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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Aug 19

I am very ready to read this one!

Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Aug 18

Reviewing this BEAUTY of a book, Island Storm, for the episode of the podcast that comes out tomorrow. So impressed with everything about it. Color and light, mottled painting style, but really the way it’s less about navigating a storm and more about sibling love and independence and exploration. ❤️

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Reposted by Josh Monken

Katie Venit @katievenit.bsky.social · Aug 14

I'm agog! FORTS is one of @usatoday.com's bestselling #picturebooks this week!

Thank you to all the indie bookstores who believe in this book and have been sharing it with their customers. ❤️💙📚

#kidlit

www.usatoday.com/booklist/gen...

The cover of the picture book FORTS, showing a girl and her cat sitting in a cozy treehouse.

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Aug 10

💔

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Aug 8

@asiqueira.bsky.social’s and my agent @joycesweeney.bsky.social feature big in this one! Another example of their amazing support and sensitivity for their clients.

Ana is amazing. Go listen!

Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Aug 5

Happy #VerseShow #kidlit #podcast day! Today @joshmonkwords.bsky.social and I chat with @asiqueira.bsky.social!!

jmonken.podbean.com/e/ana-siquei...

Ana Siqueira La Valiente! | You May Contribute A Verse

Ana Siqueira is a beacon of dedication and inspiration! Her latest books VERA LA VALIENTE and STICKY HERMANA come out in August and October 2025, respectively, and both are equally wonderful. This e...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Aug 5

Happy #VerseShow #kidlit #podcast day! Today @joshmonkwords.bsky.social and I chat with @asiqueira.bsky.social!!

jmonken.podbean.com/e/ana-siquei...

Ana Siqueira La Valiente! | You May Contribute A Verse

Ana Siqueira is a beacon of dedication and inspiration! Her latest books VERA LA VALIENTE and STICKY HERMANA come out in August and October 2025, respectively, and both are equally wonderful. This e...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Jul 12

Well imagine me opening up Bluesky for the first time in a monthslong social media dry spell and coming across this beauty. Nicely done, Justin, and Once is a great choice.

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Reposted by Josh Monken

Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Jul 8

#kidlitmegafeed It's Tuesday and that means a new #podcast Verse Show episode with your hosts me and @joshmonkwords.bsky.social and special guest @kidlitjennaj.bsky.social!!

jmonken.podbean.com/e/jenna-elys...

Jenna Elyse Johnson's Kidlit Joy | You May Contribute A Verse

It's Brenna, Jenna, and Josh. Oh my. Jenna Johnson joins us today for discussion of her debut books EVERY BODY MOVE! (out in September 2025, and a singalong!) and I SPARK LIKE LIGHTNING (out in winter...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Apr 23

Ana! Let’s chat on Joyce’s Slack! 😬

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Judy Campbell-Smith @judycampbellsmith.bsky.social · Apr 15

So great to be on the Verse Show podcast and chat with @brennajeanneret.bsky.social and @joshmonkwords.bsky.social - check it out! Thank you for having me! 🍦🙌🏾🎉

Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Apr 15

#kidlitmegafeed Check out the new Verse Show #kidlit #podcast episode featuring @judycampbellsmith.bsky.social!!

jmonken.podbean.com/e/judy-campb...

Judy Campbell-Smith's Sweet Spot | You May Contribute A Verse

Judy Campbell-Smith is here! Check out her books Baseball for Breakfast (coming 2026), Ice Cream Everywhere, and AJ's Neighborhood, AND make sure and join PB Power Hour if you can. It's a great resour...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Apr 1

💪 💪 💪

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Apr 1

Tonnye, Bitsy is amazing! Fully agree.

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Reposted by Josh Monken

Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Apr 1

#kidlitmegafeed New Verse Show #podcast today! @joshmonkwords.bsky.social and I chat with @carriefinison.bsky.social about rhyme, her newest book Pigs Dig A Road and she even shares part of the story that got her agent AND the query letter!

jmonken.podbean.com/e/carrie-fin...

Carrie Finison’s Origin Story Or How She Got Her Powers | You May Contribute A Verse

Today’s guest is picture book author Carrie Finison make sure to check out her newest release, Pigs Dig A Road illustrated by Brian Biggs to see her incredible rhyming skills in action! We chat about ...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Reposted by Josh Monken

Jennifer Laughran @literaticat.bsky.social · Mar 11

Ask the Agent Question of the Day: What do people mean when they talk about their "Dream Agent"? I've just been querying agents who seem reputable and who do my kind of book -- should I know MORE about them?

