My young adult debut STARS, STRIPES, & SUMMER NIGHTS releases
May 12, 2026 from Delacorte Romance! ❤️🤍💙
A cozy, fun “royal romance” with an American twist, Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights follows picture-perfect First Daughter Abby who just wants one normal teen summer, and carefree Gabriel, who dreams of getting into a prestigious photography school. When the two team up to save her summer bucket list and his art portfolio—they discover that fireworks aren’t just for the sky. 🎆
In this issue of Oh My Stars!
✨ From Sketch to Final Design: The Journey to My Cover ✨
👉 How I Find Time to Mom, Work, & Write
🎉 Win a POP MART LABUBU (and adorable book merch!) 🎨✨
If you’ve just come across this on Substack, I’d be honored if you could subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive giveaways, updates, and a peak into the book publishing world. Thank you for supporting this wild author dream of mine. It’s been years in the making and I’m so happy you’re here to follow my journey from draft manuscript to a physical book at your local bookstore! 💖
One of the most magical parts of this publishing journey was seeing the book cover for my debut novel Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights (Delacorte Romance) come to life — from that very first conversation to the final, dazzling design.
It all started when my editor asked what I envisioned for the cover. I immediately pictured fireworks — bright, romantic, and full of that electric summer energy. At first, I imagined a Washington, D.C. backdrop, since my main character Abby is the First Daughter. But it became clear that the heart of the story beats in Mystic Hollow, the small town where Gabriel lives. Setting the cover there made perfect sense — it’s where the sparks really fly (in more ways than one!).
I also loved the idea of including Abby’s Secret Service agents, Jackson and Nessa, subtly in the background — a little wink to the intrigue woven through the story. It was also so much fun putting together a mood board with the kinds of clothes my characters might wear, their hairstyles, and little aesthetic details. I think every author has a folder full of inspiration images for their books, so it was incredibly helpful to have those ready when my editor asked for input on the cover!
When I learned that my art director would be Casey Moses, Assistant Art Director at Random House Children’s Books, I was over the moon! Casey has been behind some powerhouse YA authors and covers (K.L. Walther’s While We’re Young, Holly Jackson’s A Good Girls Guide to Murder, Kasie West’s Room to Breathe, and Kristy Boyce’s Dungeons & Drama, and many, many more), so having Casey bring my book to life was a total dream. The adorable detail of Abby holding an ice cream cone? That was Casey’s touch — and it’s one of my favorite parts.
Of course, Casey also found the talented Chloe Quinn, the incredible artist behind so many romance covers you would recognize at any bookstore you walk into! Quinn is a master of detail and that absolutely shines through here. From the golden glow of summertime at Mystic Hollow Inn to the fireworks bursting above, every element feels alive. And THEN the chemistry between Abby and Gabriel. It practically leaps off the page! The love isn’t just between my characters, it’s also this author fawning over the cover!
Throughout the process, I got to share feedback, see sketches, and watch the design evolve — and every new version made me fall even more in love with it. Eventually we landed with the characters on a picnic blanket. I loved the chemistry between the two in that moment. The energy between them felt just as electric as the fireworks above them!
At the end of the day, seeing characters with Filipino ancestry front and center on a YA romance cover feels incredibly special. To have that joyful, vibrant representation reflected back is something I’ll treasure forever.
I hope you love the cover as much as I do — and that when you see it, you feel the same swoony, summer magic I felt the first time I saw it. 🇺🇸💖
Adding my book to your Goodreads Want to Read shelf is one of the best ways to help boost my debut early. Please click on the link below and add my book to your Want to Read shelf. I appreciate it more than you know! 💖✨
Yes, I will add to my Want to Read shelf
While some people unwind by scrolling through social media or watching Netflix, I tend to grab my laptop and sneak in a few pages. It’s not glamorous, but it’s how the stories get written.
People often ask me, “How do you find time to write?” And honestly? It’s a fair question. Between a day job, family, and, well, life, it’s definitely a balancing act.
The truth: I’ve learned it takes a mix of discipline, flexibility, community, and a super supportive family.
My writing life is built around small, steady habits. On most nights, I’ll write* for an hour or two after work. Sometimes I’ll squeeze in a quick lunch-break sprint, and on weekends, I try to carve out at least four hours a day (more if I can swing it!).
