Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Andrea Torrey Balsara

@torreybalsara.bsky.social

320 followers 380 following 150 posts

🌱 Helping people heal & thrive through stories, art & energy work 📚 Author & Artist ⎮ Reiki Master 💜 ⬇️ Discover Books, Workshops, Coaching ⬇️ click link below https://linktr.ee/andreatorreybalsara

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · Mar 20

In this photo I am standing with Joey, a donkey. In the post I explain that I am a children's and young adult author and illustrator, but that I'm also an energy medicine practitioner. In addition to writing and illustrating, I also work with people and animals to help them heal. I volunteer every week at a donkey sanctuary using energy medicine to help rescued donkeys to heal.

1 2 19

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 17h

This month's newsletter is about the all the stuff I pushed down and REALLY didn't want to deal with.

This month, I DEALT with it. 😱🎨

Read the full story → click the link in my bio. 💪🏻

#healingthroughart #artistjourney #firstartshow #innerwork #ptsdrecovery #artisanoffering #CanKidLit #PTSDHope

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 17h

Me, too. ❤️

Adams Radcliffe . @adams012.bsky.social · 2d

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 3d

Congratulations! The first draft is hard to finish.

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 4d

If we want a world of compassion, of true justice--a world based on kindness and mutual respect--it starts with the way we treat animals. #WorldAnimalDay - Oct 4.
💜

#BeKindToAnimals
#AnimalRescue
#DonkeySanctuary
#DonkeysOfBluesky
#AnimalAdvocacy
#BeTheChange

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 6d

Very sweet!

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 7d

This cause is close to my heart - please sign: you.leadnow.ca/petitions/me...

Mercury Justice for Grassy Narrows

I just signed the Grassy Narrows petition calling on Justin Trudeau to honour his treaty obligations and commitment to reconciliation. Join me in signing here https://you.leadnow.ca/org/petitions/merc...

you.leadnow.ca

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 7d

That’s a good way of looking at it. A pilgrimage to your inner self. And I like how the timeline is realistic.

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 7d

A good day at the Savannah Marketplace at @junglecatworld 🥰

I even met some new friends, like “Tiny” the giant tortoise, a 21 yr-old rescue. 🐢 ❤️

#artistsofbluesky #kidlitillustrator #kidlitauthor #yaauthor #writerslifeforme #CanKidLit

Shows a table of children’s books for sale and me standing next to the table.

Shows a small gallery of my wildlife paintings.

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 12d

Woohoo!! Welcome to Bluesky!!! Woot!

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 12d

I'm excited about sharing my paintings for the first time & a little nervous! 😅 I'll be selling my books as well, incl. The Great & the Small. Please come out!! 💜

📚
🖌️
😍

#SupportLocal #DurhamRegion #Clarington #shoplocal #andreatorreybalsara #kidlitauthor #kidlitartist #yalit #savannahmarketplace

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you, Projjwal!!

1 1

Reposted by Andrea Torrey Balsara

Common Deer Press @commondeerpress.bsky.social · 16d

"...a story well worth reading."

The Great & the Small by @torreybalsara.bsky.social
via Midwest Book Review and @storymonsters.bsky.social

#YABooks #TheGreatAndTheSmall #YABook #CanKidLit

THE GREAT AND THE SMALL - REVIEW

"This is a modern-day take on the old story of the Plague of long ago, with a twist of a human interacting with an animal. It includes a bit of history wrapped up in fantasy, resulting in a story well worth reading."

https://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/sep_25.htm#StoryMonstersInk

The Great & the Small
A.T. Balsara

Thank you for Midwest Book Review and Story Monsters

#YABooks #TheGreatAndTheSmall #YABook

1 1

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 14d

After years of writing, revising, and starting over—my sister and I BOTH have our novels featured in the September issue of Kirkus Reviews. Same month, same magazine. After DECADES of separate work! 🦋

#AuthorLife
#IndieAuthorCommunity
#FictionThatMatters
#TruthInFiction
#YAfiction
#KeepWriting

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 19d

I'm proud to be joining so many amazing local businesses at the Savannah
Marketplace at @JungleCatWorld on September 27, where I will be selling my books & paintings! 📚🖌️💜

Grab tickets ➡️ junglecatworld.com/tickets.html...
#SavannahMarketplace #SupportLocal #ShopLocal #DurhamRegion #Clarington

1 3

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 20d

Here's some GOOD news, for a change from the cynical & wretched, "If it bleeds, it leads," network news. These are real stories of people working together to make a better world. HOPE is a VERB. 💜🌍

#HopeIsAVerb #BetheChange #WeFlourishTogether #CanKidLit #YAWriter

open.substack.com/pub/fixthene...

