Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
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leahschanke.bsky.social
Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
@leahschanke.bsky.social
1.1K followers 2K following 78 posts
Multicultural Children’s Book Author | LeahSchanke.com | Debut #picturebook illustrated by Oboh Moses launched April 10, 2025. Member of Authors Guild, PAL member of #SCBWI, and LongIslandAuthorsGroup.org. (She/her)
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leahschanke.bsky.social
Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN @leahschanke.bsky.social · Jun 18
Thank you to my crew members for a wonderful introduction! Please visit my author website for more information on my #debut #picturebook. www.leahschanke.com
#FreedomAtDawn #PB #kidlit #booksky #publiclibraries #collectiondevelopment #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky #biographicalfiction
Reposted by Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
jestrudel.bsky.social
Is it okay to nudge? Of course. But keep your emotions in check. If you're losing it after 3-6 months of not hearing from an agent, how are you going to handle 1+ years of no response from editors once you're on sub? I know it's hard, but be cool, calm, and collected. #querytip #writers #amquerying
October 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
leahschanke.bsky.social
I'm happy to share this can't-miss exciting opportunity for all #amwriting. Live POV Teaching Call on October 1st (you will get the recording).

Included is one month free access to Insiders Coaching Club for the month of October.
#kidlit #amquerying

writingblueprints.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZ...
NEW WORKSHOP: Mastering Point of View
A full workshop + one month of followup coaching!
writingblueprints.acemlnb.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Reposted by Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
librarianjones.com
It takes the whole community!
September 29, 2025 at 10:16 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Hope everyone had a good summer. Placing this talented group of #kidlit authors on your radar. Stay tuned for more to come from @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social!
#booksky #pbcreativecrew #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
pbcreativecrew.bsky.social Picture Book Creative Crew @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · Jul 2
Introducing…the Picture Book Creative Crew - a bunch of KidLit creatives with books sailing your way soon!

#booksky #pbcreativecrew #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
September 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Reposted by Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
mstewartscience.bsky.social
Woo-hoo!
I'm delighted to announce this upcoming book with from
@simonkids.bsky.social
@steamteambooks.bsky.social
@publisherswkly.bsky.social
#edusky #kidlit
July 16, 2025 at 10:39 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
PB Creative Crew has new members! With so much talent and heart in this group, I'm honored to be a member!
@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
#picturebooks #kidlit #booksky #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
pbcreativecrew.bsky.social Picture Book Creative Crew @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · Jul 2
Introducing…the Picture Book Creative Crew - a bunch of KidLit creatives with books sailing your way soon!

#booksky #pbcreativecrew #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
July 15, 2025 at 9:43 PM
leahschanke.bsky.social
While we're waiting for Alexia Andoni's #debut #picturebook, you can find her work in the What Is a Family? anthology. I'm looking forward to her lyrical stories! @alexiaandoni.bsky.social
@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
#kidlit #booksky #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky
pbcreativecrew.bsky.social Picture Book Creative Crew @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · Jun 27
Up Next...#pbcreativecrew member @alexiaandoni.bsky.social. Alexia is Mama to 1 dog, 2 cats, and 3 children. She has a poem in the anthology WHAT IS A FAMILY? edited by Wong & Vardell. Follow for more about her #debut soon. #picturebookauthor #kidlit #librariansofbluesky #teachersofbluesky #booksky
July 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
There's still time to submit to #SmallPitch. Deadline is July 8, 11:59 pm EDT.
#amwriting #amquerying
smallpitch.org #SmallPitch @smallpitch.org · Jul 7
The #SmallPitch pitch submission window is now OPEN for 48 hours!

Key reminders:
- Unagented writers only
- Finished manuscripts only
- One pitch per manuscript only
- Up to 3 manuscripts per writer
- No hashtags in your pitch
- Comps & emojis are okay
- Check our website for full guidelines & FAQ
#SmallPitch Submission Form
Please use this form to submit your pitch. A few reminders: You can pitch up to three manuscripts, with a limit of one pitch per manuscript. One pitch per form submission. Reload the form after submi...
forms.gle
July 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
leahschanke.bsky.social
My talented crew member @karengebbia.bsky.social gives her all to everything she does. I'm so excited for her upcoming #picturebooks!
@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
#picturebookauthor #debutauthor #kidlit #booksky #childrensbooks #naturalist #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky
July 8, 2025 at 2:00 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Learn how brainstorming was pivotal in my journey to publication. Comment on the 12x12 blog post to enter a drawing for a signed copy of #FreedomAtDawn (U.S. only) or a query letter critique.
#12×12PB #kidlit #picturebooks #amquerying #amwriting
12x12challenge.bsky.social 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge @12x12challenge.bsky.social · Jul 2
This month’s featured author, @leahschanke.bsky.social, offers a thoughtful reminder for creatives:

“The strength of [brainstorming] stems from the suspension of judgment until ideas have been generated.”

