iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

@malmeida.bsky.social My brother, a retired Coastie, captured a sunset’s green flash while on a boat delivery run. Thought you might be able to use the Live Photo in a refraction conversation w students. 🎢 #iteachphysics

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Everyone is busy and I don’t mean to suggest teachers are busier, but with so many hats, I learned that firm NOs were a required act of health and sanity preservation. Sounds selfish but more like putting your airplane oxygen mask on before your kids’. #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I’ve was married 45 years ago today, so as we celebrate, we also hold reverently those who were lost as we watched in horror 25 years ago. We pray for all. #KidLit #HaikuSaturday 🎢

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Light reaching through blinds, Through small slits of sluggish sight Threw me into day #HaikuSaturday #Haiku

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Blues bounce and scatter While blood reds bend around me As I shade the moon #HaikuSaturday #Haiku

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Saw this on facebook for all of you PB illustrators #KidLit #KidLitChat #KidLitArt

Announcement that Oak Tree Comics is hiring a picture book artist.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

@garyrgrayjr.bsky.social I can’t wait to see your PB celebrating the tradition of the durag! My admin banned these due to “gang color concerns”, but it felt like a cultural emasculation to me, so I did not enforce it in my HS classroom. This book would have helped my appeal. #KidLit #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

My middle grandchild started twitching her eyes and swaying her head at the end of lunch. Her answer to my concern? I’m just trying to make my salad blurry while I eat it ‘cause it’s yuk. 😂 #KidLit #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Congrats to @tonnyef.bsky.social for the nod to “Music Plants Hope” on @juliefhedlund.bsky.social 12x12 PC, as it relates to “The Enchanted Symphony” by @emmawaltonhamilton.bsky.social Looking forward to reading both of these, as well as Emma’s “Shy”, where a timid pooch finds his voice. #KidLit

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I'm attending this event. RT if you think others will find this helpful 🙌 worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com Even if you write PBs, as I do, you’ll find many applicable nuggets. And… in the free version, you’ll also get a 24 hour replay. #KidLit #KidLitChat

worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com

Worldshift 2026: The Speculative Fiction Writers' Conference

Speculative Fiction Writers' Summit

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

A juvie ruby Flashing his beaded necklace Flies until he can’t His life in my hands Our eyes hold many questions Is this even real? Unfurling fingers And he is free to flee, but First a final nod Your whisper of strength So vulnerably trusting I won’t forget you #HaikuSaturday

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I scooped up this tired juvie male ruby throat when he landed on our garage floor. He sat in my hand gathering his wits for about two minutes before taking off. Sound up to hear his exit. One spectacular interaction from my bucket list for sure. #bird #KidLit I will #HaikuSaturday him later

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Greg Pincus @gregpincus.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

It’s #kidlitchat day! We shall gather here on Bluesky at 9pm Easter/6pm Pacific for an hour of #kidlit chatting. It shall be glorious!* (*or at least pretty darn fun). See you then!

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Strawberry Fields Forever #Haiku #HaikuSaturday #KidLit Picked early, too tart Hide and seek with just right red Perfectly ripe is fleeting But in that moment Just you, the sun, that berry… A peace to recall

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Have any science folks / #entomology seen this type of hummingbird imposter? What is he doing? After he struck this pose multiple times, I Haikued him. Rear end up, wings down Dragonfly comedian “I’m a humming bird!“ #HaikuSaturday (on a Wednesday🤷🏽‍♀️) #Haiku #KidLit #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#KidLitChat I need to read some pictureless books longer than 40 pages long. 🤣

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Not exactly new but maybe a compilation of “Harry the Dirty Dog” adventures (Zion/Graham)? I could also see a short of Steig’s “Dr. DeSoto” #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

@toddparr.bsky.social My daughter just texted: Kay picked up a book and recognized it from school. She said oh the author is Todd Parr. I looked and she was exactly right. How is this possible? She says he likes to use a lot of bright colors and he has a lot of books so that's why she recognized it

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

@johackl.bsky.social Omgosh - we’ve followed each other forever “elsewhere”. How did I miss that? Thanks for catching this.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Phoebe tail bobbing Their prequel to agile swoops Rudder exercise Mud wasps have no chance Aerobatic maneuvers Too fast to avoid #HaikuSaturday

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

My student, sixteen Knew it all confidently Today he’s thirty A married father Searching for all the answers So we celebrate! #HaikuSaturday Headed to a birthday party.

