From Setback to Soaring: The Inspiring Story of Children’s Book Author Julie Whitney

“This tragedy inspired me to write a children’s book series about Astra, a beautiful Gulfstream jet, and her pilot Captain Dan.”
– Julie Whitney

Stories often arise from the depths of personal experience in the literary world and weave moments of hardship into narratives of hope and resilience. Julie Whitney’s journey speaks of this power, as she tackled the challenges of a global pandemic and career upheaval to emerge as the creative force behind the “Astra The Lonely Airplane” series.

With over forty years of experience in public relations and marketing, Julie’s career has been defined by her ability to craft compelling stories and connect with diverse audiences. Yet, it was a profound moment of loss during the COVID-19 pandemic that sparked a new chapter in her life. As her husband’s role as Chief Pilot abruptly ended, Julie found herself grappling with uncertainty and sadness. However, from this place of adversity emerged the spark of inspiration for her debut children’s book series.

“I wrote Astra The Lonely Airplane, a rhyming children’s picture book, after my husband’s job as Chief Pilot of a corporate jet came to a grinding halt during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Julie shares. “This tragedy inspired me to write a children’s book series about Astra, a beautiful Gulfstream jet, and her pilot Captain Dan.”

“Astra The Lonely Airplane”, suitable for children ages 3-10, offers not only a story to read but also an immersive experience through a companion video featuring the real Captain Dan. Following the success of her debut, Julie’s journey continued with the release of “Astra In Hollywood,” the second installment in the series. This enchanting sequel introduces new characters and themes of friendship and diversity, further enriching the Astra universe.

Beyond the pages of her books, Julie’s effort extends into the community through partnerships with organizations like Junior Achievement, where she educates children about aviation and entrepreneurship. Her commitment to fostering learning and creativity is evident in every aspect of her work, from school assemblies to supplemental activities available on her website.

As Julie’s story demonstrates, setbacks can be the catalysts for remarkable transformation. From the depths of uncertainty, she has soared to new heights as she strives to inspire readers of all ages with her uplifting tales of adventure and friendship.

Join us in celebrating Julie’s inspiring journey and the boundless possibilities that arise when we dare to turn adversity into opportunity.

TWB: Julie, can you share with us how the idea for “Astra The Lonely Airplane” first came to you?

JW: I wrote Astra The Lonely Airplane, a rhyming children’s picture book, after my husband’s job as Chief Pilot of a corporate jet came to a grinding halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. I sat in her beautiful interior one last time and openly wept, feeling sick to my stomach wondering what would become of her, and how long she would be in the hangar before being flown again. To top it all off, I turned 60 during the pandemic, and instead of celebrating in Italy, I had to settle for a Zoom pizza party in my backyard. Although I have promoted countless authors during my 30+ year public relations career, I never dreamt that I would become an author. This tragedy inspired me to write a children’s book series about Astra, a beautiful Gulfstream jet, and her pilot Captain Dan. I started writing the book the very night that he lost his job.

Astra The Lonely Airplane, (Brandylane Publishers/Belle Isle Books.), a rhyming picture book, was released on March 2, 2022. The book is appropriate for children ages 3-10 and includes a 3-minute video with an up-close and personal tour of Astra with the real Captain Dan, (my husband), along with a two-page glossary. This book teaches children about overcoming difficult situations and changes that may occur in their young lives, dealing with difficult people, adjusting to change, such as a move to a new city, and having hope. It also teaches them about aviation, along with math and geography.

The second book in the series, entitled Astra In Hollywood, was released on March 4, 2024 during “Read Across America Week.” The sequel picks up where Astra The Lonely Airplane leaves us, as Astra is getting settled into her hangar in Hollywood. She finds herself surrounded by three new friends: Lana, a sleek beautiful Learjet; a giant cargo plane named Hank; and Helen the crime-fighting helicopter! Astra’s three new friends are all quite different from her and are able to do things that she cannot.

When Lana, Hank, and Helen are each faced with unexpected problems, Astra discovers that you don’t need to be the fastest, strongest, or bravest to be important. It’s being a good friend that makes you a star! This book is all about diversity and friendship with people that may be quite different from you and always giving a helping hand.

