Tales for Your Monkey’s Mind: An Interview with Steve Michael Reedy

Steve Reedy, MA, LPC, began writing at age ten when his younger sister asked him to write a short story for her English class. The story went on to win his sister several awards. Later he decided to write his own stories and win his own awards. He received his undergraduate degree in Theatre, Film, and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received a master’s degree in counseling at Argosy University’s College of Psychology and Behavioral Science in Dallas, Texas, and is a licensed professional counselor. Reedy also holds licenses in varying forms of bodywork and teaches classes in Reiki, yoga, and meditation. He teaches as an adjunct professor, and has experience teaching and counseling children, the latter lead him to be featured in “Dallas Child Magazine.” To learn more about the author, and his work, visit: www.monkeymindtales.com.

Tell us something about your book. The basics: what’s it about?

Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind will take the reader on a whimsical journey through the puzzling world of humans with hypnotic prose and fairytale fantasy.

Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind is a collection of stories for monkeys of all ages. Each story will take the reader on a whimsical journey through the puzzling world of humanity with hypnotic prose and fairytale fantasy. Alex daydreams of working in the Wallerwood Toy Factory, and he sets off to learn the secrets kept hidden behind the factory’s front doors. Jessica wants to become the best clown that Clown Town has ever seen. Then she learns that being a clown is not as much fun as she thought. Angela worries about what will happen to her when she dies, until she discovers there are others things to think about instead. Andrew wants a magical storybook of his very own, but then he hears a story that may change his mind. Josh and Kalyn accidentally break a witch’s spell that was cast over the children of their town, and they set off on a journey to make things right. Little Fey searches for something to make her happy one-day, but she realizes that her search is pushing her happiness further away.

Though the concepts in Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind reflect deeper themes including how one defines oneself, the search for meaning in life, and questions about death, it is never preachy or morose. Deceptively simple, and written with a unique style of humor, hypnotic prose, and timeless fantasy, Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind will engage readers in a way that leaves them feeling inspired.

What drove you to write this particular book?

After spending my 30’s studying the human body, and the psychology of the mind, I wanted to write a book about the side effects of our social structure, how it affects children, and continues to affect adults. I did not, however, want to write a self-help book. So I decided to use a children’s book format to relay my observations. I did this for two reasons. First, I believed that the information would be more interesting if written with witches, toy factories, and rhyme. Second, it would be more fun to write. It was my hope that this book, and the books that follow, will become as dear to the reader as books written by authors like Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, and Shel Silverstein.

What’s your writing regimen? Where do you do your writing?

I wrote most of this book at Starbucks… the baristas eventually knew me by name.

Who are your greatest writing influences?

Douglas Adams, Roald Dahl, Ray Bradbury, Alan Watts, and hours spent watching Rod Sterling’s “The Twilight Zone.”

Is the book in any one particular genre? Is it a genre that’s familiar to you?

While the book is written in a children’s fairytale format, it is something that adults will identify with, and enjoy.

How did you come to self-publish? Did you try to get published traditionally?

I wanted complete control over the book, and the three books that will follow it, so I chose to self publish.

What self-publishing service did you use? Happy with the service?

I used Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, which is a reputable publishing company.

Would you self-publish again?

I plan to self-publish the next book, More Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind. After that, I will plan to market the series to a traditional publishing company.

Any words of advice for those looking to self-publish? Any big missteps/successes?

The first book was a learning experience. First, never try to promote the book three months before the holidays… life lesson learned. Second, if you are using illustrations, make sure you know the size of the book you will be using… again… life lesson learned. Third, you can never have enough people edit the book. I had four people edit the book and each one found something different. Fourth… remember to breathe.

What’s next on the horizon for you as an author?

My second book is in the process of being illustrated. My third book is being edited, and I just finished the first draft of the fourth book. I’m hoping to have More Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind out by summer 2016.

Links
Monkey Mind Tales
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon
Goodreads

Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind Book Launch Party: