iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Very soon I'll have a publishing deal announcement. To follow along on my journey to publication, hop over to my website and sign up for my newsletter, The Children's Book Nook. #kidlit #publishing #amwriting

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The back-to-school issue of my newsletter, The Children’s Book Nook, releases soon with resources to excite kids about reading. Sign up on my website. I think you’ll find it helpful, and subscribers help me in my work getting good books into kids’ hands. Thank you! www.lesliesantamaria.com

lesliesantamaria.com

Children's Author | Leslie Santamaria

Official website of children's author Leslie Santamaria.

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Currently reading Kristin Hannah’s THE NIGHTINGALE and completely absorbed in the story! What are you reading?

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Quite an interesting perspective on the middle grade market. #kidlit

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Sweet Luna says, “You’re amazing. Pass it on.” #catlife

Siamese mix cat perched in a chair looking at the camera

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

I love cooler weather because my cats become more cuddly. #cats #fallweather

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

In Story Trumps Structure, Steven James says all stories at their core are about “a character in tension, caught between his present condition and his unmet desire for things to be different.” How does your story fit this definition? #amwriting #fiction #kidlit

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Children's Writers: Check out this PW article about the current state of the middle grade market. The editor of my debut MG novel, Eileen Robinson, is quoted. #kidlit #middlegrade #writingcommunity @charlesbridge.bsky.social www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

publishersweekly.com

Turning the Tide on Middle Grade Books

Movers and shakers behind five newish imprints are aiming to turn the tide on sales in the middle grade category.

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Good collection of thoughts about #kidlit & social media

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

What a joy to participate in STORYSTORM 2025! Thanks, @taralazar.bsky.social, for another inspiring month! #kidlit #brainstorming

A participation banner for STORYSTORM 2025 with a smiling elephant and rat celebrating 31 Ideas in 31 Days

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Reposted by Leslie Santamaria

Author Thomas Lockhaven @thomaslockhaven.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Sending out starter packs to #middleschools If you are a #teacher and you would like a free starter pack, let me know! cutt.ly/1e852C3q #Kidlit #edusky #booktok #kindlebooks #mglit #schoollibrarians #mgteacher #mystery #middlegrade #cozymystery #girls #detectivebook

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Taryn Souders - Middle Grade Author @tarynsouders.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

I was able share this exciting news at the Florida Association of Media in Education conference, but now I can share it with everyone! I have a new middle grade murder mystery releasing in 2026 . . . Secrets of the Broken House (think Psych meets Mayberry)!

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Nancy Castaldo Books @nancycastaldobooks.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Hey friends BUILDINGS THAT BREATHE will be out in paperback in Jan! 🎉 @lernerbooks.bsky.social #JLG #yalit #kidlit #ncte24 #nonfiction

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

So excited to be connecting with MG authors, illustrators, educators, and librarians here. Community feels awesome. #kidlit

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Laura Segal Stegman @laurastegman.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Hi! I'm the author of Summer of L.U.C.K., Ready or Not & The Chambered Nautilus, a magical #middlegrade trilogy avail wherever books/#audiobooks R sold. My #STEAM #schoolvisits incl Mysteries of Chambered Nautiluses; my Newsletter has resources for #writers & #educators. Links in bio #kidlit

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Lori Tecler @loritecler.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

There’s nothing better than finding a cozy spot to sit & read a book! This #DonorsChoose project will give our media center comfy new ottomans for our readers to enjoy while they’re reading during silent book club & throughout the day. Any support/RP appreciated! #clearthelist bit.ly/3XUFPYJ

bit.ly

Seating for School Success, a project from Ms. Tecler

Help me give my students a foam ottoman set, so they are able to focus on learning and soar to success. Our school's media center is a hub of activity and learning. Students visit to browse for...

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Such a fun book signing event with these fabulous middle grade authors (plus the talented @joshfunkbooks.bsky.social!) at B&N before this week’s FAME conference in Orlando. #middlegrade @tarynsouders.bsky.social @jamesponti.bsky.social @daniellejoseph.bsky.social @jencalonita.bsky.social

Middle grade authors at Barnes & Noble before the FAME conference in Orlando this week.

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 04/09/2024

I'm delighted to announce my middle grade mystery, MOON GIRL, has been acquired by Charlesbridge MOVES. Many thanks to the amazing Liza Royce Agency for making this happen! #kidlit #middlegrade #mystery

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 02/02/2024

Up next! What other mysteries for kids do you recommend for my reading list? #amreading #kidlit #mysteries @katemilford.bsky.social

Book cover of Greenglass House by Kate Milford

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 25/01/2024

I haven't read Dave Eggers & Shawn Harris's Newbery winner The Eyes and the Impossible, but the art samples on the Amazon listing are breathtaking! Can't wait to read this novel. #kidlit #Newbery www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 25/01/2024

I’m finally reading this gem and loving it! #kidlit

Book cover of The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 21/01/2024

Storystorm has inspired hundreds of ideas in my notebook over the years. This time I’m focusing on generating scene ideas and character traits for my #middlegrade novel in progress. Thank you, @taralazar.bsky.social and guest bloggers! #kidlit #amdrafting #creativity #fiction

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 11/12/2023

New to BlueSky? Check out @debbieohi.com’s starter thread.

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 25/11/2023

“Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.” —Denzel Washington #letsgettowork

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Reposted by Leslie Santamaria

Kate Messner @katemessner.com · 31/10/2023

Mark your calendars - World Read Aloud Day with @litworldsays is February 7, 2024! Like always, I'm coordinating a list of author & illustrator volunteers to read aloud to classrooms via Zoom on that day. Want to join us? Here's how to sign up: katemessner.com/getting-read...

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 13/11/2023

One of my favorite lines in this article by Katherine Marsh: "The best way to present an abstract idea to kids is by hooking them on a story." #literacy #reading #kidlit www.theatlantic.com/books/archiv...

theatlantic.com

Why Kids Aren’t Falling in Love With Reading

Hint: It’s not just the screens.

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 13/11/2023

I’m reading this again. What’s your favorite book on writing craft? #amwriting #kidlit

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

Just finished this fun middle grade mystery. What are you reading?

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Darlene Beck Jacobson @dbeckjacobson.bsky.social · 28/10/2023

Hi teachers and school librarians! I am an MG author who loves school visits. My award-winning books can be found at: htpp://www.darlenebeckjacobson.com #schoolvisits, #teachers, #librarians, #authorvisits, #mgbooks, #historicalfiction, #versenovels,

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Leslie Santamaria @lesliesantamaria.bsky.social · 30/10/2023

Hi! I'm brand new here. So excited to connect with #teachers #librarians and #kidlit professionals!

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