Story Monsters LLC Everything Children’s Books

11/16/2025

I reached out to authors to share what works best for them when marketing their books.

Today’s tip comes from Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It), who shared one of her most effective strategies:

✨ Partner with community-based organizations whose missions align with your book.

Lindsey connected with groups such as the League of Women Voters and parent associations, where her message naturally resonated. Speaking directly to their members turned book promotion into genuine engagement—leading to media coverage, podcast invitations, and, most importantly, heartfelt word-of-mouth from families who found her book meaningful in their homes.

Thank you, Lindsey, for sharing this valuable tip!

Linda F. Radke, Monster-in-Chief
📚 Celebrating 40 Years of Storytelling Excellence — through Books, Magazine, Film & Beyond ~www.StoryMonsters.com

Lindsey Cormack

11/13/2025

Teachable Tales for Our Life-Long Learners — Featuring Story Monsters Press Author Linda Harkey~Hosted by Talk To Danielle with Danielle C. Baker 💚

I’m deeply grateful to Danielle C. Baker for hosting this wonderful Story Monsters collaboration and for shining such a warm, thoughtful spotlight on our author, Linda Harkey. Danielle’s interview style brings out genuine connection, curiosity, and joy in every moment.

I’m excited to share this special interview featuring Story Monsters Press author Linda Harkey, as she talks about her newest children’s book, The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy.

In this engaging conversation, you’ll not only learn more about Linda—the inspiration behind her stories, her love of animals, and the creativity that fuels her writing—but you’ll also get a first look at Pink Piggy, the star of the book. You’ll see:🐷 The Pink Piggy puppet 🐷 The Pink Piggy keychain (a fun behind-the-scenes peek!)📚 How these elements bring Linda’s storytelling to life for young readers

This feature beautifully brings together children’s literature, parenting, creativity, and heart — all in one unforgettable conversation.

🎧 Watch the full interview on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Yv3S5HuTh4M?si=_87HSBTp-y6P7lhs

Happy watching — and happy reading! 💚 Linda F. Radke
Monster-in-Chief, Story Monsters LLC

Celebrating 40 years of championing authors — one story, one voice, one journey at a time.

Being Connected e-Learning

Linda Harkey joins me on this episode to share her wonderful approach to storytelling which weaves in life moments with colourful and lovable animals. With L...

11/12/2025

Congratulations to Adele Lamothe, whose book, “The Little Seed” earned First Place in the STEM category and Honorable Mentions in the Picture Books 5 & Younger and Picture Books 6 & Younger categories at the 2025 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards!

11/11/2025

Marketing should never be an afterthought—here’s another real-world strategy from an author who put it into practice and saw results.

For 40 years, I’ve been helping authors promote, market, and position their books for visibility and impact. One thing I know is that successful authors think about their audience early, strategically, and consistently.

Recently, I asked authors to share the one marketing strategy that has worked best for them. Today, I’m spotlighting another valuable contribution. ~Linda F. Radke

💡 Marketing Insight from Jessica Speer

Jessica Speer is the author of The Phone Book, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends), and other popular titles.

“Hi Linda,

Presenting at conferences is a great way to raise book awareness and increase sales. My books appeal to parents of preteens, teachers, and counselors, so I try to present useful sessions at conferences they attend. I have also been interviewed on numerous podcasts for these audiences. My primary goal in these efforts is to provide helpful information.

Thank you!

Jessica Speer, Author of The Phone Book, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends), and other titles.

PS. My books have also received Story Monster’s Royal and Purple Dragonfly awards, which is wonderful too!
(www.StoryMonstersBookAwards.com)”

— Shared with permission from Jessica Speer

If you have a marketing or promotional strategy that has worked well for you, I would love to hear it. Please email: [email protected]

Celebrating 40 years of supporting authors with tools, guidance, and success stories.
~Linda F. Radke, Monster-in-Chief, Story Monsters LLC

11/10/2025

Creativity is a gift — and sometimes the best “tools” come wrapped in inspiration. 🎁✨
Honored that Story Monsters Ink® was featured in this new guide highlighting the 25 top subscriptions and tools for creative professionals in 2025.

Proud to represent children’s literature, storytelling, and imagination on a list filled with industry-leading platforms.

Full article:
https://blog.featured.com/25-top-subscriptions-or-tools-for-creative-professionals-in-2025/

Story Monsters Ink® — inspiring storytellers for 10 years, publishing excellence for 40. 💚📚

Enjoy a free digital subscription to Story Monsters Ink®:
www.StoryMonstersInk.com

~Linda F. Radke, Monster-in-Chief, Story Monsters LLC

11/10/2025

Step inside the world of The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy with author Linda Harkey on Talking Books.

