As Michelle Obama put it: life begins at thirty. It is the perfect age to take risks, set new goals and chase after your passions… and I plan on doing just that. I was a little apprehensive about sharing with everyone on the internet that I am in fact turning 30 today – and I was also asked a thought provoking question in the lead up to this blog post and website launching. “If you don’t look 30, why are you so quick to tell everyone you are?” I sat and wondered for a little while until I realised I already knew why, it was the very reason for wanting to do so in the first place. Seeing in this new chapter in my life is cause for celebration. There are certain moments in life that make you stop, take a deep breath and think about where you have been and where you’re going. For me, the lead up to 30 was one of those moments. Rather than seeing it as the end of my twenties, I chose to see it as the beginning of a brand-new chapter: one filled with creativity, adventure and the courage to follow a dream that had been quietly growing in my heart for many years. With that in mind I would like to take this opportunity to share with everyone reading, on this milestone birthday, that I have written a children’s book and it is due to be published in Spring 2024! This has been a work in progress for almost one year and it finally feels as though it is coming to fruition. Behind the scenes myself and Ricky, my fantastic partner and illustrator, have been hard at work to ensure this book is the best possible version it can be and the final draft has now been submitted to the publishers for them to put the finishing touches on it before you are able to call it your own.
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The Story Behind Noel Smith Stories
Welcome to Noel Smith Stories. Whether you’ve discovered my books or simply stumbled across this little corner of the internet, I’m so happy you are here.
I’ve always believed that stories have a special kind of magic. The right story can spark a child’s imagination or help them understand their own feelings emotions. It can make them laugh until their tummy hurts or even become a treasured bedtime memory shared with those closest to them. Those moments are what inspire me every single day.
Alongside writing, I work with young children in education as a Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant. Every day I see first-hand how powerful books can be. I’ve watched children discover a love of reading, grow in confidence and become completely absorbed in imaginary worlds – all because someone took the time to tell a great story.
It’s those everyday moments that remind me why children’s books matter. They are about so much more than words on a page. They are about curiosity, kindness, resilience, laughter, learning and making memories that last a lifetime.
Becoming an Author
Please believe me when I tell you that becoming an author was not on my radar. It was honestly something I never thought was possible, let alone something that happened as organically as it has for me. It began with ideas and tiny thoughts scribbled in notebooks. Characters who refused to leave my imagination and dreams that slowly became stories. Eventually those stories became something real and having The Adventures of Mr Bumble get approved for production from a publishing house was a milestone moment I will never forget.
“30 is when you truly start to come into your own. Embrace your individuality, follow your passions and never settle for anything less than what you deserve.” – Mindy Kaling, 2011.
A New Decade, A Bigger Dream
Turning 30 made me realise something important. Dreams don’t become reality simply because we keep waiting for the “perfect” time, sometimes the perfect time is simply deciding to begin. This new decade is about saying yes to opportunities, embracing creativity, continuing to learn and working hard to build something meaningful. There will undoubtedly be challenges along the way, but there will also be exciting book launches, school visits, writing sessions fuelled by cups of tea, moments of inspiration… and hopefully many stories still waiting to be discovered. I can’t wait to share all of that with you here on the blog.
What You Can Expect
This blog is where I’ll be sharing much more than book news.
You can expect:
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing process.
- Updates on upcoming books and exciting projects.
- Children’s literacy ideas and educational inspiration.
- Classroom and storytelling experiences that shape my writing.
- Book recommendations and reviews.
- Reflections on creativity, publishing and the journey of being an independent children’s author.
- The occasional glimpse into everyday life and the adventures that inspire new stories.
My hope is that this website becomes a place that feels welcoming, encouraging and full of imagination – whether you’re a parent, teacher, fellow author or simply someone who believes in the magic of children’s books.
Thank You
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Starting something new can feel exciting and a little daunting all at once, but knowing that people are choosing to spend a few moments reading my words means more than you might realise. For now you can explore the pages of my website and get to know my little corner of the internet a little better.
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