Lorraine McCown
@mcclowny.bsky.social
Engineer➡️Stay @ home Mom➡️HS physics teacher➡️And now...
Writing picture books for ages 0 to 110!
#KidLit #PB #StoryStorm #PBParty #PBPitch #PictureBooks
Writing picture books for ages 0 to 110!
#KidLit #PB #StoryStorm #PBParty #PBPitch #PictureBooks
I’m thankful for the line:
“His blood runs through my instrument, and his song is in my soul” from Dan Fogelberg’s Leader of the Band song. It always reminds me of how my Dad is still alive within me. #KidLitChat
“His blood runs through my instrument, and his song is in my soul” from Dan Fogelberg’s Leader of the Band song. It always reminds me of how my Dad is still alive within me. #KidLitChat
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I’m thankful for the line:
“His blood runs through my instrument, and his song is in my soul” from Dan Fogelberg’s Leader of the Band song. It always reminds me of how my Dad is still alive within me. #KidLitChat
“His blood runs through my instrument, and his song is in my soul” from Dan Fogelberg’s Leader of the Band song. It always reminds me of how my Dad is still alive within me. #KidLitChat
I am thankful for cardboard, duck tape, and LibraryThing, who will all play a roll in helping me move over 1500 PBs to a new home.
This is why I’ve barely participated over the last month and won’t be fully back on track until Jan. #KidLitChat
This is why I’ve barely participated over the last month and won’t be fully back on track until Jan. #KidLitChat
November 26, 2025 at 2:15 AM
I am thankful for cardboard, duck tape, and LibraryThing, who will all play a roll in helping me move over 1500 PBs to a new home.
This is why I’ve barely participated over the last month and won’t be fully back on track until Jan. #KidLitChat
This is why I’ve barely participated over the last month and won’t be fully back on track until Jan. #KidLitChat
Reposted by Lorraine McCown
Hey authors! Check to see if Anthropic stole your book to train their slop generator on. You’re entitled to $1500 per stolen Work.
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Submit a Claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Hey authors! Check to see if Anthropic stole your book to train their slop generator on. You’re entitled to $1500 per stolen Work.
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Look up your work, and if you’re in the database, file a claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
🎢 #ITeachPhysics A real live application question for my smart friends: New homes in warm climates are being built with efficiency windows which make gray painted interior walls appear green. What color wall paint would be best if the desired wall appearance is light blue?
October 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
🎢 #ITeachPhysics A real live application question for my smart friends: New homes in warm climates are being built with efficiency windows which make gray painted interior walls appear green. What color wall paint would be best if the desired wall appearance is light blue?
Don’t forget about the upcoming contest - The Fall Writing Frenzy kidlit and YA writing contest hosted by author Lydia Lukidis and agent/author Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez. #KidLitChat
October 1, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Don’t forget about the upcoming contest - The Fall Writing Frenzy kidlit and YA writing contest hosted by author Lydia Lukidis and agent/author Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez. #KidLitChat
My kids also enjoyed Harry the Dirty Dog. #KidLitChat
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 AM
My kids also enjoyed Harry the Dirty Dog. #KidLitChat
I’d also tell the younger me to write down all of the funny things my own kids did and said, as well as the surprising nuances of their approaches to life and learning. …so much lost research. #KidLitChat
September 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I’d also tell the younger me to write down all of the funny things my own kids did and said, as well as the surprising nuances of their approaches to life and learning. …so much lost research. #KidLitChat
I’d tell myself that I’ve learned enough, my number of solidly creative ideas is more than a starting point, and to get my ass in the query trenches. I was younger yesterday than I am today but I still keep moving my own goalposts. #KidLitChat
TOPIC: What professional or creative advice do you wish you could pass on to your younger self? (And would your younger self listen?!?) #kidlitchat
September 24, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I’d tell myself that I’ve learned enough, my number of solidly creative ideas is more than a starting point, and to get my ass in the query trenches. I was younger yesterday than I am today but I still keep moving my own goalposts. #KidLitChat
Reposted by Lorraine McCown
Question for my #PB #kidlit people: Would anyone be interested in a critique service that caters specifically to rhyming manuscripts? It seems like many critique services focus on non-rhyming stories, and I LOVE working in rhyme.
peter griffin says that almost rhymes in a family guy cartoon
ALT: peter griffin says that almost rhymes in a family guy cartoon
media.tenor.com
September 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Hey #KidLitChat folks - sharing this because of Tuesday’s discussion on our go-tos for recharging creativity - news.uchicago.edu/big-brains-p...
