Shaun Jex
@shaunjexauthor.bsky.social
Writer. Book Goblin. Given to Meandering.
he/him
he/him
Pinned
Fishing for Fearsome Critters: Folklore Poems
There are all kinds of curious critters roaming about the wilds of the United States. From Native American mythology to logger lore, you’ll find there stories. Here’s a poem about one.
shaunmjex.wordpress.com
Come grab a seat by the fire and sit a spell. I'll tell you about some of the critters I've met while travelling the country. That's the theme of this week's poetry blog post.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
Based on the number of "closed submissions" and "no unsolicited submissions" I've found while trying to find a home for my children's poetry books, I'm starting to suspect that I'm going to have to find a literary agent...
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Based on the number of "closed submissions" and "no unsolicited submissions" I've found while trying to find a home for my children's poetry books, I'm starting to suspect that I'm going to have to find a literary agent...
I do genuinely love Bob Dylan's holiday album "Christmas in the Heart." It's good listening, and it goes on rotation every holiday season. But beyond just being good music, it lets me experience what it would be like to hear someone sing a Christmas song while actively dying from consumption.
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I do genuinely love Bob Dylan's holiday album "Christmas in the Heart." It's good listening, and it goes on rotation every holiday season. But beyond just being good music, it lets me experience what it would be like to hear someone sing a Christmas song while actively dying from consumption.
Reposted by Shaun Jex
This is Melissa - wondering if there are any fellow dog and/or pet lovers in the #epistemicfamily and #poetry community who'd be interested in collaborating with me on a volume of poems about pets with the proceeds being donated to the rescue I volunteer with? Inspired by @1dgrn.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This is Melissa - wondering if there are any fellow dog and/or pet lovers in the #epistemicfamily and #poetry community who'd be interested in collaborating with me on a volume of poems about pets with the proceeds being donated to the rescue I volunteer with? Inspired by @1dgrn.bsky.social
I've only recently come across the High John the Conqueror stories from African American #folklore, and I'm quite taken with them. Like Europe's Jack stories, they're funny and subversive. I need to get my hands on a copy of Zora Neale Hurston's "Of Mules and Men" to read more.
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I've only recently come across the High John the Conqueror stories from African American #folklore, and I'm quite taken with them. Like Europe's Jack stories, they're funny and subversive. I need to get my hands on a copy of Zora Neale Hurston's "Of Mules and Men" to read more.
That pure American brother, dull-eyed and empty-faced
Races Sundays in Jersey in a Chevy stock super eight
He rides 'er low on the hip
On the side he's got "Bound for Glory"
In red, white and blue flash paint
He leans on the hood telling racing stories
The kids call him Jimmy the Saint...
Races Sundays in Jersey in a Chevy stock super eight
He rides 'er low on the hip
On the side he's got "Bound for Glory"
In red, white and blue flash paint
He leans on the hood telling racing stories
The kids call him Jimmy the Saint...
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 AM
That pure American brother, dull-eyed and empty-faced
Races Sundays in Jersey in a Chevy stock super eight
He rides 'er low on the hip
On the side he's got "Bound for Glory"
In red, white and blue flash paint
He leans on the hood telling racing stories
The kids call him Jimmy the Saint...
Races Sundays in Jersey in a Chevy stock super eight
He rides 'er low on the hip
On the side he's got "Bound for Glory"
In red, white and blue flash paint
He leans on the hood telling racing stories
The kids call him Jimmy the Saint...
So, I've got two poetry collections I'm going to be shopping around. The first is a slender volume of very silly poems for children (age 7-11 is probably the ideal). The other is my collection of poems inspired by mythical creatures from the USA (probably 9-12 years old). We'll see what happens!
November 24, 2025 at 10:08 PM
So, I've got two poetry collections I'm going to be shopping around. The first is a slender volume of very silly poems for children (age 7-11 is probably the ideal). The other is my collection of poems inspired by mythical creatures from the USA (probably 9-12 years old). We'll see what happens!
Look what just arrived at my doorstep! @attielime.bsky.social I can't wait to dive into reading this :)
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Look what just arrived at my doorstep! @attielime.bsky.social I can't wait to dive into reading this :)
Reposted by Shaun Jex
Lots of kinds of #Cycle to choose from for @thetoypress.bsky.social's #WordOfTheWeek. So I didn't.
#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Lots of kinds of #Cycle to choose from for @thetoypress.bsky.social's #WordOfTheWeek. So I didn't.
