I’ll be honest. Blogging is new to me, as is website design…and email newsletters…and, well, publishing a book.
At the beginning of this year, I didn’t know one thing about publishing a book. I knew that I wanted to publish one, but I didn’t have the slightest clue HOW to make it happen. I didn’t even know where to start. I didn’t know any authors or have any contacts in the publishing field, and the thought of diving into something that I had no prior knowledge of seemed totally overwhelming. All that I had was a story and a desire to share that story with others. If you're interested in reading about how I started writing children's books in the first place, click here.
"All that I had was a story and a desire to share that story with others."
My Starting Point
Not knowing where to start, I did what any rational person would do. I Googled “How to publish a children’s book.” The results of that search were amazing- not because they provided all of the information that I needed to publish a book- but because they signified the start of a new and exciting adventure. That one search opened the flood gates of my interest and ambition. I didn’t yet have a plan, but I had a STARTING POINT. That was all I needed.
Since then, I have spent countless hours researching the different publishing options and figuring out a plan to self-publish my story. I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I have made significant progress (and learned an incredible amount) in a few short months.
"I didn't yet have a plan, but I had a STARTING POINT. That was all I needed."
What You Can Expect From My Blog
I hope to use this blog to share a bit about myself and my publishing journey with others. Perhaps my journey will inspire someone else to publish a book…or accomplish whatever goal, project, or bucket list item they have had in mind but haven’t yet found the courage or ambition to start. At the very least, I hope that it will allow me to connect and engage with others who enjoy reading, learning, and teaching children as much as I do.
In addition to my self-publishing journey, I plan to blog about topics ranging from the inspiration for my stories to children’s book recommendations and reviews to tips for encouraging early literacy. I also hope to use this platform as a way to answer questions from readers and fans (that is, if I’m lucky enough to have any).
Here We Go!
So, welcome to my blogging and self-publishing adventure. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey, and hopefully we can learn from each other along the way. I have no idea where it will lead, but I hope that you’ll come along for the ride!
For more information about my book, The Train Rolls On, read the book description here or find out what inspired the story here. To learn more about self-publishing, check out my Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing blog series here.