Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara (Author T.M.) Pedroley.
Hi Tara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began writing when I was in Elementary School, I made up my own stories and drew my own pictures. When I was in middle school, I began writing poetry, and have taken awards through local contests as well. I also used to be an early childhood teacher, from ages infant to pre-k, for many years. I used to love to read to my kids in my class. I used a private blog site to keep track of some of my students progress. One student I nicknamed Jumping Jack, who just in just about every single blog entry. When I stepped away from teaching to pursue other careers, I never lost sight of how much I loved to read. So during the pandemic, I used my creative abilities as an outlet to keep myself going, I put together a poetry collection. I also used my blog entries about Jack, referred to as Jumping Jack, and wrote a manuscript about him. I sat down with a friend, who is also a local artist, and together we created The Adventures of Jumping Jack. Currently we have 5 books released, the most recent one is Jack Goes Trick-or -Treating, which was released early this month. I also released my 2nd poetry collection. I have also been inspired by news stories and worked with local artists to release books that may inspire others, since they tell the story of kindness. I have traveled to Florida for book events, and visit local schools to read to the students who love Jumping Jack.
How I got here today? It took the support of my family, friends, artists who believed in my work and people in the community who encourage me to keep writing and offering my love for literacy to the St. Louis area.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, there have been some struggles. I submitted query letters to over two dozen literary agents with my book ideas. Many were kind and complimentary about my idea, some of my letters were politely declined while many others were ignored. I decided to become a self published author instead. However, being a self published author is not an easy task. Although I have amazing illustrator(s) who help put my cost concerns to rest, I still pay them and that comes out of pocket for the most part. I have help to cover cost to purchase my own books, and the cost of printing (like everything else) has increased. I like to purchase little goodies to hand to children and families when they attend my signings, which also comes with a cost. Even with gift cards and birthday money, it still can become an expense that makes the experience worth it. I do my own advertising, usually on social media or using online tools and local office supply stores to print flyers and save the date cards for my events. I have a lot of support, but doing what I love to do, which is writing for children, doesn’t come easy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I taught in early education field for many years, but now I work a few jobs, ranging from office/receptionist work to a part time retail job as well.
I am most proud of being a children’s book author and creating fun projects for my signings. But I also design kindness stickers and pouches and hand them to people in the community.
I also teach poetry workshops to teens throughout the St. Louis area.
I visit early childhood & elementary schools and read my books to them, because I love to give back to my community, and donate books to random children just to see the smile on their faces. If I happen to be out and about, or at a local park and I see a Little Free Library, I will donate a copy of my books.
I also support literacy programs for low income and government funded organizations.
What sets me apart from some, would be that I am not expecting large sums of money in return.
I love seeing young children holding my books in their hand, or on the lap of an adult who is reading one of my books with smiles on their faces. That’s more of a reward to me than making a ton of money.
Simply put, It makes my day to make other people’s day.
I’ve been known for being a giving person since I was a young girl.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am not much of a risk taker, honestly.
I have taken risks by submitting my submitting query letters to literary agents,
and I take risks each time I release a book out into the world. There’s a chance people may or may not like the book(s) but I find that most of the time they do.
I wrote 2 children’s books based on stories I had seen on the News, and reached out to the necessary parties to see if they wanted to be a part of the project. I showed them my manuscript, so that was also a risk. They could’ve turned me away, but they didn’t. If anything, they were excited to be a part of something that children could enjoy.
As someone who considers this more of a hobby than a business, I don’t take a lot of financial risks.
I spend what I can spend on publishing costs, but for the most part I try to be as frugal as I can.
Any time you put your work out into the world for others to see, you are taking a risk. You are putting something you’ve worked on for months (sometimes years) and can be in front of others who may or may not like it. But if you keep it locked away in a notebook for years, like I have done with other stories and poetry pieces, the world won’t get a chance to enjoy it either.
Pricing:
- 6.00-8.00 coloring books
- 10.00-12.00 Jumping Jack Books
- 15.00 Parker’s Skate Park Birthday
- 16.00 The Wednesday Breakfast Club
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jumpingjackfans
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTM
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07BDPBJR5?ccs_id=893af039-39cd-4c88-8287-08477e9e2a91
