A Legacy of Literacy For Dr. Rachel Ivory, the journey to becoming an author did not start with a lifelong ambition to write; it started with the realization of the legacy she wanted to leave for her grandchildren. Growing up, her own grandmother was “relentless” about education, requiring every grandchild to check out a library book during their summer vacations. That early exposure fostered a deep-seated love for reading that Dr. Rachel now shares with her granddaughter through long-distance reading sessions. This foundation of literacy eventually transformed into a professional calling: providing children with the tools to imagine their own futures.

Expanding the Career Horizon The core of Dr. Rachel’s work is her children’s book series, “I Want To Be.” Inspired by the traditional “career days” of her youth—which often featured only a narrow slice of professions like doctors or postal workers—Dr. Rachel wanted to introduce children to the vast array of possibilities available today. Her series currently includes 22 books covering diverse fields such as welding, environmentalism, accounting, and firefighting.

The goal is to help children connect their natural interests with real-world opportunities. For example, when she noticed her grandson had a penchant for taking things apart, she encouraged his parents to see it not as a nuisance, but as an “engineer’s mindset.” Her books are designed to mirror this encouragement, helping children “see it, believe it, and become it.”

The Transition to Author-Entrepreneur With a career spanning nearly 38 years in public service, including leadership training and workforce development, Dr. Rachel was well-equipped for the “business” side of writing. When she realized she wanted more creative control over her series, she utilized her doctorate-level research skills to launch her own imprint, Ivory Publishing LLC. She believes that many women already possess the “God-given skills” necessary to publish, though they often allow self-doubt to hold them back from taking the first step.

Conquering the Marketing Mountain Even with her extensive professional background, Dr. Rachel admits she faced significant self-doubt when it came to the marketing aspect of publishing. “I am not a salesperson,” she notes, describing marketing as her biggest hurdle. However, true to her nature as an extrovert and a researcher, she sought out a “cheer squad” and professional network.

Through a networking group called Alignable, she met a marketing professional who complemented her strengths perfectly. By acknowledging her own limitations and finding a partner to be the “man behind the mirror,” she was able to move the needle on her business. This collaborative spirit is something she encourages all female authors to embrace.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Authors Dr. Rachel’s advice for women “on the fence” about their writing career is simple: recognize your own skills and find your support system. She credits her husband as her biggest cheerleader but emphasizes that community support—like the Women in Publishing Summit—is equally vital. “We have to reach out sometimes when, you know, we’re feeling a little low,” she explains. By building a “cheer squad” and moving past the initial fear, every woman has the potential to share her story and build her own legacy.