How a Pilot Turned Passion for Rescue Dogs into Children's Books

Erin Mariah Murphy, a children's book author and commercial pilot, shares her inspiring journey from writing her first book, "Halfway Home," to creating its sequel, "Daring Dexter."

The episode highlights the importance of character development as Erin discusses how her rescue dogs influenced her storytelling and the emotional depth of her narratives.

She emphasizes the impact of education on her writing process, detailing how taking courses and receiving critiques helped her refine her work and incorporate themes of animal rescue and adoption.

Erin also explores her goals for reaching school libraries across all 50 states and her innovative approach to fundraising through book sales and community engagement.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the self-publishing journey, the significance of sharing personal stories, and the rewarding experience of connecting with readers and aspiring authors.

Erin Mariah Murphy opens up about her dual life as a commercial airline pilot and a children's book author, detailing how her passion for animal rescue led her to write *Halfway Home* and *Daring Dexter*.

The episode takes listeners through Erin's compelling narrative of how her rescue dog Zeke inspired her first book, which addresses themes of belonging and adoption through the eyes of animals.

Erin's storytelling is interwoven with her real-life experiences at animal shelters, showcasing the emotional depth of her writing and her desire to advocate for animal welfare through literature.

The discussion shifts to the practical aspects of her writing journey, highlighting the importance of education and feedback in her development as an author.

Erin reflects on her initial experiences of feeling overwhelmed but determined to share her stories.

She discusses the transformative power of writing workshops and the critical insights she gained from peers and mentors, which helped elevate her work.

The episode serves as a rich exploration of character development, mainly how Erin learned to give her characters more agency, ultimately making the narratives more engaging and relatable for children.

Erin's enthusiasm for her work is palpable as she shares her aspirations for the future, including her ambitious goal of placing her books in schools across all 50 states.

The episode wraps up with her thoughts on storytelling's impact as a tool for social change, particularly in promoting animal rescue and fostering compassion among young readers.

By the end of the conversation, it's clear that Erins's journey is not just about writing books but about making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and inspiring the next generation to advocate for those in need.

Takeaways:

• Erin Mariah Murphy discusses her journey from aviation to becoming a children's book author.
• The importance of character development in children's literature is emphasized throughout the episode.
• Erin's first book, Halfway Home, was inspired by her rescue dog, Zeke.
• She experienced significant growth as a writer by taking specialized courses in children's book writing.
• Networking with other authors has opened new opportunities for Erin's writing career.
• Erin aims to have her book in every school library across the United States.

Links to Erin:

Website: https://www.erinmurphybooks.com/bookstore

Instagram: Threadserinmurphybooks

Facebook: profile.php

Email: info@erinmurphybooks.com

Other podcasts mentioned + aviation books - see children's book section 

https://literaryaviatrix.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/literary-aviatrix-the-power-of-story-women-in-aviation/id1549742133?i=1000665190497

Nathan of Babooky offers al-a-cart self-publishing assistance, which is affordable, helpful, and knowledgeable. 

https://babooky.com/

Where I studied:

https://journeytokidlit.com/

https://www.writingclasses.com/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• SPCA
• United Airlines
• American Airlines
• Journey to Kidlit
• Gotham Writers
• IngramSpark
• Vistaprint
• Squarespace
• Boki