Veronica Bartles
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Veronica Bartles
@vbartles.com
1.3K followers 430 following 2.5K posts
Author: THE PRINCESS & THE FROGS and TWELVE STEPS, recycle-knitter, graphic designer (web/book design, etc.) #KidLitConfections cookie queen, book-grandma, #ActuallyAutistic. (she/her) https://vbartles.com
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Tooting my own horn again... but I feel ultra prepared for tonight's #KidLitChat!
The writing retreat I'm most looking forward to in 2026? I am DEFINITELY going to host the #KidLitConfections "How to Write a Cake" retreat I've been threatening for years! Who's joining me? forms.gle/AVGutsnmAarM...
How to Write a Cake #KidLitConfections Writing Retreat Where: Tennessee, USA (Nashville area) When: May 22-24, 2026 Cost: $525-650 (tentative pricing awaiting final numbers) What is Included: •Lodging for 3 nights (private or shared bedrooms) •3-Day (Fri-Sun) Writing Retreat, with optional check-in the night before (Thurs) and/or check-out the morning after (Mon) •Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner: Friday-Sunday •Snacks (including freshly-baked cookies & other #KidLitConfections treats) •"How to Write a Cake" hands-on Writing Workshop (with real cake!!) •Ample time to write, share ideas, and just relax •Custom-created #KidLitConfections recipe for YOUR manuscript •Copies of all signature dessert recipes created for the retreat What is NOT included: •Alcohol •One-on-one critiques •Anything else not specifically listed in the "what is included" section
November 12, 2025 at 2:34 AM
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...& of course I have virtual Oatmeal Cookies for anyone who doesn't have the freshly-baked kind for this #KidLitChat "Good Different" Oatmeal Cookies i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2024/01/good... or Oatmeal Chocolate Chip & Red Chiles i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2014/11/reci... #KidLitConfections
oatmeal raisin cookies on a white plate with a pink flower border, centered on a brown, tan, and turquoise round placemat book covers for SAME LOVE, DIFFERENT HUG by Sarah Hovorka and Abbey Bryant, GOOD DIFFERENT by Meg Eden Kuyatt, and THE LOTUS FLOWER CHAMPION by Pintip and Love Dunn are shown in a column along the right edge of the photo stacks of Giant Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Red Chiles cooling on a wire rack
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 AM
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Prepping my virtual treats for #KidLitChat tonight! I just posted a new #KidLitConfections recipe (Apple Walnut Pie) to my blog in anticipation of what is likely to be a very pie-centric discussion (Because pie is always trending in the chat!) i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2025/11/appl...
slice of Apple Walnut pie on a white plate with a pink and green floral border. The crust is flaky and golden brown, with sprinkles of cinnamon sugar, and there are multiple layers of apple slices and walnuts in the pie. There is a single scoop of slightly-melted caramel ice cream on top of the pie. Sitting on the table behind the pie slice, there is a pie dish with the rest of the pie on the right, and on the left is a hardcover copy of THE 14 FIBS OF GREGORY K. by Greg Pincus. The cover is a white background with blue scribbles of math equations and other school notes doodled across the entire background. The title in colorful, orange and dark blue text fills the top 2/3 of the cover, with character drawings of Gregory K. (on the right) and his best friend Kelly (on the left) also doodled in blue in the bottom of 1/3 the image, just under the title and above the author's name. An illustration of a slice of pie is in between the two characters.
November 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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I just posted a new #KidLitConfections recipe! I thought I posted a year ago...I linked the TikTok video and forgot the coordinating blog post/written recipe. Oops! Presenting Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies! Pairs well with KWAME CRASHES THE UNDERWORLD by Craig Kofi Farmer tinyurl.com/cinnamon-rol...
2 large unfrosted cinnamon roll sugar cookies on a white plate with a pink floral border, sitting on a wooden table a blue plate full of frosted cinnamon roll sugar cookies cover of KWAME CRASHES THE UNDERWORLD by Craig Kofi Farmer
November 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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When I was querying my YA novel way back when, I kept hearing that love triangles were definitely OUT in young adult novels. Mine had a full-on love PENTAGON! Sometimes, the best way to deal with a trend that is "out" is to lean into it with your full chest. ;) #KidLitChat
cover of TWELVE STEPS by Veronica Bartles - close-up of two people from the knees down, one wearing pinkish-purple boots, and one wearing jeans and black shoes, standing close together in the grass and facing each other, with the title Twelve Steps in bold script between them.
