Story Monsters Interview Published on: 03, Nov 2025

Linda F. Radke: September 14, 2025, marks my 40th anniversary in publishing and marketing—a milestone that began as a leap of faith and grew into a lifelong passion for helping authors bring their stories to life.

My journey began long before Story Monsters LLC. For more than five years, I owned and operated a successful household employment agency called Domestic Consultants, where I helped families find qualified nannies, housekeepers, and senior care providers. Drawing from that experience, I created a Domestic Screening Kit—a practical guide to help families hire trustworthy household help—and authored my first book, Nannies, Maids, and More: The Complete Guide for Hiring Household Help (or If the Dog Likes You, You’re Hired!)

My passion for writing and resource-building grew as I went on to publish The Options Directory of Child and Senior Care Services, a comprehensive guide designed to help corporations and families connect with reliable childcare, senior care, housekeeping, and related resources. Some of Arizona’s largest corporations utilized the directory for their employees—including the Mayo Clinic, which was just opening its doors in North Scottsdale at the time. The Mayo Clinic ordered approximately 70 directories and even invited me for a personal tour during its earliest stages of development—an experience I’ll never forget.

However, while publishing these early works in the 1980s, I quickly discovered how difficult it was to find anyone who could effectively market my books. Determined to learn, I dove headfirst into the world of publishing—learning by trial and error how to market, promote, and distribute books myself.

It wasn’t long before I realized that many other authors were facing the same challenges. My husband once remarked, “You really enjoy publishing and marketing books—if you could sell your agency, would you pursue publishing full-time?” I did—and the rest is history.

In 1985, I launched Five Star Publications, Inc., which would later evolve into Story Monsters LLC, a company dedicated to producing, marketing, and celebrating books that inspire readers of all ages.

Before entering the publishing world, I was a special education teacher for grades K–12 and an instructor at Arizona State University, where I worked on a federally funded project at a local high school to help mainstream special education students into general education classrooms. That experience gave me a lifelong appreciation for inclusive learning and the power of storytelling as an educational bridge.

By the late 1980s, I had become one of the early pioneers in the self-publishing industry—part of a small group of innovators who helped legitimize independent publishing long before it became mainstream.

Story Monsters LLC was born out of that same passion. Forty years later, our mission remains unchanged: to support authors, inspire young readers, and celebrate literacy in all its forms.

Linda F. Radke: The changes have been nothing short of extraordinary. When I first started, the tools and technology we have today didn’t exist. Everything from typesetting to marketing was done manually, and distribution was often limited to a small regional reach.

But one of the biggest shifts has been in how the industry views self-publishing. In the early 1980s, if it was known that you had self-published your book, there was a very strong chance that members of the media and book buyers wouldn’t give you the time of day. So, how did I hide behind those self-published doors? I did it with quality.

I didn’t want anyone to wonder whether a book was produced by a traditional publisher or a self-publisher. I wanted them to be impressed—by the cover, the title, the layout, and the writing—so that the question of who published it never even crossed their minds. Quality became my quiet equalizer, and that commitment remains at the heart of everything we do at Story Monsters LLC today.

I’ll never forget when my book Nannies, Maids, and More: The Complete Guide for Hiring Household Help was featured in the Scottsdale Daily Progress. During the interview, the reporter confided that she would never, ever interview or review a book that was self-published. I remember simply remaining quiet. It was one of those moments when I let the work speak for itself—and it did.

As the years went on, I wanted to help other authors navigate the same challenges I once faced. That’s what inspired me to write The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing and later Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show. Both books became tools for teaching authors how to publish professionally and market creatively, no matter their budget.

I think it’s my refusal to accept “good enough.” I’ve always believed that creativity and professionalism can coexist—that you can dream big and still do things the right way. What sets Story Monsters apart is our ability to think outside the box while maintaining the highest standards of quality. Whether we’re turning a book into a puppet show, a musical, an audiobook, or even a short film, we’re constantly exploring new ways to engage audiences. We’re not afraid to try something that’s never been done before if it helps an author’s story reach more readers.

The industry has changed in almost every way imaginable—from how books are printed to how they’re discovered. When I started, traditional publishing was the only path, and marketing was mostly done through bookstores and libraries. Today, authors can publish independently, connect directly with readers online, and reach global audiences instantly. At Story Monsters, we’ve embraced these changes by expanding into digital marketing, audiobooks, film, and education. But what hasn’t changed is our focus on storytelling and integrity. Technology may evolve, but heart-driven publishing never goes out of style.

The story of Story Monsters actually began long before the name existed—back in my Five Star Publications days when I was deeply involved in publishing children’s books. One of those books, Alfie’s Bark Mitzvah (2007), written by Shari Cohen with songs by Cantor Marcelo Gindlin, became the unexpected spark that inspired what would one day become Story Monsters.

