Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie McNeil.
Valerie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began working with children after I graduated high school. I worked part-time at a daycare center in Waco, TX, called LaRue’s Learning Center. At the time, I realized I enjoy working with children but didn’t quite know that it would be a life long journey. After I graduated from Tarleton State University, I began working as an elementary school teacher at a Christian private school called West Dallas Community School in Dallas, TX. While working there, my passion for teaching children in a Christian environment grew tremendously. I continued my education and earned a master of education degree from Texas A&M University in 2015. During that same year, I married my high school sweetheart and relocated to Maryland, where my husband was station in the U.S. Air Force. During our time in Maryland, I was blessed to find another position as an elementary school teacher at a school called Bethel Christian Academy. After my husband completed his four year assignment in the Baltimore area and twenty years of service in the Air Force, he retired, and we relocated back to Texas.
My years of teaching at Christian schools have provided me with the opportunity to see how children deal with adversities and how faith and prayer help them overcome their fears. Before moving back to Texas, I began writing Sadie Prays for a Good First Day in hopes that this book would be encouraging to children who are dealing with some of the same problems. In 2019, with help from my husband, I decided to contact Brown Books Publishing Group and submit my manuscript. One year later, with lots of editing, coordination, and hard work, Sadie has become a reality and is my first published book.
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s been a smooth road. I have faced a few barriers in the process of writing my book. I don’t think most people understand the investment that goes into a project like this. Whether it’s my time or financial resources, there has definitely been some substantial hurdles I have had to conquer. In 2016, my husband and I were blessed with our beautiful daughter Morgan, who is an absolute joy in our lives. After becoming a mother, I had to learn how to balance the new roles of a wife and mom with my professional role as an educator. There were many nights, after I put Morgan to bed, I found myself working well past midnight in order to meet deadlines. But through it all, I kept my faith in God, I remained focused and consistent to accomplish my goal of becoming a published author. I’m truly grateful for the fun times and the struggles.
Please tell us about the business.
Sadie Prays for a Good First Day is a Christian children’s book about a little girl named Sadie, who is excited to start kindergarten but a little apprehensive about actually going. She is worried about how her day will go and concerned about making new friends. The book focuses on the bible verse, Philippians 4:6 “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.” Sadie’s parents encourage her to pray to God when she begins to feel worried at school. Sadie trusts her parents and uses their advice to navigate her first day.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about the Dallas area is their food, particularly their barbecue. There’s nothing like Texas barbecue. I also like the sports culture because my husband and I are big Dallas Cowboys fans. I enjoy the city’s variety of art museums in both Dallas and Fort Worth. And of course, I enjoy all of the shopping available in the area. But the best thing about being back in the Dallas area is the close proximity we have to family and friends.
Pricing:
- Books are available on my website valeriekmcneil.com for $16.99
Contact Info:
- Website: valeriekmcneil.com
- Email: vkqmcneil@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vkqmcneil/
- Facebook: Valerie McNeil
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vkqmcneil
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