About Me
Hi! I’m kidlit author Lora Stead (not Laura Steed, Lori, Bora or Gora), although I also answer to Mom. I’ve been writing stories since I could hold a pencil, and I love discovering how pieces fit together in a narrative. For many years, I’ve enjoyed writing creative non-fiction like blogs, poetry, articles, and memoirs, but when I discovered writing for kids, my life changed.
There’s such magic in cuddling next to a beloved small human and experiencing story together; taking that experience to a creator level brings me immeasurable joy. My debut picture book WHERE DADDY IS comes out summer of 2029 with Simon & Schuster and I’m counting down the days! (It’s so many days haha). In the meantime, I write fictional picture books and middle grade novels with themes of friendship, identity, family, and belonging that I hope will one day keep WHERE DADDY IS company on the bookshelves.
I’m represented by Joyce Sweeney of the Seymour Agency, and we are currently subbing a contemporary middle grade Cinderella retelling. It’s full of lovable characters, self-discovery, a breakdown of mental health stigmas, and some good laughs. My co-writer, Stephanie Jackson, and I are crossing our fingers that OBSESSARELLA will find its perfect home.
Additionally, I’ve presented to live audiences on writing tough topics and kidlit craft tips, as well as my writing journey on YouTube. I’d be happy to present about finding an agent, landing a book deal, working with a Big 5 editor, the highs and lows of my publishing journey, and other writing-related topics. Feel free to reach out with a request or questions!
a few of my favorite things
book of my heart
Gone with the Wind
food
Pizza, Thai
Couldn’t live without
My Kindle
Favorite destination
Rome, Italy
My guilty pleasure
Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups
happy place
Bikram yoga
On repeat
Indie rock
Currently watching
This is Us
Professional Affiliations
SCBWI
Inked Voices
Utah League of Writers
