Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Cammarata.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I wrote my first children’s book overnight, following a visit with my grandpa in the CVICU and reading bedtime stories to my own two children later that evening.
My grandpa has been someone I’ve looked up to my entire life. He has always had a way with words and a gift for writing poetry. In fact, he even officiated my wedding in 2018. But tragedy struck our family in January 2025 when my grandpa suffered a heart attack overnight and delayed seeking the medical attention he needed until much later the following day.
He was quickly admitted to the CVICU, where he underwent emergency surgery. His condition was touch and go, and doctors ultimately placed him in a medically induced coma while we waited to see how his heart and body would respond and whether he would regain his strength.
It was the scariest and most devastating time of my life. I remember thinking, This is it. We were all preparing to say our goodbyes. I remember writing a poem for him and reading it aloud while holding his hand as he lay unconscious in his hospital bed.
“You’re a father, son, beloved grandpa and officiant to one.
Now overcomer, your job is not done.
So rest and repeat, Doctor’s orders we read.
Your time is not over, your last words not said.”
In that moment, I knew his legacy deserved to live on. I began thinking about how I could honor him, and what better way than to use the gift of poetry he had passed down to me? Inspired by him and my own two little boys, a dream was born.
Little did I know what I was getting myself into! I had written the story in about two hours and thought the hard part was over. But then came the research, endless instructional videos, Facebook groups, and plenty of late nights spent crying because the formatting just wouldn’t line up perfectly. It was a learning experience, to say the least!
Now, on the other side of that journey, I can’t wait to do it all over again and continue growing my children’s bedtime series in his honor.
Today, my grandpa is truly a miracle. He has since had his pacemaker removed, moved back into his home in the woods, and returned to his daily routine. There aren’t many people as stubborn as he is, but he knew his time was not yet over and we needed him more than ever.
I feel incredibly blessed that he is here to see this chapter, inspired by him, come to life. He has even been able to attend my book readings and markets. He will never truly know how much I treasure him or the impact he has made, not only on my life but also on his great-grandchildren and everyone fortunate enough to know him.
He is the “why” behind it all.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The actual story writing is honestly the easy part, and I truly enjoy every minute of it. It’s everything in between that can be challenging!
Initially, there was the waiting on reviews and beta-reading feedback. Next came finding the right illustrator. Mine actually lives in India, so navigating different time zones could be challenging at times. However, she’s incredible, and I truly cannot say enough good things about her talent. We worked closely together and seemed to understand one another’s vision more and more with each illustration and every page.
Then came formatting, which was probably one of my biggest hurdles. I’m a perfectionist, and I want what I’m putting out into the world to be everything I’ve dreamed of, not something that falls short of that vision. It’s the Enneagram 3 in me! I spent several days and nights in tears toward the end of the self-publishing process, thinking, I’ve come so far, I’m so close, and I just cannot figure this out!
But that’s where trial and error, patience, and finding experienced, honest people in the publishing and editing world made all the difference. I learned so much along the way, and eventually, everything came full circle.
Was it a perfectly smooth process? Absolutely not. Would I do it all over again? Without a doubt!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I’m a social media and marketing coordinator, a role I’ve been in for just over four years now. It honestly fell into my lap after I decided to stay home to raise my firstborn in 2022, and I couldn’t be more grateful that it did. It’s become an incredible creative outlet for me while allowing me to stay connected to the business and orthodontic world, which is another passion of mine!
Now, that experience goes hand in hand with being a self-published children’s book author. I handle all of my own book marketing, from social media content and promotions to connecting with local businesses, creators, and readers.
I’m always looking for opportunities to connect with other local creators, learn more about the ever-changing world of social media and marketing, and bring fresh ideas back to both my orthodontic office and my personal projects. I think having a foot in both worlds gives me a unique perspective and allows me to approach my books with both a creative and business-minded mindset.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve been able to take something I genuinely love and turn it into something of my own, all while balancing motherhood, my career, and the creative projects that bring me so much joy. I love learning, creating, and finding new ways to connect with people, and I think that willingness to wear so many different hats is what sets me apart.
How do you think about luck?
I would say I’ve been incredibly lucky in the people I’ve had surrounding me. Having such a wonderful, supportive community of family, friends, and local businesses who genuinely believe in my story and support my dream has been one of the greatest blessings throughout this journey.
Sometimes, the right people come along at just the right time, whether it’s someone willing to offer advice, share their experience, help spread the word, or simply encourage you when you need it most. I’ve been fortunate to connect with people who have made this journey feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more rewarding.
I also think a little bit of what we call luck comes from being willing to put yourself out there, take chances, and say yes to opportunities you might not have otherwise considered. I certainly didn’t set out with a business plan to become a children’s book author, but here I am!
If anything, this experience has taught me not to underestimate the power of community and the people who believe in you, sometimes even before you fully believe in yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @MoCammarata
- Other: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1945386306/sleep-tight-little-turtle-a-childrens-book?ref=project_email_share
