Leah Schanke | Award-winning Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
@leahschanke.bsky.social
Award-winning multicultural children’s book author | LeahSchanke.com | 2025 Debut #picturebook illustrated by @Obohdraws.bksy.social. Member of Authors Guild, PAL member of #SCBWI, and LongIslandAuthorsGroup.org. (She/her)
Excellent query letter tips. #amwriting #amquerying
Curtis Brown Creative@cbcreative.bsky.social · last mo.So, you've finished your manuscript and are eager to share your work with literary agents. How do you write the perfect pitch letter to a literary agent? 🤔 Here are CBC founder Anna Davis' top tips on how to make your submission pitch letter stand out from the pack:
Opportunity for unagented submissions. #kidlt #amwriting #amquerying
Tackling tough topics in #picturebooks? Yes we can! Loved diving into this with @kellipanique.bsky.social. @12x12challenge.bsky.social @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social #kidlit #PB #amwriting #ownvoices #mentortexts #FreedomAtDawn #12x12PB #historicalfiction #booksky
12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · last mo.Can kid readers handle tough topics? @leahschanke.bsky.social thinks so. That's why she wrote #picturebook Freedom at Dawn. @kellipanique.bsky.social asks Leah for tips on making tough topics kid-friendly. 12x12challenge.com/p... #blackhistorymonth #amwriting #kidlit #12x12pb #booksky
Last call for pre-orders! RAVEN, RISING by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), cover art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw)(Heartdrum, summer 2026). Ages 8-up. @harperkids.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social #KidLit
Elated to share that FREEDOM AT DAWN, was awarded Primary Nonfiction Honor Book in the ILA 2026 Book Awards. www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literac... @albertwhitman.bsky.social #kidlit #schoollibrarians #PB #amwriting #FreedomAtDawn #libraries #collectiondevelopment #12x12 #booksky
ILA's Blog
Literacy Daily is a space to connect educators, students, and leaders with the latest news, ideas, tools, strategies, and research in literacy instruction.
literacyworldwide.org
Download the 12 x 12 Poetry Playbook for Picture Book Writers! #PB #amwriting #kidlit
12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · last mo.Poetry and Picture Books go together like PB&J! Discover how to make this winning combo work for you with our free download! Poetry Playbook for Picture Book Writers: 12x12challenge.com/p... #amwriting #poetry #picturebook #kidlit #writingforkids
In celebration of Juneteenth, listen to my NPR station interview with award-winning reporter Gianna Volpe as we discuss my debut picture book, Freedom At Dawn. www.wliw.org/radio/captiv... #kidlit #PB #ownvoices #booksky #schoollibrarians #FreedomAtDawn #libraries #collectiondevelopment
February 18th, 2026 – Leah Schanke | Heart of the East End | WLIW-FM
Leah Schanke joins Heart of The East End Gianna Volpe on WLIW-FM to discuss her debut children’s book, Freedom At Dawn: Robert Smalls’s Voyage Out of Slavery amid Black History Month Listen to the pla...
wliw.org
👩🏻🏫📚👥Going to the NJ SCBWI conference this Sun, June 7? I’m presenting two workshops—Secret Writing Tricks, and Let’s Chat About Swag: Recommended Practices for Picture Book Promo. Hope to see you if you go! #SCBWINJ @simonkids.bsky.social @fannyliem.bsky.social @penguinkids.bsky.social #ThaiMyPhuong
A reminder to please join me at the Storytime Stage at Long Island's largest literary event, the Gold Coast Book Fair, on Sunday May 17th, 10:30 - 11:00 am in downtown Oyster Bay, Long Island. #bookfest #longisland #GoldCoastBookFair #booksky #authors #kidlit
Leah Schanke | Award-winning Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN@leahschanke.bsky.social · 4mo agoPlease join me at the Gold Coast Book Fair on Sunday May 17th at 10:30 am at the Storytime Stage in downtown Oyster Bay, Long Island, as I share my debut #picturebook, Freedom at Dawn. #booksky #kidlit #PB #ownvoices #diversebooks #schoollibrarians #12x12PB #FreedomAtDawn #libraries #bookbirthday
Join me at Long Island's largest literary event, the Gold Coast Book Fair, on May 17. I will share my debut picture book, Freedom at Dawn at the Storytime Stage in downtown Oyster Bay, NY at 10:30 am. www.goldcoastforum.org/goldcoastboo... #bookfest #longisland #booksky #ownvoices #PB
Book Fair 2026 — Gold Coast Forum
goldcoastforum.org
Submission opportunity for #kidlit writers. #amwriting #picturebooks #chilldrensbooks
Chronicle Books@chroniclebooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago📣We are thrilled to announce that for a limited time, we are accepting manuscript submissions for children's books!📚 The submission period is May 3-17, 2026‼️ Visit 🔗chroniclebooks.com/submissions for more details. We can't wait to hear from you!🩵
Please join me at the Gold Coast Book Fair on Sunday May 17th at 10:30 am at the Storytime Stage in downtown Oyster Bay, Long Island, as I share my debut #picturebook, Freedom at Dawn. #booksky #kidlit #PB #ownvoices #diversebooks #schoollibrarians #12x12PB #FreedomAtDawn #libraries #bookbirthday
84 Specialized Manuscript Publishers Open to Submissions authorspublish.com/84-specializ... #SubOp
» 84 Specialized Manuscript Publishers Open to Submissions
authorspublish.com
We're continuing our First Pages Events! 💥In the body of the email, submit your first page (no more than 300 words) to queryconundrum@gmail.com 💥Join us March 25th at 7:00 Eastern Time on Youtube @literarylenspodcast We will read as many submissions as we can! #queryhelp #firstpages #literaryagent
Thank you @christymatthes.bsky.social for posting my guest blog at the fourth annual #RateYourStory March On With Mentor Texts event. #kidlit #booksky #PB #ownvoices #mentortexts #MOWMT #amreading #picturebooks #diversebooks #12x12PB #schoollibrarians #amwriting #collectiondevelopment
Christy Matthes | Kidlit Writer@christymatthes.bsky.social · 5mo ago
Let’s show that Americans love their libraries! Like, follow, and share! #library #libraries #read #reading #book #books #librarylove #author #publiclibrary #literature #lit
It's an honor to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth with my 12x12 Picture Book Podcast interview. #Kidlit #booksky #librarians #publiclibraries #collectiondevelopment #historicalfiction #FreedomAtDawn #amwriting @12x12challenge.bsky.social @obohdraws.bsky.social 12x12challenge.com/podcast-leah...