The manuscript for book three, Astra’s Canine Rescue is already written, as is my concept for a children’s animated streaming series, which includes more than 20 episodes.

My website astrathelonelyairplane.com contains supplemental activity and coloring sheets for parents and teachers. I have partnered with Junior Achievement who brings me into schools throughout Greater Cincinnati where, while wearing my pilot uniform, I educate children in large assemblies with over 600 children about airplanes, flying, careers in aviation, read my Astra books, and show the accompanying video.

Although the books are available everywhere that books are sold in 11 countries, personally signed copies are also available by ordering on my website.

Signed copies of Astra The Lonely Airplane series books by Julie Whitney can be purchased from her website astrathelonelyairplane.com. (Photo credit: Julie Whitney)

TWB: How did the transition from a public relations career to becoming a children’s book author feel for you?

JW: First off, I am definitely not giving up the day job as a public relations professional, and am still very active with that business. I consider being a children’s author my second, unexpected “bonus” job!

I have promoted dozens of authors throughout my PR career; therefore, the publicity aspect came naturally to me, and I procured numerous television interviews and even had a local TV station show up to one of my book signings, which was quite a pleasant surprise!

In fact, I am actually using my existing skillset that I have used throughout my 40-year career in PR and also working as on-camera talent, which helped me tremendously with my author career. I am poised and confident on camera, during live interviews, adept at pitching my story to reporters and book reviewers, convincing when selling the book to retailers, and confident and animated when reading the book to hundreds of children on a stage in a school auditorium while using a microphone and flipping through a Powerpoint presentation.

However, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to find a publisher willing to work with a first-time author. I got dozens of rejection letters but kept on persisting. The thick skin that I developed from years of pitching and being shot down by reporters helped with that too.

After two months of rejection, I signed the contract with Brandylane Publishers/Belle Isle Books. on August 19, 2020, which is National Aviation Day, and also the same day that my husband found a new job! The stars were clearly aligned for both of us.

I didn’t realize how much work publishing a children’s picture book is. There are endless rounds of edits to the manuscript with your project manager who makes very helpful suggestions. And because my book rhymes, I had to make the necessary edits while keeping the rhyming “spot on,” which is particularly challenging. As the plot changed, I had to develop clever, rhyming verse to go along with it. Then you have to find the perfect illustrator who can capture the essence of your characters precisely as you have envisioned them in your head.

My publisher thankfully provided me with a portfolio of illustrators that they work with on a regular basis. I had to narrow it down to three that were asked to submit preliminary sketches. Lucky for me I had taken hundreds of photos of my husband, (Captain Dan), and Astra, so the potential illustrators had plenty of material to draw from. When I saw Michelle Simpson’s illustrations I got tears in my eyes and goosebumps down my arms. She had nailed both Captain Dan and Astra! I knew I had found my perfect partner.

Once you select an illustrator, you have to provide varied detail art direction for each page for the illustrator and go through very many rounds of edits until you have the final drawings.

Then there are more rounds of proofing everything again until you finally receive a printer’s proof to sign off on.

Next comes six months of pre-promotion until the book release.

I never realized that this entire process takes 18 months from beginning to end. The second book was a bit easier, as I knew what to expect.

TWB: Can you tell us about the emotional journey of writing your first book during the pandemic?

JW: I believe that much of this was covered in Question #1, but I have provided some additional content.

2020 was a very emotional year for all of us, with lockdowns and record death tolls worldwide. It was especially rough for me as I was turning 60, and my husband had promised to take me to Italy as my present. However, that went “down the tubes” with the pandemic, and I had to settle for a Zoom pizza party in my backyard with friends.

To top it all off, he lost his job as the Chief Corporate Pilot of a beautiful Gulfstream Jet with no notice whatsoever on May 5, 2020. I went with him to clean out the hangar that day and say goodbye to the beautiful jet that he had flown for 13 years and was overcome with emotion. I started to cry and wondered what would happen to her sitting all alone in her hangar wondering where Captain Dan was and if she would ever fly again?

I channeled all of my sadness over turning 60 during lockdown and my husband being unemployed into writing a children’s book about the plane. It was truly never on my bucket list – and if it were not for this series of unfortunate events, I would never have embarked on this amazing journey.

