Dream Big, Fly High

Kelsey Flynn
Oct 9, 2024
4 min read

Dream Big, Fly High has been my motto for this entire book writing process. Why? Well - the mural below is a replica of my favorite poster that the Pig has ever created. It exudes happiness, sunshine, and a positivity that is synonymous with the Pig and with reaching goals such as running a marathon. This was given to participants in 2018, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Flying Pig Marathon.

ABC, Run With Me: Flying Pig Marathon is the first book I have ever written, and came about very organically and authentically. It merges two passions of mine - literacy and running. Reading bedtime stories to my daughter one night, I realized there were no children's books about the Flying Pig Marathon, and I wanted to change that. With a Master’s degree in Reading and over a decade of teaching experience, I have used my skills to create children's books about this special event (yes, that's bookS with an s...hold onto your sneakers, more are coming!).

In its over 25 years, The Flying Pig has become a staple in Cincinnati and the running community. For my family, it is an annual tradition. I have been running since 2012 and have completed every Pig event at least once, as well as multiple Queen Bees and races in the Beer Series that PigWorks hosts. My brother is a member of The Squadron, a group of athletes who have each completed at least 10 Flying Pig Marathons, and he is the person I "blame" for getting me into this hobby! My children and other members of my family all have their own collections of Pig medals as well! I have made incredible connections with friends and others through the running community.

Proof of these amazing connections is in my 2018 Pig race, the year in which my favorite "dream big, fly high" posters were given out. I completed the 4-Person Relay with a friend I've made through running groups, my father-in-law, and a coworker. The only connection the other three have to each other is me, and they had never met prior to race day, but it was a beautiful team effort on that Sunday morning!

The personal participation in Pig events, combined with our family tradition, adds a special touch to these books.

It all started with a brainstorm, something I experience often with all of the ideas that are bouncing around in my head. I jotted down ideas, starting with the letters of the alphabet and then adding words that related to The Pig. Eventually, those turned into short 4-line stanzas, and I realized I might have something here.

I shared my ideas with my family and a few close friends and they loved it! My sister was even able to connect me with the new Race Director, Doug Olberding, as they used to work together before he transitioned into his role with the Pig. I emailed him my ideas, set up a meeting, waited (not so) patiently for the day to arrive, and presented my book to him and two other members of PigWorks. They loved it but had to bring it to The Board for official approval. More waiting, and then the email that I'd been hoping for......the big fat YES! I could use their name and they would even help by providing images or whatever else I may need.

While I was waiting, I continued to edit and revise my work, sharing it with a few more close friends and family members for opinions, suggestions, and some wonderful new ideas as well! I then went about finding an illustrator, with an emphasis on keeping everything local. After some trial-and-error of getting the timing, style, and personality mesh just right, Kay Victor has been an incredible asset to this first-time author's team! She is a DAAP graduate and has been incredible at listening to my ideas, interpreting my sketches, and creating some beautiful artwork that I am so excited to share with everyone!

Throughout this whole process, I have been reading and learning everything I could about self-publishing, relying on serendipity to put the right people in the right place at the right time! I also worked on "putting myself out there" and being okay with being rejected or feeling confident to tell somebody else no. I've lost track of how many publishers I have researched, called, or emailed, but I was so happily and pleasantly surprised with the few that make the "short list" of in-person meetings and I am excited to get ABC, Run With Me: Flying Pig Marathon off to the printer!

I have poured my heart and soul into this, sharing something I love very much with the world. It has been scary, exciting, intimidating, nerve-wracking, expensive, tiresome, thrilling, so many things at once! Writing a book is not for the faint of heart, but I have loved every minute of this self-lead adventure and cannot wait to share even more ideas with you all!

I’m dreaming big that this little project of mine turns into something unique and cherished by others in Cincinnati and the running community.

I’m flying high that this little project of mine is becoming a reality and I can share my love of the Pig, maybe even a little further than Cincinnati!

Keep running with me, ❤Kelsey

**Gotta give credit where credit is due:

Designer: Sara Cormier

Teaching Artist: Thaddeus William

Apprentices: Trenton Buck, Kyle Casey, Shalaisjah Cason, Amber Dunn, Terrance Norris, Destiny Parker, MaKiyah Smith, Cossette Snyder

Mural funded by: Bob and Jeanne Coughlin in association with Paycor with additional support from Flying Pig Marathon Associates, Hyatt Regency Hotel, and Cincinnati Reds, LLC

Project Manager: Emily Howard

Dream Big, Fly High

Keep running with me, ❤Kelsey

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