Melissa Bergum
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writingbubbly.bsky.social
Melissa Bergum
@writingbubbly.bsky.social
370 followers 680 following 410 posts
Kidlit writer, geek, deaf AF in one ear, living with chronic migraines, Searchlight Awards 2024 Best Children's Novel Opening Longlistee, SCBWI member, cat wrangler, book dragon

website: melissambergum.wixsite.com/melissabergum
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writingbubbly.bsky.social
The end of last week kicked me in the teeth (emotionally). We had to put our old lady cat down Thursday. Friday I took my daughter and a friend of hers to Urban Air to have some fun, be distracted from the loss of our cat...

(P.S. This is an old pic of my daughter and our old lady cat lol)

1/4
A little girl with white shirt that has a gold star with a rainbow in the middle who is hugging a gray cat with a light gray stomach. Both are sitting on a brown couch.
November 12, 2025 at 12:33 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Facing your fears is harder when they’re actual living monsters, just ask 13yo Eve. But her 11yo sister, Samara, doesn't believe. After a prank goes wrong & Eve goes missing, Samara will stop at nothing to find her. Only Eve’s not in the real world. She’s in one of nightmares. #PosterPit #Q #MG #F
Image: Gloomy woods with a girl carrying a lamp running through the woods. Text Top: A chance at healing strained sisterly bond; Lost children; Nightmares come to life Center: One sister sees monsters, the other doesn’t. One sister goes missing, the other’s responsible. WHERE NIGHTMARES REIGN; Dark Fantasy Middle Grade Left bottom: Longlistee for Searchlight Awards’ 2024 Children’s Best Novel Opening Bottom: Written by Melissa Bergum
August 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Hello agents and editors! Here's my #AgentsGuide for my Contemporary MG w/ Spec elements!

This story has:
🥺Huggable cinnamon roll MCs
💕Adorable first crush vibes
🌎Real-world setting w/ speculative elements
😱Anxiety rep
🏠Housing insecurity
👪Supportive families
🐈Cats!

#QuestPit #MG #Con #S #Q
AGENT’S GUIDE BOARD: Picture: paint brush, paint set (paint colors shown: blue, black, white, red, green), blue and red paint on paper some of which is splattered across the paper Text: Agent's Guide To: "Calamity" Jane By Melissa Bergum Picture: Cloudy sky, clouds are darker like storm may be coming, and the sky is a darker blue Text: Pitch: Lonely Jane’s emotions hijack the weather. Corwin’s an anxious new kid. Both could use a friend. When Jane’s shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, she has to control her emotions, but how can she when she’s majorly crushing on Corwin?! Pictures: Background is a partially sunny sky with some clouds; three book covers and one show poster starting from top left: Keep it Together, Keiko Carter; Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 1, Honey Lemon Soda, Free Period Text: (Starting from top left) First Crush Vibes; Crazy Friendship Goals; Shy Girl Finds Her Voice; Zany MG Voice Picture: Background picture is an open rainbow umbrella Text: Story Influences: The idea for Jane came from telling a story with my daughter. Corwin is based in part on my own experiences with anxiety and from my time as a social worker with kids. I infused my love of anime and manga into this story.
August 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
12yo Jane’s emotions hijack the weather and threaten not only her new friendship, but her family’s home as well. 12yo Corwin’s new in town and in need of a fresh start as he tries to escape his anxiety—he simply needs to make tons of friends to prove he’s coping.

#QuestPit #MG #Con #S #Q
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
August 6, 2025 at 12:35 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
I forgot to share this earlier in this month, but here's the most recent stained-glass piece I made! Not bad for piece #3! It was a secret surprise for my kiddo's birthday. #StainedGlassArt #Pokemon
Stained-glass imaged of glaceon pokemon made with different shades of blue for the pokemon and ribbed clear glass surrounding the pokemon.
July 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Here's my #AgentsGuide for #JoyPit:

A lonely tween whose moods hijack the weather wants to be seen as normal, but her family’s shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, now she must control her emotions, or they’ll be homeless.

