AGAWAM After serving as an English teacher for 22 years, 18 of which were at Agawam High School, Kelly Hawkins decided it was time to carry out her dream of becoming an author.

In 2020, after the pandemic hit, Hawkins took a leave of absence as she was the sole caretaker for her parents. In the meantime, she began exploring other avenues, including some freelance work at the Hark Journal. Hark Journal, as described by Hawkins is, a free daily email subscription that provides ghost written posts using William Shakespeare.

This was right up my alley, said Hawkins.

In Dec. 2020, she received an opportunity to begin her first book called 50 Things to Know about Being a High School English Teacher A Guide from a Teacher. Hawkins designed this book to draw on her years of experience in the classroom, offering advice and suggestions on how to successfully manage the myriad roles educators are expected to play, and navigating the ups and downs of teaching.

Hawkins told Reminder Publishing that she had to have the book completed within a month. A major perk was that the book wasnt incredibly lengthy. In Jan. 2021, the book was published on paperback, hard cover, and Kindle.

Shortly after publication, the book earned #1 New Release in its category. Hawkins said, although this number one spot is constantly changing, seeing the banner was amazing.

Currently, the book has 29 five-star ratings on Amazon.

Hawkins completed an audiobook as well, which led to her narration. This version is now available on Audible.

Some of my biggest challenges have been the narration and setting up a website. Technology is not my strength, she emphasized.

Through watching videos and reading countless articles, Hawkins was able to teach herself all there was to know about this. She received some assistance from one of her former students a voice over artist along with help from a former colleague.

Ive learned that with time and interest, I can do it, she said.

Piling on to her successes, Hawkins released her second book, 50 Things to Know about Being Childfree by Choice, on May 25. The purpose of this story is to share Hawkins reasons, along with the other women she interviewed, for deciding not to have children.

Hawkins said, I hope it will serve as a resource for fellow childfree women to show them they are not alone. She wants to promote an understanding and acceptance of this non-traditional choice, while incorporating her own humor within. Hawkins hopes to encourage her readers to see this from a different perspective parenthood is not the desired path for everyone.

Nowadays, Hawkins believes this choice doesnt seem to be completely accepted, even though its much more common. My husband and I are very happy for making this choice, she stated.

When looking to write her second book, Hawkins posted on her Facebook page that she was in search of other women who have made the same childfree choice.

She said, Childfree isnt something you ask, but I got feedback and a lot of former students came forward. Hawkins also belongs to some childfree groups on Facebook, which raised the book's ratings after its release.

Currently, Hawkins is working on her second Audible and hopes to have it completed by the end of summer. The second book is in paperback and on Kindle.

Aside from the excitement of being a twice published author within a few short months, additional opportunities have presented themselves.

Through another one of Hawkins former students, she landed a speaking engagement at Bay Path University. As a former alumni of Bay Path herself, Hawkins was invited to be guest speaker in April. She spoke with students who were pursuing a degree in teaching, and shared with them five of the 50 things within her book that all teachers should know.

Hawkins currently lives in Feeding Hills and has resigned from Agawam High School. She said, I did enjoy my years there, but its nice to step away. However, she still tutors on the side.

Hawkins has many goals for the future. I would like to write another 50 things to know a trilogy, she said. In addition, she would like to write fiction, mystery, crime/thriller, and of course, the biggest goal: a novel.

She said, I have received incredible support from people- my family and friends, and its amazing to me to see former students reaching out in support Its been a wild ride I hope it continues.

Hawkins books can be found on Amazon and Goodreads. The audio is separate, and can be found on Audible and the companies connected.

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Agawam High School teacher realizes dream of publishing books - Reminder Publications