NYT bestseller of 40+ books. PRINCESS ACADEMY, AUSTENLAND, PRINCESS IN BLACK, BEST FRIENDS, DIANA&NUBIA,ITTY-BITTY KITTY-CORN. Mom of 4, wife of 1. she/her
#BLM
“Wearing a mask is a personal choice, and there is no practical way to enforce a mandate to wear them,” the superintendent of a Georgia school district wrote in a letter after a widely circulated photo showed a packed hallway on the first day of classes
When I was in Barcelona, most of the public bathrooms were all-gender, with closed off individual stalls and shared sink space. And you know what? IT WAS FINE. Nobody took away my safety or rights. The whole fear of transgender people in bathrooms is made-up nonsense.
When a guy says, "You're not like other girls," he's admitting that he has a generally low regard for your entire gender but is willing to make an exception for you. This is not a compliment. Girl, run.
My son was given a reading assignment for 10th grade: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He was already assigned this book in middle school. The older sister of his friend has been assigned it 4x in 4 different classes.
Other books exist. That deal with racism. Written by POC even.
"But if I let the kids read graphic novels, that's ALL they'll read." Parents, allow me to console you:
1. Some kids don't read at all. Reading is reading.
2. After gaining confidence by reading comics, most kids also read prose novels
3. But if they don't--it's STILL READING!
My 11yo: "Today a lot of people were wearing their masks under their noses. So I farted by them and they pulled their masks up, and I thought, Beautiful."
My 9yo is in tears because she tried to bake something new and messed up. She thinks this means she can’t be a baker now. Would any bakers out there care to share times you messed up?
Beverly Cleary is a genius. She is a genius at narrative, at dialog, at character, at humor, at emotion, at tone. She's a straight up, verifiable, honorable genius. And she doesn't get her due because she's a woman who wrote for children. Happy 103rd birthday, genius.
My friend Samantha, a transgender woman, wrote a short comic about wishing she could go back and talk to her younger self. It's beautiful. Read the rest here:
So I grew up in a very conservative religion that views abortion as a sin, and I live in a state that will outlaw abortion as soon as Roe is overturned. A lot of my fellow church members and Utahns assume I am "like-minded" and are shocked at my pro-choice RTs. 1/
Libraries are one of the last free "third spaces" in our communities. When I'm out of town and I need a place to sit and work or just *be* (or use the bathroom) I look for a library. There's almost never any other option that's free.
Since Colin Firth is trending, a reminder that I dedicated AUSTENLAND to him but he STILL hasn't responded. At this point, his silence is basically a declaration of love.
I wasn't feeling well and was lying down in bed. My 10yo was next to me, playing on my phone. I didn't realize she was using it to text my husband, pretending to be me.
I was just talking to my 11yo daughter about how some people think that girls don't like reading about superheroes.
"What? They think that?"
Yes.
"Are they old men?"
Yes.
"Have they ever met girls and talked to them? I could tell them."
I hope all the people standing up for Tucker Carlson's right to privacy in his home are equally incensed that Dr. Ford has had to move 4 times and still can't safely return to work.
This is another 1-star review for THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PRINCE IN PINK. I want to respond to this criticism directly. Let's get into the misogyny this mother doesn't realize she's passing onto her children. 1/
I saved most of my pre-first novel rejection letters (we got letters back then!) and laminated them together. I unroll them to show kids at school visits.
#ShareYourRejections
This happens at least once every time we have an event for The Princess in Black. A wonderful, well-meaning, female librarian/teacher/bookseller/parent approaches me and asks,
“So, when are you going to write a series like this for boys?”
The ONLY instance where laws require people to sacrifice their own health and give up their body autonomy in order to support another's life is with pregnant people. So it's not really about the sanctity of life, it's only about controlling pregnant bodies.
If somebody tries to go into your bathroom stall or peek in your stall? It doesn't matter what gender they are, that's messed up and wrong and always has been. if somebody is quietly peeing in a neighboring stall, why do you care who they are? LEAVE THEM ALONE.
Those arguments are weighty to me. But my pro-life young mind really began to waver when I saw how the same people who are anti-abortion are also anti-everything that could prevent unwanted pregnancy. Sex education, accessible and affordable birth control and medical care.
There's no proof of this. It is a belief. It is faith. And people are absolutely free to believe as they will and act on that faith. But requiring others to believe and act according to others' religious beliefs? That's, like, just SO against the laws of this republic.
Since there appears to be nonsense going around... Graphic novels are novels. Art doesn't degrade a literary work. Graphic novels don't replace prose novels. There is room for all kinds of art. There is room for all kinds of readers. For heaven's sake people.
Boys are shamed from reading/viewing stories about girls. Boys are taught not to empathize with female characters. The results are clear. It must stop.
Yesterday a third grade boy sat beside me, read DIANA: PRINCESS OF THE AMAZONS straight through, closed it up with a huge grin and said, "That was a REALLY good book."
Again, boys are fully capable of empathizing with and taking interest in stories about girls if we let them.
