Book reviews are one of the hardest things for authors to obtain for free.
Writing has always been a challenge for me, and navigating the learning curve of publishing has been no small feat. First, you need to create something that is hopefully worthy and memorable, and then you should share it with others to get their feedback.
Originally, I intended the story as a family Christmas tale, meant to connect with my childhood experiences. We were fortunate enough to share much of it with our children and most of our grandchildren. After reading “A Glimpse from Christmas Past,” a true Philadelphia holiday story for all ages, to our three eldest grandchildren, I noticed how attentively they listened. Now that Macy’s has closed, this story feels even more relevant. It is still available in book, e-book, and audio formats.
Originally, the story was meant to be a family Christmas tale that connected my childhood experiences. We were fortunate to share much of it with our children and most of our grandchildren.
After reading “A Glimpse from Christmas Past,” a true holiday story set in Philadelphia, I shared it with our three eldest grandchildren. They listened attentively, and when I finished reading, they turned to me in unison and exclaimed, “Pop-Pop, you have to publish this!”
During that time, I gained insights into the costs associated with illustrations, pricing, content ownership rights, and the importance of controlling prices. I also learned about advertising, social media, and the complexities of marketing. This knowledge led to some public speaking engagements at various local schools. However, I encountered some tough lessons along the way, as I still haven’t broken even, even though the story has received both local and international attention. It’s important to recognize that the process can vary significantly from book to book and author to author.
My second venture was publishing a children’s book titled Keira in the Mirror. The story follows a child’s journey to self-discovery through her reflections in and around her home. Throughout this process, I learned an important lesson about publishing: although the book is currently available in hardcover, it would have been more beneficial to offer it as a print-on-demand (POD) option. Additionally, I realized that the target age range should be 2 to 5 years old, rather than 5 to 9. This is something I may revisit and correct soon.
This brings me to my current book, which is in the final stages of publication. It will be a family legacy story with a twist. Let me know what you think of the cover!
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