July 4, 2025 | Read. Write. Live.
A weekly newsletter from Michael Leali about the stories we read, the words we write, and the living that inspires them.
READ.
New story ideas are always brewing in my brain. Like, always. It’s a blessing and a curse, but mostly a blessing. I tend to dream up middle grade concepts, but I’ve had two picture book ideas bubbling to the surface over the past few weeks. (More about these further down!) SO, this week I spent quality time with recent picture book releases, and I’m going to shout out two that had me smiling all the way through.
So, what HAVE I been reading?
Becoming Boba by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Amber Ren: Like so many others, I’m obsessed with boba tea. This delicious, delightful origin story about pearl milk tea is incredibly sweet and a brilliant extended metaphor. It covers so much ground. This is an immigrant story. This is a story about loving what makes each of us unique. This is a story about being “enough.” I love this one so much—definitely check it out!
What If We… by Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang: I love this book so much! This stunningly illustrated story is a celebration of imaginative play and siblings. Max is bored and dreaming up better places to be on summer break, and his little sister, Mimi, just wants to join in the fun. I love how these two characters grow together. This is such a tender and fun story to read out loud! A must!
And I’d love to know—what are YOU reading?
WRITE.
Let’s talk picture books! This isn’t my area of expertise, but it’s an art form I deeply admire and respect. My mom constantly read picture books to me and my siblings growing up. Some were just for fun, and some were part of our homeschooling curriculum. Those stories were the foundation of my literary journey, and they will always stay with me.
I’ve written many picture book manuscripts over the last decade. Some have gone out to editors, but I have yet to sell a picture book. I have two new ideas that I’ve been mulling over for weeks. When I get a new idea, I don’t write anything down until the idea has simmered a bit. I find that, in time, the best story ideas rise to a boil. That tells me I’ve got an idea worth exploring.
Being a mostly middle grade-minded person, I tend to overwrite my picture books. I remind myself to let the pictures do more work. To leave space for a child to interpret meaning based on what is and isn’t on the page.
One of my picture book ideas is absolutely working as a picture book. The other, despite multiple drafts, may not be a picture book after all! It might be an chapter book, but this is a discovery I’ve made only after first pursuing it as a picture book. Keeping an open mind about stories is essential. As creatives, we need to embrace elasticity and the possibility that our initial spark may only become a roaring fire if we are willing to alter our original understanding of the spark.
I’m excited to keep digging into these stories for younger readers. Who knows where they will take me or how they might influence the other projects I’m developing. Creativity begets creativity, and I love that the smallest story packages can sometimes bring about the biggest breakthroughs.
What are YOU writing? How are you allowing your story ideas to evolve? What picture book ideas could you develop?
LIVE.
If you read my latest middle grade novel, The Truth About Triangles, you may get the sense that I’m a bit of a foodie. Like my protagonist Luca, I, too, love to cook (and eat!), though Luca’s skills are far superior to my own. Cooking is both an art and a science, and I am fascinated by it. Top Chef is my football season. I love learning about cooking techniques, unfamiliar ingredients, and how the culinary world is evolving.
I love that narrative is at the heart of food culture. Chefs bring their personal stories and histories to the plate, and when we partake in a meal, our stories become intertwined with theirs.
Tim and I recently discovered a gluten-free, dairy-free (and more!) restaurant that we ADORE. Forest & Flour in Fremont, CA is truly outstanding. Not only is their food out-of-this-world good, their service is incredible. Check out the French toast and waffles we had this past weekend! Beyond yummy!
This is your friendly reminder to explore creative fields outside the ones you typically explore. This is your friendly reminder to celebrate creativity and story in unexpected places. This is your friendly reminder to devour something delicious.
How are you living your life to the fullest? What other creative fields spark your curiosity? When was the last time you ate something that brought back a beloved memory or created a new one?
What is “Read. Write. Live.”? Why should you subscribe?
This newsletter is a storytelling, community-focused peek into my life as an author. Every week, I’ll share:
What I’m reading and why I’m loving it
What I’m writing and how I’m navigating in my own storytelling
Something from living out in the world that is inspiring me
My goal is to keep the newsletter short and sweet. I want you to walk away with a book recommendation, a writing tip, and get to know me better.
About Michael’s books:
The Civil War of Amos Abernathy is about a thirteen-year-old 19th century historical reenactor on a mission to prove that the LGBTQ+ community has always existed. This was my debut and it won the Golden Kite Award, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, was an ALA Rainbow Round Table Top 10 Pick, and more.
Matteo is my take on the classic Pinocchio story, and it asks the question: what if you’re already a “real boy,” but you don’t feel like you’re “boy enough”? And what happens when the lies your telling yourself and others start to turn you…into a tree? This novel was also a Lambda Literary Award finalist!
The Truth About Triangles is my latest novel about a pizza-obsessed kid who feels like it’s his job to take care of his newly separated parents, his feuding twin siblings, and their failing pizzeria. His answer to all their problems? A reality cooking competition run by his idol. This was an ALA Rainbow Round Table selection and is currently a finalist for the Maine Student Book Award!
Work with Michael:
Working with other writers brings me so much joy! I’m a freelance editor and educator who offers:
Writing Coaching — Hour long chats where we dig deep into writing craft, publishing and more!
Manuscript Critiques — Two full reads of your manuscript + a feedback letter + pre- & post-critique call.
Developmental Edits — Everything included in the Manuscript Critique + in-line comments in your manuscript document that dig even deeper.
Workshops, classes, and more! (STAY TUNED FOR A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT IN JULY!)
I’m always looking for new clients. If you want to learn more, click here!
I couldn’t be more grateful, Michael! Your constructive observations, stimulating questions, and enthusiastic cheerleading were such an encouragement! This helped open up new paths for improving my manuscript and better telling this story. Thank you! —Tim L., Developmental Edit Client
Michael’s thorough evaluation of my manuscript was invaluable and I’ve been so excited to implement his suggestions. It’s given me so much more confidence and I can’t wait to query agents now! —Marlene S., Developmental Edit Client
That’s it!
Thanks for reading! Read, write, and live well.
Much love,
Michael