And my pro-life convictions really took a whollop as I learned that those who are anti-abortion are also overwhelming anti-support for new parents. Post-natal parental leave, living wages enabling one parent to stay home, access to affordable childcare, education, and housing.
We KNOW how to prevent abortions:
Prevent unwanted pregnancies.
We KNOW how to prevent unwanted pregnancies:
Sex education & access to contraception for those who don't want kids.
Access to affordable medical care, ability to pay for & raise a family for those who do want kids.
Also against the laws of this republic? Requiring anyone ever to put themselves in any harm or threat of harm in order to save another's life. Mandatory blood donations? Bone marrow? Kidneys? Liver? Skin grafts? NEVER! Even after death, no one can take our organs w/o permission.
But instead, what I see from pro-life thinkers are:
Blame. Shame.
Make it about how slutty and irresponsible women are.
Make it about good and evil.
One side is of God and therefore beyond debate.
And the other side is evil and sinful.
And that's how it should be. These decisions are medical decisions and should be between that individual and their doctor. And their loved ones. And religious leaders. And anyone who supports them. But not their politicians. That's none of their dang business.
I do not stop my kids from reading any book. My 6yo picked up a gritty YA book and started reading it. She gave up after awhile because the subject matter was boring to her. My 10yo picked up a YA book. I said, "Let me know if you want to talk about anything you read in that."
And here's the final realization that changed me:
If you believe that a pregnant person should be able to terminate their pregnancy if they were raped, if they are a victim of incest, if they are a 10yo child, if pregnancy and birth will kill them, then you are pro-choice.
This morning my 8yo came running in with some "mail." The typed letter reads: "The school decided to do summer break a littler earlier. Sorry for the confusement. And remember to tell your kids to read over break! Thank you so much for understanding and reading this letter."
Making a living from writing books is hard.
1. When you sell a book to a publisher, you get an advance on royalties (but this usually requires you to have written the book first, so you're writing w/o income for months/years)
Reminder that something doesn't have to be illegal to be wrong.
If I went as an author to a school and insulted the children, that would be wrong. And would rightly affect my career.
Asking for professional consequences for men who harass isn't too much.
Hey, just a reminder that when authors promote their own books, it's not entirely selfish, as the book sales also pay the salaries of editors, publicists, cover artists, printers, distributors, book sellers, etc.
I have an announcement that's kind of a big deal for me. For the first time in five years I have a new young adult novel, KIND OF A BIG DEAL. Behold the beautiful cover by Ana Hard!
On sale 8/25/20. You can preorder now:
#kindofabigdealbook
I hear men saying “well just don’t buy those clothes and get less expensive haircuts.” But women are punished for not conforming to the expected look.
Female folks, please RT if your boss ever directed you to “dress nicer” or “look more professional.”
In the conversation of expensive haircuts and bras and other daily female nonsense we, let us add that the vast majority of nice women’s clothes are supposed to be hand washed and line dried.
9yo: What do you want to be when you grow up?
13yo: A trained assassin.
Me: As opposed to an untrained assassin?
13yo: Of course. Why would I want to be an untrained assassin? That’s just a serial killer.
#dinnerconversation
Hey parents! If you're concerned about the book banning happening, you can use your powerful voice by emailing your kids' school district and letting them know you are on the side of book access, representation, and choice.
The new ‘MEN IN BLACK’ spin-off film will see Tessa Thompson’s Em try to prove herself by joining the London MIB and will be paired with Chris Hemworth’s Agent H. The pair will become involved in a murder mystery that will lead to them on a global journey. (Source:
@OmegaUGround
)
@jk_rowling
All women should be safe. This includes transgender women, who are far more likely to be a target of assault than a perpetrator. If a woman commits rape, that is still a crime and reprehensible. Calling a woman a woman won't change that. But amplifying bigotry helps no one.
Why is it if a person associated with a religion says "I believe God doesn't accept homosexuality" that's a closely held religious belief, but if a person associated with the same religion says "I believe God accepts everyone including homosexuals" then they're being political?
If you follow me and other teen and kid lit writers and wish we would stop tweeting about politics, please, please help us stop electing depraved bullies who put kids in cages and seek to take away civil rights and I promise it'll be all craft tweets and kitten gifs
My white daughter is reading THE HATE U GIVE right now. I didn't tell her to. I just had it on our shelves and she picked it up herself. THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR WHEN WE STOP TELLING KIDS TO ONLY READ BOOKS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEM.
What is your message to publishers about putting pressure on them to tell more of these stories?
"I hope that they recognize that not only will black kids read, other kids will read about black kids and then other people will read about them as well." --
@angiecthomas
My 9yo just threw open my office door, red-faced and crying, and screamed. "I! HATE! EVERYTHING!"
I nodded emphatically.
We snuggled in a rocking chair and didn't talk while we shared a candy bar.
