Chris Barton
@bartography.bsky.social
Author—THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS, SHARK VS. TRAIN, WHOOSH! & WE MATCH! Freelance editor—fiction/nonfiction. VP—Texas Institute of Letters. Loves visiting schools. https://linktr.ee/bartography
Pinned
Chris Barton
@bartography.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Happy 25th Publication Day to me!
My newest picture book—WE MATCH!—is out in the world today, and I’m thankful to all of them, and to all the readers, booksellers, librarians, co-creators, and advocates who have helped make the work I do so enjoyable. Here’s to the next 25 books.
My newest picture book—WE MATCH!—is out in the world today, and I’m thankful to all of them, and to all the readers, booksellers, librarians, co-creators, and advocates who have helped make the work I do so enjoyable. Here’s to the next 25 books.
Reposted by Chris Barton
We’re a small library, so we have a physical suggestion box- or patrons just ask me. I bring in probably 8/10 requests- it really does work!
If there’s an author you appreciate, one of the simplest, most helpful, least expensive things you can do for them is ask your public library to add that author’s newest book to their collection.
Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!
Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!
November 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
We’re a small library, so we have a physical suggestion box- or patrons just ask me. I bring in probably 8/10 requests- it really does work!
If something you love is the product of someone in the U.S. who is self-employed or who owns or works for a small business, you need to understand how dire things are about to get.
That thing you love is in jeopardy (if it wasn’t already).
That thing you love is in jeopardy (if it wasn’t already).
$2,341.96.
That’s what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas says my wife and I will pay for our monthly health insurance premiums in 2026.
This year, for the same coverage? It’s been $899.72.
So, what are we calling this? Trump Tax? Trump Hike? Trump Gouge? Trumpremiums?
Whatever, I hate it.
That’s what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas says my wife and I will pay for our monthly health insurance premiums in 2026.
This year, for the same coverage? It’s been $899.72.
So, what are we calling this? Trump Tax? Trump Hike? Trump Gouge? Trumpremiums?
Whatever, I hate it.
October 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
If something you love is the product of someone in the U.S. who is self-employed or who owns or works for a small business, you need to understand how dire things are about to get.
That thing you love is in jeopardy (if it wasn’t already).
That thing you love is in jeopardy (if it wasn’t already).
$2,341.96.
That’s what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas says my wife and I will pay for our monthly health insurance premiums in 2026.
This year, for the same coverage? It’s been $899.72.
So, what are we calling this? Trump Tax? Trump Hike? Trump Gouge? Trumpremiums?
Whatever, I hate it.
That’s what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas says my wife and I will pay for our monthly health insurance premiums in 2026.
This year, for the same coverage? It’s been $899.72.
So, what are we calling this? Trump Tax? Trump Hike? Trump Gouge? Trumpremiums?
Whatever, I hate it.
October 31, 2025 at 2:03 AM
$2,341.96.
That’s what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas says my wife and I will pay for our monthly health insurance premiums in 2026.
This year, for the same coverage? It’s been $899.72.
So, what are we calling this? Trump Tax? Trump Hike? Trump Gouge? Trumpremiums?
Whatever, I hate it.
That’s what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas says my wife and I will pay for our monthly health insurance premiums in 2026.
This year, for the same coverage? It’s been $899.72.
So, what are we calling this? Trump Tax? Trump Hike? Trump Gouge? Trumpremiums?
Whatever, I hate it.
That’s some good company — thank you so much, Nancy!
(Ernie is listening, too.)
(Ernie is listening, too.)
October 29, 2025 at 9:25 PM
That’s some good company — thank you so much, Nancy!
(Ernie is listening, too.)
(Ernie is listening, too.)
I've got some great news: It is thoroughly satisfying to share what I hope will be my last-ever update on the 2023 Texas book ban, a.k.a. House Bill 900, a.k.a. the READER Act, which is that a federal judge has stopped the law with a permanent injunction.
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
October 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I've got some great news: It is thoroughly satisfying to share what I hope will be my last-ever update on the 2023 Texas book ban, a.k.a. House Bill 900, a.k.a. the READER Act, which is that a federal judge has stopped the law with a permanent injunction.
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
chrisbarton.info/the-case-aga...
At this morning’s school visit, I finally got asked by a student to say “6, 7.” I feel relevant at last.
Also, during Q&A, after a string of students asked questions about my dog, one of their classmates asked me, “Can we *only* ask you about your dog?”
Also, during Q&A, after a string of students asked questions about my dog, one of their classmates asked me, “Can we *only* ask you about your dog?”
October 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
At this morning’s school visit, I finally got asked by a student to say “6, 7.” I feel relevant at last.
Also, during Q&A, after a string of students asked questions about my dog, one of their classmates asked me, “Can we *only* ask you about your dog?”
