Steph Lau (she/her)
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stephlaubooks.com
Steph Lau (she/her)
@stephlaubooks.com
2.7K followers 700 following 1.9K posts
Author, illustrator, former pastry chef. Making picture books & graphic novels w/ a splash of mischief. ❄️🩰THE ABOMINABLE SNOW DANCER🩰❄️ is out NOW! (Penguin Workshop)

Rep: @allielevick.bsky.social
Website: bit.ly/stephlaubooks
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stephlaubooks.com
And I had to share these too, a yeti x3 gift from my crit partners 🥹🥹🥹
A yeti pillow, a yeti thermos with yeti imprinted on it, hot chocolate sticks
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Launch weekend festivities for my debut PB, The Abominable Snow Dancer: Great Good Place for Books w/ @mikejungwroteabook.bsky.social, and then storytime w/ @lindentree.bsky.social

So many people showed up from different parts of my life to celebrate with me. I'm so grateful for the support 🥰
Woman in yeti costume smiles while man in unicorn hood observes. Bg is a bookstore. Four women hold copies of The Abominable Snow Dancer and smile Woman in yeti suit pointing to table of New & Notable books. The Abominable Snow Dancer is in the middle. A woman in a yeti suit draws a unicorn in a Santa hat, Hawaiian shirt and jeans
November 10, 2025 at 9:45 PM
stephlaubooks.com
I'm sorry to say the stamp imprint was too thin for the bake... However! Change of plans. I now have an army of minimalist ginger-Ottos 😂

Those of you coming to the Great Good Place for Books launch event, see ya soon! 🫡
Gingerbread men with a little beanie + pompom silhouette. Pink tutu piped in candy melts
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Project Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer cookie engaged #kidlitart
Pale cookie dough rounds with Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer imprinted
November 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
stephlaubooks.com
(And yes, I will be wearing the yeti suit)
A woman dressed in a yeti suit (Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer) and making a dance pose. She is in all white, with a knit orange beanie, orange and yellow knit scarf, and a pink tutu
November 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Thanks all who attended the @storytimesprint.bsky.social Zoom launch for The Abominable Snow Dancer! I had a blast, and it was the perfect way to kick off my debut picture book launch events.

If you missed it, I still have a few in-person Bay Area events coming up: www.stephlaubooks.com/events
During a Zoom meeting, a woman in yeti costume that consists of white hooded top, orange knit beanie, and orange and yellow knit scarf. there is hair and beard fluff. In the background, a copy of The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau. Storytime Sprint hosts are visible as participants.
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Mini Otto and I went on a little signing tour today, and dropped off pre-order reward stickers for my picture book debut, The Abominable Snow Dancer! If you missed the window, we MAY have tucked a few stickers into books at @mrmoppsbooks.bsky.social. I would order now if you want one 😁
A miniature polymer clay Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer poses in front of Mr.Mopps books in Berkeley, CA Woman holding a sparkly stocker, surrounded by copies of The Abominable Snow Dancer. In the background there are even more books. Woman holding author guest book and making a silly face. There's a drawing of Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer and his friend, Humberto the unicorn Sparkly stickers of Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Happy book birthday to me!

My debut picture book, the Abominable Snow Dancer, is about a yeti who secretly dreams of dancing, but has only ever seen unicorns dance before. It's an autobiography - sharing a little video about why 😊

Order links: www.stephlaubooks.com

#booksky #kidlit #bookbirthday
November 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Last day to pre-order my picture book debut, ❄️🩰The Abominable Snow Dancer🩰❄️! I'll be delivering these ✨limited edition sparkly stickers✨ and will sign/personalize books at these local indies TOMORROW:

🦄Mr. Mopps moppsbooks.com/list/abomina...
🦄Great Good Place for Books ggpbooks.com/book/9780593...
a photo of The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau, surrounded by sparkly stickers of the Otto, the abominable snow dancer, flying into the air
November 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM
stephlaubooks.com
A 3rd positive trade review for The Abominable Snow Dancer, this time from Booklist 🥰

My picture book debut, about a yeti who secretly dreams of dancing, comes out in just 🩰❄️3 days❄️🩰!

