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hollyryanauthor.bsky.social
Friendly 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️children’s author of picture books. Mama of boys and lover of cheese and pickled eggs. Come say hi 😊❤️ littletigerpress rocketbirdbooks harpercollins busterbooks hachette puffin www.hollyryanchildrensauthor.co.uk
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I just found a full grown stick insect crawling out of the bin…we haven’t had stick insects for a year! What the heck-a-mahooty!!

Took some children to an amazing trip to the Houses of Parliament. Went into the House of Lords and just outside House of Commons when they all piled out after PMQs. We drove past Buckingham palace and Nelson’s column and the biggest cheer was: “Ooo look there’s primark!”

MPs warn SEND crisis creating a ‘lost generation’ of children www.channel4.com/news/mps-war...

love a train trip ❤️

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. -Albert Camus

I asked a child what their fave book from last year was and their answer was a series that was published about a decade ago. A good reminder that a book is always new to a child who hasn't read it. The constant publishing hustle for novelty has nothing to do with what children want. #KidLitUK

I’ve come to the realisation that I don’t actually like Christmas very much and it’s quite a relief. Too much pressure/people/stuff. That is all

I'm offering 3 hours of free picture book mentoring for a UK based writer whose voice is underrepresented in children's publishing. Please help me spread the word by sharing this post. Full details of how to apply are here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/free-pictu...

My map of children's independent bookshops is updated regularly. Most provide an online service and they're all run by people who can make well-informed book recommendations. Make sure you support your local one if you want to keep it. Any missing, please let me know. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

Is that blue sky?!?!

anyone else have the lurgy?

Hope some of the above is useful…will pop back again soon with some more picture book writing tips ☺️ #KitLitUK #kidlituk

3/3 9) don’t expect to give up the day job…average pb author wage is about 7k a year 😬 10) number your spreads and keep illo notes minimal 11) fresh eyes…put your text away for a week and read again 12) enter writing competitions 13) don’t get bogged down with title…it’s likely it will change

2/3 4) join a critique group and listen to feedback 5)read picture books. Book shops and libraries are great 6) editors love a ‘voice’. Is your author personally coming through? 7) 500 words, 12 spreads is sweet spot 8) if it rhymes make sure it really does! Learn from a poetry book if in doubt

So here are a few top tips on picture book writing. 1/3 1) never give up…it took me 10 years to get published. 2) write LOTS as any agent will want to see more than one text. 3) try and have an underpinning message in your theme…will Bunny overcome her fear? Will Bear learn about teamwork?

Start of a new Starter Pack, this time for literary events. If you are one or know of one on Bluesky, please let me know. 💙📚 #BookSky go.bsky.app/PHw99bS

Good morning new followers! Wowsers this place is taking off! On Friday I’ll be sharing some top tips on picture book writing and how to improve their chances of selling. See you then!

Hello to our new followers! 👋 📚 We're a children's bookshop with books for babies through to YA, based in Retford, North Notts 📚 We have a tea party on the ceiling 📚 We love COMICS 📚 We believe children's books should be on best of lists in their own right 📚 Children's books are the best!

I have just been recommended a FB group called My Cat is a Little Shit and it has half a million members. My life is complete

MEET MAISIE!

OK OK this might be a tiny bit altered on my phone for effect but IT’S A RAINBOW and… I LOVE RAINBOWS 🌈!!!!!

A very excited night for my son Ed who is featuring in a local burger advert! He smashed it ❤️

Something very exciting is happening in June involving these fabulous animals 😍

Just had some exciting news…Not Now Goldilocks will be in TESCO early next year 🥳

I’m here on the BlueSky app ! I’ll still be posting on Twitter alongside (for now) . . . but it sure does look nicer over here without the bots ! 🦋

As promised I have written a song for all of you here on Bluesky. It goes like this. I hope you like it. youtu.be/ycj5Kflwb9k #ScrollTheMusical @bsky.app

Good morning Bluesky. Here's a helpful starter pack for divorced men named Geoff but one has been murdered. Please help us find the killer. go.bsky.app/KDY26rh

It's friday! That means it's time for the weekly good news thread,. What's YOUR good news from the week? What's made you smile? Mine is binge watching Line of Duty, by god it's good.

Just when I’m trying to declutter the house this is left in the back lane and my kids thought it would be fun to dress her up. They have named her Sandra. As long as she doesn’t steel my side of the bed #moveoversandra