Also, during Q&A, after a string of students asked questions about my dog, one of their classmates asked me, “Can we *only* ask you about your dog?”
Reposted by Chris Barton
I found this a really illuminating thread on what demonstrations do and why they matter.
In social movement studies, we talk about how marches and protests expand the threshold of acceptable risk so that people take more and bigger social risks IN PUBLIC, EN MASSE. This is extremely important for the bourgeois white folks holding signs and building social rapport.
Not a shitpost: #NoKings is feel-good performative activism for comfortable mostly upper and upper middle class white folks and that’s good, actually. Millions of people in the streets protesting a fascist regime is good. It is good for the normie baseline to be massive displays of public dissent.
October 19, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I found this a really illuminating thread on what demonstrations do and why they matter.
Axolotl attendees, and I think they’ll agree: The No Kings march in Austin has been a joy.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
October 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Axolotl attendees, and I think they’ll agree: The No Kings march in Austin has been a joy.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
I saw fellow church members, former coworkers, another children’s author, an actual rock star, and above all a diverse, peaceful, and good-natured assembly of people who love this country passionately.
Reposted by Chris Barton
Remember The Great Brain??
And who said this one?
"That ties into one of my all-time favorite music nonfiction books, a John Lennon biography by Ray Coleman—just titled Lennon—that I read over and over when I was in high school, just as I’d done with the Great Brain books several grades earlier."
Me, or Victor Piñeiro?
"That ties into one of my all-time favorite music nonfiction books, a John Lennon biography by Ray Coleman—just titled Lennon—that I read over and over when I was in high school, just as I’d done with the Great Brain books several grades earlier."
Me, or Victor Piñeiro?
October 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Remember The Great Brain??
Reposted by Chris Barton
Hint: it was either me or Chris.
Who said it, @dheiligman.bsky.social or me?
"The first book I remember loving...[was] A Pickle for a Nickel, and it was about a boy named William who taught the heretofore quiet parrot of his silence-loving neighbor, Mr. Bumble, to loudly repeat the title phrase."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
"The first book I remember loving...[was] A Pickle for a Nickel, and it was about a boy named William who taught the heretofore quiet parrot of his silence-loving neighbor, Mr. Bumble, to loudly repeat the title phrase."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
How Do WE Match? (and book giveaway) with author Deborah Heiligman - Bartography
This month I'm giving away four copies of Deborah Heiligman's new YA nonfiction book, LOUDMOUTH: EMMA GOLDMAN VS. AMERICA (A LOVE STORY).
chrisbarton.info
October 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Hint: it was either me or Chris.
Who said it, @dheiligman.bsky.social or me?
"The first book I remember loving...[was] A Pickle for a Nickel, and it was about a boy named William who taught the heretofore quiet parrot of his silence-loving neighbor, Mr. Bumble, to loudly repeat the title phrase."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
"The first book I remember loving...[was] A Pickle for a Nickel, and it was about a boy named William who taught the heretofore quiet parrot of his silence-loving neighbor, Mr. Bumble, to loudly repeat the title phrase."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
How Do WE Match? (and book giveaway) with author Deborah Heiligman - Bartography
This month I'm giving away four copies of Deborah Heiligman's new YA nonfiction book, LOUDMOUTH: EMMA GOLDMAN VS. AMERICA (A LOVE STORY).
chrisbarton.info
October 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Who said it, @dheiligman.bsky.social or me?
"The first book I remember loving...[was] A Pickle for a Nickel, and it was about a boy named William who taught the heretofore quiet parrot of his silence-loving neighbor, Mr. Bumble, to loudly repeat the title phrase."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
"The first book I remember loving...[was] A Pickle for a Nickel, and it was about a boy named William who taught the heretofore quiet parrot of his silence-loving neighbor, Mr. Bumble, to loudly repeat the title phrase."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
Who said it: @victorpineiro.bsky.social or me?
"Ooh, I LOVE nonfiction about music! I recently read a massive book about the history of grunge music called Everybody Loves Our Town, and I also adore Hanif Abdurraqib’s nonfiction music books."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
"Ooh, I LOVE nonfiction about music! I recently read a massive book about the history of grunge music called Everybody Loves Our Town, and I also adore Hanif Abdurraqib’s nonfiction music books."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
How Do WE Match? (and book giveaway) with author Victor Piñeiro - Bartography
This month I'm giving away four copies of Victor Piñeiro's new middle grade novel, THE ISLAND OF FORGOTTEN GODS.
chrisbarton.info
October 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Who said it: @victorpineiro.bsky.social or me?
