Imaginary Friends | How I Created "The Squad: Rising"

Visit rachelkeithbooks.com to find my Christian middle-grade animal fantasy series, "The Squad: Rising," releasing June 16, 2025! Check out Chapter 1 here: dl.bookfunnel.... Support the production of the book series here: gofund.me/5db6... Thank y'all for checking out my series! :D
(This video was made a while ago---my apologies for referring to the series simply as "The Squad," not as its full title "The Squad: Rising")
Imaginary friends! My guess is we've all had them in one form or another. For me, a diehard Chronicles of Narnia fan since a young age (not to mention having grown up on all the good PBS Kids shows like "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Martha Speaks," etc.), my imaginary friends came in the form of talking animals who lived in a small kingdom I visited usually in my dreams. And I wrote about them... a LOT. From this, a love of writing was born....
Also y'all, DON'T think that my life has sucked because I'm a homeschooled only child! On the contrary, my life would look totally different if it were anything else, and I am extremely grateful to be a homeschooler and an only child!!!
SERIES DESCRIPTION: Peacekeeping is a privilege… and a punishment. The world of Neftar, inhabited by animal people, brims with advanced technology, fantastical beasts… and plenty of hardships. Freedom once reigned supreme-now, selfish evils seek to tear freedom down. Tina the wolf and her squad of powerful siblings have become peacekeepers and freedom fighters for their people. But Tina herself harbors a dangerous secret. In the midst of freeing her kin, can she free herself from the bonds of her secret?
I write fantasy/sci-fi middle grade novellas with Christian values and often incorporate anti-slavery themes. Kindled with passion for children, my ultimate goal is to show them the hope and promises of our Lord Jesus Christ, whether they have big dreams hindered by insecurities or simply long for new friends on the page. My flagship series, The Squad: Rising, is meant to deliver just that, portraying young heroes from a dark background who learn to rise beyond their past, form their own family, and help their world, because they’re the only ones who can.
Lots of warm hugs (or a friendly wave if you're not a hugger),
Rachel
WHERE ARE COMMENTS? Because this video is kid-friendly, comments are turned off.