Sonja Thomas

Q&A: Public libraries counting on bill to combat e-books' huge cost | NJ Spotlight News Digital content comes with agreements on license renewals and distribution limits, burdens that don't apply to printed copies

Great explainer on the problem of ebook pricing for libraries.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/qa-p...

“Kingdom of Dust”: An Afternoon with Lisa Stringfellow More Info. Join the Easthampton Public Library for a family-friendly event with Lisa Stringfellow, author of the Massachusetts Book Awards–honored

Join me at the Easthampton Public Library for an afternoon of fairy tales and fun to celebrate KINGDOM OF DUST 👑

Friday, 3/27
4:00 - 5:00 PM
52 Main St, Easthampton, MA
events.timely.fun/ubjpkulq/eve...

The Disappearance of Young Adult Books and Services in Public Libraries: Book Censorship News, February 20, 2026 Teen collections in public libraries are disappearing. So, too, are professionals dedicated to serving this demographic.

The Disappearance of Young Adult Books and Services in Public Libraries: Book Censorship News, February 20, 2026 bookriot.com/the-disappea...

#yalit #libraries #librarians

Banned books inserts for Little Free Libraries.pdf

Are you planning on donating banned books to a little free library? You can use these inserts to increase the impact your donation has on the community:

Congress Maintains Most Federal Funding for Libraries, Museums, and Archives. Rebuking President Trump, Congress maintains most of the federal funding for libraries, museums, and archives.

I know this is really weird to say but...there was some good news...out of Congress! Rebuking President Trump, Congress votes to maintain most of the federal funding for libraries, museums, & archives. From our friends @everylibrary.bsky.social This doesn't happen without your activism. Keep it up!

Unbanned Book Network — We Need Diverse Books An innovative, new initiative that combats the sharp rise in book bans by filling classroom shelves with diverse titles that have been challenged in the U.S.

Are you an educator in a community that has been hit hard by book bans? We Need Diverse @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social is establishing the Unbanned Book Network. Educators have until February 13 to apply. 20 sites will be selected to receive free books, author visits, & other resources

Book ban versus parent control, lawmakers debate purpose of bill that could send librarians to jail | by Ty Tagami | Feb 6, 2026 | Capitol Beat News Service

Hey Georgia! Get on the horn to your state reps about this!

This is the last day to push on this & we're not halfway to the 200 story goal. If you know anyone in NM, make sure to send this their way

Republican Dismantling of Public Schools Has Damaged Ohio Workforce Pipeline - Columbus Underground A panel of economists says that schools in Ohio aren’t producing workers that match employers’ needs.

“Since Republican John Kasich became governor in 2011, Ohio has diverted billions from traditional public schools. Ranked fifth-best in the nation in K-12 education the year before Kasich took office, Ohio schools slid to 21st by 2023.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/republican-d...

Teachers get honest about the 7 things in education 'no one wants to admit' but are absolutely true "Rote memorization is a better way to learn things like math facts and vocabulary words than whatever the latest trendy method is at the moment."

Teachers get honest about the 7 things in education 'no one wants to admit' but are absolutely true

www.upworthy.com/teachers-get...

Looking for more writers to follow! #writingq #WritingCommunity

Interview: Lyn Hawks — Inksational Editorial This month, I’m talking to Lyn Fairchild Hawks. I met Lyn in our first semester at VCFA, and I’ve been grateful for her candor, positivity, and friendship ever since. As a YA author, teacher, and col...

"Traditional publishing is more about luck and timing than it is about hard work, persistence, talent, and creativity. . . I found joy in the journey. . . . I stay positive by adoring the writing process." - Lyn Hawks

www.inksationaleditorial.com/inksations/b...

A group of authors, editors, illustrators, and agents have responded to the crisis in Minneapolis by organizing an auction to raise money for organizations in MN.

The auction starts today! Items include signed books, original art, and more. #booksky #minnesota

www.32auctions.com/organization...

Every Bird a Prince Check out Every Bird a Prince - <p>Nominated for the 2023 Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction<br><br><b>A girl's quest to save a forest kingdom is intertwined with her e...

Next,let's talk about Every Bird a Prince by @jennreese.bsky.social!Talk about books I wish I had growing up!Not only is it a fun fantasy adventure with talking birds,the main character's struggles of fitting in while being an aroace kid in middleschool.Highly recommend!
bookshop.org/p/books/ever...

such a great lesson and one i can relate to! my debut novel started off as a picture book, years later switched to middle grade, first set in the 90's (historical fiction *gasp*) then changed to *present day*

so hoping i can make it to your play!

