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

Rebecca , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

When my first grandson was born, I fell in love! He made me a grandmother for the first time! I knew the world, his world, our world together had to be as perfect as I could make it. This included books I would read to him. There were no books, ( that I knew of) that had the atypical superhero characters that looked like him. When my first-born grandson was two, his brother was born, and when his brother was two my third grandson was born. I was smitten! I adored the laughter of my grandsons. That really goofy laughter. What could I do to enhance that but, of course make them laugh even more; reading funny books. There weren’t any. So I wrote one. That’s why my children’s chapter book was created in 2018. Tickle Mites the Adventures of R.A.R Rocky, AJ, and Ramello was created for my grandsons. They are the main superhero characters. This funny, innovative adventurous book which also delves in lessons about giving, kindness, racism, bullying and more made them laugh. While I knew what and how to write, I knew nothing about publishing. I hired someone who said they knew, paid them upfront hundreds of dollars and-well-nothing. God Who Is THEE Source, provided resources for me who helped me self-publish my book. What a great idea Lord, to help others have their voices heard through writing at an affordable budget. Hence, Tickle Mites, LLC my publishing services company was born. I help others with their mission.

Rebecca , 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?

I am a helper of people. Writing is a passion and I thrive on supporting aspiring authors, and singers have their voices heard throughout the world. All while allowing them to maintain creative control over their ideas. Tickle Mites, LLC will take you from vision, to published, and beyond at an affordable budget. My story behind self-publishing stems from attempting to publish my first children’s chapter book titled Tickle Mites the Adventures of R.A.R Rocky, AJ, and Ramello. We had just moved to Greenville, SC and didn’tknow anyone. I met someone who promised to help me, paid them hundreds of dollars to no avail. I learned what it meant to be an Indie Author. I love being an Indie Author. I work with others who feel the same. Now, I self-published three books. My granddaughter was born after my first book was written. So, she had to have her own adventures. A two-part series book titled Buddernut Adventures was a tribute to her. She is the main character. I wrote a children’s rap song based on my first book.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2020, the height of the pandemic everyone had to pivot; including me. I had just published my third book. I booked a venue to launch it, but then EVERYTHING closed down. What was I to do? Of course I had to cancel the venue I booked. In scanning through Facebook, I ran across two other Indie Authors who were saddened about not being able to launch their first books. They were proudly TRYING to get their books noticed on Facebook. I didn’t know them personally and I wasn’t Facebook friends with them. Even so, I had a great idea! I friend requested them, and private messaged them. I asked if they would like to launch with me their books in my backyard! Both of them gladly and immediately responded yes! We launched big!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped me to build my great reputation within the writing, and publishing community is getting involved and showing up for others. Yes, we all want to make money and be successful. However, pay it forward! There is enough for all of us. Helping others is my jam! I thrive on it! Sometimes favor is worth more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ticklemitesfranchise.com
• Instagram: @ticklemitesllc
• Facebook: @ticklemites
• Linkedin: @ticklemitesllc
• Twitter: @ticklemitesllc
• Youtube: @ticklemitesllc

Image Credits
Tickle Mites, LLC