Mary Averling
@maryaverling.bsky.social
Author of Bram Stoker Award finalist THE CURSE OF EELGRASS BOG and THE GHOSTS OF BITTERFLY BAY with Penguin Young Readers. Next: THE BURN BEAST (Putnam, Fall 2026)
Rep'd by Kelly Sonnack at ABLA
Rep'd by Kelly Sonnack at ABLA
Pinned
Mary Averling
@maryaverling.bsky.social
· May 20
Ahhh it's happening!!! I get to write another book!!!!! So, so, SO excited that my third middle grade horror, THE BURN BEAST, is coming Fall 2026 from Putnam Young Readers/Penguin Kids!!!!!!
Reposted by Mary Averling
Finished @maryaverling.bsky.social The Curse of Eelgrass Bog last night. Thanks for letting me take the journey with Kess, Lilou, Oliver and Jim. Looking forward to more from you!
November 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Finished @maryaverling.bsky.social The Curse of Eelgrass Bog last night. Thanks for letting me take the journey with Kess, Lilou, Oliver and Jim. Looking forward to more from you!
Reposted by Mary Averling
I love first lines that make me curious! #FirstLineFriday #MiddleGrade #Paranormal @maryaverling.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I love first lines that make me curious! #FirstLineFriday #MiddleGrade #Paranormal @maryaverling.bsky.social
BURN BEAST cover is getting creepier with each draft and ahhhhh I am BURSTING to show you!!!!!!
November 5, 2025 at 3:51 PM
BURN BEAST cover is getting creepier with each draft and ahhhhh I am BURSTING to show you!!!!!!
Reposted by Mary Averling
Celebrate the #Halloween season with these diverse books! Whether you’re looking for something cute or creepy, this list has something for readers of any age and scare-level 🎃📚
October 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Celebrate the #Halloween season with these diverse books! Whether you’re looking for something cute or creepy, this list has something for readers of any age and scare-level 🎃📚
guess who just passed 10k words on a new project 👀🖤✨
October 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
guess who just passed 10k words on a new project 👀🖤✨
On the topic of moving, would any teachers/librarians or book club organizers be interested in class sets of EELGRASS BOG or BITTERFLY BAY? I have many spare hardcovers of both, and I'd love them to go to a loving home. I'd just ask for some help with shipping costs :)
Boosts appreciated!
Boosts appreciated!
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
On the topic of moving, would any teachers/librarians or book club organizers be interested in class sets of EELGRASS BOG or BITTERFLY BAY? I have many spare hardcovers of both, and I'd love them to go to a loving home. I'd just ask for some help with shipping costs :)
Boosts appreciated!
Boosts appreciated!
counting down ONE MONTH until we move across the country and my brain is just a series of buzzing noises
October 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
counting down ONE MONTH until we move across the country and my brain is just a series of buzzing noises
you know when you're in a quiet in-between period but you can SMELL the chaos of coming weeks getting closer and closer
October 23, 2025 at 2:12 PM
you know when you're in a quiet in-between period but you can SMELL the chaos of coming weeks getting closer and closer
Reposted by Mary Averling
Hey @maryaverling.bsky.social,
I was just browsing my library on the Libby app and look what I found...
I was just browsing my library on the Libby app and look what I found...
October 17, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Hey @maryaverling.bsky.social,
I was just browsing my library on the Libby app and look what I found...
I was just browsing my library on the Libby app and look what I found...
book stuff is slow but we officially signed on our new apartment today & my partner got offered a dream job, sometimes things are ok 🥹🖤🍂
October 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
book stuff is slow but we officially signed on our new apartment today & my partner got offered a dream job, sometimes things are ok 🥹🖤🍂
Reposted by Mary Averling
Visit spookymiddlegrade.com/virtual-qa/ to request a free 30-minute virtual Q&A classroom visit with up to four spooky middle grade authors. For grades 3-8.
#kidlit #spookymiddlegrade #authorvisit
#kidlit #spookymiddlegrade #authorvisit
October 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Visit spookymiddlegrade.com/virtual-qa/ to request a free 30-minute virtual Q&A classroom visit with up to four spooky middle grade authors. For grades 3-8.
