Michael F. Stewart
@openmike.bsky.social
510 followers 310 following 63 posts
Writes books for kids and young adults. VCFAWYCA, Canscaip, SCBWI, #kidlit, #canlit Latest: Seeking Draven, Red Deer Press, 2024 Next: Turn to Burn, Renaissance Press, 2025
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Pretty sure Google thinks we're having another baby. Really I'm starting a new book ...
#worldbuilding #babynames
"Oh, it is wonderful to have a giant’s strength. But it is tyrannous to use it like a giant." Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
Presented to a group of grade fivers at the Chelsea Library today and, I gotta say, we're gonna be fine. These kids are great.
#FundLibraries #FundEducation #KidsAreOurFuture
Reposted by Michael F. Stewart
We LOVE when our clients get collaborative.

Check out this interview between children's book authors Dionna L. Mann and Michael F. Stewart, with included illustrations from Caroline McPherson all of whom are part of the @kellydhouse.bsky.social crew!

www.dionnalmann.com/interviews-b...
Interviews, Blog Parties & More
(c) Caroline McPherson,  carolinemcphersonillustration.com
www.dionnalmann.com
"Most dominant civilization"
Here is what was transcribed on one broken pillar:

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Shelley
Thank you, Ginger, yes, reading a good book is precisely what I need today. :)
I’ve been sidetrumped today, my mind trumbled and perplumped as to why. Ideas to cope?
I am stunned that US National Park Service removed transgender and queer representation from its Stonewall monument site. A monument that stands for hard fought acceptance has now become one of intolerance, from pride to shame. Don't stand for it. Resist.
I've paddled the Myakka and never have I ever had so many monsters directly under my kayak ...
Luckily I have 25% more love for y'all America. And I am here to consume all of our surplus maple syrup.
Editing verse feels a little like taking stones and dipping them in water so that I can discover how they truly look.

I'm also working on back cover copy for a YA urban fantasy and I think that less is more. As if, the longer the copy, the more reasons the reader has not to open the cover?
I subsist on the praise of editors.
Thank you editors. 💚
Congratulations, Cynthia! Woot!
What do you do when you're waiting on not one but TWO sets of edits?
Well, I don't know what you do, but I
CLEAN!
I'll be editing a book about conspiracies, twisted minds, and revolution today.
No reason.
Reposted by Michael F. Stewart
Hello 2025~I’m back in the office and open to queries this week! #amquerying #kidlit #writers #illustrators, I’d love to see your #YA, #MG, narrative NF proposals, and #PBs. I’ve updated my #MSWL, but some particular things I’d love to see in my inbox:
Reposted by Michael F. Stewart
Leaving this open a few more days
#querytip #writingcommunity
Join #RosebudAuthors & @thetobiasagency.bsky.social w/ our annual #SpreadTheJoy campaign. To win a submission package critique (query, 1-2 pg synopsis, & 1st chapter) by ME! Follow go.bsky.app/Kvshpxt, comment below, and repost. Winners chosen at random.
(Day 27 & our last giveaway)
Mostly text - SPREAD THE JOY.
Rosebud Authors & The Tobias Literary Agency.
"How do you spell love," Piglet asked.
"You don't spell it, you feel it," answered Pooh.

Day 12 - Critique from Ann Rose with a photo of her.
Hey, Katie, congrats! You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages. :) Use it whenever optimal.
Hi, Shuba, thanks for your interest. You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages, your call. :) Use it whenever you please.
Hey, Dani, thanks for the interest. You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages, your call. :) Use it whenever you please.
Reposted by Michael F. Stewart
Join #RosebudAuthors & @thetobiasagency.bsky.social w/ our annual #SpreadTheJoy campaign. To win a query letter critique by @kellydhouse.bsky.social Follow go.bsky.app/Kvshpxt, comment below, and repost. Winners chosen at random.
(Day 12)
Mostly text - SPREAD THE JOY
Rosebud Authors & The Tobias Literary Agency
"How do you spell love," Piglet asked.
"You don't spell it, you feel it," answered Pooh

Day 12 - Critique from Kelly Dyksterhouse with a photo of her
Hey freedom fighters, here's a campaign that looks worthy of our support.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-ded...
There is NOTHING controversial about being queer. PERIOD.
1. A teacher in Ohio who has worked at the same public school for 34 years was suspended without pay and threatened with termination for offering four books in her classroom library that contained LGBTQ characters.

She's fighting back.