There's an interesting paradox: The more specific you get with your character's emotional world, the bigger and more universal your book feels to a reader. Reach for the exact, specific feeling--or combination of feelings--for that exact moment.

i feel like if you post a negative goodreads review where you say a young adult book felt like it was written for young people, you should have to pay a fine or something.

Truly feeling like the Millennial I am Googling things like "do teenagers say the word 'dude,'" "do teenagers smoke cigarettes anymore," etc. for this revision. How am I simultaneously 30 and 12 and 1,000 years old

over the course of my life i've heard many many people say "it's too bad hitler didn't find success as an artist, maybe this could have all been avoided" and rowling really gives the lie to that

s. e. smith@sesmith.lol · last mo.

The fact that J.K. Rowling successfully bullied Amnesty International into taking down a report that accurately called out her attack on trans people, especially trans women, is so repulsive and such a display of the power of her money, and her choice to put her vast fortune behind persecution.

🏳️‍⚧️ “One of the Boys" by Victoria Zeller

The scale of disinformation about trans people is breathtakingly painful. These moral panics are orchestrated by institutions that seek to normalise transphobic segregation. We must continue to challenge media, political, legal rhetoric that erodes trans lives under the guise of “defending biology.”

Katelyn Burns@katelynburns.com · 2mo ago

The trans sports ban are almost completely an invention of the media, conservative and mainstream. it has been years of lies, of shoddy fact checking on just completely false conservative claims, years of phony concern trolling.

I keep seeing "all authors use AI, the real issue is they're being forced to be sneaky about it" headlines. Full stop No. This is a lie peddled for normalization. It's schoolyard-level pressure tactics "C'mon, all the cool kids are already doing it. We won't tell. It's fine. We're on your side."

I'm trying to get more into reading publishing substacks, especially in the children's space! Any recs for me? Feel free to plug yourself 😊

Anthony Stewart Head will always be a real one for this. RIP www.thepinknews.com/2019/12/20/a...

Heartwarming story of Buffy's Giles going out of his way for a young trans fan

Tired: J.K. Rowling supporting a woman with anti-trans views. Wired: Buffy actor Anthony Stewart-Head quietly going above and beyond for his trans fans.

thepinknews.com

😂😂😂

idk guys when i see a lot of similar headlines insisting that editors & authors are all already embracing AI, i don't assume these things are true. i assume there are a lot of very rich people with an unpopular product pushing a particular narrative in my industry!

Everyone pony the fuck fpr the librarian who just got sacked for refusing to remove LGBTQ books from the kids' section of the library.

That Librarian: Amanda Jones@librarianjones.com · 5mo ago

This is a verified GoFundMe for librarian Luanne James from the Rutherford County Library Alliance. gofund.me/f7704eb98 Read what happened to this hero: www.newschannel5.com/news/rutherf...

As president of @authorsabb.bsky.social, I stand with all 10 toes down against this first of its kind federal book banning bigoted bullsh*t bill. It's a Trojan Horse for the federal gov't to weasel its way into our classrooms, and decide what YOU and YOUR kids can read. In short, I hate it.

EveryLibrary@everylibrary.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Hi, @maggietokudahall.bsky.social! We wanted to know if you’d heard about the federal book banning bill that’s been proposed, HR 7661, because we imagined you might have some thoughts or opinions about it? action.everylibrary.org/callhr7661

This is not a joke. Thyme Travellers: An Anthology of Palestinian Speculative Fiction will be an ongoing series! And we’re open to submissions for the second volume starting today: soniasulaiman.com/thyme-travel...

I'm acquiring middle grade and young adult fiction for Peachtree and Peachtree Teen! Especially looking for horror, mystery/thrillers, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary, and romance. Authors and agents, check out my #mswl 📖

I can't stress this enough. Being a great writer requires you being an enthusiastic reader. Read in your genre and out of it. (Yeah, even those kinds of books you swear aren't for you occassionally. You might be surprised.) Devour as much as you can.

