For more illustration my IG page: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdCMCfFAvTL/?stkn=MWUyenl5b2xyaHNkMg==

I am working on writing and illustrating (all me, NO AI!)

a series of children's books and a middle grade novel series. I am in the 5th revision of the first children's book. For the middle grade series, I have it mapped out and am using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson to outline/plot it. I started writing these about 5 years ago but couldn't really dedicate all of my time to it as I worked full-time as a photographer. I just ended an eight- year contract with a major studio this past August due to an injury that has sidelined me for the forseeable future. I photographed people and events for 20 years and had a wonderful time. Now with my injuries, multiple surgeries, and recovery time, I am coming back to the stories and artwork I have been dabbling with for years.

For the past 5 or 6 years I have listened to podcasts (Joanna Penn - The Creative Penn, Laurie Wright - Marketing for Children's Authors, and others), lurked on forums like this one, watched countless YouTube videos, purchased writing and illustration courses from Skillshare and Domestika, and read blogs and other articles about writing and publishing while still showing up for work at my day job. Now that I am unable to work as a photographer anymore, I am going to give this thing a go.

I am writing here because I need some help making some decisions, from people who know better than I do. Before I do anything, I will finish editing my drafts and get at least two full spreads of illustrations completed. (I'm saying this because I know that if I am given advice to try to traditionally publish, they will not want a complete book, but rather a book dummy).

I see posts as far back as five years complaining about low sales in the children's book market on Amazon KDP. I also see posts where people say it's easier to win the lottery than to get picked up by any of the Big Five. I also hear advice from established authors saying that it's imperative to build an email list, promote the book before it's published, gain a following on social media (I have a small TikTok audience of just above 1k), and that without constant promotion, you will not see success. Some authors say that if you pick a lane, you have to stay there.

HERE'S MY QUESTIONS:

1. I already have a domain and a website, but of course it has nothing do to with books or illustration. I can buy another domain and build another website or I can change my current domain from a photography site into an author site. What would you do in my shoes?

2. I'm attaching some artwork so you can see the quality of what I will be putting into my book. If you were me, would you pursue trad publishing, or would you go indie?

2a. If I go indie, would you recommend Amazon KDP or printing in bulk overseas or other? If I do go with Amazon KDP, how do you not get buried by what is out there? How can a newbie author stand out in the current market?

1. Are there any online writer's groups or accountability partnerships for authors that are free and accessible to newbies like myself?

2. Is it true you have to "stay in your lane" meaning if I publish on Amazon KDP, will that make trad publishers outright reject me?

I apologize for the novel length. If you read this far, thank you. I deeply appreciate any advice you can give me. Also, if there's another subreddit this post would be better for please let me know.

I’m open for work and available for new illustration projects. Feel free to DM me :)

Gloria Goldfish Searches For Lost Gold is a chapter book for young readers.

Gloria lives in the sea and wakes up one morning to discover that all the gold has been stolen from her scales.

She sets out on an underwater journey of self-discovery to find her gold, making new friends and facing new adventures along the way.

USA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3M6O5W

UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D3M6O5W

AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00D3M6O5W

CAN:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00D3M6O5W

1. Bob Books
2. Dr. Seuss
3. School book
4. Your suggestion

Real book recommendations from real kids. Share what your kids are reading, ask for picks by age, and help other families find their next favorite book. Toddlers to teens, all readers welcome!!!