Why Strong Girl Publishing Had to Happen
Q: What motivated you to start Strong Girl Publishing?
“I had the Shred Girls books and was pitching a running book when publishers said, ‘Girls in sport don’t sell.’ I was furious. Meanwhile, girls I’d worked with in camps had stories they wanted to write but didn’t know where to go. I realized—I could bridge that gap. I had traditional publishing experience, self-publishing know-how, even layout skills from my old zine days. It all came together. That’s how Strong Girl Publishing was born.”
Strong Girl Talk: Geeking Out About Women in Sport
Q: How did your podcast Strong Girl Talk come about?
“It started with my friend and researcher Dr. Sasha Gollish. We were constantly talking about women’s sports, girls in sport, research, culture—you name it. So we thought, why not record it? It’s super nerdy and super fun. We’ve had guests like Kate Veronneau, who helped bring the Tour de France Femmes to life, and researchers diving deep into body image and sport. It’s everything I love in one podcast.”
Advice for Young Creatives and Entrepreneurs
“The tools we have now? Wild. What used to take me days—recording with a VHS camcorder, dubbing with tape—can now be done on a phone in 30 seconds. So my advice? Just start. Don’t wait to hire a website designer or trademark your brand. Make the shirt, build the site, post the video. Do it scrappy. Figure it out as you go.”
Telling Stories Through the Bike
Q: Why focus on discovering confidence through cycling in your books?
“Honestly, bikes are the best. Growing up, I loved The Babysitter’s Club—not because babysitting was interesting, but because it was a frame for stories about friendship and growing up. Shred Girls is the same: bikes are the backdrop, but the real story is self-discovery.
“Each girl is different—Type A racers, nerdy comic book fans, outdoorsy tomboys—but they all find a place in cycling. And yeah, I sneak in a few skills tips. One dad told me his daughter read the book and now critiques his jumping technique!”
Hidden Trail Easter Eggs (Yes, Three Stage Made It In)
Q: Do local trails inspire your settings?
“Absolutely. Lindsay’s Joy Ride features Joyride 150 and we even launched the book there with pizza and riding—so many girls, and suddenly, boys started hanging around because… pizza.
Ali’s Rocky Ride definitely draws from Three Stage and Blue Mountain. Jen’s Bumpy Ride was inspired by the BT 700 and, hilariously, a wipeout I had on a press trip. Book Four is loosely tied to Mansfield Outdoor Centre and my Leadville race. It didn’t go as planned—but bad races make for great books.”
Dream Ride Destination?
Q: If you could ride anywhere in the world with the Shred Girls, where would it be?
“Oooh, tough one. Maybe Girona, Spain—it’s a cycling mecca. Or maybe back to China, where I met my husband at a cyclocross race. Honestly, I’m surprised the Shred Girls haven’t done cyclocross yet. It might be coming…”
For Girls Who Are Nervous to Get Started
Q: What advice would you give to girls who want to try cycling but feel intimidated?
“That’s the question. That’s why I write these books. It is intimidating. Whether it’s all adults or all boys, showing up can be scary.
“We know girls drop out of sport at higher rates than boys. I once wrote an article asking, ‘What keeps girls cycling?’ And I realized—storytelling is one powerful tool. If a girl can read about someone like her falling in love with riding, maybe it won’t feel so scary.”
Final Thoughts
Through her books, podcasts, and publishing company, Molly Hurford is creating a space where girls can see themselves as strong, capable, and welcome in sport—whether they’re Type A racers or comic book geeks.
If you haven’t already, check out the Shred Girls series, tune into Strong Girl Talk, or visit Strong Girl Publishing to learn more.
🚴♀️ Because everyone deserves to find their place on a bike.