When one side views any termination of pregnancy as literal baby murder, there can be no debate. Obvs baby murder is bad!!! Everyone agrees on that except horrible people! So how is it that 70% of the country believes abortion isn't baby murder? Are 70% of us beyond redemption?
My 12yo was shaking and crying for an hour after. Maybe those protestors and anti-book-and-information activists truly believe what they preach. I don’t know. But I do know that there is entirely a lack of love, compassion, and care for actual kids. And it breaks my heart. 5/
20 years ago today, THE GOOSE GIRL was published. My first novel, I spent years on it and poured out my whole soul, unsure if I'd have anything left over. Somehow I did, and I've since published another 42 books and counting. But she'll always be my baby. Thanks, Ani.
I've been sick for a few days now.
Me: I need to feel better so I can get back to working and taking care of the family.
My 11yo: No, Mama, you need to feel better so that you can feel better.
Me: That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.
Her: Really? That's sad.
If you are pro-life and you've come this far on this thread with me, thank you. I would just ask you to consider that pregnancy termination is an extremely difficult decision for most who make it, and they do it thoughtfully with their health care provider.
Imagine being a victim of rape and having to carry your rapist's baby? THIS HAPPENS. Rape is the least reported crime, and of those reported, the least convicted. So how does a rape victim who is entitled to an abortion prove what happened? And in the first 6 weeks of pregnancy?
Then ultra-conservative church I grew up in allows for pregnancy termination in cases of rape, incest, and threat of life to the pregnant person. That ultra-conservative church IS pro-choice.
He came rushing in and stood looking at me, worried. I looked back at him like, what's your prob, bro? We were both confused till our 10yo started to laugh like a maniac.
There are A LOT of reasons why people choose not to drink alcohol. A few:
allergic
health concerns
diet
religious
pregnant
alcoholic
monetary
safety
taking medications
don’t like the taste
Some proposed laws would allow for rape victims to receive an abortion if they can prove they've reported the crime to law enforcement. Know why so many don't report rapes? The police who don't believe them? Who then go to the perpetrator? Who now knows and retaliates?
"What do I do if my kid only wants to read graphic novels?"
This is such an easy answer: get them some more graphic novels. PLEASE parents, do not worry! It's like asking, "What do I do if I can eat all the chocolate I want and be healthy?" This is not a problem!
This morning when I was having a hard time, my 8yo said to me, "Remember, Mama, it's okay to make mistakes. And I love you no matter what." She was parroting back to me what I say to her, but she was totally sincere and it was honestly breathtakingly precious.
Hi, in this era of computers and immediate data, it's ridiculous that authors still only get royalty payments twice a year and have no inkling of how much it'll be till we get it, thanks
When I talk about the need for boys to read books and watch movies and shows about girls--to experience stories that center girls--I get a lot of "who cares" and "shut up" and "it doesn't matter" etc.
The question of choice is something I've studied and wrestled with for over 30 years, because I want to understand, and I want to be both wise and compassionate. But what I've learned is in order to have an honest debate, both sides need to have foundational beliefs.
Not a female superhero who could just as easily been a man. Not a female superhero whose function is to look hot and sexy under the male gaze. She is a woman. And a hero. I am so grateful for the trailer alone, I can't imagine how I'll handle the movie.
Absolutely a dream come true spending a week in Prince Edward Island and walking the forest paths and cozy farm houses where LM Montgomery and her characters abided. Lucy Maud was prolific and one of the most famous and beloved Canadian authors but died...
This week I spoke at the Let Utah Read event at the state capital. I brought my 16yo and 12yo. As we waited for the speeches to begin, one volunteer passed out bookmarks. When another man passed out pamphlets, we assumed he was part of the event too. 1/
Almost every time I see a relative (about yearly) they remind me that they read one of my books in their book club and nobody cared for it, and then they ask me why I didn't make it better so...hey fellow creatives! How's it going?
Here's a little tidbit from one of my royalty statements: "4,338 premium/high discount sales only accrued $22.18 in royalties." That's $0.005 per book. Happy holidays!
How do we determine what constitutes a baby? Science overwhelmingly agrees that an embryo and fetus are not a fully formed human. Some religions disagree, and many believe that at the moment of conception, an enteral spirit enters those cells, making it human.
"So rape victims can get abortions but nobody else. I don't think it should be used as a form of birth control." Okay, think this through with me. Every woman I know or a close family member of theirs has been raped. Despite the cruel myths, rape can and does cause pregnancy.
There are LOTS of ways to be a boy. Isn't that cool? Isn't that interesting? As a mother, doesn't it feel good to think, "I don't know who my children will turn out to be, but I love them no matter what, and I am here to support them as they figure themselves out." 13/
This is the stuff they are saying is pornography—stuff kids should be protected from—and then they went and gave it to EVERY SINGLE KID there. If you truly believe it’s porn, then why are you directly handing it to kids, with no context, no warning, no discussion? 3/
Mantra:
"My child is reading comics. That means, my child is reading. This is wonderful. There is nothing for me to fix here. I can go make myself a cup of tea and bask in the moment."