Author | Lightnews

Claribel A. Ortega

@claribelortega.com

5K followers 270 following 370 posts

NYT Best-selling raccoon enthusiast 🦝 Witchlings 4: Scepter of Memories out 9.16.25 I wrote Ghost Squad, the Witchlings series & the Eisner & Pura Belpré winning graphic novel Frizzy 🐓 https://linktr.ee/claribelortega

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · 23d

Good luck!!!

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · 23d

Oooo love this

Alexandra Z. Lazar @alexandrazlazar.bsky.social · 23d

FROZENxWICKED

To free-spirited 13y/o Harriet, living Happily Ever After as a queen feels horrible. But if she unleashes her powers to break free of the Book of Fate, she’ll break the kingdom. Can she embrace her true self even if it means defying her sister, the Fairy Godmother?

#DVpit #MG #F #ND

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · 23d

Ahhhh good luck !

Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · 23d

GOOD LUCK!!!!

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 23d

Halfway into #DVpit 2025 & we've been trending all day!
Not only are we seeing great pitches, but great community!
Special shout out to our board @peterlopez.bsky.social @katchowrites.bsky.social @claribelortega.com
If you have any questions, check out dvpit.carrd.co
#writersky #booksky #artistsky

#DVPit Rules
-#DVpit (Diverse Voices Pitch) is a Bluesky event for marginalized creators that have been historically underrepresented in publishing to pitch their work to agents & editors
-Post your pitch on Bluesky on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
between 8AM ET - 8PM ET
-Only post once per hour (6 max pitches per project)
-Must have a polished, query ready manuscript or art portfolio.
-Pitch must include the #DVpit hashtag (illustrators pitching their art must use the #DVArt hashtag)
-A like from an agent = a query request
-A repost from an editor = interest in submission once you've signed with an agent
-A like from an editor = editor who takes unagented submissions
-Please do not like or repost a pitch if you are not an agent or an editor. Support other creators by replying to their pitch or
quote-reposting their pitches
-Visit dvpit.carrd.co for more detailed guidelines.

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 23d

#DVpit is trending as the #1 hashtag right now! Despite our technical difficulties you all are doing amazing!

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Sep 29

This sound cool! I’d say this currently reads more like a description than a pitch. My fav pitch formats are who is the mc, what is the conflict, and what happens if they fail? You can also have one that’s more character driven too but it needs to tell us a bit more about the story. Best of luck!

Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Sep 29

Hiya! Good start but I think this needs some clarity on what the conflict and stakes are. See if the last sentence can be clearer in terms of stakes. What exactly happens if Anya fails? Smaller note: the two buts in the opening tripped me up a bit, think you can make that smoother. Good luck!

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · Sep 29

Today is #PreDV, the pitch practice event before #DVpit! Post your pitch drafts with #preDV from 8AM-8PM ET

Post as many pitches or revisions as you need feedback on!

Provide feedback for other participants on their pitches & make new friends!

more info at dvpit.carrd.co #writersky

#PreDV
September 29, 2025 from 8AM-8PM ET
Practice your #DVpit pitches using #preDV!
Give fellow #DVpit hopefuls feedback on their pitches.
Got o dvpit.carrd.co for more info

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

rose b. ➡️ SBCF @rosebdraws.bsky.social · Aug 20

what a relief 🥀

#comics #diarycomics

b&w comic strip. title reads: if this heart could talk
panel 1: "you loved me" one hand holds a daisy, the other plucks a petal

panel 2: "you loved me not" more petals are plucked

panel 3: "you never loved me" one hand balls into a fist, crushing the daisy, scattering the petals

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Aug 20

A Slow Burn Life
open.substack.com/pub/claribel...

#writing #personalessay #authorsky

A Slow Burn Life

Loving in the in-between

open.substack.com

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Jul 24

First substack post 🤗
open.substack.com/pub/claribel...

