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Mel Luna

@mellunabooks

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🖊️Children’s Book Creator
🌙Bringing a decades-long dream to life
📚 Follow our journey from dream to bookshelf!
👇 Free parenting resources & more!

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Hey, I’m Melanie! 💚

If you’re new here, welcome to my little corner of the internet.

I’m a mama, a dreamer, and a first-time children’s book author building a world called Pinewood Forest…one page, one sketch, and one story at a time.

I’m learning as I go, chasing a dream that’s been on my heart for decades, and sharing every step of the journey!
The exciting moments, the messy moments, and everything in between.

I believe stories can help children grow into confident, kind, courageous little humans and if I can help even one child believe in themselves, every late night and every challenge will be worth it!

Whether you’re here because you love books, believe in big dreams, enjoy behind-the-scenes creative journeys, or just happened to stumble across my page…

I’m so glad you’re here!
🌲🦨💚

Now tell me something about YOU! 👇

✨ Are you a dream chaser?
📚 A fellow book lover?
👩‍👧 A parent?
☕ A coffee addict?

Let’s get to know each other!

#MelLunaBooks #Author #dreamchaser #creativejourney #books by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

…believing you can fly!

It looks like a blanket tied around your shoulders!

A backyard transformed into a city that needs saving!

A handful of stuffed animals waiting for their hero!

Somewhere along the way though, the world starts telling us to “grow up!” 😔

But maybe growing up shouldn’t mean letting go of the imagination that once made ordinary moments feel extraordinary!!

Because wonder doesn’t have an age limit!

It’s found in pretending!

In believing!

In dreaming!

And sometimes…

it’s found in a little girl wearing her favorite blankey as a cape to be a Hero!!

What did you used to pretend to be when you were young?

I’d love to hear your stories!

#kidsbooks #author #imagination #hero #momssupportingmoms by @mellunabooks

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2 months ago

There was a time when this children’s book almost never happened!

Years ago, I started writing a poetry book filled with poems I’d written since I was a little girl…I never finished it!

So when the idea for Stinki came along, I remember thinking…

“If I couldn’t even finish the poetry book…why would I ever finish a children’s book?”

I was told it was a silly project,

A waste of money,

That I’d never make any money writing children’s books anyway!

And honestly…

I believed them.

So I gave up,

My heart didn’t!!

No matter how much I tried to convince myself to let this dream go, it kept finding its way back to me!

Today, whether this Kickstarter succeeds or falls short, I’m already proud of myself.

Because I finished the manuscript!

I had the courage to put my dream out into the world!

And one day, my daughter will know that her mom was brave enough to try!

To me…

That alone makes this journey worth it! 🤗

If you’d like to help me bring this dream to life, my Kickstarter link is in my bio! 🦨

Love ya Mucho!! ❤️

#kidsbooks #motherdaughterlove #nevergiveup #author #bookstagram by @mellunabooks

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2 months ago

Faith isn’t believing everything will go exactly as planned!

It’s having the courage to keep going anyway. ❤️🙏🏼

#faith #bookstagram #moms #myjourney #trust by @mellunabooks

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2 months ago

Nobody warns you how emotional chasing a dream can be!

Turns out launching your first Kickstarter is:

Scary,
Exciting,
Exhausting,
& Powered almost entirely by caffeine! ☕️🤪

But somehow…

I wouldn’t change a thing!

Every share, comment, and pledge helps bring Stinki one step closer to life!

Kickstarter link is in my bio!📚

#stress #loveit #author #bookstagram #kickstarter by @mellunabooks

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2 months ago

If you’re thinking about supporting my Kickstarter, here’s a quick tip! ❤️

Instead of just clicking “Back this project,” head over to the Rewards section so you can choose a reward and receive something special in return! 📚✨

Thank you for believing in my dream and helping bring Pinewood Forest to life. Every bit of support means the world to me! 🌲🦨❤️

🔗 Kickstarter link is in my bio!

