PRINTZ Awards! @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social and @adinaking.bsky.social!! Congratulations!!!!! @vcfa.bsky.social
Varian Johnson
@varianjohnson.bsky.social
I used to design bridges but now I write books. My novels include TWINS, THE PARKER INHERITANCE, THE GREAT GREENE HEIST & PLAYING THE CARDS YOU'RE DEALT. VCFA/OU. He/Him. http://linktr.ee/varianjohnson
VCFA residencies happen twice per year on the CalArts campus AND online. For the past several semesters I've done residency online & it's a lovely, robust experience with lots of strong community vibes. There are Cloud-only events (workshop, seminars) & hybrid events with campus folk (lectures, etc)
New scholarships available for incoming students in the Writing for Children & Young Adults low-residency MFA program at VFCA (where I teach), funded by kid lit legend Katherine Paterson. Thinking about applying? I'm happy to chat! vcfa.edu/admissions/v...
“ALSC is proud to announce that the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture will take place at the Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, Minnesota." www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/08... #KidLit
Yet. Another. Fake. Literary. Agency: Writers Literary. Among other things, totally false claims about authors and books repped, and images of supposed staff are stock photos. They're sending out fake publishing offers to writers writersliterary.com
Writers Literary
writersliterary.com
You may know this, but they're reissuing Slice of Cherry in June and the redesigned cover is going to really sell it to a new generation.
It's time to par-tee! ⛳️ Father's Day is this Sunday!
I was asked today what my best publishing advice is: You have no idea how close you are to achieving your goal, but the only guarantee is that if you give up now, you’ll never get there. Keep going!
New book alert! Signed LITTLE BIG MAN by @varianjohnson.bsky.social and @reggiebrownart.bsky.social is waiting in the @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social! Give culturally diverse books (like this one) to culturally diverse communities through #read4unity. Go to read4unity.com/give $5=1 book!
Happy Thursday! A new episode of the Book Fiare Podcsst is out now, featuring an insightful interview with @varianjohnson.bsky.social Listen now on Spotify or wherever podcasts are found. #Podcast #kidlit open.spotify.com/episode/5eOU...
An Interview with Varian Johnson | The Book Faire: May 8, 2025
The Book Faire Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
“Now that I look back, I realize how blessed I was to be able to spend so much time with my father”: Varian Johnson reflects on his own relationship with his father, in a conversation with Reggie Brown on their new picture book ‘Little Big Man’ buff.ly/wosAlUi
Congratulations @katemessner.com
Jennifer Laughran@literaticat.bsky.social · last yr.Happy Pub Day to @katemessner.com and THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES! ⭐ PW: "Moving and profoundly funny" ⭐ Kirkus: "An adventurous work whose authentic voice celebrates the outdoors and everyday heroism." ⭐ Booklist: "A gently reflective, bittersweet, and redemptive story." bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Congratulations, @lakitawilson.bsky.social!!!
Children's Bookshelf@pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social · last yr.★ Lakita Wilson “highlights topics of financial inequity, privilege, and community” in her YA novel PRETTY GIRL COUNTY, “a powerful tale of first love and second-chance friendship” buff.ly/SUVdjyr
Join Coretta Scott King Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor-winning author @varianjohnson.bsky.social on May 5th discussing LITTLE BIG MAN, a heartwarming father-son story about the importance of stepping up... and finding time to play. More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...
It's beyond surreal, but here we are: the US Supreme Court is discussing the imaginary threat posed by queer families and kids being included in a handful of story books. Thanks to Sarah Brennan for this brilliant editorial cartoon. Oral arguments will take place April 22.
After working on this book for years, I'm excited that LITTLE BIG MAN, my debut picture book with @reggiebrownart.bsky.social, is almost out in stores. More details are coming soon concerning preorders, the tour, and other events, but for now, here's a bit from the book! youtu.be/QFh9_dYVTec?...
Varian Johnson presents LITTLE BIG MAN
YouTube video by Brodart Co.
youtu.be
ATTN Readers! Find out how to support libraries & library personnel in 2025 at the ALSC Blog: Pursuing Excellence for Library Service to Children: www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/02... #kidlit #libraries #picturebooks #librarians @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social @aaslala.bsky.social @wearealsc.bsky.social
The Texas Institute of Letters has announced the winners of 12 Annual TIL Literary Awards. This year, TIL will award these writers and 2 other recipients a total of $39,000 in prizes at the TIL Awards Ceremony in Brownsville on April 26. The TIL is a nonprofit Honor Society founded in 1936. #booksky
Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ people, report finds
Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ people, report finds
Study counteracts claims by conservative lawmakers that books being removed from classrooms are sexually explicit The majority of banned books in US public schools last year dealt with people of color, LGBTQ+ people and other demographics, according to a…
theguardian.com
@varianjohnson.bsky.social www.woodtv.com/news/grand-r...
Nearly 1,200 5th graders find love for reading with One Book, One City
A longstanding partnership between the Grand Rapids Public Library and Grand Rapids Public Schools aims to help fifth graders find a love for reading and set them up for future academic success.
woodtv.com
Recently finished Playing the Cards You're Dealt by @varianjohnson.bsky.social Really lovely #mglit story that manages to tackle serious issues like parental alcoholism while also being about family, friendship, and spades. The narrator is excellent and adds a lot of humor. Recommended! #tlsky
@varianjohnson.bsky.social Daniel Isles, John Ridley, @josevillarrubia.bsky.social @yayforzig.bsky.social Federico Vicentini, @davidfwalker.bsky.social @thesteveorlando.bsky.socialJD Faith, John Lewis, @andrewaydin.bsky.social @natepowell.bsky.social Sanford Greene, Chuck Brown, and James Spooner
So excited when friends like @marimancusi.bsky.social and @annewynter.bsky.social visit my kid’s school!
I’m Varian. He’s Reggie. Our upcoming picture book, LITTLE BIG MAN, publishes in May. Hope you check it out! @reggiebrownart.bsky.social
