Book Shop Chats:
Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!)
Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft.
Whether you're just starting out or have published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.
Book Shop Chats:
Illuminating Diversity in Children's Literature with Tom Tracy
Tom Tracy shares how his journey as a self-published children's book author has been driven by a desire for representation and authenticity in children's literature. He emphasizes the importance of community and emotional connectivity in storytelling, along with practical marketing strategies for independent authors.
• Importance of representation in children's books
• The impact of personal connection on storytelling
• Strategies for marketing as a self-published author
• Incorporating emotional development techniques in writing
• The power of community in supporting indie authors
Tom was born and raised in Southern New Jersey. Growing up in rural America, Tom has a deep sense of community - when our families, neighbors, farmers, local businesses, and organizations all work in concert to support one another, it strengthens us individually and collectively. Tom relishes opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with his local community.
He and his husband have been together for nearly 15 years and married for 10. They have two young daughters who help their dads stay in touch with all things 21st century.
As a gay dad and a father of BIPOC daughters, Tom is committed to advancing children’s stories that are inclusive of diverse families, who have been historically under-represented in children's books. Professionally, Tom is a NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with at-risk youth and individuals living with mental illness for most of his career. Through that work, he has come to appreciate the importance of sharing one's lived experience with others through story-telling. He hopes his kids’ books help others feel more seen and valued.
Wonderfully You: An Ode to Adoption Book Blurb:
Wonderfully You is a love note to children who've been adopted in this heartfelt story that showcases family creation through the experience of transracial adoption. The reader is invited to experience the adoption journey through melodic rhyming narrative, which is complemented by beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations. Personal connection to adoption isn't necessary to feel the warmth and love that is the central message of this book. It is a perfect read along for kids, grandkids, classrooms, those touched by adoption, and individuals looking for books that portray diverse families.
Links:
Tom Tracy Books Homepage: https://www.tomtracybooks.com
All my social links: https://micro.page/tomtracybooks
About Victoria:
Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Editing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth—it's the magic that transforms your story from “meh” to masterpiece!
Here’s how I can help:
📖 FREE Manuscript Prep Workbook: Take the stress out of editing with simple steps to organize your revisions.
Grab it HERE
📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
✍️ 1:1 monthly support Writer's Haven: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.
Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!
📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
🌐 Website: https://www.victoriajaneeditorial.com/links
Oh hey, it's Victoria from Victoria Jane Editorial and your host of Bookshop Chats. This podcast is all about authors, writing and the magic that goes into storytelling. We cover all of the things that go into writing a book, from the creative process, from taking your idea to a first draft, creating and cultivating community within the author space, marketing all of the fun things. If you are a reader, a wannabe writer or an author, you will find tips and tricks that suit whatever level you are at. So I hope that you enjoy and you are unfortunately, or fortunately going to find many more books to add to your TBR, so I will invite you to sit back and listen to the episode. Welcome back to Bookshop Chats. In today's episode, I am chatting with Tom Tracy. Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2:Thanks, victoria, it's great to be here.
Speaker 1:I'm excited. I don't often have children's books authors on my podcast and I am I'm always happy to learn more about the writing process from like whatever capacity, so I would love to hear all about your books, and you have six of them, which is amazing.
Speaker 2:I do, and I'm actually new right, so I've only started writing in 2021, um, so it was a during the pandemic. Uh, let's all find something new to do and learn new skills and so, uh writing emerged during the the pandemic uh period. But yeah, I've published six books, five coloring books, uh, an emotions workbook, and actually was a chapter contributor to a best-selling kind of wellness anthology as well. So it's been a busy four years.
Speaker 1:That's amazing. I love that. I would love to hear a little bit about, like, what pulled you into this type of writing to this type of writing opposed to like, maybe like writing a novel or a memoir or whatever.
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, so my origin story goes I always wanted to work with kids and I always wanted to be a children's book author. I can't tell you what the motivation was in those high school days, but I remember crafting short stories and bringing them to my guidance counselor, who was my biggest champion at the time, and he would review them and give me suggestions. So I always had this desire to reach children through books. Maybe that's driven by my own love of books ever since I was a kid. They were great escapes, but they were also great learning tools, and I got to see a world that I didn't have opportunity, or I got to see worlds that I didn't have opportunities to see in my own life. So it kind of widened my global aperture, if you will, and so maybe that was the inspiration back then. I will tell you, though, so we won't talk about age, but high school was a long time ago.
Speaker 2:It was a long time ago.
Speaker 1:I feel you also. It was quite long time ago. I feel you also.
Speaker 2:It was quite some time, so 2021 is when the first book came, so there's a span of a few decades in there and here's for me the journey was really interesting.
Speaker 2:I've always wanted to do it and never lost hope. I never lost sight of this goal, but every time I put pen to paper it felt contrived, it felt disingenuous or not authentic, and and I just so basically what I'm saying is just couldn't find my inspiration. And then my husband and I adopted our first daughter, shortly thereafter our second daughter. But when we adopted our first daughter, you know, one of the things that we asked for from our family were books, right, so there's a theme here. So her room, even as an infant, quickly became filled with story books and picture books and all kinds of books that we would read to her.
Speaker 2:And what became very obvious to me was that she's also of a different race than than us, than us. And so, you know, we were having a hard time finding not just books that featured same sex parents, but books that featured multi ethnic, multi racial families as well. And so it became, you know, an opportunity for me to say you know, there's a problem here in terms of representation gap, and I have an opportunity to do something about it. And so inspiration was born through not having children and wanting to, you know, have one. Have my kids see books that had families like theirs in it and offer other kids an opportunity to see families that may be different than their own, much like books did for me when I was young, which was kind of give me broader horizons.
Speaker 1:I love that. I think that's so amazing now, especially with self-publishing, is that we have the ability to have such a diverse like range of characters, families, like things that just you're like, wow, I didn't think that I'd ever see a character even like two of my kids are type 1 diabetic. So seeing a character like like you just don't see that in tv or in movies or it is, it's grossly like misrepresentation, like it's not even accurate to what it's like. So having like being able to show like your lived experience and then like bring that in and help just kids not feel alone, and I think that's huge. I think for especially for kids, and the power of reading right Is so, so amazing. I mean I grew up like watching reading rainbow and all of these, these books right, Like these, these so, so amazing. I mean I grew up like watching reading Rainbow and all of these, these books right, Like these. These shows were so powerful and I feel like we're kind of missing that now and I think bringing that back is is amazing. That's I love that.
Speaker 2:Thanks. I feel like you and I should do a little duet here of Butterflies in the Sky. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:I feel like I would butcher it and I would be so sad. I love that. Like that was an amazing show. Why is it not on TV anymore? Like these are the shows that kids need to watch now and I think that that's amazing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, you know, what's really interesting about what you said is, you know, jumping fast forward here. Just a month or so ago my daughter's second grade teacher invited me in to read one of my stories to the class, and I've done this in first grade, I did this in kindergarten, so it's just kind of a fun thing and my daughter and I do it together and I always introduce myself right as her dad and she's she's adopted and she's proud of that and so she, she's OK with me sharing. But we also talk about having two dads, and in my books there are two dads, dads, and in my books there are two dads, and so it was really interesting. So we talk about you know. So I won't say her name, but so our daughter has two dads.
Speaker 2:And I had a kid raise his hand and he said I have two dads too. And I was intrigued and I said tell me about that, tell me more. And he said I have a dad and a stepdad. And I was like wow, like he was like giving me I, I he was giving me insight, right, because I always think two dad family is a gay family, and he was, he was connecting with a two dad family. In the book it was helping to normalize it for him and he felt compelled to share. And in the process it it made me more aware of those opportunities to connect, even if they are, you know, hidden opportunities.
Speaker 1:I think that's huge right Like, like it's especially getting, like there's something really powerful about getting kids when they're they're young and just creating that space for them just to, yeah, just to be themselves, just to be kids, just to explore and be creative and and know that they're. They're not alone and, yeah, I love that they're. Kids are always great at like, just saying, saying things how it is, and also challenging you in the best way. So, yeah, that's that's great. I, I love that they were able to make that connection and I like it's something that I wouldn't have thought about. I'm like, oh well, that makes there's all there's a million different family dynamics, so it's really cool that they're able to create that and be like oh, I like that, like I connect to that story and position myself to always learn from my own kids or kids that I get to interact with through you know, story times and and and read alongs, et cetera.
Speaker 2:And I have one book that features a foster girl as the protagonist. But the book is really it's not about foster care, it's about how you manage some big emotions and coping skills, and this goes back to my earlier comment about authenticity. Some of the skills that are talked about in that book my daughter brought to me as she was learning them herself and I was like wow, like this is a very kid oriented way to do deep breathing, for instance, and so we took that and actually kind of crafted it to make it part of the book. And so I often say that she is, she is. She is my unspoken co-author, often because I allow her and other kids to inspire what comes forward in the books.
Speaker 1:Amazing. I, that's that's so perfect and I feel like that's really like writing in general, like life is what inspires us to write and it's those little subtle moments that I feel like authors and writers are really great at just noticing and they're like, oh, this would be a really great thing to like expand on and create more and just show people like a different perspective of things. Obviously, we've got these books out in the world. How has the marketing aspect been for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a great question. I appreciate it because you know, I am self-published, so I am an indie author, which means I don't have a large publishing house behind me. That's helping to promote my name and promote my titles. And I read somewhere, or maybe anecdotally, someone shared with me that writing books, I think, whether it's a or being an indie author, you know, whether it's a kid's book or adult-oriented book, 20% of it is the writing and 80% of it is the marketing, and it's a challenge. It is something that I have to attend to every day, whether it's social media or trying to make connections with folks that can help carry my message.
