Maggie Keefe

I've always enjoyed writing in my journal and found retirement the perfect opportunity to fulfill my dream of being an author. When COVID hit, I found myself with plenty of time on my hands, so I decided to try my hand at a children's book. Having worked as a software engineer for most of my career, I had no idea what I was getting into. I did not know anything about query letters, ISBNs, editing, or illustration costs, and went in completely blind. The query letters resulted in several (well, more like 25) rejections, and that is when I decided to go the self-publishing route. If I waited around too long, I would never get published. I was also inspired to write children's books by my grandchildren. This year, my 5-year-old granddaughter brought one of my books to school and dressed as the book's character. I was so inspired and touched by this. My stories are my legacy.

My latest children's book, Five Different Boo-Boos, encourages kids not to let a few boo-boos get in the way of an adventurous day. Told through the first-person perspective of an energetic and bold girl, we follow her throughout a week of adventures. Joined by her band-aid-toting dog, she ventures from home to school and to the park, where she finds multiple ways to acquire a scrape, bump, or bruise. Five Different Boo-boos teaches kids that they might get a scratch and a bump, but they can always get back to playing. And, even if they get hurt the first time they try something new, it just means there’s more to learn and more fun to be found.