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@kidscanpress.bsky.social --they do the Franklin books, Scaredy Squirrel, Ashley Spires. And as of 2027 a Dime book! #kidlitchat

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Really, we should ALL try saying our titles at least once in the Muppets' "Pigs in Space" trailer voice! #kidlitchat

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Thanks! We went through a bunch of titles and landed exactly where we started. Titles can also be hard--so much is taken! #kidlitchat

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Thanks! Fortunately it sold, so it's now the press's problem! The dime isn't anthropomorphized, so it's the adventure of an inanimate object, and I think that's what's hard. It's called A DIME THROUGH TIME, which I prefer to say like the Muppets' PIGS IN SPACE! #kidlitchat

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I know someone who had a ms slid under their hotel door. Which means the author had to actually surreptitiously follow them back to their room without them noticing, as the hotel didn't share that info. Stalking: not the path to publication #kidlitchat

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Has anyone ever actually pitched an editor or agent in an elevator? I mean, if I were them I'd definitely be taking the stairs, just to avoid the awkwardness #kidlitchat

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Christiana Doucette @doucette515.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Pitches are HARD! I have a pb in 2027 that still needs a decent one. It traces a dime over 7 decades, through piggy banks and payphones, magic shows and magpie’s nests, all while measuring what it can buy in each era. And while that’s a punchy summary, I struggle to convey why it's fun. #kidlitchat

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

#KidLitChat Speaking of the pulse on publishing, what did folks here think of this article. Have you read it? Did you have strong thoughts one way or the other?

vickyweberbooks.substack.com

Middle Grade Is "Dead" And I Think That's Good News

I say this at conferences a lot.

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Read, read, read more--the best way to come back to a manuscript with fresh eyes is to get away from what you've been doing, and immerse yourself in others. Not just mentor texts but wildly different works which utilize different techniques, perspectives, and frames. #kidlitchat

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Gossip is a currency; does it help to know a certain press has a ban on cat stories? Yes! But it's not posted anywhere. PW sales reports, agent newsletters, and SCBWI talks are VERY useful. But hearing what friends are hearing from their agents and editors: that gossip is GOLD #kidlitchat

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Years of academic writing have made it clear to me how important it is to know when you're being precious about your work, versus being principled. Whether assessing your own work, or receiving feedback from others, understanding that distinction when revising is a strength #kidlitchat

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Apparently, school visits are down substantially. Grace Lin talks about how she used to do them regularly, and they've dried up. (See the podcast Book Friends Forever). #kidlitchat

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I have a picture book THE STORY OF A DIME coming out in 2027 (illus Udayana Lugo; Kids Can Press). The idea came while rolling all of the loose change my children found in jars and bowls at my dad's house. #kidlitchat

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If you're interested, there's a Facebook group for traditionally published authors titled "Children's Book Marketing that Works"--I accidentally became an admin a few years ago. Accidentally doing things is one of my greatest skills. #kidlitchat

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Troy Wilson @troystory.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Not a topic, but an idea: remember children's birthday parties in the party room at McDonald's? I want bookstores to have party rooms for adults, with books and Happy Hour instead of toys and Happy Meals. #kidlitchat

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

I want to normalize EVERYONE reading picture books. Not because I am a picture book writer. But because I am a picture book READER - and a childless one, at that. But alas, even my own family only reads my picture books and no one else's. They're missing out - and so are too many others.

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

Stephanie Gibeault @stephaniegibeault.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I'll be teaching a webinar on crafting irresistible nonfiction book proposals this Saturday, March 14, for the @scbwicanadaeast.bsky.social Digging Deeper series! Join me at 1 pm ET or register for the recording. More information can be found here: www.scbwi.org/events/craft... #kidlit #CanKidLit

graphic detailing a writing course about nonfiction book proposals with the SCBWI Canada East chapter

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Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

Try asking the IG account "My Old Books" which helps people find titles they've forgotten. #kidlitchat www.instagram.com/myoldbooks/

instagram.com

Instagram

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Matt Forsythe's picture book POKKO AND THE DRUM reminds us that if you keep eating the other members of the band, they'll kick you out #kidlitchat

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I mean, after Jon Klassen's THE SKULL, where a little girl grinds the bones of her enemy and burns them to ashes while making herself a cup of tea.... #kidlitchat

