I wrote a book. A small, tiny book. So, I called it a children’s book. I used a bigger font to meet the minimum page requirement. Initially, because it was a children’s book, I wanted illustrations to accompany it. But, if you know me at all, I am not an artist. Since none of my books have actually made me any money, I finally decided to just go ahead and self-publish it. Only after it was published and I received a copy of it did I have someone from the target audience read it. I insisted on her honest review and after a little coaxing she gave me what I wanted. She did not like the story.
Dang me.
I really should have done that step a little sooner in the process. But I didn’t. Now I have 10 copies of a book that I am now painfully aware missed the target. That’s on me.
Right before my little critic was persuaded to read my book I had thoughts of becoming an author for children’s books. You know how sometimes a thought catches hold and begins to run before you can catch it. Kind of like an energetic puppy breaking free of a fence and just going, going, gone.
That thought lasted approximately one day before the dog catcher came and reined it in with the truth. Maybe I shouldn’t count on that becoming my second act in life. Maybe I should keep looking for a retirement plan that I can actually accomplish.
Or maybe, I just keep working at it. Maybe it is something I can achieve now that I have learned the proper sequence of things. Try out the story on a target audience member BEFORE publishing something and getting 10 copies.
As of right now, it could go either way.
ck's days 