Shala Howell
@shalahowell.bsky.social
Reader, writer, curious person, librarian in training. Author of What's That, Mom? Also on🧵@shalahowell & @[email protected]. Blog: http://caterpickles.com
Pinned
Shala Howell
@shalahowell.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Guess who was not prepared for how hard it would be to juggle a job and home life?
My job is amazing, and I love working with both middle schoolers and books, but I do have a tendency to use up all my words at work. But we have a day off today, so I thought I’d spent at lea…
caterpickles.com
Hello, new followers! I’ve gotten a fair number of you lately so thought I’d reintroduce.
I’m a writer & parent whose pandemic project involved doing a stint working in the library at my local public middle school.
Absolutely loved it. caterpickles.com/2021/11/11/g...
So… 1/
I’m a writer & parent whose pandemic project involved doing a stint working in the library at my local public middle school.
Absolutely loved it. caterpickles.com/2021/11/11/g...
So… 1/
Reposted by Shala Howell
Ida's mugs are the best! If you're looking for a beautiful gift this is your shot, get an order in early.
TODAY is the last day to order a made-to-order mug for Christmas delivery in the lower 48 US states. littleedenpottery.etsy.com #pottery #art #ceramics #bsnm #handmade #MagicalBazaar #smallbusiness
I’m a potter and I make handmade mugs. Order early because I sell out fast for Christmas: littleedenpottery.etsy.com #pottery #art #ceramics #bsnm
December 1, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Ida's mugs are the best! If you're looking for a beautiful gift this is your shot, get an order in early.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Just read aloud my colonial chapter last night. I urge US immigration historians to include enslaved importation instead of setting it aside. If they are going to include indentured servants migration, they should include enslaved force migration as well. Why? 1/
December 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Just read aloud my colonial chapter last night. I urge US immigration historians to include enslaved importation instead of setting it aside. If they are going to include indentured servants migration, they should include enslaved force migration as well. Why? 1/
Reposted by Shala Howell
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Shala Howell
Hello friends,
Your librarian here with a tip.
If we don't have the book you want and we can't purchase it, use interlibrary loan, essentially borrowing the book from another library system. Your friendly local library staff can get you started on how to use it.
Your librarian here with a tip.
If we don't have the book you want and we can't purchase it, use interlibrary loan, essentially borrowing the book from another library system. Your friendly local library staff can get you started on how to use it.
December 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Hello friends,
Your librarian here with a tip.
If we don't have the book you want and we can't purchase it, use interlibrary loan, essentially borrowing the book from another library system. Your friendly local library staff can get you started on how to use it.
Your librarian here with a tip.
If we don't have the book you want and we can't purchase it, use interlibrary loan, essentially borrowing the book from another library system. Your friendly local library staff can get you started on how to use it.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Don’t forget if the Institute of Museum and Library Services doesn’t get funded next year, many public libraries won’t be able to fund ILL anymore because IMLS money helps pay postage/transportation costs. Write your legislators to support IMLS funding, please!
December 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Don’t forget if the Institute of Museum and Library Services doesn’t get funded next year, many public libraries won’t be able to fund ILL anymore because IMLS money helps pay postage/transportation costs. Write your legislators to support IMLS funding, please!
Reposted by Shala Howell
Day 3 of #artadventcalendar and it's the poisonous Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous).
This bird carries a neurotoxin in its flesh and feathers, so I've drawn it in a jungle of neurons 🐡
Watercolour and coloured charcoal pencil on paper.
This bird carries a neurotoxin in its flesh and feathers, so I've drawn it in a jungle of neurons 🐡
Watercolour and coloured charcoal pencil on paper.
December 3, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Day 3 of #artadventcalendar and it's the poisonous Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous).
This bird carries a neurotoxin in its flesh and feathers, so I've drawn it in a jungle of neurons 🐡
Watercolour and coloured charcoal pencil on paper.
This bird carries a neurotoxin in its flesh and feathers, so I've drawn it in a jungle of neurons 🐡
Watercolour and coloured charcoal pencil on paper.
Reposted by Shala Howell
Day 2 of Jam and Books advent calendar, fig and cardomom jam, with Peter Dickinson's Perfect Gallows
reactormag.com/perfect-myst...
reactormag.com/perfect-myst...
December 3, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Day 2 of Jam and Books advent calendar, fig and cardomom jam, with Peter Dickinson's Perfect Gallows
reactormag.com/perfect-myst...
reactormag.com/perfect-myst...
