We were lucky to catch up with Tina Athaide recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

It was the early 2000s, and I was teaching reading to students with disabilities at an elementary school. This was back when you had to actually print and mail your manuscripts to editors, no email submissions yet! I remember coming across Lee and Low Books, the largest multicultural children’s publisher in the U.S., and seeing that they were launching an imprint called BeBop Books, focused on early literacy. I thought, *this is perfect for me!* So, I sent off my manuscript, crossing my fingers, but also knowing it could be months before I heard anything.

Fast forward six months—I’d pretty much forgotten about it by then—and I came home one day to see the red light blinking on my answering machine. You know that old-school excitement when there’s a message waiting? I pressed play and couldn’t believe what I was hearing: they were interested in my manuscript! I replayed that message so many times over the next few days, just to make sure it was real.

My dream of being published was actually coming true. Sure, it wasn’t the mainstream market, but I didn’t care—it was even better. It combined two of my biggest passions: storytelling and literacy. And the best part? The illustrations were going to reflect my culture, which was something I had always wanted. It felt like everything was falling into place. Total dream come true!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Depending on the day or hour, you might catch me reading with my students, diving deep into conversations about books, or dreaming up characters who always seem to find themselves in all kinds of mayhem! I’m constantly inspired by the stories around me, and I feel incredibly lucky to get to share my own stories with readers..

I write stories that capture the rich, textured experiences of cultures near and far, hoping to open readers’ hearts and spark their imaginations. Born in Uganda, I emigrated to London and then Canada, where my love for reading grew. Whether it was reading under a tree, by a fire, or sneaking in some late-night flashlight reading under the covers, books were my constant. The only thing missing? Characters who looked like me—a samosa-loving, brown-skinned, salwar kameez-wearing Asian Indian.

That love for books carried on through high school and university, where I worked at a bookshop (and spent more than I earned!) while finishing my degree. Now, I live in Southern California with my family and share my passion for books and stories with my students and readers around the world.

With 30 years of teaching under my belt, I truly believe books can introduce children to different experiences in such a natural way. I’m most proud when I get to visit kids across the globe, sharing my stories and hopefully inspiring them to tell their own. For me, it’s all about writing stories that open readers’ hearts by reflecting the richness of diverse cultures and experiences.

And my story?

Well, it’s definitely to be continued…

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

Resilience and perseverance are two words I often think about when reflecting on my writing journey, especially with *Orange for the Sunsets*. That book was rejected 30 times before it was finally picked up from the slush pile by an editor at HarperCollins. Yes, 30 rejections! And I still have those letters—because back then, they actually mailed them to you.

When I talk to kids, I love sharing this part of my journey. I didn’t just give up when the rejections came rolling in. I definitely ate a lot of cake and drank a lot of tea to soften the sting, but I kept going. I went back to work, making the story better each time. And eventually, it found its home. But even after the success of *Orange for the Sunsets*, editors weren’t exactly clamoring for my next book. *Wings To Soar* was also rejected several times before it finally found its place with Charlesbridge, and I’m so proud that it was published this July.

I share these stories with kids to show them that rejection doesn’t mean failure—it’s just part of the process. The key is to keep going, keep learning, and keep improving. My stories create space for critical conversations, and they might even help a child feel seen when they read about a character who reflects their own experiences. To me, that makes all the perseverance worth it.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Three books have had a significant impact on my writing journey, shaping how I approach storytelling, creativity, and perseverance.

First is Julia Cameron’s *The Right to Write*. This book gave me permission to embrace writing as something that’s not just a craft but a birthright. Cameron’s message that “writing is for everyone” really resonated with me, reminding me to let go of the fear of imperfection and just write. It taught me that the process is just as important as the product, and that showing up to the page consistently is key.

Then there’s *Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life*. This book has become a guide for living with purpose, which has naturally spilled over into my writing. *Ikigai* explores the balance between passion, mission, vocation, and profession, and it’s helped me find my own “why” as a storyteller. I’m more mindful about what drives me to write and how I can bring meaningful experiences to my readers.

Lastly, though not listed earlier, *Bird by Bird* by Anne Lamott has been an anchor for me in those moments of self-doubt. The idea of taking things “bird by bird,” one small step at a time, is invaluable when facing the daunting task of finishing a manuscript or working through revisions. It’s a reminder that writing doesn’t have to be perfect right away—it just needs to keep moving forward.

These books together have helped me to focus on my purpose, stay grounded in my creative journey, and most importantly, keep writing no matter what!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinaathaide.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinaathaide/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004255516156
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-athaide-6889b326/
• Twitter: https://x.com/tathaide
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/tina_athaide

Image Credits

Tina Athaide

I took all of the photographs.