"Ooh, I LOVE nonfiction about music! I recently read a massive book about the history of grunge music called Everybody Loves Our Town, and I also adore Hanif Abdurraqib’s nonfiction music books."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
"Ooh, I LOVE nonfiction about music! I recently read a massive book about the history of grunge music called Everybody Loves Our Town, and I also adore Hanif Abdurraqib’s nonfiction music books."
chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
Great writing and non-algorithmic recommendations of new music are worth paying for!
For me, the Friday picks from Don’t Rock the Inbox are a highlight of each week. Your week could use another highlight, right?
For me, the Friday picks from Don’t Rock the Inbox are a highlight of each week. Your week could use another highlight, right?
new picks out! a reminder that unlike...a lot of newsletters, we offer free content weekly. as a result, i think we have fewer paid subs - but it's important to both of us that our work can be read. could certainly use your support though! www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...
Put A Record On: Upbeat Songs for Downbeat Times
Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox. Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which are for paying subscribers only. If you’re interested in paid content but not able to afford it, ...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Great writing and non-algorithmic recommendations of new music are worth paying for!
For me, the Friday picks from Don’t Rock the Inbox are a highlight of each week. Your week could use another highlight, right?
For me, the Friday picks from Don’t Rock the Inbox are a highlight of each week. Your week could use another highlight, right?
My wife and I went to the movies last night and saw one battle after another.
By which I mean we saw a screening of The Librarians, the powerful new documentary about the onslaught of book bans and other well-funded attacks on U.S. libraries and our freedom to read.
youtu.be/Ykll4MWltsQ
By which I mean we saw a screening of The Librarians, the powerful new documentary about the onslaught of book bans and other well-funded attacks on U.S. libraries and our freedom to read.
youtu.be/Ykll4MWltsQ
THE LIBRARIANS | Official Trailer
YouTube video by The Librarians Film
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My wife and I went to the movies last night and saw one battle after another.
By which I mean we saw a screening of The Librarians, the powerful new documentary about the onslaught of book bans and other well-funded attacks on U.S. libraries and our freedom to read.
youtu.be/Ykll4MWltsQ
By which I mean we saw a screening of The Librarians, the powerful new documentary about the onslaught of book bans and other well-funded attacks on U.S. libraries and our freedom to read.
youtu.be/Ykll4MWltsQ
Reposted by Chris Barton
We invite eligible works published in 2025 across 14 categories—including a brand new one for Best First Book of Nonfiction—with over $25,750 in prizes going to the winners.
September 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
We invite eligible works published in 2025 across 14 categories—including a brand new one for Best First Book of Nonfiction—with over $25,750 in prizes going to the winners.
Great reporting and writing about a terrible situation.
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
‘Why Sergio?’ Deportation ends 36-year dream for celebrated Waco chef and family - The Waco Bridge
Sergio Garcia and his wife, Sandra, spent 36 years building a reputation for regional Mexican cuisine in Waco. It ended when ICE came to call.
wacobridge.org
October 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Great reporting and writing about a terrible situation.
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
“Deportations like Sergio’s — to fixtures of the community — are making people think, ‘This could be me next, or my favorite place next, or somebody who I talk to every day.’”
wacobridge.org/2025/10/06/d...
Reposted by Chris Barton
Bad news feels inescapable. There’s a lot of it, it goes viral, and things are getting worse.
But resistance is also everywhere, and it doesn’t get the same attention.
We need to share mass resistance, to inspire hope and so that more and more people join in.
www.jphilll.com/p/resistance...
But resistance is also everywhere, and it doesn’t get the same attention.
We need to share mass resistance, to inspire hope and so that more and more people join in.
www.jphilll.com/p/resistance...
Resistance is everywhere — it just isn't getting enough attention
Nepal, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Madagascar, and the United States
www.jphilll.com
October 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Bad news feels inescapable. There’s a lot of it, it goes viral, and things are getting worse.
But resistance is also everywhere, and it doesn’t get the same attention.
We need to share mass resistance, to inspire hope and so that more and more people join in.
www.jphilll.com/p/resistance...
But resistance is also everywhere, and it doesn’t get the same attention.
We need to share mass resistance, to inspire hope and so that more and more people join in.
www.jphilll.com/p/resistance...
But “Glitter” has 7 letters. “Shark” and “Train” only 5.
Oh! “Dazzle”!
Oh! “Dazzle”!
Thanks to @bartography.bsky.social for teaching me the answer to 11 Down on today’s NYT crossword puzzle!
![[blank] Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wg3u7zdwz6ymijyufsj6pmiz/bafkreif2mel3gnux2bglt7xmzppc6xqfy7p4ko6fuuvdh4yespbzqk6ruq@jpeg)
October 5, 2025 at 12:59 AM
But “Glitter” has 7 letters. “Shark” and “Train” only 5.
Oh! “Dazzle”!
Oh! “Dazzle”!
