# Welcome to Debbie's Unofficial Guide To Bluesky Greetings to those finding me via the [recent Vox post about Bluesky](https://www.vox.com/technology/385433/what-is-bluesky-twitter-social-media-use-future)! You may already be familiar with my [Bluesky tips blog post](https://debbieohi.com/2024/03/bluesky-tips/), [Bluesky article in School Library Journal](https://www.slj.com/story/getting-up-to-speed-on-bluesky-librarians-libraries--social-media), and/or [posts from my account on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com). I began this Guide in late Oct/2024 as a replacement for my "Tips for Bluesky Newcomers" blog post. I also hope to establish a basic "How-To" categorized collection of community resources, mainly pointing to OTHER people's resources on the platform. > [!NOTE] This is NOT an official Bluesky resource! > Be aware that this is a living vault, very much a work-in-progress. It is NOT meant to be a 100% accurate and finished resource. You will find many placeholder pages. > > Note: These tips are just based on my own experience; what works for me may not work for you. Feel free to share the shortcut link https://debbieohi.link/BlueSkyGuide but be aware internal links may change during this initial phase. [Follow me on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com) for updates. Feel free to send me feedback via [[Contact Debbie]]. Thank you! > ## How to navigate this Unofficial Guide To Bluesky You can use the search field to look for a particular topic, or browse the list of topic pages in "An Official Bluesky Wiki" folder in the lefthand navigation bar (desktop) or access the menu via the icon with three stacked lines in the top left corner (mobile). If you're looking for Starter Packs, here's a directory of thousands of Starter Packs you can search by keyword: https://blueskydirectory.com/starter-packs/all (Thanks to @[mubashariqbal](https://bsky.app/profile/mubashariqbal.com) for this free resource!) Those mainly interested in my **KidLit Community** tips, please look under the Community-Specific section: [[For KidLit Community]]. ![[SLJ-Art-Bluesky-DebbieRidpathOhi-Copyright-v3-800.jpg]] ## Recent updates See [[Updates to this Unofficial Guide]] for a full log, but here are a few of the recent updates: - Updated [[For KidLit Community]], [[For Book Editors]], [[For Agents]], [[c. Control What You Do (& Don't) See|Control What You Do (& Don't) See]], many other pages. - Added community-sourced Bluesky threads to all the KidLit/YA Lists. Created a [Master Index for KidLit/YA Resources](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-kidlit#MASTER+INDEX+(KidLit%2FYA)). - Updated MANY pages in past couple of days, including [For Art Directors & Book Designers](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-art-directors), [How To Control What You Do (and Don't) See On Bluesky](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bluesky-moderation), [3rd-party apps](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/third-party), and more. - Updated [[For Fans of Taylor Swift]], [[For Art Directors & Book Designers]], [[For KidLit Community]], [[For Educators & Librarians]] and a bunch of other pages. - Updated [[For Board Gamers]], [[For Booksellers and Book Lovers]], [[For Graphic Novel & Comics Community]], [[Third-party apps and tools|3rd party apps and tools]], [[Bluesky Events]] and a bunch of other pages. ## Why I created the Unofficial Guide To Bluesky With Bluesky add new features and improving all the time, I’ve been finding it a (happy) challenge trying to keep my online resources and posts updated. Rather than attempt to update [my already-too-long Bluesky blog post](https://debbieohi.com/2024/03/bluesky-tips/) yet again, I figure it makes more sense to create a wiki-like resource instead, via Obsidian Publish. Instead of having one long blog post that users need to scroll through to find the info they need, they can just use the search tool, or find the section/sub-section they need. This format is also far easier for me to maintain as well. ## Why I'm using Obsidian Publish I already use [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/) for the bulk of my note-taking and project management, including my book projects, speaking engagements, travel plans, etc. I have one main vault of info, with separate vaults for picture book illustration projects. Different people using Obsidian in different ways, and I've been grateful to those on the Obsidian Discord for all their help! ## Where are your usual fun graphics? I'm focusing first on establishing a solid bare-bones framework with essential tips for Bluesky newcomers. Once that is in place, THEN I'll gradually be prettifying with graphics. ## For people who ask how they can help Thanks to all those offering to help! Here are the best ways to help right now: - Point Bluesky newcomers to this Guide. I also have the link in my [Bluesky profile bio](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com). - Use my community-sourced threads to suggest resources instead of DMs, whenever possible. See examples on the [KidLit Community Page](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-kidlit) under various topics (e.g. "Reply to this thread if you have resources for picture book authors, etc."); these usually have a phrase like "suggestions from the Bluesky community." Although there IS a way to collaborate via Obsidian, it requires some tech-savvy know-how and careful sync coordination. It would require much more of my time to figure out and inevitable troubleshooting, plus too much potential for problems (someone accidentally wiping out part of the Guide, for instance). I am currently paying USD $8/month for Obsidian Publish so I can have a public vault for my Unofficial Guide To Bluesky. I don't mind doing this for now; it's my way of giving back to the community. I've heard that [Bluesky plans to make it easier](https://bsky.app/profile/rose.bsky.team/post/3l7biyxcycs2t) for users to support creators directly. 🤞🏼 Or I may opt for a tip jar. Another way you can show your thanks: I write and illustrate children's books for a living, and would VERY much appreciate you reading my books, talking about my books, buying or borrowing my books. [You can find out more about me and my work here](https://debbieohi.com/). Even if you can't afford to buy, there are MANY WAYS to support an author's or illustrator's book. [Here are just a few](_https://debbieohi.link/HowToSupport_). ## Please pass it forward If you found my Unofficial Guide To Bluesky helpful at all, what I would most appreciate: Pass it forward. When I first joined Bluesky, I was grateful to those who helped me figure things out - it made a HUGE difference in how I perceived the platform, and my interest in sticking around. So please, especially once you get settled on Bluesky and are able to start fully enjoying it - if you see a newcomer posting, make them feel welcome, help guide them. Thank you for reading this far, and I'll see you on Bluesky!