Life & Work with Grant Merritt of North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grant Merritt.

Grant, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from Texas and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, which has been a big part of my creative journey. Like most actors, my path has had its ups and downs, but storytelling has always been at the center of what I do.

The biggest shift for me creatively came with writing my children’s book, A Puppy’s Tale. It’s inspired by my dog, Achilles, who was by my side for over thirteen years. After he passed away in May 2024, I felt compelled to turn that experience into something meaningful. What started as something personal grew into a full project.

From there, I committed to seeing it through by writing the story, working with an illustrator, and learning the publishing and distribution process firsthand. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a different way than acting, but it also gave me a sense of ownership over my work.

I’m currently working on a second book with the same characters, continuing the story and building on that world. Right now, my focus is on growing A Puppy’s Tale, getting it into more hands, and continuing to build something lasting from it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning the business side of things from scratch. Writing the book was one part of it, but figuring out publishing, printing, distribution, and marketing was a completely different world.

There’s also the reality of putting something personal out there and not knowing how it will be received. A Puppy’s Tale is inspired by my own life and my dog, so there’s a level of vulnerability that comes with that.

On top of that, building awareness without a traditional publisher or big backing takes time and persistence. A lot of it has been grassroots, showing up in person, connecting with people, and finding creative ways to get the book in front of the right audience.

But those challenges have also been the most valuable part of the process. They’ve forced me to grow, stay consistent, and really believe in what I’m building.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an author and actor based in Los Angeles, and my work is centered around storytelling that connects on a real, emotional level. My main focus right now is my children’s book, A Puppy’s Tale, which is inspired by my dog, Achilles. It’s a story that resonates with both kids and adults, especially around themes of connection, love, and growing up.

What I’m most proud of is building something from the ground up. From writing the book to navigating publishing, printing, and getting it into people’s hands, it’s been a hands on process that’s taught me a lot about both the creative and business sides of the industry.

Alongside that, I’m also an actor and have been involved in producing, assistant directing, and acting in short films with a close collaborator. Our recent projects have done well on the festival circuit around Los Angeles, and we’re currently in preproduction for our next film.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just focused on creating, but on following through and building something real around the work. Whether it’s a book or a film project, I’m fully invested in bringing ideas to life and connecting them with an audience.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One book I’ve always liked for creativity is A Whack on the Side of the Head. It challenges the way you think and helps break you out of routine patterns, which is important as a creative.

Beyond that, I think the best resource is just paying attention to real life. Observing people, staying present, and taking note of everyday moments has been the most valuable thing for me. A lot of ideas and inspiration come from things you experience or witness when you’re actually tuned in.

As an actor and writer, I’ve found that being aware of the small details in how people behave, speak, and interact can be just as useful as anything you read or listen to.

Pricing:

• A Puppy’s Tale hardcover: $22.99 online
• In person pricing at events and markets: $20
• Bulk pricing available for schools, retailers, and organizations upon request

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.apuppystalebook.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_merritt/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-merritt-79a70756/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6026588/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk