For weeks I’ve been posting in here with a duplicitous spirit. I have been sporadic in my posting, neglecting to offer any real ‘juice’ as to the workings and wonders of our little family life, as near or far as it relates to the next person.
I have been ‘here’ and yet I haven’t. You see, my mind has been focused on other things and I think now I am ready to tell you what’s really going to be happening around here in 2008.
I have finally registered my business name. I have contacted freelance editors, rung printers, haunted illustrator websites, and spent more time at bookshops than I’m sure is humanly allowed; all this to one purpose.
I will publish my children’s story (hopefully) by November.
I’ve danced around the possibility for a while now. I dabbled in self-publishing last year with my family’s brief history book (as some of you may remember) and that was a wonderful trial-by-fire. I am confident in my own abilities on that front and hopeful (dare I say gungho?) about learning the business side…and quickly, at that.
What pushed me to go the next step?
No, the question is ‘Who pushed me to go the next step?’
And that would be my daughter.
My daughter who has begun to sidle up to me to ask, “Can you please read Surprise!, mum?”
And so I pull out the limp few sheets, stapled together, complete with coffee stains and read the bones of the story to her.
“Why hasn’t it got pictures?”
“Because mum can’t draw, sweetie.”
Keira digests this. “Is this why it’s not a proper book yet?”
“That’s right.”
******
Self-publishing is often called a vanity exercise, a means to soothe and buffer one’s creative ego. I’m sure this is often the case; some might question whether this is the case for me.
I say, in rebuttal, that I wouldn’t invest thousands and thousands of dollars into a project I didn’t believe in, right at the core of my heart.
Because I assure you, I bet, I guarantee that when the day comes when I unpack the first volume of the first edition back from the printers, that that pleasure will be nothing in comparison to the pleasure I hope – strongly, fervently hope – it will create in the minds of the children I’ve written it for.
And so, there you have it. My secret is out.
All of this will possibly go to explain why my nails now are in a state beyond comprehension; the quicks are gone, the skin is peeled and mottled.
But that’s okay.
For once.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
This is awesome Karen. I can’t wait to buy it for all the children I love and for me – I love kids books!
Joh’s last blog post..Near Completion
Wow – that is exciting!!!! Very exciting!!!! Tried and tested by the most critical publisher of all (kids).
I’ll buy a copy! (There, you’ve made a couple of sales already). 
Can’t wait to see how it turns out and share in your journey a little.
I’ll be happy to give you a little plug on my blog when it comes out too.
Lightening’s last blog post..Sneak Peek
WOW Karen, that is so exciting!
Look forward to grabbing a copy when it hits the shelves.
Your daughter must be so proud, how cool is that your Mum reading you her very own book.
Leigh’s last blog post..All Women Carnival
Go for it. You never regret the things you do nearly as much as the things you never had the guts to try…..
Having said that…. I’m sure you’re onto a winner. If the story can sustain her interest without any illustrations, then it obviously has lots of meat on its bones.
Good luck and have lots of fun with it.
Frogdancer’s last blog post..Steamed….
Good luck with it!
Veronica’s last blog post..Dear TV Stations.
Hey fantastic news. I’m sure you’ll do well with it and I can’t wait to see it.
jen’s last blog post..A couple of sites to help improve your photography
How exciting!!! I take it the book is called “Surprise”. Good luck with that. I will look forward to the blow by blow on doing a self publishing job and then (no doubt) the relentless promotion. I hope it all goes well and will keep my eye out on the book in the shops come Christmas time
The Brave’s last blog post..Flight of the Bumble Bee
Congratulations, Karen! Can’t wait to read the book, and hear the story of How Karen Got Published.
Congratulations! It’s going to be such an exciting time for you, and I’m giddy to find out who will be illustrating!!
Leanne’s last blog post..Custom Web Logo / Painting
congratulations and my very best wishes for your success
shish’s last blog post..Book: Dead Famous by Ben Elton
Great news, Karen! Man, that’s fantastic! I can’t even begin to express how happy I am for you! Now, all I have to do is get some kids.
Thats great news!! Good luck with it.
Bettina’s last blog post..I’m still tired……………..
Wow, congratulations! That’s going to be exciting, keep us up-to-date with what’s going on. Hopefully it’ll come to a book shop near me!
Katie’s last blog post..The One Where Kate is Freakin’ Out
Yay! Very exciting! It would be handy if, say, you knew someone who was a preschool teacher who could buy a copy and read it to her kids at work and have all the parents notice what a cool book it is (and it is, i’ve read it already people) and then go out and buy it themselves…:-)
Thanks everyone
Shelly – yes, that would be VERY handy
Respect.
That’s awesome Karen.
Are you auditioning illustrators?
Lee’s last blog post..Follow a last minute essay writing misery live!
Oh.. YAY!!! That is great news.. Congratulations
cheers Kim
frogpondsrock’s last blog post..Project Support Beauty in Nature
Wow, that is fantastic news! You must be so happy to be working towards your goal.
Can`t wait to buy and read it once it is in stores! I am a children`s teacher in Japan but will be back in Australia about that time so will have to pick it up for some of the schools I have worked for here in Tokyo!
Best of luck, hope all goes well!
Lulu’s last blog post..Welcome…
that is awesome Karen – we can all say we knew you before you were famous. I’ll buy a copy too – my boys devour books … literally.
Babyamore (Trish)’s last blog post..What is Love Thursday ?
Oooh, how exciting! Coolness!
WhyMommy’s last blog post..Surprised
That is stellar! Best of best wishes to you and may the scutwork be minimal!
How exciting! You’ve done really well. Congrats on achieviing this.
Jean-Luc Picard’s last blog post..Filming On The Enterprise (Part Three)
Congrats from me as well. It must be pretty exciting going through the whole process. I’ll look forward to seeing the final result
)
Christine Parfitt’s last blog post..Format For Local Business Results Changed
Wow, Karen! Congratulations for your bravery and belief in yourself. It is VERY exciting, and I’m sure you know you have a lot of support from your blogging mates.
Meg’s last blog post..Packing the Youngest off the School
Wow – I knew you were going to talk about a new baby, just didn’t know how big and amazing a baby it was!! Congratulations – and keep us up with the blow by blow – we will use a bit of pull marketing to get our stores to get it in!
jeanie’s last blog post..Hey There, Hoopla
Congratulations!
What an excellent opportunity.
Tiffany’s last blog post..The ‘roids to rule once more!
Wonderful! You go girl!!
Gill’s last blog post..Oh dear…
Oooh fantastic! Congrats Karen! How exciting!!
Can’t wait to see your books! Yay for more children’s books!
Karen Cheng’s last blog post..Callum’s First Day at Pre-Primary
I was listening to Mem Fox a few weeks ago and she was talking about how hard it was to get to this point even for her. What I didn’t understand was that she does none of the illustration for her books. I was a bit blown away by this, because the visual side of her books are such a big part of their appeal. Good luck. How do you find somebody to illustrate your pride and joy? It must be very odd, because you would have a very specific idea about how the book should look.
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