Discover the Next Generation of Christian Storytellers…
Featuring Sydney Leeson
As the second eldest of six children, Sydney grew up leading magical quests through their grandparents’ backyard and using every book she could find to escape the chaos that comes with moving houses several times.
Nowadays, she strives to write stories that acknowledge life’s storms, and equip you with the hope to face them. When she’s not writing or journaling, you’ll find her collecting art supplies, working at her church’s office, or cuddling her two cats.
Find Her on the Web
About Her Short Story
Crosswind by Sydney Leeson
Tanya has one rule: No flying in storms.
She and her giant flying squirrel, Beale, serve as guardians-in-training for her Caravan, a group of merchants constantly wandering the skies they call home. Her mentor, Yorik, and the Caravan are her only family since she lost her parents in a storm years ago.
But now the yearly storm season is churning up the horizon, and Tanya is eager to get the Caravan through a particularly dangerous patch of sky known as the Estuary. On the other side, they can wait out the season in safer ports. No storms, no unexpected updrafts, and no crosswinds.
No fear of risking her family again.
Her efforts are cut short when a wounded messenger and his bird crash into their ship, gasping out that the lighthouse meant to guide travelers through the area has gone dark. Without it, the Caravan won’t be able to safely navigate.
With Yorik wounded, the only ones left to fly ahead to light it are Tanya and Beale.
This wouldn’t be a problem, except a storm–the very thing she fears– is blowing in between them and the lighthouse.
And Tanya has a rule.
Her Accomplishments
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Completed a novel and 2 short stories.
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Received and implemented professional edits.
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Attended the Write-To-Publish Writers Conference in 2024.
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Started a housecleaning business to practice grassroot marketing and branding.
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Built an email list of 103 subscribers in 30 days.
Meet the 11 other authors in the anthology!
sydney
o'rear
avery
heisey
johanna
anaya
abigail g.
Smith
naomi
sowell
lillianna
joy
hollis
Wakefield
ella
webb
Sam
Matos
Anna
Galicinski
Cristiana
Moyer
Support the next generation of writers
100% of the proceeds from this anthology go toward helping up-and-coming writers attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers.
About the Author Conservatory
Conservatory, noun: “A school specializing in one of the fine arts.”
The Author Conservatory is an online apprenticeship-modeled program that teaches students the writing & business skills they need to get published and support themselves financially. The Voices of the Future anthology features short stories from nine of our 2024 graduates.
