Writing Portfolio
Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.
Creative Writing & Authorship Samples
This collection highlights my versatility as a writer, featuring my debut poetry collection, Perfect Reflection, alongside my three-time award-winning finalist children's book, Goodnight, Wiggles. From introspective poetry to engaging children's literature, these works demonstrate my ability to craft authentic narratives, adapt my voice for different audiences, and tell stories that connect with readers.
Written to turn nightly routines into moments of connection, Goodnight, Wiggles invites families to make bedtime both calming and fun. Through interactive elements like counting, stretching, and playful "wiggles," the story helps children release excess energy, ease bedtime worries, and settle into a peaceful, comforting sleep routine.
The US Review of Books–Premium US Reviews
Goodnight, Wiggles
by Destany B. Stevens
book review by Jonah Meyer
"It's time for bed; close your eyes. Don't forget to dream of big open skies."
Stevens' delightfully adorable picture book is, in many ways, a perfect book to read with one's child at bedtime. Wiggling around, shaking out all the day's leftover energy, becomes a winding-down ritual shared between parent and child. This healthy bonding is not only fun but also prepares the body and mind for a good night's sleep. One could easily imagine, while reading this story, an adult and a young child echoing the very activities described on these pages—wiggling, counting fingers, reaching to the sky and then down to the floor, gently tickling noses, and playfully "scaring off" imaginary monsters. With bodies now relaxed and tension-free, the mind opens to sleepy-eyed dreams, all sealed with a loving hug. Further, the tones and hues of the accompanying illustrations evoke slumber's inviting presence and peaceful safety, featuring deep blues and indigos, accentuated by small, bright lights of planets, swirling stars, and squiggles on the child's bedroom décor, promoting sweet dreams, indeed.
Perfect Reflection is my debut poetry collection exploring the emotional complexities of life through honest, introspective poetry. From mental health and identity to grief, motherhood, and healing, each piece invites readers to embrace the idea that emotions are cyclical rather than linear—and that there is beauty in every stage of becoming.
Professional Writing Portfolio
This collection features two original spec writing samples created to demonstrate editorial versatility. It includes a promotional press release for "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas and a foreword written for a literary history text. Together, these pieces highlight my ability to adapt tone, voice, and structure for both commercial publishing and academic audiences.
