A heartfelt reflection on why a children's book author writes stories of comfort and courage, drawing from personal experiences with anxiety and mental health to create books that help young readers feel less alone.
Her Story
About Julia
Julia Kintner is a self-published children’s book author and writer based in Trenton, New Jersey, known for creating cozy, heartfelt stories that explore courage, comfort, big emotions, and the small magical moments that help children feel safe and understood. She published her first children’s book, The Night We Felt Brave, in late May and has since published a second book, The Day the Butterflies Landed, while currently working on a third title. Her storytelling is inspired by her own experiences with bipolar disorder and anxiety, allowing her to create compassionate stories that support children facing fears, worries, and emotional challenges. Before becoming an author, Julia worked as an administrative assistant while continuing to write poetry and creative pieces. Her passion for storytelling eventually led her to self-publishing children’s books focused on helping “little hearts” feel seen, soothed, and brave. Through relatable characters, gentle themes, and inspiration from everyday moments—including her beloved dogs Chicky and Gigi—Julia creates stories designed to bring comfort and connection to young readers and their families. Julia’s work has received recognition through the Golden Wizard Award in the UK for her second book, The Day the Butterflies Landed. She holds a high school diploma and a certification in medical billing and coding. Beyond writing, she enjoys poetry, vintage storytelling, quiet magical moments, and spending time with her husband and pups. Her mission as an author is to encourage children to embrace their emotions, find courage during difficult moments, and feel supported through the power of storytelling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Julia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible support system I have around me. My husband has been a constant source of encouragement and strength, supporting me through my journey and always pushing me to keep moving forward. My mom continues to inspire me by encouraging me to pursue new opportunities, and I am grateful for the people in my life who consistently believe in me and cheer me on.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from my public speaking teacher, Mrs. Linda Hahn. She encouraged me to pursue my passion for writing children’s books, provided thoughtful and constructive feedback, and continuously motivated me to share my work with others. Her belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to take the next step.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you are passionate about something, don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin. Take action, create, and trust yourself. You never know what you are capable of building until you give yourself the opportunity to try.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In self-publishing, one of the biggest challenges is marketing and reaching new audiences. I have learned the importance of building genuine connections through social media, community engagement, and word-of-mouth support from families, educators, and readers who connect with my work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value in my work is making a meaningful impact. My goal is to help even one child feel seen, understood, and safe through my books. For me, success is not measured by financial outcomes, but by creating stories that remind children that experiencing difficult emotions does not make them weak or alone.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Julia
If One Child Feels Less Alone
Writing stories that comfort children and help them feel less alone in their fears and worries.
Why I Write Children's Books
People often ask me why I write children's books.
The truth is, I think I write them for the little girl I used to be.
As a child, I had a big imagination, but I also carried a lot of worries. I worried about the dark, about being sick, about losing people I loved, and sometimes I worried simply because my mind would not slow down. I remember wishing there were stories that felt like a hug-stories that said, "It's okay to be scared. It's okay to have big feelings. You are not strange, and you are not alone."
As an adult, I now understand many of those feelings. I live with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, anxiety, and agoraphobia. Some days are easier than others, but writing has become a way for me to give those feelings a voice.
I never dreamed of bestseller lists or becoming famous. I simply wanted to create books that comfort children and families who may be navigating worries of their own.
The Night We Felt Brave and The Day the Butterflies Landed were written with that goal in mind. I wanted children to see themselves in the pages and know that courage is not the absence of fear. Sometimes courage simply means feeling afraid and continuing anyway.
Of course, I haven't done it alone. My two dogs, Chicky and Gigi, have been by my side through every draft, anxious moment, and celebration. They have become faithful companions not only in my life but within my stories as well.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple.
If one child closes one of my books feeling a little safer, a little braver, or a little less alone than they did before opening it, then I have done exactly what I hoped to do.
And honestly, I think little Julia would be proud of that.
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