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

Kristin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2019-2020 I went through a bit of a struggle with my career. I was laid of twice in one year and when this happened I had a major doubts when it came to my future. I had no idea what my next move would be or how I was going to survive. It was the start of the pandemic and the world shut down so there was no way I was going to make it, I thought. Luckily, I had a bit of money saved to help keep me a float but at the same time, I still struggled with believing that I’d find a job in the midst of a world crisis. Early 2020 rolled around and I had been in talks with a few companies but I still hadn’t landed a job yet. So, while I was jobless, I began doing research on how to publish a book. Yes, I already know what you’re think, “why in the world would you research publishing a book when you don’t have a job and the world has shutdown due to the pandemic?” I can’t quite put it in to words but it was this “knowing I had inside of me that pushed me. While researching I saw a few posts on Instagram from a company that helps authors, especially authors of color, self-publish. I reached out to this organization called Melanin Origins and I immediately knew they were a right fit for me and got the ball rolling.

Around April 0f 2020 I was still hadn’t landed a job but I was very close. So still while jobless, I took a leap a step of faith towards publishing my first children’s book. And although I still had not quite landed a job yet I decided to take a gamble on myself, and I took the money I had left a put it towards a deposit to begin the process of writing my first children’s book. When I took that leap of faith, it seemed I was immediately rewarded because I ended up getting a job that would ultimately be a MAJOR stepping stone to the position I hold today. The role I took wasn’t the salary I was used to making and it was also a step back in my career. But hey, I was between a rock and a hard place and knew this position, if I played it right would give me the exposure I needed to move forward in my career. And it turned out to be one of the best career moves I’ve ever made!

About a year later after taking a chance, April 2021 comes flying in. I became a published author! The dream that I held locked in my imagination now became a beautiful reality. My first book Queen Olivia and the Lava Monster was the product of adversity and just believing that it would work out in my favor along with a little blood, sweat and tears. I was beaming because I did it! I. did. It.

The publishing of my book has opened so many doors for me and I’ve made connections I would have never imagined! The risk paid off, and I’m still in awe to this day.

We often think everything has to be perfect and aligned to go after our dreams. Clearly, for me, things were NOT perfectly aligned and I was operating off of pure faith. But I hope that my situation shows that if you don’t give up, and you keep striving and pushing, and most importantly believe in yourself; the sky is the limit!!

So, take the risk, take the leap! It will all be worth it.

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 became a children’s book author for 2 reasons. The first reason being that I wanted to contribute diverse stories with diverse characters, especially with the main characters being little kids of color by an author of color. No one can create the stories for children of color better than an author like me who never saw a little black girl in books be the hero in her story. So now, I create what I wanted to see as a child and give little girls of color exposure to being good enough to show up in a book with their hair in braids and beads and still give main character energy.

The second reason is I am a huge champion of early childhood literacy which is why I created the space Krissy’s Kids Book Club (KKBC). I wanted to be a voice for literacy and to get children and parents excited about reading again. Reading is so crucial to the development of the mind and we have also lost the joy of living in our imaginations. With Krissy’s Kids Book Club (as I continue to grow my brand), I hope to provide a space where kids will want to imagine, explore and just have fun with reading again. My first book Queen Olivia and the Lava Monster is currently promoted underneath KKBC and the highly anticipated book 2, Queen Olivia and Superhero Dad will also be promoted through the book club. KKBC also partners with the community for outreach events as well book readings at local schools and/or virtual readings with schools that aren’t local, I also do motivational talks/presentations on writing diverse books and the impact it has on diverse communities.

I love the work that I do!!

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

The most rewarding part of being a creative is to hear of how the work I do impacts the lives of children and their parents. Especially the parents! I’ve had so many parents share with me how much Queen Olivia and the Lava Monster has impacted them in a positive way. How the story has not only helped their kids but also them. BUT the biggest reward for me is when the little girl who is the inspiration behind the story opened the book and said, “hey that’s me!” Job done! My goal to have a little black girl see a reflection of self in a book has been accomplished!

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

I interweave this in my story quite often so it may seem redundant but my main mission is to create fun adventurous stories with the main character being a little black child. My goal is expose children that look like me to seeing themselves in books. When one sees a reflection of themselves in a book, on tv…wherever, it opens one up to possibility. I want to craft that through the imagination and vehicle of a book. That is my goal! Representation matters!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kmosley.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krissyskidsbookclub/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krissyskidsbookclub
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-mosley-mhrm-16b86917/

Image Credits
Jaea Williams (photographer of photo with me in author shirt) Aroused by Art (photographer of me in the “I am a Writer” photo)