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Jessica Spotswood

@jessicaspotswood.bsky.social
687 followers 365 following 57 posts

Author & library worker. Next: The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls (Holt, Fall 2026). Also: Born Wicked, A Tyranny of Petticoats, Great or Nothing. 📚

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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Eep! My next book has a cover, and it’s the eerie Gothic gorgeousness of my dreams. It’s also available to request on Netgalley and Edelweiss! Here are some of the tropes you’ll find inside. Which one is your favorite? I’m a big fan of men facing consequences, personally.
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Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Horrific murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in the middle of DC. This kind of violence is illegal, immoral, inexcusable and of course - if the chant of ‘free Palestine’ by the alleged shooter is true - solves nothing and helps zero Palestinians.
theguardian.com
Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead near Washington DC Jewish museum
Police said a suspect was in custody after the shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
I’m not here very often, but I did want to make sure I announced my TENTH book! I can’t wait to share HARROW with the world.
Photo of four girls in a shadowy dorm room by Nina Leen for LIFE magazine, 1945. PW deal announcement for The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls, coming in Fall 2026 from Holt.
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
“JessCon” would be at the beach, and involve copious amounts of tea and beach fries and seafood and ice cream, and we’d read and write and nap and take walks along the water. Maybe a bonfire or two.
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Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
It's hard to explain to people outside this fight that Texas is currently trying to ban kids from using public libraries... but they are; it's passed out of committee, and it's going to a floor vote. 🚨If you know ANYONE in Texas it's time for them to call their reps and demand NO ON HB3225🚨
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Linda Holmes @lindaholmes.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Hey: If you made it through the week, and you tried to do some things to help other people — large or small — where you could, and you need to hear it, I’m here to tell you thank you. Get some rest. Figure out today, then figure out tomorrow.
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Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Hey all. I've been vague about this, but I'm now going to be blunt. I understand that some of you may not look at me the same, but I want to be forthright, and maybe, speaking up will help others too. I experienced domestic violence on Saturday at the hands of an ex.
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Lorri Hopping ✍🏼 📚🕹️ 🎲 🔜 NYC @hoppingfun.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Here's the paid ad that WaPo was set to run and then pulled under political pressure. I agree with this sentiment (see firemusk.org), so I'm gonna go ahead and post it here. NO ONE ELECTED ELON MUSK, who is operating illegally under a cloak of secrecy to destroy the government.
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actioncookbook @actioncookbook.com · 13/02/2025
looking back, AOL had it right. 30 hours of internet per month was the right amount.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 11/02/2025
Here's a source on that statement from the AP about being refused entrance to an EO signing ceremony because the AP continues to use 'Gulf of Mexico.' This is a clear free speech violation. (And I'd note that the AP was founded as an indie  media cooperative, so maybe...support indie news.)
ap.org
AP statement on Oval Office access | The Associated Press
The Associated Press issued this statement on Tuesday from Executive Editor Julie Pace: As a global news organization, The Associated Press informs
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Lily Meade @lilymeade.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
I’ve launched a new fundraiser for ongoing support now that the purpose of our original fundraiser to “prepare” to be homeless is technically complete. This months update includes health concerns and continuing costs of poverty. gofund.me/c0cc5aa2 ♥️ Please share.
gofund.me
Donate to Ongoing Support for Homeless Family, organized by Mariah Lily Meade
Last April, I made a fundraiser called “Preparing to Become Homeless Again.” Aft… Mariah Lily Meade needs your support for Ongoing Support for Homeless Family
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Andrew Karre @andrewkarre.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
This publisher's choice to brand books with warning labels exists in the context of the worst book banning emergency ever. Bigots who don't read and are hostile to libraries want labels like these on all books, circumventing the professional judgment of teachers and librarians. This is bad.
