mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

How do you decide if an idea is good enough to turn into a manuscript #PBParty? 🌟I gather tons of ideas during #StoryStorm. 🌟I flesh out my favorites & move them toward the top of my file. 🌟I consider which might be the most marketable--but also listen to my gut & dive in!

submitted 12 hours ago • 7 comments

What are your writing/revision/illustration roadblocks? Let's help each other, #PBParty! 🌟Early on, I submitted WAY too early. 🌟Later, I had trouble knowing when a manuscript was truly ready and waited too long (luckily, that hasn't happened since I signed with my agent).

submitted 1 day ago • 3 comments

We now have 1 author/illustrator and 3 writers who signed with agents and needed to withdraw their #PBParty entry. Wahooooooo! It's raining agents. ☔ Who's next?

submitted 1 day ago • 3 comments

We'd absolutely love for you to join the #PBParty showcase fun, @michellewitte.bsky.social. Can you message me your e-mail so I can send you the official invite now & a link to the showcase on March 10? Thanks for the shoutout, @emmaapple.bsky.social. Yes, all are welcome to participate. :)

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Share your best tips & resources for writing PBs. What surprised you about writing & revising, #PBParty? Read, read, read! Join supportive groups like SCBWI, 12x12PB & take workshops Great critique groups are priceless Don't get stuck on 1 PB - keep writing new ones, too

submitted 2 days ago • 4 comments

I laughed so hard at an interactive #PBParty entry. Especially at the end. It's doing fantastic so far! Humor alone isn't enough...but this has so many fun layers. Fingers and toes crossed!

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Huge congrats, @agentemurph.bsky.social & team! Did you see this, #PBParty?

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

I peeked at the #PBParty spreadsheet & a STEM/STEAM I love was purple-lighted when I saw it last (a mix of at least 3 Y and M votes). Now it has 4 yeses. 🎉 Can't wait to see how the other 2 judges vote. This will be in our duke-it-out Zoom. I hope it'll be in the showcase!

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Another writer withdrew from the #PBParty contest yesterday, because they signed with an agent. That's one author/illustrator and two authors! Will there be more before the finalists are announced?

submitted 3 days ago • 3 comments

Which authors and illustrators have influenced your manuscripts the most? Tag them, so others can discover their amazing books, #PBParty! @tammisauer.bsky.social @salinayoon.bsky.social David Ezra Stein @BrianLies (especially The Rough Patch) @patzmiller.bsky.social (so full of 💖)

submitted 3 days ago • 11 comments

I love the sample from this historical fiction #PBParty entry...and fell even more in love with it after reading the query and connection to this story. I'm the 5th vote...and the 5th yes! This NEEDS to be in the showcase.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

For my middle grade novels, I keep an 'orphan file' of text chunks I delete. It's so much easier getting rid of them knowing I can pop into the orphan file and visit them anytime. I've only rescued a few throughout the years. Maybe I should start one with lines I love from PBs too! #PBParty

submitted 3 days ago • 2 comments

It's #PBParty Celebration Sunday! What has you happy dancing? 🎉I found time to revise a PB. Wahooo! 🎉After having to cancel Valentine's Day plans, Hubby & I went out to an amazing dinner together. 💖 🎉I found so many PBParty entries I love & hope will be showcased!

submitted 4 days ago • 10 comments

How many PBs do you work on at the same time? How do you decide what feedback to use, #PBParty? 🌟I write PB drafts in one sitting & juggle revisions so I can have fresh eyes. 🌟I think about feedback then do 1 round of revisions without looking at it. 1/2

submitted 5 days ago • 7 comments

Oh, I love this bio so much! I'm the 4th yes. I have a good feeling about it being in the #PBParty showcase. Fingers, toes, and all paws in my house crossed (I'm babysitting my grandkitties, so that's a nice amount of paws).

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

I'm still laughing after reading a fun, creative #PBParty entry. I'm the 3rd yes, so it turned green on our spreadsheet. I can't wait to see what the rest of the judges think. Humor alone isn't enough...but this has a huge takeaway parents/teachers should love. Fingers crossed!

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

HAPPENING NEXT THURS! Don't forget to sign up today for my #webinar on the entire #query process! Can't make the live event? No worries; it will be recorded. PLUS all registrants get a FREE #querycritique after the event. Details below!

