(Last updated February 28, 2025)
Shortlink to this post: https://debbieohi.link/kidlitlaunches
It’s a challenging time to be launching children’s books, not only because of what’s going on in the world but also because the kidlit community is scattered across so many different platforms. I’m mainly on Bluesky these days (see my Unofficial Guide To Bluesky for tips) and have started weekly #KidLitLaunches on that platform to help book creators announce launches.
2025 Bluesky weekly launch threads so far:
Jan. 13-19 – Jan. 20-26 – Jan. 27-Feb.2nd – Feb. 3-9 – Feb. 10-16
Feb. 27-23 – Feb. 24-Mar.2nd – Mar.3-9th – Mar.10-16 – Mar.17-23
FAQ:
Q. I have a kidlit book coming out in 2025! May I post my info in your launch threads?
Yes, but please ONLY post in the appropriate weekly thread. If you have a book coming out in July, for example, don’t post in the Feb. 10-16 thread. I’m trying to keep these threads EASY TO QUICKLY BROWSE, so encourage people to help boost books launching that week. If I started a general “launching in 2025” thread, it would quickly become useless because no one would want to scroll through all the replies.
Other replies will be removed. If I have to do this more than once, you will be blocked.
Q. What should I post re: my book launch?
See suggestions below, but be aware it all needs to fit in ONE POST. I use deck.blue to squeeze in more info by including hyperlinks.
- Your book cover. Including an actual image (with alt-text) will help get your book more attention. I notice some people ONLY including a link. This is fine, of course, but be warned that not everyone will want to click away from Bluesky. Some people may have external link embeds turned off.
- Include alt-text with your image. This will not only help the visually impaired who use screen readers, but also the neurodivergent. Alt-text also helps get your post discovered. Here are some more reasons why you should use alt-text with your images, and best practice tips.
- Your book title. Don’t just say “my new picture book.” Including an exact book title in the text of your post will also help your post get picked up in case someone searches for it on Bluesky.
- Name of author and illustrator. To authors: don’t forget to name the illustrator, if your book is illustrated! Also, take the time to check if they’re on Bluesky. Tag them if they are.
- Name of publisher. Take the time to check if they’re on Bluesky. Tag them if they are.
- Launch date. This will encourage people to reshare your book info ON your launch date and/or check your Bluesky feed on launch date.
- LINK where people can find more info. Always always include a link people can click if they want to find more info. Be warned that some people won’t click through if they see an Amazon link. If possible, link to your book info on a publisher page, or your own website, or an indie bookstore site (Bookshop.org, Indiebound.org etc)
- Appropriate tags. Add #KidLit. Other suggested tags (but don’t just add all of them or your post may come across as spammy): #MGLit (middle grade), #YAlit (YA), #Edusky (to reach educators), #CanKidLit (Canadian KidLit), #BookSky, etc. If your book is related to a specific topic, consider adding 1-2 of those tags. e.g. #Mushrooms for a book about mushrooms, #CatSky for a book that features cats, etc. But again — DON’T just tack on a bunch of tags in hopes that something sticks.
Q. Will you continue these weekly threads through all of 2025?
Yes, if they are useful and if my own life permits.
As of right now ( February 13, 2025 ), only 1-2 people are responding to each thread. Sometimes no one responds. It takes me time to put these threads together, to promote them, and to update the archives. I’m happy to do it if they’re useful but will likely stop if they’re not.
Q. If I post in one of your weekly threads, does this mean you will help me boost my book?
Chances are higher, but I cannot guarantee I will help boost every individual book. Yes, I have more followers than some Bluesky users, but having more followers DOES NOT TRANSLATE INTO SALES OR INTEREST. This was true on Twitter/X as well.
The main reason I started these KidLit Book Launch threads is to make it easier for more members of the kidlit community to find “launching this week” books to help boost. Help boost others!
Side note: I caution against having a feed that is mainly JUST re-posts of other people’s content. Nothing inherently wrong with that, of course, but some people (I’m one of them) get turned off by Bluesky accounts that are ALL reposts (or mainly reposts of other people’s content). If I follow someone on Bluesky, it’s usually because I want to see what they’re interested in themselves, what they’re working on, etc.
Q. How can I help?
You can help but sharing this post and/or individual threads and/or individual book launch posts on Bluesky. Browse a recent book launch thread, find a creator you like or a book that sounds interesting to you, help boost on your own Bluesky account feed. Or even better….READ one of the books (borrow or buy) and then post about it! Make sure you tag the creators and publisher if they’re on Bluesky.
And thank you!