SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: The World Is Awaiting You
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.mariannerichmond.com/
CITY: Nashville
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME: SATA 368
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born 1965; married Jim Richmond; children: Cole, Adam, Julia, Will.
EDUCATION:Adams State University, M.A., 2024.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Artist and writer. Formerly employed in corporate communications; Watercolor Works (greeting-card company; then Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc.), Minneapolis, MN, cofounder, 1991-2010; licensed artist for (greeting cards) LeaninTree, Boulder, CO, and Magnet House Jewelry, and (gift books) Sourcebooks, Chicago, IL; freelance writer and illustrator, 2010—.
WRITINGS
Creator of illustrated journals.
SIDELIGHTS
Marianne Richmond is a writer of books for children and young readers. She turned to writing at a young age, writing in journals for decades, as a means to understand and explore the world around her. While she initially started working in corporate marketing after finishing university, Richmond knew that she wanted to do something more creative. While recovering from surgery from the removal of a benign brain tumor, she began creating holiday cards fulltime and wrote her first book, The Gift of an Angel: For Parents Welcoming a New Child, in 1997 for expecting parents. Since then, she has published a number of picture books. Richmond later continued her studies to earn a master’s degree in mental health counseling.
After completing her second book, The Gift of a Memory: A Keepsake to Commemorate the Loss of a Loved One, she established her professional aspiration to write books that defined the milestone moments in one’s life. Richmond and her husband ran a publishing company from the mid-1990s until 2010 before partnering with Sourcebooks. At that point, she began focusing on her own writing more extensively. In an interview in Elephant Books, Richmond shared her personal philosophy on writing. “I am passionate about self-expression as a conduit for growth, learning and connection. So many of my books help give parents the words to communicate love and encouragement to their kids. I also give teachers ideas for creative projects around the themes of my books, inviting kids to put their ideas to paper—to help them see their creativity and imagination.”
Six-year-old Ralphie Mix prevents his mother from leaving the bedroom when unable to fall asleep at night in I’m Not Tired Yet! He comes up with many excuses to prolong their interactions, including a mosquito that keeps buzzing around his ear, a bug crawling across the room, and a monster in the closet. His mother gives him a hug to deal with each instance he brings up before he is able to fall asleep. Booklist contributor Randall Enos suggested that “this is a fine supplemental purchase for one-on-one sharing where bedtime stories are in high demand.”
With the picture book Oh, the Things My Mom Will Do … Because She Loves Me Through and Through!, Richmond uses rhyme and a brisk pace to relate the lengths to which a mother will go to care for a child. The book illustrates a number of scenarios where a diverse range of mothers do some incredible, if not overlooked, things when needed for their children. A Kirkus Reviews contributor opined that “this title should lead to laughter and some recognition for all the crazy things moms do out of love.”
I’ll Never Let You Go looks at the relationship between the little bear Edward, his parents, and his baby blanket. Edward love his blankie and is inseparable from it. Everywhere he goes—from a day of building a fort to playing superhero to picnicking—the blankie comes along. When Edward must go to school without his blankie, he claims that it will be sad without him. Edward’s mother, then, shows him that she is sad when he leaves for school but always keeps him in her heart when they are physically apart. A contributor to Publishers Weekly observed that “wispy, lightly dabbled watercolors in a pastel palette simply yet assuredly transmit Edward’s devotion to Blankie.”
In the picture book I Promise You, a group of parents share their thoughts on the most important promises they have made to their children. While love, mental and emotional development, and nurturing and care were widely agreed upon, the parents also noted that fostering a sense of belonging, providing time, passing on moral principles, and offering guidance and choices were also crucial to childhood well-being and the process of making well-rounded adults. Each promise included in the book is accompanied by its own illustration. A Kirkus Reviews contributor found the book to be “sweet and comforting,” adding that it would make for “a nice gift for new parents-to-be.”
