We recently had the chance to connect with Lori Orlinsky and have shared our conversation below.
Lori, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from my middle daughter, Ellie. She has taught me so much about what it feels like to be “in the middle” — balancing between wanting independence and still craving attention, trying to stand out while also keeping the peace. When she came to me and shared that she sometimes felt left out, it opened my eyes. It pushed me to listen more closely, to celebrate her individuality, and to see that the middle isn’t a place of being overlooked but a place of incredible strength. In fact, she’s the inspiration behind my latest book Being Middle, which is all about helping kids realize that some of the very best things in life are found in the middle.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That would be my high school English and AP Journalism teacher, Mrs. Karol. She recognized my love for words and storytelling long before I realized writing could be more than a hobby — it could be my calling. She pushed me to dig deeper, to sharpen my voice, and to believe that my stories were worth sharing. Looking back, I know she saw the writer in me before I was able to see it in myself, and I’m forever grateful for the way she nurtured that spark.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. When I was trying to publish my first book, Being Small, I received hundreds of rejection letters from agents and publishers. Each “no” chipped away at my confidence, and there were moments I wondered if I should stop pursuing the dream altogether. But deep down I knew the story needed to be told — for kids like my daughter and so many others who struggle with feeling different. That belief pushed me to keep going, and today Being Small is not only published but has touched the lives of countless children and families.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe that I learn just as much from my kids as they do from me. Each of my daughters has taught me something different — about resilience, empathy, and celebrating what makes us unique. In fact, their experiences have directly inspired my books. Being Small was born from watching my oldest navigate life as one of the shortest kids in her class, and Being Middle came from my middle daughter’s honest reflections about feeling overlooked. They are my greatest teachers, and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without them.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will remember how I turned a negative experience from my child into something positive that continues to impact others. When my daughter felt sad about her height, I channeled that moment into writing Being Small. What began as a way to comfort her has since grown into a story that inspires confidence in children everywhere. I want to be remembered as someone who showed kids that what makes them different is exactly what makes them special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://loriorlinskyauthor.com
- Instagram: @loriorlinskyauthor
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/loriorlinsky
- Facebook: @loriorlinskyauthor
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