312: The Age of Rewilding. Martians. Babelfish 🐡. Universal blood? Golden monkeys.

Hidden stories of progress from around the world.

open.substack.com

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 20d

I thought I would share some images that I did a while ago. Visit my gallery to see more! 🌟

There will be more soon, that I will share as soon as they are finished.😍

#GalleryShare #Kidlitillustrator #artistsofinstagram #AndreaTorreyBalsara #ATBalsara #ArtAsTherapy #CanKidlit

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 22d

As a #kidlit writer/illustrator & as a #trauma survivor, I know what kids need to feel happy.

It's NOT more stuff.

What do kids need to be happy? To feel NEEDED, VALUED & LOVED. 💜

The #coloringpages on my website spur conversations that matter.

#ConversationsAboutCharacter #BeingofService

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 23d

I write to help me understand myself/the world & the same questions keeps coming up. 🦋 This is a great article by Jen Craven:

"Why I Keep Coming Back to the Same Questions in My Novels—And Why You Should Too."

#writingtips #writersofbluesky #kidlit #cankidlit

www.writersdigest.com/why-i-keep-c...

Why I Keep Coming Back to the Same Questions in My Novels—And Why You Should Too

Author Jen Craven discusses why returning the same questions and themes in fiction is a strength for writers and their work.

www.writersdigest.com

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 28d

Thank you, Sarah. I really enjoyed our conversation.

Reposted by Andrea Torrey Balsara

GSMC Book Review Podcast @gsmcbookreview.bsky.social · 29d

Author @torreybalsara.bsky.social joins Sarah on the GSMC Book Review Podcast to talk about her novel The Great and the Small, a gripping story of power, compassion, and survival. Watch here: youtu.be/W5PnCooXfWg
#AuthorInterview #GSMCPodcastNetwork

The Great and the Small by A.T. Balsara | GSMC Book Review Podcast

YouTube video by GSMC Podcast Network

youtu.be

1 1 2

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 28d

Thank you so much!! 😍

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · 28d

Lately I've been on overwhelm & so did some painting. 🦋

There's something about drawing/painting/illustrating that reminds me who I am. 💜 💜 💜

These illos are from the #YA book, Gavin the Great. 🌟
I ❤️ these.

#YABooks #CanKidLit #KidLitIllustrator #artistsofbluesky #mentalhealth #PTSDTherapy

A black and white illustration of two mice and a mole being washed over a small raft by a big wave.

An illustration of a mouse clinging to the side of a beaver as they rise from the water.

A black and white illustration of two raccoons. One is big, but injured and is laying in the dirt. The smaller raccoon is cradling the bigger one.

An illustration of two rabbits, a raccoon and a porcupine swimming in rough waters.

1 8

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · Sep 5

preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1342...

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · Sep 5

Courageous writing helps us build a world rooted in dignity and unity in diversity. In my Sept newsletter: Fox Creek by Michele Torrey—a powerful novel that shatters the lie of “us” and “them.”

Link in my bio & comments!

#FoxCreek #Newsletter
#WritersForJustice #NoUsAndThem #BookReview

1 3

Andrea Torrey Balsara @torreybalsara.bsky.social · Sep 4

Yes, it does. Being responsive to what is truly within you to express, versus producing a "product" to be sold, is an act of courage. It also means you might need a second job! Lol!

Lee Edward Födi 🇨🇦 kidlit author @leefodi.bsky.social · Sep 4

The quote of the week for the teens in my creative writing classes comes from painter Henri Matisse:

“Creativity takes courage.”

More thoughts about this quote on my blog:
kendrakandlestar.wordpress.com/2025/09/04/w...

Creativity takes courage - Henri Matisse