The algorithm-free aspect of Bluesky is refreshing, but setting up your account can be a little confusing, so I’ve put together a little explainer with some of the top lists/feeds to follow.
When you connect with accounts that share your interests, check their profile for their lists, feeds, and starter pack tabs.
- Feeds – User-created timelines of posts populated by options drawn from Bluesky, which may include keywords, date ranges, types of posts, and who is posting. Typically focuses on a specific topic or hashtag, or even a user list combined with other criteria.
- Starter Packs – Up to 150 collected accounts organized/curated by a user, ideally on a unifying theme, with up to 3 related feeds available as well (don’t neglect toggling over to the feeds tab in a starter pack). You can follow all of the accounts in a single click, or follow any of the accounts individually. A time-saving way to start following people and related feeds! Think of Starter Packs as a personal referral, not a feed/list. You can make your own and not worry if others have similar Starter Packs. As with their initial invite code onboarding, Bluesky leans into referrals from real humans.
- Lists – Collections of accounts created by a user. Following/pinning a list will let you see all of the posts everyone on the list is sharing, in a chronological timeline. Includes replies, where you can see who people are talking to. Focuses on people grouped by similarities (i.e. kidlit agents), and not a single topic (i.e. the agent could be talking about the amazing key lime pie they just had).
Charlene Chua used the analogy that switching between various feeds & lists is like changing a TV channel. You can control the content you see, rather than having an algorithm choose it for you. Some feeds and lists may seem similar, but are slightly different—such as the SCBWI list and feeds I’ve included. Debbie Ridpath Ohi‘s SCBWI feed is pulled from her curated list of identified SCBWI members/staff/faculty, while my SCBWI feed pulls the keyword/hashtag from anyone using it. Both are useful depending on what you want to see!
Below are kidlit-related options to follow on Bluesky—you can add them to you experience by clicking PIN TO HOME at the top of the lists and feeds, or by hitting FOLLOW ALL on the starter pack collections:
A great place to start and see current conversations and active users! This is a comprehensive feed that scans for kidlit-related posts from many lists of users actively moderated by multiple members of the Bluesky kidlit community. Filters out replies, and uses various keywords and hashtags to keep on topic. Some of the lists below are tied into this huge feed. More info—and to check to see if you are already eligible to appear in the feed—can be found here.
Admins: Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Brian Kirby, Charlene Chua.
An expansive 1,600+ user list with any and all kidlit-related accounts, illustrators, authors, agents, art directors, publishers, librarians, boosters, bloggers, etc.—where you see what everyone on the list is posting chronologically, no matter what the topic. Like a big cocktail party with thousands of guests. If you have any kidlit interests and want to be part of the Mega Feed, ask to me be added to this list. If activity on BlueSky seems quiet, checking in on this list of unfiltered posts is good way to see current activity and connect with people.
Admin: Brian Kirby
Collects posts tagged #KidLitArt. Like following the hashtag. Mostly used by illustrators of children’s books & children’s illustration, and for the monthly #kidlitart chat on Thursdays. A fantastic way to check out the great art users are posting.
Admin: Charlene Chua
Follow this to see all posts from illustrators who have an interest in creating art for children’s and young adult books, and comics/graphic novels.
Admin: Charlene Chua
Posts from illustrators who work on published (or publishing soon) children’s books – boardbooks, picturebooks, chapterbooks, middle grade, young adult, comics, etc.
Admin: Charlene Chua
A starter pack to easily follow #KidLit/children’s illustrators who are actively posting on Bluesky. Includes Feeds for kidlit & #KidLitArt as well!
Admin: Charlene Chua
A list of agents and agencies who represent kidlit/YA creators. Don’t harass anyone by querying/pitching via Bluesky unless they have asked! A great, growing list to follow.
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
A starter pack to easily follow agents and agencies who represent kidlit/YA creators. Just hit “follow all” Don’t harass anyone by querying/pitching via Bluesky unless they have asked!
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
A more specific starter pack to quickly follow all of ABLA’s agents that are on Bluesky! They have a handy list of their agents as well. A great way to help people connect with the whole agency presence!
Admin: ABLA
Collected list of SCBWI members, staff, and conference faculty. You can find more info about the Society Of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators: www.scbwi.org.
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Searches only Debbie Ohi’s SCBWI list for #scbwi hashtags as well as others related to kidlit or YAlit.
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Searches for any posts that have SCBWI hashtags and keywords, from any user.
Admin: Brian Kirby
A starter pack to easily follow #KidLit / children’s authors who are posting on Bluesky. The 50-account limit woefully underrepresents the volume of authors on the platform, but the included feeds are a great way to encounter and follower more authors.
Admin: Brian Kirby
All posts from a collection of published and pre-published middle grade writers.
Admin: Jaymie Heilman
All posts from a collection of writers (published and pre-published) working on YA contemporary and/or YA romance/rom-coms.
.Admin: Jaymie Heilman
A feed showcasing kidlit & YA book recommendations with NO self-promo, drawn from a curated list of users who use 📚👍 emojis to post to the feed.
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
A collection of KidLit & YA editors who work with traditional publishing houses. Please do NOT pitch or query directly via Bluesky unless they specifically ask.
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
All posts from a collection of K-12 Educators & Librarians. Also check the #Edusky & #Skybrarian hashtags!
Admin: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
All posts from a collection of creators (writers, artists, colorists, editors, etc) who’ve worked on published (or publishing soon) comic books, series, and graphic novels aimed at MG and YA audiences.
Admin: Diana Sousa
A Starter Pack of folks who moderate & frequent #kidlitchat Tuesdays at 9pm eastern.
Follow the hashtag to join the chat!
Admin: Brian Kirby
Follows the #kidlitartpostcard hashtag to chronologically show posts to Gina Perry‘s wonderful monthly event (typically the 1st Thursday of the month, except for holiday delays) where illustrators post their art and information.
Admin: Kellie Nicely
If you think you should be included on any of these lists, ask one of the administrators, they typically have instructions on how to ask in the list’s description. You can first check to see if you are already on a list by scanning the “About” tab, or by checking the MEGA FEED information on this page.
Also – make your own lists, feeds and starter packs! The best part of Bluesky is having control over what your own timeline looks like. Take advantage. Debbie Ridpath Ohi has a wealth of information on her website, and all of the admins I’ve shown above have more lists, feeds and starter packs than the ones I’ve listed, all easily found on their Bluesky profile.
Find the ones that work for you, or make your own!
Also of interest:
The DISCOVER feed is administrated by Bluesky, and shows trending content from your personal network. You can click the ellipsis button at the bottom right of each post in the feed where it gives you the option to show more posts like that one, or less. It is like a curated social media algorithm, but you have more control.
Admin: @bsky.app
If you know anyone still on X that is wary of transitioning to Bluesky, share these tools to help them migrate! And show them why they should.
