Building Blocks: An Interview with Samantha Tidy from Storytorch Press

Building Blocks is a Linkedin interview series featuring five business owners who provide quality products and services for children. Follow along as we break down the building blocks which led them to creating their businesses and the value they bring to our sector!

The third interview of this series features?Samantha (Tidy) Rutter, Author and Director of?Storytorch Press.

Interview with Samantha Tidy

Please tell me about?yourself??

I am first and foremost a mum to two kids and together with my husband. I am also an author of children's books, a part-time teacher managing a senior school library and a publisher too. ?

How would you describe your career journey??

?I knew I wanted to be a writer from an early age, and I studied creative writing at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I also became a teacher after my first degree, because I believe strongly in education as the most effective foundation for shaping positive and socially contributing individuals. I have worked in education since 1995, in various ways either in schools, museums, theatre and more. Whilst it does have its challenges, I love working with young people and helping them fulfil their potential.??

?How did you get the idea to publish children's literature??

I would say that?Storytorch?Press was born from the success of?Our Bush Capital. Essentially, it was just meant to be a small non-profit project, one of many in my own writing career. Having seen the?joy?it cultivated in Canberrans, I just had to build on it and now I find myself running a publishing company, whilst still writing for other publishers myself, whilst teaching, whilst being a mum. The garden is looking a little neglected of late!

?Can you tell me a bit about?Storytorch?

The?Storytorch?brand is all about community and connection. We publish books that unite us - books that promote resilience, sustainability and community engagement. Our books are a window to a better world and encourage others to be part of it.??

What products & services does your business offer??

Books and workshops essentially. With the success of?Our Bush Capital, I have visited lots of childcare?centres?and primary schools with some very cute bird puppets and we talk about Canberra's landscape and inhabitants. COVID stopped a lot of that, but thankfully this year we have been able to start workshops again.

(Click here to purchase a copy Our Bush Capital)

How do you strive to support early years education??

I wrote?Our Bush Capital?to help young Canberrans understand that they are part of a community and to feel proud of our?often disregarded?city. I love talking to little people about how good Canberra is!?

How do you define success??Success for me is simply being proud of your efforts and feeling excited about what you are doing every day. It's about seeing possibilities every time you are faced with a challenge.???

What advice would you give someone looking to start their own business?? If you can, maintain a separate paid job whilst starting out (unless you have the funds upfront). I work part-time, and I run my business part-time. This gives me confidence I can cope with the challenges.??

Can you tell me about the children's books you have released in 2022??

We have a few children's books coming in 2022! We already released two middle grade fiction novels in February and two illustrated children's picture books are coming later in the year.?Both of the picture?books are perfect read?alouds?for early childhood settings – one celebrates?all inclusive?play and abilities, and the other celebrates finding nature in the city.

In February 2022, we released The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor?by Tracey Hawkins?& Ocean Warriors: The Rise of Robo-Shark?by Candice Lemon-Scott. In July 2022 we are releasing Great and Small?by Alison McLennan and illustrated by Connah Brecon?& in September 2022 Naturopolis?by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak?will be out!

Do you have any upcoming events you would like to share??

All of our books will be at booksellers around Canberra (and in other cities). Follow us on Facebook for information on our July and September launches!

What socials can we find you on??Facebook, Instagram & my website!

Thanks for reading the third interview of Building Blocks! What were your thoughts on our conversation with Samantha? Comment below!