Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
@loupiccolo.bsky.social
What do I do?
✨ Help kidlit authors write & revise their books
✨ Host Middle Grade Made Easy(er) podcast
✨ Run Rhyme Made Easy(er) membership
Start here⇣
https://linktr.ee/LouPiccolo
✨ Help kidlit authors write & revise their books
✨ Host Middle Grade Made Easy(er) podcast
✨ Run Rhyme Made Easy(er) membership
Start here⇣
https://linktr.ee/LouPiccolo
I’ll be hosting a workshop on building structure into your middle-grade novel on November 29!
Structure will help you give agents and publishers what they’re looking for while giving you the freedom to write the story you want to write.
loupiccolo.thrivecart.com/unlock-your-...
Structure will help you give agents and publishers what they’re looking for while giving you the freedom to write the story you want to write.
loupiccolo.thrivecart.com/unlock-your-...
November 17, 2025 at 6:59 AM
I’ll be hosting a workshop on building structure into your middle-grade novel on November 29!
Structure will help you give agents and publishers what they’re looking for while giving you the freedom to write the story you want to write.
loupiccolo.thrivecart.com/unlock-your-...
Structure will help you give agents and publishers what they’re looking for while giving you the freedom to write the story you want to write.
loupiccolo.thrivecart.com/unlock-your-...
New podcast episode!
If you’re stuck somewhere between ‘Chapter 1’ and ‘The End’,
using story type can help get you back on track.
Bonus: there will be a free workshop with goodies 🤩
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/epis...
If you’re stuck somewhere between ‘Chapter 1’ and ‘The End’,
using story type can help get you back on track.
Bonus: there will be a free workshop with goodies 🤩
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/epis...
#16 Use Story Type to Unlock Your Middle-Grade Novel - Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast
You have a great story idea but you don't know how to turn it into a fully developed middle-grade novel that publishers want to buy and readers will love.What to do?This episode on the ten universal s...
www.buzzsprout.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:02 AM
New podcast episode!
If you’re stuck somewhere between ‘Chapter 1’ and ‘The End’,
using story type can help get you back on track.
Bonus: there will be a free workshop with goodies 🤩
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/epis...
If you’re stuck somewhere between ‘Chapter 1’ and ‘The End’,
using story type can help get you back on track.
Bonus: there will be a free workshop with goodies 🤩
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/epis...
Congratulations everyone!
YAY! So happy to be named a winner in this year's #KidlitChuckleChallenge! 😃
A huge congrats to the other winners, and a big thank you to the judges! @aprilberrybooks.bsky.social @musingmommumble.bsky.social
@juliehauswirth.bsky.social
@brilawyer.bsky.social
A huge congrats to the other winners, and a big thank you to the judges! @aprilberrybooks.bsky.social @musingmommumble.bsky.social
@juliehauswirth.bsky.social
@brilawyer.bsky.social
OMGoodness, #kidlit friends! You are all so funny. 😂 It was so difficult (yet so very fun) judging the #KidlitChuckleChallenge entries this year!
I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨
Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉
I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨
Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉
September 26, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Congratulations everyone!
Eek! How will I stand the waiting before I can do the reading?
☔️ COVER REVEAL ☔️
THE TEAR COLLECTOR is a darkly fantastical climate change tale about two siblings who survive the end of the world only to wash ashore on an island full of secrets…and people who are slowly turning into monsters.
You can preorder now!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/r-m-r...
THE TEAR COLLECTOR is a darkly fantastical climate change tale about two siblings who survive the end of the world only to wash ashore on an island full of secrets…and people who are slowly turning into monsters.
You can preorder now!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/r-m-r...
September 26, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Eek! How will I stand the waiting before I can do the reading?
Reposted by Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
Laura Shovan, author of verse novel The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary has a fall class coming up!
#KidLit #WritingCommunity #Poetry
#KidLit #WritingCommunity #Poetry
It's time to reserve your spot in my fall session of Poetry Techniques for the Verse Novelist! Send me a DM or visit my website for more information. www.laurashovan.com
September 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Laura Shovan, author of verse novel The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary has a fall class coming up!
#KidLit #WritingCommunity #Poetry
#KidLit #WritingCommunity #Poetry
Reposted by Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
I'm very late in posting this, but was thrilled to received an honourable mention in the 2nd Annual Summer #kidlit Poetry Contest for the #LyricalLanguageLab.