#kidsbooks #author #tips #help #bookstagram by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

Five people believed in a dream that has lived in my heart for years! ❤️

You’ll probably never know just how much that means to me!

No matter what happens over the next 27 days, I will always remember you as my very first heroes!!!!

The first people who looked at this dream and said, “I believe in you!” 🥹

This book means more to me than I could ever put into words, and because of you...it’s one step closer to becoming a reality!

From the bottom of my heart...thank you so very much!

I love you all more than you’ll ever know!

If you’d like to help bring this dream to life, my Kickstarter link is in my bio!
🌲📚🦨❤️

#author #books #journey #awareness #bookstagram by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

Yesterday I turned 44,
And I realized something…

I’ve lived a hundred different lives already!

Not literally…but it sure feels like it! 😩

I’ve worked customer service,
Healthcare,
Education,
Insurance,
Sales,
Operations,
Helped build businesses, etc.

I’ve started over more times than I can count!!!!

I also became licensed or certified as an aesthetician, laser technician, registered medical assistant, tax preparer, & insurance agent in 11 states…

Hell, I even became a certified mixologist once!🍹

Every time though I thought, “Maybe THIS is what I’m meant to do!”

But none of them ever felt like the work my heart was made for, you know?!

Not because they were bad careers, I mean some of them were amazing careers!!

They just weren’t mine! 😔

The dream that keeps pulling at my heart isn’t just another job title, it’s building something that outlives me!

Writing children’s books!!

Maybe one day a cozy little bookstore will open with coffee, boba, and books from local authors!

Maybe even help other authors publish their own dreams someday!

Will any of that happen?...

Shit, I have no idea?!?!

I still need a job & still have bills to pay!

I even still have days where I wonder if I’m stupid & absolutely insane for chasing this!

But for the first time…
I know what I HOPE my life’s work will be!

So maybe we aren’t supposed to have everything figured out at 17!!

Maybe life isn’t about finding one path…

Maybe it’s about walking enough paths until you finally recognize the one that fills your heart!

If you’re still trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up...

Maybe you’re not lost,

Maybe you’re just one path away from finding the one your heart has been longing for! ♥

#dream #whatif #womenover40 #intentionalliving #momssupportingmoms by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

Wonder doesn’t have an age limit!

Sometimes it looks like jumping on a trampoline!

Sometimes it looks like laughing until your stomach hurts!

Sometimes it just looks like remembering that joy isn’t just for kids!

Never lose the part of you that still knows how to play! 🤍

What does wonder look like for you today?

Tell me in the comments!! 💛

#kidsbooks #wonder #playtime #author #fun by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

There will never be a perfect time!!

There will always be people who tell you not to do it.

People who doubt you, People who think your dream is unrealistic!

And sometimes…

The loudest voice telling you to quit will be your own!

Don’t listen!!!!

If there’s something that’s been heavy on your heart…
If you feel called to it…
If you can’t stop thinking about it…

Go for it!

Because one day you’ll either be grateful you tried…

Or you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering, “What if?”

Today, I stopped talking myself out of my dream!

I did it. ❤️💪🏼📚🦨🌲

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take that first step, this is it!

What’s one dream you’ve been putting off because you’re waiting for the “perfect time?” Tell me below. 👇

#kickstarter #kidsbooks #believe #author #bookstagram by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

44 feels like a turning point…and I’m stepping into it with a HUGE leap of faith!

My Pinewood Forest Kickstarter launches tomorrow…and I’d love for you to be part of it!

Follow along + join me tomorrow!

#kickstarter #books #author #momssupportingmoms #kidsbooks by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago

Children may not remember every conversation…

But they’ll remember how your words made them feel!

A simple…

“I’m proud of you.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“You are so amazing!”

…can stay with a child for a lifetime.

Let’s raise children whose inner voice sounds a little more like love. 💗

What’s one encouraging phrase you heard as a child that stayed with you?

#motherdaughterlove #momssupportingmoms #iloveyou #proudmama #kids by @mellunabooks

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3 months ago