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Leah J. Larkin

@leahjlarkin

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Writer. Reader. Small antique shop owner. Sharing the honest (and occasionally chaotic) journey toward publishing my debut novel, The Thirteenth Hour.

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Some days the world feels cold. Sometimes the feelings are heavy. You only need know where to look to find people who are standing patiently, ready to help you make it a bit warmer and a bit lighter.
I have a friend on here (yes, I *am* your friend.) who has been here with me on instagram since I started about 5 months ago. He’s pretty much been like a mentor to me and he doesn’t even realise how important he is here.
Anyway. He’s been feeling a little off just lately and I wanted to find a way to cheer him up - even if it’s just a tiny bit. A small spark or a little bit of sunshine to make him feel not so bad.
And you lot have just shown how incredibly amazing you are. It has been an absolutely brilliant thing to witness you all coming together to give support and advice and just to help pick up someone who needs a little pick up.
Thank you all so very much 🩵

@bymarkuskidd @words_by_ant @s.e.bolanos_writer @kinga.writes @t.k.hatfield @harley.withers.writes @ravenfaeauthor @theshadowflump @jen.writes.fiction @leahjlarkin @authorlbstone @chaitime2026 @r.l.lynnauthor @kcfairbrookeauthor @mikej_hines @lucynormanbooks by @leahjlarkin

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16 hours ago

Book mail! 📚💌 So excited to read these books by some of the lovely friends I’ve made here! My fall TBR is officially complete! If you’re not already following these authors, please go check them out! #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #reading #writer #falltbr by @leahjlarkin

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As this book takes shape, I’m so excited to finally get to share it with you!!! Right now, I’m working on my website and building a waiting list while I finish the final edits. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every single one of you for being here and supporting me. It truly means more to me than I can put into words. ❤️ The Thirteenth Hour is coming soon. Launch date TBA. P.S. My heart is pounding as I stare at the share button. #writer #writingcommunity #writing #writersofinstagram by @leahjlarkin

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Mondays are for goals and manifestations… What are you calling forward into your week, my friends? Consider this your wishing well. 🪙⛲️✨. I am setting a goal to make a huge dent in my developmental edits so I’m one step closer to sending my manuscript off for copyediting. I’ve also been so focused on keeping my nose to the grindstone that I haven’t given myself time to read. So I’m changing that, because I have some fun new book mail that I can’t wait to share with you. ❤️❤️❤️ #writer #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #writing #manifest by @leahjlarkin

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5 days ago

Crossing genres is my favorite. My absolute FAVORITE. I think it creates these beautifully complex, layered stories that keep you turning page after page. Writing a book blurb for such a story…. 🦗🦗🦗 0/10 do not recommend. Roughly how many words does your book blurb have? #writer #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #reading #wip by @leahjlarkin

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9 days ago

My girl Emily loved an em dash, and you know what? So do I. ❤️ When doubt gets loud, what gives you hope? #writer #reading #poetry #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity by @leahjlarkin

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10 days ago

October writing update. Things are moving, and I’m just trying to hold on. What’s helped keep you motivated and sane during this phase of the writing process? #writer #writingcommunity #wip #writersofinstagram by @leahjlarkin

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12 days ago

Just a little end of the week brain break. And yes… I realized after posting I spelled break wrong. 😂 Life of a writer! #writer #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #fallvibes by @leahjlarkin

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15 days ago

Are you a Pantser, Plotter, or Plantser? Also, where are my other clean drafters at?

#writer #writingcommunity #reader #writersofinstagram #wip by @leahjlarkin

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16 days ago

If anyone has tips on writing a book blurb, I will be right here, patiently waiting.
Help.📖👀

#writer #writing #writersofinstagrame #writingcomunity by @leahjlarkin

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17 days ago

Yes, this is the good and not the ugly, but believe me, I’ve taken a few blows as well. 🥊

This whole process has already been so helpful, and I’m only getting started. I chose to have a developmental edit done before sending The Thirteenth Hour to beta readers, and I’m realizing just how different the two experiences are.

An editor reads through the lens of craft. They can look at structure, pacing, and character development, helping you understand why something may or may not be working. Beta readers offer something entirely different; they give you the experience of simply being a reader. They tell you where they laughed, where they cried, where they got frustrated, who they loved, and who they wanted to kill. They tell you the moments when they couldn’t put the book down and, more importantly, when they could. After spending so much time immersed in this story, I may know what I wanted the reader to feel. Beta readers show me what actually made it onto the page, and sometimes those two things match beautifully. And sometimes... well, that’s why we have beta readers. 🫶. Do any of you have a preference? #writer #writingcommunity #reading #debutnovel #writersofinstagram by @leahjlarkin

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18 days ago

There is something so incredible about being a creative and experiencing something another person has made beautifully. A book that makes you sad when the story ends. A painting you could stare at for hours. A song that somehow puts words to something you’ve felt but couldn’t convey on your own.

Part of creating is allowing ourselves to be moved by what others create. To admire it and let it inspire us, so we can go home and make something of our own. Beautiful work will never take away from ours but instead remind us why we wanted to create in the first place. Feeling soulful this Sunday. Should soulful Sundays be a thing? #creative #art #writingcommunity #writer by @leahjlarkin

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