Reposted by Shala Howell
Our holiday hours begin December 9th! We’ll be open 11-8 weekdays, 12-6 weekends, and 11-3 Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
We’ll be closed Christmas Day, as well as January 1st-7th. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
#argobookshop #indiebookstore #montreal #holidayshopping #holidayseason
We’ll be closed Christmas Day, as well as January 1st-7th. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
#argobookshop #indiebookstore #montreal #holidayshopping #holidayseason
November 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Our holiday hours begin December 9th! We’ll be open 11-8 weekdays, 12-6 weekends, and 11-3 Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
We’ll be closed Christmas Day, as well as January 1st-7th. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
#argobookshop #indiebookstore #montreal #holidayshopping #holidayseason
We’ll be closed Christmas Day, as well as January 1st-7th. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
#argobookshop #indiebookstore #montreal #holidayshopping #holidayseason
Reposted by Shala Howell
Some great books and articles on archives and libraries that came out in 2025.
In no specific order.
🧵
In no specific order.
🧵
November 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Some great books and articles on archives and libraries that came out in 2025.
In no specific order.
🧵
In no specific order.
🧵
Reposted by Shala Howell
Yes, this includes the 18-year “IX. For the Tomb” shoumei cakes. 🍵💀
🌿 All single origin teas are 20% off in-store and online now through 11/29 at midnight pst with code "SmallFarms"
www.fridaytea.com/collections/...
www.fridaytea.com/collections/...
Celebrating Small Farms!
Tasty teas and community events in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. Custom blending services available! We offer retail and wholesale bulk tea.
www.fridaytea.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Yes, this includes the 18-year “IX. For the Tomb” shoumei cakes. 🍵💀
Reposted by Shala Howell
Alert: I've gotten several reports of non-payment by Graveside Press, from authors w/ stories in one or more anthologies. Also failing to provide author copies, & failing to respond to emails & messages. Anyone w/ similar experiences, pls contact me (Writer Beware) in confidence: [email protected]
November 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Alert: I've gotten several reports of non-payment by Graveside Press, from authors w/ stories in one or more anthologies. Also failing to provide author copies, & failing to respond to emails & messages. Anyone w/ similar experiences, pls contact me (Writer Beware) in confidence: [email protected]
Reposted by Shala Howell
Did you know that letters mailed to Santa go on the USPS Operation Santa page where you can read them, adopt one and send them their wished for gift? (Anonymity is protected all around) www.uspsoperationsanta.com
USPS Operation Santa® Program
Adopt a child's letter to Santa this holiday season with the USPS Operation Santa® program. Spread holiday cheer and help make a child's holiday wish come true.
www.uspsoperationsanta.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Did you know that letters mailed to Santa go on the USPS Operation Santa page where you can read them, adopt one and send them their wished for gift? (Anonymity is protected all around) www.uspsoperationsanta.com
Reposted by Shala Howell
Scheduled Post: Big Kobo sale is live! Solomon's Seal is 99c in eBook and just $6.99 in audio until December 1. Find sales at many other stores (Apple, Smashwords) as well, all links here: books2read.com/solomon-s-seal
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Solomon's Seal by Skyla Dawn Cameron
books2read.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Scheduled Post: Big Kobo sale is live! Solomon's Seal is 99c in eBook and just $6.99 in audio until December 1. Find sales at many other stores (Apple, Smashwords) as well, all links here: books2read.com/solomon-s-seal
Reposted by Shala Howell
I thought it would rain and The Crocodile Doesn't Hunt are becoming real translations! We need $2400 more to make this books a reality. Would you help post or share?
Or, it would even be lovely for you to give the words of Pauline Chirata-Mukondiwa translated by Zukiswa Wanner a look. ❤️
Or, it would even be lovely for you to give the words of Pauline Chirata-Mukondiwa translated by Zukiswa Wanner a look. ❤️
An excerpt from the translation we are trying to fund.
Please, the timeline on this is running out for the February opportunity. Could you please help rally? We really need this in the next days to week. Thank you *so* much.
ko-fi.com/post/Excerpt...
Please, the timeline on this is running out for the February opportunity. Could you please help rally? We really need this in the next days to week. Thank you *so* much.
ko-fi.com/post/Excerpt...
Excerpt from The Crocodile Doesn't Hunt
African Translation Project published a post on Ko-fi
ko-fi.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I thought it would rain and The Crocodile Doesn't Hunt are becoming real translations! We need $2400 more to make this books a reality. Would you help post or share?
Or, it would even be lovely for you to give the words of Pauline Chirata-Mukondiwa translated by Zukiswa Wanner a look. ❤️
Or, it would even be lovely for you to give the words of Pauline Chirata-Mukondiwa translated by Zukiswa Wanner a look. ❤️
Reposted by Shala Howell
If you could contribute some but not the $2400 to close it, remember that $50 is a full percentage and gives me a new graphic to post, a new reminder for people to share and get excited about.
It all helps! Please, I'd be so grateful to close this this weekend. For so many reasons.
It all helps! Please, I'd be so grateful to close this this weekend. For so many reasons.
We need to complete funding so this second book can be included in a February opportunity that will *further* lift human translation.
We're funding an African small press owned by a Black woman who acts on her values for solidarity and a peaceful world.
