Phil Bildner
@philbildner.bsky.social
I write books for young people, picture books and middle grade novels. I’m the founder and President of The Author Village. Mets and Nets fan. LGBTQ🌈
Support Local Media
@mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social has created a directory of the more than 2200 local news outlets in the 50 states. This holiday season, please consider getting or gifting a local newspaper subscription.
Defend democracy.
www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/journalism-d...
@mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social has created a directory of the more than 2200 local news outlets in the 50 states. This holiday season, please consider getting or gifting a local newspaper subscription.
Defend democracy.
www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/journalism-d...
Local Journalism Directory | Media and Democracy Project
We created a directory to help you find local journalism and local news sources in your area worth reading and supporting.
www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org
December 26, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Support Local Media
@mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social has created a directory of the more than 2200 local news outlets in the 50 states. This holiday season, please consider getting or gifting a local newspaper subscription.
Defend democracy.
www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/journalism-d...
@mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social has created a directory of the more than 2200 local news outlets in the 50 states. This holiday season, please consider getting or gifting a local newspaper subscription.
Defend democracy.
www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/journalism-d...
We’re getting there! 👇👇
The Knicks are not my team, but I’m rooting for them this season.
I want to see Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social ride in the parade through the Canyon of Heroes next spring during Pride Month.
I want to see Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social ride in the parade through the Canyon of Heroes next spring during Pride Month.
December 25, 2025 at 10:33 PM
We’re getting there! 👇👇
Actionable Item -- Fighting Book Bans
Contact Governor Hochul of New York and demand that she sign the Freedom to Read Act.
1-518-474-8390
It is SITTING ON HER DESK waiting for her signature.
Stand up for the right to read. Protect our freedom to access books, stories, and histories in schools.
Contact Governor Hochul of New York and demand that she sign the Freedom to Read Act.
1-518-474-8390
It is SITTING ON HER DESK waiting for her signature.
Stand up for the right to read. Protect our freedom to access books, stories, and histories in schools.
December 19, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Actionable Item -- Fighting Book Bans
Contact Governor Hochul of New York and demand that she sign the Freedom to Read Act.
1-518-474-8390
It is SITTING ON HER DESK waiting for her signature.
Stand up for the right to read. Protect our freedom to access books, stories, and histories in schools.
Contact Governor Hochul of New York and demand that she sign the Freedom to Read Act.
1-518-474-8390
It is SITTING ON HER DESK waiting for her signature.
Stand up for the right to read. Protect our freedom to access books, stories, and histories in schools.
Watch the film, A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, read his deranged and sick post about Rob Reiner, and then sit with the notion that this monstrous fuck is the person with the nuclear football.
Every person who supported this rapidly deteriorating and increasingly unhinged evildoer is responsible for this.
Every person who supported this rapidly deteriorating and increasingly unhinged evildoer is responsible for this.
December 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Watch the film, A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, read his deranged and sick post about Rob Reiner, and then sit with the notion that this monstrous fuck is the person with the nuclear football.
Every person who supported this rapidly deteriorating and increasingly unhinged evildoer is responsible for this.
Every person who supported this rapidly deteriorating and increasingly unhinged evildoer is responsible for this.
The Supreme Court Just Opened the Door to a New Era of Book Bans
An important article from @librarianjones.com and Suzette Baker explaining how the citizens of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi no longer have the same rights as the rest of the nation.
time.com/7341120/book...
An important article from @librarianjones.com and Suzette Baker explaining how the citizens of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi no longer have the same rights as the rest of the nation.
time.com/7341120/book...
The Supreme Court Just Opened the Door to a New Era of Book Bans
The Supreme Court’s inaction puts Americans’ First Amendment rights at risk.
time.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The Supreme Court Just Opened the Door to a New Era of Book Bans
An important article from @librarianjones.com and Suzette Baker explaining how the citizens of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi no longer have the same rights as the rest of the nation.
time.com/7341120/book...
An important article from @librarianjones.com and Suzette Baker explaining how the citizens of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi no longer have the same rights as the rest of the nation.
time.com/7341120/book...
Authors Against Book Bans
This is what doing the work looks like -- thank you AABB hero Susan Matello.
In 2025, there were 333 districts with elections who had “Censorship Attacks” recorded in 2023. In those districts’ races, pro-book candidates dominated over anti-book candidates by a 3:1 ratio!
This is what doing the work looks like -- thank you AABB hero Susan Matello.
In 2025, there were 333 districts with elections who had “Censorship Attacks” recorded in 2023. In those districts’ races, pro-book candidates dominated over anti-book candidates by a 3:1 ratio!
