The Accidental Author: My Journey to Being Published

The Accidental Author:  My Journey to Being Published

By Hayley Rose

My journey to becoming a published author wasn’t necessarily a path I had originally planned to take.  It was more of an opportunity that fell into my lap and I took a risk to carry it through.

It started with a trip to Chicago to visit family and to meet my cousins for the first time.  Though I loved to travel, I wasn’t a fan of plane rides and on the way back to Los Angeles, I needed an activity to take my mind off the turbulent flight.

I had been a song writer and enjoyed putting my thoughts together in lyrical prose, even though many never ended up accompanied a single tune.  Some people write their thoughts in a journal, but I preferred to create songs with mine.  It was on this flight, however, that I thought of my young cousins and the life they were about to experience; all of the wonderful things they would enjoy and the lessons they would learn.  I couldn’t help but think of my own amazing childhood experiences and decided to draft up a story in rhyme that I could share with them when we met again.

And so Fifo The Bear was born.

I worked in entertainment management with general accounting being part of the game.  The name “Fifo” was derived from “first in, first out”, an accounting term used to track money that’s tied up in inventory.  I liked the uniqueness of the name, if nothing more.

The life of Fifo began to emerge and I took him on a journey through his first day of school, something my cousins would experience in the years to come.  On his way to school, Fifo dreamt of all of the things he could become when he grew up, from a doctor or lawyer to a firefighter or pilot.  And Fifo’s imagination helped ease his fears of starting a new phase in his life.

When I returned home, the story of Fifo actually went into a draw and stayed there for years.  It was one day while having lunch with mom that the restaurant owner, who also owned a small publishing company, told us about a new book one of his authors had just launched.  Learning about his publishing business, I told him that I had once written a story about a bear, but I never did anything with it.  He encouraged me to bring it in so he could read it.

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs and being able to spot an opportunity was an innate trait.  The thought of taking a risk and bringing Fifo to life for others to enjoy seemed well worth the time I would have to sacrifice to become a published author.

In 2002, about 10 years after that fateful plane ride, Fifo, “When I Grow Up”, the story I wrote for my cousins came out of the drawer and sat nestled on store book shelves for other kids to enjoy.  In 2010, I launched Fifo, “50 States”, a tale told in rhyme about Fifo’s travels through every state in our incredible country.

My journey has been remarkable and one that I am blessed to be taking.

About the Author:

Hayley Rose grew up in the beach side town of Pacific Palisades, California, to a family of visual artists. In the early 90’s she traveled the U.S. with her band Crush Violet. In 1994, after a family reunion, she was inspired to write a children’s book.  Her first book, Fifo “When I Grow Up” was published in 2002.  Fifo “50 States” is the second book in the Fifo series. Along with writing children’s books, Hayley has been working in entertainment business management for the past 15 years specializing in concert touring.  She has worked with many “A list” musicians including, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox, and hopes to one day soon release an album of children’s songs.  She is a currently member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and resides in Los Angeles, CA.  You can read more at www.fifothebear.com. or join the Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/fifothebearbooks.