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 AM
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I saw your book on a display at my local B&N the last time I was in there!! It's so cute!! #KidLitChat
table full of Halloween themed books, with ZOMBIE AND BRAIN ARE FRIENDS by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic and Laan Cham highlighted
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
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There are so many great books to pair w/ recipes (not just food books!) I haven't paired the pumpkin for #KidLitConfections yet, but the Chocolate Walnut pairs with PIE IN THE SKY by Remi Lai & FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE by @khadijahvanbrakle.bsky.social i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2024/02/easy...
Chocolate Walnut Pie on a wooden table, next to a row of book covers, including FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE by Khadijah VanBrakle, PIE IN THE SKY by Remy Lai, and PORCUPINE'S PIE by Laura Renauld and Jennie Poh
November 5, 2025 at 2:41 AM
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But one trend I do follow pretty religiously... I know PIE is always trending in #KidLitChat! Tonight, I have a selection of fall pies for you to virtually enjoy: Chocolate Walnut, Pumpkin (this one is allergy-friendly: vegan & gluten-free!), and Apple Walnut (#KidLitConfections recipe coming soon!)
Chocolate walnut pie on a wooden table close-up of a pumpkin pie, with a slice removed slice of apple walnut pie with a scoop of caramel ice cream on top, on a white plate with a pink floral border
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 AM
vbartles.com
Reese's Cups are the best Halloween candy because they're a great balance of salty and sweet. And chocolate and peanut butter go so well together!

Speaking of chocolate and peanut butter... Have a tiny peanut butter pie with a chocolate drizzle! i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2015/11/happ...
mini peanut butter pie on a white paper plate, with a drizzle of white and dark chocolate on top
October 29, 2025 at 1:05 AM
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My birb is currently dressed up for Halloween 😊 — and it looks like I haven’t accomplished much today, but I often don’t check off my goals until I am winding down for the night, so I probably have already accomplished several of those remaining 28 goals! #KidLitChat
Screenshot from the Finch self care app, showing a little birb sleeping on a bed and dreaming… with an incomplete to-do list below, with a message that I have 28 goals left for today!
October 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM
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Mostly, these days, I just participate in #KidLitChat ... and sometimes I post my latest #KidLitConfections -- New post for an old favorite today! I updated my "3.14 Ultimate Pi(e)" recipe to share a gluten free version with my review of MY PERFECT FAMILY by @khadijahvanbrakle.bsky.social
slice of 3.1414926 Ultimate Pie - a 6-layer confection with a chocolate crust, cheesecake base, and layers of caramel, salted caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream - on a white plate with a blue and green floral border, on a wooden table in front of MY PERFECT FAMILY by Khadijah VanBrakle featuring three Black and brown young women, one in an orangish pantsuit with a cream-colored hijab, one in a purple top and denim skirt, and in the center, a young woman with long, curly hair wearing jeans and a green tanktop, against a light-orange background, with the title in dark bluish-purple letters across the top ... and a 3-story LEGO house, because (fun fact) Khadijah VanBrakle is an adult fan of LEGO!
October 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
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Thanks again for another wonderful #KidLitChat! I need to go check on the pie that I've got chilling in the fridge and see if it needs to be in my belly instead... (the answer is yes, it definitely does!)
slice of "3.14 Ultimate Pi(e)" -- a multilayered cream pie with a cheesecake base topped with caramel, salted caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream -- on a white plate with a green and blue floral motif around the edges, and with a bite already taken out of the pie
October 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM
vbartles.com
And when I read... I tend to choose books that inspire recipes appropriate to the season for my #KidLitConfections (or maybe the season just inspires me to think of specific types of recipes for the books I'm reading?) For instance, fall is definitely PIE season! #KidLitChat
Slice of “3.14 Ultimate Pi(e)”—a multi-layer cream pie with a chocolate crust, then a cheesecake base topped with a layer of caramel, then salted caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream—on a white plate with a blue and green floral border atop a wooden table in front of the book MY PERFECT FAMILY by Khadijah VanBrakle and a 3-story LEGO building slice of Apple Walnut Pie with caramel swirl ice cream on a white plate with pink flowers around the border, sitting on a wooden table, with the rest of the pie and a copy of THE 14 FIBS OF GREGORY K. by Greg Pincus in the background cropped image of a Chocolate Walnut Pie on the left, with three book covers in a column on the right: FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE by Khadijah VanBrakle, PIE IN THE SKY by Remy Lai, and PORCUPINE'S PIE by Laura Renauld and Jennie Poh
October 15, 2025 at 1:17 AM
vbartles.com
Still time to register for my "Selling Yourself (without selling yourself short): Wonderful Websites that really Work" virtual workshop on 27 Oct 2025 (1 pm EDT) - tinyurl.com/wonderful-we... You don't need a degree in web design to make your own author website. I'll help you get started!
