YEARS OF DETERMINATION & GRIT I promised my under-the-sea friends I would help them. Has it been hard? Yes. Unbelievably. But I’m so proud of what I’ve done…AND I’M JUST GETTING STARTED! #author #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #ocean #kidlit #clearthelists #pb #booksky #book #library #clifi

GUYS…MY 3RD BOOK PUBLISHES IN 11 DAYS and I can hardly believe it. The dream I’ve worked so hard for is REALLY, ACTUALLY, REAL 🥹 I’M AN AUTHOR. What a cool thing to say!!!!!!!!!! 🎉 #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #ocean #publishing #library #author #writingcommunity #books #booksky #clifi

BUCKET LIST CHECK ✅🥳! I had my first signing at Barnes and Noble as a traditionally published author. No words. But, seriously, thank you for ALL the love♥️😭 #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #debut #publishing #5amwritersclub #scbwi #teachers #clearthelists #books #coffee #booksky

I’M OFFICIALLY A TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED AUTHOR!! 😭🥳 Exhausted. Wowed. & HUMBLED TO THE CORE from all of the media & attention. Thank you ALL for the love 😭♥️ #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #debut #publishing #5amwritersclub #nyc #scbwi #teachers #clearthelists #book #booksky

WOW, #writingcommunity, you sure know how to make an author feel the love on PUBLICATION DAY! Eeeeek! BIRTHDAY BASH IS HERE! amazon.com/Birthday-Bas...

AHHHHHH!!! 🤯 Being a featured skyscraper ad in Publishers Weekly is SOOOO CRAZY!! WHAT is life right now?! 🙌💥 #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #amwriting #kidlit #ocean #author #classroom #library #booklaunch #books #clearthelists #publishing #booksky

BOOK LAUNCH PREP IS NO JOKE! Books are literally all. over. my. house… and it’s actually CRAZY COOL! 🥳🤩 #authorlife #author #books #library #scbwi #publishing #booklaunch #PB25vibes #pb #kidlit #5amwritersclub #coffee #teachers #booksky #PB25Vibes #scbwi

Sending ARCs to my publicist is not something I ever dreamed would be a reality for me…BUT HERE I AM! 😭🤩🥳 ON THE VERGE OF DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH SEASON! Don’t stop chasing your dreams. #kidlit #author #books #publishing #writingcommunity #editors #agents #scbwi #library #pb #booksky

YEARS of querying YEARS of doubt YEARS of learning, pivoting, pushing through... And here we are... in the 20-day countdown to my traditional debut! This feels really big🥹✨ #writingcommunity #books #booklaunch #publishing #author #kidlit #amwriting #5amwritersclub #scbwi

OMGGGG that feeling when you open an email to find a DREAM response! An absolute DREAM response!!! The excitement is REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #writingcommunity #kidlit #publishing #5amwritersclub #library #books #author #agents #editors #onsubmission #scbwi #booksky

Three years ago, I didn't have any books published yet. But here I am today, and, WOW! LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIES! 😭 Reminder: hard work, determination, & straight-up GRIT will help you chase those dreams. Don't stop believing! #author #books #kidlit #publishing #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity

When your drive & passion brings an incredible opportunity! 🤩😭🎉 I get to have coffee w/ Mr. Sinclair this morning…. please, help me! WHAT DOES SOMEONE ASK THE LEAD ARCHEOLOGIST WHO RECOVERED THE TITANIC!? #history #titanic #writingcommunity #teacher #kidlit #author #ocean #booksky

THEY’RE HERE!! 😭💙 HUGGING MY FIRST TRAD. PUBLISHED BOOK SO TIGHT!!! BIRTHDAY BASH launches 9/16: @little_press @eastwestlit.bsky.social @woolleystories.bsky.social @pageturnerlit.bsky.social @theislandwriter.bsky.social #writingcommunity #kidlit #library #clearthelists #author #5amwritersclub

MY HEART IS FULL! Donating to orgs. like @risinghopetanzania.bsky.social & @theoceanproject really fills my bucket as an #author ! TEACHERS: I also want to help YOU #clearthelists ! R/T and drop your link ⬇️ I’ll 👀 and select some items! #clearthelist25 #supportateacher #writingcommunity #scbwi

Thanks for the feature!!

