First Steps in My Writing and Publishing Journey
First Steps in My Writing and Publishing JourneyIt’s been a long journey to writing and publishing my children’s picture book. I’ve been paid for writing, starting in high school, but always for non-fiction, whether for work, or as a free-lance writer. It wasn’t until I was a mother of two young children that I started to think about writing a children’s book. I started to jot down ideas based upon real incidents.
Something that happened when one of my sons was around three stuck with me as the basis of a book. I wrote out various ideas until I came up with a short plot. I bought or borrowed library books that offered advice on how to write a story and pitch to a publisher. I crafted letters to a local and a national publisher. Their rejection letters were polite but firm.
After rewriting and re-submitting, I still had no takers. I put the story aside, but saved my notes and rejections.
More Steps in My Writing and Publishing Journey
I continued to do free-lance writing, as well as newsletters and marketing materials for my business and for employers. Once in a while I would come across the folder with my story. Sometimes I would jot down more notes.
Years, and then decades went by. One day when my older son was about 20 and home from college, he suggested that it was time to clear out the very back of his closet where I had stored some childhood toys and stuffed animals. One of the stuffed animals was central to my story. I was reluctant to give it to a thrift shop, and the other animals due to the memories attached to them. My son suggested that I take photos of them so I’d have them to bring back memories, but not take up lots of space.
We gathered them all up and arranged them on the couch and he sat down amongst them. I took some photos, although I wish I had taken more and some closeups. This was in the days of film, not SmartPhones, so I didn’t know how the photos came out until I had them developed. My photos were pretty bad. However, my son’s idea was sound. I have been able to let go of things and give them away or donate them instead of storing them. I have also recommended this to others.
Amazon and My Writing and Publishing Journey
When my first published book came out, self-publishing by print-on-demand was just being offered. The book was a memoir that I was helping a female politician write. While I suggested trying the print-on-demand (POD) approach, she opted to pay a local printer to print a limited quantity to start. She sold and gave away dozens of copies and gave me several boxes. I sent some to an online bookseller, who periodically orders more. During this process, I learned about how to get and ISBN number for my book and other steps to publishing.
I investigated Amazon once it offered POD. I took a few InDesign and Photoshop classes as well as some on POD publishing. I hired a Graphic Arts student I met while working at the Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni. She helped me design a couple of journal style books including one about craft beer and format them for POD on Amazon and through IngramSpark, which distributes to bookstores and libraries. I also sold collectibles and second hand items on Amazon through my account. This helped defray the monthly fee that I had to pay as IngramSpark was placing my books on Amazon rather that my doing it directly.
Bit by bit, I learned how to create eBooks and format paperbacks and publish them directly on Amazon. They weren’t the kind of books that a library might buy so I didn’t use IngramSpark. Slowly but surely I’ve added more books on Amazon, and it’s nice to get notifications that I will be receiving royalties for them.
Finding an Illustrator for My Children’s Picture Book
As I was helping another Graphic Arts student with financial aid, I put her to work on various projects at my job. One was a holiday card that was sent out to alumni. One recipient called up and asked if she could meet the artist who created the design. Next thing she hired the student to illustrate a children’s book that she had been working on. The student received two other commissions as a result. After seeing what she did for the children’s book, I decided I’d better get on her client list quickly, as it was filling up fast.
We huddled and I gave her my current draft of the book and my photos of the stuffed animals. She came up with a series of watercolors of scenes that I had described in my story. They helped me to better craft the book.
Writing a Children’s Book – Not as Easy as You Might Think
I confess I picked up and put down the project after getting the illustrations. I started to cut out words and scenes. I signed up for a couple of writing webinars, then courses, as I realized I still had a lot to learn. I knew children’s picture books should be no more than 32 pages. I learned more about structure and limiting words. Wow, did I cut out words and scenes. Some I had added since my original queries, thinking I needed more.
Using what I’d learned from formatting my other books, I designed a cover and interior using PowerPoint, which is a lot easier than InDesign. Still, I’ve done about 30 drafts, tweaking colors and revising images. I found a company online that would format my project into an eBook. And one of the picture book seminars I signed up for included help with keywords and other steps involving Amazon. But, every time I thought I was done, I wasn’t.
I changed my title a couple of times. It helped to have feedback from other writers during writing workshops.
I had several friends, librarians, and professors proofread my book. It took a village and I made more revisions.
Writing is One Thing, Publishing a Children’s Book Is Another
Ever after following formatting guidelines, it took several revisions to upload documents that were acceptable to me and to Amazon and IngramSpark. There was one revision uploaded that held the release date while I worked on it. Over several months, I took more writing workshops and reworked the manuscript. A couple of book designers picked my cover to critique and gave me valuable advice and insights. I liked the earlier edition, but always wondered if it needed a little more eye-appeal. Thanks to them, I created a brighter and more eye-catching cover and brighter interior.
And Then There is Promoting Your Children’s Book Before and After Publishing
While working on the book itself, during the writing seminars, I realized that publishing includes promoting. So, as I tweaked my book, I was also working on how to promote it. Hmmm…I had a website, but it had a glitch in the theme and I couldn’t edit it. Stymied. I hired someone on Fiverr, who said she was in the U.S., but was actually in Nigeria. There were disconnects with communication and a struggle to get the website where I was happy and I could end the relationship. I’ve usually been happy with those I’ve hired on Fiverr.
Anyway, authors need a website and an email list. I’ve had a blog, as well as the book website, but never got the hang of collecting emails. Another challenge and dimension to publishing. Keeping my brain active. I signed up for Convertkit to manage my email list. It’s used and recommended by one of the publishing gurus whom I respect.
I’ve joined writing groups on Facebook to learn from and share promotional ideas.
Homestretch to Writing and Publishing My First Children’s Picture Book
Well, not really the homestretch, as the journey doesn’t end when the book is released. Before and after the book is released there is getting the word out to my circle of friends and associates, and organizations that I’m involved with, plus doing select promotions online, etc. Luckily I can hire someone to help with some of the promotion who have been vetted by the experts whose writing seminars and workshops I’ve taken.
I’ve started to place notices and ads and created business cards announcing my new book. Remembering to bring and give out my cards is a whole other new exercise.
The best part will be when the publishing release comes as it’s been a long journey to being able to share the story with the public, however many I sell or give away. The story that I’ve wanted to capture and have others enjoy will finally be a reality.
Here is the link to the ebook version: How Shadowchaser Got His Name.
Here is the link to the paperback version: How Shadowchaser Got His Name.
My Journey Writing and Publishing a Children’s Picture Book Will Continue
Once my children’s picture book is published, as I mentioned, the promotion will continue. i will be updating my website, GrandmothersTrunk.com. My email list will grow, and I’ll be working on a newsletter.
Oh, and then there’s a sequel to my children’s book. My character, Shadowchaser, and his owner, get into trouble.
And there’s more to come from Grandmother’s Trunk Press.
Here’s an Author Talk podcast on YouTube when How Shadowchaser Got His Name was launched: Celebrating the release of “How Shadowchaser Got His Name: A Cat Tale ” (youtube.com)
Have you had a long journey to a life’s goal? Have you written, or want to write a book? Share your journey below.
So many beers and breweries, how to keep track?
If you want to keep more detailed records of where you went and what beer you enjoyed, you might like Keeping Up with Craft Beers: A Journal for Your Tasting Adventures. You can list up to 100 beers, as well as list breweries and brew pubs you liked as well as beer festivals.
Want to learn how to start a blog?
Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog
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