Sharon Baldwin
@sharonbaldwin.bsky.social
Author, publisher, designer, event producer, educator, catless child lady.
Living in Australia's Blue Mountains, the unceded land of the Dharug and Gundungurra people.
Living in Australia's Blue Mountains, the unceded land of the Dharug and Gundungurra people.
Pinned
Sharon Baldwin
@sharonbaldwin.bsky.social
· Jan 31
If you're interested in supporting independent publishing in Australia several of us in the Blue Mountains have banded together and are distributing under Blue Mtns Books: www.bluemtnsbooks.com.au #australianpublishing #independentpublishing #indiepublishing #australianauthors
Highly recommend taking breaks from querying. I've just started again on my upper YA novel after a 2 month break and feel like I can describe my work better after a bit of distance from it. Feeling optimistic! #amquerying #yaauthor
October 24, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Highly recommend taking breaks from querying. I've just started again on my upper YA novel after a 2 month break and feel like I can describe my work better after a bit of distance from it. Feeling optimistic! #amquerying #yaauthor
When a high profile new book is announced with a near identical plot to the one you're querying, is it the kiss of death? Or an opportunity to jump onto a hot topic? Should I hold out hope or move on to the next manuscript? #amquerying
September 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
When a high profile new book is announced with a near identical plot to the one you're querying, is it the kiss of death? Or an opportunity to jump onto a hot topic? Should I hold out hope or move on to the next manuscript? #amquerying
And yet so many children's publishers steer clear of rhyming texts. Yes, they're hard to do, but they are so wonderful when done well. (Also yes, all 3 of my published picture books rhyme. Translation rights be damned.) www.thebookseller.com/news/julia-d...
Julia Donaldson becomes first author to break the NielsenIQ BookScan 50-million-unit barrier
Julia Donaldson has increased her lead at the top of the all-time author volume chart, becoming the first writer to sell more than 50 million units through British bookshops since accurate records beg...
www.thebookseller.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:36 AM
And yet so many children's publishers steer clear of rhyming texts. Yes, they're hard to do, but they are so wonderful when done well. (Also yes, all 3 of my published picture books rhyme. Translation rights be damned.) www.thebookseller.com/news/julia-d...
Very proud to have my article on publishing in the Blue Mountains in the debut issue of MTNS MADE magazine. Plus a bonus review of my artsy kids book "What Is It?"
August 12, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Very proud to have my article on publishing in the Blue Mountains in the debut issue of MTNS MADE magazine. Plus a bonus review of my artsy kids book "What Is It?"
My publishing company has a beautiful new book coming out soon: "Aunty's House" a story about kinship by two Aboriginal creators. Pre-order it here: loosepartspress.square.site/product/aunt...
July 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
My publishing company has a beautiful new book coming out soon: "Aunty's House" a story about kinship by two Aboriginal creators. Pre-order it here: loosepartspress.square.site/product/aunt...
It's very easy to get down about publishing industry news, but this made my day when I learned about it! Kids literacy programming is my jam. Looking forward to seeing what comes of it. www.penguin.com.au/articles/501...
Penguin Children’s Bookseller Grant 2025
Learn more and apply for the Penguin Children’s Bookseller Grant – a $200,000 initiative designed to engage young readers.
www.penguin.com.au
July 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM
It's very easy to get down about publishing industry news, but this made my day when I learned about it! Kids literacy programming is my jam. Looking forward to seeing what comes of it. www.penguin.com.au/articles/501...
A few months ago, two friends and I started a new group: Writing Mothers for anyone in the Blue Mtns area who identifies as a mum to come together to write and chat. It's been such a great space to commiserate, laugh and lift each other up: www.instagram.com/writingmothe...
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June 24, 2025 at 5:28 AM
A few months ago, two friends and I started a new group: Writing Mothers for anyone in the Blue Mtns area who identifies as a mum to come together to write and chat. It's been such a great space to commiserate, laugh and lift each other up: www.instagram.com/writingmothe...
Sometimes I envy people who just went to college then got 9-5 jobs that they stuck with for years. My career is so all over the place it feels like an identity crisis every time I have to distill it down into a cover letter or bio. I'm getting better at embracing that though.
