Stephanie Maksymiw
@storiesbystephm.bsky.social
PB author | #SCBWI | #amquerying | 2025 #KidlitChuckleChallenge Winner, #50PreciousWords HM | 2024 #PitchMe Finalist, #kidschoicekidlitwritingcontest Winner, #50PreciousWords HM
https://stephaniemstories.wixsite.com/home
https://stephaniemstories.wixsite.com/home
Looking forward to today's Picture Book Creator Conference by @athomeauthor.bsky.social
✍🏻📚
✍🏻📚
January 30, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Looking forward to today's Picture Book Creator Conference by @athomeauthor.bsky.social
✍🏻📚
✍🏻📚
Learned a new fact. Wrote a 50 word story in prep for #50PreciousWords. Decided this could be expanded to a full MS. Bye bye 50 word story!
a cat peeking out of a door with the words bye bye written on the bottom
ALT: a cat peeking out of a door with the words bye bye written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Learned a new fact. Wrote a 50 word story in prep for #50PreciousWords. Decided this could be expanded to a full MS. Bye bye 50 word story!
The first new picture book draft of the year has been written! Total 180 from what I normally write - no humor, no facts. Pure emotion and I love it. Thanks #storystorm, with the first post I had an idea I just had to write right away! taralazar.com/2026/01/01/s...
Storystorm 2026 Day 1: Tara Lazar Recalls Childhood Misunderstandings
by Tara Lazar “Happy Morning!” What a nice way to greet my parents and I as we topped off the tank at our local gas station. But something bothered me about those bright red letters han…
taralazar.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
The first new picture book draft of the year has been written! Total 180 from what I normally write - no humor, no facts. Pure emotion and I love it. Thanks #storystorm, with the first post I had an idea I just had to write right away! taralazar.com/2026/01/01/s...
Just when you think getting query passes were the worst thing to happen this year, your mom breaks her hip and puts everything in perspective.
We're on the road to recovery, but it'll be slow. Thankful for Paid Family Leave so I can focus on her
We're on the road to recovery, but it'll be slow. Thankful for Paid Family Leave so I can focus on her
December 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Just when you think getting query passes were the worst thing to happen this year, your mom breaks her hip and puts everything in perspective.
We're on the road to recovery, but it'll be slow. Thankful for Paid Family Leave so I can focus on her
We're on the road to recovery, but it'll be slow. Thankful for Paid Family Leave so I can focus on her
I need to stop saving charcuterie board ideas, because that's all I see now! One day I'll make a fancy one.
November 24, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I need to stop saving charcuterie board ideas, because that's all I see now! One day I'll make a fancy one.
Happy Halloween 👻🎃
Wearing my cat ears today!
Wearing my cat ears today!
October 31, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Happy Halloween 👻🎃
Wearing my cat ears today!
Wearing my cat ears today!
Anyone know what happened to the website for Bushel and Peck? bushelandpeckbooks.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Anyone know what happened to the website for Bushel and Peck? bushelandpeckbooks.com
When you buy a handmade ceramic bowl that inspires a new story idea, you no longer feel guilty about the price 😆
a man with a mustache is sitting at a table and says `` i regret nothing , the end . ''
ALT: a man with a mustache is sitting at a table and says `` i regret nothing , the end . ''
media.tenor.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
When you buy a handmade ceramic bowl that inspires a new story idea, you no longer feel guilty about the price 😆
I almost didn't enter. Lesson learned, take a chance!
OMGoodness, #kidlit friends! You are all so funny. 😂 It was so difficult (yet so very fun) judging the #KidlitChuckleChallenge entries this year!
I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨
Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉
I'm super excited to share that these folks are prize-winning KIDLIT CHUCKLE CHAMPIONS. 🏆✨
Congratulations to this year's winners!🎉
September 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I almost didn't enter. Lesson learned, take a chance!
Celebrate National Elephant Appreciation Day with author Melody C. Peugh and her book Me & Lavender, illustrated by Eve Farb. #SeasonsOfKidLit 🐘
www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/celebra...
www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/celebra...
Celebrate National Elephant Day with Melody C. Peugh!
Hi, readers, writers, and elephant lovers of all sorts! Today is National Elephant Appreciation Day and we have the perfect treat in store. Author Melody C. Peugh is with us today sharing her debut bo...
www.seasonsofkidlit.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Celebrate National Elephant Appreciation Day with author Melody C. Peugh and her book Me & Lavender, illustrated by Eve Farb. #SeasonsOfKidLit 🐘
www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/celebra...
www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/celebra...
Poor spider was murdered by Murder By Cheesecake. 🕷️ 🍰
September 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Poor spider was murdered by Murder By Cheesecake. 🕷️ 🍰
You know you're old when...
You get excited for a delivery of Wild deodorant refills. 😂
You get excited for a delivery of Wild deodorant refills. 😂
September 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
You know you're old when...
