Marianne Richmond is best known as the author of the bestselling children's books IF I COULD KEEP YOU LITTLE and BE BRAVE LITTLE ONE. Her books collectively have sold over 6 million copies. In our interview, she tells the story of the horrible seizures that left her emotionally disconnected growing up, the breakthrough that led to her first book, how she built her publishing empire only to watch it nearly crumble when Target cancelled a giant order, and how she stays creative.

This is an interview about how to marry your creative life with your work, the tensions inherit in that relationship, and how to stay true to your art while also making a living. Marianne is very vulnerable and totally relateable. Anyone with any desire in creativity or writing will instantly connect.

We also examine Eleanor the protagonist of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeymoon.

Oh, and of course, there's a free prize?

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#5 Marianne Richmond, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and How to Be Creative