BUILDING MY BOOK TOUR! I’m so excited to add the Louisville Book Festival to my schedule in October! 🐎 🌹✨ Family, farms, and a whole lotta fun! COME SEE ME! #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #kidlit #pb #author #books #library #booklaunch #publishing #writersinthesky #booksky

I’m RECHARGED AND READY to receive my #publishing news. Rest, relaxation, and travel reset my mind and focus 🧘 Cheers to a great summer of good coffee and chasing dreams. Just keep going. #writingcommunity #author #kidlit #5amwritersclub #authorsofx #clifi #pb #mg #ya #booksky

WHAT A RUSH! I got to hold all 3 of my books🥹🤩 These ms’s were rejected by SO many editors: I’m here to tell you to keep following your dreams, y’all. Rejection is redirection! #kidlit #publishing #writingcommunity #editor #agent #author #scbwi #5amwritersclub #coffee #clifi #ocean

A DREAM COME TRUE 😭🎉! I got to hold my first traditionally published book, BIRTHDAY BASH, that launches 9/16/25! Thank you, @little_press @michele_mcavoy & @WoolleyStories We made a great book🥹 #author #publishing #kidlit #writingcommunity #marketing #birthdaybash #pb #scbwi #pal #5amwritersclub

PLEASE FALL IN LOVE WITH THE OCEAN! It’s vast. It’s mysterious. Its depths can fill you with wonder. Writing about our natural world is a DREAM COME TRUE for me 💙 #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #author #kidlit #ocean #publishing #pb #mg #booksky

REMINDER: BE KIND TO YOURSELF 🩵 Take a breath & wander into a bookstore. It helps—every. single. time. We got this 💪🏻🫶🏻 #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #author #kidlit #books #amwriting #publishing #writerslift #coffee #booksky

I GOT A VISIT FROM A PUBLISHING FAIRY GODMOTHER✨ Out of nowhere, she appeared in my inbox: "I have time. I want to help you. Call me on my cell." So I dropped everything & called... WHERE WILL THIS GO?! AH! #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #scbwi #publishing

I know the publishing world is INCREDIBLY tough to break into...BUT I’M NOT READY TO GIVE UP. *pic below from my pitch from the car this weekend! Whatever it takes! 💥 #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #scbwi #amwriting #publishing #coffee #mg #pb #clifi #skyauthor

After 4 years of dreaming, manifesting, and hustling… I GET TO MEET WITH AN EDITOR I’VE ADMIRED SINCE DAY 1 TODAY!!!!!! Wish me luck!! #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #publishing #editors #dreambig #coffee #skywriters #booksky

SIGNING A STACK OF MY BOOKS 😭🎉 I can’t wait to do this again in a few short months! Eeeeeek! #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #author #kidlit #books #clifi #scbwi #publishing #coffee #authorlife

ADDED THE SPARK & THE SPUNK! I had a MAJOR breakthrough on my PB this morning after feedback that it might be too quiet & EPIC line edits. HUGE THANKS to the amazing #editor for the insight that unlocked it✨🗝️ #kidlit #publishing #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #author

GEARING UP FOR A DOUBLE LAUNCH! I’m nervous. I’m excited. & I’m wondering if this is really REAL… bc in a few months I’ll have 3 published books in the world…AND THAT IS TRULY UNBELIEVABLE 🤯🎉 #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #author #kidlit #pb #books #publishing #booksky

BE PATIENT: It’s worth it. Years of rejections that sting. Doubt sometimes louder than dreams. Pauses filled with hesitation. But today—I’m thankful. Because every “no” led me here. And here is pretty amazing 🤩 #publishing #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #writingcommunity #booksky

IF YOU HAD A PEN NAME, what would it be? I had a dream I was BLAKE NORTH, and now I'm wondering what Blake should start writing... #WritingCommunity #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #authorlife #publishing #coffee #booksky

🎤 Quest Pit 1, 2, 1, 2: Time to make those dreams come true. Pitch day is here— the mics are hot, Get your posts together & take the shot! FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD 💥 Comment for support! #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #kidlit #questpit #editors #publishing #agents

IT'S SUPER-SIZED TUESDAY! I have a big pencil, a giant mug, and some supersized dreams. Let’s go, #writingcommunity! Here’s to #questpit #community & #creating today! I’ll support when I can! #author #5amwritersclub #kidlit #coffee #publishing #marketing #pb #scbwi

SIGNING STACKS OF MY BOOKS is a pretty cool feeling & I can’t wait for more of these moments in just a FEW SHORT MONTHS! 🥳 Let’s go Monday! #5amwritersclub #publishing #pb #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #coffee #MondayMood

I got hit with not one but TWO way-too-close rejections—and oof, they STUNG. BADLY 🥹 I’m giving myself full permission to FEEL ALL THE FEELS, and then… MOVE IN A NEW DIRECTION! Repeat the mantra: #writingcommunity #publishing #kidlit #author #5amwritersclub #editors #coffee

