Stacey Leybas

Happy World Book Day. Here’s an old illustration that seems right for today.

Excellent day to just stay home. #GroundhogDay

I was on an airplane yesterday so I am a day late for #KidLitArtPostcard day. I am an author-illustrator who loves to create heart-tugging art for kid's books. I am represented by @adriamgoetz at @ktliterary.

Got my most personalized rejection yet today. It still stings, but it also feels good to be moving in the right direction and to feel like I’m improving as a writer. Dark chocolate feels appropriately celebratory and commiseratory.

I always get fat bookmarks for this reason. 😂

@MorganShamy My husband and kids know I write, and they know basic info about my projects, but they don’t read what I write, which is fine by me. I’d rather have support in the form of time to write!

I’m going to be one of those question twitter people for a moment… My family doesn’t read my books. Or review my books. Or really know about me & my writing journey at all. Writing is kinda my secret life. What about you? 📚✏️

@ToriRWeed Really. When I’m done drafting I do a search and delete each one because it’s rarely needed. 😂

Writers, what words do you frequently overuse on accident? Today I found out I have a terrible fondness of the word “pinched” #amediting

Some #amquerying authors (me included) struggle with word count. I built this resource for you, and it's not just my own opinions, I include some top industry professionals giving their take. I hope it's helpful! You got this! #WritingCommunity amynielsenauthor.com/2023/11/03/my-…

Giving writing advice often feels too impostery for me, but I still want to support and help all you amazing folks starting #NaNoWriMo today. So instead, let's do a writing meme every day this month! You are not alone and you got this! Happy NaNoIng!

If you're an #amquerying author, my best advice is to go through your manuscript and check for these things before querying. (blog post coming soon.) #WritingCommmunity 🧵

@AmyNielsen06 Yay! I love expanding my #WritingCommmunity!

If you queried me, whether it was a pass, a request, an offer, or a yet-to-be-read, please tag me below so I can follow you. #amquerying We all need friends in our #WritingCommunity

@lhnatiuk Just finished the fabulous Mustaches for Maddie by @SBrownwriter (my 12yo’s fav)! Up next, book-club-mandated reads including These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer and Carrie Soto is Back. Hopefully I’ll be back to my MG TBR pile soon!

🧵The #amquerying queries I've received are top-notch. Authors have really polished their queries. You ROCK! But I wanted to give some insight if I pass on yours as some things I'm looking for that are SUPER easy fixes. And yes, when I re-open resub:)

🧵#amquerying I know the query letter can feel scary. But, it doesn't have to be. I'm going to break it down into a simple formula so that you can plug in your story's information and feel confident you are putting your best literary foot forward toward any agent you query!

If you're brave and honest, things will work out! 😊 #Bluey

“Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient.” - Aristotle.

@HerringAli Degree: Recreation Management and Youth Leadership with a Music minor Job: mostly SAHM (best job ever!), plus a Let’s Play Music franchise owner The minor for the win!

Can we talk about college degrees? College is a wonderful place to learn to learn, grow your brain, & figure yourself out. Sometimes we end up doing what we studied, other times not. Give your degree & where you ended up. I'll go first: Degree: Journalism Job: Literary Agent

For your novel to work, your plot has to hold up from beginning to end. But that’s much easier said than done. One of the biggest plot issues I see when editing? An overall lack of cohesion btwn different parts of the book (an #amwriting 🧵):

@amandarhill32 I’ll officially guess #2 even though I think I’m wrong. I can hardly wait to read this one!