August 4, 2026
She Started Her Own Press: 4 Books in 6 Years — Episode 243: Annette Murray
with Annette Murray, Author, speaker, educator & Route 66 enthusiast
29 min
She Started Her Own Press: 4 Books in 6 Years — Episode 243: Annette Murray
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In this episode
In this episode I sit down again with Annette Murray — author, speaker, educator, and unstoppable Route 66 enthusiast — and I loved every minute of it. Annette started writing later in life, and in just six years she has written four books. If you have ever thought, "I've missed my chance," this conversation is for you. It is never too late to start.
We talk about her newest book, Meet Cyrus Avery, Father of Route 66 — the story of one Tulsa dreamer who connected roads and, without ever intending to, connected people across the whole country. Annette reminds us that Cyrus was just one person who made a difference, and that's a beautiful nudge for anyone wondering if they can too. We also dig into her decision to start her own press, Tulsa Whimsy Press, and the very real (and doable) learning curve of self-publishing — hiring illustrators, finding an editor, and figuring out the marketing piece one class and one community at a time.
And because it's 2026, the Route 66 centennial, we spend time celebrating the road that runs right through Tulsa. Annette walks us through where to take your kids and where to feel the history come alive, from the giants to the neon to the little communities being lovingly restored. This is a warm, practical episode about using your God-given gifts and talents at any age. Keep going — your story is worth telling.
Key takeaways
- It's never too late to start writing. Annette began later in life and has published four books in six years — proof that your age is not a barrier to your passion and purpose.
- Join a writing community. Annette credits the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for inspiration, feedback, and encouragement — find a group where you can give ideas and get ideas.
- Don't overthink the technical part when you begin. Just write the story and enjoy it first; the polish comes later.
- You can start your own press. Annette founded Tulsa Whimsy Press, wrote the stories, and hired her own illustrators and editor — the self-publishing path is learnable step by step.
- The hardest part of publishing is often the marketing, not the writing. Annette learned it through Zoom classes, networking, and monthly sessions to keep improving her social media.
- One person can make a difference. Cyrus Avery simply set out to move travelers safely across the country and ended up shaping American travel, tourism, and communities.
- If you want to speak as well as write, build a platform. Annette added talks for all ages and has done around 80 presentations in the past year.
- Explore Route 66 in Tulsa with your family during the 2026 centennial — the giants, the neon, and restored communities bring history to life for kids and adults alike.
Chapters
- —Welcome back, Annette Murray
- —Is it too late to write a book? Starting later in life
- —Why writing community matters
- —Sponsor: Five Star Painting of Tulsa
- —The allure of Route 66 as a 'linear classroom'
- —The 2026 Route 66 centennial and Tulsa's role
- —Cyrus Avery, the 'hidden hero' behind the book
- —The ABCs of Route 66 book and its illustrations
- —Starting Tulsa Whimsy Press and the self-publishing journey
- —Cecil's New Tricks and the hip-hop dance book
- —Sponsor: Colonial Title
- —What's next: speaking, the Harvey Girls and the couriers
- —Where to explore Route 66 in and around Tulsa
- —Passion right now + a word on AI in writing
- —Where to find Annette
“Four books in six years. So, yes, you can do it. No, it's not too late. You can start.”
“If you study hard enough and you talk to the right people, you can learn how to do this yourself. So I did start my own press.”
“Every mile you go, you're gonna learn something. You're gonna meet new people. You're gonna learn about the world.”
“Just start putting down your thoughts. Don't think about the technical part. Just enjoy it. Write that story.”
Resources mentioned
- WebsiteAnnette Murray's website
About Annette
Author, speaker, educator & Route 66 enthusiast
Annette Murray is an author, speaker, educator, and Route 66 enthusiast whose love for Oklahoma history and America's most famous highway inspires her to bring fascinating stories to life for readers of all ages. She started writing later in life and has published four books in six years through her own press, Tulsa Whimsy Press. Her newest book, Meet Cyrus Avery, Father of Route 66, introduces young readers to the visionary Tulsa entrepreneur known as the father of Route 66.
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