Here’s something nobody told me: you can “make it” in publishing and still feel insecure. Success doesn’t erase doubt.

Your best line might never be the one readers quote. That doesn’t make it less valuable. Sometimes it’s just for you.

My MIL is an immigrant. My dad’s family is Puerto Rican. Immigration debates aren’t theoretical for me—they’re my family’s reality.

Writing is weird. One minute you’re inventing worlds, the next you’re Googling if pigeons can get married.

Your book might not sell right now. Not because it’s bad. But because timing, trend, and list-building matter more than most authors realize. Don’t bury your belief in your story just because the market isn’t ready yet.

I used to think royalties would pay my bills. Spoiler: they didn’t. But that wasn’t failure—it was education. Here’s how authors actually build sustainable careers 👉 buff.ly/xkIN8tE

I’ve been self-published. I’ve been in the query trenches. I’m now an agent. If there’s one thing I know: success doesn’t look the same for everyone. It should be celebrated nonetheless.

PSA: My friend @ChelseaTornetto is running a live coaching group for picture book writers. I’ve already warned her that once people see how good she is, she’ll never get rid of them. 😂 Spots are limited → buff.ly/gILjoTH

The toughest part of being an agent? Loving a manuscript—and knowing I don’t have nearly enough time to do it justice. #writingcommunity

What’s the strangest compliment you’ve ever gotten on your writing?

Sometimes the bravest thing a writer can do isn’t finishing a book—it’s starting the next one after the first didn’t go as planned. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying

Self-pub, small press, Big 5—none of it makes you more or less of an author.

Super excited to be teaching online for WIFYR next week! buff.ly/5CYEAdB

Some people have a secret weapon. Mine’s named Chelsea Tornetto. 💛 Now she’s opening her coaching doors for picture book writers. Trust me—you’ll want in. buff.ly/gILjoTH #pb #amquerying #amwriting

Some writers think self-publishing is “less than.” Others think traditional publishing is the only way. I’ve done both. And the truth? The best path is the one that fits YOUR goals, your story, your timeline.

The publishing system isn’t perfect. But it’s still worth fighting for. And I’ll keep fighting—for my clients, for my own books, for every writer who refuses to give up.

Query trenches = speed dating for manuscripts. Sometimes the “no” means nothing about you—it’s just not the match.

There are a lot of articles this week about the middle grade category. I have so many thoughts on this topic, as both a longtime editor of some mainstay middle-grade series, and a parent of a 12-year-old.

Writers, what’s your favorite line you’ve ever written? Not your book’s strongest line—the one that makes you secretly proud every time you see it. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying

Brian presents a well-documented breakdown of why Twitter has been dead for reach and engagement for over a year. Please share with all of your friends - and more importantly #kidLit publishing houses and agencies - who are still clinging to Twitter out of habit that no longer is serving them.

Soooooo...I finally sat down and compiled a list of all the things I do AND the places you can find me. 😅 And now I need a nap. vickyweberbooks.substack.com/p/start-here...

True confession: Sometimes I reread old drafts just to remind myself I can write something beautiful. That’s enough fuel to keep going.

Confession: I trust Chelsea Tornetto with my own manuscripts. She’s THAT good. Now she’s opening up a one-time coaching cohort for picture book writers. Starts Sept 22. Mondays at noon CST. $175. Spots are limited →

Toddlers are the harshest critique partners. Mine told me my story was “BORING” and then ran away. Accurate. Brutal.

Fun update…I’m branching out into adult fiction as a writer! open.substack.com/pub/vickyweb...

If I could clone Chelsea Tornetto, I would. Since I can’t… the next best thing is her one-time coaching cohort for picture book writers. 😍 It starts Sept 22. Don’t sleep on this. buff.ly/gILjoTH #pb #amwriting

Timing matters. Market matters. Bandwidth matters. Sometimes ‘not now’ really does mean ‘not now.’

This is a one-time coaching opportunity for picture book writers ✨ Chelsea Tornetto is leading a 4-week group coaching cohort starting Sept 22. Mondays at noon CST. $175. Spots are limited, and once it’s gone—it’s gone. 👉

Which fictional character would you absolutely NEVER let babysit your kids?

If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with a picture book expert and get real, hands-on coaching… That’s exactly what my dear friend Chelsea Tornetto is offering. 💛 A one-time, 4-week group coaching cohort starts Sept 22. 👉 buff.ly/3WnzfEa

Pick a song lyric that perfectly describes your writing process. Go. #writingcommunity #booktwt

Every query in my inbox is someone’s dream. That weight never gets lighter. Sometimes I wish I had 10 pairs of eyes and hands to give more “yes” than I can.

Oh HELL yes

This was a fun one to write: buff.ly/gw5cUmO

What’s the most ridiculous note you’ve ever left yourself in a draft? (Mine: “FIX THIS LATER, IT’S BAD.” I did not, in fact, fix it later.)

Hi #KidLitArtPostcard day, I'm Mike! I usually post cheerful scenes but this month I'm showing some range with a new spooky MG cover illustration instead. I'm also excited to share that I'm now repped by @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social at CMA! 🎉 mdashow-kidlitart.carrd.co #spooky #kidLit #kidLitArt

I’m sad to share that starting Sept 15, I’ll be pausing unsolicited queries through the end of the year 💙 I’m still happy to consider referrals or connect at a conference or pitch events. Thanks for understanding!

I wish I could represent every writer who poured their heart into a query. But I can’t. What I can do: cheer you on, remind you that “no” isn’t the end, and hope you keep going until you find your “yes.”

If you’ve ever gotten a pass that felt unfair—know that agents feel the sting too. We’re not rejecting you. We’re making hard decisions inside an imperfect system.

Sometimes I think my true calling isn’t writing—it’s microwaving coffee I forgot about.

Real talk: Sometimes I think about quitting social media entirely. Then someone messages me, “Your post kept me writing today.” Okay. Worth it.

Join us on Tuesday, September 2nd with Feiwel & Friends editor Emily Settle as we chat about point of view. #waywordwriters #conqueryourpath #writingcommunity #writerslife #writingpodcast #writingretreat #pov

Writing is the only job where you can stare at a wall for two hours and call it “progress.”

Books don’t change laws. But they do change hearts. And hearts? They change votes, cultures, legacies. That’s why we keep writing—even when it hurts.

You don’t need to apologize for writing slowly. No one asks a tree why it isn’t taller yet. #writingcommunity #amwriting

Well, my big win for the month (aside from finishing my postcard early) was signing with an agent! As of yesterday, I am now represented by @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social at CMA! 🎉 #kidLitArt

What’s a book you wish you could experience for the first time again?

My first royalty check was… not the glamorous moment I’d imagined. I didn't know that most writers don't solely make ends meet that way. Here are other ways to make money as an author that will build your career and open doors: buff.ly/0fr6ZCB