Hema Penmetsa (Updates Only)

I am THRILLED to share some fantastic news. It's official: My very first picture book will be published in fall 2026!! I can’t wait to share this story of my heart featuring a dynamic and fun brother-sister duo, with y’all soon-ISH! 🥳 #PictureBooks #WNDB #WritingCommmunity

@RachnaChhabria1 What a wonderful premise! Congratulations, Rachna!

#NewBook Alert...Neev and Buddha, published by Scholastic is here. 1 reluctant boy, 3 sassy team mates turned sleuths, a journey into the past. A time travel adventure, where only team work can survive. #kidlit #amwriting #books #Read amzn.in/d/0rS1PQV

@sarenaandsasha @HolidayHouseBks @ParkFineBrower Gorgeous! Congrats, guys!

COVER REVEAL! meet the stunning cover for A RIDDLE OF THORNS, out Oct 14, 2025!! it's a blend of fantasy/mystery and a love letter to The Secret Garden 🥀🗝️🥀🗝️ Art by Salome Totladze learn more: sarenasashabooks.com/a-riddle-of-th…

@KZavus Thank you!

I am THRILLED to share some fantastic news. It's official: My very first picture book will be published in fall 2026!! I can’t wait to share this story of my heart featuring a dynamic and fun brother-sister duo, with y’all soon-ISH! 🥳 #PictureBooks #WNDB #WritingCommmunity

If you're an unagented writer or author/illustrator of picture books, I hope you'll enter the 2025 #PBParty contest. It has helped make so many agent and editor matches...and we can't wait to see the magical matches that will happen this year. mindyalyseweiss.com/2025-pbparty-a… #kidlit #PB #picturebooks

Here's the list of 55 participating agents, editors & ADs for the 2025 #PBParty contest. Wahoooooo! I'll shout out as more yeses come in. To help you prepare, this post has a link to the 2025 Ranking Party (thanks for running it @BeccaMcMurdie) & a participant badge/banner. mindyalyseweiss.com/2025-pbparty-a…

Check out this year's #PBParty dates if you're #AmQuerying and write picture books! #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

@LawyerBri How awesome! All the best, Bri!

Yay!!! I’m officially on sub! All I want for Christmas is for an editor to fall in love with my story and give me an offer!

@kbworld33 Thank you, Karen, for such an insightful workshop tonight! Lots of good for thought. (And I love the workshop’s title, btw! :))

The world is a little on fire, but your novel doesn't have to be! Join me at this workshop next week!

What a fabulous morning it was at #WBPitchandPlay! Now, looking forward to learning all about pitching PBs better in Picture Palooza II Panel!!

Totally second this! #WritingCommunity

Excited to be immersed in the community of #WBPitchandPlay all day today! #AmQuerying #WritingCommmunity

Attention, #amquerying #AmWriting peeps!

@MerriamWebster Deity

Which word's spelling feels like gaslighting?

Last chance to apply for Write.Submit.Support. for Novelists with NYT-bestselling author @carriejonesbook! Here's how the program helped Sophia Velasquez Martinez level up her craft & confidence. thewritingbarn.com/class/write-su… #amwriting #writercommunity #amquerying

Snag a copy of @BethanyHegedus book here: bookpeople.com/book/978006264…

@JyotiGopal @Candlewick @PublishersWkly @nabihaiderali Gorgeous, Jyoti, both text and art! Congratulations to the whole team!

Industry transparency is a key part of Writing Barn programming. 🔑 Join @BethanyHegedus + a panel of recent WB Success Stories at this FREE event & get tips on staying the course, creative resilience + how investing in yourself & your lit life pays off. courage.thewritingbarn.com/industry-succe…

GIRLS LIKE HER: An unflinching portrayal of the bleak journey of 15-year-old Ruby, whom both the system and adults in her life have failed. @melaniesumrow tells the story with great tenderness and sensitivity & leaves the readers with hope. goodreads.com/review/show/68…

Think you don't have a funny bone? 🦴 Let comedy genius @SauerTammi guide you through the process! Join us for her craft webinar and create the next rollicking read-aloud the publishing industry is hungry for. Sign up here: buff.ly/3WHdzYD