Hear why readers adore Speedy the pack rat, discover J.T. Crowley’s favorite character, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the story’s creation and Read-Along audiobook.

https://youtu.be/Zw5TEHDln04

www.HarkeyAnimalTales.com

Join JT Crowley as he talks with author Linda Harkey about her delightful children’s book The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy, illustrated by Mike Minick! Whe...

11/09/2025

Marketing should never be an afterthought—here’s one smart, real-world strategy from a best-selling author that truly worked for her.

For 40 years, I’ve been producing, promoting, and marketing books. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that marketing should never be an afterthought. Successful authors think about their audience early, strategically, and consistently.

Years ago, I wrote two books on this very topic—
The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing and
Linda F. Radke’s Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show.

In Promote Like a Pro, I included insights and strategies from experts across the publishing and marketing fields, because the truth is simple: Effective marketing is built on shared wisdom—on what real authors and real professionals have tried, tested, and proven.

Recently, I asked authors to share the one marketing strategy that worked best for them. I’m beginning to share some of the responses I received, and today I’d like to highlight one that truly stood out.

What I love most about Jan Cullinane’s advice is that she’s simply sharing what genuinely worked for her.

Below is her guidance, in her own words—a smart, targeted approach that delivered real results:

Marketing Insight from Jan Cullinane, Best-Selling Author

Jan Cullinane is the author of several best-selling retirement books, including:
• The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life (three editions, Wiley)
• The Single Woman’s Guide to Retirement (AARP)
• Retire Happy (Hallmark Gift Books)

In addition to promoting her books through library and bookstore signings, writing articles that showcased her expertise in holistic retirement, and speaking for groups where her books were purchased for attendees, Jan shared one approach that worked exceptionally well:

Because her books targeted Boomers, she researched Boomer-focused radio shows and podcasts with a talk component. She contacted the hosts, offered herself as a guest, provided helpful information during the interviews—and the hosts, in turn, mentioned her books. She reports this strategy worked extremely well.

— Shared with permission from Jan Cullinane, Author

If you have a marketing or promotional strategy that has worked well for you, I would love to hear it. Please send your suggestions to: [email protected]

Together, we can help more authors find their audiences—and their success.

AARP

11/06/2025

💚 My Heart Is Full 💚

Thank you to Steven Seril, founder of the Outstanding Creator Awards. Reading every word of the Little Monsters Read-Along review left me speechless — what the heart feels, words cannot always convey.

Sometimes there’s a voice inside you — not always the bravest or loudest — but it’s surrounded by a phenomenal team that helps turn vision into reality. I’m so thankful for that team — Team Story Monster — and especially for our young, extraordinary Little Monster narrators whose voices fill these stories with heart, hope, and wonder.

🎭 Zachary Simpson, Team Story Monster, and our young Little Monster narrators — take a bow! 💚

The best is yet to come. 💚

✨ Want to hear what makes Studio Story Monster rock?
👉 Visit www.StudioStoryMonster.com

Score: 95+/100 (9.5+ out of 10)

There are few things more beautiful, precious, and powerful than the voices of young people!

This upcoming generation has so much to say, so much to offer, and an unimaginable amount of potential.

Little Monsters Read-Along is arguably the most exciting project that Story Monsters LLC has embarked on so far! And it has heavy competition with the phenomenal Story Monsters Ink magazine (with its high production value and celebrities) and the many charming songs by Studio Story Monster.

But there's something incomparable about having the children read the books aloud themselves. The grand majority of us first "read" a book aloud with our parents, picking up language via verbal/oral cues, phonetics, and repetition. In other words, we learned to read with our ears first, not our eyes.

So, there's a certain weight that comes with hearing another young person read to you. It's arguably heavier than hearing from a famous author or listening to a pleasant tune about a book. Having a young narrator read to young readers sends the message that, "I'm here, I'm just like you. I'm reading, and YOU can read too!"

It extends a hand to young readers, encouraging and reminding them of what they're capable of.

It also helps that the books themselves (by authors like Linda Harkey, Raven Howell, Karen Patricia Nespoli, and Cynthia Kern O'Brien) are fun and engaging, featuring charismatic characters (like animals and fairies) who are always up to something. These books and characters also tend to cover topics that resonate with kids like friendship, feeling left out (or different), and being misunderstood.

