Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Diana Coyle is talking with Leigh Doest, author of Perfectly You.

FQ: I love reading books by new authors and I always enjoy reading up on some personal information the author wants to share with their readers. Would you please tell us a few things about yourself that you would love to share with our readers?

DOEST: I’m a proud South African from the sunny shores of Durban and a member of the exclusive club of identical twins. My twin sister is my best friend and biggest supporter—without her, I wouldn’t have had the courage to follow my writing dream. I currently live in the Netherlands with my wonderful Dutch husband and our two beautiful children.

Having lived on four continents and in five different countries, it's no surprise that I have a passion for travel! Even with young kids, we prioritize exploring new places and creating lasting memories together.

I have a few loves in life: chocolate (especially dark), coffee (especially in cozy coffee shops), white sandy beaches, and reading (whether it’s a gripping novel, inspiring non-fiction, or a profound Christian book). I’m an introverted-extrovert; goal-oriented person who loves spending time with others in small groups or one-on-one, but I also enjoy my own company!

FQ: Can you please tell our readers a brief synopsis of your book, Perfectly You, and what do you think makes your book unique?

DOEST: Perfectly You tells the story of an expectant flamingo mom who lays what appears to be the perfect egg, drawing attention from flamingos far and wide. Expectations are high, but when the chick, Flo, hatches, she turns out to be strikingly different from the others.

Flo tries her best to fit in only to discover that she was born to stand out. Through her funny antics and kind nature, she shows the other flamingos that love and acceptance don’t require perfection.

Perfectly You stands out for its unique approach to themes such as inclusion, diversity, and special needs, presenting them in a humorous yet inspiring way. Children will not only enjoy reading the story but will also feel encouraged to embrace their individuality and appreciate differences in others. These themes are especially relevant today, making it important to introduce them to kids in a way that is relatable, understandable, and meaningful.

FQ: I read on your website that you always had the desire to write books. What made you want to write children’s books? What was your inspiration to write Perfectly You?

DOEST: I truly discovered my passion for writing children's books when I began teaching kindergarten, and that desire only grew stronger after having children of my own. During my teaching days, story time was always my favorite part because I could see how stories made the kids come alive, igniting their curiosity and leading to fascinating conversations. Now, as a mom, story time has become a cherished moment to slow down, learn together, and bond. It’s a special part of our day, and as an aspiring author, I hope to create books that inspire a love of reading in children. Through my stories, I want to cultivate essential life skills and remind both children and adults that love and acceptance don’t require perfection.

My inspiration for writing Perfectly You came from my eight-year-old niece, Audrey, who was diagnosed with ASD a few years ago. She’s incredibly smart but faced challenges early on in school, particularly with overstimulation and emotional regulation, which can be difficult in a classroom setting. Through this book, I wanted to encourage her, and countless other children who may feel "different," to understand that they are special and unique in their own way, and that we all have something valuable to offer.

FQ: I see this is your very first published book. Do you plan on writing more children’s books? How about books in the adult genre?

DOEST: Yes, I’ve already written four children’s books, all of which have been professionally edited. The second book in my series is currently being illustrated by the amazing Marcin Poludniak and is set to be released around March of next year. As for writing in the adult genre, I’m not quite sure yet. For now, my focus is on children's picture books, and I’m excited to see where this journey leads. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll explore other genres!

FQ: I have to admit that even as an adult, I loved Perfectly You. I loved getting to know Flo and I found myself cheering her on right from the start. I feel that this book perfectly teaches children that being different is an honorary badge to wear and they should be proud of being uniquely different. What made you come up with writing a story about a flamingo who looked and acted different from the other flamingos?

DOEST: As I mentioned earlier, my niece Audrey was the inspiration behind this story. Children love characters they can relate to, right? I know many kids, especially girls, are drawn to flamingos. Flamingos are naturally graceful and balanced, so I thought they’d be the perfect animal to represent the idea of being different. I could easily visualize the illustrations. Flo, the flamingo, looks and acts differently from the others, which reflects the theme of being unique without directly highlighting special needs. This book will resonate with kids who look, feel, or are different in their own ways.

FQ: What made you want to be a published author?

DOEST: I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and an Honors Degree in English Studies. I've always dreamed of becoming a published author, but life’s detours, obstacles, and the need to pay bills kept pushing that goal aside. Last year, while teaching high school, I nearly burnt out, which forced me to pause and reflect on what I truly wanted to do with my life. It didn’t take much soul-searching to realize that writing was my passion. Although I had been writing for about three years, it was at that moment I decided to fully commit and publish my first book.

FQ: Please tell us what is your writing routine like?

DOEST: Until the summer holidays, I was balancing teaching three days a week while being a mom to two little ones, so I had to squeeze in writing whenever I could. Now that I’m home full-time, I can focus on my writing while my kids are at school and daycare. Currently, my main focus is preparing for the upcoming launch of Perfectly You and promoting it. After that, I plan to dedicate a few mornings each week to writing and spend the afternoons handling the business and administrative side of being an author.

FQ: To wrap up our interview, is there anything you would like to add to tell our readers?

DOEST: Thanks for taking the time to read this interview! If you know any children who could benefit from the message of my book—that being perfect simply means being yourself—I encourage you to pre-order Perfectly You on Amazon - it will be available in paperback from the 23rd of September. And remember, it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Just start, no matter where you are! My circumstances weren’t perfect when I began writing, but my dream kept growing, and now I have the opportunity to pursue it fully. You never know where your efforts might lead, but if you don’t try, you’ll never find out!

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