You get excited for a delivery of Wild deodorant refills. 😂
You get excited for a delivery of Wild deodorant refills. 😂
Nonfiction Series at #scbwiuniversity. Can't wait!
September 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Nonfiction Series at #scbwiuniversity. Can't wait!
So many great prizes. #kidlit peeps who write humor, check this out.
IT'S BAAAAAACK! The #KidlitChuckleChallenge humor writing contest is back for its second year, and I am so excited about it!
Get full details about the 2025 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge here: aprilberrybooks.com/2025-kidlit-...
Get full details about the 2025 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge here: aprilberrybooks.com/2025-kidlit-...
Welcome to the 2025 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge! - April Berry Books LLC
Welcome to the 2025 Kidlit Chuckle Challenge! This humor writing contest features fun (and funny) writing prompts and great prizes. Check it out!
aprilberrybooks.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM
So many great prizes. #kidlit peeps who write humor, check this out.
Let's talk passes.
Recently an agent who passes quickly had my MS for a longer time, but it was a pass. I believe they truly loved the story but just couldn't fit me in.
I was sad. I did retail therapy. I ate cookies.
Then I continued to query.
Not giving up!
Recently an agent who passes quickly had my MS for a longer time, but it was a pass. I believe they truly loved the story but just couldn't fit me in.
I was sad. I did retail therapy. I ate cookies.
Then I continued to query.
Not giving up!
August 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Let's talk passes.
Recently an agent who passes quickly had my MS for a longer time, but it was a pass. I believe they truly loved the story but just couldn't fit me in.
I was sad. I did retail therapy. I ate cookies.
Then I continued to query.
Not giving up!
Recently an agent who passes quickly had my MS for a longer time, but it was a pass. I believe they truly loved the story but just couldn't fit me in.
I was sad. I did retail therapy. I ate cookies.
Then I continued to query.
Not giving up!
Read an interesting historical fact.
Me: "I don't think this can be a full story, maybe a 50 Precious Words entry."
Writes a draft (yes, I know it's super early for that contest)
Me: "I know how to make this a full story now!"
Another non-fiction-ish draft coming soon!
Me: "I don't think this can be a full story, maybe a 50 Precious Words entry."
Writes a draft (yes, I know it's super early for that contest)
Me: "I know how to make this a full story now!"
Another non-fiction-ish draft coming soon!
kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
ALT: kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter .
media.tenor.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Read an interesting historical fact.
Me: "I don't think this can be a full story, maybe a 50 Precious Words entry."
Writes a draft (yes, I know it's super early for that contest)
Me: "I know how to make this a full story now!"
Another non-fiction-ish draft coming soon!
Me: "I don't think this can be a full story, maybe a 50 Precious Words entry."
Writes a draft (yes, I know it's super early for that contest)
Me: "I know how to make this a full story now!"
Another non-fiction-ish draft coming soon!
Getting the QueryTracker Annual Premium Subscription might have been a mistake. The data lover in me keeps getting distracted by agent timelines.
a cat wearing a pair of glasses with the words talk data to me above it
ALT: a cat wearing a pair of glasses with the words talk data to me above it
media.tenor.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Getting the QueryTracker Annual Premium Subscription might have been a mistake. The data lover in me keeps getting distracted by agent timelines.
Volunteered today! I was inside painting the birthday room, but look how cool the outside mural is! #UnitedWayDayOfCaring
August 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Volunteered today! I was inside painting the birthday room, but look how cool the outside mural is! #UnitedWayDayOfCaring
The weekend plan is to start reading the #kidkitzombieweek pitch winning stories...and then build my new Lego Wicket the Ewok set!
What's your plan?
What's your plan?
August 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The weekend plan is to start reading the #kidkitzombieweek pitch winning stories...and then build my new Lego Wicket the Ewok set!
What's your plan?
What's your plan?
Some days you start the work day late because you had to stare at a bunny
July 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Some days you start the work day late because you had to stare at a bunny
Reposted by Stephanie Maksymiw
Thanks again for a great #KidlitZombieWeek! If you participated or were a winner, you can pick up your badges here.
sites.google.com/view/kidlit-...
#kidlitzombieweek2025
sites.google.com/view/kidlit-...
#kidlitzombieweek2025
July 28, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Thanks again for a great #KidlitZombieWeek! If you participated or were a winner, you can pick up your badges here.
sites.google.com/view/kidlit-...
#kidlitzombieweek2025
sites.google.com/view/kidlit-...
#kidlitzombieweek2025
Yay for Bonzo! Finally a bean episode.
I'm binging The Tiny Chef Show and am curious....are beans ever the answer to "what's in my bag?"
a stuffed animal wearing a chef 's hat and apron is asking for a friend while holding a card
ALT: a stuffed animal wearing a chef 's hat and apron is asking for a friend while holding a card
media.tenor.com
July 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Yay for Bonzo! Finally a bean episode.