Read more about her story here: buff.ly/3nk7JAE
July 4, 2025 at 2:48 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Ronna Mandel does so much for the #kidlit community that I can't wait for her #debut #picturebook.
#booksky #jewishbooks
@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
@ronnawriter.bsky.social
pbcreativecrew.bsky.social Picture Book Creative Crew @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · Jun 23
Up Next…#pbcreativecrew member @ronnawriter.bsky.social. Ronna’s #debut #picturebook HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR LATKES? with art by Madison Safer & published by Paw Prints, is out in 2026. #picturebookauthor #debutauthor #kidlit #booksky #childrensbooks #jewishbooks #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky
July 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
leahschanke.bsky.social
If you like heartwarming #picturebooks, be sure to read Jeanette’s debut, MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. Stay tuned for more to to come!

@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social @thefelttippen.bsky.social #kidlit #booksky #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky
pbcreativecrew.bsky.social Picture Book Creative Crew @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social · Jun 20
Please welcome our next #pbcreativecrew member… @thefelttippen.bsky.social ! Jeanette’s debut, MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, is out now! Stay tuned for more books soon.
#dementia
#kidlit #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky #booksky #childrensbooks #kidlitbookreviewers
July 2, 2025 at 4:27 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Can't wait to read your book, @meilinc.bsky.social!
@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
#kidlit #picturebooks #booksky
July 1, 2025 at 11:19 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Thank you @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social! Go to linktr.ee/leahschanke to learn more and order your copy.
#FreedomAtDawn #juneteenth #kidlit #picturebooks #robertsmalls #civilwarhistory #teachers #librarians #schoollibrarians #collectiondevelopment #booksky
June 19, 2025 at 8:38 PM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Thank you to my crew members for a wonderful introduction! Please visit my author website for more information on my #debut #picturebook. www.leahschanke.com
#FreedomAtDawn #PB #kidlit #booksky #publiclibraries #collectiondevelopment #teachersofbluesky #librariansofbluesky #biographicalfiction
June 18, 2025 at 2:54 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
I'm so thrilled to be a part of this talented crew of picture book authors. Stay tuned for our introductions and news about our books!
#booksky #kidlit #PB #booklaunch #amwriting
June 16, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Reposted by Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
How about some neutral-leaning-good news?

Brooklyn Public Library is making funding available for libraries across the US who want to develop freedom to read programming for young people. It's open to any library, with a note that small and rural libraries are especially encouraged to apply.
June 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Congratulations! I look forward to reading it! #kidlit #booksky #PB
stephaniegibeault.bsky.social Stephanie Gibeault @stephaniegibeault.bsky.social · May 19
I'm excited to share that mine and @davidhohn.bsky.social's upcoming picture book THE DOG WHO SAVED THE BEES has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! 🐕🐝 This biography of a beehive inspector and her rescue dog comes out on August 1. Pre-order now!
#kidlit #CanKidLit #edusky
May 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Leah Schanke | Author of FREEDOM AT DAWN
emmadmiller.bsky.social
😁📖✍️
#literary #words
May 15, 2025 at 3:45 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
The #PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train is now open through May 17.
#kidlit #PB #amwriting
May 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
There's a 24-hour window to enter this contest for a chance to win a critique of five pages of your novel.
#kidlit #MG #YA #amwriting
May 15, 2025 at 11:05 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
I'll be adding many of these #PB and #MG books to my reading list.
#kidlit #booksky
May 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
Join me for an author event for my debut #picturebook, FREEDOM AT DAWN, at #barnesandnoble Westwood in Charleston, SC on May 25, 2025, at 1 pm ET.
#FreedomAtDawn #booklaunch #booksigningevent #booksky #kidlit
@albertwhitman.bsky.social

@obohdraws.bsky.social

@pbcreativecrew.bsky.social
Leah Schanke's announcement of her picture book signing event at Barnes & Noble Westwood in Charleston, South Carolina on Sunday, May 25, at 1 PM.
May 13, 2025 at 2:22 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
My #PB biography about a curious cowboy who makes a major discovery won honorable mention in #PBParty 2025!
#picturebooks #kidlit #amwriting #amquerying
May 13, 2025 at 1:43 AM
leahschanke.bsky.social
The Historical Novel Society's book review of my debut #picturebook.
#librarians #publiclibraries #collectiondevelopment #biographicalfiction #FreedomAtDawn #kidlit #booksky @albertwhitman.bsky.social @obohdraws.bsky.social @pbcreativecrew.bsky.social

historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/free...
Freedom at Dawn: Robert Smalls' Voyage Out of Slavery - Historical Novel Society
1862. Lizzie Smalls knows her father is the best boat pilot in South Carolina, but being enslaved, he isn’t given that title. The Civil War is raging and her father and his shipmates, also enslaved, h...
historicalnovelsociety.org
May 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM