Today we’d like to introduce you to Blair Northen Williamson.
Hi Blair Northen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve had a vivid imagination for as long as I can remember, but for a big part of my life that creativity was channeled through journaling, photography, and adventure. I spent years as a competitive athlete, and later as a boat captain and scuba diving instructor, which took me all over the world and deepened my love for the ocean and the natural world. When COVID hit and everything slowed down, I finally had the space to channel my creativity into writing, especially stories for kids that celebrate the ocean and inspire care for our planet. What started as a spark during a strange, quiet time turned into five years of hard work, learning, networking, and a lot of persistence. It’s been a wild journey, but also an incredibly fulfilling one, and I feel lucky every day that I get to do this work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha—no, not at all. It’s definitely been full of ups and downs and a lot of hard lessons. Learning the business side of publishing, distribution, marketing, contracts, timelines, has been a whole education in itself. It’s a complex industry, and honestly, I’m still surprised by it on a regular basis. The hardest part has been the waiting. I’m not naturally a very patient person, and publishing requires a lot of patience. But every challenge has taught me something, and it’s made the wins feel that much sweeter.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My favorite part of being an author is, honestly, the author part, the writing and storytelling. These days, being an author is so much more than just creating books. There’s marketing, touring, selling, designing, strategizing, funding, traveling—it’s a lot, and it’s a whole business in itself. But at the heart of it, I specialize in writing stories that empower kids to care about our planet, to celebrate nature, and to notice the beauty in everyday moments, often through the lens of the ocean. I’m most proud of being a mom to my two daughters, but on the professional side of things, I’m most proud of creating books that spark curiosity and compassion for the natural world. I think what sets me apart is my background: living and working all over the world as a captain and dive instructor gave me a unique perspective and a deep, personal connection to the ocean. In many ways, my stories are a voice from the sea, rooted in real experience, adventure, and a genuine love for the ocean.
How do you think about luck?
Great question. I do think luck plays a role, especially in the people you meet and the timing of opportunities, but I also believe you have to be brave enough and confident enough to ask for help. From the outside, it can look like someone is just “lucky” to have connections or a strong network, but that’s only part of the story. I’ve had to be willing to raise my hand, ask questions, and ask for support, and I’m not afraid to do that. That’s moved me forward in a big way. My biggest book deal to date came from a moment where an editor was looking for something very specific, and I happened to have the right project to pitch. She loved it. You could call it a right-place, right-time moment—and it absolutely was. That’s luck. But it was also years of work leading up to being ready for that moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theislandwriter.com
- Instagram: @theislandwriter8
- Twitter: @theislandwriter
