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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Guest Blogger: Bobbie Hinman: You Are Never Too Old To Follow Your Dreams

You Are Never Too Old To Follow Your Dreams

By Bobbie Hinman

What do you mean, “You’re too old to start a publishing company!”?

Sixty-three isn’t old!

In fact, my years of life experience have finally given me the knowledge (and admittedly, the guts) to do something that I have always wanted to do – write children’s books. I wrote several small books in college and thus began my love of children’s literature. I didn’t have time to do it right after college. I was too busy teaching and putting my husband through school. I didn’t have time to do it while I was raising a family. I always put their needs first, knowing that my time would come. And this is just the right time.


My ideas for a series of fairy books grew out of the need to explain to my ten precious grandchildren the answer to some of the universal mysteries of life, such as “How did my hair get so tangled while I was asleep?” and “Whatever happened to my other sock?” I could have submitted my ideas to other publishers and waited for the rejection letters to roll in. No, I wasn’t being overly pessimistic. It’s just a known fact in the book world that a number of rejection letters almost always precede that special acceptance letter. At 63, I didn’t want to waste any time. I decided to form my own publishing company. My other motive for going this route in place of traditional publishing was that I wanted to retain control of all of the decisions about artwork, design, and all the other headache-producing decisions. I wanted excitement, work and challenges.

My children are grown and it has become increasingly important to me to leave them a legacy, one that isn’t measured in dollars and cents, one that will leave them something that they, in turn, can leave to their children.

   I have returned to my educational roots, started my own publishing company, and have released two children’s books. The Knot Fairy explains one of the universal mysteries of life – “How did my hair get so tangled while I was sleeping?” The Sock Fairy reveals the answers behind the dilemma of missing socks. Soon, my third book, The Belly Button Fairy will be released. In just a few short years, my books have won a total of eleven children’s book awards. But the real award is seeing the pride in my grandchildren’s eyes and knowing that this legacy will live on, and that I have taught them two valuable lessons in life:

(1) you can do whatever you want if you just work hard and never give up; and

(2) It’s never too late to follow your dreams.



Visit Bobbie Hinman at:


http://bestfairybooks.com


http://bobbiehinman.blogspot.com

10 comments:

Helen Ginger said...

Love the covers! I would pick up both books based just on that.

And I love your story.

Shari Lyle-Soffe said...

Wonderful! Take it from a 69 year old, I understand where you are coming from. I am published by Guardian Angel Publishing an e-book publisher. I didn't have time to wait for the "Big Guys" to decide I might be worth considering. Four books later I'm not a bit sorry.

Shari Lyle-Soffe
http://sharilyle-soffe.com

shepherdess56 said...

If you would like to purchase Bobbie Hinman's books, please click on the links within the article to go to Amazon.com, where they are available. Your support of this creative writer is greatly appreciated!!!

Cheryl Pickett said...

Such a gift to other authors! I've put a link in my blog to keep the encouragement going.

Thank you Bobbie for sharing your journey and to Amy for putting it out there.

Keep up the great work both of you!

Cheryl Pickett

Morgan Mandel said...

I'm with you! At 60, I'm not sitting around waiting any more.
I'm going to make things happen.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/morganmandel

Fairy Lady said...

Hi everyone. Thank you for your kind words and your support. We'll show those young kids how it's really done!

Bobbie Hinman
http://bestfairybooks.com
http://bobbiehinman.blogspot.com

Charlotte Phillips said...

WooHoo! Great story Bobbie. Thanks for sharing. I must read about the knot fairy. I want figure out how to keep her out of my hair.

Mary Cunningham said...

What a great interview!! You are such an inspiration, Bobbie. Isn't it nice to know that we can write for the rest of our lives! Nothing stopping us as long as we can type (or use a pen, if we so choose)

Mary
http://www.woofersclub.blogspot.com
http://www.cynthiasattic.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I agree wholeheartedly--it's never too late!! Congratulations and best to you!

Heidi
http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com
http://heidimthomas.com

Joyce Mason said...

What an inspiring story! I am in your same boat, over 60 and just working on publication of my first book. Your children's books look fantastic! I will share the info with my younger friends who have kids and peers who have grandchildren.

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