iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Nancy Stark Lee 🇨🇦 @drnancydraws.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Happy 5th Anniversary #KidLitArtPostcard! 🥳 Here's "Me as a Kid" playing piano to my cat. I loved him, he looked like a soccer ball ⚽ I am an author-illustrator seeking representation. www.nancystarklee.com #KidLitArt #authorillustrator Thanks @ginaperry.bsky.social, congrats on 5 years strong! 🎉

Illustration of a bespectacled young girl playing the piano while her cat sits atop looking down at her.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Happy big 5 to #kidlitartpostcard day! Here's kid Marietta doing things she loved to do (and still does), in the 80's. Not shown: drinking from a hose. I write & create in both traditional and digital for #kidlit pb, cb, and moving to gn. Now, get out there & drink some hose water.

Bright illustration with lots of colors of a girl at different ages doing some of the things she loved: canon balls, messy painting, writing, running through the woods.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Sneak peek at creating my next #KidLitArtPostcard day, dropping Thursday June 4! Search the hashtag to find all of the incredible illustrators that participate. Check out and follow @ginaperry.bsky.social , the mastermind behind KidLitArtPostcard. #kidlit

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

There are some serious getting ready for summer vacation vibes happening in our house. Unused illustration for an illustrated chapter book series I'm in progress on for publisher subs/agent queries. Think Babysitters Club meets Netflix's Inbestigators, mix in some pony loving kiddos. #KidLit

A child jumps off the school bus in an excited way on the last day of school.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Writing out of your comfort zone and saying to your dog "This is hard." But still finishing a first draft! 😃 🐕 📕 #KidLit

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Marietta Apollonio, an author/illustrator working in early readers, pb, cb, & gn. I'm also very open to illustrating other traditionally published author work. I illustrate using traditional mixed mediums, digital, or both combined. #KidLit

A girl with cardboard shield, sword, and helm, points her sword into a cloud of fantastical creatures.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

I've been drawing these characters on and off since the end of January. Helped me zone out and not have a particular goal. The 10 yr old and I were also rewatching the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Can you find the Air Nomad?? #kidlit #kidlitillustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Fun virtual visit with the Illustration Club at O'Neal Library, AL. I love showing kids sneak peeks at book dummies no one has seen yet, answering their questions, and draw-alongs. Spending an hour with kids talking about books and drawing is an hour well spent. #kidlit

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Spending some time thinking about, and playing with, materials for how two full color spreads might look for a book dummy. #KidLit This one uses ink washes and color pencil.

A jaguar, yellow with spots, has a red bird on its head, as it sneaks through the brush in a dark jungle.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Really glad I've got a nine year old at home who's ready and willing to give feedback on picture book back matter for younger ages. Some really helpful suggestions like adding definitions for words he feels K-2 might not be familiar with. #KidLit

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I'm Marietta, a published author & illustrator creating for picturebooks, chapter books, and graphic novel, in both traditional and digital mediums. Also interested in illustrating other author's projects. Currently seeking literary representation. #kidlit

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Playing in Procreate! A fun sticker/tshirt design for a small group of women Kidlit author/illustrators. We're headed to the NESCBWI Whispering Pines retreat this month. Always a good time! @amandadavisart.bsky.social @weyakindesigns.bsky.social @pamvau.bsky.social #kidlit

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Applications are open until March 13th for @pbrisingstars.bsky.social !! I was lucky to be a mentor the first year of PB Rising Stars. It was an amazing experience!

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Any other D&D players out there drawing characters for their friends while playing? #dungeonsanddragons #illustration

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Honored to win a 2025 Northern Lights Book Award for my 2023 debut PB! Representing Agent: @jemiscoe.bsky.social Publisher: @albertwhitman.bsky.social

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Tate Godwin @tatecartoons.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

A process pic for my graphic novel Operation: Make a Splash, launching February 24!

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Eggs. I'm fascinated by them. Turtles, snakes, birds, platypuses--all from eggs. But what if you find a BIG egg? What might emerge from that? #kidlit #illustrator

Four children gather on a playground, surrounding a large egg.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

New Year mice. The smallest light can still brighten a dark world. #kidlit #illustrator

Two mice in a dark hole in a wall, hold a candle, brightening their space.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

A hobbit on the screen, a nine year old with a hobbit haircut, and some new years mice. #kidlit #illustration

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Wishing all, tall and small, a very Happy Christmas. #kidlit #authorillustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Working on something just for fun! I take breaks while working on book dummies to play with gouache, which I am not entirely comfortable with yet. Anyone else playing with new materials??? #kidlit #illustrator

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Sylvia Chen 余愛莉 @sylviaichen.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

🤩✨💫 Look at this “Highly Recommended” review by School Library Journal for SPARKLES FOR SUNNY! This is such an honor when industry reviews can feel elusive to receive—let alone a stellar recommendation like this one. *Thank you* to @slj.com! 🥳🌟 @penguinkids.bsky.social #ThaiMyPhuong

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Mindy Alyse Weiss @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

This post is packed with awesomeness! 💗 🎉2026 #PBParty contest dates! 🎉PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train happening NOW 🎉Celebrate Guest Crit Master @sylviaichen.bsky.social 🎉Huge giveaway! 🎉Tips for writing a new PB draft 🎉Holiday critique specials mindyalyseweiss.com/critique-tra...

mindyalyseweiss.com

PBParty Contest News + Critique Train Guest Crit Master & Giveaway with Sylvia Chen! ⋆ Mindy’s Writing Wonderland

Write a new PB draft to receive a critique from the passenger above & give one to the person below PLUS everyone can enter Sylvia's giveaway.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Fun sketch on a holiday zoom with my crit group. 5 mins of music to create how you feel about the group. Clearly I feel like dancing. #kidlit

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Pragmatic Mom @pragmaticmom.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

8 Books That Promote Empathy for Young Readers + GIVEAWAY! buff.ly/gHUUBya via @pragmaticmom @deedeecummings.bsky.social @makeaway.bsky.social #ReadYourWorld #emapathy #picturebook #giveaway

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

⭐️ Interested in being a 2026 #pbrisingstars Mentee for our fifth and FINAL year? ⭐️ Check your eligibility below and let us know if you're applying! Any questions? Leave a comment, and we’ll answer them! Check out website out here: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentees #kidli #kidlitart #kidlitpostcard

⭐️ Calling all 2026 #PBRisingStars applicants! ⭐️

Make sure to check your eligibility before preparing those applications!

