Holy Moly, what a ride. It’s been so long, and so bumpy. WhenI wrote Where the Jewels Are several years ago, I didn’t actually think about publishing, it was just a story that I gave to a friend. After it was finished and more stories about The Land of Wonderful came pushing out of my head, I started thinking about what to do with them. I shopped them around without any luck so I decided to publish them myself.

Starting your own publishing company, now there’s quaint little project. Can you manage to do everything wrong the way I did? Lessons learned:

1. Work with people who already know how to do layout and design. It’s going to look so much better, unless you’re also a gifted graphic designer.

2. Get feedback on the cover BEFORE you go to print. Save yourself a lot of money and heartache when you have to retool and start over.

3. Stop doubting that you can’t do it. It’s your baby and no one else is going to pick it up and finish it if you don’t.

That being said, I now have the book it was supposed to be. Brianna Scott’s artwork is delightful. Eric and Mary Ann Reinstedt’s interior design is beautiful – not to mention the awesome support and encouragement. I’m so happy with it. Now it’s all about marketing and promotion. If you have read the book, please go to Amazon and post a review. It will help people find it and encourage them to read it.

I’m looking forward to hearing from the kids who do get to read this little book. When a 12 year old boy tells me that it’s his favorite book – a book about a princess! – I’m a happy camper. The next in the series, The Kings’ Guard, is in the works.