@WildMelissaHart
@wildmelissahart.bsky.social
Journalist/author of Down Syndrome Out Loud & lots of other nonfiction/fiction. Work in NYT Magazine, WaPo, Smithsonian, Nat Geo Kids, CNN, Slate, Salon, +. melissahart.com
Model and activist Grace Strobel, profiled in my newest book DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD, didn't realize the book was front and center in her local library. This reel of her discovery is pure joy! www.instagram.com/reel/DRFPp6e... #downsyndrome #inclusion #books
Grace Strobel on Instagram: "Living our lives Out Loud.
No longer are we being silent or hiding our gifts and talents, and what we bring to the world . For too long, we have been underestimated.
We ...
This post is about embracing individuality, breaking down barriers to inclusion, and living a life true to oneself. Meet people who are living their truth out loud, inspiring others with their unique ...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Model and activist Grace Strobel, profiled in my newest book DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD, didn't realize the book was front and center in her local library. This reel of her discovery is pure joy! www.instagram.com/reel/DRFPp6e... #downsyndrome #inclusion #books
Writers, we can't afford to shut down this season. Here's a better way: writingwithhart.substack.com/p/writers-he... #creativewriting #gratitude
Writers, Here’s How to Avoid a Shut Down this Season
A little gratitude and a Forever stamp go a long way...
writingwithhart.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Writers, we can't afford to shut down this season. Here's a better way: writingwithhart.substack.com/p/writers-he... #creativewriting #gratitude
If you're concerned about dwindling Monarch populations and you belong to a school or educational nonprofit, here's an opportunity for FREE MILKWEED! #sustainability #butterflies
monarchwatch.org/bring-back-t...
monarchwatch.org/bring-back-t...
Free Milkweeds for Schools & Non-Profits - Bring Back The Monarchs
Thank you for your interest in creating habitat for monarchs and pollinators! General Timeline: early October: application opens early to mid-February: application closes (exact timing depends on milk...
monarchwatch.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:07 PM
If you're concerned about dwindling Monarch populations and you belong to a school or educational nonprofit, here's an opportunity for FREE MILKWEED! #sustainability #butterflies
monarchwatch.org/bring-back-t...
monarchwatch.org/bring-back-t...
I've had the honor of appearing on three panels with Kayla McKeon, the first U.S. Congressional lobbyist with Down syndrome.
Here's a terrific interview with McKeon in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: www.localsyr.com/bridge-stree...
#downsyndrome #inclusion #education
Here's a terrific interview with McKeon in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: www.localsyr.com/bridge-stree...
#downsyndrome #inclusion #education
www.localsyr.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I've had the honor of appearing on three panels with Kayla McKeon, the first U.S. Congressional lobbyist with Down syndrome.
Here's a terrific interview with McKeon in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: www.localsyr.com/bridge-stree...
#downsyndrome #inclusion #education
Here's a terrific interview with McKeon in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: www.localsyr.com/bridge-stree...
#downsyndrome #inclusion #education
The current administration fired most employees at the Office of Special Education. The activists and athletes, artists & entrepreneurs in DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD depended on this Office for access to mainstream education, tutoring, and college prep.
The cruelty of this administration astounds me.
The cruelty of this administration astounds me.
October 14, 2025 at 2:40 AM
The current administration fired most employees at the Office of Special Education. The activists and athletes, artists & entrepreneurs in DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD depended on this Office for access to mainstream education, tutoring, and college prep.
The cruelty of this administration astounds me.
The cruelty of this administration astounds me.
Happy Migratory Bird Day! I'm still waiting to hear this lovely birdsong in Eugene; I may have to get back to the Oregon coast, instead. #migratorybirdday #nature @highcountrynews.org
www.hcn.org/issues/50-9/...
www.hcn.org/issues/50-9/...
A bird’s song adds wonder to the world - High Country News
If a song defines a place, what does it mean to lose it?
www.hcn.org
October 12, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Happy Migratory Bird Day! I'm still waiting to hear this lovely birdsong in Eugene; I may have to get back to the Oregon coast, instead. #migratorybirdday #nature @highcountrynews.org
www.hcn.org/issues/50-9/...
www.hcn.org/issues/50-9/...