#MG #CON #RC #SPF
Picture: paint brush, paint set (paint colors shown: blue, black, white, red, green), blue and red paint on paper some of which is splattered across the paper Text: Agent's Guide To: "Calamity" Jane By Melissa Bergum Picture: Cloudy sky, clouds are darker like storm may be coming, and the sky is a darker blue Text: Pitch: Lonely Jane has mood-affecting weather abilities. Corwin's an anxious new kid. Both could use a friend. When Jane's shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, she has to control her emotions, but how can she when she's majorly crushing on Corwin?! Pictures: Background is a partially sunny sky with some clouds; three book covers and one show poster starting from top left: Keep it Together, Keiko Carter; Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 1, Honey Lemon Soda, Free Period Text: (Starting from top left) First Crush Vibes; Crazy Friendship Goals; Shy Girl Finds Her Voice; Zany MG Voice Picture: Background picture is an open rainbow umbrella Text: Story Influences: The idea for Jane came from telling a story with my daughter. Corwin is based in part on my own experiences with anxiety and from my time as a social worker with kids. I infused my love of anime and manga into this story.
June 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
A 12yo girl’s emotions hijack the weather and threaten not only her new (and only) friendship, but her family’s home as well, since their landlord keeps upping the rent because of her.

A SNICKER OF MAGIC + KEEP IT TOGETHER, KEIKO CARTER + a dash of KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE

#JoyPit #MG #Con #RC #SPF
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
June 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
For anyone with elderly cats who also have kidney issues like my old lady cat, one of the vet tech's recommended Purina Pro Plan's Hydra Care for Cats, so far my kitty seems to be liking it. Which is great, she's become less interested in the chicken option. #Cats #CatHealth #OldCats
Picture with text: Tabby Cat standing above logo of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements: Hydra Care-Feline Hydration Supplement Total Supplement d'hydration pour chats Net Wt/Poids Net Total 36 ox (2.25 LB) 1.02kg-12x3 oz (85 g) pouches/sachets
May 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
@jemiscoe.bsky.social!! Look what I got from a gashapon yesterday!!!
Statue of a shoebill stork in a nest. Statue of a shoebill stork in a nest. Image from the front of a gashapon machine showing birds, text is in Japanese.
May 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Unless it's too late 😅😅 this one's mine!

#RevPit
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
March 9, 2025 at 12:02 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Choas kittens! (P.S. your art is so adorably amazing ❤️)
Black kitten and brown tabby kitten wrestling on a black comforter next to a multicolor quilt.
February 21, 2025 at 1:28 AM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
12yo Jane’s moods affect the weather and her landlord threatens eviction because of her. Now she’s got a goal: control her emotions to save her home. But there’s cute new boy in town, and with him come some new feelings she’s never had before—her first crush.

#Cupit #MG #Con #RC #Spec #Querying
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
February 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
My #AgentsGuide for "Calamity" Jane:

Middle school is hard enough, but for Jane her every emotion comes out as some kind of weather & everyone else knows it—until new kid Corwin comes along.

💕First crushes
🥺Cinnamon rolls
🥰Heartwarming story
🎤MC finds her voice

#Cupit #MG #Con #RC #Spec #Querying
Picture: paint brush, paint set (paint colors shown: blue, black, white, red, green), blue and red paint on paper some of which is splattered across the paper Text: Agent's Guide To: "Calamity" Jane By Melissa Bergum Picture: Cloudy sky, clouds are darker like storm may be coming, and the sky is a darker blue Text: Pitch: Lonely Jane has mood-affecting weather abilities. Corwin's an anxious new kid. Both could use a friend. When Jane's shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, she has to control her emotions, but how can she when she's majorly crushing on Corwin?! Pictures: Background is a partially sunny sky with some clouds; three book covers and one show poster starting from top left: Keep it Together, Keiko Carter; Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 1, Honey Lemon Soda, Free Period Text: (Starting from top left) First Crush Vibes; Crazy Friendship Goals; Shy Girl Finds Her Voice; Zany MG Voice Picture: Background picture is an open rainbow umbrella Text: Story Influences: The idea for Jane came from telling a story with my daughter. Corwin is based in part on my own experiences with anxiety and from my time as a social worker with kids. I infused my love of anime and manga into this story.
February 14, 2025 at 4:23 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Lonely Jane has mood-affecting weather abilities, Corwin’s an anxious new kid and both could use a friend. When Jane’s shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, she has to control her emotions, but how can she when she’s majorly crushing on Corwin?!

#QuestPit #MG #Con #RomCom #Spec #Q
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
February 12, 2025 at 2:40 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Some of these pics my hubs took, some I did. Sadly we've yet to manage catching a pic of them Lion Kinging each other off the edge of things. (The last one is just very chaotic for me as she is an aggressive groomer and will hold onto my hand as I try to type and groom it 😅😂). #ChaosKittens #Cats
A brown tabby kitten and black kitten wrestling on a black comforter. A black kitten trapped in a cat house that flipped sideways while a brown tabby kitten looks on from behind. A brown tabby kitten attempting to fit in the bottom of a closed dishwasher. A brown tabby kitten sitting on the front of a laptop with one paw on the trackpad.
February 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Lonely Jane has mood-affecting weather abilities, Corwin’s an anxious new kid. Both could use a friend. When Jane’s shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, she has to control her emotions, but how can she when she’s majorly crushing on Corwin?! #YouDeservePit #MG #C #Q #RomCom #Spec
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
January 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
12yo Jane’s moods affect the weather and her landlord threatens eviction because of her. Now she’s got a goal: control her emotions to save her home. But there’s cute new boy in town, and with him come some new feelings she’s never had before—her first crush.

#P2Ppit #MG #C #Q #RomCom #Spec
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
January 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
KOMI CAN’T COMMUNICATE + KEIKO CARTER

🥺Cinnamon roll MCs
💕Major crush-com vibes
⚡4th wall breaks
🌎Real-world setting w/ speculative elements
😱Anxiety rep
🏠Housing insecurity
👪Supportive families
🐈Cats!

#P2Ppit #MG #C #Q #RomCom #Spec
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
January 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Lonely Jane has mood-affecting weather abilities, Corwin’s an anxious new kid. Both could use a friend. When Jane’s shady landlord threatens eviction because of her, she has to control her emotions, but how can she when she’s majorly crushing on Corwin?!

#P2Ppit #MG #C #Q #RomCom #Spec
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
January 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
One of the kittens got a lesson in music this morning 🥺
January 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Last weekend we ended adopting two kittens 3 month old from a rescue center. Our kiddo got to help not only pick out the kittens, but name them.

These two are chaos in the best kind of way, they haven't replaced our orange boi, but they have helped fill the house with some serious energy. #Cats
January 14, 2025 at 2:18 AM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
On December 18th our orange boi crossed the rainbow bridge. We'd had him since he was a kitten. For 15 years he was our spicy, but secretly sweet boi. He was also my writing helper 🤣. He'll forever have a special place in my heart. ❤️ #Cats
Orange cat sitting on a notebook.
January 14, 2025 at 2:18 AM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
Have some snuggling kittens. We got them a week ago. They are delightful chaos.

May tomorrow be an easier day.
January 14, 2025 at 1:30 AM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
If you love:

🥺Cinnamon roll MCs
💕Major crush-com vibes
🌈4th wall breaks
🌎Real-world setting w/ spec elements
😱Anxiety rep
🏠Housing insecurity
👪Supportive families
🐈Cats!

this story's a perfect match for you!

#MG #DIS #Con #Q #RomCom #BluePit #AmQuerying
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
January 13, 2025 at 8:36 PM
writingbubbly.bsky.social
12yo Jane’s moods affect the weather. Her landlord threatens eviction because of it. Now she’s got a goal: control her emotions to save her home. But there’s cute new boy in town, and with him come some new feelings she’s never had before—her first crush. #BluePit📖 #Q #DIS #MG #Con #R
9x9 Picture Grid: Painted rock depicting red sailboat with white sail, shark fin poking out of water; tween girl with rainbow hair wearing a light green shirt with paints behind her; a partially sunny sky; a black cat walking down an alley; gray lockers with a note with the word “love” cut out of them; two hands holding by the pinky, each with bracelets on them; a stormy sky with lightning striking over a cityscape; a tween boy standing underneath a sign that reads “game over” holding trigger fingers wearing a dark blue shirt over a red and white striped shirt; a picture of the front of an arcade with sign lit up in neon blue Picture credit: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash
January 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM