Thirty-one children's books. Written in a creative sprint. Published within months.
When Kelly Anne Manuel tells that story, the most surprising part isn't the speed; it's the Clarity of purpose behind it.
Her mission is to give kids a steady stream of comfort, confidence, and language that feels fun to live in.
In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Anne Manuel, a children's book author whose modern nursery rhymes often arrive uninvited.
She “hears” them while walking the dog, drifting off to Sleep, or moving through a hard moment. We dig into how she flips familiar phrases to help children see the world differently, and how her stories stretch from playful early learning to bigger themes like endings, loss, and personal boundaries.
If you care about early childhood development, literacy, or positive self-talk, you'll hear how Entertainment and emotional support can share the same page.
What we cover:
- The creative process behind writing 31 books in a single sprint
- Why she chose hybrid publishing with Balboa Press over traditional or self-publishing routes
- How to write synopses that actually land with parents, teachers, and librarians
- Building an author platform through audiobooks, digital libraries, video read-alouds, and focused PR
- Quieting the inner critic long enough to create
- Why momentum often comes from saying yes to the next right opportunity
Kelly shares what's worked, what's still unfolding, and the mindset that keeps her writing.
Who this episode is for:
Children's book authors, writers weighing self-publishing vs. hybrid publishing, and anyone trying to silence their inner critic long enough to put words on the page. You'll walk away with practical ideas — and a mindset reset.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
📚 Writing a book and feeling stuck?
Subscribe to Read and Write with Natasha on Substack for practical guidance, honest conversations, and behind-the-scenes insights on finishing your book—from idea to final draft.
I’m a Jordanian-American author and communications professional based in Washington, DC. I run my own digital media agency, Suburban Media Group, where I advise clients on the best digital media practices for their brand. I have over twenty years of experience working as a journalist, writer, and social media manager.
I’m a regular contributor to a number of publications inside and outside the United States. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Nature Magazine, Elle Magazine, The Post, Esquire magazine, and Aljazeera, among others.
I have appeared on several TV programs, including Larry King Live, PBS’s Foreign Exchange, Paula Zahn show, CBS’s Morning Show, Scarborough Country, BBC’s Up all night, among others.
I host the podcast, Read and Write with Natasha, where I chat with authors, publishers, and book marketers around the world.
I’m the author of the speculative literary novel They Called Me Wyatt. My short stories have appeared in Geometry, The Timerbline Review, The Markez Review, and Fjords. Here is a link to some of my published work. For media inquiries, speaking engagements, and other questions, send an Email to: [email protected]