I turned an idea I had for a YA novel into a poem, then I turned that poem into a one-act play that will be performed as part of Portland's Fertile Ground Festival on April 11, 2026.

My favorite writing lesson of this year:
If a story isn't working in one format, try it out in a different one.

Teachers & librarians! If you want to Zoom with an author for World Read Aloud Day, the list of volunteers is going out in my newsletter tomorrow morning - it's not too late to sign up!

Cosmic Horror Monthly is open Jan 1–7, 2026 for weird & cosmic fiction 🌕

🧠 Up to 5,000 words
💵 3¢/word (USD)
📮 Submit via Moksha only

Details: horrortree.com/taking-submi...

#amwriting #cosmichorror #weirdfiction

In a Major Victory, Rhode Island Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Bid to Shutter the IMLS In a November 21 summary judgment ruling, judge John J. McConnell held that the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the IMLS and several other federal agencies via executive order was both ill...

I'm going to get something up Monday but in the mean time, y'all, IMLS got a *massive* win today.

The judge in the case between 21 states and the administration blocked further dismantling of the IMLS by Trump. It'll be appealed, but we've gotta take the Ws.

www.wordsandmoney.com/in-a-major-v...

Royalties in Arrears: Mango Publishing / Blushing Books / Bottlecap Press - Writer Beware Publishers do a lot of bad things (as the archives of this blog attest), but among the most infuriating–and, often, the hardest to remedy–is the failure to pay authors the money they are due. Non-paym...

New #WriterBeware blog post: Among the most frequent publisher complaints I receive: non-payment of royalties and failure to provide sales reports. A look at three recent offenders, who collectively owe thousands that it seems unlikely authors will be able to recoup writerbeware.blog/2025/11/21/r...

Yes, this is a real photo.

This is how turkeys fight, biting each other's heads and pushing against each other.

Nature is amazing. And kind of weird.

Acquired Tastes: A Call for Submissions For younger writers, ages 15-21

I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...

Granddaughter of ‘Charlotte’s Web’ author criticizes use of book title in DHS immigration crackdown operation | CNN In the popular children’s book “Charlotte’s Web,” the title character, a spider, uses her web as an instrument of good to help secure the freedom of Wilbur, a pig on her farm.

Granddaughter of ‘Charlotte’s Web’ author criticizes use of book title in DHS immigration crackdown operation | CNN buff.ly/re8zXyz

PNW friends! It's going to be a great festival - time for a road trip! Hope to see you there. 📚❤️📚

David Sleasman, librarian of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, in front of pinball machines and next to several items from the library's collections.

Were you a Berenstain Bears reader? At the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at the Strong National Museum of Play, you can find original sketches from their creators—and much more! Read more in our Bookend department. https://bit.ly/47FviUF

I'm so excited for the Poulsbo Kids' Book Festival this Sat, Nov 15th 11AM - 3PM! I'll be there with over 30 AMAZING authors and illustrators at North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo, WA. Visit lnkd.in/eGU5H5dK for more details. YAY!

#childrensbooks #libertybaybooks #kidsbooks #mglit #kidlit

In Praise of Librarians in Dangerous Times Librarians are on the front lines of history and current events, when news and change arrive at a furious clip that only quickens every day. And without libraries, my work would simply not exist. I…

In Praise of Librarians in Dangerous Times:
Sarah Weinman on the Awesome Responsibility of the Seekers and Keepers of Truth via @literaryhub.bsky.social

"A good fight begins with books. A good fight begins with all of you."

#bookbans #librarians #libraries #bannedbooks
lithub.com/in-praise-of...

For the first time in the history of the Portland Book Festival, we are thrilled to share that the festival is sold out.

☂️NOTE: This means that walk-up tickets will NOT be available at the box office on festival day. 

Thank you for helping us make history. ☂️ ❤️ 📚 See you all on Saturday!

Literary Arts Portland Book Festival. Lost & Found: Derrick Barnes & Jose Pimienta moderated by Sonja Thomas 2PM at the Judy. Book covers of the Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes & Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta.

Can't wait to moderate the conversation with authors Derrick Barnes & Jose Pimienta this Sat, Nov 8 at the Portland Book Festival. Gabbie (pictured with me) says unfortunately she won't see you there. She loves books but humans not so much 😹

@literary-arts.org #diversekidlit #mglit #pdxbookfest

The Check Please Moment: Why Censorship is a Threat to Safe Spaces We fight censorship not just for intellectual freedom, but for the young person who spends their fall break quietly finding themselves on our shelves.

The Check Please Moment:
Why Censorship is a Threat to Safe Spaces

#yalit #bannedbooks #booksky #librarybooks

www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2025/...