“I channeled all of my sadness over turning 60 during lockdown and my husband being unemployed into writing a children’s book about the plane,” says Julie Whitney. (Photo credit: Julie Whitney)

TWB: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in getting your first book published?

JW: Being rejected by numerous publishers for two months before finding one that was willing to take a chance on me. You have to have very thick skin and determination and just keep on going. When I received the email from my publisher, I didn’t read it right away, as I was certain that it was another rejection. When I finally read it at the end of the day, I had to read it twice to make sure that I read it correctly.

I then called my husband, my mother, and my son screaming with joy to share the good news!

TWB: How has your extensive background in public relations influenced your approach to promoting your books?

JW: I believe I already answered this in question number 2, but I will add a bit more.

I know how to craft the story, who to pitch, and how to pitch it. I also knew that reporters would be looking for “lemons to lemonade” stories that occurred as a result of the pandemic. The media loved my heartfelt story of overcoming tragedy in a very therapeutic and rewarding way.

I also know how to “think outside the box” in terms of marketing and reached out to all of the retailers and facilities that are affiliated with pilots – the retail pilot stores, airports, FBOs, and even the aviation museums throughout the U.S., most of whom are carrying my books. Hudson Booksellers is even selling both books in 37 of their airport stores!

I partnered with Junior Achievement, who brings me into area schools where I teach elementary school children about planes and aviation and read the books. I wear my pilot uniform, and Captain Dan comes with me if he is not flying the friendly skies.

TWB: “Astra In Hollywood” introduces new characters with diverse backgrounds. What message do you hope to convey to children through these stories?

JW: Making new friends who may be quite different from you, and always lending a helping hand, just like Astra and Captain Dan.

Astra’s three new friends, Lana the Learjet, Helen the Helicopter, and Hank the Cargo Plane, are all quite different from her and each have skills/talents that she lacks. She wonders if she is cut out for life in Hollywood. But in the end, she lends a helping hand as only she can, using her own unique skills, and saves the day when a crisis comes into play for each one of them, ultimately saving the day! She realizes that she has very special talents too, and also that true friendship means helping others when they need it the most.

TWB: Your husband, Dan, plays a significant role in your books and your life. How has his experience as a pilot influenced the Astra series?

JW: Captain Dan is a former naval aviator and knows the industry inside and out. He was instrumental in helping me write the two-page glossary of plane terminologies, definitions, and facts about Astra and even built my website! He is my number one fact-checker about all things Astra and airplane-related. He also was a very good sport about going into Astra’s hangar and shooting the 3-minute video that accompanies the first book. He gives kids an up-close and personal tour of both the exterior and interior of Astra! When I go to schools, kids ask to see it twice! And if he is not flying the friendly skies, he comes with me to schools and bookstores, wearing his pilot uniform, and the kids get a huge kick out it asking the darndest questions such as – “What makes an airplane fly? Do you need keys to start the engines? Can you eat food in the cockpit? Where do you go to the bathroom?”

This entire process has truly brought us closer and he has been my number one supporter!

TWB: You’ve partnered with Junior Achievement to educate children about aviation. Can you tell us more about this initiative and its impact?

JW: Junior Achievement focuses on teaching children about work and career readiness and entrepreneurship. They introduce me at schools and tell children about my PR job and about my author job and how both of those jobs make me an entrepreneur, often as part of career days.

They book me into school assemblies with as many as 600 elementary school children. I then show them an educational PowerPoint on how Captain Dan became a pilot, the planes he has flown, skills needed to be a pilot and what makes an airplane fly. Then I read the book(s), and show the 3-minute video of Captain Dan giving them a tour of the real Astra, and finally, a video of him taking off in Astra! I even quiz them from the two-page glossary to see what they have learned, and it’s amazing how engaged they are as they remember key facts such as how fast Astra can go and how high she can fly! I get adorable thank-you cards from children who want to become pilots, authors, and illustrators! I do believe my books are making an impact on young minds.

“I get adorable thank-you cards from children who want to become pilots, authors, and illustrators!” beams Julie Whitney. (Photo credit: Julie Whitney)

TWB: What has been the most rewarding feedback you’ve received from readers or parents about your books?

