Indie Kids Books is a Substack Bestseller!
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing.
I just learned today that Indie Kids Books has about 1800 overall subscribers, and (ta da!) over 100 paid subscribers, which makes this humble newsletter a Substack Bestseller! Wow!
Thank YOU for coming along side my work I children’s literature and learning with me. This seems surreal because all I do is write about the struggle to make sense of this crazy publishing world, the struggle to find ways to put my books into the hands of kids, and the struggle to write about it in a coherent way so that you also find your way through this maze.
I started offering exclusive paid posts in October 2022 and it’s been a steady climb since then. I seldom offer discounts and never advertise, so it’s all organic growth.
In the midst of the struggles, there’s this: 100 of you have joined in the struggle and are somewhere in the maze. I’m humbled—and surprised—that sometimes you follow my voice when I call out, “This way!” Or, “Don’t go that way!”
When I posted last month that 2024 had been another $100K in earnings year, it was a thrill to see that it wasn’t a fluke. It’s the fourth year of banner sales. Let me emphasize that 95% of my income is from selling what I write, not from courses, affiliate income, or other sources. It’s selling children’s books. Book by book, reader by reader.
It’s a thrill to add this newsletter as another growing source of income because it’s also earnings from my writing. When I post (about 2-3 times/month), it’s teaching of a sort, but not an in-person course or a Teachable-style course. And at $7/month, it’s a bargain. Come and join us on this journey.
“This way!”
2025 – Excitement for the Next 12 Months
In 2025, I’ll continue writing an intimate look at publishing a children’s book. I take you behind the scenes of my nonfiction children’s book about the endangered Prezewalski’s Horse. Inspiration, decision to photo-illustrate, hiring a book designer—the details are there so you can follow along and understand the myriad of decisions that go into such a book.
INDIE PUBLISHING A CHILDREN'S BOOK: STEP BY STEP #1
I’m starting today a real-time step-by-step look at publishing a book. It will be a series of perhaps ten posts detailing milestones in working on a new book. Available only to paid subscribers, this will give you details of my working style and what I’m thinking at each stage of the process. It will likely cover a year or so of work, so the posts will come at irregular intervals.
I’m also thrilled that I’ve signed a 9-book translation deal for MOMENTS IN SCIENCE with a Chinese publisher. I’ll be writing a post on that process soon.
Coming this year from MimsHouseBooks.com are four picture books and one short-chapter book. You’ll hear about my successes—and failures! I’m thrilled with the art that is coming in and now face the challenge of telling the world about these fantastic books! You’ll get a look at all of that because marketing is the hardest thing we do!
(Well, no. That would be accounting. Which also must be done this month. Sigh)
Finally, coming in September is PUBLISH: Find Surprising Success Self-Publishing Children’s Book. I’ve put together many of the posts here, speeches I’ve given, and written more original material to create a book for people interested in self-publishing (indie publishing) children’s books. The cover is school-bus yellow! While I’m at it, I’m rebranding the whole collection of how-to-write books to create a cohesive collection.
IF you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll likely get this book—free, as part of your subscription—in June, far before it’s available commercially. Subscribe now, so you’ll be among the first to read this book.
You’ll find all the info you need to self-publish in one volume. Again, thanks to YOU, I’ve written so much on this blog that has found its way into the book (with revisions, of course). One goal of Indie Kids Books Blog has always been to eventually produce a book—and it’s time that happened.
2025 looks amazing from my view early in the year!
Bestseller status on Indie Kids Books blog
A 9-book Chinese translation deal
4 picture books coming
1 short-chapter book coming
1 new book on publishing YOUR children’s books
Wow! Join me for a while ride in 2025! Together, we’ll have a fantastic year!
Got questions? Leave a comment, and I’ll get back to you.
Darcy, your name has become synonymous with successful publishing. Congratulations! Here’s to writing kidlit!
Congratulations. I'm so proud of you!