Why I Write About Friends & Rats

Definitive proof that I am a word witch

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

Jen @popgoesthereader.bsky.social · Jul 22

🌟 From treasure hunts to survival stories, fantastical odysseys to cross-country road trips, these 75 2025 middle grade books are sure to take readers on an adventure they won't forget! 🌟
popgoesthereader.com/75-2025-midd... #BookSky #KidLit #MGLit

A compilation of 21 book covers of middle grade books being published in 2025. Books featured include Will's Race For Home, Chloe Vega and The Agents of Magic, Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest, Time Lions and The Chrono-Loop, A Hero's Guide To Summer Vacation, At The Edge of Lost, The Treasure of Ocean Parkway, Inside The Park, One Wrong Step, The Bloodstone Thief, The Princess Swap, Asterwood, Vanya and The Wild Hunt, An Encantadora's Guide To Monstros and Magic, Encounter At Owl Rock, Keepers of the Marsh, Maggie and The Story Shadows, Confessions of a Junior Spy, Press 1 For Invasion, Space Chasers and Ivy and Forest Rewrite The World.

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

Don Martin @bydonmartin.bsky.social · Jul 18

The Strand Bookstore @strandbookstore in New York, NY - August 29th

A Seriously Spooky YA panel featuring @ryanlasala.bsky.social @claribelortega.com and @megelison.bsky.social

Tickets here:

www.eventbrite.com/e/ya-panel-d...

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

Asian Author Alliance @asianauthors.bsky.social · Jul 7

If you loved K-Pop Demon Hunters, here are book recommendations by amazing Korean authors: K-Pop Themed, High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Contemporary, MG Fantasy, Mythology.
#kpopdemonhunters #bookrecommendation

Reading Recommendations if you loved watching K-Pop Demon Hunters

K-Pop Themed
Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
XOXO by Axie Oh
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
K-Pop Confidential by Stephan Lee
Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
Wish Upon a K-Star by Kat Cho

Contemporary:
Meet Me At Blue Hour by Sarah Suk
Made in Korea by Sarah Suk
Not Your Average Jo by Grace K. Shim
Fantasy & Myth:
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Lia Lark by Jenna Yoon
Dreamslinger by Graci Kim
The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim

High Fantasy
Prophecy by Ellen Oh
Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim
The Floating World by Axie Oh
The Last Tiger by Julia Riew & Brad Riew
Dark Fantasy
And the River Drags her Down by Jihyun Yun
Historical
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
The Silence of Bones by June Hur

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

Stefscribbles @stefscribbles.bsky.social · Jul 7

the cafe experience

a comic about a small cat getting a coffee and paying way more than they expected to pay.

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

L. D. Lewis, Peach Jolly Rancher 🍬 @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app · Jul 8

My debut novel YEAR OF THE MER (about the gruesome aftermath of The Little Mermaid) is part of B&N's pre-order sale! From July 8-11, members get 25% off using code PREORDER25

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-of-th...

And now, coffee.

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Jul 8

I first emailed my agent about the idea for Witchlings in 2018. Book one released in 2022, and today I started writing the fifth and final book of the series. I can’t believe it’s almost time to say goodbye to these characters 😭 #booksky

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

Alechia Dow @alechiadow.bsky.social · Jul 8

There’s a 25% off preorder sale at Barnes & Noble right now for premium & rewards members. You can grab Until the Clock Strikes Midnight on here if you’re one of those and want it! Thanks!!

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/until-the-...

A page in a notebook detailing the B&N preorder sale with pictures of the Until the Clock Strikes Midnight cover and commissioned art. It’s not well done. I really had no idea there was a sale and B&N probably won’t even stock it sooooo

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

Mary Kenney @marykgames.com · Jul 7

every single person I know who’s excited about generative AI is the most boring person you’ve ever met

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Jul 7

It is *so* difficult for marginalized authors to break into publishing let alone succeed (especially these days) We need all the encouragement and good news we can get, so I will keep posting about my accomplishments PROUDLY. I’m not policing my tone for anyone. Don’t like it, close your eyes 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Jul 7

Just saw an update on an art commission for a *secret* thing I’ll be announcing pretty soon and I’m so excited 😆 #booksky

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Jul 7

Happy birthday!!!!

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Reposted by Claribel A. Ortega

L. D. Lewis, Peach Jolly Rancher 🍬 @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app · Jul 7

Obligatory "it's my birthday; buy my book" post
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

The Dead Withheld

Check out The Dead Withheld - MEET DIZZY CARTER: Private investigator. Blues enthusiast. Deadwalker witch. <p...

bookshop.org

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Claribel A. Ortega @claribelortega.com · Jul 7

My Huntrix t-shirt has arrived now just gotta wait for my derpy tiger plush !

three members of the fictional kpop girl group Huntrix posing with their weapons

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