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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 2h

4,400 words drafted today with two more queries sent. I just know my Macbook hates to see me coming 😭 #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #fantasywriter

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 11h

Set a timer for a writing sprint on my WIP this morning. 1,320 words in an hour! Let’s see what this next hour holds. #amwriting #writingcommunity #fantasywriter

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Yes, the worst part is waiting! I have eight outstanding queries and seven fulls out. If I don’t stay busy, I’ll refresh QueryTracker all day!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

A productive day! Another full sent, another two queries delivered, 2k words drafted in my WIP, and a substantial amount of work done on another book’s outline #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #fantasywriter

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Nothing more harrowing than someone reading over your shoulder while you write… please do not perceive me #amwriting #writingcommunity #fantasywriter

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

After the whirlwind of the last couple of days, I’m getting back to work today: drafting the beginning of Act II of my WIP and sketching out a more in-depth outline of Glorious Empire’s book 2! #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #fantasywriter

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I’ve received FOUR full requests on my manuscript just today. Feeling so grateful 🥲🥲🥲🥲 #amquerying #writingcommunity #fantasywriter

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

An editor at TOR and an editor at Erewhon Books asked for the fulls on my manuscript this weekend. 🥲 Crossing my fingers the work delivers #amquerying #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

She knows! Very anti-hero vibes on both sides of the romance!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Anyone going to Colorado Gold this weekend? Would love to connect! #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Brushed up against 4,000 words yesterday across two projects! Narrowing my drafting focus to my main WIP today: a romantasy with a female Tony Soprano falling in love in fantasy Mykonos #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The perfect start to a writing session: a bowl of ice cream while reading over yesterday’s work. Yes, it’s 9:30 am. Why do you ask? #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Succession and Bravo are my FAVORITE things. This sounds great!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

All of my writing projects lead back to Shakespeare! Thank you very much!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“For mine own good, all causes shall give way.” Every triumph demands its due. Aurealia will kill every version of herself that cannot pay. She knows she can win the crown, but what version of her will remain to wear it? MACBETH x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR x THE POET EMPRESS #DVpit #A #F

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

To claim an empire, a crafty diplomat must become a ruthless warlord. As it turns out, she’s as skilled at winning wars as she is at ending them. All she has to do is violently conquer her oldest friends, sacrifice her most intimate relationships, & put on a damn good show. Easy. #DVpit #A #F

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Love is a battlefield. (Unfortunately.) Aurealia wants to rule the empire. Caspian wants to dismantle it. Neither can survive the other. Neither can swing the sword. Enemies (with a literal body count) to lovers (derogatory) THE RAVEN SCHOLAR x THE POET EMPRESS #DVpit #A #F

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

More representation for selfish and self-serving FMCs!!!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

THE GLORY OF EMPIRE (114k words) Aurealia has three goals: 1. Win the crown. 2. Defeat childhood companions without killing them.* 3. Don’t let appetite for power ruin all relationships.** * Negotiable ** Also negotiable MACBETH x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR x THE POET EMPRESS #DVpit #A #F

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This sounds SO cool!! (As someone from a town where Walmart was, indeed, the biggest thing to ever happen.)

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Hunger Games but if Katniss Everdeen was Macbeth from the Capitol! 😂

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Military prowess is only half the battle. (Literally.) The vicious succession war will be televised, and Aurealia has star power. Charm the audience. Win the patronages. Seize the throne. MACBETH x THE TRAITORS x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR #DVpit #A #F

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This is such an incredible concept. Good luck!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

There’s nothing reluctant about Aurealia’s pursuit of the throne, and none of her reasons are so pedestrian as altruism. Heavy is the head that wears the crown? She doubts it. She only needs to conquer her childhood friends first. THE RAVEN SCHOLAR x THE POET EMPRESS #DVpit #A #F

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I can’t take credit! Taken from Pinterest. If I knew the creator, I would definitely credit them!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Query war room today before my second batch of agents. Rewriting my query letter, finalizing pitches for DVpit, making sure the synopsis is tight. How is this harder than actually writing the 114k word novel??? #amquerying #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

WIP: Cold Dagger, Warm Blood The Sopranos X Romeo & Juliet “Blood made them enemies. Choice made them something more dangerous.” #DVparty #amwriting #writingcommunity #A #F #CI #MH

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Yes! If I’m blocked on a scene, I’ll take a break and throw all of the characters into it into a Love Island villa for a few thousand words for a low-pressure way to get back in touch with their voices.

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

My protagonist’s character development is going great, thanks The Glory of Empire — The Will of the Many x The Poet Empress x The Raven Scholar #DVparty #amquerying #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Working on my in-person pitch for a writing conference this weekend. First time so I’m nervous! Any tips? #amquerying #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Under-writer in draft 1, over-writer in draft 2. Draft three is for trimming/sharpening!

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It depends! I try to strike a balance between editing and drafting in my “big” projects, but I will occasionally draft smaller projects at the same time (e.g. AUs with my characters to practice physical blocking, ensemble work, etc.)

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Final word count for today: 4,871 There is nothing better than settling into the flow. #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Leslie Cook (✨ is querying ✨) @lbcookwrites.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

My second novel is off to such a great start, and it’s really obvious how much I’ve grown since starting my first. Now I feel insecure about the one I’m querying because the craft jump is so enormous. Typical writer experience? #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity

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