@WildMelissaHart

2026 South Coast Writers Conference - Feb. 13-14, 2026 - Southwestern Oregon Community College UPDATE: REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!  **NEW** The Chetco Community Public Library will hold a FREE Early Bird Reception Thursday, February 12, 2026 (See “schedule overview” below for details) The South...

A gorgeous beginning to the South Coast Writers Conference in Brookings, where I get to teach a master class on personal essay writing. There's still time to register! #creativewriting @traveloregon.bsky.social www.socc.edu/2026-south-c...

It’s a Performance, People! (preview) Melissa Hart talks to moderators of successful AWP panels about how to wow an audience.

Hey, @awpwriter.org friends, here's how to keep people engaged in your upcoming panels until the very end. #awp26 writerschronicle.awpwriter.org/TWC/TWC/2024...

Last-minute presents for creative writers--give the gift of experiences, books, software, and best of all...affirmation! #Christmas #shopping #holidaygifts #creativewriting

Are you tired of politicians using the "r-word"? Shall we elevate people's consciousness and cancel that despicable term? Buy Down Syndrome Out Loud or one of my novels featuring characters with Down syndrome for your library, school, scout troop, dance studio, sports team, or therapist. #inclusion

In honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I give you these awesome people from DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination (Sourcebooks, 2025).
#internationaldayofpersonswithdisabilities #disability #downsyndrome #inclusion #teacher #librarian #unitednations

Donald Trump Reportedly Called Kamala Harris This Shocking Slur. It Doesn't Mean What He Thinks It Does. "If we elect Trump as president once again, I fear we’ll return to this dark age of cruelty toward those who look and sound slightly different."

The president has long used the "R-word" to demean people. This cruelty hurts my brother who has Down syndrome, and others living with intellectual disabilities. Here's my essay on how they're fighting back...
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-... #inclusion #disabilityawareness #kindness #downsyndrome

Actually, it's sporating. :)

Yes! Right outside my writing studio. I feel so honored.

Thanksgiving slime mold in my backyard. Hot damn!

Grace Strobel on Instagram: "Living our lives Out Loud. No longer are we being silent or hiding our gifts and talents, and what we bring to the world . For too long, we have been underestimated. We ... This post is about embracing individuality, breaking down barriers to inclusion, and living a life true to oneself. Meet people who are living their truth out loud, inspiring others with their unique ...

Model and activist Grace Strobel, profiled in my newest book DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD, didn't realize the book was front and center in her local library. This reel of her discovery is pure joy! www.instagram.com/reel/DRFPp6e... #downsyndrome #inclusion #books

I've visited dozens of different environmental websites run by government agencies during the shutdown while researching for my newest book. This is my favorite juxtaposition yet. #shutdown #nature #humor

Writers, Here’s How to Avoid a Shut Down this Season A little gratitude and a Forever stamp go a long way...

Writers, we can't afford to shut down this season. Here's a better way: writingwithhart.substack.com/p/writers-he... #creativewriting #gratitude

If you're concerned about dwindling Monarch populations and you belong to a school or educational nonprofit, here's an opportunity for FREE MILKWEED! #sustainability #butterflies
monarchwatch.org/bring-back-t...

I've had the honor of appearing on three panels with Kayla McKeon, the first U.S. Congressional lobbyist with Down syndrome.

Here's a terrific interview with McKeon in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: www.localsyr.com/bridge-stree...

#downsyndrome #inclusion #education

The current administration fired most employees at the Office of Special Education. The activists and athletes, artists & entrepreneurs in DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD depended on this Office for access to mainstream education, tutoring, and college prep.

The cruelty of this administration astounds me.

A bird’s song adds wonder to the world - High Country News If a song defines a place, what does it mean to lose it?

Happy Migratory Bird Day! I'm still waiting to hear this lovely birdsong in Eugene; I may have to get back to the Oregon coast, instead. #migratorybirdday #nature @highcountrynews.org

www.hcn.org/issues/50-9/...

Families Like Ours: A Reading List for the Children of Queer Parents - Longreads Some of us got to stay with our moms or dads. Others did not.

It's National Coming Out Day. My mom came out in 1979. Here's our story. longreads.com/2022/06/28/q...
#nationalcomingoutday @colage.bsky.social

I Wrote One Of The Few Tween Books About Down Syndrome. A Couple Of Sentences May Get It Banned. "Because of a handful of sentences among 281 pages, adults are going to considerable lengths to make sure kids don’t read my newest book."

It's Banned Books Week. I wrote about this for @huffpost.com :

www.huffpost.com/entry/daisy-... #bannedbooks #bannedbooksweek #downsyndrome @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month from my brother and me! @oregonduckfootball.bsky.social @universityoforegon.bsky.social #downsyndrome

Right there with you, Tim Flach.

It’s #DownSyndromeawareness Month! Celebrate with this #mg #nonfiction inspirational title: bookshop.org/a/102434/978... @wildmelissahart.bsky.social @sourcebooks.bsky.social

Harness the Power of Time- and News-Pegs to Sell your Stories October 2025

My free October newsletter for creative writers is packed with excellent opportunities and inspiring articles; it has only a little to do with obese black cats. #creativewriting #writing
writingwithhart.substack.com/p/harness-th...

I think this publicist got some incorrect information about my newest book. Nevertheless, I'll be reaching out the Hallmark Channel today.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. To celebrate, purchase a copy of DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination for your library, school, bookclub, community center, Little Free Library, family member, or friend! #downsyndrome #disability #inclusion #teacher #librarian

The LowDOWN Podcast - Down Syndrome Out Loud (S11, Ep 3) YouTube video by DSRFCANADA

Thanks to the @dsrfcanada.bsky.social for featuring DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on The LowDOWN and including insights from activists Karen Gaffney, Charlotte Woodward, and Zack Gottsagen!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWPZ... #downsyndrome #disabilityawareness #inclusion #reading #teacher #newrelease

As I tell my creative writing students, it's just so important to read your work aloud to catch typos.

True Facts About The Dung Beetle YouTube video by Ze Frank

"Just remember, no matter how bad your job is, even if you shovel crap for a living, at least you're not doing it naked, and with your mouth, and then eating it."--Ze Frank

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1zb... #nature #humor

How wonderful to see DOWN SYNDROME OUT LOUD on display at the NYC Buddy Walk! #downsyndrome #mglit #disabilityawareness

Introduce Middle Grades Readers to People with Down Syndrome Melissa Hart's Down Syndrome Out Loud introduces middle graders to contemporary people with Down syndrome and to an overview of the condition and its effects.

Thanks to @drtlovesbooks.bsky.social for this lovely review of Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability and Determination! www.middleweb.com/52613/listen... #mglit #middleschool #kidsbooks @unteragency.bsky.social

What's making me happy today is this school library photo from teacher Michael Holton, who's featured in my newest book Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ Stories of Disability & Determination. I hope every school librarian will order a copy of this inspiring and important book! #backtoschool #librarian