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About #KidLitAMA

(Last updated April 25, 2024) – Also see the KidLitAMA Guest Archives, KidLitAMA Guest Nomination Form, Question Submission Form

Welcome to the #KidLitAMA info page! Inspired by Reddit’s AMA (Ask Me Anything) and founded by Debbie Ridpath Ohi, this particular AMA aims to highlight members of the kidlit community on Bluesky as well as help build community. The event is free and open to the public. Even if you’re not on Bluesky, you can still view posts.

👉🏼 Link to Melissa Stewart’s KidLitAMA 👈🏼
(Live event is now over, but I encourage you to browse the archives. Melissa shared SO much great info for educators, librarians, and writers!)

Thu. April 25th, 2024, 7-8 pm ET

⭐KidLitAMA Guest: Melissa Stewart⭐

Melissa Stewart has written more than 200 science books for children, garnering such awards as the Sibert Honor, AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, eighteen NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, two Green Earth Book Awards, and three ALA Notables. She co-wrote 5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Enriching Reading and Writing Instruction with Children’s Books, edited the anthology Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-winning Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing, and maintains the award-winning blog Celebrate Nonfiction.

👉🏼 Link to Melissa Stewart’s KidLitAMA 👈🏼

Thu. April 25th, 2024
7-8 pm ET
Event is text-based and will be hosted on Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s Bluesky feed. You can browse threads from past events in the KidLitAMA Archives: Harold Underdown (Mar.7, 2024), Charlene Chua (Jan. 24, 2024).

Q. I’m not on Bluesky. Can I still attend?
A. Since Bluesky posts are publicly viewable, you can still view all posts and comments! Only those who have a Bluesky account can post comments and questions. However, you are welcome to submit your questions in advance, using this KidlitAMA Question Form NOTE: Please try to submit your questions at least 2 days before the event. Debbie is doing this on her own, so may not have time to closely monitor form results closer to the event.

Debbie will try to submit the question on your behalf, if it has not been asked already. Timing will depend on how busy things get, and if your question ends up getting asked/answered earlier in the event. Recommendation: sign up for Bluesky in advance if possible, so you can post your question yourself as well as participate in the discussion.

Q. I have a Bluesky account! How do I participate as an attendee?
When the live event begins, Debbie will make a post on her Bluesky account with a link to the page you are reading now, explain the basic guidelines, and introduce the interviewee. Within the same thread, the interviewee will post an intro about themselves, and invite people to ask questions.

To ask a question, just reply to the main thread with your question. Be sure to start your reply with “QUESTION:” to help the interviewee find it, in case there are other replies. Be sure you are posting your question as a reply to the MAIN thread, not one of the sub-replies, else it may get lost among other replies. Also add the #KidLitAMA hashtag to help others find your post.

Q. Is #KidLitAMA live?
It depends what you mean by “live.” The event is text only, NOT video (though Debbie might introduce a video component in the future, we’ll see). The interviewee agrees to closely monitor the Bluesky AMA thread for 2 hours. After that, it depends on the interviewee – they may let people know that they’re happy to continue answering questions up to a day or two afterward, etc.

Q. Is the AMA moderated?
Debbie will assist during the live AMA but just like a text-based AMA on X/Twitter or Reddit, note there is no way to exclude anyone from posting. If you see someone posting comments that are inappropriate or upsetting, you can Block or Mute them if you are logged into Bluesky. Also check out your Moderation settings, where there are many tools for filtering and also discouraging apps from showing your account to logged-out users.

Here are some other ways you can adjust what you see in Bluesky:



Q. Can I really ask ANY question? After all, AMA means “Ask Me Anything”
A. Yes! However, the interviewee has the right NOT to answer any question (because of privacy reasons, lack of time, too difficult to answer within the time limit etc.). See the interviewee’s intro for suggested topics.

More about #KidLitAMA:

Q. Why did you start KidLitAMA?
I’ve been looking for ways to help boost the kidlit community on Bluesky. I’m hoping that this AMA will not only help promote the KidLitAMA guests, but also be another fun way for community members to discover and interact with each other.

Q. Where can I find past KidLitAMA Guest threads?

I’ve listed all past guests and links to their Bluesky KidLitAMA threads here.

Q. Who are your future KidLitAMA guests?
Debbie is looking for those who are ACTIVE on Bluesky and are already familiar with the platform.

If you know someone whom you think would make a good #KidLitAMA guest in the future, please fill out this #KidLitAMA Nomination form. (Note: NO self-nominations please, thanks). I’ll be going through this list when looking for my next potential interviewee. When I approach someone, I’ll explain the concept of #KidLitAMA and see if they’re interested.

Q. Is Debbie going to have more of these KidLitAMAs?
Yes! Debbie’s goal for #KidLitAMA is to help highlight kidlit community members in a way that is fun and easy for both the interviewee and the community, but that is also low-hassle and low-stress for Debbie.

Ask Me Anything: How Authors Can Interact With Readers On A Variety Of Platforms – by Phil Stamper-Halpin on the Penguin Random House website.

EXAMPLES OF AMAs:
Most popular AMAs on Reddit
Most popular AMAs on IAmA (sub-Reddit)


Events

Debbie is currently available for virtual visits. Her presentations and workshops can be adjusted to suit all age levels, from kindergarten to college students to educators and other professionals.