#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
Reposted by Shaun Jex
Daily poetry prompt: It’s #NationalTreeWeek so how about asking trees questions?
Tree why are your bony fingers so long?
I have fingers so long so that I can hold all the birds safely in their nests.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2022/06/tree...
Tree why are your bony fingers so long?
I have fingers so long so that I can hold all the birds safely in their nests.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2022/06/tree...
Welcome to the Ssssssnake Hotel
Trees - Asking Trees Questions Find a suitable tree or trees in the playground, school field or nearby park. Talk about the tree appearing...
brian-moses.blogspot.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Daily poetry prompt: It’s #NationalTreeWeek so how about asking trees questions?
Tree why are your bony fingers so long?
I have fingers so long so that I can hold all the birds safely in their nests.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2022/06/tree...
Tree why are your bony fingers so long?
I have fingers so long so that I can hold all the birds safely in their nests.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2022/06/tree...
Thanks to the @thetoypress.bsky.social for a brand-new #wordoftheweek. This week, the word is "cycle," and it got me to wondering...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Thanks to the @thetoypress.bsky.social for a brand-new #wordoftheweek. This week, the word is "cycle," and it got me to wondering...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
I read the first book in Ben Hatke's "Mighty Jack" series. I love how it adapts and reimagines the Jack mythos. The art is incredible (as you'd expect) and so are the characters. It's always good to see old stories being kept alive in new ways.
November 24, 2025 at 5:12 AM
I read the first book in Ben Hatke's "Mighty Jack" series. I love how it adapts and reimagines the Jack mythos. The art is incredible (as you'd expect) and so are the characters. It's always good to see old stories being kept alive in new ways.
Come grab a seat by the fire and sit a spell. I'll tell you about some of the critters I've met while travelling the country. That's the theme of this week's poetry blog post.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
Fishing for Fearsome Critters: Folklore Poems
There are all kinds of curious critters roaming about the wilds of the United States. From Native American mythology to logger lore, you’ll find there stories. Here’s a poem about one.
shaunmjex.wordpress.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Come grab a seat by the fire and sit a spell. I'll tell you about some of the critters I've met while travelling the country. That's the theme of this week's poetry blog post.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
While on vacation, I found myself reading Jorge Luis Borges' "Book of Imaginary Beings." It gave me an idea. What if I created a poetic bestiary composed of mythical creatures from all over the United States?
(1/2)
(1/2)
November 22, 2025 at 8:59 PM
While on vacation, I found myself reading Jorge Luis Borges' "Book of Imaginary Beings." It gave me an idea. What if I created a poetic bestiary composed of mythical creatures from all over the United States?
(1/2)
(1/2)
The Moonlit Road has been one of my favorite folklore pages for decades. This morning, I'm listening to an incredible story about the Plat-Eye, a shape-shifting and vengeful spirit from Gullah culture.
www.themoonlitroad.com/the-plat-eye/
www.themoonlitroad.com/the-plat-eye/
The Plat Eye
Georgia creature story of two young girls who ignore their Grandma's warning about the Plat Eye monster of the "Gongetcha Woods."
www.themoonlitroad.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Moonlit Road has been one of my favorite folklore pages for decades. This morning, I'm listening to an incredible story about the Plat-Eye, a shape-shifting and vengeful spirit from Gullah culture.
www.themoonlitroad.com/the-plat-eye/
www.themoonlitroad.com/the-plat-eye/
I've never really written a rondeau before, but it felt perfect for this theme. It's a poem inspired by the story Faithful Johannes by the Brothers Grimm, as well as @adamgidwitz.bsky.social re-telling of it in his amazing book "A Tale Dark and Grimm"
#poetry #poetrycommunity #fairytales
#poetry #poetrycommunity #fairytales
November 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I've never really written a rondeau before, but it felt perfect for this theme. It's a poem inspired by the story Faithful Johannes by the Brothers Grimm, as well as @adamgidwitz.bsky.social re-telling of it in his amazing book "A Tale Dark and Grimm"
#poetry #poetrycommunity #fairytales
#poetry #poetrycommunity #fairytales
The speedemon is a critter from logger lore in the USA. Its body is mostly legs, though it does have a round central axis as well. Its favorite activity is chasing small woodland animals through the forest. It doesn't harm them, mind you; it just does it to be a jerk.