Podcast: Leah Schanke: Making History Kid-Friendly
Author Leah Schanke shares why sharing the tough parts of history with young readers is not only possible but necessary.
12x12challenge.com
Congratulations! Freedom Braids, illustrated by @obohdraws.bsky.social and written by Monique Duncan, was named a 2025 Américas Award Honor Book by the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP). #Kidlit #booksky #librarians #publiclibraries #collectiondevelopment #BlackHistoryMonth
Thank you @karinkidlit.bsky.social for the wonderful book review! #Kidlit #picturebook #booksky #librarians #publiclibraries #collectiondevelopment #historicalfiction #FreedomAtDawn #ReadYourWorldDay #BlackHistroyMonth @albertwhitman.bsky.social @obohdraws.bsky.social @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
Karin Fisher-Golton@karinkidlit.bsky.social · 6mo agoMy #ReadYourWorld Day review of Freedom at Dawn: Robert Smalls's Voyage Out of Slavery, written by @leahschanke.bsky.social, illustrated by @obohdraws.bsky.social, & published by @albertwhitman.bsky.social. A #picturebook that's perfect for #BlackHistoryMonth. karinfisher-golton.com/2026/02/10/f...
Like, follow, and share if you love libraries, literacy, and books!
#Scholarship opportunity! Apply by Nov 30! I'm honored to be among these published authors. The manuscript I sent with my 2021 #12x12PB scholarship application led to my 2025 debut #picturebook, FREEDOM AT DAWN, beautifully illustrated by Oboh Moses. #kidlit #amquerying #amwriting #booksky
12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 9mo agoOver 44 picture books by 12 x 12 Scholarship Winners have been published! Are you next? Apply for a 12 x 12 Financial Need or Diversity Scholarship TODAY! Deadline 11/30/25. www.12x12challenge.c... #amwriting #amreading #picturebook #kidlit #booksky #12x12PB #scholarship
Is it okay to nudge? Of course. But keep your emotions in check. If you're losing it after 3-6 months of not hearing from an agent, how are you going to handle 1+ years of no response from editors once you're on sub? I know it's hard, but be cool, calm, and collected. #querytip #writers #amquerying
I'm happy to share this can't-miss exciting opportunity for all #amwriting. Live POV Teaching Call on October 1st (you will get the recording). Included is one month free access to Insiders Coaching Club for the month of October. #kidlit #amquerying writingblueprints.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZ...
NEW WORKSHOP: Mastering Point of View
A full workshop + one month of followup coaching!
writingblueprints.acemlnb.com
Hope everyone had a good summer. Placing this talented group of #kidlit authors on your radar. Stay tuned for more to come from @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social! #booksky #pbcreativecrew #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
Picture Book Creative Crew@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · last yr.Introducing…the Picture Book Creative Crew - a bunch of KidLit creatives with books sailing your way soon! #booksky #pbcreativecrew #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
Woo-hoo! I'm delighted to announce this upcoming book with from @simonkids.bsky.social @steamteambooks.bsky.social @publisherswkly.bsky.social #edusky #kidlit
PB Creative Crew has new members! With so much talent and heart in this group, I'm honored to be a member! @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social #picturebooks #kidlit #booksky #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
Picture Book Creative Crew@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · last yr.Introducing…the Picture Book Creative Crew - a bunch of KidLit creatives with books sailing your way soon! #booksky #pbcreativecrew #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
While we're waiting for Alexia Andoni's #debut #picturebook, you can find her work in the What Is a Family? anthology. I'm looking forward to her lyrical stories! @alexiaandoni.bsky.social @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social #kidlit #booksky #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
Picture Book Creative Crew@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · last yr.Up Next...#pbcreativecrew member @alexiaandoni.bsky.social. Alexia is Mama to 1 dog, 2 cats, and 3 children. She has a poem in the anthology WHAT IS A FAMILY? edited by Wong & Vardell. Follow for more about her #debut soon. #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky #booksky
There's still time to submit to #SmallPitch. Deadline is July 8, 11:59 pm EDT. #amwriting #amquerying
#SmallPitch@smallpitch.org · last yr.The #SmallPitch pitch submission window is now OPEN for 48 hours! Key reminders: - Unagented writers only - Finished manuscripts only - One pitch per manuscript only - Up to 3 manuscripts per writer - No hashtags in your pitch - Comps & emojis are okay - Check our website for full guidelines & FAQ
My talented crew member @karengebbia.bsky.social gives her all to everything she does. I'm so excited for her upcoming #picturebooks! @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social #picturebookauthor #debutauthor #kidlit #booksky #childrensbooks #naturalist #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky
Picture Book Creative Crew@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · last yr.Please welcome our next #pbcreativecrew member... @karengebbia.bsky.social! Karen has two #picturebooks coming from @nancyrosep.bsky.social/ @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social. Stay tuned for more! #debutauthor #picturebookauthor #childrensbooks #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky #booksky