(open new)With Thank You God, Good Night, a group of forest creatures are thankful for what they have at the end of the day. They each follow their bedtime routine before thanking their god in prayer. A Kirkus Reviews contributor suggested that the overall “coziness of the watercolor illustrations, done in soft colors and most featuring tender physical contact, will certainly put children in a soporific mood.”
The picture book The World Is Awaiting You comes with the message that everyone is special. It encourages readers to be happy to be themselves and expect great things and new talents to develop over time. The book also encourages young readers to look forward to the world that awaits them. A Kirkus Reviews contributor noticed that “appealing illustrations, created with graphite pencil and digital methods, have an idyllic sweetness.” The same critic found the book to have “supportive messages all children need to hear.”(close new)
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, May 15, 2012, Randall Enos, review of I’m Not Tired Yet!, p. 58.
Children’s Bookwatch, March 1, 2008, review of I Wished for You: An Adoption Story.
Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2011, review of Beautiful Blue Eyes; June 1, 2011, review of I Believe in You; April 1, 2013, review of Oh, the Things My Mom Will Do … Because She Loves Me Through and Through!; February 15, 2014, review of I’ll Never Let You Go; September 1, 2020, review of I Promise You; April 15, 2021, review of Thank You God, Good Night; July 1, 2024, review of The World Is Awaiting You.
Publishers Weekly, June 13, 2011, review of I Believe in You, p. 49; August 4, 2011, Claire Kirch, “Author/Publisher Marianne Richmond on the Rise;” January 13, 2014, review of I’ll Never Let You Go, p. 67.
School Library Journal, January 1, 2002, Shawn Brommer, review of Hooray for You! A Celebration of “You-ness”, p. 109; April 1, 2011, Roxanne Burg, review of If I Could Keep You Little … , p. 151; August 1, 2011, Margaret R. Tassia, review of I Believe in You, p. 83; September 1, 2011, C.J. Connor, review of Beautiful Blue Eyes, p. 128; December 1, 2012, Joan Kindig, review of I Promise You, p. 98.
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), September 3, 2000, C.J. Connor, “Healing Hobby Now Is Big Business,” p. D1.
ONLINE
Elephant Books, https://elephant-books.com/ (June 12, 2019), author interview.
Marianne Richmond website, https://www.mariannerichmond.com (February 2, 2025).
NashvilleVoyager, https://nashvillevoyager.com/ (September 2, 2024), author interview.
Hello.
If I had to describe myself in three words, I'd say writing, creativity and connection. From tracing the butterflies on my childhood bedroom wallpaper to writing my first poems in 5th grade, I've always loved the art of self-expression to connect me to myself and others.
In 1997, while recovering from brain surgery, I wrote, illustrated, and self-published my first book called The Gift of an Angel for parents welcoming a new child followed by The Gift of a Memory to commemorate loss. I didn't know anything about book publishing, only that I wanted to translate my experiences into messages that might resonate with you, too (and they did!). Two books became many and, over time, blossomed into a publishing company I co-ran for 16 years with my husband, Jim, and 12 employees. Along the way, I became a mom and found endless creative inspiration in growing and loving four beautiful little humans (And still do!) In 2010, we wound down our business to partner with Sourcebooks, Inc., the largest woman-owned independent publisher in North America. This transition allowed me to get back to doing what I love best — creating!
After decades of authoring and mothering, I recently completed a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling to better understand how our brains and bodies process and hold our personal stories and how we can reclaim our truest selves. In addition to speaking and hosting workshops, I am honored to now come alongside individuals in a more personal way by offering individual therapy. My greatest joy is helping you connect with your own heart and possibility.
Xo, Marianne
Education + Certifications
2024: MA, Mental Health Counseling, Adams State University, Alamosa, CO.
2020: Certified Reiki Master, Levels I and II
2014: Certified Professional Coach, Wainwright Global Institute of Professional Coaching
The backstory if you're interested.
Since I was a young girl, I’ve loved writing for its ability to make sense of the world around me. It’s long been my gift, seen in cards I made as a kid, journals I’ve kept for 30 years, essays adorned with teachers’ encouragement and chatty letters I sent my parents from afar, now bundled in keepsake boxes.Writing helped me understand myself and connect with others.
That it could be my livelihood was another matter.
I envied my college pals who made a beeline to their dreams of becoming vets, musicians or accountants. Me? I changed majors three times, starting in Journalism (right idea but too factual), detouring through Home Economics (inexplicable, really) and landing in business school (why not?).
Lasting just 13 months in my first corporate marketing gig, I was frustrated early (ha!). Too many layers between my ideas and permission to execute. I started working for small, creative entities (with impassioned personas to match) in the marketing communications field, getting paid to articulate brand, emotion, and ideas. It was the “work until 2am to please the crazy boss” phase of my life.
Until I learned I had a brain tumor.
Starting at age 9, I had epileptic seizures that shook my being — physically and emotionally. Their cause went undiagnosed for 15 years until the discovery and removal of a benign brain tumor in my 20’s. I was terrified and relieved. It was the start of a new chapter of my life, seizure free.
To combat post-surgery boredom, I started hand-painting thank you cards for my well wishers. Over time, this simple hobby blossomed into a publishing company I co-ran with my husband, Jim, for 16 years! In spring of 2010, we partnered with Sourcebooks, Inc., the largest independent and woman-owned publisher in North America. Now I’m back to working for myself, finding inspiration in the dailyness of life and partnering with the people and companies that allow me to do my greatest work!
My beautiful now.
I currently live in the Nashville area. I'm a wife to Jim and mom to Cole, Adam, Julia and Will. You’ll see the acronym — CAJW— in some of my books. That’s them. I'm also a dog mom to Otis Adventure who is not very adventurous. I'm an extroverted introvert who loves hiking and hot yoga and hates centipedes, worms and olives. I'm a seeker, questioner, and student of life. And I'm most delighted when my stories become a part of yours. xo, M.
Local StoriesSeptember 2, 2024Daily Inspiration: Meet Marianne Richmond
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Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianne Richmond
Hi Marianne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Marianne, a longtime children’s author, artist and newly graduated mental health counselor. I’m also a wife and mom to four young adults. A native Midwesterner, I’ve lived in five states prior to moving to Tennessee including Wisconsin, Ohio, Connecticut, Minnesota and California. My current profession isn’t one I planned; I was all set for corporate America after graduating from The Ohio State University with a business degree, but life intervened.
When I was in my 20’s, I underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor; the cause of numerous, misdiagnosed seizures during my childhood. To fill time during my recovery, I started hand painting simple thank-you cards for all the people who had come alongside me during this challenging season. To my surprise, a friend started selling my cards to local gift shops, and I soon had a (very) small, dining room table business with a growing number of retailers carrying my cards. As my sales outlets grew, and I went back to my paying job as a corporate writer, I printed my cards to keep up with demand. Around this time, I wrote, illustrated and self-published my gift first book to offer alongside my cards. What started as a simple creative diversion blossomed over 16 years into a multi-million dollar publishing company that I co-ran with my husband, Jim, and 12 employees. In 2010, we wound down our business to partner with Sourcebooks, Inc., the largest, women owned independent publisher in North America. Today, I continue to author children’s picture books that give people a way to share their heart and connect with those they love. I have now authored more than 60 books and sold more than 9 million copies.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? No. In 2008, The Great Recession had taken hold, and we lived the emotional and financial impact of many retailers closing or filing bankruptcy, mass merchants taking longer to pay, and the banks calling in loans with little warning. The upshot was our inability to survive these headwinds, necessitating our closing and my outreach to a larger publishing company interested in acquiring my book assets. While the new partnership represented an exciting beginning, it also came with great upheaval in what had been our livelihood for 16 years.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
