Laurie Smith Murphy
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lauriemurph.bsky.social
Laurie Smith Murphy
@lauriemurph.bsky.social
550 followers 640 following 220 posts
#MG #PB #AmWriting #AmQuerying #SCBWI #NewEngland
#50PreciousWords Winner '22, #RevPit Winner '25
hiking, traveling, theatre
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lauriemurph.bsky.social
Very excited for this Book Birthday! Rica is back with more shenanigans and I can't wait to read all about it! Congratulations! @jcostabates.bsky.social
Very excited about this book birthday! Rica is back with more shenanigans and I can't wait to read all about it! @JCostaBates
November 11, 2025 at 9:14 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Geese mate for life so when Arnold is injured & whisked away by staff at local wildlife center to save him, mate Amelia sets off on a journey to find him. Can she find him before she loses all hope of ever seeing him again? What happens next, astounds everyone! True Cape Cod story. #QuestPit #PB #Q
Geese mate for life so when Arnold is injured & whisked away by staff at local wildlife center to save him, mate Amelia sets off on a journey to find him. Can she find him before she loses all hope of ever seeing him again? What happens next, astounds everyone! True Cape Cod story. #QuestPit #PB #Q
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
HEART FINDS X STAND UP, YUMI CHUNG

* 12yo Ivy ❤️ idioms
* Feels invisible
* Longs to be seen
* Brother with Down syndrome
* Annoying picture-perfect sister
* BFF to frenemy
* Secret crush
* Antique mannequin friend
* Snarky grandma
* Missing grampie
* Talent Show

#QuestPit #MG #Q #CON 📖
BEYOND THE MOON All 12yo Ivy wants is to be anything but ordinary, but it's hard when she feels invisible next to her picture-perfect sister and special-needs brother. When she joins a dance routine in the talent show, even with two left feet, she leaves her best friend on crutches and their friendship on ice. Now Ivy must make a choice: spend her whole life afraid to make waves or find the courage to stand up on center stage.
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Look up. There’s still beauty in the world.
Look up. There’s still beauty in the world.
October 23, 2025 at 12:50 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
What an amazing woman! She will be missed.

#JaneGoodall #Activist #Animals #Makeadifference
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
October 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
HEART FINDS X STAND UP, YUMI CHUNG

12yo girl feels invisible next to her perfect sister and special-needs brother until a talent show disaster forces her to step into the spotlight and prove she's anything but ordinary. #QuestPit #MG #C #Q
When 12yo girl longs to be seen, she elicits help from the antique mannequin from Mom's shop & her snarky grandma, after her act for the talent snow with frenemy BFF sinks. But will it be enough to step into the spotlight and out of her siblings' shadows?
August 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
HIDDEN TRUTHS X THE CHANCE TO FLY

* Ivy ❤️ idioms
* Feels invisible
* Sweet brother with Down syndrome
* Talented, annoying older sister
* BFF to frenemy
* Secret crush
* Antique mannequin friend
* Snarky grandma
* Overwhelmed mom
* Talent show

#BluePit #MG #Q #CON 📖
BEYOND THE MOON When 12yo Ivy longs to be seen, she elicits help from the antique mannequin from Mom's shop and her snarky grandma after her act for the talent show with frenemy BFF sinks. But will it be enough to step into the spotlight and out of her siblings' shadows?
July 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
IDA, ALWAYS
Geese mate for life so when Arnold is injured & whisked away by a wildlife center to save him, mate Amelia sets off on a journey to find him. Can she find him before she loses all hope of ever seeing him again? What happens next, astounds everyone! True Cape Cod story. #BluePit #PB #Q 📖
IDA, ALWAYS Geese mate for life, so when Arnold is injured & whisked away by local wildlife center to save him, mate Amelia sets off on a journey to find him. Can she find him before she loses all hope of ever seeing him again? What happens, astounds everyone! True Cape Cod Story. #BluePit #PB
July 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
HIDDEN TRUTHS X THE CHANCE TO FLY

When 12yo Ivy longs to be seen, she elicits help from the antique mannequin from Mom's shop and her snarky grandma after her act for the talent show with frenemy BFF sinks. But
will it be enough to step into the spotlight?

#BluePit #MG #CON 📖
BEYOND THE MOON When 12yo Ivy longs to be seen, she elicits help from the antique mannequin from Mom's shop & snarky grandma after her act for the talent show with frenemy BFF sinks. But will it be enough to step into the spotlight and out of her siblings' shadows?
July 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Thank you, @hannaneier.bsky.social, for choosing my #MG story about a girl who doesn't feel good enough. For helping me see that the Cape Cod setting & her unique old house with an antique shop in an old barn are like characters themselves. It's been a pleasure working with you. #RevPitClassof25
Thank you, @hannaneier.bsky.social, for choosing my #MG story about a girl who doesn't feel good enough. For helping me see that the Cape Cod setting & her unique old house with an antique shop in an old barn are like characters themselves. It's been a pleasure working with you. #RevPitClassof25
June 9, 2025 at 11:46 AM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
I've learned so much from my editor, @hannaneier.bsky.social, during this experience. The most valuable lesson I've learned is to give your main character agency in every single scene. Thank you, Hanna!

