Because the Platform-Previously-Recognized-As-Twitter steadily continues to de-stabilize, I’ve been taking a more durable have a look at alternate options….particularly if Elon Musk goes by means of along with his promise to take away the power to Block accounts or cost all customers subscription charges.
My happyplace remains to be Substack, for considerate discussions and longer type posts. I’ll be posting a extra detailed overview of my Substack expertise later, however proper now I’d wish to summarize the Bluesky Neighborhood Thread lists I’ve been placing collectively to assist kidlit folks discover one another. (I’ll be posting extra about Bluesky later as properly)
(educators must also discover/comply with educators through Edusky!) – Additionally see my customized feed of kidlit/YA educators and librarians on Bluesky.
(who take pleasure in connecting with colleges/libraries). As a result of there are SO many kidlit creators becoming a member of Bluesky not too long ago , I lack the time to take care of a Customized Feed. Nevertheless, there are already a number of kidlit Customized feeds on the market, akin to Greg Pincus’s #KidLitChat, David B. Fox’s Kidlit, Boring Tales’ KidLit Neighborhood.
– Additionally see my Canadian Kidlit Writer & Illustrator customized feed
– Additionally see my customized feed of Kidlit Illustrators on Bluesky.
– Additionally see my customized feed of Spooky MG Authors on Bluesky
– Additionally see my customized feed of kidlit/YA e book bloggers on Bluesky
– Additionally see my customized feed of kidlit/YA podcasters on Bluesky
Kidlit Publishers – Not many but, however I’ve optimistically created a customized feed of conventional kidlit publishers on Bluesky.
– Additionally see my customized feed of kidlit/YA brokers on Bluesky
– Additionally see my customized feed of kidlit/YA editors on Bluesky
– Additionally see my customized feed of kidlit/YA artwork administrators and designers.
– Additionally see my customized feed of indie bookstores & booksellers on Bluesky
Additionally see:
Kate Messner’s checklist of authors, illustrators, educators, librarians, and publishing professionals to comply with. Right here’s the way to add your self to the checklist.
My #KidLitArt customized feed. Hashtags usually are not but clickable, however customized feeds are a very good workaround for now. Within the description for that feed, I even have information about associated feeds, like Gina Perry’s #KidLitArtPostcard feed.
I even have a neighborhood thread for . On the Platform-Previously-Recognized-As-Twitter, I separated my gaming and kidlit posts into two accounts however I’m in strategy of attempting to cull down the variety of social media platforms the place I’m lively.
Replace
Most people following me (primarily from the kidlit neighborhood) have drastically lower down the period of time they spend on Twitter.
I’m not a Twitter Blue subscriber. Algorithms have modified in order that until you’re paying for a subscription, it may be extra of a problem getting posts seen. Whereas I perceive that the platform must earn a living, I’m deeply disenchanted (and much more glad I unsubscribed). As somebody who has spend 15 years steadily constructing my platform on Twitter and serving to construct and increase the neighborhood, I really feel considerably betrayed. (“Thanks for all of your onerous work and time! Now give us cash to proceed having fun with what you’ve helped construct.”) Additionally simply heard that Elon Musk is considering charging ALL customers for accessing the platform.
Folks on xTwitter are likely to broadcast rather more than they pay attention/have interaction. I’m simply as responsible as others! Due to time constraints and social media fatigue, I’ve been attempting to spend much less time on social media usually. I proceed to verify my @ mentions on xTwitter (fewer and fewer nowadays) and attempting to assist increase a few of those that are nonetheless on xTwitter BUT not doing as a lot exploring and looking as I did within the early days of Twitter….primarily as a result of I come throughout an increasing number of rage-posting, spammers and trolls.
On Bluesky, I’ve been extra proactive in in search of out neighborhood, not simply anticipating folks to search out me and my posts. As some have not too long ago talked about on Bluesky throughout discussions on this subject: proper now, Bluesky is extra like early days of Twitter and GEnie, the place folks tended to do much less broadcasting and extra participating with others in the neighborhood.
For these on Bluesky, I’ve began a thread asking folks for his or her prime 1-2 items of recommendation new to Bluesky. I’ll summarize in a future submit, however be at liberty to browse in the meantime!
Right here’s a hyperlink to https://bsky.app/.
Principally, Bluesky is sort of a bare-bones Twitter. The platform jogs my memory of the early days of Twitter. It nonetheless lacks some community-building and curation options, however that’s why it’s nonetheless in beta.
Based on the Bluesky FAQ:
We additionally need the community to develop organically, so we periodically distribute invitations to present Bluesky customers. Moreover, we monitor the social graph, and if sure customers are inviting different reliable individuals, we give them extra invitations.
Nonetheless ready for a Bluesky code? I put myself on the waitlist however after months of not listening to something, I made a decision to be proactive and talked about over on Substack that I used to be nonetheless ready for a Bluesky invite. A sort stranger responded and gave me a code!
Impressed by his kindness, I’ve created a kidlit Bluesky code trade thread over on xTwitter:
Kidlit neighborhood Bluesky invite code (Tue. Sept. nineteenth, 2023)
Kidlit neighborhood Bluesky invite code (Solar. Sept. third, 2023)
Kidlit neighborhood Bluesky invite code (Aug. twenty fifth, 2023)
I do know of kidlit Bluesky-ers who’ve additional codes to provide out BUT don’t need to simply give them to anybody (unscrupulous sorts have been scooping the codes and reselling). If you’re nonetheless on the Platform-Previously-Recognized-As-Twitter, be at liberty to submit within the thread above; please be aware that it’s good to be following somebody with a view to get a DM from them. In case you don’t hear something after just a few days, reply once more saying that you just’re nonetheless ready — there have been many codes handed out this manner, however Bluesky-ers inform me that it’s onerous to select those that nonetheless want codes. Apologies for those who’re not on the Platform-Previously-Recognized-As-Twitter – I lack the time to prepare something outdoors of this thread.
My recommendation: Begin posting (in a non-spammy means) by yourself social media that you just’re in search of a Bluesky code. Or for those who’re replying to a legit thread from somebody you’re following providing codes, make it clear that you just’re a Actual Individual (not a bot or spammer or code-flipper), and why you’d like to affix Bluesky. Too many are simply signing up for a placeholder and leaving.
I’m cautiously optimistic. Bluesky remains to be lacking important community-building instruments like clickable hashtags, however the growth crew is responsive and has additionally promised me that user-curated LISTS are within the pipeline as properly. However what’s MOST encouraging: so many kidlit individuals are becoming a member of, together with educators, librarians, brokers, and editors.
In case you’re on Bluesky, be at liberty to search out me and say hi there!