Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Aug 18

Calling all science-STEM young readers! This story is jam-packed with facts about space technology, but it's also a story about choosing to do the right thing and support friends when it counts. A perfect mesh of story and info. Great job
@jmgalat.bsky.social @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jul 21

I have a new hi-lo title, BUSTED, coming out this winter from @orcabook.bsky.social. Just for fun, I googled “Orca Busted”.

This is what came up:
“Orca caught ‘moonwalking’ in West Vancouver”

(Don’t you just love the internet...sometimes??)

BUSTED
Orca Anchor
#winter2026
#CanYALit

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jul 8

Amazing what a little browsing will reveal. Thank you, Helen Kubiw @hkubiw.bsky.social ! My book is a long way off (early 2026) and yet there it is, included in your always-welcome list of #kidlit releases we have to look forward to... Grateful!
#CanKitLit #CanYALit BUSTED @orcabook.bsky.social

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jun 25

Went to a sweet little festival in Pictou, Nova Scotia.
Stretched some rarely-used authorly muscles (because I don't do this very often).
Spent time with some lovely people.
Grateful for this writing life.
Thanks, Read By The Sea Literary Festival!
#CanKidLit #LiteraryFestival #ReadByTheSea

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jun 25

Vituð er enn, eða hvað?
(Sorry! Catching sight of a fire-breathing dragon always sends me back to my Old Icelandic studies…!) #stories #sunsets

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jun 13

Motivation, inspiration, education - always an amazing day for building community. And if you can't get to Toronto for the event, the recorded option is just as valuable. Highly recommend! @canscaip.bsky.social

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Jun 13

SAVE THE DATE - Saturday October 25
Join us for the 41st Annual PYI Conference

Get ready for a powerful day of insight, inspiration, and connection at this year's annual conference!

REGISTRATION OPENS IN JULY

#CanKidLit

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jun 13

Started reading these two books & had to stop. Sorry, Heather & Lorna, but I’m in the middle of a work in progress and the (perfectly written) voices of Tig and Rap are too distracting! I will return to them when I’m done with my girl Lexi - her superpower is words. Kinda like you two...
#CanKidLit

Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jun 2

A friend found Flora sharing a shelf with Winnie-the-Pooh and Anne Shirley at Bookmark Halifax and I bet that is one fun conversation going on there right now...
#CanKidLit #kidlit #middlegrade #Mshelf

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · May 31

It's never the wrong time for positive feedback, just saying... #authorthings

Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · May 29

Just saying… #CanKidLit

Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · May 16

Yes, Flora & I are very happy to share a shelf in the JFIC section of the library with Pooh & A.A. Milne.
Because, well, who doesn't love a sweetly philosophical bear? #CanKidLit #CanYaLit #classics

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · May 6

Sometimes the words flow. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes it’s just good to get out into the fresh air and move. And sometimes that’s all it takes to bring those voices and scenes and words back from the place they’ve been hiding. Yup. Writer's life. #amwriting #CanKidLit

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Apr 16

My #CanKidLit colleagues and I are headed to the Read By The Sea literary festival this June! Love being on a team with @kevinarts.bsky.social @jmgalat.bsky.social and Basil Sylvester. (And love returning to the North Shore, too…!)

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Apr 14

When you receive a copy - like, a real book! - of the ARC you read and wrote a back-cover blurb for: THAT is a good day. Well done, Jenna Greene and Heritage House Publishing! 🇨🇦 Authors helping authors.
(And I see you, too, @karenbass.bsky.social and Wanda Taylor!) #CanKidLit

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Apr 4

A book about a girl who loves yarn, sold in a store run by (and attracting) people who love yarn.
Yes, my local Indie bookshops are awesome...
...but so is my local #yarn shop.
(Kudos if you know the 1st rule of knitting!)
#CanYALit #CanKidLit #IWriteCanadian 🇨🇦

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Mar 25

What it’s all about…
#kidlit #books #reading

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Mar 20

A big part of my writerly life: connecting with #SCBWICanadaEast colleagues in our monthly get-together. (Okay, I had absolutely nothing to offer the discussion, but I learned a lot!) #CanKidLit

SCBWI Canada East @scbwicanadaeast.bsky.social · Mar 20

Thanks to those who joined us for last night's SCBWI PAL Shop Talk for the great conversations. #SCBWICanadaEast #CanKidLit. Upcoming events: www.scbwi.org/regions/cana...

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Reposted by Jean Mills

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Mar 17

NEWS! Our annual Writing For Children Competition is now open for submissions from Canadian unpublished or self-published writers! Deadline: May 31, 2025. Entries evaluated by experienced, published #canscaip members. Guidelines canscaip.org/event-6116783

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Reposted by Jean Mills

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Mar 11

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS: Join us to CONNECT, CREATE & SHARE with #kidlit writers and illustrators from coast to coast to coast. Our goals for the day include providing a safe and welcoming space to meet, work, and build community. Check your email for registration details. #kidlitchat #canscaip

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Reposted by Jean Mills

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Mar 11

REMINDER: Monthly Membership Meeting Wed Mar 12 7pmET!
(Not a CANSCAIP member? Check our website for details about visiting.) #kidlit #kidlitchat #canscaip
Details here: ⬇️⬇️⬇️

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Mar 9

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Wed Mar 12 7pmET. What goes into the crafting of a spooky story? Join author Jeff Szpirglas as he talks about writing all things scary. Hear member announcements too! Meetings info: www.canscaip.org/Monthly-Meet... #kidlit #kidlitchat #canscaip

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Reposted by Jean Mills

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Mar 6

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING: What goes into the crafting of a spooky story? Join author Jeff Szpirglas as he talks about writing all things scary. Hear member announcements too! Meetings info: www.canscaip.org/Monthly-Meet...
(Not a CANSCAIP member? Check our website for details about visiting.)

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Feb 4

When you’re supposed to be signing books but you spend so much time talking to the librarians lined up at your signing that you go overtime and have to move to the overflow table. Yup. (Thanks for being patient with me @pajamapress.blsky.social Emma!)

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Feb 1

One of those events that authors love - spending time with librarians, teachers, readers and writerly colleagues #kidlit #olasc

Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · Feb 1

Author peeps @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social @karenkrossing.bsky.social and I at #olasc. Bumped into so many book friends!

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Jean Mills @jeanmillswriter.bsky.social · Jan 30

One of the highlights of my writerly year - the Ontario Library Association annual Superconference, and an opportunity to connect with librarians, teachers, readers, and writerly colleagues. Thanks to Pajama Press for including Flora and me on the Friday schedule!

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Reposted by Jean Mills

The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers. @canscaip.bsky.social · Jan 17

REMINDER: Only 2 weeks left to register for CANSCAIP Saskatchewan’s FIRST THOUSAND WORDS Editing Fundraiser 2025. Submit the opening of your YA, MG, Chapter Book or Picture Book for editorial feedback from published authors. Register here: www.canscaip.org/event-5975174

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