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authorsandram.bsky.social
#writingcommunity #writerslife #writer #author #kidlit #writingforchildren #childrensbooks #authorlife #books #kids #writing #stories #process #grief #sharing #challenge #improvement #gettingbackup
January 16, 2026 at 5:02 PM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
I can't find the @thetoypress.bsky.social's prompt of #Spread on here, but I'm all over it anyway.

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #WritingPrompt #PoetryForKids #PoetryForChildren #PoetryCommunity
Toast I butter up my toasted bread, and then I think, What kind of spread for breakfast do I most deserve? Perhaps this strawberry preserve? Or would that feel like throwing shade on thick-cut orange marmalade? When younger I had often whacked on thick black globs of yeast extract. Now I preferred a sweeter topping, like peanut, chocolate, there’s no stopping me when I get so engrossed about things I can put on toast. And then to me this thought occurred: How long since I’ve had lemon curd? Wait, wait! I want...no, I’ve not got any more apricot compote. (I do have honey, by the way, but I don’t much fancy that today.) It might be truer to who I am to select some seedless raspberry jam. Oh forget it, I’m done with all this clutter, I’ll simply have my toast with butter!
December 27, 2025 at 9:33 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
As ever, a gift of a prompt from @thetoypress.bsky.social
#Gifted #WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #WritingPrompt #PoetryForKids #PoetryForChildren #PoetryCommunity
A Fish Can’t Whistle In assembly, they called us up on stage, all of the gifted students. When the headteacher got to the end of the line, he found that he had no certificate to give me. Awkwardly, he mumbled, “So...you're gifted too?” “Oh yes,” I beamed. “Just this morning, Pau and Sammy both gave me Christmas presents.” He patted me on the head, then kindly let me return to my seat along with the others. Do you think he'll get the joke next time, when I get up on stage with the rugby lot, saying that’s the name of the town I come from as well? Or will it take until I blend in with the school orchestra, no instrument in my hands, and claim to be part of the wind section? Will he still look upon me kindly then? Will he still give me a pat on the head?
December 17, 2025 at 9:57 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
My Scary Fairy poem is aboard the Poetry Express, on the Christmas edition! Enjoy mine and all the other lovely new poems here:
scaryness.com/christmas-sp...

#KidLit #WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryForKids #PoetryForChildren #PoetryCommunity
The Scary Fairy The scary Christmas fairy haunts the halls of Dunwich Towers Frightening those foolish souls who remain there after hours She’s quick, she’s fierce, she’s smart, she’s mean she’d spook Santa with glee But she’s also easy to avoid as she’s stuck atop the tree! Logo for the 'Christmas Special 2025' Poetry Express upload at scaryness.com. Featuring ghoulish creatures in christmas hats, and a christmas tree decorated with ghosts and bones.
December 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM
thetoypress.bsky.social
Hello, here is your #wordoftheweek!

#writingcommunity #writingforchildren #writingprompt #poetryforkids #poetrycommunity #wordprompt
December 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
I wonder if eagle-eyed #KidLit types/fans of @thetoypress.bsky.social can work out what theme I originally wrote this poem for?

#Sticky #WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #WritingPrompt #PoetryForKids #PoetryForChildren #PoetryCommunity
Is This a Hobby? “Picking your nose is not a hobby,” says mum, but she's just being snobby. I checked with the police and it's not a crime, plus it keeps me full ‘til dinner time. Netflix? “Not a hobby either.” Do you understand that? No, me neither. So I sat upstairs and wrote her these words And it turns out that poetry is not just for nerds!
December 9, 2025 at 10:10 AM
thetoypress.bsky.social
Here is your #wordoftheweek!

#writingcommunity #writingforchildren #writingprompt #poetryforkids #poetryforchildren #poetrycommunity
December 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
12x12challenge.bsky.social
12 x 12 member Suzy Levinson shares how to find your voice as a picture book writer!

#writer #author #picturebook #picturebooks #kidlit #writingforkids #writingforchildren #writingcommunity #booksbooksbooks #writingtipsforbeginners #amreading #amwriting

December 6, 2025 at 10:39 PM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
Yes, I did watch The Sound of Music recently, how could you tell?
@thetoypress.bsky.social #WordOfTheWeek #Dough
#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
Dough-Ray-Mii Dough, some bread, some sourdough bread Ray, had Georgia on his mind Mii, an avatar’s big head Fart, it comes from your behind Sow, some seeds to spread about La, is half of a friend of Po Tee, a shirt with Homer’s shout That will bring us back to Doh!
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
thetoypress.bsky.social
Happy 1st December! Here is your #wordoftheweek!

#writingcommunity #writingforchildren #writingprompt #poetryforkids #poetryforchildren #poetrycommunity
December 1, 2025 at 8:27 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
Lots of kinds of #Cycle to choose from for @thetoypress.bsky.social's #WordOfTheWeek. So I didn't.