It's National Coming Out Day. My mom came out in 1979. Here's our story. longreads.com/2022/06/28/q...
#nationalcomingoutday @colage.bsky.social
#nationalcomingoutday @colage.bsky.social
Families Like Ours: A Reading List for the Children of Queer Parents - Longreads
Some of us got to stay with our moms or dads. Others did not.
longreads.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
It's National Coming Out Day. My mom came out in 1979. Here's our story. longreads.com/2022/06/28/q...
#nationalcomingoutday @colage.bsky.social
#nationalcomingoutday @colage.bsky.social
It's Banned Books Week. I wrote about this for @huffpost.com :
www.huffpost.com/entry/daisy-... #bannedbooks #bannedbooksweek #downsyndrome @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
www.huffpost.com/entry/daisy-... #bannedbooks #bannedbooksweek #downsyndrome @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
I Wrote One Of The Few Tween Books About Down Syndrome. A Couple Of Sentences May Get It Banned.
"Because of a handful of sentences among 281 pages, adults are going to considerable lengths to make sure kids don’t read my newest book."
www.huffpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
It's Banned Books Week. I wrote about this for @huffpost.com :
www.huffpost.com/entry/daisy-... #bannedbooks #bannedbooksweek #downsyndrome @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
www.huffpost.com/entry/daisy-... #bannedbooks #bannedbooksweek #downsyndrome @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month from my brother and me! @oregonduckfootball.bsky.social @universityoforegon.bsky.social #downsyndrome
October 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month from my brother and me! @oregonduckfootball.bsky.social @universityoforegon.bsky.social #downsyndrome
Right there with you, Tim Flach.
October 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Right there with you, Tim Flach.
Reposted by @WildMelissaHart
It’s #DownSyndromeawareness Month! Celebrate with this #mg #nonfiction inspirational title: bookshop.org/a/102434/978... @wildmelissahart.bsky.social @sourcebooks.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
It’s #DownSyndromeawareness Month! Celebrate with this #mg #nonfiction inspirational title: bookshop.org/a/102434/978... @wildmelissahart.bsky.social @sourcebooks.bsky.social
My free October newsletter for creative writers is packed with excellent opportunities and inspiring articles; it has only a little to do with obese black cats. #creativewriting #writing
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/harness-th...
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/harness-th...
Harness the Power of Time- and News-Pegs to Sell your Stories
October 2025
writingwithhart.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
My free October newsletter for creative writers is packed with excellent opportunities and inspiring articles; it has only a little to do with obese black cats. #creativewriting #writing
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/harness-th...
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/harness-th...
I think this publicist got some incorrect information about my newest book. Nevertheless, I'll be reaching out the Hallmark Channel today.
October 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I think this publicist got some incorrect information about my newest book. Nevertheless, I'll be reaching out the Hallmark Channel today.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. To celebrate, purchase a copy of DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination for your library, school, bookclub, community center, Little Free Library, family member, or friend! #downsyndrome #disability #inclusion #teacher #librarian
October 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. To celebrate, purchase a copy of DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination for your library, school, bookclub, community center, Little Free Library, family member, or friend! #downsyndrome #disability #inclusion #teacher #librarian
Thanks to the @dsrfcanada.bsky.social for featuring DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on The LowDOWN and including insights from activists Karen Gaffney, Charlotte Woodward, and Zack Gottsagen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPZ... #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness #inclusion #reading #teacher #newrelease
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPZ... #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness #inclusion #reading #teacher #newrelease
The LowDOWN Podcast - Down Syndrome Out Loud (S11, Ep 3)
YouTube video by DSRFCANADA
www.youtube.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Thanks to the @dsrfcanada.bsky.social for featuring DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on The LowDOWN and including insights from activists Karen Gaffney, Charlotte Woodward, and Zack Gottsagen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPZ... #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness #inclusion #reading #teacher #newrelease
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPZ... #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness #inclusion #reading #teacher #newrelease
As I tell my creative writing students, it's just so important to read your work aloud to catch typos.
September 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
As I tell my creative writing students, it's just so important to read your work aloud to catch typos.
