Jesus Perez

This interview dropped in our lap so quickly and I wasn’t prepared for a photo so when the reporter asked to take one I panicked and grabbed a cartoonish stack of books and said QUICK TAKE IT BEFORE I DROP EVERYTHING QUICK

I would love to join the discord!

"Stop gatekeeping art!" - people producing AI slop

It's not AI art, it's AI slop.

I would read that

I used to get distracted while writing, usually remembering things I needed to do or a random train of thought. What helps is writing it on an index card so I can remember to do it later and get it off my mind. This, combined with a pomodoro timer, keeps the momentum going! #kidlitchat

I'm a huge fan of pomodoro timers! One glance at the timer is enough to pull me back to what I'm currently working on. Otherwise, I get anxiety seeing the timer go down as I waste time.

A group of teens wake up in an unknown world inhabited by creatures that are half-animal half-human. They wear sentient metallic armor to fight threats on their journey to discover the truth about where they are.

📚 I'm looking for a middle school teacher or librarian to review a young teen novel (ages 12-15) for age appropriateness and appeal. The manuscript is ~40k words. This is a paid opportunity. Please reach out if you are interested or know someone who might be. Thanks!

More about the novel 👇 #kidlit

Thank you for taking the time to write this. I plan to write a horror book for this age group, but it's difficult to find good examples. Everything skews too young or mature. I'll take a look at the two books you mentioned!

It would be interesting to see a more in-depth discussion of what is appropriate for YTL horror, and how to keep it from falling into middle grade or older YA territory.

Whenever I get "writer's block," I let those brats loose, and they get me back on track. Plus, there's always a delete button if I don't like where they take me lol

I sometimes work with a pomodoro timer, but I love being in flow and the times when I NEED to keep writing beyond the time. It's such a thrill

My favorite part is when characters take over the story and lead it someplace I didn't expect. I used to struggle with this because I wanted to be a plotter so badly, but now I embrace the choas. #kidlitchat

Move Over, Middle Grade: It’s Time for Young Teen Lit, a guest post by Christina Chatel and Marcia Kochel This story begins with two middle school librarians, miles and miles apart, who both feel passionately that what publishers call middle grade literature is not what their students need or want.

Move Over, Middle Grade: It’s Time for Young Teen Lit, a guest post by Christina Chatel and Marcia Kochel

teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2025/02/06/m... @tltkaren.bsky.social @youngteenlit.bsky.social

The cover looks awesome and the story sounds amazing!

Oh, I see. That's super cool!

Is there a name for this type of art style that looks like chalk? I like it a lot!

I still get asked every so often if/when there will be a 3rd Estranged book, and why have I abandoned the story. While I'm touched people are still finding and enjoying those books, I think people don't know that a publisher can choose to not continue a series, same as tv shows.

Funny you should ask. I've been thinking about gifting myself a canopy tent as I contemplate starting a kidlit pop-up bookstore next year #kidlitchat

Is "science fantasy" a thing in #kidlit? I'm brainstorming a project with another author, and I'm trying to figure out if young YA (12-14) like stories that blend sci-fi & fantasy, or if they like to keep the two genres separate.

I'm thinking of starting a pop-up bookstore to sell kid's books. I would set it up at craft fairs and farmers markets in the San Antonio area. But would there be a market for it? 🤔🤔

When can we buy this book? Lol

There's this one, no downside to joining bsky.app/profile/alby...

In case you wondered: #kidlitchat is for all of #kidlit. Whatever your genre, and whether you write, illustrate, edit, sell, teach or recommend books for children, you are welcome! And it's TONIGHT, Tuesday, 9E/6P. See you there!

Some of my kid readers browse Amazon to tell their parents which books to buy them. I've had a few tell me they actively avoid books with covers that look AI. Even kids know to avoid 💩 #KidLit

I’m learning that MG publishing is in a slump.

As a middle school librarian, this baffles me because kids are reading more than they have in years past.

Do we need to change *how* kids and teens are getting access to these books? Do we need to rethink MC ages? Does MG need to evolve?

I have fond memories of pretending to be sick to stay home from school and playing it all day

Yoshi's Island 👶