J. Anderson Coats (she/her)
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jandersoncoats.bsky.social
J. Anderson Coats (she/her)
@jandersoncoats.bsky.social
YA/MG author. Newest: The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls (2025); The Loss of the Burying Ground (2024). She/Her. Located near the Salish Sea. Rep'd by ACM. https://www.jandersoncoats.com/
School Library Journal has nice things to say about The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls! “[T]he notion of living in a library will engage young readers, including those who may not generally gravitate to historical fiction.” Thanks, SLJ! www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
November 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM
PNW friends! The Poulsbo Kids Book Festival is coming your way on Saturday 11/15 from 11-3. If you've never visited the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula, here's your chance to see some pretty scenery and meet some talented #kidlit authors. Free and open to the public! www.poulsbokidsbookfest.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Freezing her furry buns off because she's unwilling to admit it's fall. (Also it means my house is cold because I have to leave the door open for her. Yes, she is very spoiled.)
November 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
English-occupied Wales in the thirteenth century had complex power relationships. So does a high school lunchroom. YA fiction goes medieval. Ebook available now: www.jandersoncoats.com/the-wicked-a...
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
It's come to my attention that some people have a set of matching silverware and not a bunch of random utensils from the ten-cent bin at the thrift store.
November 3, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Your periodic reminder that reviews help authors in all kinds of ways. If you love a book, please consider leaving a review on the platform of your choice. Thanks for your support!
November 3, 2025 at 5:16 PM
How much do I love seeing a talented friend's awesome new middle-grade book splashed ALL OVER THE HOME PAGE of @bookshop.org! Congrats, @lynnekelly.bsky.social!
October 31, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I'm a huge fan of #kidlit historical fiction author Caroline Starr Rose, and she was kind enough to invite me to share some thoughts on The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls on her blog. A snippet appears below, but you can read the whole thing here: carolinestarrrose.com/an-interview...
October 31, 2025 at 5:55 PM
In a mutual attempt to look at screens less, my daughter and I are doing a zine exchange. Here's mine so far. Making it has been unlocking memory after memory of my misspent youth when I made these constantly. Wonder if 1990s me would think a jam-making zine is awesome, or cringe af.
October 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It's spooky season, and if you like a little bit of creepy in your middle grade, and you like retellings of medieval legends, and you like unusual pigs, I hope you'll give The Green Children of Woolpit a looksee! www.jandersoncoats.com/the-green-ch...
October 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Had a great time at the Bigfoot Kids Book Festival! There were tons of readers with so many great questions. Thanks to the folks on the @bigfootbookfest.bsky.social committee for putting on such an amazing event!
October 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
It was someone's first day at the candle factory.
October 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The Bigfoot Kids Book Festival is coming up THIS SATURDAY (10/11) from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Free and open to the public in Redmond, WA. There will be tons of #kidlit authors to meet and chat with. I'll be signing from 1:30 - 4. Hope to see you there! www.bigfootkidsbookfestival.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls will receive a **starred** review from @thehornbook.bsky.social! "This is historical fiction at its best" - wow, thanks, Horn Book! www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
October 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
We are moving toward fall, but I will take as many of these glorious sunny days as the universe will give me.
October 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The birds are not buying her act.
October 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I spy The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls on this Mock Newbery list from Anderson's Bookshop! What great company to be in! andersonsbookshop.com/mock-newbery
September 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls is out today! This pro-immigrant, pro-freedom to read #middlegrade #historical is inspired by the life of my grandmother, and I'm so happy to share it with you all. www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
September 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Doomkitty says it's time to go outside and sit in the sun.
September 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Your periodic reminder that if I have ever signed a book for you and now you have a different name, you can DM or email me (j at jandersoncoats dot com) with a mailing address, and I will send you a free bookplate with your new name.
September 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The whole world is on fire, but one small good thing happening is The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls comes out a week from today, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you all. www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
September 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Super excited for the Bigfoot Kids Book Festival, coming your way on Saturday, October 11th! Free and open to the public in Redmond, WA - tons of #kidlit authors to meet and chat with. PNW folks, hope to see you there! www.bigfootkidsbookfestival.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls will be out in just two weeks! Super excited to share this one with you all. If you've ever fantasized about living in a #library, this one might be up your alley! Details: www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
September 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Had a great time at Rose City Comic Con with
@kendareblake.bsky.social, @rosieethor.bsky.social, and
@lishmcbride.bsky.social! Thanks to everyone who came by our panel, and to @powells.bsky.social for this awesome display!
September 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Author copies of Unexpected Lives are here! Only twenty days to go until this one is out in the world.

This will never, ever get old.

www.jandersoncoats.com/the-unexpect...
September 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM