A little over five years ago (in 2016), I happened to be listening to a Ted Talk© about a young Maasai boy, Richard Turere, from Kenya. He was on a huge stage in front of hundreds of adults explaining about his invention that made peace with the lions. I could not erase his six-minute presentation from my mind or heart. Right away I knew others, especially children, needed to hear about how this young Maasai child solved a huge lion problem when no one else could. But doubts filled my head. I had never written a biography before. Do I try to write Richard’s story first, then try to contact him? Would he give me his permission? Would he like what I had written? Was it accurate?
My background as a teacher, and my desire to inspire others, motivated me to try and share his story with others. The next several months, I studied other authors’ biographies, researched all I could about Richard, his invention, and his Maasai culture. Finally, all that was in my heart spilled out onto enough drafts tall enough to stack beside Mt. Kilimanjaro. I also wanted the book to be easy to read so young children could read it themselves even though it was a picture book.
Then it became time to find out if I could contact this young Maasai teenager somewhere in Africa.
I knew from the video that Dr. Kahumbu from WildlifeDirect was Richard’s mentor. She had made it possible for him to receive a scholarship to Brookhouse International School. So, I emailed her office hoping someone could help me contact Richard. I thought if someone got back to me, it would be too good to be true. But they did several weeks later. I sent my manuscript draft to Dr. Kahumbu, and she in turn sent it on to Richard, who was now a junior in high school. My heart leapt when both she and Richard read it and liked it. They even helped correct my mistakes. “There are no elephants in Nairobi National Park!”
Once I knew I had Richard’s permission, I researched even more for back matter knowing it might help to find an agent or editor. However, always hanging overhead were those doubts that something would go wrong.
For two years I submitted his story to multiple editors and agents hoping someone would be as touched as I was with Richard’s story, and the importance of it reaching children everywhere. But after almost one hundred rejections I was beginning to think I was wrong.
Then one day an email came from Tristram Coburn, an editor at Tilbury House Publishers. He had three questions. “Did Richard know I wrote it?” The answer – YES! “Are all the quotes Richard’s?” YES! “Had he published his own book on this?” NO! Days later, I received another email telling me the publishing house was interested in pursuing this project with Richard as the co-author. I was so thrilled, as was Richard, who was grateful for my persistence. We both said YES! He deserved this recognition and he would lend credibility to the book. I was also so excited that Tris shared my same vision.
For now, I have no doubt Richard’s story will inspire and encourage young readers to see that they can can do amazing things too…
I am honored to share Richard’s story in LION LIGHTS.