But here I am, absolutely killing it.

Nice to meet you! I’m Mary, the creator, author, and digital illustrator behind this blog. I’m married to my really sweet and really nerdy best friend, I’m a mom to the craziest most loving little boy you’ll ever meet, and quite honestly I’m pretty sure I’m living my best life.

I never thought I’d be able to quit my 9-5 marketing job, but a couple months ago, my husband asked me if I could do anything in the world what would that be? Without thinking I blurted out that I’ve always wanted to be a children’s book author and illustrator. What’s always held me back from that was the imposter syndrome of not having good enough ideas or good enough illustrating skills to write my own books. Then with the pandemic, the birth of my son, economic uncertainty, life just kept “getting in the way” of me feeling like I could even give it a try. So, with some consideration for our finances and other adult-ish decisions, we decided to finally give it a shot. I stepped away from my “big girl job” and put full faith in the process that I’ve been led here and it’s the perfect opportunity to start taking action.

The first step in this authoring journey of mine was to start a blog (check) and introduce myself (check, check) so I can connect with parents whose children will maybe read my stories some day, or other aspiring authors to help them along their publishing journey. Publishing feels scary and daunting, and I’ve read that being an author is a lonely profession, so I hope this blog can be a place to make those two things less true.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and get to know me. Now, on to the rest of the post so you can get to know me a little better!

If you had asked my parents what I’d be when I grew up, they wouldn’t have said author or illustrator, they would have said stand-up comedian.

Before I could even read or write, I was a storyteller. I’d listen to TV shows and infomercials, then turn around and hold mini-infomercials for my parents so they wouldn’t “miss out on any deals.”

While I realized I have far too much social anxiety for the stage and spotlight, that drive to entertain never left. It just moved to the page. I want to create characters that model resilience, problem-solving, and self-discovery, all while being completely over-the-top funny.

I’ve always known I wanted to work with kids. To me, there is no sound better than a child’s laughter. If a family chooses one of my books to read at night, and it leads to a moment of shared joy, or a laugh that makes a long day feel lighter, then I’ve peaked as an author. That is the ultimate “win.”

Today’s world is heavy. Kids are under immense pressure to perform—in school, in sports, and online. I believe that to have a magical adulthood, we have to protect and encourage a magical childhood. My goal isn’t just to teach; it’s to provide a brain break. Some protected time throughout the day where a kid doesn’t feel like they have to perform, they can just enjoy a bit of imagination.

For a long time, I couldn’t quite put a finger on my “style.” Then it clicked: Absurdity. I love anything out-of-this-world weird or expressively ridiculous things. When I was a kid, teachers scolded me for reading Captain Underpants because I was capable of reading at a much higher grade level. (Shoutout to my mom, whose response was always: “Well, she’s reading, isn’t she?”)

That love for the “weird” followed me into my teens, where I spent my time writing World of Warcraft fan fiction and dreaming of becoming a Disney animator. While life took me on different paths, that creative spark never went out.

The real reason I’m here on this journey today? My son.

Watching him grow over the last three years has been a masterclass in silliness. Seeing how much we think alike and how effortlessly he finds the funny in life has driven me to create. I want to build a world of “silly” just to hear him laugh—and hopefully, to make your kids laugh, too.

Why a blog? And why now?

I’ll be honest. I feel like the least qualified person to be starting this blog. I haven’t published a book yet. I’m still developing my art style and figuring out exactly where my stories fit on the “kidlit” spectrum.

But I’ve been given a unique opportunity to step away from the 9-to-5 grind and focus on this passion. I don’t want to let it pass me by. So, I’m starting this blog to:

• Document the process: From initial sketches to the “no’s” and “yes’s” of the publishing world.
• Be transparent: Publishing is competitive and complicated. If my mistakes can help another aspiring creator, then this blog has done its job.
• Build a community: I dream of one day reading my stories at a library or even owning a children’s bookstore where I can inspire young artists. This is where that journey starts.

Whether I’m drawing a cow, a goldfish, or a cryptid, I’m pouring my empathy, humor, and authenticity into every line.

And can I just say that I’m so glad you’re here for the ride.