Julie Leong
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julieleong.bsky.social
Julie Leong
@julieleong.bsky.social
2.6K followers 330 following 150 posts
USA Today, Sunday Times, and Indie Bestselling Author of THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES, out now // chinese-malaysian american // repped by Paul Lucas // she/her

https://linktr.ee/julieleongbooks
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julieleong.bsky.social
THE KEEPER OF MAGICAL THINGS IS OUT NOW!* *in the US. The UK has to wait until Thursday, sorry! (special shoutout to my dog Kaya for helping announce. she is very concerned about all this catdragon talk and needed reassurance.)
October 14, 2025 at 5:56 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
UK COVER REVEAL! 🎉 THE KEEPER OF MAGICAL THINGS is a standalone sapphic cosy fantasy about lady mages wrangling mischievous magical artifacts in a village full of secrets and at least one catdragon. TELLER is getting a beautiful new paperback jacket!

Both available 16.10.2025 from @hodderscape
September 16, 2025 at 6:53 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
But here's the good news: countless booksellers, librarians, journalists, and readers are actively pushing back against intolerance and censorship. Their bravery and commitment fill me with gratitude and hope. Article quote: "She refused to participate in the removals themselves...In resistance, she hid queer books and documented each title removed from the system." So instead of focusing on one bookstore that has chosen censorship, let's uplift indie bookstores across the country that proudly showcase diverse stories, like: Blue Cypress Books, Mysterious Galaxy, Blinking Owl Books, Dog Eared Books, Noe Valley Books, Loyalty Books, Books Inc., Third Place Books, Powell's Books, The Green Dragon Bookshop, Main Street Books, Underground Books, Yu and Me Books, Fountain Bookstore, Bel Canto Books, Kepler's Books, Elliott Bay Book Company, The Legendarium ...and many others Our greatest tool against censorship is to read widely and loudly. Buy and borrow LGBTQ+ and diverse books to show publishers that our stories matter. Support bookstores that uplift voices rather than silence them. Thank you to NBC News and Dakota Parks for their journalism. Thank you to the readers who continue to embrace and champion stories like mine.
May 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
A reactionary thread to some news I received today:
www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...?
Top screenshot of headline from @nbcout: "Florida indie bookstore faces backlash after removal of LGBTQ titles" Below, on white background: "I learned today from an NBC journalist that THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES--a book explicitly about family, community, and tolerance--was one of many books quietly removed from shelves by a bookstore in Pensacola, Florida under the guise of making their store more 'family friendly'. Top screenshot of article quote: "My manager told me that as a private business, they don't have to sell or cater to certain people, implying queer families can shop elsewhere," said the current employee... Below: "Book censorship is currently at historic highs, especially targeting LGBTQ+ stories and diverse voices. Removing books that celebrate acceptance, empathy, and love doesn't protect families--it silences stories that deserve to be heard." "I wrote THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES to champion inclusivity and kindness. My next novel, THE KEEPER OF MAGICAL THINGS, is a cozy sapphic fantasy which will likely face even greater challenges from those who don't think queer people are 'family friendly'. This is both demoralizing and infuriating."
May 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
🇬🇧 friends, if you haven't read The Teller of Small Fortunes yet, now's the perfect time - the eBook is available for only 99p on Kindle for the entire month of April!

That's less than a pack of biscuits 🍪 which it happens to pair very well with (and a cup of tea), just saying.

#kindledeal
on a teal background, the US and UK covers of The Teller of Small Fortunes. Top text reads "UK Kindle Monthly Deal!"; below the covers says "99p April 1-30"; the Kindle logo is in the bottom right corner
April 2, 2025 at 3:15 AM
julieleong.bsky.social
I was confused this morning when some friends congratulated me on making the USA Today bestseller list. "Thank you!" I said. "But that was over two months ago?"

And then they told me to check today's list. Somehow, TToSF is ONCE AGAIN a bestseller! Thank you, booksellers/readers!! ❤️
a screenshot of the USA TODAY's Best-selling Booklist for January 15, 2015 showing The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong in #128 place. On top, a graphic reading "Thank you readers & booksellers! For making The Teller of Small Fortunes a USA Today Bestseller AGAIN! (2.5 months out from release!)"
January 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
This holiday, you can gift someone a ✨signed copy of The Teller of Small Fortunes✨ while ALSO supporting a wonderful indie bookshop!

Just fill out the form at www.dogearedbooks.com/mail-and-del... + note that you want a SIGNED copy of TToSF (and if you want it personalized, what name to use).
thirty year old woman of East Asian descent with long black hair wearing a tan coat, signing a copy of The Teller of Small Fortunes while standing at the checkout counter of a local San Francisco bookshop
November 30, 2024 at 10:31 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Time for another wee bio update: so thrilled to share that The Teller of Small Fortunes is officially ALSO a Sunday Times bestseller!