In order to apply you:

⭐️ Must be 18 years or older

⭐️ Must be a PICTURE BOOK creator

⭐️ May be Unagented OR agented but must not have a PICTURE BOOK deal sold by an agent

⭐️ Must not have been or be scheduled to be a PICTURE BOOK MENTEE in another program any time between January 2025 and September 2026

⭐️ Must not use AI engines to create art, text, or application responses

Any questions about eligibility? Drop them in the comments below and we’ll answer them!

💫And don’t forget to mark your calendars with our application window: February 27 - March 13 2026. This is our LAST year at PB Rising Stars, so don’t miss your final chance to apply! 💫

#kidli #kidlitart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Bree Lundberg @breelundberg.com · 08/12/2025

I'm always happy to share knowledge! Every artist I know is also very open! Just PLEASE say thank you when someone goes out of their way to answer questions or share info (learning not to ghost people after they help you is a valuable career skill).

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

The best part about doing something unplanned to have fun....is that it's FUN and stress free. And messy. That's important too. I have a lot of gouache and water-soluble pastels that I've been putting off using. #kidlit #authorillustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Happy day late #kidlitartpostcard day! I am an un-agented, published author and illustrator working in BB, ER, PB, CB . My work is created in traditional mediums and digital. Grateful to have two picture books out in the world, both represented by my former agent. #kidlit #authorillustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

These inky wash cats I've been creating have crept their way into my happy place. Which is funny, because I have a dog. #kidlit #authorillustrator

A blue, orange, and black illustration of a cat licking its paw, in a washy style using ink.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Another 2 color + black. Figuring out if I can turn this into a new style for my traditional medium book work. Thinking of replacing the black with brown for line work. Would love some input on that! 😁 #kidlit #illustrator

An illustration of a child with red hair, blue shirt and blue pants running with a bucket of water.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

A piece of a full pen and ink spread. Almost ready for watercolor. Went back and forth on whether to do this traditional or digital. Might scan it in and paint digitally. #illustrator #authorillustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

I've not painted in some time. Due to: getting more writing done, parenting, and those extra road detours that life throws in for fun (not fun). BUT! Got in the studio the other day, grabbed three bottles of ink, and brush. I always lean towards cats. #kidlit #authorillustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Mostly unproductive this summer until now. Dummying a new manuscript. It has horses! Obviously because it's my manuscript. But. HORSES! #KIDLIT

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Very lucky to be able to share my love of riding horses with camp kids a few weeks ago. Bonus was sharing my love of drawing with a draw-along. #illustration #authorillistrator #camp

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Still in Iceland. Wish we could stay forever. Managed to get some pen and ink drawings done in between and sometimes during adventures. The first image is of a turf shed built for sheep and cows. #travel #illustration #drawing

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Happy day late #kidlitartpostcard We are traveling in Iceland and I haven't bothered with a calendar. I'm interested in illustrating early readers, picture book, chapter books, middle grade. A little comic of my travels 😊 @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Happy Summer!!!! This is the time of the year when I lean into not having time to write and draw. I squeak them in where I can but without pressure to do so.

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Laura Zarrin @laurazarrin.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Summer calls for surfing! Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! Drawing animals is my favorite thing. I’m looking for board book, picture book, and chapter book projects. Rep’d by Elizabeth Bennett, Transatlantic. More at www.laurazarrin.com

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Marietta Apollonio, author & illustrator of #kidlit books. Interested in working on CB, MG covers, comic/graphic novel, PB, & early readers. I work in both digital & traditional media @andreabrownlit.bsky.social @jemiscoe.bsky.social

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

End of the school year card for the third grade teacher, who recently had a new addition to his family. Fun to work on this. Also funny is the number of tries it took me to print the card correctly. #illustrator

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

When I'm not in the studio, I'm hauling hay and looking at nice views.

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Working on the end of the school year class gift card for my son's 3rd grade teacher who also just had his second child. Also, napping old lady keeping me company. #illustration

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Not everything that goes on submission gets picked up. This color spread from an #earlyreader #bookdummy will always be one of my favorite full color spreads. #kidlit #illustrator #author

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Marietta Apollonio @mariettaa.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Tomorrow at Ten Tree Books in Natick, Ma! I'll have the old easel and sketchpad to do some drawing after story time. 🖌️ ✏️

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Reposted by Marietta Apollonio

Mindy Alyse Weiss @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

The list of 2025 #PBParty finalists is live! I'm cheering for the finalists and sending tons and tons of hugs to those who didn't make it in this time. (((Hugs))) Huge thanks to all the amazing judges - they put so many hours into this contest. 💖 mindyalyseweiss.com/...

mindyalyseweiss.com

Congratulations 2025 PBParty Finalists! ⋆ Mindy’s Writing Wonderland

I’m happy dancing for the finalists and am excited for the agent and editor round to start on Monday, March 10.

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