My favorite spot to write is at my desk in the sunroom overlooking the pond.
#RevPitClassof25
I've learned so much from my editor, Hanna, during this experience. I've learned it's okay to kill your darlings, and it's usually for the best. I've learned how to revise by looking at the MC's agency in every scene/chapter, atmosphere, character arcs, the universal message, and on and on. Here is my desk in the sunroom overlooking the pond. My favorite spot to write.
June 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Here's a snippet of my #MG novel, BEYOND THE MOON, for #RevPitClassof25
“How could you banish your middle child to the barn. I’m always the one who has to compromise.” My voice caught like tangled twigs and grew softer and softer. “What’s wrong with Brooke’s room?” But Mom wasn’t listening. She couldn’t hear anything anyway with the ancient vacuum rumbling so loud. Besides, she didn’t care that Grams wanted my room. She hadn’t even asked if it was okay with me. After the year my family had, I shouldn’t have been surprised. And I know I’m not supposed to complain. I headed out of my former room, my heart hammering in defeat. Lugging the basket down the hallway, my eyes stung with tears. If Grampie was here, he’d see the tears making my eyes shiny and the way I pinched my lips together like I did when I was upset. He’d know. He always did. With the basket thumping behind me—clunk, step clunk, step clunk—I trudged down the steep steps thinking about how many straws it would take to actually break a camel’s back. There were plenty of straws this week alone. Now I was the camel, legs splat on the ground, buried under mounds of hay.
June 6, 2025 at 11:35 AM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
I'm excited to be working with amazing editor, @hannaneier.bsky.social on my #MG novel, BEYOND THE MOON. #RevPit showcase coming June 9. #RevPitClassof25

HIDDEN TRUTHS meets HEART FINDS
and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
When 12yo girl longs to be seen, she elicits help from the antique mannequin from Mom's shop & her snarky grandma, after her act for the talent show with frenemy BFF sinks. But will it be enough to step into the spotlight, out of her siblings' shadows?
June 2, 2025 at 6:35 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
If you're in the Dedham, MA area, stop over at The Blue Bunny Bookstore tonight to support Lynda Mullaly Hunt and her beautiful new book, WISH IN A TREE! If not, order her book today!
If you're in the Dedham, MA area, stop over at The Blue Bunny Bookstore tonight to support Lynda Mullaly Hunt and her beautiful new book, WISH IN A TREE! If not, order her book today!
May 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
I am thrilled that I'll be working with @hannaneier.bsky.social on my MG contemporary novel! I couldn't be more surprised and grateful to be chosen. Thank you, Hanna! I can't wait to get started! #RevPit
I am thrilled that I'll be working with @hannaneier.bsky.social on my MG contemporary novel! I couldn't be more surprised and happy to be chosen. Thank you, Hanna! I can't wait to get started! #RevPit
April 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Thank you to all the editors who made this possible, for giving us #10queries, for all your hard work behind the scenes, and for making this a fun, informative event! I am grateful for all of you! #RevPitWaiting #RevPit@reviseresub.bsky.social
Thank you to all the editors who made this possible, for giving us #10queries, and for all your hard work and for making this a fun, informative event!
April 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
I'm working on a SF/Time Travel MG and really enjoying it. I usually write contemporary so this is new for me. I'll probably revise my first pages and then continue to query, BEYOND THE MOON. This has been a great experience and I loved reading all the #10queries. #RevPitWaiting #RevPit
I'm working on a SF/Time Travel MG and really enjoying it. I usually write contemporary so this is new for me. I'll probably revise my first pages and then continue to query, BEYOND THE MOON. This has been a great experience and I loved reading all the #10queries. #RevPitWaiting #RevPit
April 11, 2025 at 12:39 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Step by step, we write words. We write stories. Hoping to connect to readers. The Whispering Pines Retreat was one to remember.

#WhisperingPines #Kidlit #Retreat #AmWriting #AmQuerying
Step by step, we write words. We write stories. Hoping to connect to readers. The Whispering Pines Retreat was one to remember.
March 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
This book Is absolutely amazing! Not only are the illustrations gorgeous, the writing is beautiful, and the message powerful. It's about wanting to belong and feel good enough even when we think differently and are sometimes misunderstood. It's a book all classrooms need. @lyndamh.bsky.social
This book Is absolutely amazing! Not only are the illustrations gorgeous, the writing is beautiful, and the message is powerful. It's about wanting to belong and feel good enough even when we think differently, when our brain is a volcano of ideas. It's a book all classrooms need. You can pre-order right now!
March 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
I hit submit and I'm so glad I did! Now to wait and see if I get to work with one of the fabulous editors! Thanks to everyone involved in this contest! #RevPit #AmWriting #KidLit
I hit submit and I'm so glad I did! Now to wait and see if I get to work with one of the fabulous editors! Thanks to everyone involved in this contest! #RevPit #AmWriting #KidLit
March 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Even the sky is angry!
Even the sky is angry!
February 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Birds of Winter.

#Winter #NewEngland
Birds of winter.
February 18, 2025 at 9:38 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
When 13yo girl doesn't discover her Death Date like every other 13yo, she must journey back in time with her BF (maybe boyfriend) to find her dad. But Dad is missing & BF has a secret that could destroy their friendship & their life. Now she must choose: Dad or BF #QuestPit #MG #SciFi #WIP
When 13yo girl doesn't discover her Death Date like every other 13yo, she must journey back in time with her BF (maybe boyfriend) to find her dad. But Dad is missing & BF has a secret that could destroy their life. Now she must choose: Dad or BF. #QuestPit #MG #SciFi #WIP
February 12, 2025 at 10:44 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
When 12yo girl longs to be seen by her mom, she elicits help from an antique mannequin for a skit that will either send her back into the shadows or propel her into the spotlight. #Questpit #MG #Q #CON
When 12yo girl longs to be seen by her mom, she elicits help from an antique mannequin for a skit that will either send her back into the shadows or propel her into the spotlight. #Questpit #MG #Q
February 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
lauriemurph.bsky.social
Tomorrow’s the day! MSWL Day! Writers check out what agents and editors are looking for! They may be searching for just what you’re writing!!
February 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM