From Tampa to the Stars: How Sci-Fi Author William Ricker Is Using Imagination, Cosplay, and Community to Get Kids Excited About Reading

ctrmedianetwork1
5 days ago
4 min read

Not every superhero wears a cape — but some of them do. William Ricker, self-published sci-fi author, entrepreneur, and supply chain tech professional from Riverview, Florida, has found a way to combine his love of storytelling, community, and imagination into something truly remarkable: a mission to make reading feel like an adventure for every child who picks up a book.

From book signings in Tampa barbershops and restaurants to cosplay costumes and character bio videos that bring his fictional universe to life, William Ricker is not your average author. He is a movement — and through his involvement with Together We Create 4 Kids (TWC4K), he is taking that movement straight to the children who need it most.

His Role Within the TWC4K Movement

Q: Briefly describe your role within the TWC4K movement and how you serve your community through this work.

"I'm a published sci-fi author since last year as I donated $100 to this TWC4K movement because I believe kids should have access to reading, be inspired, and see authors who are passionate with creating stories."

Sci-Fi as a Gateway to Imagination

Q: What is your purpose, and how does the work you do align with serving children, families, or your community?

"My purpose is to show kids how sci-fi can be creative, fun, and expand their imagination. I've published my sci-fi novel, children's book, and teenage comic book for all generations to read in my genre and multiple genres. I've been doing events in Tampa and St Pete to get every kid excited for reading. I have a cosplay costume, fun character bio videos, regular social media content, and consistent community engagement in my cities."

Why He Answered the Call

Q: Why did you feel called to join the Together We Create 4 Kids Tour, and what impact do you hope to make through your involvement?

"I feel like being a representation of a self-published sci-fi author is to have kids smile when they get a chance to read a book on a subject that they loved. I want the kids to have access to books, to be inspired, to dream, and to expand their knowledge in the educational sector and classrooms. I believe this movement can show the kids that literacy is fun, exciting, and meaningful when they pick up a book and start reading. I hope with this cause can bring a light for the kids and their families."

Events, Advocacy, and Community Engagement

Q: What programs, initiatives, or events have you led or supported through TWC4K?

"I have been advertising on my social media accounts like Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook, and more during my sci-fi author journey as I have mentioned about literacy, collaborating with nonprofit organizations like the Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project and the Competitive Readers Coalition, how I became an author — book signings in Tampa and St Pete like restaurants, barbershops, festivals, and more. Currently, I continue to advocate with reading for our children and our communities."

What Makes Tampa Unique Within TWC4K

Q: What makes your city's work unique within the TWC4K movement?

"Tampa is one of the greatest cities to be involved in advocacy for reading, a plethora of authors in any genre, and we continue to not have limitations on what our goals are to publish our books. We define the author and book industries by showing who we are creatively and being ourselves on how we present our stories to the youth through adulthood."

The Impact in Real Time

Q: What measurable outcomes, success stories, or positive changes have you seen through your work with children and families?

"Check out my Instagram posts, my Amazon reviews for my sci-fi novel, and how I continue to engage my audience — kids, teenagers, and young adults."

A Vision Built on Connection

Q: What is your vision for the future of your work and your role within Together We Create 4 Kids?

"My vision is to continue to connect with our youth with my stories and my experiences to get to this point in my life."

How You Can Support William Ricker

Q: How can readers support, connect with, or get involved with your work?

"You can check my LinkTree Profile where it has all of my social media accounts, my newspaper articles from last year, and my Amazon books from my novel to teenage comic book to my children's books.

Here's my LinkTree Profile link: https://linktr.ee/wricker92."

"Pulse, Shift, and Revolt Your Life"

At the heart of everything William Ricker creates — every story, every event, every conversation with a young reader — lives a philosophy that is as bold as his fiction.

"Pulse, Shift, and Revolt Your Life."

It is his book vision. His slogan. His invitation to every child, teenager, and dreamer who has ever been told their imagination was too big or their goals were too far out of reach.

"It means to achieve your dreams with anything that you want to do for your life."

Three words. One mandate. Infinite possibility.

Pulse — feel the energy of who you are and what you were created to do.

Shift — change your mindset, your environment, and your trajectory.

Revolt — refuse to accept limitations placed on your potential.

For William Ricker, this is not just a tagline. It is the thread woven through every page he writes, every event he hosts, and every young face he inspires to pick up a book and see themselves as the hero of their own story.

Pulse, Shift, and Revolt Your Life. That is the mission. That is the movement. And in Tampa, Florida — William Ricker is living proof that it works.