Finding Your Cheerleaders

Written by Leah Moser

Being a writer can feel lonely at times. I do my best writing alone in a quiet room… with nothing but my computer and my thoughts.

Getting traditionally published is hard work. Even the best-known authors received rejections before getting that first yes. With all the no’s we hear, it’s easy to feel down about your work and yourself as a writer. Cue those pesky thoughts:

Enter...the kid lit community - those wonderful people I’ve met through SCBWI, critique groups, Twitter/X, the 12x12 PB Challenge, PBSoar24, Instagram, and BlueSky. The kind of people who lift you up and support you when those invasive thoughts enter. 

Since being a member of this community, I’ve realized the importance of celebrating other people’s successes. At the end of the day, we are not in a competition against other writers. In basic terms: I couldn’t have written what someone else wrote because we are different people with different voices and thoughts. So why should someone else’s success threaten my own?

I root for the members of the kid lit writing community. I share and retweet their posts on social media. I attend in-person or virtual readings and book launches. Sometimes, I even purchase silly, special, personalized chocolate bars for my critique partners when they sign a new book deal!

Shameless plug: This is the lovely Gabriella Aldeman. Buy her book here.

We’re all on our personal writing journeys. Some people land an agent or get published before others. And that’s okay. Connect with people who feel genuinely proud when you do find writing success, whatever that means to you. 

Readers, go find your cheerleaders. 

About the Author

Leah Moser is a former elementary school teacher turned children’s book author. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children, and dog. 

Leah is a member of the SCBWI community, 12x12 PB challenge, multiple picture book critique groups, PB Soar 24 (a promotional marketing group of authors debuting in 2024), and is a judge for Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest. 

Additionally, Leah has recently launched her own freelance picture book editing company to help other writers! To work with Leah or learn about her available services, click here.

Leah is represented by Daniel Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency. Her debut picture book titled I Am a Thundercloud, illustrated by Marie Hermansson, will be released in April 2024 by Running Press Kids/Hachette.  PREORDER HERE!

Connect with Leah and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky.