Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
shyamala.bsky.social
Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
@shyamala.bsky.social

Children's author, chief ideator of Kahani Takbak.
#SCBWI #InkedVoices

#50preciouswords 2nd prize winner (2025)
#Finalist,NTBC(India,2025)

#12x12 Silver Diversity Scholarship winner(2024)
#PBParty finalist(2024)

www.shyamala.in
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Here's my new #MSWL! I'll be open to #queries Nov 1–7 and closing in Dec so that I can catch up reviewing. I'll reopen to #Adultfiction only in Jan 2026! As always, I'm open to #kidlit through referrals, conferences, and pitch events. #AF #literaryagent #amquerying serarivers.com/mswl/
October 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
*Next week*, Big Picture Revision--an online 2-hour dive into revision tools, how to use them with a #kidlit ms., with handouts, resource list, plus 2 bonus handouts. Recordings provided if you can't watch live or to re-watch. More info. and to register: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/big...
Big Picture Revision: A Two-Night Mini with Editor Harold Underdown - Highlights Foundation
www.highlightsfoundation.org
August 12, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Teachers & librarians! I've put together some low-cost virtual author visits for you & your kids this fall, starting with THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES (grades 4-8) and OVER & UNDER THE CORAL REEF (K-5) on 9/15.

Details: katemessner.com/low-cost-vir... (Please tag friends who might be interested, too!)
August 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
“I want to be able to reach thousands of schools, show the power of poetry, and share my story.”

Author Kwame Alexander launches a new literacy nonprofit, One Word at a Time, aiming to inspire middle graders to read and try their hand at creative writing.

www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Kwame Alexander’s New Nonprofit Fosters Literacy, Word by Word
Author Kwame Alexander has launched a national literacy nonprofit called One Word at a Time, which aims to inspire middle graders to read and try their hand at creative writing, while connecting them ...
www.publishersweekly.com
August 1, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, READY TO SMILE AGAIN by @katieleereinert.bsky.social, illustrated by Sarah Aziz (Gnome Road Publishing)

To enter, L + RP & confirm your entry in our Friday weekly update: kidlit411.com/2025/07/the-...
July 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Event alert for Cincinnati writers!
July 13, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Last few hours for this promo! 👇💕
Barnes and Noble is running a preorder sale from Jul 8-11! You can preorder THE PINK PAJAMAS and get 25% off!

Use code PREORDER25 at checkout (must be part of their free rewards program) - tinyurl.com/3y65jh4n

#BNPreorder #kidlit #books
July 12, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Nonfiction writers! Join me for a FREE hands-on webinar:
Digging Deeper: Mining the Library for Gold
🗓️ Monday, June 23 at 7 p.m. EDT
📍 Zoom (with replay!)
Learn about subject searches, interlibrary loan, and free databases. Register at: tinyurl.com/k82tbkcs
#KidLit #ResearchTips #NonfictionWriters
Digging Deeper (Part One): Mining the Library for Gold
🔎 Digging Deeper (Part One): Mining the Library for GoldA Free Hands-On Research Webinar for Children’s Book WritersYou've been honing your writing craft. You’ve got a great idea. But how do you find ...
tinyurl.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
I am open for editorial consulting work--if you've been querying manuscripts and aren't getting interest, but don't know why, or are otherwise stuck, I may be able to help! Information here: www.underdown.org/pced.htm

Happy to answer questions here or by email (there's a link.)
June 17, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Event alert!
Join me Wednesday, April 23 in Wassau, WI, for a special evening of imagination, inspiration, and invention at the Children’s Imaginarium. I’ll be reading Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane. 5-6:30 p.m. Learn more: childrensimaginarium.org/special-even...
April 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Deep gratitude to the universe! I am delighted by the latest learning opportunity. Thank you @highlightsfound.bsky.social and @rajanilarocca.bsky.social !

@shrurao.bsky.social
@nakeyshataylor.bsky.social
@emilystarr.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 5:14 AM
April 2, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
It's #HaikuSaturday!

Do you know of other regularly recurring community events here on Bluesky? Reply to the thread below (not this one), see others at publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bl...
Do you host a regularly recurring community chat on Bluesky? Pls reply with:

1. Schedule (day, time w/timezone)
2. Chat hashtag
3. Who should attend and/or focus of the chat
4. Link/Bluesky acct where people can find out more info

I'll link to this thread from:
publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bl...
March 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
We are excited for this upcoming workshop for adult writers with Esty Loveing-Downes at Arthouse Literary. A fantastic opportunity for querying writers or those planning to query soon!
app.inkedvoices.com/event/worksh...
March 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A glorious sunset!
March 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Congratulations to al the PB Party 2025 Finalists! I'm excited to see the entries next week online. Good luck!
mindyalyseweiss.com
March 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Thank you @12x12challenge for this wonderful opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. I am happy to see my name on the winner's wall.
It's my first year on the #12x12PB winner's wall! 12 x 12 is such a source of motivation and inspiration!
Congrats to our 2024 Members who completed the #12x12PB Writing Challenge by writing 12 new #picturebook drafts in 2024!

YOU are amazing!

See the full version at: www.12x12challenge.c...

#amwriting #author #picturebooks #kidlit #writingforkids #writingcommunity #Writer
March 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I attended a Gond art workshop with artist Kailash Pradhan in the CSVS museum .Gond art hails from the state of Madhya Pradesh(India).
The artist generously shared his knowledge.
The learning initiative to bring art closer to the public is part of the Titan company's CSR.
#gondart
February 26, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
I hesitate to give interviews about book banning as I feel that other authors have been much more targeted (in super scary ways) than I and are more deserving of sympathy & protection. But I thought, I would try to explain the pain “soft banning” also causes:

www.themarysue.com/the-receptio...
‘The reception of my books is different now’: Author Grace Lin on the reality of book bans and their impact
The Mary Sue spoke to author Grace Lin about her experiences with book banning and how it has impacted her career.
www.themarysue.com
February 22, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Join us for Shall I Compare Thee: A Crash Course in Comps and learn which comp title rules to follow—and when to break them.

🗓 DATE: February 27, 2025 @ 1pm EST
💸 COST: $20

Don't miss out—register now 👉 https://buff.ly/3QkwiVY

#writingcommunity #writinglife @jestrudel.bsky.social
February 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Calling all Los Angeles authors and illustrators! 📣❤️‍🩹
February 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Have you seen the sun today?
February 10, 2025 at 1:21 PM