As the year winds down and the holiday season is in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to reconnect with you all. I hope your holidays have been filled with joy, rest, and maybe a little inspiration. Like many of you, I’ve taken some time to step back, reflect, and recharge. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped working entirely!
While enjoying the Christmas festivities, I’ve continued to reach out to podcasts and interviews, aiming to spread the word about Sh*t, I Need a Job!. If you’ve been following along, you know how much I believe in the power of storytelling and sharing your journey. Podcasts remain one of the most effective ways to connect with new audiences, and I’m excited about the opportunities 2025 will bring.
With the end of the year upon us, it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about New Year’s Resolutions—especially if publishing a book has been on your list of goals. Whether you’re aiming to create a children’s book, a satirical piece like Sh*t, I Need a Job!, or something entirely unique, there’s no better time to commit to making it happen than now.
To kick off the new year, I’ll be publishing another Not For Kids book starting in January! But this time, I want your input on how we approach this project.
Here are the options I’m considering:
- AI Experiment 2.0: Write and illustrate a book using a different AI tool than DALL-E to compare results.
- Traditional Meets Modern: Write and illustrate a book by hiring a professional illustrator instead of relying on AI.
- Royalty-Free Artwork: Write and illustrate a book using royalty-free images, focusing on affordability and ease of access.
To take the poll, it is currently up on LinkedIn and Facebook! Let me know which direction you’d like to see for the next Not For Kids book by clicking either of the links below:
As we approach the new year, it’s time to think about what you want to achieve in 2025. If publishing an illustrated book is one of your dreams, here are some practical resolutions to set yourself up for success:
1. Define Your Goal
- Are you writing a children’s book, a humor piece, or perhaps a memoir?
- Decide on the type of book you want to create and the message you want to convey.
2. Create a Publishing Timeline
- Break your project into manageable steps, such as brainstorming, drafting, illustrating, editing, and marketing.
- Set specific deadlines for each stage.
3. Explore Tools and Resources
- Research platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Blurb for self-publishing.
- Look into AI tools for illustrations or writing assistance to save time and costs.
4. Build a Support Network
- Join online communities of authors and illustrators for advice and inspiration.
- Engage with friends or family who can provide feedback and encouragement.
5. Plan Your Marketing Strategy
- Use social media to build an audience before your book is even finished.
- Start small with organic posts, then explore paid promotions as your project progresses.
Before jumping into resolutions, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved together this past year. From crafting a story to publishing and marketing it, we’ve demonstrated that publishing an illustrated book is entirely doable, even in a tight timeline.
Here are some key takeaways from our journey:
- Start with a Strong Idea: Everything begins with a concept that resonates. Whether it’s humor, inspiration, or education, your idea should drive your project.
- Leverage Technology: Tools like AI-powered illustration generators and social media platforms can significantly streamline your process.
- Embrace Marketing: From social media outreach to paid promotions, getting your book in front of readers requires dedication and creativity.
These lessons aren’t just specific to Sh*t, I Need a Job!—they’re applicable to any publishing journey.
Setting resolutions is easy; staying motivated is the real challenge. Here are some tips to keep yourself on track:
- Celebrate Small Wins: Every step you complete—whether it’s drafting a chapter or finalizing an illustration—is a step closer to your goal. Celebrate them!
- Stay Accountable: Share your progress with others, whether through social media or with an accountability partner.
- Learn from Setbacks: Publishing can be a bumpy road. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks.
There’s no better time than now to turn your book idea into reality. The tools and resources available today make publishing more accessible than ever. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, let 2025 be the year you finally make it happen.
Sh*t, I Need a Job! was born from a simple concept and created in just one month. If I can do it, so can you. Let this be the year you take that leap and share your story with the world.
As we move into the new year, I’ll continue to share updates on Sh*t, I Need a Job! and provide resources to help you on your publishing journey. Stay tuned for insights on podcast appearances, promotional strategies, and additional tools for marketing and expanding your reach.
If you have LinkedIn or Facebook—let me know which direction you’d like to see for the next Not For Kids book by clicking the link(s) below:
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Let’s make 2025 a year of creativity, growth, and achieving our publishing dreams.
