Meridth McKean Gimbel
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hellomeridth.bsky.social
Meridth McKean Gimbel
@hellomeridth.bsky.social
🌟Award winning writer & artist
🗣️they/them/elle
🧳Rep: Allie Levick at Writers House
📕GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS 2028 🏳️‍⚧️
🕸️ https://linktr.ee/Meridth
🧦 Here to steal your left sock
I have been researching biographies of historical trans figures for my book GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS (@harperkids 2028) for 2.5 years now. (My bibliography is around 10 pages long!)
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November 16, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Hello lovelies! It’s #kidlitpostcard day! Sharing an illo I did of #BillyTipton for the pitch packet of GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS (out in winter 2028). Who knows what the illos will look like by then but I’m delighted I get 2 spend the little while geeking out about historical #trans figures
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Hey there Halloweenies! I’m neck deep in edits, so posting an illo from our hallowed past. Here’s to a hauntingly good day. 💀🍁

#kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #picturebookillustration #itsfall #skeleton #graveyard #halloween #meridthmckeangimbel
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It’s officially official!!! Courtney Stevenson @harpercollins has bought my book GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TRANSCESTORS!!! (To be released winter 2028.) Eeeeeee!!!! 👀

#kidlit #middlegradebooks #HistoryNerd
#GettingToKnowYourTranscestors #Transcestors #TransHistory
October 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
The so-called Department of War has banned nearly 600 books this year from military bases or schools. They’ve targeted books that “promote gender idealogy” or “DEI.” Not surprisingly my book, DOOR BY DOOR (written by Meeg Pincus, illustrated by me) is one of those banned books. 1/
#BannedBookWeek
October 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
🍁 Hello friends! I’m joining #kidlitpostcard a wee bit late (I’m on deadline) but had to post something cuz this is my fav time of year. (Hooray for crunchy leaves & pumpkin spice!) I’m rep’d by @allielevick.bsky.social at Writers House. For more work visit my website at www.MeridthSaysHello.com 🍂
October 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I just signed a contract!!!! I can’t talk about the details yet, but let me say writing &illustrating about such inspirational topic has been a beacon of light for me in these dark days. I’m so grateful for my agent @allielevick, my editor & my crit buddies. #oncloudnine #kidlit #debutauthor
September 3, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Preservation of queer history is so important, especially these days, with an administration that has gone out of its way to remove transgender contributions from the Stonewall monument, and wiped words like “queer” “gender” and “sex” from federal websites.
August 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This past week my bff and I went to the @glbt_history museum where we learned that it’s collection of historical items from the queer community started by retrieving personal items (like letters and photos) from people that had passed away from AIDs, that were to be thrown away.
August 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
It’s #Kidlitartpostcard Day! I’m an enby ND author/illustrator, I’d love to work on; PBs, chapter books, MG & GN, fiction and nonfiction—ranging from spooky, silly, found families, LGBTQ+ books and/or with social justice themes. I’m rep’d by fab agent @allielevick. Portfolio link in bio.
July 3, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Hello Publishing People! Happy #Kidlitartpostcard Day! I’m a nonbinary & neurodivergent author/illustrator. I’m also available for PBs, chapter books, MG and GN projects—fiction NF.

💌 Rep= @allielevick.
🕸️ Portfolio = www.MeridthSaysHello.com

#kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbooks #nonfiction
June 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Please check out @uniteagainstbookbans for info about today’s movement #DrawntoFreedom & #RightToReadDay 2see how to support libraries & banned books.

If you’re an author you can also get involved in the fight via @authorsagainstbookbans

#kidlitartist #bannedbooks #sarahmcbride #transbooks #kidlit
April 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
2/ I’m so very grateful 2all the librarians &educators who have ordered DOOR BY DOOR despite the pressures 2censor the books they shelve. Libraries have always been a big part of my life &they are at the 💛 of our communities. It’s more important than ever 2be vocal about supporting libraries #kidlit
April 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
1/ This is an illo from DOOR BY DOOR: HOW SARAH McBRIDE BECAME AMERICA’S FIRST OPENLY TRANSGENDER SENATOR (story by Meeg Pincus, art by me.) Unfortunately it’s been challenged/banned since publication. (I just found out it’s 1 of the top 10 most challenged/banned books in Alabama this year.) #kidlit
April 7, 2025 at 5:10 PM
5/ That’s just my experience with him. He’s had a rich full life, and I’m sure he has touched so many others. Rest in peace, Brad.
April 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
He actually came to teach @my university that following year & showed up for my BFA show. (Pictured above)

He was so supportive of my work. I didn’t always have support that one might want to start off a career in illustration, yet here was a celebrity artist supporting me. It’s always meant a lot.
April 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
3/ Before I set off to do my daily tasks, Brad and I would sit down and he would share what he had been studying or thinking about that day; the evolution and history of the hat, how electricity came to be in Manhattan, etc. It was an incredible experience.
April 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I had the privilege of interning with him while I was in college. My job was to scan thousands of sketches, from transfer paper to a digital file, so that he could paint them later. I was gobsmacked at how many sketches there were, little mini pieces of art, that I got to hold in my hand.
April 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I just heard that Brad Holland passed way. I’m so sad to hear that. He was a genius, not just as an artist, but as a brilliant mind.
April 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
5 Calls has an app that’s really helpful for people that hate calling. (me) You can call your reps # from the app & there’s a script that can help you craft what you’d say to your representatives. I usually call after business hours so I leave a message. (Did I mention calling gives me anxiety ?) 😅
February 11, 2025 at 3:00 AM
@katedepalma.bsky.social here are some samples for ready perusing.
January 18, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Celebrating the new year by working out with my favorite workout buddy, even if he is a mat hog.
January 2, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Hi friends! I’ve had some peaks & valleys this year. Seeing what I’ve gained & lost gives me perspective for how I want to approach 2025. What are some of your successes? How do the year’s difficulties shape how you’ll approach the New Year?

I hope you all feel loved, connected & worthy of goodness
December 31, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Hi #kidliart friends! (It’s been a hot minute.) Our traditions are *a lot* but we love them. We make cookies for a village, I design a Christmas card for my friends, and we get annual ornaments for our kids and nieces and nephews.
December 20, 2024 at 2:22 AM
#CookieBakestravaganza2024 is nearly done. Almost all the boxes have been handed out, and my kids and I have happily eaten most of the remaining goodies. Hope you all have a delicious holiday!
December 18, 2024 at 5:01 PM