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Tess Sharpe @sharpegirl.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Oh look, they’ve even included their content label on their launch announcement so we can see how fucked up their attitude in this moment is! This won’t prevent librarians from buying or endanger librarians and educators in our hostile book banning environment at all!
The logo for Mayhem Book, an Entangled imprint that has unwisely and ignorantly decided to add ‘mature YA ages 16+’ labels to each of their books.
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Rebecca Sinclair 🎨 @rsinclair-art.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Sending out some love on #kidlitartpostcard day 💌 Hoping these paper boats make it over to agents, editors, art directors, or publishers who are looking for picture book illustrators. Open for rep and ready to sail away with #kidlit projects! #kidlitart #kidlitartist www.rebeccasinclairstudio.com
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Phyllis Harris @phyllisharris.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
It’s #kidlitartpostcard day! I am an author-illustrator who loves illustrating heART of childhood. I am represented by Kristen Terrette. #kidlit #kidlitart
It’s #kidlitartpostcard day! I am an author-illustrator who loves illustrating heART of childhood. I am represented by Kristen Terrette. #kidlitart #kidlit
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Léa Charbonnier @cleadraw.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
I am doing one kid-lit-art for each month of the year ✨ Here is (late) January ❄️🙀 . #kidlitart #picturebooks #KidLitArtPostcard @sandraproudman.bsky.social @galltzacker.bsky.social
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Catarina Oliveira ✦Illustration✦ @catoliveirastudio.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Hi! #kidlitartpostcard I'm Cat, a Kid Lit Illustrator, available for new projects. 🎨 Portfolio catarinaoliveirastudio.com 💼 Agent @thet2agency.bsky.social #kidlit #illustration #art #kidlitart
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Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Hello #kidlitartpostcard! I am Charlene Chua & I illustrate books for kids. Portfolio - charlenechua.com Agent - Tracy Marchini, BookEnds Literary #kidlitart #art
Illustration of person on couch hugging cat, surrounded by another two cats. Snowy street scene outside.
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John Green @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
USAID matters. I've often disagreed with their strategy and choices, but their work saves more lives than any philanthropy can. It's a rounding error in the federal budget, and one of the best things we do as a country. To see it destroyed overnight by one unelected man is an unmitigated horror.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @aoc.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
I honestly believe our most powerful position in a toxic time that feeds on cynicism, apathy,& despair is to genuinely care and act for a better world. Cynicism is our enemy. We should check it, incl. on the left. It’s not intellectually superior. It’s the virus they’re trying to infect us with. NO
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Derf Backderf @derfbackderf.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Big news. Bookshop.org is now offering eBooks! Bookshop is a big online consortium of indie bookstores. You shop like Amazon, but all the profits go to indies! There's no need to shop-- or to sell your books-- through Amazon again. I've used it for a couple years now. Erase Bezos from your biz!
bookshop.org
Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
An online bookstore that financially supports local independent bookstores and gives back to the book community.
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Jess Keating @jesskeatingbooks.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
It’s #ALAYMA day! Good day to remind you #kidlit writers that, while awards are lovely, they are by definition, limited to just a handful of books. I promise you, whether your book is “big” with awards or not, it is someone’s very special treasure — and that’s because you wrote it. Keep writing! 💙
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Ashley C. Ford @smashfizzle.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
Stop letting unfunny men tell you there’s something wrong with you for not getting their “jokes”. Stop fake laughing. Let their reality reflect the truth of how fundamentally they misunderstand humor. Neuter their ability to use “it was a joke” for emotional cover. Make them see nobody laugh.
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Molly Templeton @mollytempleton.com · 24/01/2025
I have a little plea and it's this: please keep posting about things that aren't The Horrors. I am not saying to not look at or be informed about The Horrors. What I am saying—what I am genuinely kind of begging you to do—is keep posting about books and movies and sunsets and pets and joy. Please.
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Rhode Island Authors Against Book Bans @aabbri.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
Authors Against Book Bans responds to the DOE statement supporting book banning in American public schools
The Authors Against Book Bans statement about the DOE rollback on Book Bans is on our Instagram account now, and will be disseminated to media outlets tomorrow. 

AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS
RESPONSE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S STATEMENT SUPPORTING BOOK BANS IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS

Today, the Department of Education announced plans to dismiss eleven outstanding complaints against book bans, and to eliminate the position of Book Ban Coordinator at the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This distortion of the intended work of the OCR–the protection of civil rights and students’ freedoms in our nation's schools–is negligent, grossly un-American, and in direct conflict with freedom of speech, a bedrock right enshrined in the Constitution. 

Authors Against Book Bans unequivocally stands against all such attempts at censorship and discrimination. We stand with families, students and educators across the country who exercise free speech every time they open a book, and with the 71% of Americans who are opposed to book bans. Book bans do not protect children; history teaches us that they are a terrifying step toward tyranny.
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Teen Vogue @teenvogue.com · 23/01/2025
When a single billionaire can accumulate more money in 10 seconds than their employees make in one year, while workers struggle to meet the basic cost of rent and medicine, then yes, every billionaire really is a policy failure. Read our op-ed here ⤵️
teenvogue.com
Billionaires Should Not Exist
Yes, every billionaire really is a policy failure.
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We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Here are 22 books about the civil rights movement – and the continued fight for civil rights – to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as a legendary civil rights leader! Perfect for today or any day of the year 📚
A peach colored graphic with a sidebar on the left-hand side showing an illustration of hands reaching up towards the sky. The hands are in all different shades of brown. On the right-hand side is a title that says, “22 Books about Civil Rights,” followed by an illustration of books lined up on a shelf.
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
@katehart.net I loved your newsletter! <3
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Warding off the dread (and the M*GA influx into my city) with a Max Cozy weekend. Today is coffee-shop writing, watching Call the Midwife, napping with my cat, reading The Teller of Small Fortunes (a fantastic cozy fantasy), & playing Everdell: Duo. How are you protecting your peace this weekend?
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Teen Vogue @teenvogue.com · 08/01/2025
These teenagers and young men — 95% of whom are Black, Latinx, or Filipino — earn between $2.20 and $4 per hour, plus an additional $1 an hour when they’re actively fighting fires, according to the DJJ. ⤵️
teenvogue.com
In California, Incarcerated Teenagers Help Fight Wildfires
"You’re put in danger every time you’re on the fire line.”
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Puff the Magic Hater @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Around this time every year, I share a list of ways to support Native people. From supporting Indigenous people seeking abortion care to defending Native voting rights and keeping Native families together, here are some causes worth supporting. 🧵
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Karen Jensen, MLS @tltkaren.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
The Department of Education is important actually Teachers are important Libraries are important Books are important Freedom to read is important Freedom of the press is important Truth, science, ethics. . . . All important Democracy. Super important.
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Dahlia Adler 📚 @missdahlelama.dahliaadler.com · 25/11/2024
'Tis a wonderful time of year to help kids having a rough time feel the love. You can buy gifts for: Children of incarcerated people: vat.angeltreetool.org/cc0893aa-581... Foster kids: www.onesimplewish.org Kids living on Pine Ridge Reservation: www.onespiritokini.org/okini-page/h...
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Michael Beschloss @beschlossdc1776.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Thanksgiving menu at Plaza Hotel NYC, 1899:
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
For some reason, my last RT didn't go. First: How to explain book bans to the average person who wants to know -- bookriot.com/how-to-expla... Second: You're wrong about these common book banning myths -- bookriot.com/common-myths...
bookriot.com
How To Explain Book Bans to Those Who Want To Understand: Book Censorship News, August
Use these talking points to help explain book bans to people who haven't kept up but want to understand.
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
My plans for today involve eating ramen and watching Miss Scarlet & the Duke, then reading book 2 in the Scholomance series and starting book 3. I’m OBSESSED. It’s been a while since I’ve gobbled up a whole trilogy in 10 days. It helps that every time I open the internet it’s full of fresh horrors.
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Adam Sharp @adamcsharp.bsky.social · 01/01/2024
A list of old slang for having a hangover (and first recorded use) 8. Cocktail flu (2004) 7. Mouth like the bottom of a bird cage (1944) 6. The woofits (1918) 5. The miserables (1902) 4. Feeling like a stewed owl (1892) 3. Barrel fever (1878) 2. The jim-jams (1852) 1. The horrors (1791)
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Andrea Phillips @andrea.bsky.social · 06/12/2023
Washington Post workers are on strike Thursday, Dec. 7, and have asked that we don’t read, click, share, or like any WaPo content in solidarity. Support workers! Skip the Post for the day! actionnetwork.org/letters/work...
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 24/10/2023
I fractured my foot because I was looking at a cute dog (a Frenchie) and tripped over the sidewalk.
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Smart Bitches @smartbitches.bsky.social · 09/10/2023
A friendly reminder to any and all school districts that you can ask a local bookstore to maybe host your book fair. It doesn't have to be Scholastic. There may be other options beyond the default. Credit: Maggie Tokuda-Hall from an upcoming (Friday!) Podcast episode.
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Tirzah Price @tirzahprice.bsky.social · 09/10/2023
I’ve heard from so many teachers and librarians who’ve seen it firsthand. One of my friends had her diverse books “accidentally” excluded. When they arrived (late), she showed what was in the diverse boxes and they were the same books that were DEFINITELY included when I had a fair in March.
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G. Willow Wilson @gwillow.me · 09/10/2023
In the hands of the biggest media corporations, the term 'diversity' has become a poison pill. A way to silo and minimize the contributions of the historically marginalized. There are *real* books and 'diverse' books, which you can safely ignore. At conferences, real panels and 'diverse' panels. Etc
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caztastrophe 🐦🦝🏳️‍🌈 @caztastrophe.gay · 09/10/2023
I'm sure they'll say they're just trying to give teachers an option to not end up in trouble with their districts where bans are in place but 😬😬😬 The thing about fascism is that it works so well bc people comply in advance, out of "an abundance of caution" ie fear.
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Phil Bildner @philbildner.bsky.social · 05/10/2023
Thank you to Scottie Andrew at CNN for this exceptional article, “Book Bans are Surging — and Taking an Emotional Toll on Many Authors” and for centering author voices. @tasslyn.bsky.social @kylelukoff.bsky.social @samiraahmed.bsky.social @torreymaldonado.bsky.social www.cnn.com/2023/10/04/s...
cnn.com
Book bans are surging — and taking an emotional toll on many authors | CNN
While some book bans have led to higher sales, as seen with “Maus” and “The Hate U Give,” some authors say the bans tank sales and devastate their careers, especially when they belong to margi...
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Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 01/10/2023
Frankly, if you're doing anything for Banned Books Week, it has to be more than just books. Use the week to activate your patrons and tell them why bans are part of a larger push toward fascism and queer genocide.
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Jessica Spotswood @jessicaspotswood.bsky.social · 30/09/2023
COVID round two has been markedly milder. I’m grateful for Paxlovid, which I started on day 4 of symptoms, but the med side effects have outlasted the actual illness this time. A tiny bit congested but mostly it’s just the metal mouth, nausea, and digestive issues from Paxlovid now.
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