How to Navigate the Landscape of Children's Publishing with Joe Licari

Episode Show Notes: Joseph L. Licari — affectionately known as Joe — is a children's book author whose work includes the enchanting Mia's Marvelous Farm Adventure. In this episode, Joe shares what it means to him to be a children's author: engaging young minds through joyful, curiosity-driven storytelling that makes learning feel like an adventure rather than a chore. Joe opens up about his upbringing on Long Island, where a mix of urban life and nearby farms shaped the way he sees the world — and planted the seeds for Mia's story. His character Mia is a composite of his three daughters, carrying their spirit of curiosity and wonder into every page. Alongside her whimsical mouse companions, Mia's adventures become a vehicle for both fun and genuine learning, showing young readers the value of friendship along the way. Joe also speaks candidly about today's shifting educational landscape, where rigid curricula can leave little room for creative exploration — and why he believes stories are one of the best ways to fill that gap for kids and parents alike. The conversation turns practical as Joe walks through his path in self-publishing: the marketing decisions, the value of school visits for building real connections with young readers, and why he considers thorough editing and strong illustration non-negotiable for earning the trust of parents and educators. He closes with encouragement for aspiring authors to lean into their creativity and stay the course on their own literary journey. Key Takeaways Joe Licari emphasizes the importance of creating engaging, educational content for young readers. Mia's Marvelous Farm Adventure focuses on making learning fun through storytelling. Networking and community involvement — especially school visits — are essential for aspiring authors navigating publishing. Curiosity is central to Joe's philosophy; he encourages parents to help foster a lifelong love of reading in their kids. Quality matters: careful editing and skilled illustration build the trust of parents and educators. Links Mentioned Amazon — Mia's Mouses: https://tinyurl.com/yskjzsa8 Amazon — Mia's Marvelous Farm Adventure: https://amazon.com/dp/B0DYPJ5VYX Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephlicariauthor/ Author's Website: https://www.miasmouses.com Companies Mentioned Amazon Ingram Fiverr Archway Publishing Simon and Schuster