December 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Authors Against Book Bans
This is what doing the work looks like -- thank you AABB hero Susan Matello.
In 2025, there were 333 districts with elections who had “Censorship Attacks” recorded in 2023. In those districts’ races, pro-book candidates dominated over anti-book candidates by a 3:1 ratio!
This is what doing the work looks like -- thank you AABB hero Susan Matello.
In 2025, there were 333 districts with elections who had “Censorship Attacks” recorded in 2023. In those districts’ races, pro-book candidates dominated over anti-book candidates by a 3:1 ratio!
Reintroduction!
I run The Author Village, a forward-thinking speakers’ bureau, a collective of award-winning book creators for young people, educators, and librarians available for school and library visits, conference appearances, and professional development experiences.
www.TheAuthorVillage.com
I run The Author Village, a forward-thinking speakers’ bureau, a collective of award-winning book creators for young people, educators, and librarians available for school and library visits, conference appearances, and professional development experiences.
www.TheAuthorVillage.com
Home - The Author Village
The Author Village is a community of forward-thinking and award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators available for school visits, library visits, festivals, conferences, panels, workshops,...
www.TheAuthorVillage.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reintroduction!
I run The Author Village, a forward-thinking speakers’ bureau, a collective of award-winning book creators for young people, educators, and librarians available for school and library visits, conference appearances, and professional development experiences.
www.TheAuthorVillage.com
I run The Author Village, a forward-thinking speakers’ bureau, a collective of award-winning book creators for young people, educators, and librarians available for school and library visits, conference appearances, and professional development experiences.
www.TheAuthorVillage.com
Looking forward to being part of this now sold out special screening of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social tomorrow evening!
Books Save Lives
Books Save Lives
December 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Looking forward to being part of this now sold out special screening of @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social tomorrow evening!
Books Save Lives
Books Save Lives
University of Oklahoma -- Academic Standards
If you care anything about academic standards in higher education -- or education in general -- the situation at the University of Oklahoma is one to follow.
This article will bring you up to speed. Highly recommend.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
If you care anything about academic standards in higher education -- or education in general -- the situation at the University of Oklahoma is one to follow.
This article will bring you up to speed. Highly recommend.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
How an Oklahoma student's gender essay became a national culture war fight
Conservative activists and politicians have rallied around a college student who received a zero on an essay. Some grad students said they’re worried about what happens next.
www.nbcnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:06 AM
University of Oklahoma -- Academic Standards
If you care anything about academic standards in higher education -- or education in general -- the situation at the University of Oklahoma is one to follow.
This article will bring you up to speed. Highly recommend.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
If you care anything about academic standards in higher education -- or education in general -- the situation at the University of Oklahoma is one to follow.
This article will bring you up to speed. Highly recommend.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Phil Bildner
I can’t believe it’s true, but if you turn on Kelly Clarkson on Monday, you might see little ol’ me!
(FYI it’s just two minutes at the very end!)
(FYI it’s just two minutes at the very end!)
December 12, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I can’t believe it’s true, but if you turn on Kelly Clarkson on Monday, you might see little ol’ me!
(FYI it’s just two minutes at the very end!)
(FYI it’s just two minutes at the very end!)
Reposted by Phil Bildner
I newslettered! Why is that always so hard, to make a monthly newsletter? Why is it harder for me than other kinds of writing?
Does anybody else struggle with this?
laurelsnyder.substack.com/p/the-year-i...
Does anybody else struggle with this?
laurelsnyder.substack.com/p/the-year-i...
December 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I newslettered! Why is that always so hard, to make a monthly newsletter? Why is it harder for me than other kinds of writing?
Does anybody else struggle with this?
laurelsnyder.substack.com/p/the-year-i...
Does anybody else struggle with this?
laurelsnyder.substack.com/p/the-year-i...
Reposted by Phil Bildner
***IMPORTANT THREAD*****
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
What's Happening in York County Library (SC) Should Be A Wakeup Call
Poor recording keeping, debates over what was or was not said and voted on, and special interests plague more than just this library system.
bookriot.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
***IMPORTANT THREAD*****
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library.
Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...
Library Board of Trustees -- Fired!
The Randolph County Public Library Board of Trustees got fired this week because they refused to honor a request by patrons to remove “Call Me Max” from the collection.
Please take a moment to read about what happened.
www.randolphhub.com/article/news...
The Randolph County Public Library Board of Trustees got fired this week because they refused to honor a request by patrons to remove “Call Me Max” from the collection.
Please take a moment to read about what happened.
www.randolphhub.com/article/news...
