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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷

@lbensonhadley.bsky.social

62 followers 40 following 49 posts

Aspiring #YA author. Genuinely confused by adulting. Chronically behind on pop culture but Bad Bunny seems cool. MCAS/POTS/EDS/ADHD/OMG. I collect dx like Pokémon & I dress up my cats. 🏳️‍🌈💄🌎🌌🦓🩷♋️ 🪶Querying: THE THRONE'S GUARDIAN ✍️WIP: ROMANCING THE CUBE

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · May 7

THE THRONE'S GUARDIAN

18yo Blakely discovers she’s heir to the protectors of a hidden world devastated by civil war, but in order to unleash the extraordinary powers she desperately needs to save it, she must conquer her greatest weakness: her paralyzing self-doubt.

#Q #YA #F #QuestPit #agentguide

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 3h

Okay, but let me raise you—hear me out—*catnip*. In the peppermint family too and has amazing stomach benefits!! I get awesome stuff from the UK!!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 3h

Love this, especially my fellow PTSD and chronic pain sufferer Frodo (he’s always been my favorite). “There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts go too deep, that have taken hold.” I have a tattoo from the passage where he & Sam see Eärendil in the Ephel Dúath. 💗💗

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 1d

Just realized I was so excited about being drawn for the #RevPit #10Queries, I never even posted about it! 🤦‍♀️ 🫢 This has been such a difficult year for me, and I am so grateful at this little bright spot of luck. Thank you so much #RevPit! So excited to see everyone’s feedback!! 💗💗

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 7d

I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 1d

I relate to this so hard!! I got drawn too and it was the first bright spot I’d had in a while. And my ADHD self was so excited, I totally forgot to post about it. 🤦‍♀️ So happy for you!! 💗💗

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 4d

Yes! Gotta keep moving forward. I love the YouTube channel Cinema Therapy and was watching their episode on The Martian, and they were talking about how you just have to focus on one small problem and not let the whole huge problem overcome you. So just one query and then the next!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 4d

You should look into the Pusheen box!! It’s quarterly and you get 6 or 7 Pusheen items!! The Halloween one is always my fave!! (Not my chaos demon cat photobombing.)

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 4d

So incredibly 💔 by the loss of John Lodge of the Moody Blues. Classic rock is losing so many greats. 😔

two men are standing next to each other with their eyes closed and their hair is blowing in the wind .

ALT: two men are standing next to each other with their eyes closed and their hair is blowing in the wind .

media.tenor.com

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 4d

Sounds amazing and also, LOVE Pusheen. I am literally wearing a brand new Pusheen sweatshirt from the October Pusheen box. 💗💗

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 7d

Thanks to @jendiarenzo.bsky.social for this amazing drawing of my sea serpent Pooski giving encouragement. #querying is hard, & it was crushing not getting any #dvpit likes. It makes me question what I’m doing wrong, if my story is even wanted, if I even have any talent at all. Anyone else relate?

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 7d

I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 9d

Thank you to everyone who supported me today during #DVPit! Loved meeting new friends like @emmalbwrites.bsky.social and @laynejohnsonkidlit.bsky.social! Both such talented authors! Rooting for you!!! 💗💗 🌟

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Reposted by Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 9d

That's a wrap on #DVpit 2025!
Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, or supported!
Thank you to the agents & editors who showed up!
And thank you to our board @peterlopez.bsky.social & @katchowrites.bsky.social & @claribelortega.com who brought #DVpit to Bluesky!

Thank you
to everyone who pitched, supported, or volunteered for #DVpit 2025
follow @dvpit.bsky.social to stay in touch

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 9d

They were freaking stellar!!! 💫

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

#YA OUTLANDERxLEGENDBORN

In the fight to save her hidden world from a cruel sorceress, 18yo ADHDer Blakely must learn to wield a magical necklace whose unusual powers hinge on her biggest flaw: her lack of confidence.

🏳️‍🌈 #LGBT world!
✨Magic!
🦓 #DIS!
🔥Slow burn!
😂Humor!

#DVPit #CF #F #OWN #ND #CI

Illustration of a pendant with light blue, dark blue, and white swirls with an opalescent gem at the bottom

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

This is so amazing. Really hope it gets the attention it deserves. 🩷🙏

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

Blakely only remembers the hidden world she came from in her dreams. Then she stumbles across it and has to fight with her life to save it--and the boy she loves.

🌶️ #ND #OWN
✨Magic
🦓 #DIS
🔥Slow 🔥
😆Humor
🏳️‍🌈 #LGBT
😠x☀️
🍭Trope Spins
🦹‍♀️Female Baddie
🚫Forbidden 💜
🗡️Reluctant Chosen 1️⃣

#DVPit #YA #CF #F #CI

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

Thank you!! This story means a lot to me…similar themes to yours!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

This sounds absolutely amazing. 💗💗

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

Thank you!! I’d love to see more ADHD rep myself, especially in fantasy!!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

OUTLANDERxGIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS

18yo ADHDer Blakely must overcome self-doubt to unlock her extraordinary magic and save her queernormative hidden world, all while struggling to hold onto the relationship she’s always yearned for & figuring out where she belongs.
#DVPit #YA #CF #OWN #F #ND #LGBT

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

you too 🙂

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

Ooooh I love that way of describing it! Cool! Thank you!!

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

The hidden world Blakely fled as a child is in ruins. She must give up her dream life & return, or there's no hope. If she can’t find the confidence her magic demands, Noríah doesn’t stand a chance--& its cruel sorceress will take her & the boy she loves down w/ it.
#DVPit #YA #CF #OWN #ND #CI

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Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

thank you so much!!💗

Laura B. | #OwnVoices YA Author | Querying! 🩷 @lbensonhadley.bsky.social · 10d

LEGENDBORNxTHIS WOVEN KINGDOM
ADHDer Blakely discovers she’s key to stopping the ruin of the hidden world she fled as a child & must leave the life she’s always wanted. She’ll have to overcome her biggest flaw,linked to magic she needs to help a civilization counting on her.
#DVPit #YA #CF #OWN #DIS

Illustration of 2 young men and 1 young woman standing together. The woman is holding a blue ball of magic

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