Would you help rally and close this up? 🙏🏻
We're funding an African small press owned by a Black woman who acts on her values for solidarity and a peaceful world.
Would you help rally and close this up? 🙏🏻
Support African Translation Project
African Translation Project / Need to complete funding for Shona → English translation / still needed: $2400, 52% / Amount above completes funding for translation of Zvinobvinza / isiZulu translation ...
ko-fi.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you could contribute some but not the $2400 to close it, remember that $50 is a full percentage and gives me a new graphic to post, a new reminder for people to share and get excited about.
It all helps! Please, I'd be so grateful to close this this weekend. For so many reasons.
It all helps! Please, I'd be so grateful to close this this weekend. For so many reasons.
Reposted by Shala Howell
I’m sorry but I don’t have a sale today. My handmade pottery mugs are as cheap as I can price them without losing money.
I’m only one person with one finite life and a full-time job hand-painting 30 blood drip layers on each mug. 🩸
Order by Monday for Christmas delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
I’m only one person with one finite life and a full-time job hand-painting 30 blood drip layers on each mug. 🩸
Order by Monday for Christmas delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
I’m a potter and I make handmade mugs. Order early because I sell out fast for Christmas: littleedenpottery.etsy.com #pottery #art #ceramics #bsnm
November 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I’m sorry but I don’t have a sale today. My handmade pottery mugs are as cheap as I can price them without losing money.
I’m only one person with one finite life and a full-time job hand-painting 30 blood drip layers on each mug. 🩸
Order by Monday for Christmas delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
I’m only one person with one finite life and a full-time job hand-painting 30 blood drip layers on each mug. 🩸
Order by Monday for Christmas delivery: littleedenpottery.etsy.com
Got my @fridaytea.com Friday afternoon tea order (on Friday afternoon! - did yall plan that?) and am currently loving the punkin pie rooibos. www.fridaytea.com/products/pun...
Punkin Pie Rooibos
This blend is part of our Fall Seasonals collection. Check out the entire delicious collection here! This natural, savory alternative to the pumpkin spice latte is like slicing into a piece of punkin ...
www.fridaytea.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Got my @fridaytea.com Friday afternoon tea order (on Friday afternoon! - did yall plan that?) and am currently loving the punkin pie rooibos. www.fridaytea.com/products/pun...
Reposted by Shala Howell
Now available online! www.cambridge.org/core/books/h... 🌿📚💚🪲
November 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Now available online! www.cambridge.org/core/books/h... 🌿📚💚🪲
Reposted by Shala Howell
Libraries defeat every argument.
These are pretty naked -- and therefore instructive -- examples of the sorts of defenses that people offer to try and get off the hook
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Libraries defeat every argument.
Reposted by Shala Howell
"Universities must resist the temptation to reduce the library to a digital archive and study space and ensure that these structures remain spaces for rigorous research, critical reading, intellectual discovery and knowledge creation, rather than just digital repositories or study halls."
"...what I am witnessing is the unfortunate proletarianization of the library profession, with access to tenure increasingly restricted and librarians being treated as peripheral to the academic mission."
Lots to think about. Read more: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Lots to think about. Read more: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
What’s gained, what’s lost in the evolving university library
What’s gained, what’s lost.
www.insidehighered.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"Universities must resist the temptation to reduce the library to a digital archive and study space and ensure that these structures remain spaces for rigorous research, critical reading, intellectual discovery and knowledge creation, rather than just digital repositories or study halls."
Reposted by Shala Howell
A Database of Paper Airplane Designs: Hours of Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
A Database of Paper Airplane Designs: Hours of Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
Though we can trace the history of paper aircraft back 2000 years to the Chinese and their kites, and into the 19th century with the French and their imaginary airships, the origin of the modern paper...
www.openculture.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
A Database of Paper Airplane Designs: Hours of Fun for Kids & Adults Alike
Reposted by Shala Howell
This is brilliant.
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 AM
This is brilliant.
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
For me these pictures also illustrate the reaction of people when you
(try to) persuade them through data
vs
persuade them through narrative
Reposted by Shala Howell
Just over a week left on this Storybundle!
Check out this month's Storybundle curated by Charlotte E English -- featuring fantasy with strong female leads! a great way to pick up new reads including my own Power & Majesty
storybundle.com/fantasy
storybundle.com/fantasy
November 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Just over a week left on this Storybundle!
Reposted by Shala Howell
As an author, I don't make a whole lot of money, but at the same time I need to read a lot of books to stay aware of trends and support my fellow authors. Obviously if I spend all my profits on other people's books, I'm not coming out ahead!
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
November 25, 2025 at 1:18 AM
As an author, I don't make a whole lot of money, but at the same time I need to read a lot of books to stay aware of trends and support my fellow authors. Obviously if I spend all my profits on other people's books, I'm not coming out ahead!
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
So: ways to read lots of indie books for cheap.
Reposted by Shala Howell
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...