Episode 96 · March 21, 2023
Annette LaFortune Murray: Children's Author
with Annette LaFortune Murray, Children's Author, Retired Educator & School Librarian
27 min
Annette LaFortune Murray: Children's Author
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In this episode
In this episode I sit down with Annette LaFortune Murray, a retired educator and school librarian who turned three decades of loving children's literature into a published picture book in her sixties. Her book, "ABC, What Do You See? Traveling Along Route 66," walks readers through the iconic highway in alphabetical order — landmarks, wildlife, quirky attractions, food, and architecture on every page. Annette and I actually met working as concierges at Monroe, and I loved discovering how much we have in common as lifelong learners and connectors.
We get into the heart of her story: how she kept a file of ideas for years, how COVID finally gave her the time to write, and how she educated herself all over again through intensive online courses. And then we go somewhere I didn't expect — the world of hybrid publishing. Annette explains the difference between traditional, self, and hybrid publishing so clearly, including the real costs, the timelines, and why keeping 100% of your rights matters so much.
We also travel Route 66 together — the murals, the food, the muffler men, the century-old family businesses hanging on for the coming centennial. And we close on living purposefully: the women who shaped her, the platinum rule, and her simple reminder to stay curious and stop to see what it's all about. If you've been carrying a dream and telling yourself it's too late, keep going — Annette is proof it isn't.
Key takeaways
- It is never too late to start — Annette launched a whole new creative career as a published children's author in her sixties.
- Keep a running file of ideas. For years she saved note cards and a laptop file of stories, funny things kids said, and people who inspired her — the raw material for her book.
- Hybrid publishing sits between traditional and self-publishing: you pay a small upfront fee (roughly $800 to $10,000 depending on the project) but get editors, design, and a marketing push while keeping more control.
- Retaining your rights matters. In self and hybrid publishing you keep 100% of your rights and earn higher royalties — something many first-time authors don't realize they give up traditionally.
- Invest in the craft. Even as a former teacher and librarian, Annette took four intensive online courses she compared to earning a master's in writing children's books — and it built her confidence.
- Marketing is phase two and it's on you. After the publisher's one big launch push, the author carries the promotion — for Annette that meant hitting the road, taking photos, and sharing the journey on social media.
- Reframe rejection. Her '100 rejection letters' group turned a discouraging idea into a supportive community where writers learn from each other and celebrate persistence.
- Live purposefully by connecting: be selfless, be curious, and follow the platinum rule — treat others the way THEY want to be treated.
“Be curious. Don't let something that's gonna be bringing you a lot of joy just go by the wayside. Like if you're gonna take that road trip, stop and get out and see what it's all about.”
“There's no reason why my book can't compete with a big five book.”
“Retaining rights of your own work — that's so important. People don't realize that when you turn it over to a publishing house, you're kind of giving that away.”
“People are plasma — it's like putting gas in your tank and making you want to take more rides, meet more people, have more fun.”
About Annette
Children's Author, Retired Educator & School Librarian
Annette LaFortune Murray is a Tulsa native, retired teacher and school librarian with three decades in the classroom, and a lifelong traveler and learner. She lives on Route 66 in Tulsa and is the author of the picture book 'ABC, What Do You See? Traveling Along Route 66,' published through hybrid publisher Atmosphere Press. She also works as a part-time concierge and leads a women's Bible study.
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