Harold Underdown
@hunderdown.bsky.social
I'm a children's book editor, teacher and workshop presenter, owner of The Purple Crayon website -- www.underdown.org
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
5 hours left to bid.
To my mind it doesn’t count as spending money today if you’re joining me in not spending money today.
💙❤️
To my mind it doesn’t count as spending money today if you’re joining me in not spending money today.
💙❤️
Hey #Kidlit, I donated a one hour portfolio/dummy critique to raise money for Minnesota. The auction will run from Thursday at 12AM untill Friday at 11:45PM.
💙❤️
www.32auctions.com/organization...
💙❤️
www.32auctions.com/organization...
January 30, 2026 at 11:49 PM
5 hours left to bid.
To my mind it doesn’t count as spending money today if you’re joining me in not spending money today.
💙❤️
To my mind it doesn’t count as spending money today if you’re joining me in not spending money today.
💙❤️
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Every time I see someone like Abbott choose self-inflicted decline, I think of this quote from Pedro Sanchez:
"Spain needs to choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed-off, poor country. It’s as simple as that."
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
"Spain needs to choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed-off, poor country. It’s as simple as that."
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
January 30, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Every time I see someone like Abbott choose self-inflicted decline, I think of this quote from Pedro Sanchez:
"Spain needs to choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed-off, poor country. It’s as simple as that."
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
"Spain needs to choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed-off, poor country. It’s as simple as that."
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
When people actually care about government services, and evaluate spending technology in terms of what it actually does rather than FOMO, look what happens!
Mamdani Targets ‘Unusable’ AI Chatbot for Termination
Mamdani Targets ‘Unusable’ AI Chatbot for Termination
Reporting from The Markup and THE CITY exposed how the bot, touted by the Adams administration, repeatedly served up false and damaging information.
buff.ly
January 30, 2026 at 10:51 PM
When people actually care about government services, and evaluate spending technology in terms of what it actually does rather than FOMO, look what happens!
Exciting news indeed!
2 exciting pieces of news to share with you all today! Short story:
#1 @lkliterary.bsky.social is proud to rep @eileenwrobinson.bsky.social!!
#2 Eileen's debut, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner C.G. Esperanza was just announced in @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social and @publisherslunch.bsky.social!
#1 @lkliterary.bsky.social is proud to rep @eileenwrobinson.bsky.social!!
#2 Eileen's debut, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner C.G. Esperanza was just announced in @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social and @publisherslunch.bsky.social!
January 30, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Exciting news indeed!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
New #WriterBeware blog post: More gen AI-driven scams from Nigeria, aimed at tricking writers into paying for editing. As with other Nigerian AI scams, they're very roundabout, involving several intervening steps before getting to the editing referral writerbeware.blog/2026/01/30/t...
Two New Impersonation Scams to Watch For - Writer Beware
Impersonation scams in publishing tend to be variations on a theme, since the goal is always the same: to sell you something. In that sense, the scams below, which are aimed at tricking writers into p...
writerbeware.blog
January 30, 2026 at 7:15 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: More gen AI-driven scams from Nigeria, aimed at tricking writers into paying for editing. As with other Nigerian AI scams, they're very roundabout, involving several intervening steps before getting to the editing referral writerbeware.blog/2026/01/30/t...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
Here we go again. I'm not going to blame "private equity"--this is a publishing dynamic and would have happened regardless of ownership: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
More Job Cuts at S&S
After confirming on Monday that the publisher had made limited reductions to its staff, Simon & Schuster made another round of layoffs later in the week. More than a dozen jobs have been cut, mostly o...
www.publishersweekly.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Here we go again. I'm not going to blame "private equity"--this is a publishing dynamic and would have happened regardless of ownership: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Don Lemon is not the only reporter who was arrested by federal agents overnight — local independent journalist Georgia Fort just went live on FB to say federal agents were also at her door to take her into custody over her protest coverage in Minneapolis.
January 30, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Don Lemon is not the only reporter who was arrested by federal agents overnight — local independent journalist Georgia Fort just went live on FB to say federal agents were also at her door to take her into custody over her protest coverage in Minneapolis.
New imprint launching at Scholastic:
Scholastic’s NEXT Line to Start Up This Fall buff.ly/qPumXmK
January 30, 2026 at 3:26 PM
New imprint launching at Scholastic:
Reposted by Harold Underdown
A great opportunity here to help yourself and do some good for others at the same time. Publishing auction ends tonight.
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:20 PM
A great opportunity here to help yourself and do some good for others at the same time. Publishing auction ends tonight.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview with Elsewhere Editions of @archipelagobooks.bsky.social, but whatta four it is! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/30/e...
Elsewhere Editions Publisher Preview (Spring & Fall 2026)
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview but whatta four it is!
afuse8production.slj.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:14 PM
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview with Elsewhere Editions of @archipelagobooks.bsky.social, but whatta four it is! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/30/e...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Another push! The auction ends tonight at 11:45pm. The current bid for my critique is only at $100! A bargain) (humble brag!!!)! 😅
Friends! The auction to raise funds to support immigrant communities and those impacted by ICE is open! Link to bid on pb critique: www.32auctions.com/organization... There's a ton of other really cool stuff to bid on! Thank you! #kidlit
January 30, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Another push! The auction ends tonight at 11:45pm. The current bid for my critique is only at $100! A bargain) (humble brag!!!)! 😅
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Of course
January 30, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Of course
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Let’s be clear: there may have been “charges” but he was arrested for one reason only, which is that he’s a prominent Black man who used a mainstream media platform to express criticism of Trump.