Thank you, fabulous judges! @reneemlatulippe.bsky.social @loupiccolo.bsky.social @suzylevinson.bsky.social and Michelle H. Barnes!
Thank you, fabulous judges! @reneemlatulippe.bsky.social @loupiccolo.bsky.social @suzylevinson.bsky.social and Michelle H. Barnes!
August 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I'm very late in posting this, but was thrilled to received an honourable mention in the 2nd Annual Summer #kidlit Poetry Contest for the #LyricalLanguageLab.
Thank you, fabulous judges! @reneemlatulippe.bsky.social @loupiccolo.bsky.social @suzylevinson.bsky.social and Michelle H. Barnes!
Thank you, fabulous judges! @reneemlatulippe.bsky.social @loupiccolo.bsky.social @suzylevinson.bsky.social and Michelle H. Barnes!
Reposted by Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
And if you haven’t yet read this, this is a good time to pick up a copy and then leave a review!
Amazon is being a little weird with GITW reviews, so if you've posted, can you check when you get a chance that it went through?
May 31, 2025 at 12:13 PM
And if you haven’t yet read this, this is a good time to pick up a copy and then leave a review!
May 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I’m thrilled to be short-listed!
Thank you @writingawards.bsky.social for such a great contest 💖
Thank you @writingawards.bsky.social for such a great contest 💖
Announcing the long-awaited results of Best Picture Book Text 2024. Huge congratulations to our final 10!
Thank you to all the writers who entered this competition. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to read your stories.
www.searchlightawards.co.uk/best-childre...
Thank you to all the writers who entered this competition. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to read your stories.
www.searchlightawards.co.uk/best-childre...
February 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I’m thrilled to be short-listed!
Thank you @writingawards.bsky.social for such a great contest 💖
Thank you @writingawards.bsky.social for such a great contest 💖
Thrilled to be on the long list for the Best Children’s Picture Book Text 2024!
Thank you for this great contest @writingawards.bsky.social
Waiting eagerly for the shortlist and winners in February!
#contest #kidlit
Thank you for this great contest @writingawards.bsky.social
Waiting eagerly for the shortlist and winners in February!
#contest #kidlit
December 12, 2024 at 3:37 PM
Thrilled to be on the long list for the Best Children’s Picture Book Text 2024!
Thank you for this great contest @writingawards.bsky.social
Waiting eagerly for the shortlist and winners in February!
#contest #kidlit
Thank you for this great contest @writingawards.bsky.social
Waiting eagerly for the shortlist and winners in February!
#contest #kidlit
Get them in - we can’t wait to read your winter wanderings! ❄️
#kidlit #poetry #kidlitpoetry #contest
#kidlit #poetry #kidlitpoetry #contest
Submissions are officially open for the WINTER WANDERINGS rhyming kidlit poetry contest! We can't wait to read your work!
#kidlit #poetrycontest #kidlitpoetry
www.reneelatulippe.com/poetry-conte...
#kidlit #poetrycontest #kidlitpoetry
www.reneelatulippe.com/poetry-conte...
November 18, 2024 at 10:31 PM
Get them in - we can’t wait to read your winter wanderings! ❄️
#kidlit #poetry #kidlitpoetry #contest
#kidlit #poetry #kidlitpoetry #contest
Just want to say how much I appreciate @doucette515.bsky.social effort and work on her website about verse novels. Thank you!
christianadoucette.wordpress.com/2024/04/01/m...
christianadoucette.wordpress.com/2024/04/01/m...
Middle Grade Verse Novel Stats 2023
All About the Middle Grade Verse Novels 2023 2023 Page Count Stats:
christianadoucette.wordpress.com
April 29, 2024 at 5:32 AM
Just want to say how much I appreciate @doucette515.bsky.social effort and work on her website about verse novels. Thank you!
christianadoucette.wordpress.com/2024/04/01/m...
christianadoucette.wordpress.com/2024/04/01/m...
I love @viviankirkfield.bsky.social #50preciouswords contest and I’m honoured to be a winner this year!
Thank you Vivian and judges for such a stellar organisation. We love you… and we’re looking forward to next year already. But we’ll give you a breather first 😘
Thank you Vivian and judges for such a stellar organisation. We love you… and we’re looking forward to next year already. But we’ll give you a breather first 😘
April 14, 2024 at 5:59 AM
I love @viviankirkfield.bsky.social #50preciouswords contest and I’m honoured to be a winner this year!
Thank you Vivian and judges for such a stellar organisation. We love you… and we’re looking forward to next year already. But we’ll give you a breather first 😘
Thank you Vivian and judges for such a stellar organisation. We love you… and we’re looking forward to next year already. But we’ll give you a breather first 😘
Kidlit and YA authors - I made this for you 😀
Kidlit Marketing Made Easy(er) podcast breaks down marketing strategies you can use to connect with readers, build authentic relationships and sell books without having to dance on video.
#kidlit #podcast
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/1418...
Kidlit Marketing Made Easy(er) podcast breaks down marketing strategies you can use to connect with readers, build authentic relationships and sell books without having to dance on video.
#kidlit #podcast
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/1418...
January 6, 2024 at 4:35 PM
Kidlit and YA authors - I made this for you 😀
Kidlit Marketing Made Easy(er) podcast breaks down marketing strategies you can use to connect with readers, build authentic relationships and sell books without having to dance on video.
#kidlit #podcast
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/1418...
Kidlit Marketing Made Easy(er) podcast breaks down marketing strategies you can use to connect with readers, build authentic relationships and sell books without having to dance on video.
#kidlit #podcast
www.buzzsprout.com/2291216/1418...
😍
Thank you @loupiccolo.bsky.social for sharing my words in your newsletter today.
January 6, 2024 at 4:31 PM
😍
True!
Dang. I really wanted to see you shimmy…
So, how do you get your books in front of readers?
By marketing (which is NOT the same as selling and is NOT a dirty word). Marketing is all about creating delicious connections.
#kidlit #MarketingTips
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/bookmarketing
Dang. I really wanted to see you shimmy…
So, how do you get your books in front of readers?
By marketing (which is NOT the same as selling and is NOT a dirty word). Marketing is all about creating delicious connections.
#kidlit #MarketingTips
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/bookmarketing
December 2, 2023 at 4:04 PM
True!
Dang. I really wanted to see you shimmy…
So, how do you get your books in front of readers?
By marketing (which is NOT the same as selling and is NOT a dirty word). Marketing is all about creating delicious connections.
#kidlit #MarketingTips
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/bookmarketing
Dang. I really wanted to see you shimmy…
So, how do you get your books in front of readers?
By marketing (which is NOT the same as selling and is NOT a dirty word). Marketing is all about creating delicious connections.
#kidlit #MarketingTips
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/bookmarketing
i am very humbled and very proud that my middle-grade verse novel has been longlisted in the Searchlight Writing Award's for Children's Best Novel Opening competition.
Thank you @WritingAwards for making my 2023 end with a bang!
#appreciation #kidlit #versenovel #middlegrade
Thank you @WritingAwards for making my 2023 end with a bang!
#appreciation #kidlit #versenovel #middlegrade
Announcing the longlists for Searchlight’s Best Novel Opening Competition and Best Picture Book Text 2023. Congratulations to everyone who entered - we loved your stories. Thank you for sharing them with us. 🍾👏
www.searchlightawards.co.uk/picture-book...
www.searchlightawards.co.uk/novel-openin...
www.searchlightawards.co.uk/picture-book...
www.searchlightawards.co.uk/novel-openin...
November 28, 2023 at 5:37 PM
i am very humbled and very proud that my middle-grade verse novel has been longlisted in the Searchlight Writing Award's for Children's Best Novel Opening competition.
Thank you @WritingAwards for making my 2023 end with a bang!
#appreciation #kidlit #versenovel #middlegrade
Thank you @WritingAwards for making my 2023 end with a bang!
#appreciation #kidlit #versenovel #middlegrade
There's a plethora of prime poetry pickings in Tuesday's newsletter. And one is a PAID submission opportunity. I want PAID to flash neon-like but Bluesky won't allow it... a crying shame.
Link to subscribe:https://loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitterletter
#kidlit #poetryforkids #submit
Link to subscribe:https://loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitterletter
#kidlit #poetryforkids #submit
November 25, 2023 at 4:42 PM
There's a plethora of prime poetry pickings in Tuesday's newsletter. And one is a PAID submission opportunity. I want PAID to flash neon-like but Bluesky won't allow it... a crying shame.
Link to subscribe:https://loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitterletter
#kidlit #poetryforkids #submit
Link to subscribe:https://loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitterletter
#kidlit #poetryforkids #submit
Eek! Have been waiting for this 💖
Epic 📚NEWS!!