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Do you know Antje Damm's picture books? I also really like Baek Hee-na, Soyeon Kim, Red Nose Studio, and Elly Mackay. I have a manuscript I built dioramas for, but I have other things on sub, so it has to wait! #kidlitchat

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I'm giving an online talk for SCBWI - Canada East in March (open to all SCBWI members) about picture books where characters who get eaten. Interesting enough?! #kidlitchat

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It's an undergrad creative writing course, so most of them are not focusing on pbs--but it gives me the opportunity to walk them through the submissions process, pitches, etc., which will be useful regardless of their genre! #kidlitchat

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I have a quirky graphic novel ms, but everyone seems to want them with illustrators attached. So it languishes, since my stick people will not cut it. I envy your illustration skills! Crossing fingers you GNs find a home soon!

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Katie Slivensky @kslivensky.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I was modelling for my students how I come up with picture book ideas. So I tossed out a REALLY ridiculous idea. Then, of course, I had to write it and revise it, as part of the exercise. For fun, I made it SOOO over the top, because how could I not? And now... I think it might sell?! #kidlitchat

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

In these times it can feel like writing low selling children's books isn't the biggest help for the world, but then I remember the kid I've never met many timezones away who reads This Wolf Was Different each night before bed as their comfort book, and I remember... it's helping someone's world. ❤️

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, it's worth remembering that writing for children is a hopeful act. It's a way of nurturing and supporting the growth and emotional needs of children. I'm all for celebrating acts of hope #kidlitchat

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Want to pick a timely name for a protagonist? Or convince the largest volume of grandparents to buy a book, because the protagonist shares the same name as a beloved grandchild? Check the Social Security Baby Name tracker. #kidlitchat www.ssa.gov/oact/babynam...

ssa.gov

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

Owlkids Publishing @owlkids.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Some of our books are on the Children's Book Council Winter 2026 Showcase: Dream A Little Dream 🌙 THE MIDNIGHT CLUB MOON POPS ELEANOR’S MOON WHO NEEDS THE DARK? THE KEEPER OF STARS Thank you to the Children's Book Council for featuring us amongst a lovely list 💙 #Winter2026Showcase #CBCShowcase

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

Owlkids Publishing @owlkids.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

‼️ IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY 🎂 (and a big one) ‼️ We're kicking it off with our #AnniversaryLogoReveal, featuring OWL's original Owl! 🦉 Stay tuned all year for fun content ... we look forward to celebrating with you! ❤️🎉 #Birthday #Anniversary #50 #50Years #OWL #1976 #2026

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

I'm thinking of taking a specialized university course in children's book marketing and publicity--maybe I'll develop expertise, or maybe I'll recognize we're all just throwing spaghetti at the wall #Kidlitchat

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Reposted by Jennifer Harris

Kate Messner @katemessner.com · 15/12/2025

I have a few openings on my School Librarian Advisory Team for 2026 – if you're interested in taking the occasional survey, getting early copies of new books, & taking a peek behind the scenes of making kids’ books, it might be a good fit for you & your readers! Details: forms.gle/mkA9L5EuvjTu...

forms.gle

Kate Messner's School Librarian Advisory Team

With recent shifts in social media, support for libraries, and school budgets, it feels more challenging than ever to connect kids with books they’ll love. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how au...

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

I took a publishing course this fall, and learned that while editors say they don't care about social media, publishing and marketing do--and they have a more significant voice at acquisitions than many realize. #KidLitChat

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Jennifer Harris @mypbjam.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Someone made me a custom button of one of my book covers for its launch, and it was so sweet. If you want to buy an author a gift, what about an enamel pin with their favourite book cover? Or jewellery of the same? Etsy is great for this! #kidlitchat

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I tell my university students that all the research they do may not make it into their essays, but it still enriches them in tangible ways. I feel the same way about things that need to be excised from a picturebook ms. #kidlitchat

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I feel kind of guilty saying it, but for me at least the structure of a picture book feels somewhat inevitable once you have the idea. There's something about the shape of the idea or the narrative style that demands a certain form #kidlitchat

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I recently floated a suggestion to another writer that there's a difference between being precious about your writing, and being principled. I think working with editors works best when you learn the difference, in order to produce the best product #kidlitchat

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