My answer: www.tumblr.com/literaticat/...

@literaticat · Ask the Agent:

When people say they want to get their “dream agent” what do you think they are talking about? Are they basing this off of what that agent presents on social media and they think they would be great?…

www.tumblr.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Jan 31

And yep, 5,000 is what I heard too!

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Chiara Colombi @chiaracolombi.com · Jan 12

Anyone else know of PB agents who ask for multiple manuscripts in your initial query? Add them to the thread! And check out the podcast to hear why @brennajeanneret.bsky.social, @joshmonkwords.bsky.social, and I think this should be the industry norm. 👀

Hannah Lorenzo @haloteachlearn.bsky.social · Jan 11

Loved this ep of #VerseShow & had to comment that the agent I signed with asks for PB queries with multiple MSs!! I think I sent her 3 stories when I queried. Makes SO much sense.
@brennajeanneret.sky.social
@joshmonkwords.bsky.social
@chiaracolombi.com

#kidlit

www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jsr94-...

Chiara Colombi Can’t Stop Herself

Today’s guest is Chiara Colombi, author of Rocket Ship, Solo Trip and the follow-up Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams both illustrated by Scott Magoon. We chat about marketing your debut, being your own advo...

www.podbean.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Jan 12

😍😍😍 Thanks so much for sharing, Hannah!

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Reposted by Josh Monken

Hannah Lorenzo @haloteachlearn.bsky.social · Jan 11

Loved this ep of #VerseShow & had to comment that the agent I signed with asks for PB queries with multiple MSs!! I think I sent her 3 stories when I queried. Makes SO much sense.
@brennajeanneret.sky.social
@joshmonkwords.bsky.social
@chiaracolombi.com

#kidlit

www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jsr94-...

Chiara Colombi Can’t Stop Herself

Today’s guest is Chiara Colombi, author of Rocket Ship, Solo Trip and the follow-up Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams both illustrated by Scott Magoon. We chat about marketing your debut, being your own advo...

www.podbean.com

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Reposted by Josh Monken

Kirk Reedstrom @kirkreedstrom.bsky.social · Dec 17

This was such a fun conversation! Thanks for having me, @brennajeanneret.bsky.social and @joshmonkwords.bsky.social!

Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Dec 17

🚨New Verse Show #kidlit #podcast🚨
#kidlitmegafeed Check out our chat with @kirkreedstrom.bsky.social

jmonken.podbean.com/e/kirk-reeds...

Kirk Reedstrom, the King of Second-Guessing | You May Contribute A Verse

Zany hijinks ensue with Kirk Reedstrom! News flash, we had this conversation six months before publishing it, and wouldn't you know it, it's dated because there's now a FOURTH book in Kirk's Duck and ...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Jan 8

It counts big time!

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Brenna Jeanneret @brennajeanneret.bsky.social · Jan 7

#kidlitmegafeed First Verse Show of 2025 is up! @joshmonkwords.bsky.social and I had the chance to chat with @chiaracolombi.com about her book Rocket Ship, Solo Trip illustrated by the amazing Scott Magoon, marketing and we reinvented the query process!

jmonken.podbean.com/e/chiara-col...

Chiara Colombi Can’t Stop Herself | You May Contribute A Verse

Today’s guest is Chiara Colombi, author of Rocket Ship, Solo Trip and the follow-up Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams both illustrated by Scott Magoon. We chat about marketing your debut, being your own advo...

jmonken.podbean.com

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Jan 8

😍😍😍

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Sharon Korzelius @sharonkorzelius.bsky.social · Jan 1

Look what came in the mail!!! So excited to share this awesome #PB!! Thanks @joshmonkwords.bsky.social
The #kidlit #WritingCommunity is truly THE BEST

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Josh Monken @joshmonkwords.bsky.social · Dec 20

Well now that you engaged with this post I realize that you’re the outlier here, @safajarwrites.bsky.social, but I suppose we haven’t seen each other for something like twenty years, so my statement still holds!

Also twenty years. Wow 🤯

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Reposted by Josh Monken

CK (Any Pronouns...Scared ASF) Intervention Specialist/Author @ckwritesbooks.bsky.social · Dec 15

Thank you, @joshmonkwords.bsky.social, for sharing this amazing PB by @neighkid.bsky.social with illos by Gabi Moraes. 5 Stars on Goodreads and what an awesome book!!! Snatch it up, peeps!

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