Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyla Saphir.
Hi, Kyla. I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am a mother, yoga instructor, early childhood educator, and the author of two children’s books, On Brighter Days and I Love Nature School. The inspiration for the book On Brighter Days came from my personal experience with secondary infertility. I am the youngest of five children in my family, and I wanted my daughter to have siblings as well, but it wasn’t possible. The bookshelves were empty when I looked for books for my daughter to read about our experience. I am passionate about high-quality children’s literature, so my daughter and I decided to write our own book addressing these feelings for only children and their families. My second book, I Love Nature School, was inspired by my experience teaching at various nature preschools nationwide. When looking for books about the first day of nature preschool, there were few to read to my students. Every book focused on indoor preschools and didn’t show the magic of learning outdoors. I created a colorful story to introduce little ones, their parents, and teachers to the wonders of nature school. I live in Columbia, SC, with my husband, daughter, and our wild dog, Nia. When I’m not busy writing children’s books, I love exploring new places with my family, practicing yoga, and digging in my garden.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a learning curve and quite a journey into writing children’s books. I have read many children’s books as a teacher for 12 years and even more when I became a mom. I knew what intrigued and inspired kids in books and wanted to write my own books to do the same. I loved using my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and my years as an ECE teacher and mother to create new literature. The struggles have come in finding an audience for my books and promoting them. Some authors can transition smoothly into bookstores and promote at numerous book fairs, but it’s hard work. My books are especially niche, so I must locate my target audiences and encourage them to buy them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My personal life events, some hard and some positive, have inspired me. I have turned my pain into creativity and always loved writing. As a child, I frequently wrote in journals, made up fictional stories, and even had a comic book series about a goldfish. I recently spent 4 months traveling around Asia and New Zealand with my husband and 7-year-old daughter. I plan to write a book about our family adventures and inspire other people to travel. Not many people can make this happen, but seeing the world and taking a break from the rat race is essential.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
I have been very fortunate and have had a lot of support from those around me. My editor and publisher inspired me to write and then write some more! She has taught me a lot about the book publishing industry. The illustrator for the I Love Nature School book is a local artist and friend. She brought my vision to life and made beautiful watercolors to show young children in nature. My parents and family have always supported and encouraged me to pursue my passions. My parents and two nieces flew to Columbia from Chicago for my book launch in Dec. 2022!
Pricing:
- I Love Nature School is $25 for a hard-cover autographed copy
- On Brighter Days is $15 for a paperback autographed copy
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kylasaphirbooks.com/
Image Credits
Lacie Richards- Book Headshots, Tiffany Crenshaw- Yoga Headshot
