Hailey Glynn is a successful author, illustrator and publishing mentor with a dual mission: to help aspiring authors bring their book ideas to life and to bring powerful books for kids into the world.
“I wear many hats,” Hailey says with a laugh. “I am a children's book author and illustrator, and I also help other people write and publish their children's books. I work with them through the entire process, from start to finish.”
Hailey is the author of two bestselling children’s books and a unique activity book, as well as a former elementary school teacher.
“Hailey is truly an educator, through and through,” says one of her current author mentees, Michelle Martin.
Hailey’s author career began during the pandemic when she wrote “When Virona the Corona Came to Town” to explain the pandemic to her students in a child-friendly way. The book became a much-praised success, and soon came another book addressing the many different learning situations during that time, “Cornelia Spunk Can Learn Next to a Skunk.” Her activity book encouraging creativity, “The Squiggle Book,” followed.
People are also reading…
Soon after, Hailey started to hear from readers curious about her path. She reflected on the lack of resources available for budding children’s book authors and discovered there were many people seeking guidance from someone with writing and publishing experience.
Hailey put her ability to conceptualize, write, illustrate, publish and market children’s books to work and began guiding authors through the process. Today, the Buffalo native offers publishing resources, one-on-one sessions and long-term mentorship programs, as well as annual writing and publishing academies through a business she calls Growing with Glynn.
“People come to me at various stages in the process,” Hailey says. “Sometimes they just have an idea, and we then build a storyline and work through the various steps. How can we make this relatable to the reader? How are we going to tackle illustrations? What is our marketing plan? I offer a way for aspiring authors to publish their books confidently and know that it’s going to actually end up in people's hands.”
One of these authors is Michelle, who is working on a book about the value of friendship and forgiveness called “Fern’s Favorite Things.”
“It’s very motivating to learn from someone who was in your shoes a few years ago,” Michelle says. “I was an aspiring author with an idea and a dream but uncertain how to navigate the world of publishing.”
With Hailey’s help, her dream is becoming a reality. “I never knew where to start and simply lacked the motivation to begin,” Michelle says. “Hailey truly has a gift for helping others develop their ideas in a judgment-free and encouraging setting.”
Since the business began, Hailey has assisted writers from around the world—many of them teachers.
“Teachers see and use children’s books daily; they know what’s missing and they know what kids need,” Hailey says. “Plus, they are constantly being exposed to different scenarios that might spark a story idea.”
So, what makes for a great children’s book? Hailey says a clear message and relatable characters are essential for connecting with young readers.
“Everyone has a story, and stories are a powerful tool that can be used to open up dialogue and start conversations, especially for kids,” she says. “Books can be a wonderful aid in encouraging children to embrace themselves and others.”
One of her mentees is working on a book about body acceptance, while another is working on a book about normalizing disabilities and neurodiversity by breaking down the stigmas. And Hailey’s next book is about a little boy who paints his nails and learns the value of being himself.
“What stories can help kids feel supported right now?” she asks. “How can they see themselves in a positive light? How can they see others in a positive light? It's not only that kids should see themselves in a book—they should see all types of people, other ways of life, different body types, skin colors, family structures and abilities.”
Broaching important topics is a key motivator for Hailey. So, too, is the realization that she is using her skills to help others bring out their talents in a way that can impact so many people.
“Many of the reviews and testimonials I get say, ‘You have no idea how confident you've made me feel,’” she says. “I get so much joy out of being able to help people realize their worth, build their confidence and have a creative outlet to make something beautiful.”
6 tips to unleash your creativity
"A lot of people have an idea and say, ‘OK, I'm going to do this!’ But it can be hard to hold yourself accountable and actually carve out the time,” says Glynn. “There are so many things to consider when beginning a new project.”
Whether you are writing a book or taking on a different task, here are six tips from Hailey on how to make the most of your creativity.
Make sure your idea is truly meaningful to you
“Your project should be something you look forward to working on.”
Be prepared to map out a plan
“Break things down into phases and decide what you need to complete in each phase. Give yourself some wiggle room, too.”
Set realistic expectations
“Setting realistic expectations sets us up for success. Unrealistic expectations can lead to becoming overwhelmed.”
Be kind to yourself
“Sometimes you miss a deadline or a goal. That doesn’t mean you can’t get back on track.”
Honor your own work style
“Some people need scheduled time to work, while others jump in whenever they have time. Do whatever works best for you.”
Celebrate your progress
“You deserve to be excited! Every step on your creative journey matters.”