If I had to describe myself in three words, I’d say writing, creativity and connection. For nearly three decades, I’ve been crafting the language of relationships through my books that offer messages of love, belonging and encouragement to children of all ages. I am honored when my stories become a part of other people’s journeys, and my biggest hope is that my work can be a bridge to another’s heart. What I hear from people most often is, “How did you know how I feel?” To this I say I write for the “unique everybody” — our stories are different, and our feelings are a lot the same. Most people want to feel seen and heard, and I believe my books do this beautifully. I recently completed a master’s in clinical mental health counseling to come alongside individuals as they live out their own stories. As for proud, I have a new picture book, The World is Awaiting You, coming out in late September and I’m releasing a memoir in March, 2025, If You Were my Daughter, that is the story behind my stories – how growing up with misdiagnosed epilepsy and an emotionally unavailable mother inspired me to write the messages I had longed to hear myself and to reauthor my own narrative to one of worth and belonging.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by finding the sweet spot between what I love to do, what I’m good at — and providing myself an income. Success to me is being able to use my creativity in a personally meaningful way while uplifting others, too.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.mariannerichmond.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannerichmondwriter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richmond.marianne/
Richmond, Marianne THE WORLD IS AWAITING YOU Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (Children's None) $18.99 9, 3 ISBN: 9781728291529
The world is lucky you're here.
In gentle verse, this book delivers a quiet yet powerfully uplifting message: You're special; you're wonderful; you're endowed with remarkable talents. You're uniquely, unmistakably, unequivocally YOU, so don't be afraid to go out and conquer the world. Gifts you don't know about yet are ready to blossom; possibilities you haven't begun to dream about are looming; roads you haven't yet begun to explore lie before you! This is heady, empowering stuff. The encouraging proposals herein will boost children's esteem when their spirits are flagging. Richmond reminds readers that the world's waiting for them--to voice their ideas and opinions, to be the very best versions of themselves, and to do good for others. Some ideas may be a bit too lofty for children; adults might have to help explain things occasionally. Generally, though, kids should get the point that the world awaits them, that they're special, and that they should aim to be the best they can be. The book will also make a fine gift for baby showers and new parents. Appealing illustrations, created with graphite pencil and digital methods, have an idyllic sweetness, depicting racially diverse characters putting on a play, spending time in nature, and more. Typefaces occasionally vary to highlight particular concepts.
Supportive messages all children need to hear. (Picture book. 5-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Richmond, Marianne: THE WORLD IS AWAITING YOU." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A799332769/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4e5274dd. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
Richmond, Marianne THANK YOU GOD, GOOD NIGHT Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (Children's None) $9.99 4, 6 ISBN: 978-1-7282-3570-7
A cast of sweet forest creatures thanks God in prayer for the many blessings of their day.
The bedtime routine consisting of a bath, a favorite song, snuggles, and a cozy bed may be familiar to many young children. But these particular young animals (who look more like stuffed toys than realistic animals) don’t forget to also include their nighttime prayers. “Thank you, God, / for friends and fun. / Memory making, / rain or sun.” In the artwork, a bear, a fox, and a bird fix a broken wagon wheel, and then the bear gives the fox, an owl, and a skunk a ride. “Thank you, God, / for where we live. / Enough to share / and help and give.” In this double-page spread, animals in a clearing appear to be sharing some fruit at the center of their circle. Family, teachers, nature’s beauty, and God’s steadfastness, light—“Hope for those in need tonight”—and love are other things to be thankful for. The verses sometimes stumble with regard to rhyme and clear meaning thanks to complex syntax: “Thank you, God, for your peace. / Any worry yours to keep.” The coziness of the watercolor illustrations, done in soft colors and most featuring tender physical contact, will certainly put children in a soporific mood. A scratchy technique lends the furry animals texture.
A bedtime book for praying families that will guide children in giving thanks. (Picture book. 2-6)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Richmond, Marianne: THANK YOU GOD, GOOD NIGHT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A658194738/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=31654011. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.