Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 4d

For the #KidLit community! Tomorrow (10/5) is the last day to register for the incredible @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social conference, 10/18-19 near Denver, CO. Tracks for illustrators, writing PBs, writing MG & YA, and marketing, for both emerging and well-published creators.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 25d

@rachelfunez.bsky.social is amazing — don’t miss her Book Chat on 9/17 (8pm ET) with on @12x12challenge.bsky.social. Free!

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · 25d

And...she's back! @rachelfunez.bsky.social joins us for a bonus September Book Chat on 9/17 at 8pm ET/5pm PT! Get ready for SONIA AND THE SUPER-DUPER DISASTER!

Book Chats are free for all writers. Sign up here: www.12x12challenge.c...

#amwriting #amreading #picturebook #kidlit #12x12PB #booksky

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 28d

Polite versus Honest… I would never have pictured a book with garden gnomes giving advice on this dilemma! Can’t wait to read it.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 28d

Thanks so much, Amy!

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 29d

Have kids in your life? Have Blue Jays in view? Here’s a must-read, must-have #KidLit #Bird book for your collection: www.10000birds.com/the-blue-jay...

The Blue Jays that Grew a Forest: A KidLit Bird Book Review

One of the glories of nonfiction picture books for adults is a moment of amazement and awe. I had known that Blue Jays hid acorns, but I hadn’t realized the degree of mutualism between Blue Jays and…

www.10000birds.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 29d

For the #NF #KidLit creators: The first session today for the @scbwi.bsky.social University’s Nonfiction Series class with Lesa Cline Ransom was fabulous, with lots of insights into creative (often expository) NF. It’s recorded, and there’s still time to sign up for the full series.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · 29d

Thanks for sharing the review! It’s such a wonderful book!

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Sep 5

For the #teachers and #librarians— a lovely opportunity for a school visit and books!

Lisa Schmid @lisalschmid.bsky.social · Sep 4

Calling all #teachers & #librarians! Win a copy of THE GHOST RULES, GHOST SCOUT'S HONOR, HART & SOULS, OLLIE OXLEY AND THE GHOST, 150 Bookmarks, 3 Scout Pins, & a school visit with me, @rosenbaumwrites.bsky.social, & @careybk.bsky.social!
Enter:
👻Like
👻Share
👻Tag 2 Teachers or Librarians
📅Ends 9/15

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thanks so much, Sally! Are you headed back to L&L this year? What are you working on these days?

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Sep 3

#Kitlitchat I’m mostly re-envisioning old manuscripts, breathing life into them in newer, different forms. Attended the amazing Acquired Workshop offered by Bushel & Peck, and am looking forward to @scbwirockymtn.bsky.social’s conference in October.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Sep 3

#KidLit Inspo! With thanks to PBMix’26, I’m sharing some of the inspiration behind my book: DAWN CHORUS: Protecting Birdsong Around the World. If you’ve ever been awakened early (too early?!) on a spring morning by birdsong, you’ve heard the dawn chorus.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Sep 1

For the #Kidlit lovers and creators—great interview by @hilarymargitich.bsky.social about the new PB REWRITING THE RULES. #cerebralpalsy #disability #brainresearch

Hilary Elizabeth Margitich @hilarymargitich.bsky.social · Sep 1

Check out my brand-new interview with debut children’s author Danna Zieger and Dr. Kathleen Friel on the Writers’ Rumpus Blog! #kidlit #childrensbooks @drzathome.bsky.social @lernerbooks.bsky.social @writersrumpus.bsky.social @joseebisaillon.bsky.social
writersrumpus.com/2025/08/05/w...

Writing About a Living Person: A Conversation with Author Danna Zeiger and Dr. Kathleen Friel

If you’ve been keeping up with our wildly engaging Writers’ Rumpus blog this summer, then you’ve already become well-acquainted with debut author Danna Zeiger and her critically acclaimed new book,…

writersrumpus.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Aug 29

For the #Kidlit creators, I just wanted to take a moment to rave about publisher Bushel & Peck’s Acquired workshops. I signed up because I’d never before seen ROI (Return on Investment) mentioned in a workshop review. Worth it? Totally. bushelandpeckbooks.com/pages/acquir...

Acquired!

What submissions do children's publishers want? Find out so you can get . . . acquired! “It's so hard to get published," writers say. Yes . . . and no! It's true that only a small percentage of books ...

bushelandpeckbooks.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Aug 14

First Day Jitters is a classic and beloved #KidLit, and I’m thrilled that @jdanneberg.bsky.social is back with another one—perfect for all the #teachers!

e.g. Julie Danneberg @jdanneberg.bsky.social · Aug 6

Mrs. Hartwell is back with a bad case of the jitters. Luckily her students know how to help her.
juliedanneberg.com/fiction-book...
@summitlibraries.bsky.social @boulderlibrary.bsky.social @susanwroble.bsky.social @judylove.bsky.social

Teacher Jitters

About Teacher Jitters Even teachers get the jitters sometimes! Mrs. Hartwell lets her class know that she is missing school the next day to take a class for teachers. “And to tell the truth, …

juliedanneberg.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Aug 13

I always love reading @mmarshallauthor.bsky.social's book posts—great questions, insightful answers:

Maria Marshall @mmarshallauthor.bsky.social · Aug 13

4 fabulous @steamteambooks.bsky.social authors share their four August #NF PBs. www.mariacmarshall.com/singlepost/t... Jennifer Swanson Workman Kids @jstremer.bsky.social Beach Lane Books @karenjameson15.bsky.social Yosemite Conservancy @deirdrelaide.bsky.social Tilbury House #interview #kidlit

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Aug 13

I loved @stacylwhitman.bsky.social's focus on worldbuilding for all kinds of writing, not just SF and fantasy.

