Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ann Martin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I used to think being successful meant making a lot of money in your career or best at your said talent. As I’ve gotten older, the true meaning of success for me is being true to yourself. Write if you want to write – sing if you want to sing or do whatever that little voice inside keeps nagging at you to do. I feel like only then can you not only be successful, but happy doing life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born and raised in the Kansas City, Missouri area and now live in a suburb of St. Louis. I’m married to a very supportive husband and raised 2 amazing children. Writing songs and stories has always been enjoyable for me and learned early on that I have a gift for rhyming. I’ve published two Children’s books and am currently working on the third. The Troll and Mouse series is a children’s rhyming story about unlikely friendship in a time of need that includes music with each story. I have many other stories in me and look forward to sharing those as well.
Though I’m a writer now, for my working career, I was hair stylist and salon owner. I no longer own or work at a salon, but I started a business where I do hair for people who can no longer leave their home for whatever reason. I enjoy people and their stories. Many of my clients are elderly or handicapped and appreciate someone coming to visit and making them look and feel better. I always say you should never underestimate the power of a haircut! It’s a much-needed service in the community and it’s very rewarding to be a small part of their lives.
Something worth sharing is, I was always quite nervous about sharing my writing. It felt very vulnerable to put myself out there. It wasn’t a job or product I was selling, but part of myself. Was I showing off? Would people like it? was it too silly? what is this grown woman doing writing and singing in rhyme? I’ve learned the only thing that matters is being true to myself. It’s a form of expression. It was like it needed to come out! If you like it? Fantastic! If you don’t? It’s OK! There are lots of wonderful children’s stories out there to read instead.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey to be a published author has been a long one. I was so proud and ready to share my little stories. All I needed now was an illustrator, an agent, a publisher, a large social media platform and the deep knowledge of how to acquire all of these things. I had none! My husband was my biggest cheerleader and gave me pep talks and countless books on where to find these illusive things. After a couple years of being rejected by so many agents and publishers, I decided to self-publish. I started shopping for illustrators and lucked out on a talented artist named Jean McMullen and I joined St Louis Publishers Association where I met a very knowledgeable book designer named Carolyn Vaughan. I’m still working on that large social media platform but learning more every day.
Like the stories I write – I’ve had so much help and met so many wonderful people along the way. I refused to give up and I’m proud of myself for that.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

We live in a time where social media plays a key role in just about everything. I’m fairly new to Twitter- now X, Instagram, Facebook and all the marketing that goes along with self-publishing. It’s not intuitive to me. There are resources out there and had I taken advantage of them earlier, I would be more comfortable with the whole process.

Contact Info:

• Website: annabelletales.com
• Instagram: anniem1965
• Facebook: Annabelle Tales
• Twitter: @annabelletales