How to use nature to restore your focus, with Marc Berman
Psychologist explains how trees boost your attention, improve mental health—and even reduce crime
news.uchicago.edu
September 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Hey #KidLitChat folks - sharing this because of Tuesday’s discussion on our go-tos for recharging creativity - news.uchicago.edu/big-brains-p...
Interesting that the great outdoors is still a universal recharge go-to. #KidLitChat
September 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Interesting that the great outdoors is still a universal recharge go-to. #KidLitChat
Two things recharge me. “forest bathing” - basically a walk in nature, and oddly, vacuuming my house. Both health and the fact I can’t stand a mess drive my ‘do it’. #KidLitChat
TOPIC: How do you recharge your creative energy? Is it by digging into more work? Time off? Going to a concert? Performing a concert??? What works for you... and how do you make sure you do it? (Psst. Please remember to do it!) #kidlitchat
September 17, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Two things recharge me. “forest bathing” - basically a walk in nature, and oddly, vacuuming my house. Both health and the fact I can’t stand a mess drive my ‘do it’. #KidLitChat
@brookmthompson.bsky.social
I am holding your book and can’t wait to read it to my granddaughters. I love how your childhood history sets the stage for your environmental care and education. The font immediately caught my attention, so thanks for explaining OpenDyslexic in your back matter. #KidLit
I am holding your book and can’t wait to read it to my granddaughters. I love how your childhood history sets the stage for your environmental care and education. The font immediately caught my attention, so thanks for explaining OpenDyslexic in your back matter. #KidLit
September 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
@brookmthompson.bsky.social
I am holding your book and can’t wait to read it to my granddaughters. I love how your childhood history sets the stage for your environmental care and education. The font immediately caught my attention, so thanks for explaining OpenDyslexic in your back matter. #KidLit
I am holding your book and can’t wait to read it to my granddaughters. I love how your childhood history sets the stage for your environmental care and education. The font immediately caught my attention, so thanks for explaining OpenDyslexic in your back matter. #KidLit
@troystory.bsky.social Wow - what a coincidental title! Though I’m quite sure you have not lost yours. Looking forward to reading your statue inspired story.
#kidlit #bookreview THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK is at YABC!
yabookscentral.com/kid-review-t...
#modernfolktale #magic #newhouse
yabookscentral.com/kid-review-t...
#modernfolktale #magic #newhouse
September 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
@troystory.bsky.social Wow - what a coincidental title! Though I’m quite sure you have not lost yours. Looking forward to reading your statue inspired story.
I watched the towers fall on live TV. Indescribable shock and pain, indelibly marked our way of thinking… about everything. And yet, on this day, my husband and I will quietly acknowledge our forty-three years together in a world that, even in this landscape, still contains much good.
September 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I watched the towers fall on live TV. Indescribable shock and pain, indelibly marked our way of thinking… about everything. And yet, on this day, my husband and I will quietly acknowledge our forty-three years together in a world that, even in this landscape, still contains much good.
@juliefhedlund.bsky.social @emmawaltonhamilton.bsky.social @kellipanique.bsky.social Enjoyed the Mini Summit tonight -thanks for all your hard work in putting it together!
August 22, 2025 at 2:08 AM
@juliefhedlund.bsky.social @emmawaltonhamilton.bsky.social @kellipanique.bsky.social Enjoyed the Mini Summit tonight -thanks for all your hard work in putting it together!
Check out worldshift.manyworldswriting.com While primarily for novelists, there will also likely be nuggets for PB authors. I mean, it’s writing, right? You can see the daily agendas under the “stages” drop-down and even create your own schedule.