"Just remember, no matter how bad your job is, even if you shovel crap for a living, at least you're not doing it naked, and with your mouth, and then eating it."--Ze Frank
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1zb... #nature #humor
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1zb... #nature #humor
True Facts About The Dung Beetle
YouTube video by Ze Frank
www.youtube.com
September 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
"Just remember, no matter how bad your job is, even if you shovel crap for a living, at least you're not doing it naked, and with your mouth, and then eating it."--Ze Frank
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1zb... #nature #humor
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1zb... #nature #humor
How wonderful to see DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on display at the NYC Buddy Walk! #downsyndrome #mglit #disabilityawareness
September 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
How wonderful to see DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on display at the NYC Buddy Walk! #downsyndrome #mglit #disabilityawareness
Thanks to @drtlovesbooks.bsky.social for this lovely review of Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability and Determination! www.middleweb.com/52613/listen... #mglit #middleschool #kidsbooks @unteragency.bsky.social
Introduce Middle Grades Readers to People with Down Syndrome
Melissa Hart's Down Syndrome Out Loud introduces middle graders to contemporary people with Down syndrome and to an overview of the condition and its effects.
www.middleweb.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Thanks to @drtlovesbooks.bsky.social for this lovely review of Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability and Determination! www.middleweb.com/52613/listen... #mglit #middleschool #kidsbooks @unteragency.bsky.social
What's making me happy today is this school library photo from teacher Michael Holton, who's featured in my newest book Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination. I hope every school librarian will order a copy of this inspiring and important book! #backtoschool #librarian
August 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
What's making me happy today is this school library photo from teacher Michael Holton, who's featured in my newest book Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination. I hope every school librarian will order a copy of this inspiring and important book! #backtoschool #librarian
For the rest of this summer, please always carry a couple of dollars in cash and stop at kids' lemonade stands, even if you have to make a U-turn. We did this yesterday, and there was much rejoicing all around.
August 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
For the rest of this summer, please always carry a couple of dollars in cash and stop at kids' lemonade stands, even if you have to make a U-turn. We did this yesterday, and there was much rejoicing all around.
My latest story for Hidden Compass feels particularly relevant right now, as environmental activist groups raise concerns over the building of "Alligator Alcatraz" on vulnerable Florida wetlands.
hiddencompass.net/story/where-... #florida #nature #everglades
hiddencompass.net/story/where-... #florida #nature #everglades
Where Greed Grows Wild - Hidden Compass
In dazzling blue waters shaped by a history of alligator wrestlers, escaping monkeys, and war, Melissa Hart considers Silver Springs State Park, Florida.
hiddencompass.net
August 8, 2025 at 2:44 PM
My latest story for Hidden Compass feels particularly relevant right now, as environmental activist groups raise concerns over the building of "Alligator Alcatraz" on vulnerable Florida wetlands.
hiddencompass.net/story/where-... #florida #nature #everglades
hiddencompass.net/story/where-... #florida #nature #everglades
I feel weird and vulnerable publishing a link to my Substack newsletter here--is imposter syndrome after 25 years of writing professionally a thing? Apparently, it is.
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/immerse-yo... #creativewriting #writing #journalistm #author #writingtips
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/immerse-yo... #creativewriting #writing #journalistm #author #writingtips
Immerse Yourself in Weirdness for the Sake of Creative Writing
Go on...take that Zumba class, lick a rock, and brew up a batch of backyard-weed tea.
writingwithhart.substack.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I feel weird and vulnerable publishing a link to my Substack newsletter here--is imposter syndrome after 25 years of writing professionally a thing? Apparently, it is.
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/immerse-yo... #creativewriting #writing #journalistm #author #writingtips
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/immerse-yo... #creativewriting #writing #journalistm #author #writingtips
I get to teach a workshop on how to write social and political commentary at the Willamette Writers' Conference in Portland, Oregon tomorrow, and I am so very excited to empower people to get their stories out into the world! #creativewriting #politics #writer
August 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I get to teach a workshop on how to write social and political commentary at the Willamette Writers' Conference in Portland, Oregon tomorrow, and I am so very excited to empower people to get their stories out into the world! #creativewriting #politics #writer