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
The Life Cycle of a Poem Motorcycle Riding fast Unicycle Clown flies past Spin cycle Wash with haste Recycle Eco waste Water cycle Land, air, sea News cycle Update me! Batcycle Comic fun Broken cycle My job’s done
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
shaunjexauthor.bsky.social
Come grab a seat by the fire and sit a spell. I'll tell you about some of the critters I've met while travelling the country. That's the theme of this week's poetry blog post.
#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #childrenspoetry #writingforchildren
shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/23/f...
Fishing for Fearsome Critters: Folklore Poems
There are all kinds of curious critters roaming about the wilds of the United States. From Native American mythology to logger lore, you’ll find there stories. Here’s a poem about one.
shaunmjex.wordpress.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
louisemaamodt.bsky.social
My first business cards! It’s just now starting to feel real after so many years of trying to get traditionally published. ✍️ #WritingForChildren #KidLit #AuthorLife
November 19, 2025 at 1:07 PM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
Having a teenage daughter, #ship only has one meaning for me these days.
@thetoypress.bsky.social
#WordOfTheWeek #WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
'I'll show you a ghost ship!' claimed Prue Spooky stuff, so right in my purview But then she said 'Nowt's sublimer Than this picture of Slimer Who I ship with – from Mario – King Boo!'
November 19, 2025 at 9:03 AM
thetoypress.bsky.social
Hello, here is your #wordoftheweek!
(Amended slightly due to repetition)

#writingcommunity #writingforchildren #writingprompt #poetryforkids #poetrycommunity #poetryforchildren
#illustrationcommunity #illustrationprompt #kidlit
November 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
Time to get back on #track with @thetoypress.bsky.social's #WordOfTheWeek. Or is it?

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
Do You Really Want to Get Back on Track? Like a train tied to stations, in the same old locations, always on fixed durations, with no chance of vacation. Is there not some temptation to resist this stagnation? Perhaps instead take advantage of coming off the rails. Glide over the countryside, towards a port. Chug up to a ferry, and take a trip overseas. Join a traffic jam and blare your superior train horn, then break free and pick up speed. Do the locomotive in a town you don't know the name of. Head deep underground. Take flight, if you can, or simply jump up and feel the air step aside as you rise. And then, one day, return to your rails. Or don't.
November 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
thetoypress.bsky.social
Thank you for all your supportive comments on our post yesterday.

Here is your #wordoftheweek!

#writingcommunity #writingforchildren #writingprompt #poetryforkids #poetryforchildren #poetrycommunity
November 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
Thanks to @thetoypress.bsky.social for their #WordOfTheWeek #Spark. Here's where my brain went this week:

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
Super-disappointing Lightning Lady and Water Man went out on their first date. She bolted there quite early, but he flowed in rather late. He dampened down her glow talking of his best friend the shark. “This isn’t working out,” she said. “I just don’t feel a spark.”
November 5, 2025 at 10:07 AM
shaunjexauthor.bsky.social
I tried to conjure up a fairy tale in response to the #wordoftheweek from @thetoypress.bsky.social . I hope you all enjoy it.

#poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #poetryforkids #writingforchildren
A Winter’s Tale Once, on a cold winter evening After darkness blanketed the sky An old woman recited the words Of a fairy tale she’d heard as a child Each word of the story was a spark A glimmer that floated about the room “I’ll catch them in a jar,” she said And they will light my house until spring!” But light is meant for sharing So she told one tale, and then another Crafting lanterns with her words Before scattering them through the woods Once, on a cold winter evening After darkness blanketed the sky A child found lights amidst the snow Illuminating the winding path back home © Shaun Jex
November 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
thetoypress.bsky.social
Here is your #wordoftheweek!

#writingcommunity #writingforchildren #writingprompt #poetryforkids #poetryforchildren #poetrycommunity
November 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
rburrows.bsky.social
Dear #PoemsAbout #PromptCombo and poetry friends - you normally see my adult poetry on Bluesky. If you would like to find out more about my children’s stuff, please check this out! 😊 #kidlituk #kidlit #writingforchildren Thanks @littlethoughtspress.com #interview
November 1, 2025 at 11:32 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
My final ticket to scaryness.com on the Poetry Express. The spookiest of all #poetry forms: the villanelle! Mine is called, errr, Villainelle.

scaryness.com/cobweb-vines...

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #Halloween #ChildrensPoetry #HappyHalloween
Villainelle (a villanelle) I put a spell on her and him – And you? Yes, you’re enchanted too. Your chances of escape are slim. The future now is looking grim. Your friends they didn’t have a clue I put a spell on her and him. The magic fills you to the brim – There’s really nothing you can do, Your chances of escape are slim. The panic through your mind will swim. You’re frozen to the spot, it’s true, I put a spell on her and him. You’ll tear my enemies limb from limb, Now I control this trusty crew. Your chances of escape are slim. Three minions bending to my whim Will now my villainous bidding do. I put a spell on her and him, Your chances of escape are slim.
October 31, 2025 at 2:07 PM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
Here's the second of three #poems I have on the spooky #ChildrensPoetry website scaryness.com. #HappyHalloween!

scaryness.com/cobweb-vines...

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #Halloween
A Devilish Limerick There was a young demon from Hades Who did nothing but drive his Mercedes The Devil said, “Son, I hate spoiling your fun, But at least could you eat a few babies?”
October 30, 2025 at 10:10 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
One of three #poems I have on this scary(ish) #ChildrensPoetry website. #HappyHalloween!

scaryness.com/cobweb-vines...

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #Halloween
The Lionsies and the Tigerlings The Lionsies and the Tigerlings had just the cutest names. The Lionsies and the Tigerlings had quite the softest manes. The Lionsies and the Tigerlings are such a playful bunch. The Lionsies and the Tigerlings would still eat your arm for lunch.
October 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
ianbrownlie.bsky.social
It's nearly #Halloween so perhaps not surprising that
@thetoypress.bsky.social's #WordOfTheWeek #Back took me in a slightly spooky direction!

#WritingCommunity #WritingForChildren #PoetryCommunity #PoetryForKids #KidLit #WordPrompt
The Egg Here at the end of the room in the gloom as I bend by my leg is an egg. Nobody knows why it's there they don't care why it glows and how come there's a hum. This eerie sound like a spell from the shell floats around everywhere in the air. I hear a tap. What is hiding inside? Rap-rap-rap and again and again! Then the shell splits and I jump my heart thumps. And my wits! Things go black. IT IS BACK.
October 28, 2025 at 10:22 AM