Commissioners vote 3-2 to dismiss Library Board of Trustees
<p>How the Library Board voted to handle a controversial children's book led to a majority decision by commissioners to dismiss the whole board.</p>
www.randolphhub.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Library Board of Trustees -- Fired!
The Randolph County Public Library Board of Trustees got fired this week because they refused to honor a request by patrons to remove “Call Me Max” from the collection.
Please take a moment to read about what happened.
www.randolphhub.com/article/news...
The Randolph County Public Library Board of Trustees got fired this week because they refused to honor a request by patrons to remove “Call Me Max” from the collection.
Please take a moment to read about what happened.
www.randolphhub.com/article/news...
AT LAST SHE STOOD by @erinentrada.bsky.social was one of my favorite non-fiction books for young people this year. I learned a piece of history I knew very little about.
The book is featured in Philippines Esquire this week. Worth checking out.
www.esquiremag.ph/culture/book...
The book is featured in Philippines Esquire this week. Worth checking out.
www.esquiremag.ph/culture/book...
At Last She Stood—and We Should All Follow
Filipino-American novelist Erin Entrada Kelly's latest work gives a Filipina spy the narrative she deserves.
www.esquiremag.ph
December 7, 2025 at 10:06 PM
AT LAST SHE STOOD by @erinentrada.bsky.social was one of my favorite non-fiction books for young people this year. I learned a piece of history I knew very little about.
The book is featured in Philippines Esquire this week. Worth checking out.
www.esquiremag.ph/culture/book...
The book is featured in Philippines Esquire this week. Worth checking out.
www.esquiremag.ph/culture/book...
How to Support Anti-Book Censorship Work Through Holiday Giving.
Looking for impactful ways to help protect book access and the freedom to read? Here's another terrific post from Kelly Jensen at @bookriot.bsky.social that offers a number of excellent suggestions!
bookriot.com/gifting-with...
Looking for impactful ways to help protect book access and the freedom to read? Here's another terrific post from Kelly Jensen at @bookriot.bsky.social that offers a number of excellent suggestions!
bookriot.com/gifting-with...
How to Support Anti Book Censorship Work Through Holiday Giving: Book Censorship News, December 5, 2025
In addition to gifting a banned book, what can you do to help someone get excited and engaged in the fight for the freedom to read?
bookriot.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
How to Support Anti-Book Censorship Work Through Holiday Giving.
Looking for impactful ways to help protect book access and the freedom to read? Here's another terrific post from Kelly Jensen at @bookriot.bsky.social that offers a number of excellent suggestions!
bookriot.com/gifting-with...
Looking for impactful ways to help protect book access and the freedom to read? Here's another terrific post from Kelly Jensen at @bookriot.bsky.social that offers a number of excellent suggestions!
bookriot.com/gifting-with...
Sharing Some Most Excellent Book News!
@mikecurato.bsky.social and I are making a book together! It's called TOO BIG TO SAY.
The book is part novel and part graphic novel. It's for upper middle grade readers... and everyone!
We can't wait for it to be out in the world in spring 2027.
@mikecurato.bsky.social and I are making a book together! It's called TOO BIG TO SAY.
The book is part novel and part graphic novel. It's for upper middle grade readers... and everyone!
We can't wait for it to be out in the world in spring 2027.
December 3, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Sharing Some Most Excellent Book News!
@mikecurato.bsky.social and I are making a book together! It's called TOO BIG TO SAY.
The book is part novel and part graphic novel. It's for upper middle grade readers... and everyone!
We can't wait for it to be out in the world in spring 2027.
@mikecurato.bsky.social and I are making a book together! It's called TOO BIG TO SAY.
The book is part novel and part graphic novel. It's for upper middle grade readers... and everyone!
We can't wait for it to be out in the world in spring 2027.
World AIDS Day
Science is real and life-saving.
Humans living with HIV who are on an effective antiretroviral treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
PrEP is a medicine that prevents HIV. It's taken in pill form or by injection. It reduces HIV risk by over 99%.
Science is real and life-saving.
Humans living with HIV who are on an effective antiretroviral treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
PrEP is a medicine that prevents HIV. It's taken in pill form or by injection. It reduces HIV risk by over 99%.
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
World AIDS Day
Science is real and life-saving.
Humans living with HIV who are on an effective antiretroviral treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
PrEP is a medicine that prevents HIV. It's taken in pill form or by injection. It reduces HIV risk by over 99%.
Science is real and life-saving.
Humans living with HIV who are on an effective antiretroviral treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
PrEP is a medicine that prevents HIV. It's taken in pill form or by injection. It reduces HIV risk by over 99%.
The current regime and its MAGA followers are responsible for skyrocketing health insurance premiums and the closing of community health clinics.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
They did this.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
They did this.