illustration of an open laptop against a green square - the laptop screen is open to Veronica Bartles' website (https://vbartles.com) - Text surrounding the laptop says: Selling Yourself (without selling yourself short): Wonderful Websites that really Work Create or update your own author website! Monday, Oct 27, 2025 1:00pm EDT https://tinyurl.com/wonderful-websites with author Veronica Bartles
October 14, 2025 at 9:42 PM
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Updated my most complex pie recipe to make a gluten free version! I am so excited to share this #KidLitConfections recipe—a multi-layered treat that pairs wonderfully with the complex layers in the amazing YA novel MY PERFECT FAMILY by @khadijahvanbrakle.bsky.social (recipe post to come soon!!)
Slice of “3.14 Ultimate Pi(e)”—a multi-layer cream pie with a chocolate crust, then a cheesecake base topped with a layer of caramel, then salted caramel mousse, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream—on a white plate with a blue and green floral border atop a wooden table in front of the book MY PERFECT FAMILY by Khadijah VanBrakle and a 3-story LEGO building
October 14, 2025 at 2:24 AM
vbartles.com
I missed a great #KidLitChat discussion tonight! But I was creating an interest form (forms.gle/zopdQFcsNdnL...) for the #KidLitConfections Writing Retreat I have been threatening/promising! Who wants to join me next May for #KidLit creation and fabulous treats? :)
How to Write a Cake #KidLitConfections Writing Retreat Where: Tennessee, USA (Nashville area) When: May 22-24, 2026 Cost: $525-650 (tentative pricing awaiting final numbers) What is Included: •Lodging for 3 nights (private or shared bedrooms) •3-Day (Fri-Sun) Writing Retreat, with optional check-in the night before (Thurs) and/or check-out the morning after (Mon) •Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner: Friday-Sunday •Snacks (including freshly-baked cookies & other #KidLitConfections treats) •"How to Write a Cake" hands-on Writing Workshop (with real cake!!) •Ample time to write, share ideas, and just relax •Custom-created #KidLitConfections recipe for YOUR manuscript •Copies of all signature dessert recipes created for the retreat What is NOT included: •Alcohol •One-on-one critiques •Anything else not specifically listed in the "what is included" section
October 8, 2025 at 4:17 AM
vbartles.com
Updated my website with my latest #KidLitConfections links: "Pop of Summer" Lime & Strawberry Sugar Cookies, paired with A METHOD FOR MAGIC AND MISFORTUNE by Craig Kofi Farmer and Lavender Chamomile TEAgan Cookies, paired with THE FAIRY DOOR DIARIES by Megan McDonald vbartles.com/kidlitconfec...