At the time, we learned that Alfie’s Bark Mitzvah would be reviewed by the legendary Lamb Chop—the beloved puppet created by the late Shari Lewis—and her daughter Mallory Lewis. That connection planted an idea: if Lamb Chop is a puppet, Alfie should have one too! So we created an Alfie performance puppet, complete with a costume, to help children connect with the story in a fun and memorable way. My youngest son, Daniel, who was 12 years old at the time, stepped into the Alfie costume and helped bring the character to life at events. Watching children light up as Alfie “walked off the page” was a moment of magic—one that showed me just how powerful it could be to merge books, puppetry, and imagination.

That single spark gave birth to a creative chain reaction. After Alfie came more puppets—each one representing a different story I published. But soon I found myself longing for something universal—a character that could belong to everystory, every author, and every reader. I envisioned a puppet who could guide children into the joy of reading, no matter what the story was. That vision became the Story Monster—the first puppet we created before there was even a book.

To bring the character to life visually, I turned to the extraordinarily gifted illustrator and designer Jeff Yesh. Jeff has a rare ability to take what lives in my imagination and translate it into something you can see and feel. Together, we developed the original Story Monster character and logo—a figure that represented creativity, curiosity, and kindness.

Alfie’s Bark Mitzvah also became a landmark moment because of its heartfelt endorsements. We were blessed to receive words of praise from Betty White (G-d rest her soul), Lamb Chop and Mallory Lewis, and Jon Provost, best known as Timmy from Lassie. Their warmth and enthusiasm reinforced my belief that stories and compassion are timeless, and that the bonds they create can span generations.

Over time, the Story Monster evolved—first as a puppet, then as a mascot, and eventually as a full-fledged brand. That evolution led to the creation of our international award-winning magazine, Story Monsters Ink®. The name was a natural fit—a playful blend of storytelling and creativity “in ink.”

Author Conrad J. Storad, who later wrote several Story Monster books, once described the character as a shapeshifter—a being who transforms from one puppet to the next, one story to another, helping each child find the story that speaks to them most. That description couldn’t be more fitting.

The Story Monster represents not just a character, but a spirit of imagination and community—a reminder that stories can take flight in infinite forms, and that kindness, like creativity, always finds a home.

My vision for Story Monsters Ink® was to create a publication that celebrates books, authors, and literacy from every angle—something that teachers, parents, librarians, and young readers alike could turn to for inspiration. I wanted it to feel welcoming and inclusive, like a community where stories live and breathe. From the beginning, we’ve featured some of the most respected names in publishing alongside emerging voices and even young reviewers. The goal was—and still is—to remind everyone that behind every great book is a story worth sharing.

That motto has guided me since day one. Publishing isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about doing justice to someone’s dream. When authors trust me with their work, I take that responsibility to heart. I tell my team often: if something doesn’t feel right, if it doesn’t meet our standard of excellence, we go back and make it right. Quality builds credibility, and credibility builds careers.

The most common mistake is thinking the job is done once the book is published. In reality, that’s when the real work begins. Another mistake is trying to reach everyone instead of identifying the right audience. Authors sometimes underestimate the power of consistent messaging and relationships—building genuine connections with readers, educators, and reviewers. The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing—it feels like storytelling with a purpose.

It’s about respect. I respect an author’s vision, but I also want them to understand the reality of the marketplace. My job is to help them find harmony between art and strategy—to protect their creative voice while giving their book the best possible chance for success. That means being honest, offering guidance rooted in experience, and reminding them that creativity and commerce can work hand in hand.

Independent publishers are the heartbeat of innovation. We take risks that larger houses often won’t, giving voice to authors and stories that might otherwise go unheard. We’re agile, responsive, and deeply personal in our approach. I think the future of publishing depends on collaboration—between traditional, hybrid, and independent models. When we all focus on nurturing quality stories, the entire industry thrives.

There are so many, but what touches me most are the stories behind the stories—the children’s authors who found the courage to publish after years of hesitation, the young writers who see their names in print for the first time, or the educators whose classroom ideas became beloved books. Each success reminds me why I do what I do. It’s never just about selling books—it’s about changing lives through storytelling.

Take it one step at a time and surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Publishing can feel overwhelming, but with guidance and patience, it becomes manageable—and even joyful. Don’t rush the process. A well-prepared book stands the test of time. And most importantly, never lose sight of why you wrote your story in the first place.

When you think about writing a book, publishing a book that is the best time to start thinking about marketing, your audience, your marketplace, and how to discover. What do they read? What are they writing? Follow them and you will gain ideas, and you just might be able to connect with them and ask them to review your book possibly riding an endorsement maybe even an introduction or forward.

Surround yourself with an excellent team. I do and there is no other way to do it.

It’s absolutely essential. Understanding your audience helps shape everything—from how you write to how you market. When authors know who they’re writing for, their message becomes clearer and their outreach more effective. It’s the difference between shouting into a crowd and having a heartfelt conversation with someone who truly wants to listen.

We’re seeing a powerful movement toward inclusivity and authenticity—stories that reflect the real experiences of children from all backgrounds. There’s also an increased focus on mental health, kindness, and emotional learning, which I love. On the production side, there’s more integration between books, music, film, and digital content—something we’ve embraced fully at Story Monsters through our Studio Story Monster® projects. It’s an exciting time where storytelling extends beyond the page and into every creative medium.