Marketing & Communications Consulting
Hi! I’m Melissa!
I’m the founder and writer of Imagination Soup and Imagination Soup Consulting, a marketing and publicity strategist, a successful content creator, an award-winning author, an award-winning former teacher, and a lifelong learner.
I support authors and illustrators with their communications and marketing efforts, designing and implementing marketing and PR campaigns using multiple platforms, including social media, podcasts, brand collaborations, and advertisements. I pitch media, reviewers, and podcasters with successful placements at top media outlets.
Communications & Marketing Consulting
Want a data-driven content plan for your business or brand? From defining your audience to starting a newsletter, creating your brand guidelines, crafting compelling social media content (including photos and videos), or designing an editorial content calendar, I can help with all your communication & marketing needs.
As an entrepreneur and solopreneur, I understand the importance of having a strategic marketing plan that adapts to the ever-changing internet landscape. To focus on GEO in 2026, your marketing strategies need to be up to date and innovative. I can help create a plan and advise you on how to accomplish your goals.
Children’s Book Author Publicity
Got a book launch coming up? If you’re an author or illustrator, I can help you attract attention from podcasters, reviewers, and influencers through my network of hundreds of up-to-date, curated contacts.
My goal will always be to get you in front of your audience, expand your readership, grow your author brand, and improve your GEO, aka getting you in the AI answer. But I will also support your goals. Do you want to start a newsletter or improve your social media? I can help!
I’ve grown my Pinterest to over a million followers, grown an email list to 35,000, and have experience and expertise in many areas of author marketing that can help you achieve your goals!
School Visit Plans
Want to make your school visit more interactive, aligned with curriculum, and irresistible? I’m a former teacher who can help you engage both large and small groups with dynamic presentations and lessons that kids love. Whether you’re coming out with a new book and want new ideas for the theme and topics, or a beginner with a first book, let’s craft your author visit that will get kids and teachers talking, and sell more books.
Educator’s Guides
As a former educator with an M.A. in Education, I love creating children’s book educator guides to extend the book with playful activities that promote deeper thinking. These packets go beyond discussion questions and vocabulary words, including writing, art, and content-area (science or social studies) applications that tie into the book’s theme, topics, or storyline.
Children’s Book Manuscript Editing
Having read over 200 children’s books a month for the past 16 years, written my own children’s picture books (fiction & nonfiction), chapter books, and middle grade books, and published two, I am uniquely equipped to help you take your manuscript to the next level.
I Believe
Everyone is creative.
You don’t have to be an expert at everything. I can help get you to the next level wherever you start.
I will be your biggest cheerleader.
Melissa is an experienced writer, editor, entrepreneur, and speaker who has a wealth of knowledge that can help you achieve your goals.
Melissa has over a decade of experience as an award-winning teacher, and almost twenty years in the children’s publishing industry as a freelance educational writer, children’s book reviewer, and successful blogger. Her superpowers include project management, big picture thinking, implementation, ideation, marketing, social media, and organization.
Melissa helped me get an article published in a local magazine focused on families with children. This will be valuable in promoting my book without having to pay for advertising.
Kimberly Hart, Children’s Book Author
My book was much more visible across social media. It also received more reviews by reputable book bloggers and Instagrammers!
Abby Cooper, Children’s Book Author
I enjoyed the tailor-made details specific to my needs and my books, but also general tips about school visits that I needed to be reminded of.
Janine Ho, Children’s Book Author/Illustrator
I help individuals who are ready to take their businesses or careers to the next level
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE!
Introducing…
IMAGINATION SOUP CONSULTING
Melissa Taylor
Even as an experienced author, I learned so much from Melissa’s expertise. She worked with me to create at least 12 new and inspiring classroom presentations. Likewise, she reached out to a variety of book reviewers to promote my latest picture book. I can’t say enough about Imagination Soup Consulting.
Nancy Tupper Ling, Children’s Book Author
I’ve gotten fantastic reviews for my books that have been widely shared by the creators, as well as the chance to appear on some great podcasts.
Sydney Dunlap
Middle Grade Author of IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY and RACING THE CLOUDS
“Melissa has been the most insightful and encouraging advocate for my books. She coached me on everything from how to engage schools for author visits, how to translate the themes in my stories to fun activities, and even how to better read and perform at events! Not only did she help me get the word out about my picture books, she also helped me contend with my fear of being seen in the most gentle and supportive way possible. I couldn’t have accomplished everything I did without her sense and smarts. I’m forever grateful!
Saki Tanaka, Children’s Book Author/Illustrator
Melissa was creative in who she pitched about my book, and obviously did her research for new contacts as well as ones she already had. She was a bridge between me and my publisher’s PR staff.
Anne Broyles
Middle Grade Author of EATING TO SAVE THE PLANET