Thank you to my agent, my editor, and the Hodderscape team for their endless support, and to all of the wonderful UK readers who got me here! I'm so grateful! 🇬🇧 ♥️
On light blue background, the UK edition of The Teller of Small Fortunes. Text reads "The Sunday Times Bestseller" Photo of the 24 Nov copy of Sunday Times booklist showing The Teller of Small Fortunes in #4 for fiction hardbacks, held in a gloved hand Asian woman smiling and wearing jeans, long brown coat, and beanie standing on an Edinburgh street, holding up the Sunday Times in one hand and a hardback of The Teller of Small Fortunes in the other
November 26, 2024 at 11:46 AM
julieleong.bsky.social
So honored that The Teller of Small Fortunes was named one of the 10 best SFF & horror novels of the year by @readbookpage.bsky.social. Alongside authors I've looked up for years and years, no less -- thank you!
on a white background, the BookPage logo, and a screenshot of "The Best SFF & Horror of 2024" showing four of the 10 book covers including The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett, The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden, The teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong, and The Queen by Nick Cutter
November 21, 2024 at 9:56 AM
julieleong.bsky.social
The Teller of Small Fortunes is an instant USA Today AND Indie Bestseller!! ✨

Thank you all so much for making this happen. Being a bestselling author was a dream I didn't even know I could have. I am so grateful to everyone who's helped get this cozy, heart-on-its-sleeve book out into the world!
USA Today booklist showing The Teller of Small Fortunes in #118 Indie Bestsellers List for week ending Nov 10 2024 (published Nov 13 2024) showing The Teller of Small Fortunes in #16 and on the rise for fiction paperback
November 13, 2024 at 7:31 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
It's official: The Teller of Small Fortunes is now out in the US & the UK! From a blank Google doc 2+ years ago, to a real life physical book (and ebook, and audiobook!) available on bookstore shelves near you -- it's been one heck of a ride.
stacks of both US and UK editions of The Teller of Small Fortunes in front of a vase of sunflowers
November 5, 2024 at 7:19 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
It's my birthday today!

It's also the day before the US election and The Teller of Small Fortunes comes out, so there are a lot of feelings, but chief among them is gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who's helped get me this far. I appreciate your support more than you know. ️
an east asian woman, smiling, wearing a beige sweater with an "I VOTED!" sticker on it. a small fluffy black dog resting its head on her shoulder.
November 4, 2024 at 7:23 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Beyond thrilled to FINALLY reveal a secret I've been sitting on... TToSF is a Book of the Month Club pick for November!

So, so thrilled that subscribers get to select a gorgeous hardcover edition of Teller in their boxes this month. Thank you BoTM for picking my cozy Ghibli-esque fantasy!
screenshot of Book of the Month page showing The Teller of Small Fortunes. "In this magical story, a group of lovable misfits look for their place in the world and discover it with each other."
October 31, 2024 at 5:22 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
📚 The Teller of Small Fortunes is a November Library Reads Pick! 📚

Library Reads picks are the top 10 adult fiction/nonfiction books as voted for monthly by America's library staff.

I'm so grateful to @libraryreads.bsky.social and all of the librarians/library staff who read and voted. Thank you!!
on a purple background: "Thank you, LIBRARIANS for your continued support!" The US cover of The Teller of Small Fortunes, with a golden Library Reads badge/sticker to the side. Library Reads logo in top left; "Top 10 | November 2024" on top; US cover of The Teller of Small Fortunes + excerpt of LibraryReads Ambassador review Library Reads November 2024 graphic showing the 10 titles chosen, for full list see libraryreads.org
October 15, 2024 at 5:42 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
🇬🇧UK BOOK TOUR 🇬🇧
I'm so excited to visit the other side of the pond for THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES w/ Lucy Jane Wood, @gen-dimova.bsky.social, Catriona Silvey, and @elizachanwrites.bsky.social!

Come catch me in London, Edinburgh, or Liverpool - links @ www.julieleong.com/events (or on Waterstones)
on a light blue background, THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES, small author photo and book cover in top right "Bookshop Tour" Friday, 22 November, Waterstones Tottenham Court Road with Lucy Jane Wood (sold out) Saturday, 23 November, Waterstones Edinburgh West End with Genoveva Dimova and Catriona Silvey Monday, 25 November, Waterstones Liverpool with Eliza Chan
October 14, 2024 at 6:24 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
<1 month to go! Continuing the countdown to THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES w/ another author blurb -- this time from the wonderful @sarahbethdurst.bsky.social.

Sarah is the NYT bestselling author of 25+ (!) books incl. one of my new favorite cozy fantasies, The Spellshop. Thank you so much, Sarah!
on a yellow background, with a thin white border and the Ace logo in the upper right: "This is a beautiful treasure of a book that will warm your heart and heal your soul. I absolutely loved every second of it!" - Sarah Beth Durst Below, the US cover for THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES by Julie Leong
October 9, 2024 at 9:32 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
I couldn't be more excited to share that The Teller of Small Fortunes is a November Indie Next Pick! A thousand thanks to the ABA and all of the booksellers who read and voted for The Teller of Small Fortunes.

