How to Find the Courage to Publish a Picture Book 

Publishing a picture book can be a thrilling, but also daunting experience. The fear of vulnerability and the uncertainty of how your book will perform can be overwhelming. However, it's essential to overcome these obstacles and share your creativity with the world. In this blog, we'll explore three key strategies to find the courage to publish your picture book.

Embrace the Fear

Fear is a natural emotion, especially if you’re doing something you’ve never done before (like publish a picture book). Odds are you experienced fear when you first learned to ride a bike or the first time you spoke up in class, but you powered through. It’s the same with becoming an author — you must find the courage to publish your story by embracing fear.

Identify Thoughts That Hold You Back

The first step to embrace fear and find the courage to publish is to identify what you’re most fearful of. What’s stopping you from pursuing this dream?

Take five minutes to list out all the fears, thoughts, and beliefs that are stopping you. You can write them on paper or type them out.

Start a New Inner Dialogue

Now that you’ve identified where that fear is coming from, it’s time to challenge it. Replace those anxious thoughts with confident mantras. Remind yourself of all the things you’ve accomplished in your life, from tying your shoes for the first time to raising a beautiful family. 

Write down all the things you love about yourself, your skills, things you’re proud of, and happy memories that fulfilled you.

To really find the confidence to publish a picture book, you need to believe in yourself first. The best way to do that is to remember times when you were confident, accomplished, and loved.

You can also use my free Mirror Exercise to build your self-esteem daily.

Let Your Dream Be Stronger Than Your Fear

Oftentimes, when we intend to find the courage to publish, we let fear be stronger than our desire to write for children. But if you want to publish your book and make an impact in readers’ lives, you need to make your vision stronger. Your desire to publish needs to outweigh your fear, and only YOU can decide which comes out on top.

Remember Your Purpose

Difficult moments are inevitable when you’re writing. Either life feels too big to bear, writing slips down your radar, or something else gets in the way. It’s in these moments that you’ll need to reconnect with the purpose behind your picture book. Understanding why you have this dream can reignite the passion and determination needed to see it through to publication.

Identify Your “Why”

Recall the initial spark that led to the creation of your picture book. Whether it was a personal experience, a message you wanted to share, or a desire to bring joy to readers, understanding your inspiration can remind you of the importance of your work and give you the courage to publish.

Focus on the Positive Impact

Consider the positive impact your picture book can have on children. Whether it's sparking imagination, imparting valuable lessons, or providing comfort, your book has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of those who encounter it. But it’s your responsibility to build the courage to publish and get your book in their hands.

Set a Reminder

Now that you know your “why”, write it down somewhere you’ll see it every day. The more you remind yourself of your “why”, the stronger your courage to publish will become.

Honour What You Want

To find the courage to publish your picture book, it's essential to honour your desires and aspirations. This involves making decisions that align with your goals.

Put Your Dream First

There have been many times in my own life where I’ve wanted something, but I put other things in front of it. For many children’s writers, helping others with their dreams comes first. I truly believe it’s our nature to be supportive, but if you have a dream popping into your mind over and over, you need to fulfill that. Don’t be afraid to put your dream first for a little while.

Seek Support

Surround yourself with a supportive community of people who share similar goals. Whether it's fellow authors, illustrators, or mentors, having a network that understands and encourages your vision can be SO empowering.

Be Patient and Persistent

Publishing a picture book is a process that requires patience and persistence. Understand that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of the journey. Stay committed to your vision, and celebrate the small victories along the way.

By honouring your desires and staying true to your creative vision, you'll find the strength and courage needed to bring your picture book to the world.

Publishing a picture book is a courageous project that requires embracing fear, remembering your purpose, and honouring what you want. Do these, and you'll not only find the courage to publish your picture book but also experience the joy of sharing your unique voice with young readers.