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Meet Sheri Fox, a Hezzie Mae Children’s Author

“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.”

Amanda Gorman

Sheri Fox came into my life in a roundabout way.

   

New author Sheri Fox has an active inner child, and she is proud of NOT acting her age.

Three years ago, I had the privilege of meeting her adult children by divine timing. The Fox family carries a special kind of magic, and I pledged to make space for their friendships.

And I did just that.

I am pleased to introduce you to Sheri Fox, Hezzie Mae’s newest and first Children’s Author of Precious Child.

Sheri, I would love to hear more about you.

My name is Sheri Fox, and my first book has just been published! I have others in my brain and heart and am excited to present them to the world at a future time.

I have loved picture books since my kids were little, and their school librarian brought them to life for us.

Their school often had authors visit, read their books, and answer questions about being an author. My kids and I were always very excited about these visits.

What do you specialize in? What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?

I am a nurse, and over several decades, I have worked in various nurse jobs, from an ICU to public health to safety.

I also have a master’s degree in counseling psychology, which I worked on one class at a time as an adult and working mom, and I could afford the time and cost.

I love to learn, and I consider myself a life-long student. In my free time, I love to be creative. It feeds my soul and always lifts my spirits.

The job that I have loved the most is being a mom and now a grandma.

Sheri and I found friendship as we explored the aisles of bookstores and delved into conversations about art.

I have appreciated every stage of parenting—I consider it the hardest and best job in the world. I feel really blessed to have three healthy, successful, and happy adult children with amazing partners and two beautiful grandchildren. They all live close to me, and we are able to get together often, which makes my heart so happy!

I really try to specialize in making the world a better place by spreading light and love and lifting others.

I believe we are all put on this earth to do what we can to help each other.

I am really proud that I worked hard to recognize and nurture the child in me, which enabled me to know, appreciate, and provide what kids need to grow into good humans who are passionate, empathetic, accepting, and thoughtful.

Can you talk about the book project- its journey, why you wrote it, what felt good, and what was a struggle?

This book has been decades in the making! I actually wrote it years ago when my kids were little.

When I showed it to my dad and said, “I just need to find someone to illustrate it.”

He said, “Why wouldn’t you? You can paint.”

“The job that I have loved the most is being a mom and now a grandma.” S Fox

I held on to this idea that I should also illustrate it for years and had thoughts about how to do it and what I wanted. It kept bubbling up over the years, and I seemed unable to begin with the illustrations.

Only recently did I realize that even though I can paint pretty well, I really did not know the first thing about how to illustrate a picture book. I finally was able to let go of the thought that I needed to do it.

Author Sheri Fox doesn’t hesitate in saying that this picture holds her world. The Fox family and inspiration for Precious Child.

Amazingly, not long after that, Heather walked into my life!

I didn’t know she was an artist, but my son introduced me to some of her paintings last summer. Her style of watercolor painting was what I had in my heart and head for the illustrations for this book, and it was so personal and dear to me.

After a few conversations, I knew intuitively she was just the right person for this job, and it was a great decision.

She immediately connected with the book’s essence and feeling. Heather has been an amazing partner in this process, honoring my words, my wildest wishes, and my spirit!

Through several heartfelt and thoughtful meetings, she let her creative spirit soar and created such beautiful art that really brought my words to life. This journey with Heather has been deeply personal and revealing. (I loved the journey, too, Sheri!)

Have you learned any unexpected lessons while this book got closer to completion and publishing?

When I first wrote the book, I was thinking of it as a children’s book with a deeper meaning for adults, but as I worked with Heather on it, it became incredibly clear that it is so much more.

Together, we had a profound moment where we realized that this book also speaks loudly to the child within each of us and in all of humanity!

I always knew that it was universal in that all children, no matter their life circumstances (mostly not by their choice), are precious, and it is the responsibility of the adults around them to nurture them, lift them up, and remind them of their preciousness.

The clarity I gained in this process is the recognition that we all have this precious child within us, and as adults, if we are brave, we can remember this and nurture that child.

This gentle little book has already made a big-impact. Thank you from both the author and illustrator!

This makes this book a perfect gift for marking big transitions and healing moments in life.

One thing I didn’t expect is how vulnerable I would feel once this book was published. This book exposes my heart in a very public way, and I am generally a relatively private person.

I have loved this book from the time I wrote it and even more after the words were brought to life with beautiful illustrations, and I feel quite exposed now that it is out in the world!

Part of me can hardly believe that my dream of becoming a published author has come true, and a small, doubting part of me worries that it might not be good enough.

Then I remembered that I wrote it as a love letter to my children and that this love is always enough, and this calms me.

What is your wildest dream for Precious Child?

“Precious Child, I look into your eyes and see Love.” SFox

My wildest dream for this book is that it will live on in the hearts of my children for their entire lives and that they will always remember how precious they are.

It is a gift for my children.

By sharing it with the world, I hope the profound and universal truths in this book will touch the hearts of others and be gifted with love. I also hope that it helps others recognize and nourish that precious child in themselves, especially if they have lost touch with them.

In what other ways do you consider yourself a creative? Do you have more writing ventures up your sleeve?

I do have other writing ventures in my heart and process.

I love to write and create different kinds of art. As an artist, I have worked in many different mediums, including paints, glass, fibers, beads, and even some wood.

Letting my creative spirit soar sustains me and enriches my life. I am also lucky enough to be able to share art with my granddaughter, and that is even more nourishing!

What advice do you have for anyone who thinks they might want to write a book but haven’t started?

I would say go for it… even if you hold on to it for years, it is good for your soul to let your creative spirit flow!


More details about Precious Child:

  • Available in paperback, keepsake hardcover with dust jacket and will be packaged and shipped by author or Hezzie Mae.

  • Smaller paperback and Kindle eBooks are available on Amazon.

Me. Heather N. Wilde. An indie author and publisher at Hezzie Mae.

Take a deep breath, silence that inner critic, and embrace the truth:

You are worthy. Of love. Of happiness. As you are right now, today. Always.

Heather N. Wilde


Read similar posts about creativity and authoring on Hezzie Mae’s Blog.

Share the Love! Share Hezzie Mae with a friend. Thanks for spreading the word! Remember: Ripples to Waves to MAGIC!

I am a writer, educator, indie publisher, artist, and trauma survivor. Visit HezzieMae.com for a paradigm shift in author mentoring, publishing, and creative, healthy living.


Purchase Precious Child by Sheri Fox (April 2024)

Purchase Aligned Enchantment by Rachel Gilbertson (March 2024).

Purchase Tumbled: A Memoir of Perseverance, Personal Growth & Magical Transformation by Heather Wilde (Feb 2023).

Purchase Pig Tales & Popcorn: Patricia’s Memoir by Heather Wilde and Pat Passero (July 2023).

Heather N. Wilde

Heather Wilde is an indie publisher and trauma survivor who discovered, through writing her own memoir, just how powerful and healing sharing your story can be. Now, she helps others do the same.

Heather believes everyone has a story that can change lives and heal their soul, and she’s here to help you bring yours to the world.

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