Ep. 42. From Attorney to Author: The Inspiring Creative Life of Amber Byers
The Art of Creative Living Podcast
#3 in Australian Creativity Podcasts
As seen in Feedspot’s 20 Best Australia Creativity Podcasts
Ep. 42. From Attorney to Author: The Inspiring Creative Life of Amber Byers
In this episode, host Nicola Newman interviews Amber Byers, a former attorney who transformed her life by following her creative calling. As an award-winning author and founder of Tadpole Press, Amber shares her journey from the legal world to building a thriving creative business centered around writing and community.
Discover Amber's three powerful tenets for authentic creative living:
Listen to your authentic voice and trust your body's wisdom
Have fun with your creativity without taking yourself too seriously
Build a supportive community that champions your unique vision
Amber opens up about winning gold at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for her book "Sophie and Spot," and how she created the popular Tadpole Press 100-word writing contest that now attracts entries from nearly 60 countries worldwide.
This heartfelt conversation explores how embracing creativity as a safe playground can lead to profound personal fulfillment beyond traditional measures of success. Whether you're considering a creative career change or simply looking to reconnect with your authentic self, Amber's story will inspire you to listen to your inner wisdom and follow your heart.
Visit www.tadpolepress.com to learn more about Amber's work and the Tadpole Press writing contest.
Episode Show Notes
[00:02:15] Amber shares her journey from attorney to award-winning author, describing law as an "intermission" in her creative life
[00:05:40] How Amber's legal writing skills transferred to her creative writing career
[00:09:30] The story behind Amber's award-winning children's book "Sophie and Spot"
[00:12:45] Winning the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards gold medal and celebrating with other authors
[00:15:20] The importance of community in maintaining creative momentum
[00:18:35] Details about the Tadpole Press 100-word writing contest that now receives 1,500+ entries from nearly 60 countries
[00:23:40] Amber's first tenet for creative living: Listen to your authentic voice using the body compass
[00:28:10] Discussion on creativity as a safe playground for self-expression
[00:32:15] Amber's second tenet: Have fun with your creativity without taking it too seriously
[00:38:30] Amber's third tenet: Build your community with people who understand and support your vision
[00:43:15] How Amber incorporated community-building into Tadpole Press through monthly write-ins
[00:48:20] Amber's financial journey and shifting perspective on creative income
[00:54:10] Discussion on indigenous perspectives on wealth, community, and abundance
Resources Mentioned:
Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
"Sophie and Spot" by Amber Byers
Robin Wall Kimmerer (author mentioned during the discussion on indigenous perspectives)
Connect with Amber:
Website: www.tadpolepress.com/welcome
Join the Tadpole Press email list for creative inspiration and contest updates
Follow Amber's journey as an author and founder of Tadpole Press
Guest Bio:
Amber Byers is a former attorney turned award-winning author and founder of Tadpole Press. As head judge of the Tadpole Press 100-word writing contest, she delights in celebrating creativity and connecting with a worldwide community of writers. Amber is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, and her Indian name is "One Who Walks with Spirits." Her book "Sophie and Spot" won a gold medal for Best First Book in the chapter book category from Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.
Supportive Creative Community:
You are warmly invited to join my supportive online space, the Creative Hearts Community, where Creatives regularly connect through activities like writing sessions, virtual creative retreats, and engaging in enlightening conversations about the creative process. They build each other up, cheer each other on, and find inspiration to carve out time to prioritise creative expression and self-care.
We also have a whole library packed full of recorded workshops and guest teachers for you to explore, be inspired by, and follow along with in your studio or creative space.
Acknowledgement of Country
I’d like to pay deep respect to the Juru people of the Birri Gubba Nation as the traditional and ongoing custodians of the land where I record this podcast today and acknowledge their incredible, strong and ongoing connection to the lands, waters and community.
I thank them for the custodianship, care and love they have given to this area, extending from the mountain ranges right out to the Great Barrier Reef. I thank the Elders, past and present and the entire Juru and neighbouring Bindal communities for the generous contributions and care they give to this region.
I celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture, rich with storytelling, art and creative practice. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
~ Nicola Newman
We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded. And we extend a special welcome to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who may be joining us today.
Always was, and always will be Aboriginal Land.
Please Share this Episode
Know someone who needs to hear this episode? Please be sure to pass it on!
Review The Art of Creative Living Podcast
Please help me to share tips, resources, and inspiration by reviewing The Art of Creative Living podcast on iTunes. You can easily do that by clicking here on iPhone or clicking “Rate & Review” on your podcast app.
Your review will help the show find its way to more people who want to prioritise, nurture and express their creativity, be kind to themselves and live intentional, creative and fulfilling lives.
Thank you for helping to spread the inspiration.
With my warmest wishes,
Nicola
About the Host
Nicola Newman is a creative business coach, award-winning artist and creative living mentor. As host of The Art of Creative Living Podcast and founder of the Creative Hearts Community, Nicola’s passion is inspiring and supporting Creative Hearts to build loving relationships with themselves, express their creativity, trust their inner wisdom and carve out a life that’s personally meaningful and fulfilling to them.
She offers multiple resources for educating, inspiring, and supporting Creative Hearts. You are invited to take her free Creative Archetype Quiz, join her free Art of Creative Living mini-course, sign up for her Inspiration Letters and nurture your creativity through her online courses, coaching programs and retreats.
Nicola’s creative business coaching is tailored to support sensitive, heart-led creatives to develop, grow, and expand their creative offerings. Her approach is to embrace gentleness, playfulness and self-care to navigate self-doubt and instead cultivate deep self-trust so you can truly enjoy the creative process, bring together your body of work, make money doing what you love and leave a creative legacy you’re proud of.
