iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Huge thanks to @yaoyaomavanas.bsky.social and Jade Rector for the beautiful cover art and design! x

Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

In case you didn't know: Preorders are important for #debut authors like me because it shows bookstores & my publisher that my novels belong in this world and will allow me to keep writing books. You can also ask your library to preorder & request it for checkout! Preorder link is in in my bio 📚

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Synopsis: Sixth grader April Xue loves acting and would do anything for the spotlight, but the school's #theater director won't cast her in a play because she has a #disability. April learns to confront her insecurities and hatches a plan to prove to everyone that she deserves a fair shot 🌟

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to share that my debut #middlegrade novel, "Casting April," is now available for preorder ✨ It comes out on June 16 from @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social, which is truly a dream come true. So grateful to my team for believing in this book ♥️

The cover of "Casting April" with the text "Coming June 16, 2026, from Penguin Random House, preorder now!"

Text says: "Casting April" features backstage drama, secrets that spin out of control, complex friendships, and a strong disabled main character. It's a heartwarming story about identity, big dreams, and the importance of believing in yourself.

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

That’s very helpful, thank you!!

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Reposted by Wendy Lu

Sarah Tuttle @niais.cryptoanarchy.network · 12/02/2025

Hello, it's me again! Please flip on your Alt Text reminder. How, you might ask? First, go to settings. You should see a list like this:

A screenshot of the Bluesky settings list. Each item has a relevant picture next to it. It includes Account, Privacy & security, moderation, content & media, appearance, accessibility, languages, help, and about.

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Haha yesss so true. I get a lot of my ideas when I’m in the shower or doing random tasks around the home (or on my commute!) #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

How do you like Plottr? I just downloaded it for a trial, but I haven’t started experimenting with it yet. I’ve watched a couple tutorials but I still feel slightly intimidated! #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Haha love this! I’m reading “The Renegade Reporters” by Elissa Brent Weissman and it also addresses digital privacy in similar ways. (It also talks about cookies!) Not sure if you’re planning to query, but it could be a good comp title! #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

I feel the same way lol. It’s hard for me to just listen to my own voice! If it weren’t for that, I’d probably use voice notes a lot more #KidLitChat

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Reposted by Wendy Lu

Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 12/02/2025

To sum up my answer to the @kidlitchat.bsky.social original topic, I think: I'm grateful that the technology exists to offer more accessibility options for those who find traditional methods of creating more of a challenge. ❤️ #kidlitchat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Very cool, Debbie! I’ll have to look into both of these tools #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

A belated hello to #KidLitChat! I need to add this weekly chat to my calendar so I don’t forget 😅 I started using #Scrivener a few years ago & it’s been a game changer. I wrote all drafts of my forthcoming debut novel on Scrivener. Amazing organizational tool designed for writers!

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Yes this is super helpful! I often think of ideas when I’m doing random things around the apartment. This is a good reminder to actually jot them down lol

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I haven’t written a single word of my WIP since I’ve been recovering from RSV and pneumonia. I’m still not 100% but I miss writing, so I hope to jump back into those pages soon. Any tips for restarting a writing routine? #kidlit #amwriting

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Thank you for sharing, Sara! 💛

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Reposted by Wendy Lu

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

The Remarkable Normalcy of Living With a #Disability and in Being In Love. In a new essay collection, the influencer couple Shane and Hannah Burcaw peel back the layers of “interabled” relationships, including their own, by @wendyluwrites.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/w... via @nytimes.com

nytimes.com

The Remarkable Normalcy of Being Disabled and in Love

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Enjoy your parental leave, Sara! I am so happy for you and look forward to reading all of your updates 💛💛

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 19/01/2024

There's a misconception that children's literature is less compelling or important. It's not true. Even if we think kids aren't ready to talk about difficult things, the reality is that they're already witnessing and experiencing them. Books can help them understand & process their daily lives.

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Had a great time chatting with so many awesome writers during #KidLitChat! I love how active the kidlit community is on here. Thanks for hosting @gregpincus.bsky.social @bonnieadamson.com, and Happy New Year, everyone! ✨

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Resolutions aren't for everyone! That's a great intention. I feel like a lot of people struggle with being too hard on themselves (including myself!). #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

It can be tough, especially during the holidays and other busy periods of the year. I definitely end up missing days...it's inevitable. But I give credit to my writing group and accountability partners for keeping me going 💪🏼 #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Ooh it runs in the family! That's so true, I remember I'd spend hours just messing around with code and refreshing webpages to see what my changes looked like. #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

That is very cool! When I was younger, I taught myself HTML and CSS using Neopets (any OG neopets players out there?). But it's been so long, I don't think I remember much coding now. #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Oh that's great! Yeah we recently got our boosters too. #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

That is going to mean so much to the authors of those books! Can't wait to see what you come up with. Also, food is 100% a love language ❤️ #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Oh my gosh I'm getting hungry just looking at all of these recipes, and I already had dinner! (But not dessert...hehe). Also, you have a really cool website. Going to bookmark for browsing later! #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Yeah, my partner and I had to do that back in August when he got Covid. Will keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼 #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Hibernating sounds like a good plan. The only nice thing about February is Lunar New Year, and I will most likely be able to stay with my parents that week. A bright spot in an otherwise bleak month ❤️ #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Oh wow that's so cool you used to make recipes for book launches!! Do you have a favorite you've made? And what a cute hashtag #KidLitConfections #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Oh nooo, so sorry to hear that! Hope you stay safe and healthy! #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Love the idea of "wintering gently." I'm going to keep that in mind especially for February, which tends to be one of the gloomiest months (at least for me). #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Wow all of that is so exciting! Sounds like you have a busy year ahead! #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

Oh this is a good one!! I need to remind myself of this as well. *scribbles down a sticky note* #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

I totally get it. Winter is the hardest time to write! Especially after #NaNoWriMo has just ended (or is about to end, around Thanksgiving). #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

I might need to use word goals on certain days when I'm just not feeling it (to make sure I don't simply resort to "researching" for 30 min). I started using time goals last year when I was focused on revisions. #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

I totally agree! I started doing the same thing last year. Instead of resolving to "get an agent," I resolved to "write 20 min every day in order to finish my novel" and "query at least 5 agents." Magically, I did end up signing with an agent after querying last year! Miracles happen! #KidLitChat

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Wendy Lu @wendyluwrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2024

That's so exciting about your indie debut! And amazing goals. You've got this!!

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