Cathy Stenquist-#amquerying

#Poetryfriday! Hop on over to my blog (www.cathystenquist.com/blog) to see poems inspired by my #onelittleword2026, COLOR!

Color inspires my creativity and expresses emotions through words and art. Each week, I choose a color(s) from the 64-pack crayons I loved as a child for a poem. Let's go!

Awesome way to start a school year. I’m heading to library to be inspired by these mentor texts.

Yes! Every time I go. The best way to be a good poet is to read good children’s poetry. It helps me see creative new formats I can use and make my anthology even better. I think it’s a great thing to give to children as a gift too because they can enjoy each poem like little delicious potato chips

You don’t need to apologize for writing slowly. No one asks a tree why it isn’t taller yet. #writingcommunity #amwriting

Let's have some fun!
The GOODNIGHT MOON stamps I bought today got me thinking... What would it look like if my book, FOREVER HOME was honored with being a stamp? Inviting my PB friends to share what their book stamps would look like. Template below. #GoodnightMoonStamps #bookstampchallenge #PB

Whats My Line?
Just added my line to the #kidlitprogressivepoem2025. Thank you to poet, Irene Latham for starting this tradition years ago. Collaborating with #poets inspired by spring is a lovely way to spend your morning! Check out my line at www.cathystenquist.com/blog

Mental Wellness for Writers Live Online Program

An interesting virtual opportunity for all my creative friends. We all need new tools for our wellness, sometimes. #writer #creator #illustrator #illustration #picturebook #novel #poetry #mentalheath #fiction #nonfiction

Yes, but that’s when the wheels are turning and the magic happens!

Very excited to kick off my 9th year with 12x12. If you are interested in writing or illustrating picture books, joining this community is one of the best things to do. Webinars, resources, and so much more. Open registration till Feb. 28. Hope to see you there! #12x12Challenge

@cathystenquist.bsky.social
I would love to be added, Julie. Thank you for doing this.

So excited to see the movement of #kidlit “x”iting and moving over to blue sky. We’re building a positive healthy community over here!

Line edits are time intensive, but 100% worth the effort. The emotions and descriptions begin to pop as you play with sentence structure, line breaks, and word choices. It's all about optimizing flow for an immersive reading experience. #amediting #writingadvice

@joycefrankwrite.bsky.social

Hey #kidlit illustrators, I’d like to gift a free, one-hour, portfolio-review/coaching-session.

1) reply with samples of your art.
2) repost this message.

I’ll pick a winner at random next week from those who do both. Win or lose, I’ll take a close look at every reply.

💙❤️

Joyce Frank chose my prize in @viviankirkfield.bsky.social 's #50PreciousWords contest - A MS critique/ a signed copy of FOREVER HOME / 30 minute "Ask Me Anything". She lived so close, we met for tea and a chat. Her lovely writing is lyrical & poetic. Such fun! Good luck w revisions, Joyce!

Several people have contacted SCBWI and the regional organizers about this—sounds like they're going to take it down.

It's #50preciouswords time again, when writers scrunch an amazing story into 50 words! Check out the 2024 story on my blog. Thanks @viviankirkfield for hosting this delightful contest to promote literacy and get books into the hands of NH students. Best of luck to all! www.cathystenquist.com/blog

Hailing from MA / USA. Submitted a concept book / SEL story of my heart. I am a published children’s poet, write a column interviewing people about their faith and love to write memoir. Best of luck everyone!

Very excited to enter the story of my heart into @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social ‘s #pbparty. Thank you to the agents and editors who are generously giving their time. Best of luck to everyone!

We are so very excited to welcome Sally M. Kim to the ABLA team as an associate agent! You can find out what she’s looking for on our website! Welcome Sally 🎉 🥳

@jestrudel.bsky.social's "How to Land an Agent" @write4kids.org, was a fascinating peek at the behind the scenes of agenting, considerations an agent has when they read your query and how to build the best relationship. Thank you Jes. One of the best classes I've attended. New respect for her job.

I am very excited to "Mother Earth is My Home" included in "Bless the Earth" by @nancytupperling.bsky.social and @junecotner. What a thrill to see my poem illustrated by the talented @keumjinsong. Available for preorder now. A wonderful book to share with your littles.

Favorite gift given: Working with amazing poets to send a mini get well anthology of poems to Jane Yolen.

Favorite gift rec’d: My new “Frameo.” Every 5 seconds a new image with its own story appears. It is sure to be the gift that keeps on giving.

How about you?

Illustration of long-haired girl in red clock on flower-filled green hillside, looking up into the blue sky. In the sky, we see a few fluffy clouds along with some white skywriting that spellings the word "bluesky."

Do you know a kidlit/YA person new to Bluesky? Here are starting resources that might help, pls see full thread 👇🏼

My take on social media
Quick tips + templates
My Bluesky how-to videos
KidLit Authors & Illustrators On Bluesky
Kate Messner's KidLit Community list

cont'd