Anica Mrose Rissi
@anicarissi.bsky.social
Author of books for kids & teens 🌈 Fan of dogs & ice cream 💚 Faculty at VCFA WCYA
Most recent books: WISHING SEASON and HIDE AND DON'T SEEK
Up next: GIRL REFLECTED IN KNIFE (4/2026)
https://anicarissi.com/
newsletter: https://thisistheeavesdrop.com/
Most recent books: WISHING SEASON and HIDE AND DON'T SEEK
Up next: GIRL REFLECTED IN KNIFE (4/2026)
https://anicarissi.com/
newsletter: https://thisistheeavesdrop.com/
Pinned
Anica Mrose Rissi
@anicarissi.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Drank my tea. Called my reps. Now let's write some words.
Off-topic, but at today's elementary school visit I learned that 6-7 is now a thing with SECOND GRADERS.
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Off-topic, but at today's elementary school visit I learned that 6-7 is now a thing with SECOND GRADERS.
Today at my final school visit of the year, grades 3-5 did a dramatic reading of a spooky story & brainstormed ideas for scary stories about *not* usually scary things (pencils! unicorns!). K-2 invented a tale about a shark named Leo who is frightened of a cucumber (he's never seen that color green)
November 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Today at my final school visit of the year, grades 3-5 did a dramatic reading of a spooky story & brainstormed ideas for scary stories about *not* usually scary things (pencils! unicorns!). K-2 invented a tale about a shark named Leo who is frightened of a cucumber (he's never seen that color green)
November 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Acquired Tastes: A Call for Submissions
For younger writers, ages 15-21
audacity.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
What is a novel if not a maze? You, the author, its tormented minotaur. Plot is expensive and I see no need for it when there is enough pain to go around to begin with.
Okay, but does a novel actually need a plot?
November 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
What is a novel if not a maze? You, the author, its tormented minotaur. Plot is expensive and I see no need for it when there is enough pain to go around to begin with.
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
Well...yes.
But it doesn't have to be a GOOD one.
But it doesn't have to be a GOOD one.
Okay, but does a novel actually need a plot?
November 19, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Well...yes.
But it doesn't have to be a GOOD one.
But it doesn't have to be a GOOD one.
Okay, but does a novel actually need a plot?
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Okay, but does a novel actually need a plot?
Sometimes just opening the darn document and rereading counts as a good writing day.
November 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Sometimes just opening the darn document and rereading counts as a good writing day.
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
One of my favorite things about NYC is that the entire fleet of NYC ferries was named by 2nd graders. I think about this every time my run takes me past the docks.
Anyway, there are people who went to work this morning aboard The Tooth Ferry and the Ocean Queen Rockstar.
Anyway, there are people who went to work this morning aboard The Tooth Ferry and the Ocean Queen Rockstar.
November 13, 2025 at 9:37 PM
One of my favorite things about NYC is that the entire fleet of NYC ferries was named by 2nd graders. I think about this every time my run takes me past the docks.
Anyway, there are people who went to work this morning aboard The Tooth Ferry and the Ocean Queen Rockstar.
Anyway, there are people who went to work this morning aboard The Tooth Ferry and the Ocean Queen Rockstar.
I've spent the past 11 days away from my dog, and tomorrow (after a 10-hour drive) I'll finally get to see him again. CAN'T WAIT.
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I've spent the past 11 days away from my dog, and tomorrow (after a 10-hour drive) I'll finally get to see him again. CAN'T WAIT.
Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want.
(This is the opening of WISHING SEASON.)
(This is the opening of WISHING SEASON.)
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want.
(This is the opening of WISHING SEASON.)
(This is the opening of WISHING SEASON.)
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
That's three cats.
November 9, 2025 at 1:29 AM
That's three cats.
Also, I met this chonky cat.
November 8, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Also, I met this chonky cat.
Stopped by The Briar Patch in Bangor & signed copies of WISHING SEASON—look for it in their Maine-ly Middle Grade section. While there, I grabbed Calvino’s SIX MEMOS FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM from their Books About Books table. We love a well-curated bookstore stocked to the gills with great choices!
