Katie Booms Assarian
@commonpoem.com
Poet & picture book author illustrator 🖼
Parenting twin kindergarteners with a loud Armenian librarian 👯♀️ Episcopal Church Lady by day 🤷♀️
Member of 12x12 & SCBWI, 👀 for a pb critique group online or in West MI
Parenting twin kindergarteners with a loud Armenian librarian 👯♀️ Episcopal Church Lady by day 🤷♀️
Member of 12x12 & SCBWI, 👀 for a pb critique group online or in West MI
Same.
I see we won't be making friends via the @bsky.app Similar Accounts feature, when your lovely #kidlit profile leads to shirtless bros and "minors dni". @safety.bsky.app @support.bsky.team
I see we won't be making friends via the @bsky.app Similar Accounts feature, when your lovely #kidlit profile leads to shirtless bros and "minors dni". @safety.bsky.app @support.bsky.team
January 7, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Same.
I see we won't be making friends via the @bsky.app Similar Accounts feature, when your lovely #kidlit profile leads to shirtless bros and "minors dni". @safety.bsky.app @support.bsky.team
I see we won't be making friends via the @bsky.app Similar Accounts feature, when your lovely #kidlit profile leads to shirtless bros and "minors dni". @safety.bsky.app @support.bsky.team
Indeed!
We write -and draw, and sing and dance- out better stories than these bitter ones spitting out of the dumpster fires. #withalittlehelpfrommyfriends #kidlitchat Luck.
We write -and draw, and sing and dance- out better stories than these bitter ones spitting out of the dumpster fires. #withalittlehelpfrommyfriends #kidlitchat Luck.
Man, my plan is to try and keep my head above the chaotic waters of what's going on in this country. To that end I have my trusty 12x12 membership, weekly critique group, monthly illustrator group, and a dummy to reconfigure before I move on to the next one. Also writing something new. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: It's time for New Year's resolutions . . . or goals . . . or a word to define your mindset for 2026 . . . or your Guiding Principle for the year . . . or, what's the plan, Stan? (The focus here is for resolutions related to your #kidlit side, but share whatever you want!). #kidlitchat
January 7, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Indeed!
We write -and draw, and sing and dance- out better stories than these bitter ones spitting out of the dumpster fires. #withalittlehelpfrommyfriends #kidlitchat Luck.
We write -and draw, and sing and dance- out better stories than these bitter ones spitting out of the dumpster fires. #withalittlehelpfrommyfriends #kidlitchat Luck.
Well, 2025 was a certain kind of year. Questionable outcomes on my goals BINGO, but I did check off the big one by #winning #12x12pb @12x12challenge.bsky.social! @vbartles.com and others, how bout you?
This year my word is "slow," because burnout is real and not great. #kidlitchat
This year my word is "slow," because burnout is real and not great. #kidlitchat
January 7, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Well, 2025 was a certain kind of year. Questionable outcomes on my goals BINGO, but I did check off the big one by #winning #12x12pb @12x12challenge.bsky.social! @vbartles.com and others, how bout you?
This year my word is "slow," because burnout is real and not great. #kidlitchat
This year my word is "slow," because burnout is real and not great. #kidlitchat
It's the tertiary and quarternary (?) plots that get me in trouble. #kidlitchat #thetroublewithpoets
TOPIC: Today is the second shortest day in history... which made us think about secondary characters, plots and settings and so on. And we wondered: how do you make sure they get enough attention when you're working on your manuscripts? Do you prioritize 'em? Get to 'em later? Or??? #kidlitchat
July 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
It's the tertiary and quarternary (?) plots that get me in trouble. #kidlitchat #thetroublewithpoets
Night, ya'll.
We've got this.
Let's make something rad this week, to report at the next #kidlitchat.
We've got this.
Let's make something rad this week, to report at the next #kidlitchat.
June 11, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Night, ya'll.
We've got this.
Let's make something rad this week, to report at the next #kidlitchat.
We've got this.
Let's make something rad this week, to report at the next #kidlitchat.