June 23, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Sometimes I envy people who just went to college then got 9-5 jobs that they stuck with for years. My career is so all over the place it feels like an identity crisis every time I have to distill it down into a cover letter or bio. I'm getting better at embracing that though.
LinkedIn sent me another alert for a job it thinks I'd be great at - an UNPAID graphic designer role at a publishing company.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
May 20, 2025 at 3:22 AM
LinkedIn sent me another alert for a job it thinks I'd be great at - an UNPAID graphic designer role at a publishing company.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
Today I sent my 50th agent query. It's where I told myself I was going to stop. More than 50 seemed delusional. But then you always wonder, what if #51 is the one who says 'yes.' #amquerying
March 13, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Today I sent my 50th agent query. It's where I told myself I was going to stop. More than 50 seemed delusional. But then you always wonder, what if #51 is the one who says 'yes.' #amquerying
“The industry is in such serious shit at the moment … what with the takeover of Text and Affirm, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I spoke to [a publishing colleague] and he said to me, ‘You know, we’re dead. You know, it’s just going down the toilet.’”
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
‘Sign our own death warrant’: Australian writers angry after Melbourne publisher asks them to sign AI agreements
Authors asked to allow Black Inc to use their work for ‘training, testing, validation and the deployment of a machine learning’ system
www.theguardian.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:46 AM
“The industry is in such serious shit at the moment … what with the takeover of Text and Affirm, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I spoke to [a publishing colleague] and he said to me, ‘You know, we’re dead. You know, it’s just going down the toilet.’”
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
When the world feels as fucked as it does, continuing to make books, create content for and educate kids feels like an act of both hope and resistance.
March 5, 2025 at 2:44 AM
When the world feels as fucked as it does, continuing to make books, create content for and educate kids feels like an act of both hope and resistance.
The latest picture book I've designed and published is now available for pre-sales! Order your copy here: www.bluemtnsbooks.com.au/product/my-i...
My Incredible Extra Ordinary Chickens | Blue Mtns Books
Available for Pre-Order for April 2025 arrival!They may look like ordinary chickens, but Esther, Iris, Pearl, Dot and Florence are anything but. Incorporating fantastic fowl facts, this delightful sto...
www.bluemtnsbooks.com.au
March 2, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The latest picture book I've designed and published is now available for pre-sales! Order your copy here: www.bluemtnsbooks.com.au/product/my-i...
Tourist on my train speaking Italian on the phone. Oh boy, I though, I can put my Duolingo skills to test! But this lady did not order one salad or appetiser or describe anyone as a tall father or a shy girlfriend. I feel cheated!
February 25, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Tourist on my train speaking Italian on the phone. Oh boy, I though, I can put my Duolingo skills to test! But this lady did not order one salad or appetiser or describe anyone as a tall father or a shy girlfriend. I feel cheated!
I've got a couple new publishing projects in the works I'm very excited about. Have had my head down in book design mode and can't wait to share. New creative projects are a life raft in the ocean of rejection. 😂🌊
February 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I've got a couple new publishing projects in the works I'm very excited about. Have had my head down in book design mode and can't wait to share. New creative projects are a life raft in the ocean of rejection. 😂🌊
"All I want is to write my books, buy other authors’ books, and enjoy art. So please, I’m begging you, don’t make me use Facebook, Instagram or Twitter just to see or buy your books and art." #indiepublishing
February 17, 2025 at 4:00 AM
"All I want is to write my books, buy other authors’ books, and enjoy art. So please, I’m begging you, don’t make me use Facebook, Instagram or Twitter just to see or buy your books and art." #indiepublishing
Description for a job paying $50K/year (AUD - that's $31K USD and less than I was making 12 years ago) has 12 selection criteria and wants you to provide 2 "case studies" for each. You want me to write a dissertation for a job paying barely above minimum wage?
February 13, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Description for a job paying $50K/year (AUD - that's $31K USD and less than I was making 12 years ago) has 12 selection criteria and wants you to provide 2 "case studies" for each. You want me to write a dissertation for a job paying barely above minimum wage?
