Michael Benner
@michaelbennerbooks.com
Kidlit author, nature enthusiast, dad, and baseball fan.
#scbwi, #12x12, #writersleaguetexas
Author of Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story (debuting Summer 2026)
Rep’d by Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
https://www.michaelbennerwritesbooks.com
#scbwi, #12x12, #writersleaguetexas
Author of Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story (debuting Summer 2026)
Rep’d by Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
https://www.michaelbennerwritesbooks.com
Pinned
Michael Benner
@michaelbennerbooks.com
· Sep 30
Introducing Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story, the first book in my Delicious Duos series.
Words by me, illustrations by the amazing and incredibly talented Alison Hawkins. In stores July 7, 2026. Available for pre-order wherever books are sold!
#picturebooks #kidlit #writingcommunity #childrensbooks
Words by me, illustrations by the amazing and incredibly talented Alison Hawkins. In stores July 7, 2026. Available for pre-order wherever books are sold!
#picturebooks #kidlit #writingcommunity #childrensbooks
I loved Gilbert and the Ghost by @heatherstigall7.bsky.social. The story's theme of perseverance despite feeling invisible and unanswered, the beautifully spooky illustrations, and the easy readability make this a great bedtime story, especially during the spookier times of the year!
February 16, 2026 at 5:25 PM
I loved Gilbert and the Ghost by @heatherstigall7.bsky.social. The story's theme of perseverance despite feeling invisible and unanswered, the beautifully spooky illustrations, and the easy readability make this a great bedtime story, especially during the spookier times of the year!
If you're a fan of escape rooms like me, The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsey Currie is a must read. The majority of the book is set in an abandoned escape room house, filled with puzzles, tricks, and a treasure if you make it to the end. I look forward to the next book in the Delta Games series!
February 12, 2026 at 8:19 PM
If you're a fan of escape rooms like me, The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsey Currie is a must read. The majority of the book is set in an abandoned escape room house, filled with puzzles, tricks, and a treasure if you make it to the end. I look forward to the next book in the Delta Games series!
Storystorm wrapped up and 30 new ideas in the bank! Now, onto writing a a few of them...
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
February 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Storystorm wrapped up and 30 new ideas in the bank! Now, onto writing a a few of them...
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
#storystorm #picturebooks #kidlit
Help support immigrant communities and those most impacted by ICE in Minnesota through an auction of terrific services from industry leading authors and illustrators. Auction opens Thursday 1/29 at 12:00am EST and ends Friday 1/30 at 11:45pm EST. www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Help support immigrant communities and those most impacted by ICE in Minnesota through an auction of terrific services from industry leading authors and illustrators. Auction opens Thursday 1/29 at 12:00am EST and ends Friday 1/30 at 11:45pm EST. www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Getting into the mood for writing a Christmas-themed picture book by listening to Christmas songs. In January. Kinda weird but kinda awesome, too. 🎅🤶🎄⛄️
#picturebooks #christmas
#picturebooks #christmas
January 28, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Getting into the mood for writing a Christmas-themed picture book by listening to Christmas songs. In January. Kinda weird but kinda awesome, too. 🎅🤶🎄⛄️
#picturebooks #christmas
#picturebooks #christmas
Meg Eden Kuyatt's middle grade novel, The Girl in the Walls, is a novel-in-verse about a neurodivergent girl who uncovers a not just a ghost but a set of dangerous family secrets in her grandmother's house. Hard to put down, it's a fun, fast, nail biting read, and ghostly read!
January 21, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Meg Eden Kuyatt's middle grade novel, The Girl in the Walls, is a novel-in-verse about a neurodivergent girl who uncovers a not just a ghost but a set of dangerous family secrets in her grandmother's house. Hard to put down, it's a fun, fast, nail biting read, and ghostly read!
My writing goals for 2026:
* Complete at least 2 submission-worthy picture book manuscripts.
* Complete the first draft of my MG horror novel.
* Complete the 12x12 Challenge (write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months).
* Take at least 3 writing classes.
* Sell one of my picture book manuscripts.
* Complete at least 2 submission-worthy picture book manuscripts.
* Complete the first draft of my MG horror novel.
* Complete the 12x12 Challenge (write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months).
* Take at least 3 writing classes.
* Sell one of my picture book manuscripts.
January 14, 2026 at 8:40 PM
My writing goals for 2026:
* Complete at least 2 submission-worthy picture book manuscripts.
* Complete the first draft of my MG horror novel.
* Complete the 12x12 Challenge (write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months).
* Take at least 3 writing classes.
* Sell one of my picture book manuscripts.
* Complete at least 2 submission-worthy picture book manuscripts.
* Complete the first draft of my MG horror novel.
* Complete the 12x12 Challenge (write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months).
* Take at least 3 writing classes.
* Sell one of my picture book manuscripts.
I love @stephaniebearce.bsky.social's MG debut, The Secret of Moonrise Manor. Beautifully written and filled with mystery, paranormal, teen emotions, and science-based reasoning wrapped up in layers upon layers clues, plot twists, and suspense.
#middlegradebooks #middlegrade #review #kidlit
#middlegradebooks #middlegrade #review #kidlit
January 12, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I love @stephaniebearce.bsky.social's MG debut, The Secret of Moonrise Manor. Beautifully written and filled with mystery, paranormal, teen emotions, and science-based reasoning wrapped up in layers upon layers clues, plot twists, and suspense.
#middlegradebooks #middlegrade #review #kidlit
#middlegradebooks #middlegrade #review #kidlit
Excited to get started with Storystorm 2026 - 30 picture book ideas in the 31 days of January! It's a great way to get into a groove in the new writing year!