So many drafts in different directions as my brain shoots the story off multiple ways. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: At what point do you figure out the subtext--the story within the story--and are you ever surprised at the themes that have embedded themselves in your work? #kidlitchat
June 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
So many drafts in different directions as my brain shoots the story off multiple ways. #kidlitchat
My aspirational tagline- Seriously unserious shenaniganating. #kidlitchat
I think *informative* shenanigans are ok - if you are appropriately using your voice and being sincere. But never unserious shenanigating. #kidlitchat
May 7, 2025 at 1:46 AM
My aspirational tagline- Seriously unserious shenaniganating. #kidlitchat
Not in the query trenches yet but have a tip page going with generous advice from agents+publishers on #favoritepodcast @literaticat.bsky.social , @ktliterary.bsky.social , @picturebooksummit.bsky.social , 3 Point Perspective, Illustration Department. Queries- hard but not mysterious. #kidlitchat
Tuesday! #kidlitchat! 9pm Eastern! 6pm Pacific! Here on Bluesky! Join #kidlit folk and chat! See you there! (Exclamation points not required!!!!)
May 7, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Not in the query trenches yet but have a tip page going with generous advice from agents+publishers on #favoritepodcast @literaticat.bsky.social , @ktliterary.bsky.social , @picturebooksummit.bsky.social , 3 Point Perspective, Illustration Department. Queries- hard but not mysterious. #kidlitchat
2/2 In a writing seminar she gave the ex. of a man she met w a scarred hand(?) as a result of something in his past he was deeply ashamed of, which morphed into Adam's hearing loss in #RavenBoys. My simple #kidlitchat ex: my kid's *hatred* for wet grass led to an antagonist having a sensory downfall
April 23, 2025 at 2:11 AM
2/2 In a writing seminar she gave the ex. of a man she met w a scarred hand(?) as a result of something in his past he was deeply ashamed of, which morphed into Adam's hearing loss in #RavenBoys. My simple #kidlitchat ex: my kid's *hatred* for wet grass led to an antagonist having a sensory downfall
I used to think it was cheesy or cheating, but I always have to 'steal' one small spark from real life to ignite a story. #YA fabulosa Maggie Stiefvater talks about it as snagging one moment's 'beating heart,' then reshaping the details but with the stakes & emotion intact. 1/2 #kidlitchat
TOPIC: Happy Earth Day! Let's talk ultimate world-building by sharing tips on how to ground *every* story or illustration in its own unique world. #kidlitchat
April 23, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I used to think it was cheesy or cheating, but I always have to 'steal' one small spark from real life to ignite a story. #YA fabulosa Maggie Stiefvater talks about it as snagging one moment's 'beating heart,' then reshaping the details but with the stakes & emotion intact. 1/2 #kidlitchat
Late to the party, as usual so far this year, but excited and a little proud to duck in before the DJ went home. Hey there, #kidlitchat party people!
It’s #kidlitchat time again! Come join your #kidlit loving pals and soon to be pals at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific right here on Bluesky for a fun, fine, and fast hour of chatting. It’s a weekly event, so if not today, make a note for a future Tuesday. But really… why not tonight? See ya soon!
April 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Late to the party, as usual so far this year, but excited and a little proud to duck in before the DJ went home. Hey there, #kidlitchat party people!
Does anyone enjoy *eating* macarons? & Can you explain why, beyond "cute"? I admit I'm more nonprofit-office-leftovers-garbage-disposal than foodie but these are down there with supermarket brownie bites. At the local patisserie they're $5 honey lavender supermarket brownie bites. #hottake ?
April 10, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Does anyone enjoy *eating* macarons? & Can you explain why, beyond "cute"? I admit I'm more nonprofit-office-leftovers-garbage-disposal than foodie but these are down there with supermarket brownie bites. At the local patisserie they're $5 honey lavender supermarket brownie bites. #hottake ?