November 8, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Stopped by The Briar Patch in Bangor & signed copies of WISHING SEASON—look for it in their Maine-ly Middle Grade section. While there, I grabbed Calvino’s SIX MEMOS FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM from their Books About Books table. We love a well-curated bookstore stocked to the gills with great choices!
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
Hey illustrators/agents!
I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; texture (printmakingish); AND BATS! Lively, active, swarming BATS!
Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.
💙❤️ #artcommissions
I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; texture (printmakingish); AND BATS! Lively, active, swarming BATS!
Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.
💙❤️ #artcommissions
November 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Hey illustrators/agents!
I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; texture (printmakingish); AND BATS! Lively, active, swarming BATS!
Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.
💙❤️ #artcommissions
I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; texture (printmakingish); AND BATS! Lively, active, swarming BATS!
Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.
💙❤️ #artcommissions
Today's office / Today's coworkers
November 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Today's office / Today's coworkers
My heart is always happy to be back in Maine—this time for 3 school visits & an educator conference. But first: a walk at the granite quarry on the island where I grew up (& where WISHING SEASON is set), thinking about setting & seasons & whether/how time itself might be a character in my next novel
November 2, 2025 at 11:07 PM
My heart is always happy to be back in Maine—this time for 3 school visits & an educator conference. But first: a walk at the granite quarry on the island where I grew up (& where WISHING SEASON is set), thinking about setting & seasons & whether/how time itself might be a character in my next novel
"the scaryest story was If! I HATED THAT ONE! I give that book 2,000,000 ★!"
My readers write the best fan(?) mail.
(This is page 2 of a letter about Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories)
My readers write the best fan(?) mail.
(This is page 2 of a letter about Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories)
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
"the scaryest story was If! I HATED THAT ONE! I give that book 2,000,000 ★!"
My readers write the best fan(?) mail.
(This is page 2 of a letter about Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories)
My readers write the best fan(?) mail.
(This is page 2 of a letter about Hide and Don't Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories)
I spent the day reading submissions to Boyertown Community Library's spooky short story contest, which I'm honored to judge, and it was a DELIGHT. We originally planned to select 2 winners in each category (grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12), but there were so many terrific entries, I had to choose three 🖤👻
October 27, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I spent the day reading submissions to Boyertown Community Library's spooky short story contest, which I'm honored to judge, and it was a DELIGHT. We originally planned to select 2 winners in each category (grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12), but there were so many terrific entries, I had to choose three 🖤👻
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
October 19th - Middle Grade Horror Books You Should Read Day 19 - Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories by Anica Mrose Rissi. The book features a mix of scary, funny, and unsettling tales! A great collection
October 20, 2025 at 8:45 PM
October 19th - Middle Grade Horror Books You Should Read Day 19 - Hide and Don’t Seek: And Other Very Scary Stories by Anica Mrose Rissi. The book features a mix of scary, funny, and unsettling tales! A great collection
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
Poets, start your wild, precious engines.
'Astronomers' is an anagram for 'moon starers.'
October 27, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Poets, start your wild, precious engines.
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
If you have it please donate cash to the food banks. $10 in their hands will feed more people than the $10 worth of canned goods you can buy for retail prices. Also check on your elders. Many of them will not admit they rely on these programs so grocery gift cards or a surprise bag of staples
US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month reut.rs/3WohHMk
US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Saturday that food benefits under one of the country's biggest social assistance programs will not be issued next month amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
reut.rs
October 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
If you have it please donate cash to the food banks. $10 in their hands will feed more people than the $10 worth of canned goods you can buy for retail prices. Also check on your elders. Many of them will not admit they rely on these programs so grocery gift cards or a surprise bag of staples
Okay, but who is the book for???
October 23, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Okay, but who is the book for???
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
Oh hey, it's another cover reveal! This middle grade novel in verse comes out on 5-26, with gorgeous cover design by Greg Stadnyk and art by Suzie Mason! (Don’t miss Kestrel’s shadow!) Available for pre-order now!
October 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Oh hey, it's another cover reveal! This middle grade novel in verse comes out on 5-26, with gorgeous cover design by Greg Stadnyk and art by Suzie Mason! (Don’t miss Kestrel’s shadow!) Available for pre-order now!
Reposted by Anica Mrose Rissi
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
October 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.
Rejections mean you're trying.