“The key thing that keeps us going is that we believe we’re not only creating something that people want but something that the world needs.“
– Tracey Hecht, Author and Entrepreneur, Nocturnals World
Like many published authors, Tracey Hecht acted on her desire to write and create something meaningful. But Tracey took this mission a level further with her adventure book series, The Nocturnals, children’s literature that helps kids stand up and deal with bullying properly. How exactly did she begin this creative mission? What does it take to strive in a field you are passionate about?
Her Creative Beginnings
Tracey began her creative journey at an unlikely age of 40. She took a year off to decide her next big move. She wanted to continue writing stories, having spent most of her career writing adult dramas. “I knew I wanted to write and create, but I love the business side of content too. I also believe strongly in the value of children’s literature as both a form of entertainment and a cognitive tool for children’s development,” she says.
Tracey decided to sell her business and then venture into a new one. Thus she put together her love for children’s literature, its entertainment value, and its relevance to children’s cognitive development. The result? Fabled Films/Fabled Films Press, a company primarily known for publishing children’s literature but also open to other forms of storytelling.
Many discouraged her from starting anew and venturing into publishing. “When I first decided to start a publishing company, I shared the decision with my family and peers, and many of them gave me what’s considered to be the standard, typical response: Don’t do it! It’s a terrible idea,” she describes. “However, I thought to myself: I have to do this. I can’t go about life doing anything else!”
She knew that like any business venture, there would be many challenges ahead. But Tracey and her team embraced the challenges and pushed forward to produce work that her readers would love.
Reaching Out to the Next Generation
The Nocturnals was Fabled Film’s first brand, which Tracey wrote herself and Kate Liebman illustrated. The story involves animal characters set in realistic scenarios. Children can easily relate, while the use of animals takes hold of their imagination. At the same time, they are exposed to a meaningful story that teaches a valuable lesson on positive relationships, especially friendships.
Tracey’s new business and books prove that taking on a mission you love is worth striving for. Tracey tells other entrepreneurs that they shouldn’t quit easily. “Humans are amazing creatures, and we can pull off amazing things,” she says. “It’s not always simple, and it’s rarely obvious, but you can figure it out. Put your head down and figure it out.”