There's still time to pre-order and get a limited edition sparkly sticker: stephlaubooks.com/abominable

#booksky
Cover of The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau: a yeti in an orange beanie, yellow and orange scarf, and pink tutu leaps over the stage. Unicorns watch from below with varying facial expressions from amazement to contempt. "The sweet, silly story revels in individuality and determination. Energetic illustrations are packed with slapstick humor and darling detail. An adorable adventure that's anything but abominable." - Booklist the background shows yeti legs in a tutu, swinging in the air, with lots of pink, purple, and gold sparkles
November 1, 2025 at 8:35 PM
stephlaubooks.com
On the plus side, it gave me an excuse to get an almond croissant and also walk by this delightful exhibit at the Montessori school near Trader Joe's
"Pumpkin Infinity Room" inspired by Yayoi Kusama
October 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM
stephlaubooks.com
If you wanted to see a grown woman in a yeti suit + tutu dance to the macarena... Ummm, maybe don't click play 😂

(My picture book debut, The Abominable Snow Dancer, comes out in just 4 days!!!)
October 31, 2025 at 3:59 PM
stephlaubooks.com
NEXT WED, Nov 5th @5pm PT/8pm ET: I'm doing a Zoom read aloud of 🩰❄️The Abominable Snow Dancer❄️🩰. One winner will get either a copy of the book (US only), 30-min AMA, or PB crit (fiction, non-rhyming, under 500 words)!

Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

@storytimesprint.bsky.social
Storytime Sprint: Listen in, review, win! With Author-Illustrator Steph Lau Wednesday November 5 at 8 p.m. EST There is a headshot of Steph Lau, and also a cover of The Abominable Snow Dancer
October 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Pre-order links: www.stephlaubooks.com/abominable

And I'm also doing sparkly stickers and signed/personalized copies at certain indie bookstores :)
October 28, 2025 at 4:58 PM
stephlaubooks.com
We are ✨ONE WEEK✨ away from The Abominable Snow Dancer launch, so here's me in my yeti onesie, scooting awkwardly across the room on a moving dolly.

My debut picture book comes out Nov 4th from @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social. Pre-orders and library requests are much appreciated! 🥰

#kidlit
Part 3 of my Abominable Snow Dancer costume A woman lays on the ground sideways. She is wearing a fuzzy white onesie and stares at the camera with head on hand. In the background there is a copy of The Abominable Snow Dancer picture book. "Fuzzy white onesies..." A woman lays on the ground sideways, with arm and leg in the air. She is wearing a fuzzy white onesie and there is a "Pre-Order" sign stuck to her body. "Are way too hoooot 😥" A woman lays on the ground sideways. She is wearing a fuzzy white onesie. Her arm is up and her mouth is open in exclamation. There are "Or Library" and "Request" signs stuck to her body.
October 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Launch events for my debut picture book, 🩰❄️The Abominable Snow Dancer❄️🩰!

We've got some Bay Area events, and one virtual. Some adult-focused events, and some kid-focused events. Hope to see you at one (or more)!

www.stephlaubooks.com/events
Upcoming Events Wed, Nov 5th, 5PM PST - VIRTUAL MINI LAUNCH: Read-aloud of The Abominable Snow Dancer and book review spree, hosted by Storytime Sprint Sat, Nov 8th, 3PM - IN-PERSON LAUNCH @Great Good Place for Books (Oakland): An all ages event. I’ll be chatting with author Mike Jung about writing things. There will be a Q&A, book signing, and some kind of Otto schwag! Sun, Nov 9th, 10:30AM: Storytime @Linden Tree (Los Altos): Read-aloud of The Abominable Snow Dancer, Q&A, book signing, and kid-friendly activity Sun, Nov 16th, 2PM: Storytime @Mr. Mopps (Berkeley): Read-aloud of The Abominable Snow Dancer, Q&A, book signing, and kid-friendly activity Sat, Dec 13th, 3PM: Storytime @Childrens Fairyland (Oakland): Read-aloud of The Abominable Snow Dancer, followed by Q&A and book signing www.stephlaubooks.com/events The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau Leaping into stores Nov 4, 2025! "A shaggy and silly story of self-discovery." - Kirkus Reviews "An appropriately balletic line that honors both the comedy of the premise and Otto's heartfelt pursuit - suggesting that finding one's trouble and having the courage to be authentically oneself is snow joke." - Publishers Weekly www.stephlaubooks.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:12 PM
stephlaubooks.com
I did it, I opened my box of author copies #kidlitart
Woman leafing through a picture book (The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau) A stack of 24 The Abominable Snow Dancer books laying flat, with a 25th on top, slightly open. The cover shows a yeti in a tutu prancing under the spotlight. Unicorns watch from below the stage with varying expressions from excited to angry
October 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
stephlaubooks.com
We are THREE WEEKS away from my debut picture book. Here's Part 2 of my Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer costume (the scarf!).

