Aurora Whittet Best – Writer and Illustrator

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Aurora Whittet Best

writer | illustrator

Young Adult Fantasy Adventures

Bloodmark, the second book in the Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet.

Bloodmark, the first book in the Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet.

Bloodmoon, the third and final book in the Bloodmark Saga by Aurora Whittet.

Children’s Picture Books

How to Turn Your Mom into a Monster By Aurora Whittet Best. 2018 Gold Medal IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award. 2018 Bronze Moonbeam Children's Book Award. 2018 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Finalist.

Mama's Knight: A Cancer Story of Love by Aurora Whittet

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A Dash of My Weird World

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aurorawhittet

I was looking for just the right photo to sum up 2

I was looking for just the right photo to sum up 2025 and I decided on this one, barefoot with overalls and a giant pile of hair, in my delightfully chaotic office. I write and draw here, bringing worlds and characters to life and I am so very thankful for every glorious moment. I design beautiful things for clients to make their dreams come true too. My boys often come in here and lure me away to play, plant a kiss on my cheek or cozy in to create their own works of art. Truly I am living a dream that can only get better every year.

I got to illustrate for fabulous authors @evadeslaurbooks @thedailymagpie and @juliajacksonauthor and even drawing the store front for @fablebooksandcafe

Sharing stories and our hearts with @isabelbrissmanbooks @madison_koviak @b.hennessybooks @sarahlamagna @authoralpadden @artistry221 @maggieserafin

Joined @wwts.alumni in Oregon for Residency hosted by the amazing @adrienneyoungbooks and I can't wait for @kristindwyer Breaking the Story Retreat in January!

I switched writing apps this year so heck if I know how many words I wrote. But I deep tissue massaged a revision on my ya witch story and my adult Medusa pirate story. Chef's kiss! I love them both so much. I did a full revision on my adult mirrored worlds, it needs at least two more rounds but it's growing beautifully. As well as a zero draft on a ya paranormal mystery.

I look back with so much love and appreciation at 2025 for all the ups and downs, and I look forward to 2026 with hope and joy for the seeds in my heart that are ready to bloom.

Merriest of Christmas my dear ones, may it be peac

Merriest of Christmas my dear ones, may it be peaceful and joyful and an absolute delight.

When your elementary school BFF's daughters ask yo

When your elementary school BFF's daughters ask you to draw a cow for their mama, you draw a cow. :) can't wait to deliver this cutie. Don't you just want to kiss these beefy lips!?!

As 2025 ties up with a beautiful bow I find myself

As 2025 ties up with a beautiful bow I find myself looking back to the year with so much love and grace and appreciation for all the ups and downs and growth. I look to 2026 with endless hope for the next chapter. I can't wait for what awaits!

Sending mail to people I love is one of my core pe

Sending mail to people I love is one of my core personalities. I learned it from my mom. She always sent me letters and everyone she loved. Birthdays, holidays, just for fun. When she died I tattooed her handwriting on my wrist from her notes to me. She signed every letter "Lots of Love" and now I carry her with me. And the letter sending tradition carries on.

Happy good morning to y'all! I'm having a sparklin

Happy good morning to y'all! I'm having a sparkling Invisible Buffalo (the amazing non-alcoholic drink from WWTS Residency at Suttle Lodge) and lemon Oreos to fuel me getting some work done. May the odds be ever in our favor!

The life of an artist is a wild place. There is th

The life of an artist is a wild place. There is the magical concept, the ugly self-doubting middle, and then I always stare in wonder at how a blank piece of paper turned into something so magical. Come with me as I bring Clara and Reid from I'M GONNA GET YOU BACK to life for author Eva Des Lauriers.

It is such an honor to give visual creation to amazing books. I love these two so much!

You NEED to preorder her book! It's so good and the preorder gifts are top notch! Including a print of these two smoldering characters. Just wait until she unveils the other gifts!!!! You're gonna scream.

