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em dickson (elm ✨)

@mlereads

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📝 author - em dickson
📚 school librarian
📓 simmons MAMFA ‘21
💙 storyteller fellow 26-27 @boydsmills
🏳️‍🌈 pronouns may vary

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Highs & lows of the first 6/almost 7 months of being a debut author 📚🌈 CW: homophobia and antisemitism on slides 3-4

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Somehow, July has come and gone!

We were so lucky to have so many wonderful people on campus this past month. From two sessions of Summer Camp to custom retreats and personal retreats, campus was overflowing with creativity, connection, and stories.

We also had the chance to celebrate our friend and faculty member Emily Rosenthal’s book while she was on campus! We were grateful to welcome many scholarship recipients and Storyteller Fellows and Mentors throughout the month.

There are so many exciting things ahead this fall, and campus won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

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Happy International Non-binary People’s Day! Today we celebrate non-binary people, identities, and experiences around the world. 🌎 🏳️‍⚧️

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two conferences in one weekend was a WHIRLWILD but I seriously had the time of my life at #alaannual and #abachildrensinstitute 📚🥰🍕📝🎉

we did a panel about queer kidlit joy! we ate deep dish pizza and took the train! JUST ASK ELSIE was honored as part of a truly incredible Indies Introduce cohort & I signed a ridiculous number of books & felt like an actual rockstar! I got to meet my wonderful editor and amazing author friends in person! there was a literal tower of dumplings! I barely slept and had to face my nemesis (ORD airport) and already want to do it all over again!

I am so so so so grateful for this amazing special weekend and everyone who helped make it happen, who showed up to hear about diverse books, who shared encouragement and excitement and dedication to continuing to get stories to their readers. after so much time spent alone with this book and passing it between a small, wonderful team of people, it's SO inspiring and invigorating to meet the booksellers & librarians who are actually bringing it into the world and into the hands of kids. and seriously, the enthusiasm & support from these folks is UNMATCHED!

also, thank you to everyone whose photos I stole for this post bc I took like three (3) pics total 😂 see you nerds again next year?!?!?!! a picture of a packed conference room for the panel "Queer Kidlit Joy"

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Celebrating Pride Month all month long at the Little Library on Quinn Way!

This week's additions explore the many identities, experiences, and stories that make up the LGBTQ+ community. New titles include books about transgender and nonbinary people, guides for families raising transgender children, and picture books that help young readers learn about pronouns, identity, and belonging in age-appropriate ways.

Whether you're looking to learn something new, support a loved one, or simply read a great story, these books offer thoughtful perspectives from across the spectrum of the community.

Stop by, take a look, and help keep these stories circulating by returning them when you're finished so others can enjoy them too.

Happy Pride Month!

#LittleLibrary
#PrideMonth
#LGBTQBooks
#ReadQueerBooks
#CommunityReads

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just me and my gay manuscript against the world ❤️

had such a great time at @queerkidlitcamp & made some new pals along the way. what a gift this weekend was 🥹

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there’s magic in the air at queer kidlit camp, i swear. i laughed so hard and so often, felt so loved & appreciated, and met some people im gonna hold in my heart forever.

catch me talking about it more in depth in my newsletter eventually lmao but for now? just know that i love being queer with yall.

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Spread the word! Beyond They/Them and Latina Superheroes Vol 1 are 2026 TEACHER and LIBRARIAN FAVORITES! #KIDSFAVS 🙌

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🏳️‍🌈 so grateful to have such a special place in my community 🏳️‍🌈
#transrightsreadathon

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Visiting my favorite bookstore to check out some of their trans rights readathon display. This indie bookstore is one of few trans and queer affirming spaces in the SGV ❤️ am hoping to upload a few more videos before the readathon is over
#lgbt #trr #bookdisplay #trans #bookstagram

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Join the Trans Rights Readathon, from March 17th to the 31st, in support of Trans Day of Visibility on March 31st. 🏳️‍⚧️❤️📚

Read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconformist authors and characters.

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Who's joining the @transrightsreadathon? 📚🏳️‍⚧️🐶

This is an annual call to action to readers and book lovers in support of Trans Day of Visibility. You're invited to read and uplift books written by and/or about trans, nonbinary, 2spirit, and gender nonconforming authors and characters, and support trans aid organizations in your community.

Pick up a TRR Bingo card at Underdog Bookstore, and you'll receive a stamp for each book purchased in store or through our @librofm. For everyone who completes their bingo card, you'll receive a $25 Underdog gift card and we'll make a $25 donation to the trans aid organization of your choice.

🗓 March 17 - March 31
📍312 S Myrtle Ave, Monrovia

#TransRightsReadathon #TRR #TRR2026 #ReadTransBooks

ID: Video shows the Trans Rights Readathon display at Underdog Bookstore including TRR flyers, bingo cards, and a selection of trans+ books, stickers, flags, bats and bookmarks.

Bats: @ghostlightcraftco
Bookmarks: @songquill
Stickers: @yamz.world @sprinklesstudios @abstractbyrabrams @owl.of.it @atomic.crafts

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