We recently connected with Marissa Bader and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, appreciate you joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

Failure is a part of learning and growth. In fact, that’s the topic of my latest children’s book, Petunia the Perfectionist. Petunia is a little girl who wants to be perfect at everything she does but finally learns that mistakes help us learn, grow, and improve.

As a writer, I’ve failed plenty. I try not to get discouraged but rather to use the experiences to improve my craft and try again. For instance, several times I’ve pitched articles or personal essays to publications, only to have them rejected. Rather than get down about it, I get back to work revising and reworking the piece. To me, having an editor say no to a piece doesn’t mean that’s the end — it simply means it’s an opportunity to make it better and try again.

My dad always used to say, “Fail. Try again. Fail better.” I love that, and believe it’s true — I try to teach my children the same thing. Don’t let failure get you down. Use it as motivation to keep learning, growing and improving!

Marissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Marissa Bader, and I am a writer based in Minneapolis with a background in mental health and marriage and family therapy.

Writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It is more than just an activity for me – it’s an integral part of who I am. As a child, I would spend countless hours journaling, creating books, and writing short stories, poetry, and creative non-fiction. For me, writing has always been a way to make sense of my thoughts, feelings, the world around me, and my place within it.

Currently, I am an independently published children’s book author and have published three books to date: The Only Me, Stella’s Brave Voice, and Petunia the Perfectionist. Each of my books focuses on social-emotional learning. The Only Me is perfect for children who are trying to find their identity and understand where they belong. Stella’s Brave Voice is aimed at helping kids who struggle to express themselves and be heard, while Petunia the Perfectionist teaches children to see mistakes as opportunities for growth and lifelong learning.

In addition to being a children’s book author, I have worked as a freelance writer for almost 20 years. I have contributed to a wide range of publications, including Psychology Today, Time Out New York, HuffPost Parents, Kveller, and Twiniversity.com, among others. I also served as the Twins Editor and mental health writer at Lucie’s List for several years.

**The Shared Journey – Connecting Hearts Through Stories**

Writing enables me to connect with others and share relatable experiences. We all have our own narratives, and I am passionate about sharing mine to bridge gaps, highlight our similarities, and foster acceptance among individuals. I refer to this concept as “the shared journey.”

This idea of “the shared journey” has always been the driving force behind my writing. Through my words, I strive to illustrate that, despite our differences, we are all navigating this life together. My brand’s tagline, “connecting hearts through stories,” reflects this belief. We are all interconnected, and I love bringing this message to life through my writing.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Utilizing social media is a significant part of my work. It has helped me build my author platform and connect with readers, parents, teachers, other creatives, and fellow writers. I absolutely love it because it allows me to engage with, be inspired by, and learn from others.

For those just starting out in this field—or any field, really—I believe it’s crucial to build your brand and maintain consistency. Most importantly, you should engage with your audience. No one wants to feel as though they are constantly being sold to or talked at; people want to participate. The more you engage with your audience, the more they will feel part of your journey and be motivated to support you. Remember: engage, engage, engage!

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

After I wrote my first children’s book, The Only Me, I was determined to find a literary agent and have it traditionally published. I spent several months querying numerous literary agents and pitching my book. I truly believed that my story—based on my experiences with fraternal twins and their struggle to differentiate themselves—was unique and would sell well. Unfortunately, I received rejection letters repeatedly.

I could have easily let that discourage me or stop me from pursuing my dream, but I didn’t. Instead, I collaborated with an amazing editor, revised my story, and made it better than I ever thought possible. I also taught myself the ins and outs of independent publishing.

Now, I’m proud to say that I have independently published three books. I manage my own marketing and public relations, book my author visits, and sell my books at various markets and festivals. I’ve also learned how to run and manage a small business. This journey required resilience, and I’m proud that I didn’t give up and found my own path.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marissabader.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissabaderwriter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarissaBaderWriter/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissabader/

Image Credits

Leigh Waterman