Recent lol #kidlit : How to Count to One & This Is a Book of Shapes, both winks at concept #pb genres. A forever fav: Eileen Spinelli & David Slonim's Silly Tilly, 'a daffy down & dilly goose who takes her baths in apple juice, wears a pancake as a hat, tries to ride the farmer's cat' to #kidlitchat
TOPIC: We all need a good laugh . . . right? Which kid's books would you nominate for Best in Funny, either recent or classic? (Extra points for your own books if comedy is your thing!) And how do you use humor in your work, if at all? #kidlitchat
March 26, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Recent lol #kidlit : How to Count to One & This Is a Book of Shapes, both winks at concept #pb genres. A forever fav: Eileen Spinelli & David Slonim's Silly Tilly, 'a daffy down & dilly goose who takes her baths in apple juice, wears a pancake as a hat, tries to ride the farmer's cat' to #kidlitchat
Late for #kidlitchat & up much too late - but in service to a DIY victory! 1st time filling my own #watercolor pans! Then went a little nuts mixing, to use up 3 pans I'd duplicated. Bc of course 2 were pthalos (tinting strength of tanks)... #illustratorproblems #didittomyself #hyperfocus
March 26, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Late for #kidlitchat & up much too late - but in service to a DIY victory! 1st time filling my own #watercolor pans! Then went a little nuts mixing, to use up 3 pans I'd duplicated. Bc of course 2 were pthalos (tinting strength of tanks)... #illustratorproblems #didittomyself #hyperfocus
Feeling lucky, privileged, grateful for any head space for #kidlit while so many of us have jobs, healthcare, personal rights exploding. So, double congrats to each of us on #kidlitchat with good updates + love x2 to all whose beautiful creative seeds are buried deeper for now. Hang in. Grace. 2/2
March 12, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Feeling lucky, privileged, grateful for any head space for #kidlit while so many of us have jobs, healthcare, personal rights exploding. So, double congrats to each of us on #kidlitchat with good updates + love x2 to all whose beautiful creative seeds are buried deeper for now. Hang in. Grace. 2/2
I'm pretty sure it's still January, so I'm not sure how this is quarterly. But to play along...I'm hitting my major #12x12pb goals. But sadly too wiped each week to explore the forums & friendships. Balancing creative needs, parenting, mutual support in my circles, eating, ya know? #kidlitchat 1/2
TOPIC: It's quarterly check-in time: your chance to share what's been happening with you creatively since December. Did those New Year's resolutions get you off to a good start? (Note: ANY start is a good start!) #kidlitchat
March 12, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I'm pretty sure it's still January, so I'm not sure how this is quarterly. But to play along...I'm hitting my major #12x12pb goals. But sadly too wiped each week to explore the forums & friendships. Balancing creative needs, parenting, mutual support in my circles, eating, ya know? #kidlitchat 1/2
Hey there, #kidlitchat pals. Flopped in bed after another long week. But wanted to say hi because what inspires me most is everyone who is keeping their eyes up, heart open, hands reaching out. It might be next week - but looking forward to reading over all your favorites. I have so many names
TOPIC: We lost a giant of children's literature this month: Uri Shulevitz inspired generations of children and #kidlit creators. Which authors and/or illustrators do you look to for inspiration? #kidlitchat
February 26, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Hey there, #kidlitchat pals. Flopped in bed after another long week. But wanted to say hi because what inspires me most is everyone who is keeping their eyes up, heart open, hands reaching out. It might be next week - but looking forward to reading over all your favorites. I have so many names
BEANS ON TOAST!
It's all fun and bonding with your children til mum laughs so hard she has to run to the dunny. #kidlitchat
It's all fun and bonding with your children til mum laughs so hard she has to run to the dunny. #kidlitchat
February 5, 2025 at 3:43 AM
BEANS ON TOAST!
It's all fun and bonding with your children til mum laughs so hard she has to run to the dunny. #kidlitchat
It's all fun and bonding with your children til mum laughs so hard she has to run to the dunny. #kidlitchat
I'm hearing illustrators predict a rise in maximalism, along with traditional media and visible human touch, in this era of ai 'digital slurry'. I am here for it, esp the maximalism. Take 10 crystal goblets, arrange em in the path of the sun to go full constant prism onto a series of rainbow flags..
Quote of the night:
“In some cultural contexts maximalism is the crystal goblet.”
“In some cultural contexts maximalism is the crystal goblet.”
Tonight my design criticism students will read:
1. “The Crystal Goblet”
drive.google.com/file/d/15K0N...