lime sugar cookies with strawberry frosting, topped with strawberry, cotton candy, and blue raspberry Pop Rocks candies, with the cover of A METHOD OF MAGIC AND MISFORTUNE by Craig Kofi Farmer against a white background on the right of the cookies lavender chamomile sugar cookie topped with a thick layer of fudge, with the cover of FAIRY DOOR DIARIES: ELIZA AND THE FLOWER FAIRIES by Megan McDonald and Lenny Wen against a white background on the right of the cookies
October 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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My kids tell me I'm still basically a child, so I can count one of my newest favorite books as a favorite from childhood, yes? I'm currently obsessed with A METHOD FOR MAGIC AND MISFORTUNE by Craig Kofi Farmer, and I just posted a #KidLitConfections post to celebrate it #KidLitChat
cover of A METHOD FOR MAGIC AND MISFORTUNE by Craig Kofi Farmer "Pop of Summer" Cookies: lime sugar cookies with creamy strawberry frosting and Pop Rocks candy for an explosive bite
October 1, 2025 at 1:36 AM
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My very first favorite book as a child was THE FIRE CAT by Esther Averil. I think it was the way the cat didn't fit in anywhere... until he found somewhere where he *did* -- as an undiagnosed autistic child, I think I related to this on a very deep level. <3 #KidLitChat
Cover of THE FIRE CAT by Esther Averill - image of a spotted cat wearing a fireman's helmet, sliding down a fire pole in front of a brick wall
October 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
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Speaking of filling my creative well with baking... How about a virtual treat? I think I need to make my "3.14 Pie" soon. I just finished reading MY PERFECT FAMILY by @khadijahvanbrakle.bsky.social & it's the perfect book to pair with my favorite, complex, multi-layer recipe for #KidLitConfections
close-up of a slice of "3.14 Pi(e)" - a multilayered dessert with a chocolate crust, cheesecake base, chocolate mousse, caramel, and whipped cream. cover of MY PERFECT FAMILY by Khadijah VanBrakle: a peachy/orangish background with 3 black women on the cover. The woman on the left wears a suit in a similar shade to the background color, with a light hijab. The woman on the right has her hair in a tight bun atop her head, and she's wearing a purple blouse and dark blue jeans. The young woman in the center has her long hair down, and she is wearing a green tank top and light blue jeans. The title of the book is centered above their heads.
September 17, 2025 at 1:46 AM
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Jumping into #KidLitChat late, because I was in a webinar that went longer than I thought it would. While I scroll back to find tonight's topic, how about a quick treat? Help yourself to some very delicious, Super-Simple Strawberry Pie i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2016/03/supe... #KidLitConfections
bright pink strawberry cream pie, garnished with slices of fresh strawberries, artfully arranged around the edges
September 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
vbartles.com
I created a new spin on my great grandma's apple pie recipe to share as a #KidLitConfections post after I read the 14 Fibs of Gregory K. ... I just have to actually write the post and share it! #KidLitChat
slice of Apple Walnut Pie with caramel swirl ice cream on a white plate with pink flowers around the border, sitting on a wooden table, with the rest of the pie and a copy of THE 14 FIBS OF GREGORY K. by Greg Pincus in the background #KidLitChat themed Apple Walnut Pie, with the image of an open book sliced into the top crust to vent steam
September 3, 2025 at 1:25 AM
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Other books I have loved recently (#KidLitConfections coming soon): A METHOD FOR MAGIC AND MISFORTUNE by Craig Kofi Farmer, I'LL FIND YOU WHERE THE TIMELINE ENDS by Kylie Lee Baker, THE HOUSE OF FOUND OBJECTS by Jo Beckett-King, and MEET ME AT WONDERLAND by Julia DeVillers #KidLitChat
cover for THE HOUSE OF FOUND OBJECTS by Jo Beckett-King cover of A METHOD FOR MAGIC AND MISFORTUNE by Craig Kofi Farmer (coming 9 September 2025) cover of I'LL FIND YOU WHERE THE TIMELINE ENDS by Kylie Lee Baker (coming 18 November 2025) cover of MEET ME AT WONDERLAND by Julia DeVillers
August 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
vbartles.com
I've read so many good books! I've been pairing them with delicious #KidLitConfections recipes ... but haven't been taking time to write the blog posts & actually SHARE most of them! (oops!) But I JUST posted one! I loved FAIRY DOOR DIARIES i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2025/08/lave... #KidLitChat
cover of FAIRY DOOR DIARIES: ELIZA AND THE FLOWER FAIRIES by Megan McDonald and Lenny Wen, with a close-up of a fudge-topped Lavendar Chamomile sugar cookie
August 13, 2025 at 1:28 AM
vbartles.com
Good answer! And to go along with this absolutely correct interpretation of tonight's #KidLitChat topic, here are some Chocolate #KidLitConfections! (All of these recipes, and others, are on my website: vbartles.com/recipes.htm
close-up of a soft sugar cookie, topped with a thick layer of fudge slice of a layered pie with a chocolate crust, cheesecake base, then caramel sauce, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream Giant brownie on a red plate, topped with 6 scoops of cookies and cream ice cream, caramel and hot fudge, whipped cream, and chopped nuts pile of dark chocolate raspberry cookies on a white plate with a blue and green flower motif around the rim
August 6, 2025 at 1:41 AM