SOMEONE PLEASE PINCH ME!😭 This book was rejected by 100+ agents and editors. Did I let the rejections stop me? Almost...but NO. I kept going. & it's amazing to see what is happening🥹 BELIEVE IN YOU. #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #books #ocean #writingcommunity #clifi #publishing #marketing

New moon. New week. Fresh opportunities to seek! Let go. Set goals. RISE UP! Repeat. WE GOT THIS! #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #kidlit #author #onsubmission #publishing #marketing #writersofx #MondayMotivation #NewMoonMagic #scbwi #PB25vibes #writerslift #coffee #positive

I REALLY LOVE PUBLISHING! and I'd love to meet you! Happy FRI-YAY, all! #writingcommunity #5amwritersclub #marketing #scbwi #amwriting #editors #agents #pb #library #promo #books #PB25Vibes #12x12pb #author #kidlit #publishing #FRIYAY #giveaway

I got to celebrate my insanely talented friend, @christinashawn.bsky.social , who launched this BEAUTIFUL book this week w/ @ChronicleKids 💚 So proud of her perseverance and hard work!! Huge congrats, my friend! #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #publishing #books #scbwi

AUTHOR LIFE IS WILD! I was on TV w/ The Very Airy Library in Atlanta exactly one year ago celebrating EARTH DAY! 🥳 🎬😅🤿 #kidlit #5amwritersclub #IslandGirls #writingcommunity #author #amwriting #library #earthday #ocean #saveourseas #plasticocean #yachtie #yachtielife

Today, I renew my vow—to rise with the tides, to speak for the sea, to protect what I love. The only way I know how… by writing. I woke at 3 am, & these words flowed like waves... Happy Earth Day 🌊💙 #EarthDay #publishing #5amwritersclub #kidlit #writingcommunity #pb #1ocean

Watch out, #publishing—I’m coming for ya!💥 Pitch events, book fairs, marketing meetings… oh my! This week is crazy packed. Don't forget to prioritize YOU. #kidlit #amwriting #MondayMotivation #author #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #editors #onsubmission #coffee #scbwi

FEEL ALL THE FEELS!!!! My #editor, Michele McAvoy of Little Press Publishing, surprised @woolleystories.bsky.social and me on our #marketing call, HOLDING an ARC OF OUR BOOK, BIRTHDAY BASH! I cried!😭🥳 Overwhelming emotions!!!!!! #writingcommunity #author #kidlit #5amwritersclub #publishing #pb

Celebrate National Pinata Day with a birthday-themed picture book! @robsayart.bsky.social @brennajeanneret.bsky.social @devpetty.bsky.social @taralazar.bsky.social @theislandwriter.bsky.social @woolleystories.bsky.social

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE! Being #onsubmission as an #author can be a FAMILY event! Make it FUN & thrilling. This week, we placed a bet: How many editors will reply? 8 yo: 0🤣 10 yo: 1 Husband: 2 Me: 3 #publishing #thewait #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #kidlit #books #skyauthor #coffee

I can’t believe I’m saying this: SPAM ME WITH YOUR PR/MARKETING SERVICES 🚨 I have two book launches coming up & need help with ALL. THE. THINGS. Who have you used that is GREAT? NO DM's. #writingcommunity #marketing #publishing #kidlit #5amwritersclub #promo #books #editors

An #editor wanted to send updates via text: THIS IS HOW MY NAME WAS SAVED IN THE PHONE 😭🎉 Manifest. Manifest. Manifest. and then… Manifest even more! #5amwritersclub #kidlit #writingcommunity #coffee #clifi #books #bookdeals #marketing #author #publishing #onsubmission

Hey, Monday: Bring news. Be nice. Fill us with courage and creativity 🙏🏻 ☕️ Cheers 🎉 #publishing #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #author #kidlit #amwriting #onsubmission #marketing #coffee #mondaze #writer #pb #mg #bookish #library #promo #books

There is nothing like holding your book for the first time!!! 😭🤩 Dreams really do come true! Thank you to my agent, Karen, and @eastwestliterary for believing in me. Preorder your copy here: amazon.com/Ocean-Protec... #writingcommunity #author #kidlit #publishing #marketing #pb

MARKETING IN PUBLISHING CAN BE HARD! Daunting! Draining! & A BIG BLACK HOLE! But it doesn't have to be! Follow for advice: hosted & posted by PR / Book Marketing Specialist @theislandwriter.bsky.social #writingcommunity #kidlit #publishing #pb #author

Feeling like a force of nature today: FIERY🔥 FOCUSED🧐 FIERCE 😈 I'm bringin' the bold, the wild, and the unforgettable to the big pitch event today! #5amwritersclub #writingcommunity #kidlit #author #scbwi #books #coffee #pb #publishing #marketing

Woo hoo!!!!