#folklore
#folklore
November 20, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The speedemon is a critter from logger lore in the USA. Its body is mostly legs, though it does have a round central axis as well. Its favorite activity is chasing small woodland animals through the forest. It doesn't harm them, mind you; it just does it to be a jerk.
#folklore
#folklore
Reading a bit about the lutin of Acadia. A bit like gnomes, they were known to braid the hair of horses in the night. At other times, they might take the horses out for a midnight ride.
#folklore
#folklore
November 20, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reading a bit about the lutin of Acadia. A bit like gnomes, they were known to braid the hair of horses in the night. At other times, they might take the horses out for a midnight ride.
#folklore
#folklore
Reposted by Shaun Jex
Look what’s just arrived, @attielime.bsky.social!
November 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Look what’s just arrived, @attielime.bsky.social!
Reposted by Shaun Jex
Our latest newsletter is chock-full of #kidlit news, interviews with our contributors & the 1st installment of our Your Turn feature of at-home/classroom activities to pair with poetry & prose from our past issues!
Check it all out & subscribe here: littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com/p/a-feast-of...
Check it all out & subscribe here: littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com/p/a-feast-of...
A Feast of Kid-Lit News and Links
Preorders, a new submission opportunity, at-home activities and more
littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Our latest newsletter is chock-full of #kidlit news, interviews with our contributors & the 1st installment of our Your Turn feature of at-home/classroom activities to pair with poetry & prose from our past issues!
Check it all out & subscribe here: littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com/p/a-feast-of...
Check it all out & subscribe here: littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com/p/a-feast-of...
So, in the last 35 days, I've written four webinars, a magazine article, 10 blog posts, and approximately 80 poems. And it appears to have finally caught up with me.
November 20, 2025 at 3:02 AM
So, in the last 35 days, I've written four webinars, a magazine article, 10 blog posts, and approximately 80 poems. And it appears to have finally caught up with me.
Reposted by Shaun Jex
Daily poetry prompt: What memories might be contained in objects?
A helmet, newly recovered,
holds the final words
of the wearer,
an Egyptian casket
holds the chatter
of it’s mummy’s embalmers.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/11/memo...
A helmet, newly recovered,
holds the final words
of the wearer,
an Egyptian casket
holds the chatter
of it’s mummy’s embalmers.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/11/memo...
Welcome to the Ssssssnake Hotel
Memories I read somewhere how objects might contain memories that remain recorded in them over the years, how a lute’s strings may carry t...
brian-moses.blogspot.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Daily poetry prompt: What memories might be contained in objects?
A helmet, newly recovered,
holds the final words
of the wearer,
an Egyptian casket
holds the chatter
of it’s mummy’s embalmers.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/11/memo...
A helmet, newly recovered,
holds the final words
of the wearer,
an Egyptian casket
holds the chatter
of it’s mummy’s embalmers.
More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/11/memo...
I just wrote a poem for the collection I'm working on that made me stop and think, "Is this too scary for kids?" Then I thought of Grimm's Fairy Tales and Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Kids have a much greater capacity for spooky than we often give them credit for.
#kidlit
Kids have a much greater capacity for spooky than we often give them credit for.
#kidlit
November 17, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I just wrote a poem for the collection I'm working on that made me stop and think, "Is this too scary for kids?" Then I thought of Grimm's Fairy Tales and Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Kids have a much greater capacity for spooky than we often give them credit for.
#kidlit
Kids have a much greater capacity for spooky than we often give them credit for.
#kidlit
Another wonderful #wordoftheweek from @thetoypress.bsky.social . This one sent me a a bit of a voyage!
#kidlit #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetryforchildren
#kidlit #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetryforchildren
November 17, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Another wonderful #wordoftheweek from @thetoypress.bsky.social . This one sent me a a bit of a voyage!
#kidlit #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetryforchildren
#kidlit #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetryforchildren
I saw this lovely shrine to Thần Tài, the God of Wealth, over the weekend while visiting one of our favorite local markets.
November 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I saw this lovely shrine to Thần Tài, the God of Wealth, over the weekend while visiting one of our favorite local markets.
It's Sunday. You know what that means. A new poetry blog post! This week, we're looking at poems that explore the weirdness of the English language.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/t...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/t...
Three Languages in a Trench Coat: Poems About English
A look at poems about the weirdness of the English language. Plus, a writing prompt.
shaunmjex.wordpress.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:51 PM
It's Sunday. You know what that means. A new poetry blog post! This week, we're looking at poems that explore the weirdness of the English language.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/t...
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/t...