Kelsey B. Toney writes humorous, heartfelt stories about the hope that exists after our most laughably bad decisions. In past lives, Kelsey has been a teacher, recording artist, and actress—always in pursuit of connection through art and empathy. Learn more at kelseybtoney.com, on her podcast, or in her newsletter.

Kelsey B. Toney writes humorous, heartfelt stories about the hope that exists after we’ve made our most laughably bad decisions. An experienced public speaker, Kelsey has built community around championing for mental health care, self-advocacy, and creativity. At various times in her life, Kelsey has been a public school teacher, a recording artist, and an actress—all roles that nurtured her pursuit of connection through vulnerability, art, and empathy. Her work is fueled by obscenely early mornings and very strong coffee. Learn more about Kelsey at kelseybtoney.com, on her podcast, in her newsletter, or online everywhere @kelseybtoney.

Kelsey B. Toney writes humorous and heartfelt stories about the hope that can exist even after we’ve made our most laughably bad decisions. An experienced public speaker, Kelsey has built a community around championing for mental health care, self-advocacy, and creativity. At various times in her life, Kelsey’s been a public school teacher, recording artist, and actress—all roles that supported her endless pursuit of connection through vulnerability, art, and empathy. Writing is oversharing, so it would seem she’s finally found her dream job. THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCE OF BLEEDING ON A TUESDAY, her debut from Random House Books for Young Readers, has given voice to her experience living with endometriosis and learning how to take up more space. Her work is fueled by obscenely early mornings and very strong coffee. Learn more about Kelsey on her website at kelseybtoney.com, on her podcast, in her newsletter, or online everywhere @kelseybtoney. 

Kelsey B. Toney writes humorous and heartfelt stories about the hope that can exist even after making our most laughably bad decisions. Born and raised just north of Dallas, Texas (in Plano), Kelsey grew up performing on her fireplace hearth as if it were an arena stage. From that very young age, Kelsey knew that her dream was to find a way to use her voice to bring brightness to the world around her. She fully expected to become a famous singer-songwriter, and for a while, that dream seemed within reach. In high school, between theater practice and show choir rehearsals, she wrote and performed songs as often as she could. This led to a brief but bright burst of success that landed her in front of a few major record label reps and on news broadcasts and radio stations nationwide. But the timing wasn’t right, and she chose to turn down a development deal and a shot at her dream. Kelsey found herself back in Dallas, starting a career as a classroom teacher. 

She earned her master’s degree in Special Education, focusing on supporting students with emotional and behavioral difficulties, and eventually transitioned to teaching middle school English. This work was transformative, and Kelsey was deeply connected to using her voice in the classroom to help students feel seen and respected. During that time, Kelsey continued performing when she could—both her original music and in local community theater—while her interest in writing fiction began to blossom. THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCE OF BLEEDING ON A TUESDAY was written shortly after Kelsey’s diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis, which finally shed light on the myriad health problems that had plagued her since sixth grade. Navigating her invisible illness, nurturing her new dream of publishing a YA novel about endometriosis, and managing her teaching career left Kelsey with a full plate. And by the time the pandemic hit in 2020, she was ready to step boldly into finally making her dreams come true.

Random House acquired her endo novel, and her voice found its outlet making so many other parts of life fall into place. When she emerged from the haze of 2020, she was a different version of herself—bolder, braver, and more willing to try something new. She left the classroom and shifted her focus to creating even more content about taking up the space we all deserve in our lives. 

An experienced public speaker, Kelsey has built a community advocating for mental health care, self-advocacy, and creativity. Now living in Washington, D.C., Kelsey writes beside her window overlooking the river and reflecting on how life’s twists have taken her so far from her childhood’s fireplace stage. Sharing her voice, in one of so many ways, is everything she’s ever wanted… the passion that has followed her from the start. She wants to help make people laugh, take up space, and above all, know they’re never alone. 

Her work is fueled by obscenely early mornings (truly) and very strong coffee (hopefully, a cortado). Learn more about Kelsey at her website, kelseybtoney.com, on her podcast, Space Not Taken, through her (very) occasional newsletter, or online @kelseybtoney.