In episode 160, I sit down with Marine Corps captain and children’s book author, Riley Tejcek, to dive into what it really takes for a veteran to step into the world of publishing. Riley shares her journey from serving as an officer and competing for Team USA as a bobsled pilot, to becoming a children’s book author with You Can Dream It, Be It!” published by End Game Press.
We dig into how her military experiences — discipline, attention to detail, and resilience — helped her endure the publishing process but also how the military mindset of over-planning almost became an obstacle to finishing the manuscript.
Veterans often believe every plan must be airtight before executing, but as Riley explains, creativity rewards bias toward action. If you wait too long to perfect the idea, the impact never reaches the audience.
What struck me most in this conversation is how Riley’s experience as a Marine officer taught her to lead, focus, and push forward with confidence and how those same traits can easily turn into perfectionism and overthinking when applied to the creative process. We talk about the balance between truth and storytelling, why stepping into the unfamiliar world of children’s literature matters for veterans, and how writing offers not just another career outlet but also a way to bridge the military-civilian divide. If you’re a veteran who’s ever thought about writing, creating, or publishing, this episode is fuel. You’ll leave hearing Riley’s advice loud and clear: stop planning, start writing, and trust the process.
In this episode:
•My daughter meets Riley and shares her favorite part of the book
•Riley’s background as a Marine Corps Captain, Team USA bobsledder, and Division I softball player leading into children’s book authorship
•The motivation to write a children’s book so kids, especially girls, can see female military role models early in life
•How much of the book is autobiographical and rooted in her real family and mentors
•The military mindset of over-planning versus the creative necessity of acting and writing before things are “perfect”
•Lessons from the publishing process: seeking advice, facing rejection, and choosing a publisher over self-publishing
•Challenges of collaboration with editors and learning to truly write for children
•The impact the book has on both children and their parents, showing how parents serve as everyday role models
•Future creative plans, including another children’s book focused on deployment and global service
Episode Sponsors:
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Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/riley.tejcek/
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