Short Bio
Molly Frye Wilmington creates unique picture books using humor, animals, and suspense to explore more complex ideas of courage, faith, suffering, and love. Molly studied English and children’s literature at Baylor, ethics at Notre Dame’s Vita Institute, and theology at Duke. Originally from Texas, Molly now lives in Montana with her husband, David who is a theologian and musician, their two children, Luke and Anna Grace, Oliver the shepherd-lab, Sadie the Goldendoodle (Oliver's best friend and now adopted sister), and Ranger the bearded dragon. The family enjoys soccer, hiking, music, and cracking up over each other’s clever stories.
More: Montana and Family
After living in Texas and North Carolina, Molly and her family now call Montana home with Yellowstone National Park just a short drive away. Molly and her husband David have two children who also dabble in creative writing. Molly’s favorite memories include her son cackling about his stories of Sir Oblivious, Flergle Plop, or Rocket-Powered Submarines, and her daughter spinning the tale of Sir Pupsalot of the Ground Beef Table (also known as Oliver and Sir Prancelot) and his continuing battle with the tyrannical squirrel, Mr. Nutsobrain. The family also includes Oliver, a Shepherd-Lab, and Ranger, a Bearded Dragon.
Education and Experience
Molly works for a Christian non-profit and previously spent 22 years in the academic world. She studied English at Baylor University, Theology at Duke University, and Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame’s Vita Institute. She worked on the staff at Baylor’s Truett Seminary, Honors College, and Business School and Duke’s English Department. She supported her husband David in his Master of Theological Studies at Duke and his Doctorate in Religion at Baylor. She stayed home full or part-time teaching their children for 9 years and volunteers teaching children at church, serving families in need, and coaching kids on the soccer field and basketball court.
What led to writing children's books?
Why did you write a biography?
How did you begin writing about Bonhoeffer?
When my friend in the publishing world asked me if I had any children’s books ideas, I thought, “this could be my green light to publish.” So I researched children’s books on William Wilberforce and decided to “throw Bonhoeffer in as well.” I confirmed there were no picture books or early readers about either of them. I also discovered enough interesting and humorous stories about Bonhoeffer but not a single story about Wilberforce. So, I switched to writing on Bonhoeffer. I wove these stories together, pitched my idea, and got a thumbs up to keep going. To fill out my story, I read more of Bonhoeffer’s writings and poured over many adult biographies, including the original by Eberhard Bethge and A Life in Pictures by Renate Bethge and Christian Gremmels. Long story short, and with many family and friends cheering me on, here we are today.
What is your hope for this book?
Which books/authors influenced your writing style?
What else are you writing?
Any advice for other writers wanting to get published?
Use the Christians Writers Market Guide, join the Christian Writers Institute led by Steve Laube, President, and follow Thomas Umstattd Jr, CEO of Novel Marketing. Two years ago my friend Kathy Tyers answered my plea for help and pulled the Christian Writers Market Guide from her shelf. Within a year, I had a new agent and a contract with B&H Publishing. Another piece of advice, join a writers group. Kathy started one a month later for several of us fledgling writers. We’ve learned so much from one another and had fun doing it!