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

Lindsay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

My third children’s book, The Guardians of the Garden, is coming out this July. I’m excited to announce that a percentage of the sales from my website and in person events will be going to the local nonprofit, Rescue MI Nature Now, Inc. (RMNN). This Detroit-based organization aims to transform unused land and turn it into green spaces with trees, flowers, and native plants. Greenspace designs have included areas for small bee colonies, community gardens, gathering spaces, and more. RMNN offers nature based educational programs and job skills, connecting the people with nature, and restoring faith in the community.

I’m so excited about this new venture and I look forward to this partnership as we all celebrate the love for our local outdoors and teaching vital gardening skills to the next generation. The Guardians of the Garden came from the joy our family has creating and nurturing our backyard garden. I looked for an exceptional nonprofit to give back to that had the same passion for gardening and teaching and I found that in RMNN.

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.

Writing has always come very naturally for me. I started writing short stories and poems at a very young age. So, naturally I went to college for Journalism. For the last decade, I’ve been the editor for an architecture magazine based in Troy, Michigan. In 2021, I found a new sense of purpose in creating stories for my children. My children, as all children do, have such vibrant and wonderful imaginations. Their stories inspired stories of my own. I decided to create my own publishing imprint, Hank a Roo Readings, and publish the stories I made.

For our email subscribers, we offer free monthly printables. These worksheets feature characters from my stories and teach basic concepts such as counting, repetition and comparison/differences.

It has been wonderful growing and learning as an indie author. I’ve done numerous school visits, bookstore readings, nonprofit presentations and pop-up craft and story times. It’s really important to me to engage with my readers and connect with the community. The stories I originally wrote for my kids have made an impact on other parents and their children. It has been such a rewarding experience.

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

When I first started looking into getting my stories published I attempted to do the traditional publishing route. I spent months and months finding publishers and agents to query my stories to. I received countless rejections. I also received a few offers, all with stipulations I wasn’t keen to agree to. After the disappointment, I researched how to go about publishing on my own. The indie publishing world is truly remarkable. I love the freedom I have in sharing my stories and the power I have in keeping my vision and my voice.

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

One of the best moments I’ve had in this business is watching other mothers read my book and weep. I cried a bit writing my first book, To the Moon and Back. It’s a short bedtime rhyming story that very much touches on the depth of a mother’s love. It’s so rewarding to see that message hit home. I know how much that book means to so many other mothers and grandmothers out there. It’s brought a sense of community in me and has made publishing all of my books beyond worth it. To know that the book is in other homes, and mothers read it to their children to express how much they love them brings so much joy to my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hankarooreadings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hankarooreadings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hankarooreadings
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hank-a-roo-readings
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindsay_gizicki
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hankarooreadings