At the Intersection of Publishing, Parenting, & Schools—Here’s What I’ve Learned

For authors, educators, publishers & literacy advocates who care about getting the right books into the right hands.

For years, I’ve been moving between worlds—publishing, schools, and family engagement.

I’ve planned school-wide programs as 1st VP of Programs for my local elementary school’s PTA. I’ve worked directly with librarians and community leaders to bring books, authors, and storytellers into schools. I’ve led community read-alouds (what I call ‘shared reading experiences’).

I’ve been a bookseller. I’ve worked directly with parents to build books lists. Partnered with local bookstores. Connected with publishers and editors to understand what they look for when acquiring books. I’ve provided reviews and insights to traditional publishers—and across the industry as a whole.

And soon, I’ll be stepping into a district-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion role—where my main goal will be to help shape which books and stories reach our kids.

For the past four years, I’ve also hosted Reading To Connect, where I sit down with authors, educators, and read-aloud advocates to talk about books—not just as products, but as lifelines. As doorways. As something that can hold a child in a world that rarely does.

And through all of this, I’ve realized something:

💡 I don’t want to just help authors market their books—I want to help them place them. Into homes. Into schools. Into the hands of families who have been waiting for them.

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For Those Who’ve Been Following: Reading To Connect Is Here To Stay

This has always been about families, connection, and giving parents the tools to make reading powerful.

That’s not changing. If anything, it’s growing.

For a while, I thought the way to bridge the gaps I saw was through offering services.

I tried helping authors with websites, branding, marketing, and audience growth. It was successful. But it pulled me too far away from what mattered most.

Because what I’ve always cared about is getting more books into more hands.

I’ve been inside classrooms. I’ve led community read-alouds. I’ve seen what captivates kids. I’ve seen that parents WANT to read with their kids, that they KNOW how important it is—but they were never taught HOW.

That’s the real gap. That’s what I’m here to solve.

So, I’ve restructured. And that shift led me here.

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Introducing The Book Bind—A Space Where Publishing, Schools & Family Engagement Meet

Because there are conversations that need to happen:

🔹 What schools and PTAs actually look for when booking authors
🔹 How parents really choose books & the types of conversations they’re having
🔹 Why some books make it into classrooms while others don’t—and how to change that

And I’ve built something to help.

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The ENGAGE Method™ & Engaged Shared Reading™ (ESR)

I created The ENGAGE Method™—a first-of-its-kind framework designed to help families turn reading into a powerful tool for deeper connection.

It powers Engaged Shared Reading™ (ESR), the movement I’m pioneering that looks at reading as more than a tool for literacy—but as a way to transform family engagement, shaping and empowering generations to come.

ESR™ shifts the focus from simply “getting through the book” to making every reading experience an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, discovery, and bonding—whether at home, in schools, or in professional spaces.

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This Isn’t Just About Selling Books

It’s about shaping which stories get told, who gets to tell them, who gets to see themselves inside them, and how we experience them.

More to come.

The Book Bind is a separate newsletter—created for authors, educators, and industry professionals.

Reading To Connect is still here, still growing, and still focused on families. Nothing is changing—this is an expansion, not a replacement.

If you’re a parent, keep reading with me as always.
If you’re an author, educator, or industry leader, The Book Bind is for you.

If this resonates, share it. Let’s make this movement bigger.

All my best,
Quinn 📚💕

P.S. There’s so much happening right now—so much I want to share, but I want to do it in a way that respects your space. If you want to dive deeper, explore everything happening inside the world of Reading To Connect and beyond, please peruse the Substack or visit the website.