Reposted by Chris Barton
Do you want the chance to get a free copy of Loudmouth AND find out how @bartography.bsky.social and I "match"? Sure you do. (You'll also find out I was not a perfect child.) Read his latest post: chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma... #teachersky #booksky #librariansky So many other skies....
How Do WE Match? (and book giveaway) with author Deborah Heiligman - Bartography
This month I'm giving away four copies of Deborah Heiligman's new YA nonfiction book, LOUDMOUTH: EMMA GOLDMAN VS. AMERICA (A LOVE STORY).
chrisbarton.info
October 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Do you want the chance to get a free copy of Loudmouth AND find out how @bartography.bsky.social and I "match"? Sure you do. (You'll also find out I was not a perfect child.) Read his latest post: chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma... #teachersky #booksky #librariansky So many other skies....
For educators and children's authors who could use a lift—and for anyone else who might wonder why educators and children's authors do what we do, despite the challenges—I want to share with you (with the sender's permission) an email I received a couple of days ago.
October 3, 2025 at 3:27 PM
For educators and children's authors who could use a lift—and for anyone else who might wonder why educators and children's authors do what we do, despite the challenges—I want to share with you (with the sender's permission) an email I received a couple of days ago.
Reposted by Chris Barton
Do Chris and I match? There's only one way to find out... Read our weird and shall I say Unique... conversation below! #booksky #kidlit #Yalit #doctors #libriansky #Spanish
I asked my fellow nonfiction author @dheiligman.bsky.social (VINCENT AND THEO; CHARLES AND EMMA; TORPEDOED) to play How Do WE Match? with me, and we outdid ourselves. chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
How Do WE Match? (and book giveaway) with author Deborah Heiligman - Bartography
This month I'm giving away four copies of Deborah Heiligman's new YA nonfiction book, LOUDMOUTH: EMMA GOLDMAN VS. AMERICA (A LOVE STORY).
chrisbarton.info
October 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I asked my fellow nonfiction author @dheiligman.bsky.social (VINCENT AND THEO; CHARLES AND EMMA; TORPEDOED) to play How Do WE Match? with me, and we outdid ourselves. chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
How Do WE Match? (and book giveaway) with author Deborah Heiligman - Bartography
This month I'm giving away four copies of Deborah Heiligman's new YA nonfiction book, LOUDMOUTH: EMMA GOLDMAN VS. AMERICA (A LOVE STORY).
chrisbarton.info
October 3, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I asked my fellow nonfiction author @dheiligman.bsky.social (VINCENT AND THEO; CHARLES AND EMMA; TORPEDOED) to play How Do WE Match? with me, and we outdid ourselves. chrisbarton.info/how-do-we-ma...
Shark vs. Train: Who will win? Congress has not authorized the use of military force.
why is sentence two in every story not "congress has not authorized the use of military force"
October 2, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Shark vs. Train: Who will win? Congress has not authorized the use of military force.
Reposted by Chris Barton
I grabbed my copy of We Match at the @scbwi.bsky.social #MINIMFA conference this weekend in Austin. Be sure to get a copy for all the littles in your life! #BookSky #FREADOM
This is a big week for illustrator Sharon Glick and me, because every public-school 1st grader in Bozeman, MT, is receiving a copy of WE MATCH! HUGE thanks to the local school foundation for making that happen, and for bringing our story of joyfully discovering common ground to so many readers.
September 30, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I grabbed my copy of We Match at the @scbwi.bsky.social #MINIMFA conference this weekend in Austin. Be sure to get a copy for all the littles in your life! #BookSky #FREADOM
Reposted by Chris Barton
Submissions are now open for the Texas Institute of Letters 2025 Literary Awards! texasinstituteofletters.org/til-2025-lit...
If you don’t know the TIL, we’re an honor society that’s been around since 1936. I’m VP, and we in TIL pride ourselves on honoring the best of the best of Texas writing.
If you don’t know the TIL, we’re an honor society that’s been around since 1936. I’m VP, and we in TIL pride ourselves on honoring the best of the best of Texas writing.
TIL Literary Contest Guidelines for 2025
[PDF version of guidelines]
The latest slate of TIL literary contests is now open with prizes adding up to $25,750. In addition, the TIL will bestow a lifetime achievement award ($7,000) and the Jo...
texasinstituteofletters.org
September 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Submissions are now open for the Texas Institute of Letters 2025 Literary Awards! texasinstituteofletters.org/til-2025-lit...
If you don’t know the TIL, we’re an honor society that’s been around since 1936. I’m VP, and we in TIL pride ourselves on honoring the best of the best of Texas writing.
If you don’t know the TIL, we’re an honor society that’s been around since 1936. I’m VP, and we in TIL pride ourselves on honoring the best of the best of Texas writing.