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

At our #12x12PB webinar yesterday, @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social emphasized the importance of #writingcommunity above all else. This is the core of 12 x 12. Come for the craft, stay for the community! Join us at 12x12challenge.com/m.... #kidlit #kidlitart

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Thank you so much, @boringstorybook.com! When agents, editors & ADs said they're participating in the 2025 #PBParty Showcase, I asked which social media they'd like me to link to in my list. I love how many are on BlueSky now! You, @debbieohi.com & others have helped BlueSky kidlit thrive. 💗

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Plotting was one of my biggest weaknesses, and I've been working hard at it for years. @joycekay.bsky.social's Plot Clock was a huge help with that. I hope preparing for PBParty helped you streamline. You can pretend the entire manuscript needs to lose 10 or so words a round, too! #PBParty

submitted 6 days ago • 6 comments

Yes! I also keep lists for PB, MG, and YA and add authors and illustrators I follow if I see any of them in the bio. If the bio includes #PBParty or @12x12challenge.bsky.social I add them to the PB list. :)

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

I've had this happen before, @stanthedad.bsky.social. It can be hard to know what feedback to use, which to take into account but find another way to fix & what isn't right for your manuscript. I've learned to listen to my gut more & it helps. My agent's feedback is a HUGE help now. #PBParty

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Hi @writeloudly.bsky.social! I added you to the #PBParty agent/editor/AD Starter Pack. I hope you're able to join the PBParty fun again this year. The judges and I have already discovered some incredible gems we can't wait to share in the 2025 showcase!

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

I'm following you now. 😀 I do my best to follow back anyone involved with kidlit & missed you. You'll probably have a lot more friends here if you add a photo (of you, a pet, whatever you'd like) & a bio. @boringstorybook.com created a Starter Pack for #PBParty participants I followed, too.

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

What are your biggest writing strengths & weaknesses, #PBParty? Let's help each other with tips & support! 😊Strengths: Brainstorming, streamlining, language that sings, unique art bait, pacing, re-readability, tension, wordplay ☹️Weaknesses: writing or scanning rhyme

submitted 6 days ago • 8 comments

Here's a Starter Pack I created so you can quickly follow some amazing agents, editors and art directors who are participating in the #PBParty contest (or have participated in the past). If I missed you on this list, please let me know and I'll add you. :) go.bsky.app/FPrTsGi

submitted 7 days ago • 20 comments

We have one author/illustrator & one writer who withdrew from the #PBParty contest because they each signed with an agent. I'm happy dancing for them! Who will be next? Please remember that you must give requesting #PBParty agents 2 weeks to consider if you're in the showcase.

submitted 7 days ago • 4 comments

Welcome to BlueSky, @beccalangton.bsky.social! I hope Becca will make another magical match during #PBParty 2025! I linked to Instagram in the contest list of participating agents & editors and wanted to share BlueSky too, so you can all follow. It inspired me to make a PBParty agent Starter Pack!

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Share a line you love from a picture book you wrote (or one of your favorite PBs), #PBParty. This line from my PB, CUPCAKES SHOULDN'T RIDE ROLLER COASTERS always makes me chuckle. I'd love to see it illustrated! “Don’t look,” Cupcake cried. “I’m…UNFROSTED!”

submitted 7 days ago • 15 comments

The #PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train starts NOW & lasts all of Feb. 20–22 EDT 🚂Write a new PB draft 🚂Shout 'DONE' on this post 🚂Add your name to the Critique Train Google doc: tinyurl.com/Critique... 🚂CELEBRATE! 🎉 🚂FAQ: tinyurl.com/Critique... Good luck ✨✨

submitted 7 days ago • 5 comments

What helps you choose picture books to read? Share tips for finding mentor texts & comps, #PBParty. 🌟I love following debut/launch groups online to discover amazing new PBs! If you're in a group, please share a link so others can follow! 🌟Edelweissplus is great for comps!

submitted 8 days ago • 4 comments

This #PBParty entry is so creative with a fun, unique voice. I laughed several times reading the full. And OMG--one of the most unusual openings to a query that I've seen. My yes vote just turned it purple. Come on, judges. Love it as much as I do. Fingers & toes crossed! ✨

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

This all sounds like fantastic agent research, @heatherlee.bsky.social! #PBParty

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Aw, thank you so much, @ixtumea.bsky.social. 💗

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Yay that you started a critique group, @fraudrk.bsky.social. It's sad turning people away, but you need to do what's best for your group. If you have enough interest, maybe connect those you turn away with each other so they can form a new group. #PBParty

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Aw, seeing a little one light up around animals is magical! I love a nearby farm where I can feed goats and hold baby bunnies & ducklings. There's an amazing place I can't wait to go back to with kangaroos, otters, camels, zebras, etc. A monthly girl's night sounds fantastic, too. :) #PBParty

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment