Lindsey Hobson - September 2025 Featured Author
Lindsey Hobson is an award-winning author from Southwest Missouri, where she lives with her husband and daughter. Although she enjoys writing for all ages, Lindsey believes children's books contain a special kind of magic. Dark Skies is her traditional picture book debut.
Congrats on your soon-to-be released picture book, Dark Skies, which will be released in October 2025. Tell us a little about it!
Thank you! Dark Skies is a fictional picture book about family, memory loss, and the magic of the stars and includes non-fiction backmatter about dark sky parks. It is being published by The Little Press in conjunction with One Little Earth, an organization that “creates and funds stories and programs for young people that entertain, inform, and inspire a love of nature”. One of the ways they do this is by donating enviro-themed stories to underserved schools. I'm very excited they have chosen Dark Skies as one of these books!
We'd love to hear more about your writing journey. What's the process been like?
This story went through many revisions, as most stories do. Originally, it was about a girl who moved from the country, where she had an unobstructed view of the night sky, to the city, where she could no longer see the stars. I received a critique from an agent who suggested I should flip the POV to a child who had never experienced the wonder of the night sky, and decided to give that a try. That agent decided to pass on the revision, but I was soon presented with an opportunity to submit to The Little Press after placing in Vivian Kirkfield's 50 Precious Words contest in 2023 and the rest is history!
What is your daily writing routine?
I wish I had one! I know it's important to flex those writing muscles, but life tends to get in the way. When I do have time to write, I try to make it as distraction-free as possible by using a writing device that is not connected to the internet. I struggle with allowing myself to have a “messy first draft”, so sometimes I do writing sprints, where the goal is to get as many words down as possible in a certain time frame. That usually helps me not to think about it too much and just write!
Do you have a critique group? And if so, how has that group been beneficial to your career?
I am so fortunate to have a critique group. Because we connected many years ago in preparation for the Fall Frenzy writing contest, we call ourselves “The Frenzies”. They have become such amazing friends (hi Gennie, Molly, and Jess!). Writing can be a lonely business, but having people you can trust to not only offer critiques but also celebrate your wins and pick you up when you're down has been such a blessing.
What do you love about being a writer?
Connecting with people, whether it be readers or other writers. I'm pretty introverted, but I can always talk about books!
What is the best advice you've ever been given about writing? What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?
To try not to compare yourself to other writers. Success doesn’t look the same to everyone. Try to set reachable goals and celebrate each success. I think sometimes we get so bogged down by the business side of publishing that we forget to find joy in creating.
What are you currently working on? Anything else upcoming you'd like us to know about?
I've been in a bit of a writing slump, but am pulling myself out of it by revising some older manuscripts I had shelved. I am also about ¾ of the way done with a middle-grade adventure that I hope to finish by the end of the year!