Breaking:
The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late last night on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul — a case rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
Lemon has said he was simply reporting as a journalist. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late last night on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul — a case rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
Lemon has said he was simply reporting as a journalist. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Let’s be clear: there may have been “charges” but he was arrested for one reason only, which is that he’s a prominent Black man who used a mainstream media platform to express criticism of Trump.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I’m in there too! Bid early and often!
So many amazing donations from authors, illustrators, agents & editors to the #PublishingForMinnesota auction! Bidding now open, ends Jan. 30th:
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
#KidLit #BookSky #EduSky #WriterSky
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
#KidLit #BookSky #EduSky #WriterSky
January 30, 2026 at 1:33 PM
I’m in there too! Bid early and often!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
yes please, living life at text-only speed, no time for vid or aud. transcripts please tyvm.
look im a text based life form, im too old to adapt to getting my information from a video or a podcast, please provide transcripts that i can speed read and copy paste
January 30, 2026 at 12:29 PM
yes please, living life at text-only speed, no time for vid or aud. transcripts please tyvm.
Mamdani passes the snowstorm test: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Snow-shovelling Mamdani was hard to miss as New York tackled winter storm
Mayor was a highly visible presence during icy blizzard and, unlike some of his predecessors, seemed to get things right
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Mamdani passes the snowstorm test: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights) 2026 scholarship programs are open! The Nikki Grimes Scholarship in particular nudges Black Indigenous women to bring their voices to children's lit. Try a workshop or retreat! We need stories starring Black Indigenous characters.
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
January 29, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights) 2026 scholarship programs are open! The Nikki Grimes Scholarship in particular nudges Black Indigenous women to bring their voices to children's lit. Try a workshop or retreat! We need stories starring Black Indigenous characters.
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
What is Nick Shirley?
Slop doesn’t need to be AI-generated
www.theverge.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I’d love to hear a Democrats calling for a general amnesty for undocumented immigrants. They could put limits on it, like no criminal record in the last 10 years if they think it’s a step too far, but they should be reminding people that Ronald Reagan supported an amnesty back in the 1980s.
January 29, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I’d love to hear a Democrats calling for a general amnesty for undocumented immigrants. They could put limits on it, like no criminal record in the last 10 years if they think it’s a step too far, but they should be reminding people that Ronald Reagan supported an amnesty back in the 1980s.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
This has generally been the response whenever I've asked military people to review domestic police raids. But the stuff we're seeing from ICE and Border Patrol is especially bumbling and amateurish thuggery.
We asked an expert to tell us what they thought of ICE's military moves. It was worse than I thought (but the writing is great) www.wired.com/story/ice-pr...
ICE Pretends It’s a Military Force. Its Tactics Would Get Real Soldiers Killed
WIRED asked an active military officer to break down immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
www.wired.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:35 PM
This has generally been the response whenever I've asked military people to review domestic police raids. But the stuff we're seeing from ICE and Border Patrol is especially bumbling and amateurish thuggery.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Teacher & librarian friends - There are some amazing deals to be had on virtual school visits in the Publishing for Minnesota fundraiser! Here's everything in that category - bidding ends tomorrow morning! www.32auctions.com/organization...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Teacher & librarian friends - There are some amazing deals to be had on virtual school visits in the Publishing for Minnesota fundraiser! Here's everything in that category - bidding ends tomorrow morning! www.32auctions.com/organization...
Boyds Mills--formerly the Highlights Foundation--is taking applications for 2026 scholarships!
OUR 2026 SCHOLARSHIP WINDOW IS NOW OPEN!
Boyds Mills offers scholarships each year thanks to the generous support of our community!
Apply now!
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄
January 22 – February 9
Click the link in our bio for all the details!
Boyds Mills offers scholarships each year thanks to the generous support of our community!
Apply now!
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄
January 22 – February 9
Click the link in our bio for all the details!
January 29, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Boyds Mills--formerly the Highlights Foundation--is taking applications for 2026 scholarships!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I hate newsroom layoffs, but they did this to themselves
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
CBS, Post blind themselves when America needs eyes on the ground |Will Bunch
Two iconic U.S. newsrooms slash reporting and stress opinion writing even as Minnesota proves the need for factual journalism.
www.inquirer.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I hate newsroom layoffs, but they did this to themselves
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
"This is not legitimate. This is Donald Trump's obsession with losing the 2020 election." @dougbockclark.bsky.social @jenafifield.bsky.social for @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
FBI’s Search of Georgia Election Center Is “Dangerous,” Experts Warn
The search warrant, which sought 2020 election ballots, tabulator tapes, digital data and voter rolls from Fulton County, marked what experts described as a significant escalation in President Donald ...
www.propublica.org
January 29, 2026 at 3:24 PM
"This is not legitimate. This is Donald Trump's obsession with losing the 2020 election." @dougbockclark.bsky.social @jenafifield.bsky.social for @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...