To everyone who has stood by my side these past few months as I’ve navigated having to query again, and to every single agent who has considered my book so far, thank you. I’m so grateful. Now, I’m ready to send Alaina’s story back out into the world. 💎 End of thread.

I’m not going to give up on her story. Someday, somehow, it will be in the hands of readers. So, as I stand on the precipice of sending this book back out to agents, the most I can do is hope Alaina finds her champion.

Alaina’s story is one I wish I had when I was in high school. Also, she never stops fighting, never stops trying, even when her life is hard. Most important of all, she never gives up, even when a part of her really wants to.

I’m wrapping up final line edits, and I have never loved this book more. Each time I read it, I’m reminded of how important Alaina’s story is to me. At the book’s core, this is a story of self-discovery, acceptance, and belonging.

I also notified the agents with my full and let them know I was doing a substantial revision and would send my updated manuscript by the end of the month. This was the best choice I could have made.

For a while, something felt a little off about the first few chapters of my book, and this agent completely hit the nail on the head. Their feedback resonated so much that I withdrew all my outstanding queries.

Then, at the beginning of July, I received the most detailed personalized pass on a partial. I remember reading really early in the morning and thinking, wow. This agent totally got my story and my characters. They understood my vision and pointed out areas I could strengthen.

When I started querying the previous version in April, every request gave me hope, and every personalized pass, pointing out the premise, my voice, writing, characters, and world building, made me feel like I was getting close.

I drafted this book in November of 2023. Since then, thanks to friends, beta readers, critique partners, and agents, this story has evolved so much, and I believe it is finally what it was always meant to be.

Hi friends. As I’m preparing to send the book of my heart back into the query trenches this week, I wanted to share some things. Bit of a vulnerable thread coming. 💎.

I had the most fun being part of Take Your Kid to Publishing Day 2025 with these wonderful agents, authors, and editors. The joy I felt with the little ones this afternoon was such a gift. 🤍

I accidentally deleted my pinned tweet with my mood board! Ugh, I’m sad, but I can repost it next week when I start querying my revision.

I now have ✨ four ✨ short stories under consideration for anthologies! 👑 A literary fiction piece, a young adult locked room mystery with light speculative elements, a young adult quiet horror, and a young adult Christmas meet-cute. Manifesting acceptances. 🕯.

Next weekend, I’m sending the revised version of the book of my heart back into the trenches. I’m nervous, but you know what? That’s okay. I believe in this story more than ever, and I can only hope I find the perfect agent who loves it, too. 🤍.

I think my Christmas meet-cute short story is completely finished. Tomorrow, I’ll read it one more time, then submit it to the anthology. ❄️.

I’ve reached the unhinged level of line editing my Christmas meet-cute short story. You know, the part when all you’re doing is changing verbs and adjectives until you find the perfect ones, and the part when you reestablish your bestie relationship with Merriam-Webster.

Well, you guys really want me to write this strawberry field horror story, huh? 🍓.

Not sure what is happening, but I have been getting a ton of inquiries for both Write on Track and Literary Blend. It breaks my heart to not offer more than half of them a spot on the show because I’m incredibly booked right now. The interest warms my heart though. 🤍.

Friends, I need your help to choose the next short story I draft. One is a YA horror featuring a deal with a devil and strawberry fields. The other is a NA Christmas portal romantasy featuring magical snow globes and lovers reuniting after a year apart. ✨.

I just recorded a fabulous chapter of Literary Blend with @myleejmiller. Watch for it on July 27. 💜.