Speaker 2:And I will say, to answer your question directly, that's been the biggest opportunity for me is each one of my books has a different theme, and so I have found community-based organizations, so not schools, but, like you know, I have two books on adoption. I have one book that features a foster youth, as I mentioned. So adoption agencies and organizations that have supported or are supporting foster youth and foster families. I have found opportunities to partner with them in very creative ways. So you know a couple of different things that I'll share, right.
Speaker 2:So I did one fundraising event where they invited me to come and do a book signing and obviously donated a proceeds of sales from the from the day of the event to the organization, to the organization. I had another organization that just bought a boatload of books and then asked me to come and facilitate different workshops throughout the state using the books that they bought from my collection. So I think, as a self-published indie author, we're stronger together, and so if you can find partners where you have a shared cause right, it's not going to be contrived, it's not going to be just because they like you, right, it's got a can your work fit into their mission in some way, shape or form, and can you help them to see how it could, if it's not obvious, and then from there find opportunities to collaborate?
Speaker 1:That's a great way of getting your message out there. That's not social media, because obviously that's a great tool, but I feel like getting in person, getting your book in person, is such a huge just a leg up. I think it just especially connecting with you as the author and just to see the message behind it and I feel like, especially with the books that you're writing, there is such an opportunity for like workshops and learning and and that kind of thing that I feel like would be such a great asset. Um, that's such a cool thing to like. I wouldn't have thought of that, of just connecting um with people that that speak this similar message, but in in kind of a different way.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, no, it has been so fun and it is broadened my network in very meaningful ways because, obviously, you know, I'm a, I'm a my by professional training. I'm a clinical social worker and you know one of my specialties was working with children and families. So I've been, you know, in this children's or child space for my entire career, been, you know, in this children's or child space for my entire career. But this has allowed me to engage with organizations and with kids in a very different and, frankly, a more fun way. So, you know, clinical and therapy isn't always fun, so this is, you know, allowed there to be just fun, be yourself. You know, conversations that don't have the heavy kind of um stigma, if you will, associated with therapy.
Speaker 2:Um, and to your point about social media, I will say, like every partner that I've connected with, they are so happy uh, with, with, uh, with the partnership, that they throw me on their social media. So they're helping, yeah, to spread the word because they're proud of the connection and what we've done together. So it's been a very mutually beneficial relationship and I promote them, we cross promote. I keep pictures of all of my events on my website with the organization's name so that people can see it and feel connected.
Speaker 1:I love that. That's such a great, yeah, that's such a great way and I think, too, it's this work that you do it's going to have lasting effects on kids, right, like this stuff, like that play, like just that awareness, that connection of just having those people that, like you probably remember from when you were a kid, that like just stood out to you. They were the cheerleaders, they were the people that kind of like showed you what could maybe be possible. And I think that stuff like I always want to be that for a kid, like I never like it would make me so sad if I was like the person that would hurt that like I just couldn't do that. Like I want to be that person that helps the kids see, um, where they could take their dreams, or just like that kind of stuff, Because I think that that's what we need more of in our world.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love that. It's just and it just like fills your heart, right, it just, it's this warm, fuzzy feeling that you get inside and that carries me through some of the darkest days, sometimes, knowing that I have an event coming up or I get a random email from you know a parent, or see somebody at a live event and they share with me. You know the impact of my books that they've had on their family and so, yeah, it's been. It's been really fulfilling.
Speaker 1:I love that. Well, I feel like you've maybe touched on a couple of things about this already, but what would be some advice that you would have for somebody who is just starting out their writing journey?
Speaker 2:So I can only speak to my own experience, right. So take what it's worth. Know I am one person. One person's experience is one person's experience. Um, for me though, yeah, I did touch on the fact that I needed to have the right inspiration, um, and I will tell you what that I don't know that my first book was fantastic, right, like I don't know that anybody's first work of art is their best work of art, but I didn't agonize over it because the inspiration was there, the passion was there, and so it was a fun project.
Speaker 2:It's funny, my first book is called Fun at Grandma's, so I just I love that. That was not intentional, right there, but that was that's kind of funny, and you know. But that book was just telling my daughter's story and and you know how, how you know kids at grandparents' house it was my experience anyway, as a kid. You go to grandparents' house and it's just this magical place, it's just have fun and and you imagine and and and the rules of the house are not the same as they are at home, and my cousin and I would go in the attic and we would build haunted houses and then we'd invite the the family to come walk through the haunted house, or we'd plan all day magic shows, like just you shows. Neither one of us had siblings, so we counted on our cousins, on each other, to have that fun. And so this first book was and I'm a long way getting to your question, I promise.
