Don’t be Afraid of Sirens: Someone Needs Help received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with authors RL Florez and ML Florez.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Don’t be Afraid of Sirens: Someone Needs Help. Published March 20th, 2025
What’s the book’s first line?
Mandy huddled close to her father on the sofa and covered her ears as the wailing siren grew louder and louder.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
A little girl learns that sirens aren’t meant to be scary, and that they signal help arriving from police, firefighters, and ambulances.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
“I was inspired to write the book because of my daughter Mandy. When she was a child, she was afraid of sirens, so I told her this story, and it made her feel better. I hoped this book would do the same for other children.”—R.L. Florez
“The funny thing is, at 44, I still react to every siren by thinking someone needs help. I had no idea why until my dad jogged my memory about this story and proposed we turn it into a book. I loved helping him get this out there.”—M.L. Florez
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
“This book is for children, to help them learn and understand the reason for the sirens; that someone needs help, and help is on the way.”—R.L. Florez
“Loud noise and the fear it can cause in some small children wasn’t as addressed back when I was small as they are today with an understanding of Autism Spectrum, like a Sensory Disorder. My daughter is on the autism spectrum, and I felt that this picture book might help parents approach the fear in their kids’ eyes with understanding and kindness. For some kids, knowing the reason why is all it takes for them to be okay with it.”—M.L. Florez
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
“The main character reminds me of my daughter Mandy when she was a child.” R.L. Florez
“This is a fictional story, but the event was based on a real one. A moment in time between my father and I when I was very small.”—M.L. Florez
When did you first decide to become an author?
“I decided to become an author when my grown daughter mentioned that when she hears a siren, even today, what comes into her head is that someone needs help. I had this idea for a children’s book for years, but decided to go for it when my daughter told me she was publishing her first book herself.”—R.L. Florez
“I have wanted to write children’s books for years and decided to stop wanting and to just do it. I chose the indie author publisher route to learn by fire and have creative control.”—M.L. Florez
Is this the first book you’ve written?
“Yes, this is the first book I’ve written.”—R.L. Florez
“The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland, was my first book, debuted last January. This book is a young reader chapter book about a middle-school goth girl and her large dog trying to fit it.”—M.L. Florez
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
“I’m retired, living the grandpa life and traveling.”—R.L. Florez
“I am a mother and working on my publishing company.”—M.L. Florez
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
“I probably average about 2 to 4 hours a week on my writing.”—R.L. Florez
“I managed an hour daily until publishing duties took over; I need to return to writing.”—M.L. Florez
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
“The anticipation of publication and seeing my first printed book.”—R.L. Florez
“Creative freedom and getting your book produced is the best. Advertising and promoting is the hardest part. I’m not a salesperson, I’m a creator.”—M.L. Florez
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
“My advice to other indie authors is to be patient, enjoy the process.”—R.L. Florez
“I second that, as well as do your research and join an association like IBPA.”—M.L. Florez
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
“No, I wouldn’t want to go through traditional publishing. I would still use my daughter’s indie author publication, Aber Stoat Publishing, because of the personal attention.”—R.L. Florez
“I suppose it depends, maybe, but I am enjoying my process for now. Traditional publishers have a monster marketing structure and the funds to do bulk printing to bring the cost of each book down. That is the only reason I would consider it.”—M.L. Florez
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
“Right now, my motivation in writing the book was to help other children who are afraid of sirens. I hope to create a series of these books about my other kids with their own lessons that helped them with growing up.” —R.L. Florez
“I’d like to have a successful publishing company one day, as well as a handful of my own novels. I don’t need fame or fortune, just a love for the process and the art to pay for itself.”— M.L. Florez
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
“One of the earliest books that I recall reading that really stuck with me was Moby Dick by Herman Melville.”—R.L. Florez
“That’s a loaded question; I have too many. If I have to pick one, I would have to say Jennifer L. Armentrout. I am currently on book #4 of her Flesh and Fire series. I have already finished two other series by her.”—M.L. Florez
Which book do you wish you could have written?
“I wish I could have written the Gray Man series. The character development and details bring it to life and are undoubtedly the reason there is a series of books.”—R.L. Florez
“Maybe cliché, but Harry Potter!”—M.L. Florez