Sign up here to get started: taralazar.com/2025/12/26/s...
#storystorm #storystorm2026 #picturebooks
Sign up here to get started: taralazar.com/2025/12/26/s...
#storystorm #storystorm2026 #picturebooks
January 1, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Excited to get started with Storystorm 2026 - 30 picture book ideas in the 31 days of January! It's a great way to get into a groove in the new writing year!
Sign up here to get started: taralazar.com/2025/12/26/s...
#storystorm #storystorm2026 #picturebooks
Sign up here to get started: taralazar.com/2025/12/26/s...
#storystorm #storystorm2026 #picturebooks
Announcing the 2nd book in the Delicious Duos series, Milk & Cookies! Join Milk & Cookies in their funny, punny adventure as they form one of the most enduring friendships ever. Illustrated by Alison Hawkins, Milk & Cookies launches Summer 2027 by Scholastic.
#kidlit #picturebooks #milkandcookies
#kidlit #picturebooks #milkandcookies
December 4, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Announcing the 2nd book in the Delicious Duos series, Milk & Cookies! Join Milk & Cookies in their funny, punny adventure as they form one of the most enduring friendships ever. Illustrated by Alison Hawkins, Milk & Cookies launches Summer 2027 by Scholastic.
#kidlit #picturebooks #milkandcookies
#kidlit #picturebooks #milkandcookies
Writing prompt for 11/14/25:
"Deep in the forest, past the cave beneath the cliff, an old gentleman awaited my arrival..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"Deep in the forest, past the cave beneath the cliff, an old gentleman awaited my arrival..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Writing prompt for 11/14/25:
"Deep in the forest, past the cave beneath the cliff, an old gentleman awaited my arrival..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"Deep in the forest, past the cave beneath the cliff, an old gentleman awaited my arrival..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/13/25:
"I thought I showed up to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead, I walked into the middle of..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"I thought I showed up to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead, I walked into the middle of..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Writing prompt for 11/13/25:
"I thought I showed up to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead, I walked into the middle of..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"I thought I showed up to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Instead, I walked into the middle of..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/11/25:
"Today, I wish for..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"Today, I wish for..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Writing prompt for 11/11/25:
"Today, I wish for..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"Today, I wish for..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/10/25:
"Never, ever ask a nun about..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"Never, ever ask a nun about..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Writing prompt for 11/10/25:
"Never, ever ask a nun about..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"Never, ever ask a nun about..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/07/25:
"A woman asked me today why my left eye was..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"A woman asked me today why my left eye was..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Writing prompt for 11/07/25:
"A woman asked me today why my left eye was..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"A woman asked me today why my left eye was..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/06/25:
"The spotlight shined on me, but what I forgot my line..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The spotlight shined on me, but what I forgot my line..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Writing prompt for 11/06/25:
"The spotlight shined on me, but what I forgot my line..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The spotlight shined on me, but what I forgot my line..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 11/05/25:
"What a dirty trick..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"What a dirty trick..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
November 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Writing prompt for 11/05/25:
"What a dirty trick..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"What a dirty trick..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/31/25:
"When the witching hour arrives on Halloween night, I must..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"When the witching hour arrives on Halloween night, I must..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Writing prompt for 10/31/25:
"When the witching hour arrives on Halloween night, I must..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"When the witching hour arrives on Halloween night, I must..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/30/25:
"The last thing you should ever say to a ghost is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The last thing you should ever say to a ghost is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Writing prompt for 10/30/25:
"The last thing you should ever say to a ghost is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The last thing you should ever say to a ghost is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/29/25:
"The lights dimmed and went out, and three pounding knocks rattled the door. I only had time to..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The lights dimmed and went out, and three pounding knocks rattled the door. I only had time to..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Writing prompt for 10/29/25:
"The lights dimmed and went out, and three pounding knocks rattled the door. I only had time to..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The lights dimmed and went out, and three pounding knocks rattled the door. I only had time to..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/27/25:
"I opened my eyes, and there it was, looking at me from the foot of my bed..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"I opened my eyes, and there it was, looking at me from the foot of my bed..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Writing prompt for 10/27/25:
"I opened my eyes, and there it was, looking at me from the foot of my bed..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"I opened my eyes, and there it was, looking at me from the foot of my bed..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/23/25:
"The creepiest thing about a cemetery is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The creepiest thing about a cemetery is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Writing prompt for 10/23/25:
"The creepiest thing about a cemetery is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"The creepiest thing about a cemetery is..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
A win for free speech!
Federal Judge Orders Permanent Injunction Against Texas Book Ratings Law
Judge Alan D. Albright of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ordered a permanent injunction against mandatory book rating law HB 900 on October 21.
www.publishersweekly.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
A win for free speech!
Writing prompt for 10/22/25:
"A songbird landed on my shoulder..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"A songbird landed on my shoulder..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Writing prompt for 10/22/25:
"A songbird landed on my shoulder..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"A songbird landed on my shoulder..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
Writing prompt for 10/21/25:
"After an hour carving this stupid pumpkin, it looks like a..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"After an hour carving this stupid pumpkin, it looks like a..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
October 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Writing prompt for 10/21/25:
"After an hour carving this stupid pumpkin, it looks like a..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts
"After an hour carving this stupid pumpkin, it looks like a..."
Continue this thought for 5-minutes, non-stop, by hand, without editing. Have fun!
#writingcommunity #kidlit #dailywritingprompts