Go support your local indie!!
On a light purple bordered background, the text "Thank you booksellers, for your continued support!" around an image of the US cover of The Teller of Small Fotrunes. A golden INDIE NEXT "BOOKSELLERS RECOMMEND" badge on top, and the Ace logo on the bottom.
October 3, 2024 at 10:09 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Thank you so much to Library Journal for this ⭐STARRED REVIEW⭐ of The Teller of Small Fortunes!

Librarians do such important work, especially with access to books currently under attack. Go libraries!
A gold star on top of the image, with a block quote reading "Leong's debut is a delightful cozy fantasy that will appeal to fans of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and A Pirate's Life for Tea by Rebecca Thorne." - Library Journal Review (Starred) of The Teller of Small Fortunes. Library Journal logo at the bottom, and smaller images of the US and UK covers of Teller of Small Fortunes bordering the quote.
October 1, 2024 at 5:17 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Woke up this morning to my first 'bestseller' label!! Go figure the one time I DON'T bother posting about a B&N pre-order sale, my book gets its highest sales rank ever. 🤔 Love to see the "bookseller favorites" tag too! Thank you!
A screenshot of the title page for The Teller of Small Fortunes on Barnes & Noble website, with a green Bestseller tag circled as well as a label reading "Bookseller Favorites"
September 30, 2024 at 5:55 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Exciting news! @waterstones.bsky.social is doing an exclusive edition of The Teller of Small Fortunes ft:
🔮 Pink spredges
🖋 Signed by me
🥠 Bonus content

PLUS all the first print run customizations - gorgeous illustrated endpapers & foil design 🐈‍⬛

Ltd quantities! Preorder here: bit.ly/3zxdHkN
On a light blue and green background, "WATERSTONES EXCLUSIVE EDITION", with photos of The Teller of Small Fortunes hardback with pink sprayed edges, inside foil design cover (snuggly cat with Chinese characters and border), and illustrated endpapers (tea steam design coming out of teapot).
September 23, 2024 at 5:45 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Huge thanks to Book Riot for including The Teller of Small Fortunes on their list of "10 Must-Read New Books" for fall! I never thought I'd see my name on a list next to Haruki Murakami, but the world moves in mysterious and wonderful ways 🤩

Signed preorders at links in my bio!
Against a colorful background taken from the US cover of The Teller of Small Fortunes, the yellow Book Riot logo in the top left; a screenshot of the online article titled "10 Must-Read New Books Out in Fall 2024 to Preorder Now" by Danika Ellis on Sep 16, 2024. Below, a screenshot of the snippet about The Teller of Small Fortunes alongside a cover photo. "Speaking of comforting reads, this cozy fantasy book is a perfect pick-me-up."
September 16, 2024 at 5:38 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Less than 2 months to go now, so sharing another kind blurb, this time from the wonderful India Holton, author of my very favorite fantasy romcoms!

A huge thank you to India -- everyone go read her brilliant and brilliantly funny books, which are bestsellers for a reason.
on a yellow background: "A warm and lovely book that will soothe your heart. Its gentleness and coziness are such a delightful gift." - INDIA HOLTON. Below, the US cover of THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES
September 11, 2024 at 6:02 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
obligatory b&n sale post time, sorry everyone: 25% off preorders at B&N, 2 days only, etc etc!
Image description: image shows a square graphic with Barnes & Noble logo on top; text on the left says "B&N Members save 25% off preorders 9/4-9/6 only online with code PREORDER25"; on the right is the image of a colorful book cover for THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES which shows a young woman sitting on a traveling wagon with a cat by her feet, a burning campfire nearby, as both look out over a stone bridge and distant lights.
September 4, 2024 at 7:54 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
A big thank you to Shelf Awareness for this lovely review of The Teller of Small Fortunes, two months out from publication!
"Leong is unafraid to head into deeply emotional territory in this sweet, earnest story of found family and finding one's truth. She strikes a lovely balance between high stakes, humor, and touching moments. Readers of Travis Baldree or TJ Klune will enjoy following wherever Leong leads." - Shelf Awareness Review of The Teller of Small Fortunes. UK and US cover images at bottom of image along with Shelf Awareness logo
September 3, 2024 at 6:16 PM
julieleong.bsky.social
Going to do some blatant begging here because I've been told Indie Next make a huge difference for a debut, so...

Indie booksellers, please consider nominating The Teller of Small Fortunes by Aug 28 as a November Indie Next pick! Thank you for considering (and for doing what you do)!
the US cover of The Teller of Small Fortunes. on top, a book callout "Indie Booksellers!" with text below reading "Please consider nominating for Indie Next by Aug 28" above the Indie Next logo. An arrow pointing to the next image saying "other booksellers are saying..." "What booksellers on Edelweiss are saying about The Teller of Small Fortunes: 10/10, an utterly joyful read for any age; 10/10, this book made me cry in a very good, cathartic way; 10/10, Leong's debut novel is a sweet, cozy fantasy story about found family and the things we'll do for those we love; 10/10, I think reading this book made my heart grow. this is the cozy fantasy/found family book of your dreams.; 10/10, sweeping, cozy, sobbing."
August 26, 2024 at 7:56 PM