Author: Brian Kirby
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Preparing for #pbparty
#PBPARTY is an annual contest run by Mindy Alyse Weiss to help connect unagented writers & author/illustrators with agents & editors. I’m prepping a manuscript and picture book dummy to submit this year, and was a 2024 Illustration Showcase Finalist. It’s a great time with a lot or participants, the ranking parties where users help… Read more
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#PBCHAT Picture Book Club February 2024
I’ve organized a book club for picture books! A chance to meet other writers, illustrators, and creatives and talk about a picture book on Mondays at 9PM EST every two weeks, hosted on Bluesky. Follow the hashtag #PBCHAT We’re having a 1-hour chat using the hashtag #pbchat every 2nd Wednesday of the month! We’ll post… Read more
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SCBWI on BLUESKY
I’m a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators member, and help the SCBWI: OHIO NORTH chapter out with their social media. A lot of the local chapters have been joining us and the central SCBWI team on Bluesky. If you are a member, I highly encourage you to join Bluesky and find your local… Read more
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#BluePit
A new pitch party debuted in Bluesky today. It’s not exclusive to kidlit, but it is nice to see so many creatives participating. Things felt pretty quiet over the holidays, and having a feed full of new creative pitches is welcome. This is the organizer’s announcement and rules: There are a lot of adult sci… Read more
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Bluesky Moderation – Nuclear Block & Mute Lists for Beginners
With X‘s tailspin into an unusable platform—where you are aggressively served content that is unwanted, offensive, and a waste of your time while your own content is suppressed—I have really taken to Bluesky, where I am finding the most welcoming community I’ve encountered online in many years. It is definitely worth committing to build a… Read more
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#PBCHAT Picture Book Club January 2025
I’ve organized a book club for picture books! A chance to meet other writers, illustrators, and creatives and talk about a picture book on Mondays at 9PM EST every two weeks, hosted on Bluesky. Follow the hashtag #PBCHAT We’re having a 1-hour chat using the hashtag #pbchat every 2nd Wednesday of the month! We’ll post… Read more
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#kidlitartpostcard January 2025
On the first Thursday of each month, children’s book illustrators from around the world share illustrations across social media using the hashtag #KidLitArtPostcard. Illustrator Gina Perry is kind enough to organize this event exclusively on Bluesky and Cara. Find out more at Gina Perry’s website. Check out my #kidlitartpostcards Check out all the great art being posted for #kidlitartpostcard day! Read more
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Carol & John’s Holiday Art Show 2024
One of my favorite events each year is the Holiday Art Show at my local comic shop, Carol & John’s. I’ve been contributing to the show for a few years, and my kids are able to donate their art as well! Since 2013, Carol & John’s has organized their Holiday Art Show to help provide… Read more
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#kidlitartpostcard December 2024
On the first Thursday of each month, children’s book illustrators from around the world share illustrations across social media using the hashtag #KidLitArtPostcard. Illustrator Gina Perry is kind enough to organize this event exclusively on Bluesky and Cara. Find out more at Gina Perry’s website. Check out my #kidlitartpostcards Check out all the great art being posted for #kidlitartpostcard day! Read more
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Krampusnacht Doodling
I picked up the new Sharpie creative paint markers last April and thought they had a unique look when doodling on construction paper, and now I’m trying the idea out on a fun project about Krampus, the European folk monster who punishes naughty children at Christmastime. I’m loving the results so far! Read more