First, I want to thank everyone who participated in the recent polls on Facebook and LinkedIn to help determine the direction of my next Not For Kids book! Your votes, comments, and messages have given me a lot to think about—and I’m excited to share the results and what’s coming next.
Facebook Poll Results
Across several author and illustrator groups, we had a total of 281 votes and 55 comments—a great turnout! The discussions were lively, with opinions ranging from support for AI to strong preferences for traditional approaches.
The winning choice? Using royalty-free artwork for illustrations.
This was closely followed by hiring an illustrator to create custom artwork.
A Quick Note on AI:
Some of my polls were actually deleted by moderators in groups that prohibit discussions about artificial intelligence in publishing. This alone highlights just how hotly debated AI technology is within creative spaces. It also reinforced the need for conversations about how AI can coexist with traditional tools in the creative process.
LinkedIn Poll Results
On LinkedIn, the poll didn’t receive as much engagement, with only three (3) votes—and I’m fairly certain one of those votes was mine! 😂
However, the trend remained the same. Royalty-free artwork was the top choice, aligning with the results from Facebook.
Beyond the votes, the comments I received—both public and through DMs—provided powerful insights. One comment in particular stood out and really resonated with me:
“AI is not going anywhere. Either we learn to work with AI or we get left behind.”
I couldn’t agree more. The reason I began incorporating AI into the publishing process wasn’t to replace human creativity but to empower authors—especially those who’ve struggled to take the first step toward publishing their stories.
Many readers reached out to share their personal dreams of publishing books that tackle topics like:
- Cultural identity—Sharing traditions and stories from their heritage.
- Healing from trauma—Providing hope and tools for resilience.
- Overcoming loneliness—Stories that resonate with children or adults who’ve felt isolated.
What’s stopping these authors from publishing?
For most, it’s the lack of artistic ability or not knowing where to start with illustrations.
That’s what this newsletter is about—helping others bring their stories to life through accessible tools and strategies, including AI and other creative solutions.
Based on your feedback, I’m excited to move forward with the royalty-free artwork option for my next Not For Kids book. This approach will allow me to:
- Explore how pre-designed illustrations can be incorporated into storytelling.
- Test ways to adapt or modify royalty-free images to fit the narrative.
- Provide step-by-step insights for those who want to use similar resources for their own projects.
I’ll also touch on how this process compares to using AI tools and hiring an illustrator, so readers can make informed decisions about what works best for their projects.
AI has already proven to be a game-changer in publishing, from generating illustrations to editing drafts and even designing layouts. It’s a tool that can remove barriers for authors who might not have access to illustrators or big budgets.
But I also recognize the value of human artistry—which is why this journey will continue to examine all approaches, from AI to traditional methods, and now royalty-free resources.
The goal is simple: Help more people tell their stories. Whether it’s a children’s book about overcoming challenges or a humor-filled satire like Sh*t, I Need a Job!, your story deserves to be told—and I’m here to help show you how to make it happen.
This newsletter started as an experiment to see if an illustrated book could be written, illustrated, and published in just one month. Since then, it’s grown into a resource and community for anyone who’s ever wanted to publish a book but didn’t know where to start.
The feedback I’ve received proves there’s a demand for practical tools and guidance—whether it’s through AI, hiring illustrators, or using royalty-free artwork.
As we move forward, I’ll continue sharing updates on the next Not For Kids book and breaking down each step of the process.
If you’re someone who’s been sitting on a book idea, whether it’s a cookbook, children’s story, memoir, or satire, let 2025 be the year you finally bring it to life.
Your story matters. Let’s tell it—together. 🚀
