Meet Jessieca Montgomery Riley, Inkandescent Kids Book Fair Attending Author!
Welcome Jessieca Montgomery Riley, owner of Speak EZ for Kids and Author of the four book series on Public Speaking for Kids & Teens and “Leo Gets and Assignment” (2027 release). Jessieca Montgomery Riley will be exhibiting at our Inkandescent Kids Book Fair on August 8!
Inkandescent Kids: What advice do you have for kids who want to become writers?
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: Just do it! Remember — it’s your story, and only you can tell it. Don’t worry about being the best writer, reader, speller (even though those skills matter) or storyteller. Write everything down, then shape your ideas into a story — fiction or non-fiction. The important part is simply beginning. Many writers delay sharing their stories because they want everything to be perfect from the start. It’s never perfect in the beginning. Writing is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the experience.
Inkandescent Kids: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: I’m not sure how old I was, but I’ve always wanted to share my stories with anyone willing to listen.
Inkandescent Kids: What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: Everyone has a story to tell — and writing takes time. It’s okay to take breaks, but it’s even more important to finish.
Tell Inkandescent Kids about the Speak EZ for Kids books!
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: Speak EZ for Kids activity books give children a fun and engaging way to learn public speaking skills. The books explore topics such as the Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Types of Speeches, Timing, and the Sounds & Words We Choose. The Public Speaking for Teens book covers the same topics in a more mature, relatable way for older students.
Inkandescent Kids: How did you get the idea for your books?
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: For over five years, I taught public speaking to children in my community and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. I loved the in-person training, but in 2019 I wanted to share my lessons with children and teens everywhere. Once I decided on a coloring-and-activity-book format, I was off and running. Public Speaking for Teens was published in 2025.
Inkandescent Kids: What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: I want children and teens to understand the importance of communication. It’s not about being perfect or speaking with flawless clarity — it’s about being brave enough to stand in front of others. Anyone can be an effective communicator, whether they’re talking to friends or strangers. Learning the fundamentals of public speaking is a gift for both extroverts and introverts. For me, teaching these skills is a joyful experience.
Inkandescent Kids: What was it like to see your work published?
Jessieca Montgomery Riley: Sweet! Seeing my published books is incredibly rewarding. It means someon
e somewhere will have the chance to read and learn from my work for years to come.
Find out more about Jessieca Montgomery Riley, her books, and Speak EZ for Kids on her website: https://speakezforkids.com
and be sure to follow her on social media!
www.instagram.com/speak_ez_for_kids
www.tiktok.com/@speak_ez_for_kids
bsky.app/profile/speakezforkids
www.youtube.com/@speakezforkids545/
www.facebook.com/profile/100057075475777
Come meet Jessieca Montgomery Riley and other inspirational authors in person at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair! Free tickets on Eventbrite: Think like a reporter: Out of the mouths of kids come great ideas Tickets, Saturday, August 8 • 12 PM – 4 PM | Eventbrite