Oops and Daisies

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Big News: I Have a Book Contract!

May 15, 2026 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

book contract about Charlotte Corday

I’m still pinching myself. It still doesn’t feel real. But, if I’m being honest with you all, I don’t think it’ll feel real until I’m actually holding the book in my hands… my young adult historical fantasy, Becoming Charlotte Corday, is being published by Apprentice House Press in the spring of 2027! I officially signed the book contract this past March. The journey to this contract has been a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Path to Publication, Writing, Books, & Resources Tagged With: book, book news, creative writing, writing, writing life, young adult

Oops, Daisies, and Plot Twists: My Life as a Writer

October 2, 2025 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

Oops, Daisies, and Plot Twists

I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest childhood memories is of me, sitting at a desk in my third-grade classroom, flipping through a hardcover encyclopedia for the letter ‘S,’ because I wanted to research the sun for a short story I was working on. I’d even asked my teacher, Mrs. Engle, to let me stay inside during recess so I could work.  Despite the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Path to Publication, Writing tips, Writing, Books, & Resources Tagged With: books, creative writing, goals, I wish, mindset, more than mom, publishing, self-doubt, writing, writing advice, writing journey

My Path to Becoming a Published Author

December 23, 2024 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

Illustration from Etta Betta and the Beast

When I was eight years old, I told everyone I met what I wanted to be when I grew up: an author. Thirty-three years later, that dream finally came true.  It wasn’t the path I expected - but, really, when is the path ever what we expect?  *** Oops & Daisies contains affiliate links & participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program & other affiliate programs. If you buy … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Path to Publication, Writing, Books, & Resources Tagged With: author, children's book, goals, inspiration, kid lit, path to publication, publishing, writing

Creative Writing: Why I Welcome Criticism

February 24, 2020 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

creative writing

I write every day, clicking away at my keyboard. This is, naturally, a solitary activity, unless you count the dog who usually cuddles by my side or my kids who are often upstairs for quiet time (when they’re not asking me for a snack for the millionth time). Sometimes I’ll join my writing group, particularly during Nanowrimo, for a write-in, where we focus on getting words onto paper. Even then, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Path to Publication, Writing tips, Writing, Books, & Resources Tagged With: publishing, writing, writing advice, writing group, writing tips

My History with Words… and Introducing my Path to Publication

August 2, 2018 by Liz SanFilippo Hall

Path to Publication

I feel like this is a bit of a coming out for me even though I’ve been writing nearly my entire life. At eight years old, I walked into my 3rd-grade classroom during recess and told my teacher Mrs. Engle that I’d rather stay inside and write. Instead of pushing me out the door, she asked me, “How about we start a writing group every Friday?” She was the first person, other than my parents, to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Path to Publication, Writing, Books, & Resources Tagged With: #boostmybio, aspiring author, confidence, kidlit, passion, path to publication, picture book, published author, writer bio, writing

Recent Posts

  • “I want to know more about your creative process.” July 29, 2026
  • Oops, Daisies, and Dreams: Interview with Author Lisa Maggiore July 9, 2026
  • Big News: I Have a Book Contract! May 15, 2026
  • Oops, Daisies, and Dreams: Interview with Author J.P. Lee February 19, 2026
  • Stop the Mean Girl Voice in Our Heads: How to Do Affirmations February 11, 2026

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authorlizsanfilippohall

Multi-genre author. 📚BECOMING CHARLOTTE CORDAY, a YA historical fantasy coming 4/27/2027 from Apprentice House Press

I laughed, I cried. This book was everything I nee I laughed, I cried. This book was everything I needed and more. Author @alison.espach took something heartbreaking and turned it into something beautiful about how we can embrace who we are. That’s all I’ll say so I don’t give anything away. But you know I can’t help but share a good quote (and there were so many!):“And it was perfect. It really was. But life is strange, always thinking this one thing is going to make you happy, because then you get it, and then maybe you’re not as happy as you imagined you would be, because every day is still just every day.” #AmReading #WomensFiction #5StarRead #BookRecommendation
My deadlines for two projects are approaching… My deadlines for two projects are approaching…But I also need to remind myself that time to create, play, and doodle is important, too. It’s what my family and I have decided is “productive rest.”#AmEditing #HistoricalFantasy #MyPlanner #Creativity
What filled my cup this week…. The views, waves, What filled my cup this week…. The views, waves, games, ice cream, writing… but mostly, time with my family.#SelfCare #Travel #Vacation #PureMichigan
Maybe I should have taken more photos… but once Maybe I should have taken more photos… but once we got to a certain point in the 1,000 piece puzzle it became WAY easier. For me, writing is the same way. Once you start seeing the pieces come together, it starts to feel familiar, and the end is there before you know it. To me, writing is just like putting together a puzzle. #MomLife #CreativeWriting #PuzzleAddict #LakeMichiganLife
When I don’t know what to write (or think for th When I don’t know what to write (or think for that matter)… I try journaling about it. So this week’s Substack, written while looking out over Lake Michigan, looks a little different. I’d love to hear what you think. #JournalWriting #AmDayDreaming #PureMichigan
While I’ve been up in Michigan, I’ve been thin While I’ve been up in Michigan, I’ve been thinking about all the different kinds of writing there are, and how energized I feel when I talk about writing with others. So, without further ado, here is the schedule for my next set of VIRTUAL writing workshops! August 26: Postcards and letters - reflective writing with letters we’ll never sendSeptember 16: Sensory writing - embrace the senses to amp up your writingOctober 14: Haunting flash fiction - seasonal and fun flash fictionNovember 18: Family Stories - journaling and oral historyDecember 9: Year in Review, Year Ahead - closing reflections and intentions. All classes include a writing lesson/craft discussion plus time for writing (and feedback on your writing if you want it). They will also be available individually later, if all 25 spots don’t fill up, but I’m giving first dibs to the people who want all 5!Link in my bio and story. #WritingWorkshop #CreativeWriting #FlashFiction
I suppose this is a good problem to have. 🤣🤣 I suppose this is a good problem to have. 🤣🤣🤣#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #PureMichigan
We haven’t had as much time as we’d like outsi We haven’t had as much time as we’d like outside during this trip, but at least cloudy days like today - with a ton of wind - are beautiful.#MyMichigan #Inspiration #LifeWithKids
There are paintings galore about Charlotte’s fam There are paintings galore about Charlotte’s famous assassination of Jean-Paul Marat. So how come I wrote a book about her? My latest Substack essay delves into how I learned about Charlotte… and why I wanted to understand her more. #WomenInHistory #HistoricalFantasy #FrenchRevolution #AuthorsOfInsta
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