On its way in 2024 ...
... the amazing Kirsten Larson is publishing a Nonfiction Revision BOOK! 😍
Cannot wait! 🎉
#kidlit #picturebook #nonfiction #writingcommunity
On its way in 2024 ...
... the amazing Kirsten Larson is publishing a Nonfiction Revision BOOK! 😍
Cannot wait! 🎉
#kidlit #picturebook #nonfiction #writingcommunity
Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book
...Coming soon! To learn about this book and its upcoming release, please sign up for my newsletter here. Are you struggling with a nonfiction picture book draft? Is there a gap between the book in yo...
kirsten-w-larson.com
November 24, 2023 at 2:05 PM
Eek! Have been waiting for this 💖
Reposted by Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
Did you know that my website has free printables & activities perfect for #STEMDay & every day? Check out these fun activities to pair with Magnolia Mudd and the Super Jumptastic Launcher Deluxe, or visit kateyhowes.com for more! kateyhowes.com/_files/ugd/6...
November 8, 2023 at 1:42 PM
Did you know that my website has free printables & activities perfect for #STEMDay & every day? Check out these fun activities to pair with Magnolia Mudd and the Super Jumptastic Launcher Deluxe, or visit kateyhowes.com for more! kateyhowes.com/_files/ugd/6...
Don’t be THAT person who gave up looking, turned away and missed the Yeti lumbering by…
Grab this rare and wondrous kidlit submission opportunity.
“What is it?” you shriek. “Tell us!”
I’ll be doing that in The Kidlitter Letter’s next issue on Tuesday.
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitter...
Grab this rare and wondrous kidlit submission opportunity.
“What is it?” you shriek. “Tell us!”
I’ll be doing that in The Kidlitter Letter’s next issue on Tuesday.
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitter...
November 5, 2023 at 6:53 AM
Don’t be THAT person who gave up looking, turned away and missed the Yeti lumbering by…
Grab this rare and wondrous kidlit submission opportunity.
“What is it?” you shriek. “Tell us!”
I’ll be doing that in The Kidlitter Letter’s next issue on Tuesday.
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitter...
Grab this rare and wondrous kidlit submission opportunity.
“What is it?” you shriek. “Tell us!”
I’ll be doing that in The Kidlitter Letter’s next issue on Tuesday.
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/thekidlitter...
Reposted by Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
If you are a picture book author or illustrator, take a look at the #12x12PB scholarship program and consider applying! Deadline is November 30th.
We have HUGE #12x12PB scholarship program news! In addition to the 6 Diversity and Financial Need Scholarships to cover GOLD registration in 2024, we're adding 20 (!!) SILVER-member scholarships! Deadline to apply is November 30, 2023. www.12x12challenge.c... #kidlit #amwriting
November 1, 2023 at 8:25 PM
If you are a picture book author or illustrator, take a look at the #12x12PB scholarship program and consider applying! Deadline is November 30th.
I’ve added the lovely LitSharkMag… and now there are 44 children’s magazines looking for short stories, articles and poems.
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/freeguide
#kidlit
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/freeguide
#kidlit
October 28, 2023 at 4:37 AM
I’ve added the lovely LitSharkMag… and now there are 44 children’s magazines looking for short stories, articles and poems.
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/freeguide
#kidlit
loupiccolo.myflodesk.com/freeguide
#kidlit
Reposted by Lou Piccolo | Picture book & middle-grade editor & author
Do you know a kidlit/YA person new to Bluesky? Here are starting resources that might help, pls see full thread 👇🏼
My take on social media
Quick tips + templates
My Bluesky how-to videos
KidLit Authors & Illustrators On Bluesky
Kate Messner's KidLit Community list
cont'd
My take on social media
Quick tips + templates
My Bluesky how-to videos
KidLit Authors & Illustrators On Bluesky
Kate Messner's KidLit Community list
cont'd
October 22, 2023 at 1:51 PM
Do you know a kidlit/YA person new to Bluesky? Here are starting resources that might help, pls see full thread 👇🏼
My take on social media
Quick tips + templates
My Bluesky how-to videos
KidLit Authors & Illustrators On Bluesky
Kate Messner's KidLit Community list
cont'd
My take on social media
Quick tips + templates
My Bluesky how-to videos
KidLit Authors & Illustrators On Bluesky
Kate Messner's KidLit Community list
cont'd