Worldshift: The Speculative Fiction Writers' Summit 2025
Speculative Fiction Writers' Summit
worldshift.manyworldswriting.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Check out worldshift.manyworldswriting.com While primarily for novelists, there will also likely be nuggets for PB authors. I mean, it’s writing, right? You can see the daily agendas under the “stages” drop-down and even create your own schedule.
Gnight #KidLitChat folks. See you next week.
August 13, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Gnight #KidLitChat folks. See you next week.
I also really like the book about hoatzins. So well done - great story unfolds while relaying facts. #KidLitChat
August 13, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I also really like the book about hoatzins. So well done - great story unfolds while relaying facts. #KidLitChat
We sit, watch, and wait
Darkness has quieted gulls
Leaving waves, wind, thoughts
Shelled giants emerge
From moonlit frothy breakers
To dig sandy vaults
Is this even real?
They lay new life and leave…
Me thinking of God
#HaikuSaturday It was magical!
Darkness has quieted gulls
Leaving waves, wind, thoughts
Shelled giants emerge
From moonlit frothy breakers
To dig sandy vaults
Is this even real?
They lay new life and leave…
Me thinking of God
#HaikuSaturday It was magical!
August 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
We sit, watch, and wait
Darkness has quieted gulls
Leaving waves, wind, thoughts
Shelled giants emerge
From moonlit frothy breakers
To dig sandy vaults
Is this even real?
They lay new life and leave…
Me thinking of God
#HaikuSaturday It was magical!
Darkness has quieted gulls
Leaving waves, wind, thoughts
Shelled giants emerge
From moonlit frothy breakers
To dig sandy vaults
Is this even real?
They lay new life and leave…
Me thinking of God
#HaikuSaturday It was magical!
Hesitating to answer because I’m not sure it’s a typical rut but… I stop writing when I’m flooded w too many ideas. Writing paralysis either continues until I tame my idea stream or force myself to just pick one and go with it until another one screams more loudly for attention. #KidLitChat
TOPIC: You have finally found your comfort zone. You begin to suspect that you know what you're doing! And then a small thought worms its way into your happy place: have you fallen into a rut, creatively? How can you tell--and what can you do about it? #kidlitchat
August 6, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Hesitating to answer because I’m not sure it’s a typical rut but… I stop writing when I’m flooded w too many ideas. Writing paralysis either continues until I tame my idea stream or force myself to just pick one and go with it until another one screams more loudly for attention. #KidLitChat
Reposted by Lorraine McCown
Did you know I run a literary magazine for kids called @litkidsmagazine.bsky.social? We accept work solely from 5-13 y/o's, and we're currently in dire need of submissions for Issue 7: Fire. Please spread the word and subscribe to our site! 🤗
litkidsmagazine.wixsite.com/lit-kids-mag...
#kidlit #emag
litkidsmagazine.wixsite.com/lit-kids-mag...
#kidlit #emag
July 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Did you know I run a literary magazine for kids called @litkidsmagazine.bsky.social? We accept work solely from 5-13 y/o's, and we're currently in dire need of submissions for Issue 7: Fire. Please spread the word and subscribe to our site! 🤗
litkidsmagazine.wixsite.com/lit-kids-mag...
#kidlit #emag
litkidsmagazine.wixsite.com/lit-kids-mag...
#kidlit #emag
I just ‘read’ the wordless picture book, “Draw!” by Raul Colon and so appreciate his subtle pictorial nod to asthma sufferers. As a kid, I couldn’t go outside if someone on our street had just mowed their lawn. Suffice to say, my book inspired imagination kept me sane. #KidLit #KidLitChat
July 25, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I just ‘read’ the wordless picture book, “Draw!” by Raul Colon and so appreciate his subtle pictorial nod to asthma sufferers. As a kid, I couldn’t go outside if someone on our street had just mowed their lawn. Suffice to say, my book inspired imagination kept me sane. #KidLit #KidLitChat