Speaker 1:I love it.
Speaker 2:But this first book was really just a nod to that feeling that we probably so many of us, let's say that way. Not all of us have had wonderful childhood experiences with grandparents or even had grandparents to remember, but many of us will feel very nostalgic when we think about going to grandma and grandpa's house or grandma's house. And I one day was watching these two girls just tear the house up, flying through the rooms, toys, just kind of like, littered in their wake. Right, you could follow this trail of every room that they've been in by by looking at the, the, the, the littering of toys behind them, and it was frenetic. But so, um, I, it was just so, uh, vivid and and, and I just sat there and I watched, it, had that nostalgic feeling and it just popped in my head.
Speaker 2:I was like this needs to be captured in a story. And so, again, I didn't agonize over the words per se, I really just captured the essence of that multiple days actually mushed into one story, but the essence of that experience and it propelled me to move forward. So, to answer your question directly, I would say write what brings you joy, write what makes you happy, write what you're passionate about or what you know and at least the subject will be easier for you.
Speaker 1:So that would be my piece of advice.
Speaker 1:I love that, I think it's so great and that I love to ask all the authors that question, because I feel like it's just a fun thing of like try it out, see if it works for you and your writing journey is going to be so unique to you. So it's, there's no one way to do it and I think but having that passion definitely is is a big. I feel like that's a common denominator amongst all of the authors that I've talked to is that they have that story that they needed to tell. So if you've got that like you're, you're, you're already like there. It's just the writing part that can take some time.
Speaker 2:Well, that's why podcasts like this or, you know, internet and other groups like find people that will help you. I, you know, I joined a bunch of Facebook groups when I first started off, because I don't know the self-publishing thing, like I don't have fancy software.
Speaker 2:Can I really do this? And the answer is yes, you can, but don't do it alone. There's no need to. There are hundreds, thousands of people who have been on this journey and are willing to share. And I will tell you when I do live events. Without fail, I'll have at least one person come up to me and say I've always wanted to write a children's book, but I just don't know how. Or they'll say I've got this story in my head, I just don't know what to do with it and how to put it into paper. And my response to them is always here's my card, here's my contact information. Contact me when you're ready and I will impart everything that I know for free, like I will just share because we are a community and again, we're stronger together when we're a community. So you know, if we can elevate the indie voice and you know our fellow indie artists and creators, then we should commit to that.
Speaker 1:Yes, I am here for that kind of energy, like it's it's community over competition in my books, of like, let's just connect, like the more books out, like amazing, I love, I love that. Well, finally, how can people connect with you and find your book? Ah, books, yes, yes, that you know that part.
Speaker 2:Yes, um, well, best way is to find me, you know, for my website. So my website is pretty easy. It is wwwtomtracybookscom. Tracy. No E T R A C Y, uh. Tomtracybookscom Tracy. No E-T-R-A-C-Y. Tomtracybookscom. That's my Instagram handle. It's Tom Tracy Books. It's my threads handle Facebook's a little different. If folks are using Facebook, I'm author Tom Tracy. No spaces, but the best my website. You can connect to all my books. You can connect to me. You can find everything about me I probably even overshare in my bio on my website.
Speaker 1:So yeah, I have that problem also.
Speaker 2:Well, that was amazing.
Speaker 1:And everything will be linked in the show notes. It'll be super easy for people to click through and find you and your books, and it was lovely chatting with you. I learned so much. It's super fun.
Speaker 2:I enjoyed it immensely and thank you for what you're doing and helping to elevate the indie voice. So I hope that this connects with some folks and hopefully I'll hear from them and I'll share that with you, so you know the impact of the podcast.
Speaker 1:Amazing. I love that. I really. Yeah, that's my goal of just get get eyes on on new books or just new authors. Even if you're like I don't really read these type of books, it's just like I'll still connect with them. I think that's a great like. I love to do that, even if I'm like that's not my genre Cool. But you, you've got some solid advice, so that's amazing. So let's connect.
Speaker 2:That's right, that's right. Well, thank you so much for having me. I really had a lot of fun.
Speaker 1:Thanks so much for listening to today's episode. I would love if you would leave a review and also, if you love the author that we chatted with, go find them on social media and hype them up, comment on their stuff, share their work. Even if you can't buy the book, these kind of things are great ways of supporting indie authors and getting their book in front of new readers. And if you are a writer or author in need of a developmental editor, please reach out. I would love to chat. Everything is linked in the show notes and it would be an absolute honor to be able to get eyes on your novel. So thanks again and listen to the next episode.
