The following are the words of Alexis Bloomer, Archway Publishing author of “Good Girl Bad World” and “Kindness is Key.” For more on the author, visit her Facebook page, Twitter and website. Download the Archway Publishing free publishing guide for more information on our supported self-publishing services.

The Inspiration for My Book

My freshman year of college (2012), I was sitting in my in college apartment at Sam Houston State University and I thought back to my first year in high school and remembered how lonely I felt that year. I was in college, making new friends and I was reminded of the past and the words that hurt me. Isn’t that crazy? How we can remember comments that hurt us, more than ones that celebrated us? Just like the hurtful comments, I remembered a comment from one of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not!” Such simple words that impacted my story, profoundly.

At that moment, I set out to prevent bullying. I wanted to prove that you can succeed and still be kind. It started off as writing and the words were pouring out as rhymes that touched on bullying and most importantly, kindness. I used my horrible experiences with bullying, to write a children’s book that is 100% rhyming, in hopes that children who have read my book will look back and remember that Kindness is always Key when put in a compromising situation!

How I Knew it was Time to Publish

I held my book for six years and didn’t show anyone, until last year when I was reading the hate that is being projected in our country and knew that now was the time to encourage kindness. Children are not born cruel, they are taught to be cruel. So, if we start teaching kindness from a young age, can you imagine how accepting these children will be as adults?

It’s funny because Kindness is Key is being sold in stores, talked about on TV has won awards and has a 5-star rating. The best part is, it has made a room full of hundreds of children yell “Kindness is Key,” in sync. This book has provided me with numerous opportunities. The best part is seeing a child hugging one of their peers and saying one of my sentences aloud.

Turning to Women

After I released Kindness is Key, I was ready to hit another popular target of bullying, women. At 25, I have a large social media following and a successful career. Before I was the Alexis Bloomer I am today, I was the girl trying to keep up with a society that conflicted my beliefs. So, I decided to create my own small army of good girls.

I wrote the book, Good Girl, Bad World to help encourage women to be themselves in a world that is constantly challenging their beliefs. I dissected every issue that women today face; social media, relationships, drama, scandal and more. In a collective group of advice letters I originally wrote to myself, I created Good Girl, Bad World. Along with the advice, I included personal letters from women who have overcome abuse, career advances, health issues, bullying and more.

I always thought that I didn’t fit in, but after getting letters from women, I realize that I don’t fit in with society, but I do fit in with a group of powerful women. My book has caused a revolution of kindness and it still continues to amaze me. It takes courage to be an author, but if it helps even one person, it is worth the risk.

I learned that sometimes, you just have to have the courage to make a stand…One word at a time.

Archway Publishing is always looking for content for its blog. If you’re an Archway Publishing author and would like to share a guest blog post, please visit our Blog Guidelines Page.