They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn. Erasure. Just like the Nazis. gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...

Trump administration removes Rainbow Flag from Stonewall National Monument

The Trump administration removed a large Rainbow Flag from a flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument, the National Park Service confirmed to Gay City News

gaycitynews.com

Remember if you watch this show or buy this merch, no trans person will like or trust you ever again. Sorry but those are the rules.

preternia@preternia.com · 6mo ago

Hasbro and Warner Bros. Discovery have signed a multi-year deal starting in 2027 to produce Harry Potter film and television series dolls, role play, action figures, collectibles, interactive plush, board games, and more to be revealed later this year - bwnews.pr/45UKdKL

Last night with no warning, RFK Jr. cancelled up to $2 billion in funding for mental health and substance abuse research and programs administered through SAMHSA. He and his minions did so because “they no longer believe the defunded programs align with the Trump administration's priorities”.

Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants

The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.

npr.org

My book is an Indie Ink nominee! I’m so glad my little queer, disabled stories are resonating with people, and it would mean the world to me if you can head to indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-... and cast your vote for: ✨best cover ✨best disability rep by a disabled author ✨best mental health rep

I know it's a tad early but I know those bitches with the buckets will be out soon. Don't gove them a penny. The volunteers may not know but the salvation army is no ally and actively combative and harmful to many queer minorities especially during the holiday season

This needs more attention: Zohran SPLIT the straights with Cuomo. ALL of his margin was from LGBTQ+ voters. Every Dem who ever said “we should abandon the transes” needs this shoved down their fucking throat with a ramrod.

Hey agents: I just sent out a big updated MSWL blast following my move from Holiday House to Peachtree. If I missed you, please DM with your email address and I'll get that to you! You can also find this info on the website linked in my bio 🎃👻

This incredible book is out today, and on bi visibility day no less!!! It has been the absolute honor to edit this literally jaw-dropping book that you should run out and buy right away if you haven't yet 🌊🧭✨💞

Amanda MacGregor@amandamacgregor.bsky.social · 11mo ago

YOU’RE HERE AND YOU EXIST: Exploring Bisexuality Representation in THIS RAGING SEA, a dark oceanic fantasy, a guest post by De Elizabeth teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2025/09/23/y... @tltkaren.bsky.social @wordsbyde.bsky.social

I’m writing more books!!! 🥹🥹🥹 So excited to announce my next YA novel, A DEATH KISSED SONG, coming Summer 2027. 🎻🕯️🎹🎧🪽 This one is so special to me. I can’t wait to tell you more about Cami and Evander. For now, let’s stare at this stunning art by MaeOwl 😍

The inimitable @kadedishmon.bsky.social's queer horror novella HERE FOR A GOOD TIME published today via Chain Letter! I could agent for a thousand years & never gush enough about how beautiful, haunting, and crucial Kade's writing is, or how proud I am to be his agent. 💕 substack.com/home/post/p-...

Here for a Good Time

Three strangers attempt to out-run the killer hunting them on Interstate 80.

substack.com

The news is out! I have officially made the exciting move to Peachtree / Peachtree Teen 🍑 My email address will be changing shortly, but my Holiday House email will still forward to my new point of contact. You'll see me in your inboxes soon with an updated MSWL and submissions info, agents ✨

✨AND THE TREES STARE BACK by @gigigriffis.bsky.social releases in 1 week, so don't forget to order a copy ✨ This gripping anti-imperialist YA folk horror is a raw, honest, and deeply human tale of hope and survival in the face of political dehumanization. I love it, and I hope you will too!

HEY I bet you need a creepy genre-bender involving haunted swampy woods! and you're in luck bc this one is weird and great and comes out in 10 days! I got to yell about it **officially**, as you can see on the back cover 💅💀 Thanks for the copy, @kadedishmon.bsky.social!