If Trump is calling you a "very fine man" you might not be on the right side of history 🤔 Something to consider in the next election. Luckily in Australia we don't have a two-party system. #auspol www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
'Very fine man': Trump's praise for Albanese as he considers Australian tariff exemptions
US President Donald Trump has described Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a "fine man" following a call regarding Australia's trade relationship with the US.
www.sbs.com.au
February 13, 2025 at 12:52 AM
If Trump is calling you a "very fine man" you might not be on the right side of history 🤔 Something to consider in the next election. Luckily in Australia we don't have a two-party system. #auspol www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Reposted by Sharon Baldwin
A great website tracking all the companies that have bent the knee to Trump and eliminated their DEI programs, and all the companies that have stood strong.
www.dei.watch
www.dei.watch
DEI WATCH
This guide is broken into three categories: 1) DISMANTLED - companies that have ended or scaled back their DEI efforts; 2) COMMITTED - companies that have active DEI initiatives; and 3) FUNDED - organ...
www.dei.watch
February 9, 2025 at 7:26 AM
A great website tracking all the companies that have bent the knee to Trump and eliminated their DEI programs, and all the companies that have stood strong.
www.dei.watch
www.dei.watch
"Marshmallows are for team players" is the new "coffee is for closers" #severance
February 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
"Marshmallows are for team players" is the new "coffee is for closers" #severance
Reposted by Sharon Baldwin
The world's richest man is taking food and medicine from the world's poorest children
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
Opinion | The World’s Richest Men Take On the World’s Poorest Children
I’ve seen U.S.A.I.D. operate around the world, and it’s not woke — it’s lifesaving.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The world's richest man is taking food and medicine from the world's poorest children
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
Well known Aussies children's publisher emailed me to let me know if I take their $300 course I might then qualify to take their $4800 course which might get me closer to being published by them. This is a trad publisher that's been nominated for publisher of the year multiple times.
February 6, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Well known Aussies children's publisher emailed me to let me know if I take their $300 course I might then qualify to take their $4800 course which might get me closer to being published by them. This is a trad publisher that's been nominated for publisher of the year multiple times.
Who can talk to me about community publishing as a model? As a small traditional publisher I'm finding my current model unsustainable in the long-term and self-publishing is not respected. But given my background in the nonprofit world, there's a lot that appeals about a more collaborative approach.
February 5, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Who can talk to me about community publishing as a model? As a small traditional publisher I'm finding my current model unsustainable in the long-term and self-publishing is not respected. But given my background in the nonprofit world, there's a lot that appeals about a more collaborative approach.
Reposted by Sharon Baldwin
Dear ALP / Greens / Inds,
If there’s 1 overwhelming conclusion you can draw from the US election, it is that people are tired of Inaction. I do believe our hyperstimulated brains expect the same fireworks from Governments too.
It almost doesn’t matter if they are good actions or bad!
#auspol 1/
If there’s 1 overwhelming conclusion you can draw from the US election, it is that people are tired of Inaction. I do believe our hyperstimulated brains expect the same fireworks from Governments too.
It almost doesn’t matter if they are good actions or bad!
#auspol 1/
February 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Dear ALP / Greens / Inds,
If there’s 1 overwhelming conclusion you can draw from the US election, it is that people are tired of Inaction. I do believe our hyperstimulated brains expect the same fireworks from Governments too.
It almost doesn’t matter if they are good actions or bad!
#auspol 1/
If there’s 1 overwhelming conclusion you can draw from the US election, it is that people are tired of Inaction. I do believe our hyperstimulated brains expect the same fireworks from Governments too.
It almost doesn’t matter if they are good actions or bad!
#auspol 1/
Australia isn't going down this path too, right? ... RIGHT???
You know who does nothing for Australians? You Peter Dutton. You divide us/sow fear & bigotry. We are not Americans, your Kmart Trumo antics won’t work here. We all make this country great, from Indigenous people to multicultural Australians. You have no plan to help any of us
January 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Australia isn't going down this path too, right? ... RIGHT???