Michelle Knudsen
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michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Michelle Knudsen
@michelleknudsen.bsky.social
1.5K followers 910 following 160 posts
NYT bestselling author of 50+ books for kids & teens & sometimes SFF short fiction for the olds. Library Lion, Trelian, Evil Librarian & more. BSFA finalist. VCFA alum. SFWA. Codex. All the links: linktr.ee/michelleknudsen
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michelleknudsen.bsky.social
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?

I may be in trouble.
Cast photo of Cheers TV show (Cliff, Coach, Carla, Norm, Sam & Diane)
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
It's pub day for CURSED PRINCESS CLUB: A MOST UNUSUAL PRINCESS, my early YA novel (ages 12+) adapted from LambCat's webcomic & graphic novel! @slj.com called it "endearing & hilarious!" 💕 Come celebrate tonight at @wordbookstores.bsky.social in Brooklyn! Cupcakes, fun prizes, and signed books!
Cover image of Michelle Knudsen's new YA novel CURSED PRINCESS CLUB: A MOST UNUSUAL PRINCESS, based on the graphic novel by LambCat, on a background of pink and green horizontal stripes. The cover itself shows main character Gwendolyn holding a plate of baked goods (including a Magical Friendship Volcano Surprise waffle) while wearing a green dress with orange bows and accents. She's looking over her shoulder at the reader with a little smile. Pink hearts appear on either side of her. The background is a pink-purple gradient, darker at the top. The title appears at the top in purple letters, with the subtitle in white.
November 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
My new book comes out Nov 25! It’s the 1st in a series of YA novelizations of LambCat’s amazing CURSED PRINCESS CLUB webcomic and graphic novels. Please consider pre-ordering a signed copy from the Brooklyn @wordbookstores.bsky.social! And come to the launch party if you’re local! See links in bio!
Promo graphic for the first CURSED PRINCESS CLUB young adult novelization of LambCat’s webcomic/graphic novel series that comes out November 25. The background is a teal gradient that’s darker at the top with a scattering of pink and blue stars. Text at the top says, “CURSED PRINCESS CLUB: A MOST UNUSUAL PRINCESS / Pub day celebration at WORD Brooklyn!” Below that is an image of the book cover next to a photo of the author, Michelle Knudsen. The author’s name appears next to a small pink heart below the images in a light blue oval. Below that, in a yellow rectangle, additional text says “Tues, November 25, 6pm, 126 Franklin St. Brooklyn” next to the WORD Bookstore logo. At the very bottom additional text appears in black text between two cartoon cupcakes. That text says: Books! Treats! Prizes! RSVP & pre-order links in bio!
November 19, 2025 at 9:56 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Come see me at one of these free events happening THIS WEEK at @freelibrary.bsky.social of Philadelphia, Children's Book World in Haverford, and @booksofwonder.bsky.social in NYC! 🩷 Links to more info here: linktr.ee/michelleknud...
Graphic promoting free events this week where Michelle Knudsen will be talking about her middle grade fantasy novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC. The background is orange with an abstract pattern in darker orange. The top shows the book cover in the upper left. To the right of the cover are the words "INTO THE WILD MAGIC EVENTS THIS WEEK! MORE INFO AT LINKS IN BIO!" To the right of the words is a super cool dragon illustrated by ITWM cover artist Jen Bricking. Under the heading section are three ovals listing the following events: Thurs Nov 20, 1:45pm: Free Library of Philadelphia reading & presentation (Children's Department, Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) Thurs Nov 20, 4:30pm: Children's Book World book signing & meet & greet (17 Haverford Station Rd., Haverford, PA 19041) Sat Nov 22, 3:00pm: Books of Wonder Great Middle Grade Reads, Michael Buckley, Catherine Egan, Taylor Tracy & Me! (42 West 17th St. New York, NY 10011).
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
The Evil Librarian Rock Opera (adapted from my YA novel) is happening THIS WEEKEND in Frederick, MD!!! Shows Fri-Sun and I'll be signing copies of the book at 7pm in the lobby before the Saturday night performance! weinbergcenter.org/shows/evil-l...
