Six Questions with Blair Williamson

Blair Williamson is a Book Excellence Awards Winner and Amazon #1 new release author of Island Girls: Free the Sea of Plastic. A former scuba diving instructor and boat captain, she loves writing stories that make children laugh, spark important conversations, and inspire change to protect our precious ocean. Her two upcoming traditionally published books, Birthday Bash and The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef, launch this fall. She is represented by Karen Kilpatrick at East West Literary Agency. Visit Blair's website to learn more about her and her work. Find her on social media:

Bluesky @theislandwriter

X @islandwriter

Instagram @theislandwriter8

Facebook www.facebook.com/theislandwriter8 

1. What’s the best piece of advice a mentor has given you?

The best advice a mentor gave me is that publishing is a process—and it requires immense patience. It’s easy to get discouraged by rejection or delays, but staying focused on the work itself is what matters most. Every “no” is just part of the journey to the right “yes.” That reminder has helped me stay grounded, persistent, and open to growth along the way.

2. What are you working on? What’s next for you?

I’m working on a very different kind of project—a fictional memoir based on my life as a yachtie. It’s called My Salty Soul and will be published as a new adult novel. Slowing down to write this one has been a wild and rewarding ride. The story is packed with heart, humor, and high-seas adventure, and I see strong potential for commercial success—and maybe even film. Stay tuned!

3. To what extent is your writing inspired by your own experience, or by watching your children’s experiences?

Almost every story I write is inspired by my own life or by watching my children navigate the world. Whether it’s a silly moment that made us laugh, a challenge they faced, or a real adventure from my past, those experiences shape my storytelling. I love turning real-life emotions, questions, and discoveries into stories that feel honest, relatable, and full of heart—for kids and grownups alike.

4. Let's talk about your new projects. Were these always their titles?  

Birthday Bash was originally titled A Bug on a Boat, but after the story was acquired, my editor suggested adding a birthday theme—and the new title was born! I love it. For The Ocean Protectors: Colors of the Coral Reef, the original title was Island Girls 2: Colors of the Coral Reef. My editor recommended rebranding the series to make it more commercial and accessible, so we landed on The Ocean Protectors—a name that captures the heart of the story and the mission behind it.

5. Did one of these books help you connect with your agent?

It was a combination of factors that landed me my agent, Karen Kilpatrick of East West Literary Agency. I had already secured a publishing deal for Birthday Bash on my own, and I queried her with Island Girls 2. Paired with the success of my debut, Island Girls: Free the Sea of Plastic, those two new manuscripts showed my range and potential as a long-term author. So yes—it wasn’t just one book, but the momentum and promise across several projects that opened the door.

6. Did you work closely with the illustrators on these projects?  

For Birthday Bash, I had little to no direct collaboration with the illustrator, while for The Ocean Protectors, I had open communication and creative freedom. The editorial process in both books involved numerous revisions—removing characters, adding themes, and changing names—that helped shape the stories. I’m very happy with how both books turned out. I’m not sure one collaboration style is better; wonderful books come from both approaches. More author-illustrator communication can be helpful, but too many voices might complicate the slow-moving industry. Ultimately, I’m grateful for the unique magic that brought these stories to life.