Michael F. Stewart's Avatar

Michael F. Stewart

@openmike.bsky.social

Writes books for kids and young adults. VCFAWYCA, Canscaip, SCBWI, #kidlit, #canlit Latest: Seeking Draven, Red Deer Press, 2024 Next: Turn to Burn, Renaissance Press, 2025

523 Followers  |  317 Following  |  70 Posts  |  Joined: 18.10.2023  |  1.6079

Latest posts by openmike.bsky.social on Bluesky


Reflecting that I wrote this a year and a half ago and only just sent the final version of the book out for sub. You forget how long this stuff takes. Buckle up!
BTW. Evidently it is okay to kill a few penguins, couldn't be helped. :)

09.02.2026 19:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm so glad that biscotti are considered part of the Mediterranean diet.

06.02.2026 15:18 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Can I please submit everything in Calibri rather than Times New Roman?

12.12.2025 14:23 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What's the recommended ratio between cookies baked and cookies eaten? I went with 10%, but I made twelve dozen ginger cookies ... and on a Wednesday night, which I feel should count for something.

04.12.2025 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What I love about all the book club scam emails targeting authors as of late is that someone must have trolled the scammers into believing authors have enough money to be worth scamming in the first place.

10.11.2025 15:42 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Whale Rock Workshops Writing Scholarship Fundraiser By Whale Rock Workshops

Umm ... @whalerockworkshops.bsky.social is having a huge fundraiser and there are critiques from absolute powerhouses on there. Go get out bid me! givebutter.com/c/writing-sc...
#share #kidlit

31.10.2025 16:19 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Can I mention 'Christmas' yet?
Here's some fresh #kidlit book ideasβ€”perfect reads to spark imagination and cozy up with this season! πŸ“šβœ¨
@parentclub.bsky.social
@suecurrie24.bsky.social
@reganmacaulay.bsky.social
@carolmatas.bsky.social
@jtorrescomics.bsky.social
@heathermoconnor.bsky.social

27.10.2025 16:57 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ‚ Discover these fresh fall #kidlit booksβ€”perfect reads to spark imagination and cozy up with this season! πŸ“šβœ¨

@parentclub.bsky.social‬
@suecurrie24.bsky.social
@reganmacaulay.bsky.social
@carolmatas.bsky.social
@jtorrescomics.bsky.social
@heathermoconnor.bsky.social

25.09.2025 19:29 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Pretty sure Google thinks we're having another baby. Really I'm starting a new book ...
#worldbuilding #babynames

22.07.2025 15:50 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

"Oh, it is wonderful to have a giant’s strength. But it is tyrannous to use it like a giant." Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

07.04.2025 11:35 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Firefighters rescue kayaker using bystander’s canoe near Billings Bridge Ottawa Fire Services says crews rescued a man after his kayak flipped over on the Rideau River using a bystander’s canoe in the area of Bank Street and Riverside Drive, north of Billings Bridge Thursd...

What do you think, peeps? Picture book about a canoe over it's lifetime? Nonfiction reader about inanimate heroes? Maybe it can be themed to counter disposable culture? Just spit balling here. Proud of our big yellow banana canoe!

www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...

04.04.2025 12:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Creator's Corner: Michael Stewart Michael Stewart is the multi award-winning author of dozens of books from illustrated chapter books and graphic novels with Rubicon Publishing (Savvas); to young adult, includingΒ Heart Sister, out thr...

Interview alert! The wonderful @spencerbmiller.bsky.social took some time to ask me a few questions about my most recent project and the @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social Book Week Tour. Check it out: bookcentre.ca/blogs/articl... #kidlit #mg #verse #digitalmedialiteracy

26.03.2025 15:54 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Presented to a group of grade fivers at the Chelsea Library today and, I gotta say, we're gonna be fine. These kids are great.
#FundLibraries #FundEducation #KidsAreOurFuture

26.03.2025 15:43 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Interviews, Blog Parties & More (c) Caroline McPherson,Β  carolinemcphersonillustration.com

We LOVE when our clients get collaborative.

Check out this interview between children's book authors Dionna L. Mann and Michael F. Stewart, with included illustrations from Caroline McPherson all of whom are part of the @kellydhouse.bsky.social crew!

www.dionnalmann.com/interviews-b...

19.03.2025 17:30 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

"Most dominant civilization"
Here is what was transcribed on one broken pillar:

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Shelley

05.03.2025 12:21 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Ginger, yes, reading a good book is precisely what I need today. :)

04.03.2025 16:43 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I’ve been sidetrumped today, my mind trumbled and perplumped as to why. Ideas to cope?

04.03.2025 16:10 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I am stunned that US National Park Service removed transgender and queer representation from its Stonewall monument site. A monument that stands for hard fought acceptance has now become one of intolerance, from pride to shame. Don't stand for it. Resist.

04.03.2025 12:53 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I've paddled the Myakka and never have I ever had so many monsters directly under my kayak ...

20.02.2025 16:29 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Luckily I have 25% more love for y'all America. And I am here to consume all of our surplus maple syrup.

03.02.2025 14:45 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Editing verse feels a little like taking stones and dipping them in water so that I can discover how they truly look.

I'm also working on back cover copy for a YA urban fantasy and I think that less is more. As if, the longer the copy, the more reasons the reader has not to open the cover?

29.01.2025 15:10 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I subsist on the praise of editors.
Thank you editors. πŸ’š

28.01.2025 21:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Congratulations, Cynthia! Woot!

28.01.2025 01:06 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What do you do when you're waiting on not one but TWO sets of edits?
Well, I don't know what you do, but I
CLEAN!

24.01.2025 12:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'll be editing a book about conspiracies, twisted minds, and revolution today.
No reason.

20.01.2025 14:15 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Hello 2025~I’m back in the office and open to queries this week! #amquerying #kidlit #writers #illustrators, I’d love to see your #YA, #MG, narrative NF proposals, and #PBs. I’ve updated my #MSWL, but some particular things I’d love to see in my inbox:

06.01.2025 17:50 β€” πŸ‘ 77    πŸ” 16    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0

Leaving this open a few more days
#querytip #writingcommunity

29.12.2024 16:24 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 2

Hey, Katie, congrats! You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages. :) Use it whenever optimal.

29.12.2024 21:23 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Hi, Shuba, thanks for your interest. You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages, your call. :) Use it whenever you please.

29.12.2024 21:21 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Hey, Dani, thanks for the interest. You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages, your call. :) Use it whenever you please.

29.12.2024 21:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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