I wrote a book. It’s in the world.

I suppose I should write a long, poetic reflection?
Or I could be honest & say I’m using most of my mental capacity on marketing emails & launch creativity, so here are the bullet points. . .

How it started:

• While experiencing physical health woes, I was walking around the house with a cloud, crying a lot, so I started doodling out Alma’s bedtime story to distract myself
  • My intention was to buy a blank journal to create something with words & family photos
• Then I thought, why not turn it into a manuscript?
  • I queried a few places, assuming they’d love the idea, then help connect me with an editor & illustrator
    • (fun fact: they don’t like ‘just ideas’)
• I hired an editor on my own, finished the story, then entered a contest to win a development package that included an illustrator & printing contract.
  • I told family and friends through a pre-order campaign, so I could get support (aka votes)

What that process made clear to me is that there’s a real gap in the market when it comes to talking about big feelings in families, specially feelings that extend beyond a child’s own experience.

My intention wasn’t just to teach kids how to understand themselves, but to build empathy outward. To help children see that their parents are human too, that they don’t have to be strong or perfect all the time, & their love & honesty can exist alongside hard days.

Oh no.

• The contest was shit, so I dropped out, using the momentum & support to do it on my own.
• I found Juliana.

(you can read through old blog posts for a more T-filled history)

Full stop.

I originally told everyone the (contest-winning) book would be out in March 2025 (insert collective gasp). Working with Juliana took a re-edit, a full timeline update for design of quality illustrations & inner book. So, I updated my pre-order campaign a longer Dec 2025 timeline result.

I went hard while she drew.

I marketed to like-minded spaces, built up my Bookstagram, made real connections, & podcasted the hell out of mental health awareness.

I was going to name a few connections, but they’re all my favorites, so please follow my Substack to meet everyone.

The results!

• 61 copies of the book have been reserved
• I became a name on 40 podcasts (recorded, aired, or scheduled)
• I built affiliations with so many fantastic mental health organizations
  • I have 2 school read-out-louds planned
  • Appointment booked to be a guest speaker with NAMI AACo
  • Call scheduled to donate books to Children’s Mental Health Matters! summer series
  • Coordinating hosting a Summer Camp event
  • 4 bookstores are listing the book in their database, 3 bookstores are consigning the book, 2 pop-ups bought wholesale
  • My launch party has enough people RSVPd to classify us as a fundraiser!

I’m still, honestly, in complete disbelief.

At launch.

On Feb 1, 2026 I entered the market ranked:

• #11,844 in Children’s Books

My husband has been really into updates, so he’s informed me, about an hour ago, I’m now # 4, 237 in Children’s Book. As of this morning, updating this, I am #1,679

What really matters to me:

• Through researching mental health orgs, I became a part of the Drop Dead Generous community, doing Acts of Kindness
• I’m collaborating with a few orgs on support groups, speaker series, & children’s events to talk ‘cloudy days’
• From my 58 pre-orders, 28 copies are a part of our Pay It Forward initiative!
• I already have the first six months mapped out for Community Features, where I’ll be donating proceeds
• My husband learned social media just to show how proud he is of my cloud
  (maybe one day I’ll stop apologizing to him for myself)

I wrote a book.
It’s in the world.

This is a story in its own about what can happen when I show up, push myself beyond the clouds, & let the sun shine through. ☁️☀️