This photo was shortly after my husband smacked me in the face. We were going for heroic wind swept vibes and the scarf floating elegantly behind me, but ALAS.

#kidlitart
A woman with a yellow and orange scarf trailing behind her bends over in laughter. A hand holds onto the other end of the scarf. The scarf is a chevron pattern with orange fringe Cover for The Abominable Snow Dancer, a picture book by Steph Lau, published by Penguin Workshop Leaping into stores Nov 4, 2025 Pre-order or request from your library! www.stephlaubooks.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:46 PM
stephlaubooks.com
My newsletter goes out roughly quarterly, and includes a mix of personal and publishing news. Past subscriber doodle requests have included:
- A Chestnut* farting
- Chestnut accidentally starts a cult that worships pastries

Perhaps you have a request to add? 😜

*Chestnut is my pet rabbit
people kneeling in front of a cardboard box in worship. On top of the cardboard box is a bunny in loaf position. The people are saying, "LOAF GOD!" "HAIL GREAT CHESTNUT" "SAVE US, OH LOAF GOD!"
October 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
stephlaubooks.com
We're officially 1 month out from the launch of my debut picture book, ❄️🩰The Abominable Snow Dancer! ❄️🩰

To celebrate, here's Part 1 of my Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer costume. I'll be sharing more parts of the costume in the leadup to the launch.

Pre-order link: www.stephlaubooks.com/abominable
me, a woman with a orange beanie with a giant poofball on top. This is Part 1 of the Otto the Abominable Snow Dancer costume Cover for The Abominable Snow Dancer by Steph Lau Leaping into stores Nov 4, 2025 Pre-order or request from your library! www.stephlaubooks.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
stephlaubooks.com
And cause I really had to share it, here's the even sillier headshot that did not make it to the official announcement. 😂

(I made the little felt guy around my neck. The other two pieces were borrowed from my local Buy Nothing group)
a woman grimacing, entrapped by an inflatable snake, a felt plushie snake and a snake hat
September 30, 2025 at 9:51 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Pleased* to announce my second picture book! MEDUSA'S PET ROCK is slated to launch Fall 2026, with @harpercollins.bsky.social

*Pleasssssssed

Thanks to my agent @allielevick.bsky.social and editor Megan Ilnitzki for loving this story as much as I do ❤️🐍🏺 Can't wait for you all to read it!
#kidlit
BOOK DEAL: Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has acquired, at auction, Medusa's Pet Rock and a second untitled mythology-based picture book by Steph Lau (The Abominable Snow Dancer). When it's Medusa's turn to take the class pet home, she tries to be careful, but inevitably, ZAP. Medusa's teacher won't give up, though, and she's sure that this time, she's found a class pet that even Medusa can enjoy. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Alexandra Levick at Writers House sold world rights. A headshot of a smiling woman with a felt plushie snake curled around her neck. Below is a chubby toddler Medusa, trying to share her juice box with her pet rock.
September 30, 2025 at 9:51 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Trying to finish book 2 final art in 3 weeks, so I have a 2 week buffer before book 1 launches. And I'm trying to take a silly headshot today that may or may not involve this guy
A green coiled snake made of felt, with giant forked red tongue hanging out and goofy purple pupil eyes
September 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
stephlaubooks.com
Hey! #preDV is tomorrow, Monday, Sept 29th, for anyone who wants feedback on their pitches from agented/published authors.

I'm planning on popping in for a bit, especially for #PB.
I'm volunteering for #preDV on Bluesky! Come with your best pitches and receive feedback from agented and published authors before #DVpit, a pitch event for marginalized creators. Tag your pitches with #preDV for feedback. September 29th, 2025 8AM - 8PM EDT More info at dvpit.carrd.co
September 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
stephlaubooks.com
I recently did a survival training class. I learned how to make debris shelters and bow drills, and also that if society were ever to collapse, I probably would die 😅
A debris shelter made of sticks, roughly in a tent shape, and then leaf matter piled on top and within.
September 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM