Diane Magras (she/her)

@nomdeb@mstdn.social @superball@norcal.social What a wonderful story! Thanks so much for pointing it out to me.

@bolt451@writing.exchange Also, check out UK agents' websites and see what they're asking for. Here, people will say very clearly if they're LGBTQIA friendly, and if they are, they typically know editors who are eager for such representation too. Good luck! I hope this works out for you. I know the need among trans kids to see themselves in stories is huge. And also, for non-trans kids to read and better understand and empathize.

@bolt451@writing.exchange You're probably not dealing with the book bans that we are in the U.S. But I haven't seen a lot of books with trans characters in UK kidlit. I've seen many here, but those are the ones being banned most right now. Your best bet would be to go to a big bookstore, like a Waterstones or Blackwells, and just look at what's on their shelves. I've seen some LGBTQ titles lately (like Ian Eagleton's https://www.owletpress.com/ourcreators/ian-eagleton) so I'd say there's some hope!

@jkirkendall@wandering.shop I love our local farmers' market! We follow a plant-based diet in our house, and it's just wonderful to have truly fresh veg every day this time of year. (They had fresh raspberry and strawberries yesterday, too, so that was such a lovely treat for our morning porridge.)

@bolt451@writing.exchange I should add that the money isn't great, though. As much as I'd love to, there is no way I could make a living with this (I have a day job). But according to my agent, there are still a lot more editors for #kidlit in the U.S. than, say, adult fantasy, so more people she can sub my novels to. But the pace of publishing is very, very slow. It used to be about about a year and a half between contract and publication. Now it's two or three. I hope this helps!

@Coreyartus@mindly.social It sounds like a truly amazing place. And so much art…oh, my. it sounds like you truly picked the best place to move to!

@Coreyartus@mindly.social That is so, so beautiful! My older brother used to live up by Eureka, and he said that one of the most incredible things about it too. I've never been, but maybe one day!

@Star12Mt@masto.nyc Agnès Varda would have loved those! https://www.loganexhibitions.uchicago.edu/exhibitions/agns-varda-photographs-get-moving-potatoes-and-shells-too

@nobyeni@zirk.us That yarn (texture and colors) are so, so gorgeous!

@nomdeb@mstdn.social Hmm. I wonder what it could be, then. My dad and step-mom live in NC, and I haven't heard of any big influxes of visitors from them. So strange, and so sad for your MIL and the people in her facility.

@nomdeb@mstdn.social Wow. That must be scary for those poor residents. I worry about places where people are packed together all the time. My org has always done a lot of programs in our state's prisons, and while none have had a virus outbreak for a few years now, closer to Covid it was far more usual.

@nomdeb@mstdn.social Wow. That's really interesting that they didn't for the last covid one. I wonder what's changed. And yes, those people in memory care must be so confused and so frustrated. It's tragic what has happened in care facilities during outbreaks of illness.

@nomdeb@mstdn.social Yikes. I wonder if it has to do with your region, like maybe people visiting for the cherry blossoms? Who knows, though. I hope everyone there stays safe.

@bolt451@writing.exchange I've been a children's author with three middle grade books published with Penguin Random House. I can tell you that in recent years, children's book sales have been down considerably (in the U.S., at least) due to the pandemic's impact on reading levels. Right now, it's getting a little better (reading levels are back up, but book bans are harming the industry). That said, I have new book coming out in 2028 (with Scholastic), so people still are getting published.