JW: There is so much love and enthusiasm for the books that I don’t even know where to start. Parents, children, booksellers, and pilots have all reached out to me and expressed their gratitude and support in various ways.

The first time an audience filled with children applauded and hooted and hollered loudly, my eyes filled with tears. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child that is totally engaged with your written word. This is why we children’s authors do it!

The first book was a finalist for the NIEA Award (National Indy Excellence Awards), after being meticulously judged by experts from various facets of the book industry profession including publishers, editors, authors, and designers. It’s too early to say if the second book will win.

Hudson Booksellers has placed Astra The Lonely Airplane and Astra In Hollywood in stores in over 37 of their major airport locations, and also in Penn station and the book is selling out, with reorders taking place.

Both books are now also being sold at the gift shops for major Aviation Museums across the country, including Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Lone Star Flight Museum, Wings Over The Rockies, Kansas Aviation Museum, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Air Zoo, Cradle of Aviation, Museum of Aviation, Seattle Air and Space Museum.

The major pilot supply shops throughout the country are also selling the books, including Sporty’s Pilot Shop, The Flight Depot at Lunken Airport, Banyon Pilot Shop, Aviator’s Attic, and Aviator Website.

AOPA Pilot magazine wrote a wonderful review of both Astra The Lonely Airplane and Astra In Hollywood.

Parents have told me that they have to read the books to their children 3 times a day, one parent’s child just gave me a 1000% review on Amazon for both books. Our next-door neighbor memorized the entire first book at the age of three and slept with both the book and bookmark for a very long while! He also learned the U.S. states thanks to the map in the book and educational coloring sheets on my website.

Pilots are thanking me for writing the book and are buying for their kids and grandkids, hoping to instill a love for aviation. The aviation community has been a huge market for me. The inside cover of Astra In Hollywood has four recommendations from pilots.

A family in Washington D.C. said that their son enjoyed the book so much that he wanted an Astra-themed birthday party. He dressed up as a pilot, and they played pin the tail on Astra! They bought 20 books which I personally signed to each child attending, which they received as a party favor. Now that’s quite a gift!

A second-grade class of English language learners that I read to in Cincinnati even asked if they could come home with me!

TWB: Looking ahead, what are your hopes and plans for the future of the Astra series and any other projects you might have in the pipeline?

JW: The third book, Astra’s Canine Rescue is already written, as is an animated streaming series with over 20 episodes. My biggest hope in the world right now is finding an agent to represent me in order to pitch the children’s streaming series to the networks. Astra takes kids across the U.S. and around the world with her new friends where they always help others, (both people and animals), in times of need. Kids learn about philanthropy, traveling the U.S., some key words in foreign languages, and also about foreign countries. It truly is adorable, and I very much hope that someone will read this and want to take a look at my proposal. I even have the Astra theme song written! ⭐

“Making new friends who may be quite different from you, and always lending a helping hand, just like Astra and Captain Dan.”
– Julie Whitney

Useful Links

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Share Your Insights

Join us in celebrating Julie’s inspiring journey and the impactful message of her Astra series!

What do you find most inspiring about Julie’s story of turning adversity into creativity?
How do you think children can benefit from reading books like Astra The Lonely Airplane and Astra In Hollywood?
Have you ever faced a situation where you turned a challenge into an opportunity for growth, like Julie did with her children’s book series? Share your experience below!

We look forward to hearing your insights and perspectives!

July 2024 marked a special milestone at The World’s Best Magazine as we proudly declare it as our Diversity, Resilience, and Inclusion Month. Throughout the month – and moving forward – we officially dedicate a special series of posts in our platform to celebrating the richness of diversity, the strength of resilience, and the power of inclusion.

Join us as we spotlight stories that showcase the myriad facets of diversity, from cultural heritage to individual identities. Through our features, we aim to amplify voices that demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, inspiring others to persevere and thrive.

Moreover, we pledge to champion inclusion in all aspects of our work, ensuring that every story, perspective, and experience is welcomed and valued. By embracing diversity, resilience, and inclusion, we strive to foster a more equitable and compassionate world.

Let’s come together to honor the beauty of our differences, celebrate the triumphs of the human spirit, and reaffirm our commitment to building a society where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.