Poster for Evil Librarian: A New Musical with the word "evil" in black and the other text in red, written on an open blank book surrounded by black and white images of fallen leaves, a pumpkin, and a skull. Book cover for my YA horror-comedy-romance EVIL LIBRARIAN. It shows an artistically defaced Italian language book (black cover with gold accents) with a grinning devil face in red taking up most of the cover and the words "Evil Librarian" where the eyes and nose would be. "Michelle Knudsen" is written in stencil-like text in red under the face. A quote in white handwriting-style text at the top from Twilight author Stephenie Meyer says "Hysterical! Smart and funny, with a little drama, a little romance, and just the right touch of evil."
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
I'm on the Middle Grade Matters podcast today, talking about my new fantasy novel, advice for writers, and more! Listen via your fave podcast provider: tr.ee/lEpfe469CR
Cover image for my new MG fantasy novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC. The beautiful illustration by Jen Bricking shows two eleven-year-old girls, one (whose name is Bevvy, FYI) who has dirty blond hair that hangs just above shoulder length and is holding a kitten, the other (whose name is Cat) who has long dark hair swept into a messy ponytail. A fox with a slightly smirky half-smile peers from beside Cat. A big, majestic tree stands just behind the girls, and tiny lights seem to glow among the leaves. Cat is holding one hand out in front of her, and a circle of light emanates from it, forming the oval shape of something magical ... maybe a portal to another world??? There is an ominous shadowy figure lurking behind a smaller tree in the background. Screenshot showing the Middle Grade Matters podcast image (a photo of podcaster Shannon Balloon against a white background with the words "Middle Grade Matters" in a logo that looks like three stacked books) with the text beside it that says: Michelle Knudsen (Into the Wild Magic) on The Importance of Persistence in Writing.
November 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
So excited for tomorrow's Rochester Children and Teens' Book Festival!!! Come meet me and 50+ other authors and illustrators! This is always one of my favorite events of the year. www.rcbfest.com
Promotional poster for the Rochester Children and Teens' Book Festival. Image shows an illustration of a giant stack of books with kids and teens climbing, sitting, reading, and standing happily nearby. Background is a cheerful clearing in a forest with illustrated trees and bushes. Text says: 50+ authors and illustrations. Books, activities, food trucks and fun for toddlers through teens. Free Admission! November 8, 2025. 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Monroe Community College. Park in Lot M. Books for purchase. rcbfestival.com.
November 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Halloween giveaway! Reply with your favorite scary (or spooky) book and you'll be entered to win a free audio version of my YA horror-comedy EVIL LIBRARIAN! Share this post for an extra chance to win! I'll draw a winner and notify by DM next week. (Follow me so I'll be able to DM you!) #giveaway
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
My very first novel, THE DRAGON OF TRELIAN, is finally being released as an audiobook! Narrated by the wonderful Carlotta Brentan, published by @recordedbooks.bsky.social. Coming Oct 7, available for pre-order now! rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
Audiobook cover image of Michelle Knudsen's middle grade fantasy novel THE DRAGON OF TRELIAN, which is the first book in the Trelian trilogy. The artwork is presented as though looking through a castle window, and it shows a dragon in silhouette against a vibrant sunset-colored landscape. Another castle is visible in the background. The audiobook narrator is Carlotta Brentan, and the audiobook publisher is Recorded Books.
September 22, 2025 at 12:29 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Are you a DC/MD-area actor? Do you want to originate a role in the new EVIL LIBRARIAN musical?? Landless Theatre Company is accepting submissions now for adult (21+) & teen (16-20) actors who sing. Details here: www.facebook.com/share/p/16mT... #auditions #musicals #rockopera #DCtheater #mdtheater
August 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Brooklyn friends! Signed copies of INTO THE WILD MAGIC are now available at @wordbookstores.bsky.social, @communitybookstore.bsky.social, and Lofty Pigeon Books!
Michelle Knudsen signing a copy of her new middle grade fantasy novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC at Word Bookstore in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. A table at Community Bookstore in Park Slope, Brooklyn displaying signed copies of some of Michelle Knudsen’s books: LIBRARY LION, LUIGI THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN, THE DRAGON OF TRELIAN, and her new middle grade fantasy novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC. (Signed copies of THE PRINCESS OF TRELIAN and THE MAGE OF TRELIAN are also in there, just hidden by the first book in the trilogy.) Michelle Knudsen sitting behind a giant pile of her new middle grade fantasy novel, INTO THE WILD MAGIC, in the back of room of Lofty Pigeon Books in Kensington, Brooklyn.
