We recently connected with Cazzy Zahursky and have shared our conversation below.

Cazzy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

My creative business idea of becoming an author and illustrator more or less came knocking on my door. I was already dabbling with writing stories and drawing as a hobby. I was writing children’s picture books for the children of friends out of a genuine passion and an inherent love for the process itself. It wasn’t until others suggested I go the full nine yards and turn this hobby into a business. Bringing my passion to the next level felt very natural. However, once I began the transition, a new rush of emotions emerged. All things creative come from the heart, my stories being no exception. I wore my heart on my sleeves by putting my heart into each story I wrote. This opened a new world of vulnerability, fear, and self-doubt. Others would be judging these creations of my heart. I ignored these negative feelings and pushed through the fear, for I had an even greater fear that I’d regret not doing so. Despite all the wonderful editorial reviews and book awards I’ve won for many of my books over the years, it’s always a slippery slope of vulnerability releasing a new book. However, much like the challenges and joys of expecting a new baby, holding your new book baby in your hands for the very first time is a feeling of inimitable joy and accomplishment. I did and still do face challenges in the less creative aspects of the business, but I push through them anyway. As all humans looking to improve themselves, I am always still learning about the ever-wavering process. I figured why not just go for it? After all, you’ll never know success if you don’t try.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For as long as I can remember I have always been a creator at heart. My childhood was filled with the love for all things creative. Some of my fondest memories as a child were sitting at the kitchen table with my artist grandmother, drawing together. I loved drawing, sculpting, painting, writing stories, creating inventions (often endearing and silly in nature), you name it. I recall one such silly invention, where I made musical earrings, which had clickable music playing discs I inserted into custom felt fabric exteriors that I designed. If there was an opportunity to create, I found it. My school electives were packed with all sorts of classes including those on creative writing, journalism, yearbook, art, art history and more. Despite a creative hiatus while pursuing a dual major in biotechnology and computer programing followed by a brief stint of applied sciences at a biotechnology firm, I knew the desire to return to the arts was quietly longing to reemerge. This time it was in the entertainment industry, which led to employment in commercials, film, TV, stage productions, hosting and more. I also revisited my love for writing and drawing. I began channeling this creativity through uniquely custom gifts I created for my friends’ young children. I began writing and illustrating entertaining stories for these children, so they could see themselves represented in stories that would touch their hearts with gentle and meaningful lessons. After I had created a number of these personalized books, several friends suggested I put my efforts towards stories that would reach a wider audience of children around the world. Once I had children of my own, my inspiration for storylines and lessons skyrocketed tenfold. Hence the fruition of the children’s books I’ve written and illustrated, as well as my publishing company, Circle Time Books. The process of getting there was filled with an array of emotions such as, fear, excitement, confusion, vulnerability-but most importantly, determination. I went from knowing nothing about industry standards, formatting, publishing, making my creations omnipresent, marketing children’s picture books, and starting a company, to having done all the above for seven of my books. I knew doing all the things I already love could only lead to success, whether in the intrinsic sense or through status and accomplishment. My love for book writing and illustrating evolved into storytelling through other mediums. I also have a Storytelling YouTube channel called Circle Time Books, where I read the stories written by myself and other authors online, using entertaining and fun voices, sound effects and more. I bring the pages to life as they are projected upon the screen beside me. My channel promotes the love of reading and storytelling for young readers across the nation. I walk through life with a sense of awareness, knowing any situation can be made into a book!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My Goal is simply to keep telling the stories that arise from within my heart that I feel the need to be shared. I hope my stories will have an emotional impact on young readers and adults alike. I greatly value books that move me emotionally, regardless of what the emotions are. I hope to ignite a love of books and storytelling in young readers through my books.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are many rewarding aspects to being an artist. The process alone is therapeutic. Writing and illustrating keeps me grounded, allowing me to momentarily escape the daily stressors of life. Writing and illustrating is calming. It’s a form of self-care. But the most rewarding aspect of all is positively touching the hearts of young readers. If I can help little ones identify and better understand their own difficult feelings and help them feel less alone in this world, through a fun story, I feel I have achieved success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.circletimebooks.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cazzycreates
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/CircleTimeBooks
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/cazzycreates
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/@CircleTimeBooks