My Castle Heart Publications

My birthday (the big 4-0!) has added an extra patina of sentimentality and reflection to this holiday.

In honor of this milestone—punctuated by finally unlocking the “author” achievement—I’ve assembled my own 12 days of Christmas* Thankfulness.

Day 1: Cathy Taylor
Day 2: Sue LaGow
Day 3: Ryan Hylland
Day 4: Jackie Phillips
Day 5: Szaba and Von
Day 6: Shanon Lyon
Day 7: Kerry Colburn
Day 8: Debbie Reber
Day 9: Peter Orullian
Day 10: Christa Charter
Day 11: Steam Crow
Day 12: 1986 State Fair Judging Panel

These people dropped the breadcrumbs that led me straight to this publishing adventure. Thank you, all, for your part in this Hero’s Journey.

* Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the 12 days before Christmas. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, it’s the 12 days leading up to the Epiphany (January 6) “observed as a time of merrymaking.”

Steam Crow

I discovered this husband-wife team at my first Seattle’s Comicon a few years back. Amid the aisles of comic books, graphic novels, and superhero paraphernalia, a booth of charming prints and kids’ books caught my eye.

At its table, a friendly couple was eager to tell me the story behind their self-published book Caught Creatures, a series of fun Haikus about adorable monsters. They had made it for their son, and all the monsters’ names were their son’s imaginative toddler words. Not only that, but they had created a Tiny Army in Arizona, a group dedicated to helping local creative types pursue their dreams, too.

Their message really stuck with me and continues to drive me forward. Thank you, Daniel and Dawna, for teaching me that you never know what dreams you could inspire by the ripple of wholeheartedly pursuing your own.

 

I look forward to seeing where the journey goes from here and all the amazing people I’ll have the pleasure to encounter in the next 40 years…

 

Banner photo inspired by Sarah Witherby’s 12 Days, Flickr Creative Commons.