August 21, 2025 at 7:11 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
My new middle grade fantasy INTO THE WILD MAGIC is out in the world today! Available in print, ebook, and audiobook wherever you like to buy those things! Also at the library! As always, you can get signed copies of this or any of my books through Lofty Pigeon Books in Brooklyn, NY.
August 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Pre-order my new middle grade fantasy novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC before 8/19 and get a gorgeous dragon illustration postcard with your book! More info at my website: www.michelleknudsen.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:06 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
The 1st book in my YA musical-theater demon-filled romantic horror comedy EVIL LIBRARIAN trilogy is now a new audiobook narrated by Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS award–winning narrator Sophie Amoss! Available Aug 26, but you can pre-order RIGHT NOW (link in bio). Books 2 & 3 following soon!!
Audiobook cover image for EVIL LIBRARIAN, the first book in the Evil Librarian trilogy by Michelle Knudsen, narrated by Sophie Amoss. There's a blurb across the top from Twilight author Stephenie Meyer that says, "Hysterical! Smart and funny, with a little drama, a little romance, and just the right touch of evil." The Recorded Books logo appears in the lower right corner.
July 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
My new MG fantasy novel comes out in two months! Please consider pre-ordering! You can order signed/personalized copies from Lofty Pigeon Books: shop.loftypigeonbooks.com/item/fDcyhWd...
A graphic showing the beautiful cover of my forthcoming book INTO THE WILD MAGIC (illustration by Jen Bricking). Text above the cover says, “Now is a perfect time to pre-order this nice book!” and text below the cover says, “Want a signed copy? See link in bio!”
June 20, 2025 at 1:21 AM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
LUIGI, THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN, illustrated by the wonderful Kevin Hawkes, has won the 2025 New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Picture Book of the Year award!!!! So grateful to all the independent bookstores who support my books! ❤🕷
Graphic announcing that LUIGI, THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN has won the NAIBA Picture Book of the Year Award. It shows the author's smiling face in a circle beside an image of the book cover.
May 31, 2025 at 3:07 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Writers! Come with us to Oxford, England this fall! @gingerjohnson.bsky.social & Beth Slazak have prepared an incredible experience for writers of all stripes, and I'll be working with attendees in either a workshop or private consultation format. More info here: www.gingerjohnsonbooks.com/gen-2
Graphic promoting the 2025 Genesis Retreat! Dates are September 8–14, 2025 and the location is Queen's College, Oxford. Come write, play, and explore under the direction of experienced writer/teachers and a creativity expert! I'll be joining both as a writer/player/explorer AND working with attendees in either a workshop or private consultation format. Open to writers of all levels.
May 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Now booking school visits for the 2025-26 school year and beyond! I've got books & presentations appropriate for all grade levels (preK–high school) and can also speak to older students or adults about writing and working as a writer. Request a visit here: www.hownowbooking.com/speakers/knu...
Graphic encouraging teachers and librarians to bring me to their schools and libraries to speak about books and writing! The text reads: Author visits with Michelle Knudsen. New York Times bestselling author of 50+ books for kids and teens. Now booking for 2025–2026. Presentations available for all ages: preK–12, college, grad students, or adult writers! More information at michelleknudsen.com or book me now at hownowbooking.com/speakers/knudsen. The middle of the page contains some of my book covers. Top row from left to right: Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten; Library Lion; She Persisted: Nellie Bly; Cursed Princess Club: A Most Unusual Princess; Into the Wild Magic; The Dragon of Trelian; Evil Librarian. Second row, left to right: Argus; Marilyn's Monster; A Slimy Story; Carl the Complainer; Fish and Frog; Star Wars Episode I: Droids, Creatures, and Vehicles Coloring Book; Big Mean Mike; A Moldy Mystery. Text to the right of A Moldy Mystery says "& more!" because there are a lot more books not included here. Two pink flower images appear around the top text and my smiling author photo appears in a circle frame in the bottom left.
May 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Hooray! INTO THE WILD MAGIC got another great review, this time from @publisherswkly.bsky.social! 💕 You can read the full review here: www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5362-2...
