Author Q&A With Annette Harris
As a passionate advocate for financial literacy and children’s book author, Annette Harris has dedicated her life to breaking the cycle of financial struggle that affects too many children and adults. Through engaging storytelling and practical education, Annette helps parents have engaging money conversations with their children, conversations that can change generational patterns forever. Meet Annette:
You are an author, but is it your day job? If not, what fills your days? I write children’s and teen financial literacy books. Most of my days are spent coaching families through my business, Harris Financial Coaching, leading as an HR executive for a national company, and teaching strategic human resources courses at SNHU. Writing allows me to take the lessons she teaches to adults and share them with younger readers in a way that feels accessible and enjoyable, so they are prepared for the future.
Did you always want to be an author? I never planned on becoming an author. The idea developed after years of helping adults learn about finances, and I always received the response, “I didn’t learn about this growing up.” I wanted engaging stories that made money feel less intimidating and more conversational. That desire shaped the first books in my series, Mommy, Can You Teach Me About Money, and continues to guide everything I write.
What is your most recent book, and what inspired you to write it?
My most recent book, The Adventure of Money, is designed for teens ready to learn about saving, budgeting, and investing in a fun, relatable way. Teens are curious about money, but they often don’t have resources written directly for them. This book turns financial concepts into a story they can connect with, while also giving parents a starting point for honest conversations about financial independence. The personal stories are included to help them understand that there is someone like them on the same journey.
How do you hope your book will uplift readers? I hope teens who read not only this book but all my books walk away feeling informed and confident, and that families feel more open to talking about money together. My goal is to create stories that spark curiosity and encourage young people to take ownership of their financial journey early.
What are you most excited about with this book? What excites me most about The Adventure of Money is its relevance today and in the future. Teens are thinking about money earlier, which includes starting businesses, saving goals, and even investing, and they deserve financial stories that meet them where they are. Seeing young readers light up when they recognize themselves in the book’s diverse characters is incredibly fulfilling.
How did writing a book help your career take off? Publishing these books has significantly advanced my financial career by enhancing my credibility in financial education and expanding my ability to assist families. It has opened doors to media features, speaking engagements, and partnerships, allowing me to reach even more communities. Additionally, it boosted my confidence in discussing financial literacy with the community. I mainly operated behind the scenes when speaking to adults about money; however, attending local and state events has enabled me to engage more meaningfully with the community. It’s beneficial for parents to see that their child has access to a local resource dedicated to guiding their financial growth.
What advice would you give someone wanting to succeed in your professional industry? For anyone pursuing financial counseling or authorship, my advice is to stay consistent and service-driven. Expertise and making a profit matter, but genuine care for the people you serve is what builds long-term success.
How do you handle setbacks and criticism? Setbacks and criticism happen in every field. The feedback I receive helps me grow and adapt to my audience’s needs. For example, when I published my second book, someone suggested that I make it more diverse by including young boys as well. That helped her create, Mommy, Can You Teach Me How to Budget? And it was a hit!
Being an author today is like running a business. How do you manage your publicity and social media and maintain engagement with readers? I manage publicity and social media by showing up consistently, sharing real value, and staying true to my mission. I’ve developed a website, authorannetteharris.com, that not only shares information about books but also provides readers with tools and resources to help them along their journey. This includes free printables and interactive learning tools. I also attend local school events, so they have access to me and connect the author to the story! Readers connect with authenticity, so I practice the same transparency I teach in my coaching work.
How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals that you set forth? How do you structure your day and make time for writing? I maintain accountability by setting structured goals and following a weekly routine. I keep a list of my daily and weekly activities, setting aside time for each task to avoid burnout. Writing is scheduled for late evenings and during quiet breaks throughout the day. Even short writing sessions help maintain momentum.
What do you find most fulfilling in the career that you’ve chosen? The most fulfilling part of her career is watching people grow into the strongest version of themselves. In both my financial coaching and HR leadership work, I witness those turning points when someone realizes they are capable of more than they believed. When a teen reads The Adventure of Money and begins budgeting or saving with confidence, or when an employee discovers new strengths in their development journey, those moments bring me joy. Seeing people recognize their potential and step into it is the reason I do this work.
What book uplifts you? A book that uplifts is God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe. She faced a story similar to mine, and she overcame her struggles. It reminds me that growth and resilience are always possible.
Anything else you’d like to share with your readers? To my readers, especially the young ones: financial confidence is a skill you can learn. If my books help you start thinking differently about money or make the topic feel less overwhelming, then my mission is working. Thank you for inviting my stories into your home and for letting me be part of your journey.
Connect with Annette and learn more about her work and books via her website.
