Epic Tails
by Mirela Ajdimovski
Daydreamer—that’s the one word I’d choose to describe myself. I’ve always had a habit of romanticizing the little moments in my life. For me, it makes everything so much better. Yes, I know there’s value in being realistic, but sometimes the best way to face life is to see it through a lens of wonder, like the way a really good book can pull you in and let you lose yourself in its magic. I want my life to feel like that every single day, even if it’s just in small ways. 
Life can be incredibly busy, which is why I find peace and solace in writing and illustrating. These activities calm me and ground me. I love surrounding myself with simple, beautiful things: music, plants, the cheerful chirping of birds on a sunny day, or the soothing sound of raindrops on a gray one. A morning walk in nature, a good cup of coffee, paired with the soft glow of burning incense or a delicious-smelling candle, is my idea of bliss. There’s nothing like the crackle of a fire, a cozy blanket, a warm summer breeze, or the refreshing feeling of diving into the ocean. I could go on forever about the little things that make me so grateful to be alive.
But let’s talk about dreams. My mind never stops—it’s constantly thinking, imagining, and manifesting what I want to accomplish. When I began my journey into writing children’s books, I started with absolutely no knowledge. One day, I looked at my cat and decided, “This is something I’m going to do.” My cat, as cats do, simply stared back.
Before I even attempted to write a story, I sat down and brainstormed a list of titles I wanted to explore. Three years later, I still have that list, and it’s my dream to bring all of those stories to life. Ollie, the protagonist of my books, has so many adventures ahead of him. I’ve always loved writing, especially poetry, in high school, where rhyming brought me so much joy. What’s more fun than a rhyming children’s book about a cat who teaches life lessons? Of course, life’s lessons are more engaging when shared with friends, so I had to create a colorful cast of characters to join Ollie on his journey.
From the very beginning, I wanted all of my work to be truly my own. Writing a story is one thing, but bringing it to life visually is a completely different challenge. I knew I wanted my illustrations to be digital, but I wasn’t sure how to achieve that. Drawing wasn’t exactly my strongest skill, but after many hours of research, countless conversations with friends and other artists, and a lot of trial and error, it all started to come together. It’s something I’m still learning, but I can proudly say that practice truly makes perfect. With persistence and consistency, you can create something magical.
Living in Buffalo, we’re passionate about a few things, especially football and chicken wings. In my latest book, Ollie gets the full fan experience, and I’m thrilled to see this passion project come to life. I can’t wait to see what Ollie and I create next. I hope readers enjoy this journey as much as I’ve loved creating it. Cats, football, and chicken wings—what could be better?
Written by Mirela Ajdomovski
Mirela Ajdimovski is an American author and illustrator. She graduated from Villa Maria College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design. Mirela likes acting in her free time and being part of the local film industry. Her other hobbies include learning new languages, arts and crafts, traveling, new restaurants, movies, concerts, and— of course— her favorite furry friend, Ollie. Her big dream is to write a series of children’s books, based on her cat Ollie.
