Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
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dianaacastle.bsky.social
Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
@dianaacastle.bsky.social
Cuban Mermaid & Author/Illustrator, repped by Saritza at Andrea Brown Literary Agency!

✨🎉 Debut Early Reader comic Snap! Crunch! Munch? is out now! 🎉✨
https://www.amazon.com/dp/082345696X

#Kidlitart Portfolio: dianacastleart.com
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Big, big news! My debut early reader comic #SnapCrunchMunch can now be found at the #MiamiZoo gift shop!😍

I grew up visiting Miami Zoo so this is a dream come true! If you're in Miami and spot my book please share your pics! 📸

#kidlit #kidlitart #authorillustrator #earlyreader #booksky #bookdebut
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
If you're an artist wanting to break through in TTRPG illustrations and feel like you need an Art Directors feedback on your current portfolio. Feel free to reach out, comment or DM me here.
I feel like the industry is hard enough as is. I will reply slow but I'll do my best to support! 💜
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
October 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I've been waiting so long to announce this!! One year after I first sketched this crazy little character, I can now share her book will be out in the world in 2027!

I'm super excited for readers to meet the chaotic and fiery dragon/detective FUEGO! 🔥🐉♥️

#chapterbooks #kidlit #booksky
October 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
I unkilned the kiln today ✨️

shop update coming Saturday October 11th 🍂🧡
October 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Big, big news! My debut early reader comic #SnapCrunchMunch can now be found at the #MiamiZoo gift shop!😍

I grew up visiting Miami Zoo so this is a dream come true! If you're in Miami and spot my book please share your pics! 📸

#kidlit #kidlitart #authorillustrator #earlyreader #booksky #bookdebut
September 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
Win an Inspiroy 2 S pen tablet from Huion
Two winners will be selected and you can enter to win until 8 p.m. EDT on Sept. 15.
See here to enter: wp.me/pcVwAl-1Gf

GN creators, load your pitches on Sept 28 at kidlitgn.com #kidlit #pitchevent #graphicnovels
September 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
How wild has 2025 been for you so far?
I started 2025 working a totally normal office/admin job and now I sit in an office in a themepark/zoo, illustrating while I listen to the lions roar next door.
August 28, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
The more things I've made, the less I've been interested in publicly criticizing the things that other people make, because once you make a few things you start to understand what a miracle it is that anything gets made at all
August 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
comics take a long time to draw. no, but really. if artists were paid an hourly rate it would explode the brains of most people both out AND in/adjacent to the field
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?

A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?

The ocean produces a huge chunk of the world's oxygen a lot from a class of cyanobacteria called prochlorococcus
June 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
What is something that is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?

Illustration pay has not kept up with inflation. We get paid approximately the same dollar amount as an illustrator in the early 2000s. Some of the big companies are the worst for this.
June 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
Next Thursday, June 5th, is the 3rd birthday of #KidLitArtPostcard Day! Illustrators: get that work ready (new or gold!). Art Directors, Editors, and Agents: get ready to make some new connections! #kidlit #kidlitart
May 27, 2025 at 12:55 PM
May 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I feel seen. 🥲😅
Being an artist is like "when i finish this art project i am going to reward myself for working so hard by making this new art project"

Over and over until you die.
April 30, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Tonight I'm painting something moody (and dragony) while rewatching #HouseoftheDragon because... well, dragons, am i right? 🥰

#illustration #workinprogress #dragonart #kidlit #kidlitart
April 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I'd love to see more #d&d vibes in #kidlit (old/castle settings, wizards, dungeons, dragons and monsters, etc).

Anyone got suggestions?

Doesn't have to literally include dice rolling, just the vibes (think Delicious in Dungeon, Disenchantment, Nimona, Gravity Falls etc).
April 23, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to Snap! Crunch! Munch? & @dianaacastle.bsky.social 🦁🐘🦩🦒🐰

#earlyreader #easyreader #kidlitcomics #kidlit #debutauthor #comicsforkids
April 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
BIG NEWS: My debut early reader comic Snap! Crunch! Munch? is officially out in the wild today—published by Holiday House! 🎉🥳

#kidlitart #kidlit #earlyreader #comic #holidayhouse #bookdebut
April 15, 2025 at 10:46 AM
POV: You start a new project and your brain is fighting with itself on what art style it wants to use. 😅

#kidlitart #comics #GN #graphicnovel #illustrator
April 12, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
I don’t art direct comics or graphic novels so I never work with coloring artists but I'm working on a new illustrated chapter book where we'd be repackaging existing grayscale finished art and need to colorize it. If you’re a colorist, please share samples and a link to your folio. No DMs pls. 💙❤️
April 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
Today is #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay!

If you’re celebrating, tag us so we can follow along with the festivities!

Unsure of what to read? We’ve recommended titles for all ages, and you can win ALL of them in our special giveaway, only on Instagram 🎉

🎁 bit.ly/4cd5vVE
April 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Did you know today is #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay? Fun fact: Their 2022 mentorship program connected me with my wonderful mentor @brianlarossa.com, which led to meeting my stellar agent Sary— and now, my debut book releases this month!

Couldn't be more grateful to WNDB!😍
#kidlitart #weneeddiversebooks
April 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Sometimes when my brain needs to reset I just go look at the sea. 🌊❤️
March 31, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
I'm looking for an #illustrator for a history textbook that can do line drawings of ancient structures. 3-4 drawings needed. If you think you'd be a good fit, drop your portfolio below.
Thanks!

#illustration #architecture
March 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
Hearing there might be another wave of newcomers?

Welcome! 💙❤️

For any illustrators and/or designers Here’s my starter pack of hiring art/design/creative directors.✨

go.bsky.app/Hxoz9KX
March 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that" the inspiration to write will only come the minute you need to do chores/ work/pay attention to someone else talking. 😭 #writing #inspiration
March 15, 2025 at 8:51 AM