Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Typhani Russo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Typhani, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Ever since childhood, I have been an avid bookworm. As someone who has been bullied my entire life, I created Bookworms Against Bullies as an outlet for fellow bookworms who need a safe environment to be themselves. I sought to create an organization to help young children and teens overcome bullying by sharing a love for books. Books helped me through difficult times in school and they truly define who I am. I still continue to read, but to help me cope with the loss of my father, I began writing and illustrating a children’s book. I am happy to say that I’ve gone from bookworm to published author! I first came up with the idea of Bookworms Against Bullies when I was working at a library as the Children’s Services Supervisor. It started out as a program for elementary-age kids but soon became something more. In the fall of 2023, I officially made it a non-profit.

Typhani, 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?

From an early age, I watched my parents volunteer and constantly put themselves before others. They raised me to be an empathetic person and taught me the importance of service to others. It is because of them that I now seek to help others with my organization. My goal is to raise awareness of the severity of bullying in today’s society. I aim to educate, motivate, and inspire those who feel they have no other outlet for what they are going through. As someone who suffered verbal, emotional, and physical bullying, I am a relatable resource for kids dealing with the same cruelty. Now that I am a teacher, I have a new perspective on bullying, but my mission is the same. To stop it before it begins. In order to do this, we must unite despite our differences and pay it forward with kindness each and every day.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There are many stories I could tell about how I became a resilient person. However, there is one that sticks out in my mind the most and yes, it involves bullying. This incident took place during the final days of my junior year of high school. Most of the bullies, including the ringleader, had multiple vocal classes with me, so when it got to be unbearable, I sent the music teacher an email. A week went by and still, the teacher hadn’t pulled me aside to ask me how she could help or what we could do to make my situation better. I doubted she had even told the principal what was happening. It was then that I reached my breaking point. One day, when I went into her office to ask a question, this teacher had my email sitting on her desk for everyone to see. She had printed it out, which made me think that maybe she did read it. However, her lack of concern with confidentiality was about to make matters worse. One of my bullies read it. Complete chaos broke loose in the classroom. The bully was in my face screaming at me for “telling on her.” I thought she was going to punch me and I feared for my safety. My teacher stood there, “trying” to handle the situation, but failed horribly. I ended up yelling about how I was done with this school and ran out of the classroom. I went to call my parents. I stormed into the office, asked to use the phone, and said I was leaving. When my dad arrived, they actually tried to tell him that he couldn’t take me home. That I had to stay in this appalling excuse for a school where bullies were worshipped and administrators turned a blind eye. Needless to say, we both did leave and yet again, my soul was crushed. I had never seen my dad so emotionally overwhelmed, fighting for me and defending me, until that day.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of my favorite marketing moments was unexpected when I took my very first children’s book to Italy! My children’s book is called #87 Sent from Heaven and is about the Captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby. My dad and I were avid hockey fans so I wrote this book in his memory. Prior to traveling to Italy, I found out there was a Pittsburgh sports bar in Rome. I went back and forth about whether or not to take a signed copy of my book to gift to the bar owner. I finally settled on the idea that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had to do. Needless to say, I completed my mission which turned out even better than I could have ever imagined. While I was gifting my book, a few patrons were listening intently and wanted to know more. When I returned home, three of the people I met there ended up buying my book! Because I took this chance, I gained exposure, sold more copies, and now my book is sitting next to an Italian terrible towel in Rome, Italy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bookwormsagainstbullies.com/
• Instagram: typhani_russo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookwormsAgainstBullies/

Image Credits
Austin Ryde Photography MindOverMedia Studios