Stacy Whitman @stacylwhitman.bsky.social · Aug 12

Okay, deep breath! I put together my first workshop! Please share widely (and sign up if it sounds interesting!). I'm hoping to do a few of these before the holidays--both day-long events and maybe a few shorter online classes.

www.eventbrite.com/e/everything...

EVERYTHING is Worldbuilding: A Full-Day Writing Workshop with Stacy Whitman

Your characters live in a world. Let's explore how to make that world matter.

www.eventbrite.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Aug 13

Put this incredible NF PB on your TBR lists! Author @jstremer.bsky.social and illustrator @gordywright.bsky.social have teamed up to create an amazing story for all of you who love #KidLit, #birds, and science. www.10000birds.com/plight-of-th...

Plight of the Pelican: A KidLit Bird Book Review

This was a case of being grabbed by a subtitle… “How Science Saved a Species” hooked me, and after reading, I knew this was a book to bring to the attention of 10,000 Bird followers.

www.10000birds.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Aug 11

Love #KidLit #MG? This week’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday has some great reviews for your TBR shelf. gpattridge.com/2025/08/11/m...

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday for 8/11/2025

Enjoy all these great posts from our line-up this week: ••ALWAYS in the MIDDLE is featuring a review of THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN by Nicole M. Hewitt. ••Jenni Enzor has a double feat…

gpattridge.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jul 31

This one is for women writers, #writing women’s stories: a paid retreat (except for travel) for 2-4 weeks in Homer, Alaska. Applications for ‘26 due 8/31. storyknife.org/how-to-apply...

How to Apply

Application period for 2026 residencies is currently open and will close on August 31, 2025 at midnight. Notification of results will be sent in November. Click here to apply Women’s stories are vi…

storyknife.org

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jul 10

This is a Save-the-Date for #Kidlit #NF creators: I was fortunate to attend the first Ninja Experience Revision Retreat this year. It was truly fabulous — and they are doing it again next June! The retreat center at Prairiewoods in Iowa was an oasis of birdsong and sustainability. Inspiring.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jul 9

If you’re ever planning a trip to #southafrica, I have a #bookrec for you! It says it is for kids, but my husband and I would dispute that. But if you are going with kids, this book is a field guide and activity book rolled into one. Incredible! #birds www.10000birds.com/faansies-bir...

Faansie’s Bird Book 2: A KidLit Bird Book Review

“The bottom line is that “normal” people just don’t have the sorts of crazy experiences that are the norm for birders.” (Faansie Peacock) When my husband and I arrived in Capetown, South Africa for a…

www.10000birds.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jul 1

So excited about this free course from @sondrae.bsky.social—it is exactly what I need right now!

Sondra Eby @sondrae.bsky.social · Jun 24

Hi, #kidlit friends. Sometimes updating/creating your author website can make you feel like curling up in bed with a book and hot cup of tea! 📚 🫖

So I made a free course (based on 20 years as a web designer by day) to help you make your author website more intuitive: sondraeby.com/author-websi...

Demystifying Web Design for KidLit Authors

This free email course teaches you ways to engage a broad range of people on your author website using straightforward techniques.

sondraeby.com

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jul 1

So thrilled that my #bookclub will be reading @lauraresau.bsky.social's debut adult novel, THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS—it is getting rave reviews prior to its release on 7/29! Our group started as a mother- daughter book club, and Laura spoke to our group nearly two decades ago.

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jun 29

At a time when our diverse history is being hidden, I am really excited about this #kidlit book.

Nikki Grimes @poetnikki.bsky.social · Jun 25

COVER REVEAL In the making since 1996, the seed for this Black Choctaw character grew during research for Talkin' About Bessie illustrated by the same E.B. Lewis! It's been a mighty long journey, during which I was joined by co-author Stacy Wells, introduced to me by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Yay team!

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Susan Wroble @susanwroble.bsky.social · Jun 29

Mosquitoes aren’t native to Hawaii—and the malaria they brought has decimated the local #birds, including the i’iwi featured in my forthcoming DAWN CHORUS book. Loved this approach to combat the disease! www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...

Scientists Are Using Drones to Unleash Thousands of Mosquitoes in Hawaii in a Bid to Save Native Birds. Here's How It Works

The lab-raised, non-biting male mosquitoes are meant to breed with the invasive ones on the islands and produce sterile eggs that will help suppress avian malaria

www.smithsonianmag.com

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