November 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The current regime and its MAGA followers are responsible for skyrocketing health insurance premiums and the closing of community health clinics.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
They did this.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
They did this.
The current regime and its MAGA followers are responsible for the rising cost of electricity and utilities.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
Don’t allow it.
They did this.
Make them own it.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
Don’t allow it.
They did this.
Make them own it.
November 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The current regime and its MAGA followers are responsible for the rising cost of electricity and utilities.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
Don’t allow it.
They did this.
Make them own it.
They did this.
Know that every single time they try to deflect, attack, and change the subject to President Biden and Democrats.
Don’t allow it.
They did this.
Make them own it.
Since 1988, every year on December 1, communities have joined together to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to honor the lives affected by the epidemic.
This week, the current regime announced the United States will not commemorate World AIDS Day.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
This week, the current regime announced the United States will not commemorate World AIDS Day.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Since 1988, every year on December 1, communities have joined together to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to honor the lives affected by the epidemic.
This week, the current regime announced the United States will not commemorate World AIDS Day.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
This week, the current regime announced the United States will not commemorate World AIDS Day.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
In 2024, AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS, the author and creator wing of the fight to protect the freedom to read, was established.
This month, thanks to @everylibrary.bsky.social, the organization now has a fiscal sponsor and can accept tax free donations.
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
This month, thanks to @everylibrary.bsky.social, the organization now has a fiscal sponsor and can accept tax free donations.
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
November 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
In 2024, AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS, the author and creator wing of the fight to protect the freedom to read, was established.
This month, thanks to @everylibrary.bsky.social, the organization now has a fiscal sponsor and can accept tax free donations.
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
This month, thanks to @everylibrary.bsky.social, the organization now has a fiscal sponsor and can accept tax free donations.
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
Why Sexual Content Matters in Young Adult Literature
This is such an important article from @penamerica.bsky.social. It includes a terrific interview with editor @andrewkarre.bsky.social.
Definitely worth a few minutes of your day.
pen.org/andrew-karre...
This is such an important article from @penamerica.bsky.social. It includes a terrific interview with editor @andrewkarre.bsky.social.
Definitely worth a few minutes of your day.
pen.org/andrew-karre...
Why Editor Andrew Karre Can’t Imagine YA Literature Without Sexual Content
'If it became impossible to publish YA novels with sex in them, I think it would effectively become impossible to publish YA novels.'
pen.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Why Sexual Content Matters in Young Adult Literature
This is such an important article from @penamerica.bsky.social. It includes a terrific interview with editor @andrewkarre.bsky.social.
Definitely worth a few minutes of your day.
pen.org/andrew-karre...
This is such an important article from @penamerica.bsky.social. It includes a terrific interview with editor @andrewkarre.bsky.social.
Definitely worth a few minutes of your day.
pen.org/andrew-karre...
Mark your calendars!
On Thursday December 16, in Bedford, New York, @barbaradee.bsky.social and I will be leading the panel discussion following the screening of documentary film, THE LIBRARIANS.
On Thursday December 16, in Bedford, New York, @barbaradee.bsky.social and I will be leading the panel discussion following the screening of documentary film, THE LIBRARIANS.
November 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Mark your calendars!
On Thursday December 16, in Bedford, New York, @barbaradee.bsky.social and I will be leading the panel discussion following the screening of documentary film, THE LIBRARIANS.
On Thursday December 16, in Bedford, New York, @barbaradee.bsky.social and I will be leading the panel discussion following the screening of documentary film, THE LIBRARIANS.
Commencement Speakers:
Are you looking for an inspiring, engaging, and highly relevant speaker for your spring 2026 commencement ceremony?
Consider one of the authors, educators, or librarians from The Author Village.
Are you looking for an inspiring, engaging, and highly relevant speaker for your spring 2026 commencement ceremony?
Consider one of the authors, educators, or librarians from The Author Village.
Commencement Speakers:
Are you looking for an inspiring, engaging, and highly relevant speaker for your spring 2026 commencement ceremony?
Consider one of the authors, educators, or librarians from The Author Village.
theauthorvillage.com
Are you looking for an inspiring, engaging, and highly relevant speaker for your spring 2026 commencement ceremony?
Consider one of the authors, educators, or librarians from The Author Village.
theauthorvillage.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Commencement Speakers:
Are you looking for an inspiring, engaging, and highly relevant speaker for your spring 2026 commencement ceremony?
Consider one of the authors, educators, or librarians from The Author Village.
Are you looking for an inspiring, engaging, and highly relevant speaker for your spring 2026 commencement ceremony?
Consider one of the authors, educators, or librarians from The Author Village.