Alex Villasante

First read of 2026!

Do you want to get up to 4000 words of your children's novel/chapter book read? What about up to 1000 words of two picture books?

If so, join the Kidlit Manuscript Workshop! You'll get feedback from your peers, including me!

Why not make writing a priority in 2026?

iamericbell.com#/kidlit-manu...

I hope you picked up one of these beauties at #NCTE! Thank you Astra Publishing for sharing ARCs of THUNDER AND MERCY, and to @magpiewrites.bsky.social for the photo!

Thank you so much for being there, Meera! You made it so special- and you braved DC traffic!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Image of cover of Mac Wears a Hat and a quote from SLJ interview.

Did I mention I have a new book coming? I hope Mac Wears a Hat spreads joy and the love of a good hat to all. 🎩

Available for pre-order today, everywhere books are sold (U.S. and Canada). Thank you for your support. It means the world.

🔗: www.vickijohnsonwrites.com

#littlebeebooks #gillianreid

I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.

This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.

It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.

This is utterly vile. Loomer is calling for ethnic cleansing and we need to say so, every single day, and stand in the way of this.

Just a few of my fav moments from #ALAAC25!

Picture of black and white buttons. They say “I unban books,” with a QR code.

Image of a spiral bound book. It says “Freedom to read teen advocacy toolkit.”

See you today, ALA! I’m at the Books Unbanned booth giving away swag and talking about the Brooklyn Public Library’s program.

You can catch me on two panels: one at 1 pm (where you can get a print toolkit!) and one at 230 pm.

A lot of kids need books. A lot of those kids sign their emails to authors “some random kid.”
Maybe before you ban books, you should talk to the kids about how they feel. That’s what protecting kids would look like. Not taking away books that help them feel seen while you ignore them. 👍🏻

These YA Novelists Celebrate Queer, Fat Characters buff.ly/pfxvf2a

The 2024 sizzle reel is here! 🎥
What’s the Latinx Storytellers Conference all about?
Craft. Community. Joy. Purpose.
💥 We’re back Sept 12–13, 2025.
🎟️ Tickets available now — don’t miss your chance.
🔗 www.latinxstorytellersconference.com/registration

Thrilled to receive my first starred review from PW for FIREBLOOMS!🧡

People don't know you can still die from asthma. A HS friend lost her twin to an asthma attack a few years ago. He had it right next to his truck. They didn't find him for hours. Asthma is a life-threatening condition and requires multi-step medication to manage it. They're trying to kill her.

Graphic announcing the in-person book tour for WAKE THE WILD CREATURES by Nova Ren Suma Sunday, May 4th at 2:00 PM ET A Novel Idea (Philadelphia, PA) In conversation with NYT bestselling author EMILY X.R. PAN Monday, May 5th at 6:00 PM ET People’s Book (Takoma Park, MD) In conversation with bestselling author ROBIN TALLEY Tuesday, May 6th at 7:00 PM ET Belmont Books (Belmont, MA) In conversation with bestselling author and National Book Award winner MALINDA LO Wednesday, May 7th at 6:30 PM ET McNally Jackson, Prince Street Location (New York, NY) In conversation with #1 NYT bestselling author LIBBA BRAY Thursday, May 8th at 6 PM CT BookPeople (Austin, TX) In conversation with KATE PENTECOST Friday, May 9th at 7 PM CT Barnes & Noble Houston Champions (Houston, TX) In conversation with KATE PENTECOST For the full schedule and more information visit novaren.com/appearances

A surreal and wild announcement: I’m going on a book tour for WAKE THE WILD CREATURES in May, and I’ll be in conversation with some wondrous authors! Here are my stops: novaren.com/appearances/

@thenovl.bsky.social

Intro to Writing Short Fiction: A Two-Night Mini for MG & YA Authors - Highlights Foundation

FYI, MG & YA writers, @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social and I are teaching a mini class with @highlightsfound.bsky.social next week on short fiction! It's on 4/7 and 4/9, all virtual, and only $59. More info and registration here: highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/int...

Photo of a person with short, rainbow hair, big sunglasses and a light purple jacket standing in front of a tree.

Picture of two people standing in front of cabins and a rainbow. One is embracing the other from behind and both are smiling

Oh hey #transdayofvisibility. I’m here and trans!
It’s hard being trans in this country right now (understatement), but I love being me and hope that the future is still bright.
And I hope there are lots of queer books in my future.
love to my enby partner in crime @adriakarlsson.bsky.social 🩷🤍🩵

Booklist 2025 Jan1The Cook Who Defended Pearl Harbor: A Graphic Novel Biography of Doris “Dorie” Miller by Shawn Pryor, illustrated by Alessandro Valdrighi.  CapstoneDivya’s Supersecret Plan by Abhilasha Khatri …

My list of books by BIPOC authors releasing for teens & tweens in 2025 is growing.Please, support these authors.Buy their books.Request your library purchase them.Check them out from your libraries.Read them & talk to your friends about them online our in person.

edicottonquilt.com/booklists/20...

A weekend reminder: they are working SO hard to quiet our voices because of the impact our voices have in creating change. keep writing.

Fireblooms by Alexandra Villasante book cover with two teens in profile holding each other in red, orange and gold color palette.

Got to do the cover reveal for this gorgeousness today❤️♥️🧡 FIREBLOOMS hits shelves 9/30/25 and I can’t wait for the world to meet Sebastián & Lu. Cover illustration by Kathe Butcher, design by Kelley Brady- thank you @penguinteen.bsky.social ♥️

On Sunday afternoon March 30, @ellenoh.bsky.social and I will be leading an online workshop, speaking to Texas high school students about how to safely fight back against book bans, censorship, and the erasure of identities under the current regime.

Library Funding Targeted in New Trump Executive Order: What It Means & What To Do Now What the Executive Order slashing the Institute of Museum and Library Services means, how it will impact you, and what you should do right now to stop the cuts.

Library Funding Targeted in New Trump Executive Order: What It Means & What To Do Now

bookriot.com/imls-executi...

Honestly, sea fishing sounds nice. I’m in.

3/18 Saint Charles, Kisker Rd LIbrary 3/20 Saint Louis, The Novel Neighbors The Lobby at Union Station 3/27 Farmington, ME Thursday Island Reading Series 3/28 Portland, ME PRINT: A Bookstore 4/10 Claremont, CA Scripps 4/12 El Dorado Hills, CA Face In A Book

Join Me On Tour!

You didn't think we were going to let the week of an Amazon boycott go by without highlighting one of the biggest things we do that they don't...Creative, personal, algorithm free, book recommendations! Who from #booksky needs a recommendation? What are you looking for?

tall cylinder prayer candle with image of Astrologer Walter Mercado

I do a lot of things in my day that I don't post about. call senators, sign petitions, rage cry and wake up terrified for people I love who this govt hates. I also keep this candle of Walter Mercado near me, for when a light, a miracle, a witness is needed. I'm gonna need more candles, arent I?

The Latinx Storytellers Conference isn’t just an event — it’s a launchpad. 🚀
2 days of masterclasses, panels & keynotes designed to get you closer to your publishing dreams. Learn from the best. Connect with community. Walk away inspired. 💫
LEARN MORE: buff.ly/4lF2TvW
#WritersLife #LatinxLit

That Cover Goes B-A-N-A-N-A-S: YA Books Out in March to TBR - BOOK RIOT Get your hands on some of the best new YA books hitting shelves this month.

Tune into this week's episode of Hey YA, where @erica-eze.bsky.social and I talk about some of the most interesting new releases of March, this year's Summer Scares Selections, the FOREVER . . . adaptation, and more: bookriot.com/listen/ya-bo...