overseas skyrockets * Meta stole the copyrighted work of almost every author Happy Friday, book gang!

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

I've been reading "Red Scarf Girl" and other kidlit about the Cultural Revolution. What's fascinating is that "both sides" in America today are referencing the Cultural Revolution. What does that tell us about ourselves? #kidlit #Booksky @scbwi.bsky.social

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

You are not alone, Cory Booker. So many topics you could speak for 71 days.

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Alex Slater @abuckslater.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

"Ms. Ozturk received a master’s degree from the developmental psychology program with a focus in children’s media...she co-founded an independent children’s media initiative...In her free time, you can find Rumeysa reading picture books." Kid lit researcher. Missing. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/u...

nytimes.com

Tufts Student Detained by ICE

The university was told that the student’s visa had been terminated, its president said in a late-night email to students and faculty members.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Congrats to author Joyce Uglow! I'm excited this picture book is out - all about one of my favorite sites - the La Brea Tar Pits. Called a "STEM gem." #kidlit @jpuglow.bsky.social @scbwi.bsky.social #Booksky

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Wish we could get a copy of Peg Kehret's excellent polio autobiography into every child's hands. Then we'd raise a new generation who is awestruck and grateful for vaccines! Sobering and amazing. #kidlit #Booksky

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

This week a conservative man I knew died. He devoted his entire professional life to promoting vaccines & eradicating diseases like polio and German measles. Going backwards rapidly.

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

If you're looking for an age-appropriate book to help kids understand what forces are going on the world right now, try "Breaking Stalin's Nose." I can't say enough good things about this book. Newbery Honor. Sobering and heartfelt. Takes place over the course of 2 days. #kidlit #Booksky

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Excited to celebrate Brianne Farley at Horizon Books this weekend! I have a special spot for worm composting in my heart, and I saw Brianne take this book from the beginning. #kidlit @scbwi.bsky.social #Booksky

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Really appreciated the chance to read this story from Jordanian author Haya Saleh. Middle Grade following the radicalization of a young boy. The translation allows us inside another view of the world. #kidlit #middlegrade #BookSky

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Heather Shumaker @heathershumaker.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

The richest men take on the world's poorest children. It takes so long to build effective relationships and programs. So fast to destroy them.

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Alli Hellegers @allidh.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

If you are looking for ways to turn that crippling dread into action, take 5 minutes and make 5 calls. They give you the phone numbers to your senators and a script to call about numerous issues. That’s how I’m starting my day today. ☕️📲👏 apps.apple.com/us/app/5-cal...

apps.apple.com

‎5 Calls: Contact Your Congress

‎**As seen on MSNBC...**

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Dr. Carol Tilley 🏳️‍🌈 @anuncivilphd.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Putting this out there for those of you who might need it - How to Respond to Law Enforcement Requests for Library Records and User Information: Suggested Guidelines

ala.org

How to Respond to Law Enforcement Requests for Library Records and User Information: Suggested Guidelines

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Erin Entrada Kelly @erinentrada.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

I found this journal from 2015. At the time I was in a deep depression. I don’t remember writing this, but it is a letter to myself. Sending it to you in case you need it. 💕

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Manju Beth Howard @manjubeth.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Tag Your Dialogue with Big-Time Power! "I’m in the camp of writing experts who recommend avoiding words like said and asked. They may be somewhat invisible, but they’re annoying in audio books. And they add zero subtext." writersinthestormblog.com/2025/01/tag-...

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