Ironically, sometimes having only a short amount of time can be more productive than an entire afternoon. It’s not about having endless time—it’s about using the time I do have with purpose.
*My writing time may include developing social media content and writing newsletter articles 🙂
One thing that really helps: I rarely sit down without knowing what I’m about to write. I usually have a few scene notes, a line of dialogue, or a specific beat in mind. And when I’m not writing, I’m often thinking about what I’ll tackle next, so that when I do sit down, I’m ready to dive right in. That little bit of prep work keeps me from wasting precious minutes trying to remember what happens next.
I’m a big fan of the Save the Cat beat sheet—it helps me keep my story on track and understand the emotional flow.
And here’s my little fast draft secret: I don’t always write in order. I usually draft up to the inciting incident, then skip ahead to the mid-point and write through to the end. It keeps me from getting stuck at the beginning (where most authors spin their wheels) and helps me finish the draft before I lose steam.
Some days, writing just doesn’t happen—and that’s okay. I’ve learned not to beat myself up over it. If I can only manage fifteen minutes, then fifteen minutes it is. Progress is progress, no matter how small.
Here’s something I’ve come to believe deeply: writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Over the years, I’ve surrounded myself with a writing ecosystem that keeps me growing. I’ve attended weekend workshops and conferences, been lucky enough to have multiple writing mentors, meet monthly with my critique partners, and stay in regular contact with my literary agent and writing friends. Every bit of it has made me a stronger, faster, and more confident writer.
Learning the craft, giving and receiving feedback, and connecting with other writers and publishing professionals—it all adds up. This community keeps me inspired and reminds me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place.
I keep a notebook (and a note-taking app) nearby at all times because inspiration tends to strike when I least expect it—usually when I’m nowhere near my laptop.
I have critique partners and accountability buddies who cheer me on, and a wonderful agent who believes in my stories and reminds me to keep dreaming big. But most of all, I’m endlessly grateful for my partner and family.
They’re the quiet heroes behind every chapter—offering moral support, encouragement, and countless hours of help so I can chase this dream. From giving me precious weekend writing time to watching the kids during deadlines, they make the impossible possible. Because at the end of the day, no one writes alone. Every story I finish is a team effort. 💛
This is what works for me, but every writer’s path looks a little different. Writing routines are deeply personal—there’s no single formula that fits us all.
What matters most is finding a rhythm that feels good for you. Protect your joy, give yourself grace, and keep showing up for your stories, even in small ways. Some days you’ll fly through chapters; other days, a single paragraph is a victory. Both count.
So here’s my reminder to you (and to myself): writing doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth it. Every page, every line, every late-night burst of creativity gets you one step closer to the story you’re meant to tell. 💫
I’m so excited to share something special. As newsletter subscribers, you’re the very first to hear about my exclusive POP MART Labubu giveaway, featuring one of my favorite collectible figures plus a Labubu-sized t-shirt or other fun merch inspired by my upcoming book cover (how cute is that?!).
There will be raffles over the coming months, which means multiple chances to win!
📅 Raffle #1: December 12, I will announce two winners!
🎟️ How to Earn Raffle Entries
To join the raffle, you can earn entries in the following ways:
+10 entries: 🎆 Pre-order Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights
+10 entries: 📚 Request my book on your library app (like Libby) and send a screenshot
+2 entries: 💌 Subscribe to my newsletter at celestedador.substack.com
Entries for my first raffle must be received by 11:59 PM (ET) on December 11. (Newsletter subscribers will be automatically entered.)
Winners will be notified by email.
Please visit my Giveaway Google form for more Details and to Enter: https://forms.gle/J3CT6jUbQoDwKs9TA
Keep an eye on my Instagram (@CelesteDador) in the coming weeks for posts with bonus entry opportunities.
This giveaway is my little way of saying thank you for being here from the very beginning. Your excitement and support mean the world, and I can’t wait to share this fun surprise with you.
Stay tuned — and may the (Labubu) odds be ever in your favor! ✨
Note: This giveaway is not affiliated with POP MART, Instagram, or any of their subsidiaries.
Thanks for reading and for being part of my little corner of the writing world. Your support—whether you’re cheering from afar, reading along, or chasing your own creative dreams—means so much.
Until next time, keep chasing your stories, celebrating the small wins, and finding joy in the journey.
See you to the stars and back. 🌙💛
Celeste Dador 💖
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