#evadeslauriers
#wwtsalumni
#wwts
#coloredpencil
#coloredpencilportrait
#bookstagram
#imgonnagetyouback

Just me snuggling up with @evadeslaurbooks sizzlin

Just me snuggling up with @evadeslaurbooks sizzling main characters Clara and Reid from I'M GONNA GET YOU BACK. I drew them with colored pencils on toned blue flecked paper and I couldn't be more obsessed with them. I love this beautiful life. I get to work with amazing authors and bring their babies to life. I couldn't possibly be more giddy and sappy at the same time. You simply need Eva's new book, and all her preorder goodies! Check out her page and sign up for this goodness because she's a storytelling goddess!

Halloween was always my favorite holiday growing u

Halloween was always my favorite holiday growing up. It was a holiday guaranteed to be silly, and supply sugar and it didn't matter if my family was struggling with money that year, my mama would find scraps of fabric to make me something cute. I have always been a strawberry girl at heart, even needed a mug to prove it from the talented @lalepottery I dressed up as Strawberry Shortcake more than once as a kid, and I felt an overly passionate need to be her again in honor of my heavenly bound mama 🍓 Happy Halloween my darlings! May it be spooky and sweet!

A beautiful vintage dress and a flower crown on a

A beautiful vintage dress and a flower crown on a perfect sunset night. The views from my cabin are always such a shocking delight and the perfect backdrop for my shenanigans.

Absolutely charming writers retreat with some dear

Absolutely charming writers retreat with some dear friends at my cabin with words written, Taylor Swift bracelets made and intentions set. :) and look at the sunset! Oh and not for forget 41 degree polar plunge...it feels like a million knives slicing your skin. Lol 🤣 some transitions can't be stopped.

Halloween madness in the orchard and corn maze.

Halloween madness in the orchard and corn maze.

I am deeply obsessed!!! 😍 This is an album of a

I am deeply obsessed!!! 😍 This is an album of anthems. Wood and Canceled are my absolute favorites but they are all perfection.

My illustration of Saoirse for @thedailymagpie SOU

My illustration of Saoirse for @thedailymagpie SOULGAZER is framed and nestled in just so at Maggie's house and I swoon for it. My heart is full! SOULGAZER is absolutely a delightful adventure and such a delicious read. If you haven't picked up a copy you are hard core missing out.

#soulgazer
#maggierapier
#coloredpencil
#coloredpencilportrait
#minnesotaartist
#portraitillustration
#fantasyart
#fantasycharacterart
#booklover

I get to live this life. Drawing pictures, designi

I get to live this life. Drawing pictures, designing brands and writing stories filled with magic. Here I am, a smiley gal in my happy place.

The glorious presale goodies I had the honor to ma

The glorious presale goodies I had the honor to make for @juliajacksonauthor makes my heart flutter! You need her book and all the goodies. 🪓 ❤️ Preorder link on Julia's page!

Finding faces of Clara and Reid! Sneak peek for th

Finding faces of Clara and Reid! Sneak peek for the fabulous @evadeslaurbooks I'M GONNA GET YOU BACK. Gahhhhh so much swooning over here.

I just finished the illustration for @juliajackson

I just finished the illustration for @juliajacksonauthor for her upcoming book POWDER & POISON, and I can't even tell you how pretty she is. Here is my first sketching sneak peek of process. I can't wait for everyone to see the final!!!! ❤️ 🍰 🪓 The details make me swoon. Her book is on presale now! Hurry up and order one and let Julia make your hair stand on end! Bring on the Marie Antoinette horror.

Maggie Rapier's SOULGAZER is absolutely everything

Maggie Rapier's SOULGAZER is absolutely everything! I can't scream loud enough how much you need her book. My little pirate heart is absolutely delighted.
📚 ⚔️
@thedailymagpie

This little cup of mine, makes me smile so big. I'

This little cup of mine, makes me smile so big. I'm obsessed with color and flowers and tiny details of gold rims and pretty little spoons.

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