Harold Underdown
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hunderdown.bsky.social
Harold Underdown
@hunderdown.bsky.social
I'm a children's book editor, teacher and workshop presenter, owner of The Purple Crayon website -- www.underdown.org

I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
Received today: "Zohran Walks New York"--a tribute not only to Mamdani but to our amazing city. Congratulations to creator Millie von Platen and editor Carolyn Yoder for the vision to create and publish a nearly instant book.

At Bookshop and elsewhere: bookshop.org/a/3703/97816...
November 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
My regular reminder to sign up for my newsletter so you won't miss news of workshops I'm giving, updates to my website The Purple Crayon, and the like. Simple form on my Contact page. Infrequent mailings: www.underdown.org/contact.htm#...
November 2, 2025 at 10:28 PM
This photo of my desk means I'm open for #kidlit developmental editing and career/submissions consulting--and possibly other things too (just ask!). I'm not a copyeditor or proofreader and usually do line-editing only as part of a larger project.

More info.: www.underdown.org/pced.htm
October 24, 2025 at 9:30 PM
In which I talk a bit more about my "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities" #kidlit workshop, coming up online *next week* via @highlightsfound.bsky.social

More information and to register: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
October 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A reminder: NEXT week I will be offering "Publishing Trends, Market Shifts, and Opportunities," online via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, October 14 and 16, recording available, and resources included. $59

See the screenshot below for details or go here: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
October 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
3 weeks to go to my trends workshop! I'm enjoying reading, talking, researching what's going on with PB bios, MG novels, YA and romantasy--the trends you're talking about--and thinking about how best to learn about and deal with them going forward... www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pub...
September 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A common white-tail dragonfly in our backyard. Aren't the wings cool?
August 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Here's the source I found: The MSNBC News Junkies FB Group.
August 17, 2025 at 9:50 PM
It's not quite August, but it feels like the top of the Ferris wheel, so here is the first para. of Natalie Babbitt's "Tuck Everlasting":

"The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning."
July 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Coming up in *3 weeks*--my online mini workshop on "Big Picture Revision," exploring tools, how + when to use them on #kidlit and #yalit manuscripts.

Live August 19 and 21, 7 PM, via @highlightsfound.bsky.social, w/ handouts and a recording available.

www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/big...
July 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Some of you know of my long-time involvement with both Kindling Words and The Highlights Foundation. So you will understand how excited I am that KW is planning a retreat AT Highlights this fall.

highlightsfoundation.secure.retreat.guru/program/kind...
July 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I am open for editorial consulting work--if you've been querying manuscripts and aren't getting interest, but don't know why, or are otherwise stuck, I may be able to help! Information here: www.underdown.org/pced.htm

Happy to answer questions here or by email (there's a link.)
June 17, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Coming up in 3 weeks, the first of 3 pre-retreat online classes, followed on May 15-18 by the Revision Retreat, with Emma Dryden and Eileen Robinson, at @highlightsfound.bsky.social.

www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/rev...

More details in the alt text or via the link.
April 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reminder! The Crash Course in Children's Book Publishing--everything you need to know about our business--starts May 28.

Information and to register: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/the...

More details in the alt text.
April 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Starts *tomorrow*! You can still register for "Practical Matters in Children's Book Publishing"--what you need to know and do, and what you can expect, in #kidlit publishing.

www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pra...
March 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Coming up in two weeks: A two-evening workshop with The Highlights Foundation, online, with recordings available to watch later (so no problem if you can't watch live). $59 Pls. repost!

Further details in the alt text, or click this link: www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/pra...
March 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I noticed cool features on the jacket and cover of the UK edition of Frances Hardinge's "The Unraveller." See the Alt text for details.
February 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
The sky last night at sunset...
February 15, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Announcement! All the practical stuff in #kidlit publishing, coming up 3/16 + 3/18! Join me for a jam-packed 2-night course covering everything from book types to contracts and the publishing process—plus a chance to ask your pressing questions! More details: tinyurl.com/mtadfe5u

Please repost.
February 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
We had a visitor to our yard today.
February 13, 2025 at 2:22 AM
In case you need a break from everything else, meet our local possum, visiting at midday to snaffle the peanuts in our birdseed mix before the squirrels could get to them.
February 8, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The Tire: A Tragedy in 4 Acts.

See the Alt text for details.
January 18, 2025 at 3:52 AM
"Writing Picture Books" by Ann Whitford Paul, which I reviewed years ago, remains the best guide to writing picture books I've seen: www.underdown.org/writing-pict...
January 16, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The first night went well! 120 signups, 70 people attending live. More to come Weds.--you can still sign up, watch last night as a recording, join us Weds. night.

www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/suc...
December 17, 2024 at 4:11 PM
NEXT WEEK: Find out what you need to know and what works now when sending out a #kidlit manuscript. Handouts and recordings included--you must register in advance. $59

Live December 16 and 18 via @highlightsfound.bsky.social

www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/suc...

Please share!
December 10, 2024 at 4:56 PM