Debbie Vilardi
@debbievilardi.bsky.social
260 followers 220 following 170 posts
Freelance author and editor of works for the educational markets, working on my own YA, poems, picture books. Fascinated by the mind. Saved by chocolate. (It's a mood booster, so some days I mean it.)
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Reposted by Debbie Vilardi
zentronix.bsky.social
It’s Banned Book Week. A time to call out the real enemies of freedom. 

Our fight is not just to stop the banning of books. It is not just to preserve our right to speak.
 
Our fight is to secure democracy and ensure the freedom of all of us to live.

Join us now.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
I should have paid attention to the image background you used. That does sound like a hard task.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Happy sales means the books finding the readers who need the books. People being willing to explore outside their comfort zones with open minds and hearts. No one being afraid to explore any topic (age appropriate please). It's no longer needing #bannedbooksweek. Happy sales to all!
andrewkarre.bsky.social
We desperately need regular to people to bring to this fight all the energy they brought to Jimmy Kimmell and then some. The stakes could not be higher. "Rampant" is no exaggeration.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/b...
‘Rampant’ Book Bans Are Being Taken for Granted, Free Speech Group Warns
www.nytimes.com
debbievilardi.bsky.social
I hope you have no more nightmares. Only happy sales and successful treatments.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
There are plenty of picture books with older characters. Grandparents buy books, so grandparents are in books. I'm currently reading Agatha Christie, so I must shout out Jane Marple.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Happy sales to @lawrenceschimel.bsky.social! I wish I could read in every language to better understand other peoples. But since I can't, I'm so happy someone else can translate for me.
lawrenceschimel.bsky.social
I translated two of these three books reviewed for #worldkidlit (the authors from #Peru and #Argentina). 🥰🥰

#kidlit #xl8 #booksky #albumilustrado #libroinfantil
worldkidlit.bsky.social
Day 25 of #WorldKidLitMonth! And it's also Hispanic Heritage Month!
Today Mariana Ruiz shares three fab picture books translated from Spanish, from Peru, Argentina & Mexico

worldkidlit.org/2025/09/25/p...
#latineheritagemonth #HispanicHeritageMonth #kidslit #booksky #readtheAmericas #readtheWorld
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Write what you know. Instead write what intrigues you. Write from a place of truth and authenticity. Write to explore (yourself and others and other things and places, etc).
debbievilardi.bsky.social
When someone says aks instead of ask.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Happy sales to @chamisa.bsky.social! Is anyone else wondering what the tree and bird have to do with the girls and the town's secrets?
chamisa.bsky.social
I have a new book on the way! A story about friendship, self-doubt, creativity and grief, all woven together with a little magic ✨ a little while til it's out but I'll be sure to let you know when it's almost here! Til then you'll find me drawing or typing away furiously 😁✏️🎨

#graphicnovels #kidlit
Text announcement for Chamisa Kellogg's new book deal for a graphic novel called The Acacia Tree is overlaid on a graphic novel style illustration of a 10 year old girl walking with her grandmother. Above them a bird sits on a flowering tree branch.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
This is also where they learn to talk about what they read and decide what they like and think for themselves.
mzparks.bsky.social
And PLEASE don't stop once they can read for themselves. Sharing a book together is special.
rweberwrites.bsky.social
I'll repeat it until the day I die: READ TO YOUR KIDS! 📚
#WritingCommunity #readers #kidlit #parents #books
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Anything where I know how it ends. Actually any book that draws me in will work for this. Genre doesn't matter, though the plot can't be too close to the events that are disturbing me.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
The first thing that came to mind was Humanness.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Life in Jest. (One of the hosts is an author I know personally, but I just lover her, and I can't see any reason someone else wouldn't.)
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Thank you for your restraint. It ain't easy to spread the truth while staying out of the fray.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Happy sales to @allymalinenko.bsky.social! I love me a book with a good map. Stay strong through the submission process.
allymalinenko.bsky.social
And the witch book is done and edited and back in my agents inbox and ready to go on submission. I can't wait to see where this one lands. Also there was talk of including a map! 👀
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Anything else is indoctrination, not teaching.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
On this Labor Day weekend, a shout out to all of us working hard as freelancers, indie publishers, publishing professionals, agents, authors, illustrators, marketing teams, art directors, etc. Happy sales to each and every one of you!
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Ask yourself whether your reader will already know the details. In kidlit, probably not. Remember the book won't be out for another year or so after you finish writing it. Also ask what the reader really needs to know. The answer is in those 2 things.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to participating in this event. Critique groups have formed the foundation of learning craft and the industry for me. Find your people, people.
scbwilongisland.bsky.social
As we get back in the swing of things for fall, join us for a virtual event HOW CRITIQUE GROUPS CAN ELEVATE YOUR MANUSCRIPT!
Sat - Sept 13th 3-4pm with Q&A
Free for members.
Registration: www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi...
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Happy sales to @jandersoncoats.bsky.social! It seems the theme is seeing yourself in a book can change your life. But you have to decide if the change is for the better. So important to remember that readers must think for themselves. (Let's encourage that.)
jandersoncoats.bsky.social
The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls comes out one month from tomorrow! This #middlegrade #historical is set in Colorado in 1910, and it's for everyone who's had to decide whether to take what's handed to them or make their own way. Preorder here! www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
Illustrated book cover. At the top of the image is a street scene from early twentieth century Denver, with people of all ages in suits and long dresses. Some are on foot; others are in horse-drawn buggies. There is a large archway with "Welcome" across the top, and beyond it is Seventeenth Street full of people. There are buildings with arched windows on either side of the street. At the bottom left is a white girl with a single braid. She is wearing an beige dress and carrying a messenger-style bag over her shoulder. She is looking up at the archway with an excited expression on her face. At the bottom right is an Eastern European folk art motif with flowers and viney stems. The color scheme is shades of turquoise blue and an orangey-red, with purple accents. In the middle of the image is the book's title in white text: The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls. Also the author's name in red text: J. Anderson Coats.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
The first time, we returned to a restaurant we'd been to before as a family. On the wall were the words: Canta, no llores. (Sing, don't cry.) My son sings, so I cried then. This will be the third time. It gets easier. Becomes a little more routine.
debbievilardi.bsky.social
Happy sales to @lynnplourde.bsky.social! I wrote a book on artificial body parts as a work for hire, so this is a topic I know. But I also love the theme of everyone being a hero for themselves, at least. And maybe for their community too.
lynnplourde.bsky.social
SNEAK PEEK…You can read the first 3 chapters of THE BIONIC BOY (click “Read sample”) www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/635417... On sale Oct. 21st @nancyrosep.bsky.social @penguinschoollib.bsky.social