We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leslie Camille a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve ever undertaken was publishing my first children’s book, The Chicken Berry Tree. The inspiration struck me one starry night while relaxing with friends. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, the serene setting provided the perfect atmosphere for my creative juices to flow.

The Chicken Berry Tree holds a special place in my heart because it encourages young readers to tap into their imaginations. In today’s world, where children are increasingly drawn to electronic devices, nurturing their imaginations is more important than ever. By immersing themselves in stories, children develop essential skills like problem-solving, empathy, and critical thinking. They also learn to express themselves creatively and find joy in the power of their own minds.

Leslie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a children’s author and life coach, I believe in the transformative power of storytelling. My books combine delightful characters, engaging plots, and subtle wisdom to spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and guide young minds through valuable life lessons. Through these playful adventures, children can explore the world around them, learning about friendship, overcoming challenges, and embracing differences.

My passion for writing began with poetry in my early twenties. While I later wrote an unpublished adult novel, I ultimately found my true calling in children’s literature. After a decade-long hiatus, I rediscovered my love for writing and began creating poetry and crafting unique jewelry.

My debut children’s book, *The Chicken Berry Tree*, was inspired by a magical night and sat unpublished for four years due to difficulty finding an illustrator. With encouragement from my sons, I decided to take on the illustrations myself, launching my journey as a children’s author.

Since then, I’ve published 23 books, all available on Amazon. In addition to my own writing, I also offer ghostwriting and editing services to help other authors bring their stories to life.

My mission is to empower children through the magic of storytelling.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Six months before the publication of my first children’s book, I faced an unexpected setback: I lost my job. This financial blow forced me to take on three demanding jobs just to make ends meet. After five months of grueling work, I was exhausted but determined to find a way to earn extra income.

As I continued writing and publishing, I became increasingly focused on the stories themselves and the impact they had on my readers. While the financial rewards were not immediate, the overwhelmingly positive response to my books fueled my passion and kept me writing.

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

While my initial goal was primarily financial, I’ve come to realize the profound emotional impact my books and illustrations have on readers. My mission has evolved into sharing these stories with as many people as possible, inspiring and connecting with them on a deeper level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lesliecamille.com
• Instagram: @leslie_camille_author
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-horne-mpa-a860454
• Other: TikTok: @lesliecamille_author