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Traci Van Wagoner @tracivw.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Up this week for #PaintPlay fun. New port pieces (maybe RL PCs) with new sequential art to demonstrate to #kidlit Art Directors my skills w/consistency & storytelling in my art so they’ll hire me for their next book project. Let’s work together! #kidlitart #Kidlitartpostcard #illustrator #sketches

A page with three rough sketches and on full color illustration showing sequential art of two girls and a dog catching a frog, one girl about to kiss a frog, releasing the frog, and watching (in color) the frog with a frog buddy leaping away over the stream and lily pads and bright pink flowers.

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Jacinta Patterson @jacintapatt.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Shameful as it is for an author to admit, I am at a loss for words. My flabbers are gasted and my timbers are shivered to announce that I am agented...and I get to work with TWO amazing agents! Thank you, @bookfairyangus.bsky.social and @ashleedani.bsky.social for believing in my work!

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Librarians have always been amazing! Pack Horse Library project: “On approach, she is surrounded by children of all ages … and distributes as many picture books and youth novels as possible, taking note of which the children like best.” #KidLit #Librarians oxfordamerican.org/magazine/iss...

Children gather around a librarian riding a mule in rural Kentucky

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

@agathechavelucas.bsky.social Hi Agatha! Thanks for the follow. I’m intrigued… What is mathematical ecology? Are your more of a statistician or does the math side act in support of ecological studies? What type of research have you/do you do? Fellow STEM girl wants to know.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Blond wisps catch sun’s gift Blond blades thirst for greening rain Blond boots donned, hoping. #HaikuSaturday

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Fiery skipper Lavender’s bright complement Sharing with the bees #HaikuSaturday

-yellow male butterfly (fiery skipper), photographed on bush with many bees

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

I’m getting the feeling that tonight’s #KidLitChat is going to be bringing more boxes to my front door!

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Tonnye Fletcher @tonnyef.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This week, I'm sharing some personal facts and interesting tidbits about myself. Those of you who know me won't be surprised by any of this. Feel free to share with a friend who doesn't know me but might enjoy the book, #musicplantshope.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Thought this set of simile statistics was as interesting as a book jacket full of hooks. #KidLit #KidLitChat #HaikuSaturday pudding.cool/2026/05/simi...

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Morning Lorri’s up Morning glories open too Coffee, morning’s dew #HaikuSaturday My toddler ears heard the wrong thing as my grandfather named the flowers in his yard. It was years later before I knew.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

I so appreciate the honesty of this group and the sense of being in “it” together. Goodnight all #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

#KidLitChat And whatever pie is on the menu at @vbartles.com is what I prefer.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

@anneruggirello.bsky.social Hi Anne. I see you are just getting started on BlueSky. There is a KidLit Mega Feed put together by @debbieohi.com that will help you get connected with other PB authors.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

In case you missed it, he apologized. #KidLit www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/Mac-Ba...

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

When my kids were growing up, they each had their own color on our calendar. This allowed me to visually filter their individual commitments (bday parties, piano lessons sports practice etc.). I suppose the same could be applied to projects. Rcpts go in a folder with month tabs. #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

An interesting article that places common writing advice for #KidLit authors in the hands of future lawyers - avoid using adverbs “to engineer an emotional response” and let facts and straightforward prose do the work / show, don’t tell = good storytelling hls.harvard.edu/today/david-...

hls.harvard.edu

David French urges students to ‘write with regret, not outrage’ - Harvard Law School

Columnist and author David French offers students advice on how to be heard by readers.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I made this intentionally haphazard Magna-Tile structure and asked my 3 yo granddaughter (who was diligently working on her own creation) what she thought. She tried to be kind as she sighed and said “It’s a little crazy but I can help you make a plan first next time.” 😂

An assortment of magnetic tiles thrown together with no apparent goal - lacking in any symmetry or aesthetics.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Y’all, my motion detector just activated my floodlights to reveal 5 deer out back. #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Sounds like we use the same usual suspects to stay in the know, but it often feels like information overflow - too much to sift through including the better blogs. I like to stay current but it doesn’t inform my work. It might guide the timing of an entrance though, and how I present it. #KidLitChat

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

All prepped to teach my grands how to braid hair. Their hands might be too small to conquer slippery locks of real hair, but I think they’ll enjoy the mechanics of it.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

I finally had time to watch the @goodstory.bsky.social webinar on Writing an Irresistible Query. I especially liked the real-time query edit. Thanks Mary, for packing in so much good information before the big sleepover. Guess what just arrived at my door? Can’t wait to dive in.

Writing Irresistible Picture Books
by Mary Kole.

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Lorraine McCown @mcclowny.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

I love the originality of my idea stream and how I can easily connect seemingly unrelated things. also, rhyming comes naturally to me #KidLitChat

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