2. “Graphic Designers Have Always Loved Minimalism. But At What Cost?”
eyeondesign.aiga.org/graphic-desi...
3. “What Does it Mean to Decolonize Design?”
eyeondesign.aiga.org/what-does-it...
1. “The Crystal Goblet”
drive.google.com/file/d/15K0N...
2. “Graphic Designers Have Always Loved Minimalism. But At What Cost?”
eyeondesign.aiga.org/graphic-desi...
3. “What Does it Mean to Decolonize Design?”
eyeondesign.aiga.org/what-does-it...
February 5, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I'm hearing illustrators predict a rise in maximalism, along with traditional media and visible human touch, in this era of ai 'digital slurry'. I am here for it, esp the maximalism. Take 10 crystal goblets, arrange em in the path of the sun to go full constant prism onto a series of rainbow flags..
Can we all form a pact to stop dropping Harry Potter references into any future books? Such an overused shortcut in YA, quirky romance. #kidlitchat
February 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Can we all form a pact to stop dropping Harry Potter references into any future books? Such an overused shortcut in YA, quirky romance. #kidlitchat
Plus to everyone's point about mild curses being the best language, that Lithgow album got my kids to use "oh gosh, oh gee" #kidlitchat 2/2
February 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Plus to everyone's point about mild curses being the best language, that Lithgow album got my kids to use "oh gosh, oh gee" #kidlitchat 2/2
Music is a great reference, too. Anyone else know John Lithgow's album Singing in the Bathtub? (Yes, he sings. It is amazing.) The songs are all from the ~1920s-40s. The names and food in them are telling, and just one line like "turn off the Telly, Nelly" sets a whole scene. #kidlitchat 1/2
TOPIC: "How do I write dialogue that sounds current but without references that date it instantly?" #kidlitchat asked. "Or if I'm writing historical fiction how do I know how kids and adults sounded back then? Share your ideas, questions, and tips, please."
February 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Music is a great reference, too. Anyone else know John Lithgow's album Singing in the Bathtub? (Yes, he sings. It is amazing.) The songs are all from the ~1920s-40s. The names and food in them are telling, and just one line like "turn off the Telly, Nelly" sets a whole scene. #kidlitchat 1/2
I'm seeing a lot about word choice and metaphor choice here. Worth saying that what the character notices/misses/feels allowed to speak aloud also varies considerably from historical to present. #kidlitchat
TOPIC: "How do I write dialogue that sounds current but without references that date it instantly?" #kidlitchat asked. "Or if I'm writing historical fiction how do I know how kids and adults sounded back then? Share your ideas, questions, and tips, please."
February 5, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I'm seeing a lot about word choice and metaphor choice here. Worth saying that what the character notices/misses/feels allowed to speak aloud also varies considerably from historical to present. #kidlitchat
Leave it to me that my fav web communities are 1sided: podcasts! It feels like great company to draw along with 3 Point Perspective, Good Ship Illustration, Illustration Dept podcasts. All 3 have web learning communities that sound fab but I got suckered into skillshare for a yr first...#kidlitchat
January 15, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Leave it to me that my fav web communities are 1sided: podcasts! It feels like great company to draw along with 3 Point Perspective, Good Ship Illustration, Illustration Dept podcasts. All 3 have web learning communities that sound fab but I got suckered into skillshare for a yr first...#kidlitchat
I second everyone else about their local SCBWIs for tips & webinars. Tho I do wish I knew how to make the listserv not explode my email... Love #kidlitchat for weekly checkin (not just sayin it bc this is your party). The final Twitter pb pitch was a great push to focus. +Just into my 1st #12x12pb!
TOPIC: There are many online challenges and virtual communities ready to help you get a jump on your goals for the new year--care to share any you're trying out, or have found particularly helpful in the past? #kidlitchat
January 15, 2025 at 2:45 AM
I second everyone else about their local SCBWIs for tips & webinars. Tho I do wish I knew how to make the listserv not explode my email... Love #kidlitchat for weekly checkin (not just sayin it bc this is your party). The final Twitter pb pitch was a great push to focus. +Just into my 1st #12x12pb!