When it all comes down to it, it's really the young narrators who bring a lot of the magic to these audiobooks!

Each and every single one of them stands out in their own unique and special way.

Jeremiah Acevedo has that welcoming “buddy” energy and he is fearless about character choices. He gives Quincy a deeper yet cute sound, tweaks Gator and Tripod so they feel like they are from a different side of town, and even reads Rodney’s “lizard moment” with a fun, teeth-clenched delivery. He tries a light Southern touch for the Great One, which signals to young listeners that voices can shift with character. Stewart Joiner Davis reads with crisp timing and expressive hits that make jokes land and action easy to track. In Chatty the Hen Pheasant he nails the contrast between gruff, determined Nassau and chirpy, endearing Chatty, and his “little Chatty voice” is exactly the kind of thing kids imitate later. He feels confident and in control, which helps listeners relax into the story.

Immy Dymott is the showstopper when the script invites play. Her diction is crystal clear, and she sprinkles in clever touches that never distract. In Marky the Magnificent Fairy she briefly sings a bright “La la la laaaaa” to match the text, and she layers multiple apologizing creatures so the moment feels alive without getting messy. In The Fisherman and the French Flounder she contrasts her elegant British narration with a light French flavor for the flounder, turning language mix-ups into laugh-out-loud beats. Heidi Immler shines on denser passages. She keeps a steady, cheerful pace and separates characters cleanly, from Willie’s scratchy friendly tone to Zeke’s deeper grumble and Ma’s accent. May Webster leans into calm clarity. Her steady London cadence makes stories easy to follow, which is perfect for younger listeners and classroom centers where comprehension comes first.

All of this sits under Linda F. Radke’s thoughtful direction, with Zachary Simpson’s music and sound design adding lift while keeping the narrator in the spotlight.

EVERYONE involved in Little Story Monsters Read-Along brings a rich range of talent and experience.

Jeremiah Acevedo comes in with real on-set and stage time as an actor, singer, and athlete, including national commercials and film/theater work.

Stewart Joiner Davis is an honors student with serious musical theater chops and contest wins like the Hammerstein International Youth Solo Contest. He reads like someone who rehearses and delivers on cue.

Immy Dymott brings more than five years of professional voice acting across networks such as Netflix, Sky Kids, and Nickelodeon. She is comfortable with accents and character switches because she has lived in that booth world for years.

Heidi Immler has experience across features, shorts, commercials, and musical theatre, plus training in singing and movement. That range helps her keep stamina and clarity when the text gets complex.

May Webster studies music at Trinity College of Music and has been voice acting since age eleven. You can hear the breath control and steady cadence that comes from formal music training.

The production team’s background matters, too. Linda F. Radke has more than forty years in publishing and education leadership, building Story Monsters into a trusted home for teachers, librarians, and parents. That shows up in clear direction and kid-first choices. Zachary Simpson is a composer and sound designer with a Berklee degree in Music Composition for Film, TV, and Video Games, plus professional performance experience at Disney, Universal Studios, and on cruise lines. He knows how to shape cues that support a young voice rather than fight it.

We applaud everything that Story Monsters LLC has ever produced, but Little Monsters Read-Along is a cut above!

In an era in which it seems like AI is replacing authors and narrators, Little Monsters Read-Along is a testament to how there's nothing like a genuine human voice and an authentic human connection.

Little Monsters Read-Along gives real children real books and surrounds them with caring direction, original music, and clean sound. Underneath is a quiet promise: I am like you. I am reading. You can read too!

Outstanding Creator Awards Raven Howell Karen Patricia Nespoli Cindy Kern OBrien Steven Seril

11/06/2025

Stories have the power to heal. 💚
Artist and author Charlie Mackesy reminds us why stories matter — and why we have published, do publish, and, G-d willing, will continue to publish.



https://www.facebook.com/reel/649844867997168/?fs=e&fs=e

11/05/2025

Wonderful news! 🎶— “The Magical Garden,” a song from the children’s musical Cate and the Garden Bandits, has been named a Semi-Finalist for Best Original Song or Score at the Film Revolution Fest in Montreal! 🌟

This song appears on the album Cate and the Garden Bandits: The Musical, inspired by the book written by Betsy Coffeen and produced by Studio Story Monster®.

Music and Lyrics: Zachary R. Simpson
Performed by: Erin Rementer, Kalen Kelly, and Zachary R. Simpson ~ Guitar: Jimmy Sweeden
Additional Instruments: Zachary R. Simpson

Congratulations to our entire team for this magical recognition!💚


Erin Rementer