Graphic with pull quote from PW review of my upcoming middle grade novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC. Dark pink background with light pink circle containing the quote; book cover bottom right corner. The quote says, "In this spirited magical adventure, Knudsen puts a new spin on fantasy elements. . . . Bevvy is a compassionate, compelling lead across a surprise-packed plot." Text at the bottom says "Coming 9/19/25 Candlewick Press" and "Cover illustration by Jen Bricking."
May 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Freshly signed LIBRARY LIONS (and some LUIGIS too!) now available at the NYPL Library Shop (in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on 5th Ave - the big beautiful one with the lions outside)! ❤️🦁🕷️
Photo of stacks of paperback and hardcover editions of my picture book Library Lion (plus a stack of Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten) in the top right corner!). I just signed a whole bunch for the NYPL Shop - you can get them in the store or order online!
May 20, 2025 at 1:52 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
The first review of INTO THE WILD MAGIC is in, and it's a lovely one from Kirkus! 💖 Full review here: www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Graphic will a pull quote from Kirkus's lovely review of my forthcoming middle grade fantasy novel INTO THE WILD MAGIC. The quote appears in black letters on a pink partial circle on a dark green background with the book cover centered in the middle. The text says, "The pulse-quickening twists and thrills will captivate readers . . . An empowering tale of self-discovery, friendship, and love of the natural world." White text in the lower right says "Cover illustration by Jen Bricking" and in the lower right says "Coming 8/19/25 Candlewick Press."
May 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
Come see me and my giant hair and my books and lots of other authors’ books and also my spider friends at the Westchester Children’s Book Festival happening RIGHT NOW! ❤️📚🦁🕷️🐉👾🐶🐰✍️🦄
Me at a table at the Westchester Children’s Book Festival with a bunch of my books and plastic spiders and very big hair from the rainy weather. Me at a table at the Westchester Children’s Book Festival with a bunch of my books and plastic spiders and slightly less big hair than in the first photo. Me at the Westchester Children’s Book Festival with a green plastic spider above my name tag. (In this one I’m smiling.) Me at the Westchester Children’s Book Festival with a green plastic spider above my name tag. (In this one I look alarmed)
April 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
It's cover reveal day for CURSED PRINCESS CLUB: A MOST UNUSUAL PRINCESS! I'm thrilled to be writing the YA novelization of LambCat's hit graphic novel. 💓 Coming November 25, 2025!
Cover reveal graphic for CURSED PRINCESS CLUB: A MOST UNUSUAL PRINCESS by Michelle Knudsen, based on the Graphic Novel by LambCat. The cover shows a startling-looking princess with greenish skin, pointy ears, shadowy eyes, and long green hair holding a plate of clearly delicious baked goods. She's wearing a green dress with orange ribbons and appears on a pink background with pink hearts. Arrows coming from the book cover point to bits of text which say the following, starting at top left and moving clockwise: "YOUNG ADULT" "COMING-OF-AGE" "AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 25" "BASED ON THE HIT GRAPHIC NOVEL" "FOUND FAMILY" "ENCHANTING & EMPOWERING."
April 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
I just realized that I have not shared ANY photos on Bluesky of my beautiful corn snake, Jonesy. So here he is. He is just over 1.5 years old and 176g and I love him. #snakesky
Gorgeous amelanistic corn snake Jonesy twined around my hand with his vivarium in the background. Gorgeous amelanistic corn snake Jonesy twined around my hand, this time sticking his tongue out, with his vivarium in the background.
April 3, 2025 at 1:39 PM
michelleknudsen.bsky.social
There's still time to apply for Lesley MFA's fall 2025 semester! I teach here with amazing colleagues. Come write with us! Low-res means you can keep living your life/working/caring for family & get serious about your writing at the same time. Qs? Ask me! Info & app here:
lesley.edu/academics/gr...
Dark green/black background with pink text that states: "Lesley MFA in Creative Writing Low-Residency Program. May 1 application deadline for June 2025 start in all genres: Fiction, Graphic Novels & Comics, Nonfiction & Memoir, Poetry, Writing for Stage & Screen, Writing for Young People. https://lesley.edu/academics/graduate/creative-writing." A black and white clock sits bottom left under a reddish word balloon that says "APPLY TODAY." Two cheery flowers decorate the word ballon. A red/pink swirl runs from bottom to top behind the main text. A Lesley Art + Design logo appears top right corner. Lesley has an amazing low-residency MFA program and you should check it out! We'd love to help you become the writer you've always wanted to be.
March 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM