From Engineering Precision to Storytelling: How A Woman’s Unusual Career Fuels Her Writing for Children

Most children’s authors come from traditional literary backgrounds, but Renee Goodwin spent three decades navigating oil rigs and engineering projects before discovering her true calling in bedtime stories. This year, the International Association of Top Professionals recognised her as Top Children’s Author of the Year for 2025, celebrating not just her storytelling skills but the unique perspective she brings from her extraordinary career journey.

Goodwin’s path to children’s literature began in the most unlikely place: petroleum engineering. Armed with degrees from Texas A&M University in both Petroleum Engineering and Curriculum and Instruction, plus an MBA from the University of Texas at Tyler, she built a successful career supervising engineering teams and managing budgets for major oil and gas corporations. As President and CEO of TP Exploration Inc., she continues to oversee operations at her independent oil and gas company whilst pursuing her passion for children’s education through storytelling.

The Story Behind the Stories

Goodwin’s engineering background isn’t just her past career—it’s how she discovered her inspiration. Her beloved Cane Corso Italian mastiff, GG, became the catalyst for her GG Life Lessons Storybook Series. The books, told from GG’s perspective, have earned recognition from the Mom’s Choice Awards and capture life lessons through the eyes of an energetic puppy who sees the world with wonder and wisdom.

This unusual combination of technical expertise and educational passion creates books with substance. Research shows that animals in children’s stories enhance empathy and cognitive development, helping young readers develop better perspective-taking abilities and verbal intelligence. Parents looking for stories that blend entertainment with meaningful life lessons for children will find Goodwin’s approach refreshingly grounded.

Heart and Values on the Page

Goodwin tackles character and morality with the same methodical approach she once applied to engineering projects. Her GG Life Lessons Storybook Series® includes ‘GG Works the Honeybees – Helping Nature,’ which teaches children about environmental stewardship and teamwork. Readers praise the books as excellent read-aloud materials with positive messages that include vocabulary words and discussion prompts for families and classrooms.

Like other accomplished authors who write for children, Goodwin plans to expand beyond print. She envisions an animated educational television series based on GG’s adventures, incorporating foundational learning elements like colours, the alphabet and seasons. This ambitious project reflects her engineer’s thinking—building comprehensive educational experiences across multiple platforms.

Recognition and Accolades

The International Association of Top Professionals, a global boutique networking organisation that handpicks distinguished professionals through rigorous vetting, doesn’t choose its honorees lightly. President Stephanie Cirami explained their decision: ‘Choosing Ms. Goodwin for this honour was an easy decision for our panel to make. She is inspirational, influential and a true visionary and thought leader.’

This recognition follows other recent accolades, including honours from Marquis Who’s Who for Expertise in Publishing. This year, she’s being considered for the Empowered Woman Award and to be featured in TIP (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine. The IAOTP will celebrate her achievements at their annual awards gala in December at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, where she’ll join other distinguished professionals from across industries.

Behind the Professional Credentials

Behind the engineering credentials and business success lies someone parents can trust with their children’s minds. Goodwin credits her success to perseverance, strong work ethic and the mentors who guided her along the way. When she’s not writing or managing her oil company, she enjoys travelling and spending time with family—the same priorities that drive many parents to seek meaningful bedtime stories.

Her varied background reassures parents that her books come from both wonder and wisdom. She understands the practical challenges of building something lasting, whether it’s an engineering project or a child’s character. Her approach mirrors other successful children’s authors who bring real-world experience to their storytelling, creating books that satisfy both children’s need for engaging stories and parents’ desire for meaningful content.

Reviews consistently highlight how the GG series empowers beginner readers whilst addressing topics relevant to today’s families. Like many mothers who write about parenting experiences, Goodwin understands that authentic storytelling connects with families because it comes from genuine experience rather than theory.

Looking Ahead

Goodwin’s future plans reflect the same ambition and systematic thinking she brought to every stage of her career. She hopes to inspire others entering children’s literature, particularly those who might not see themselves as ‘typical’ authors. Her journey proves that the best children’s stories often come from unexpected places, written by people who understand both the complexity of the world and the simplicity children need to navigate it.

As she prepares for December’s gala celebration, Goodwin represents something valuable in children’s literature—the marriage of real-world experience with storytelling heart. Her books offer parents confidence that bedtime reading can be both delightful and substantial, crafted by someone who understands building things that last.