#kidlit #spookymiddlegrade #authorvisit
#kidlit #spookymiddlegrade #authorvisit
ooooh we have an updated BURN BEAST cover sketch that is now ~scarier~ 👀
October 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
ooooh we have an updated BURN BEAST cover sketch that is now ~scarier~ 👀
The idea of people using EELGRASS BOG as a comp still makes my heart grow three sizes 🥰
I've actually discovered some great reads when reviewing the slush because writers kept using certain titles as comps and I was curious. For example, @maryaverling.bsky.social's The Curse of Eelgrass Bog kept showing up as a comp in MG queries, so I knew I had to read it to find out why. #kidlitchat
October 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The idea of people using EELGRASS BOG as a comp still makes my heart grow three sizes 🥰
Reposted by Mary Averling
Oct 5 - Middle grade Horror Books You Should Read Day 5 The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay by @maryaverling.bsky.social
This is not only one of my favorite horror stories it’s one of my favorite middle grade books period. It’s perfect. Just read it
This is not only one of my favorite horror stories it’s one of my favorite middle grade books period. It’s perfect. Just read it
October 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Oct 5 - Middle grade Horror Books You Should Read Day 5 The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay by @maryaverling.bsky.social
This is not only one of my favorite horror stories it’s one of my favorite middle grade books period. It’s perfect. Just read it
This is not only one of my favorite horror stories it’s one of my favorite middle grade books period. It’s perfect. Just read it
One week until Canada’s largest Children’s Book Festival!!!! I’ll be at the Telling Tales Festival on October 4 and 5, and presenting in the preteen tent on Saturday from 4-4:45!! Come hear me chat about THE GHOSTS OF BITTERFLY BAY, and join in on some spooky crafts 🖤🍂
September 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
One week until Canada’s largest Children’s Book Festival!!!! I’ll be at the Telling Tales Festival on October 4 and 5, and presenting in the preteen tent on Saturday from 4-4:45!! Come hear me chat about THE GHOSTS OF BITTERFLY BAY, and join in on some spooky crafts 🖤🍂
autumn is here! time for ghosts and ghouls! and your semi-regular reminder that I have two creepy, magical little middle grade books perfect for when there's a fresh chill in the air <3
September 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
autumn is here! time for ghosts and ghouls! and your semi-regular reminder that I have two creepy, magical little middle grade books perfect for when there's a fresh chill in the air <3
so exciting to see both Eelgrass Bog AND Bitterfly Bay on the back cover of The Week Jr magazine!! alongside some other fabulous Penguin Young Readers titles!!!
September 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
so exciting to see both Eelgrass Bog AND Bitterfly Bay on the back cover of The Week Jr magazine!! alongside some other fabulous Penguin Young Readers titles!!!
Reposted by Mary Averling
Making time for reading is not always in the cards, but this past week, I've made it a priority. Now about halfway through The Curse of Eelgrass Bog - @maryaverling.bsky.social - and having a hard time putting it down to do the essentials. Like grocery shopping...
#SlowReadersClub
#SlowReadersClub
September 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Making time for reading is not always in the cards, but this past week, I've made it a priority. Now about halfway through The Curse of Eelgrass Bog - @maryaverling.bsky.social - and having a hard time putting it down to do the essentials. Like grocery shopping...
#SlowReadersClub
#SlowReadersClub
Reposted by Mary Averling
Great list of #spooky #mg books! Love seeing books by fellow @spookymiddlegrade.bsky.social authors @allyoutthere.bsky.social @dwgillespie.bsky.social Delilah Dawson & @maryaverling.bsky.social Thank you @popgoesthereader.bsky.social #kidlit
55 Scary (And Not-So-Scary) 2025 Middle Grade Books To Get Readers In The Halloween Spirit – Pop! Goes The Reader
popgoesthereader.com
September 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Great list of #spooky #mg books! Love seeing books by fellow @spookymiddlegrade.bsky.social authors @allyoutthere.bsky.social @dwgillespie.bsky.social Delilah Dawson & @maryaverling.bsky.social Thank you @popgoesthereader.bsky.social #kidlit
apparently they comped THE BURN BEAST to "MG ONLY THE GOOD INDIANS meets a horror version of THE MOSSHEART'S PROMISE" at launch and I'm living for it!!!
September 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
apparently they comped THE BURN BEAST to "MG ONLY THE GOOD INDIANS meets a horror version of THE MOSSHEART'S PROMISE" at launch and I'm living for it!!!
Spooktastic <3
September 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Spooktastic <3
Reposted by Mary Averling
So much fun at the Spooktastic Bookfair yesterday!!!! Thanks to @alyssaalessi.bsky.social! What a great event! Loved seeing my MG horror fam @lorasenf.bsky.social @lorienlawrence.bsky.social @maryaverling.bsky.social
September 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
So much fun at the Spooktastic Bookfair yesterday!!!! Thanks to @alyssaalessi.bsky.social! What a great event! Loved seeing my MG horror fam @lorasenf.bsky.social @lorienlawrence.bsky.social @maryaverling.bsky.social
also if anyone comes to Spooktastic this weekend and asks nicely I will 100000% show you 🤩
BURN BEAST cover artist is working at a breakneck pace omg because we have COLOUR OPTIONS AND STOPPP THESE ARE ALL TOO GOOD I AM GOING TO BURST
September 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
also if anyone comes to Spooktastic this weekend and asks nicely I will 100000% show you 🤩
BURN BEAST cover artist is working at a breakneck pace omg because we have COLOUR OPTIONS AND STOPPP THESE ARE ALL TOO GOOD I AM GOING TO BURST
September 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
BURN BEAST cover artist is working at a breakneck pace omg because we have COLOUR OPTIONS AND STOPPP THESE ARE ALL TOO GOOD I AM GOING TO BURST