Parents Who Write logo
36. Writing and illustrating children’s books w/ Sheryl Bass
  • Erin Canning
  • February 28, 2023
  • 8:27 am
  • 0 comments

Have you pondered writing children’s book but aren’t sure how to pull the whole project together, from prose, to illustrations, to publication?

In this episode, Sheryl Bass discusses various resources that can help you write and publish your book, how to handle illustrations, and what to consider when pondering traditional or self-publishing.

You’ll also learn more about social emotional learning and how you can incorporate these messages into your books to help foster positive messages for children. Also enjoy hearing an excerpt of Sheryl’s rhyming storybook.

For additional discussions about children's books, check out episode 29, "Using children's stories to inspire your writing."

Topics discussed in this episode
  • Being a midwife to others’ creativity
  • The sneeze that inspired a children’s book
  • The importance of rhyme vs what’s fashionable
  • The challenge of being an unknown author
  • Holding onto an idea for years
  • Creating your own author’s brand
  • Incorporating SEL into children’s books
  • Pros to self-publishing
  • Cons to self-publishing
  • Finding self-publishing services, such as editors and illustrators
  • Four tips for writing children’s books
  • Our children provide us with built-in resources
  • How your kids can help you choose an illustrator
  • Writing isn’t a race
  • The benefits of reading your story aloud
  • An excerpt from Baby Dragon’s Big Sneeze
  • Adding more kindness to the world
About Sheryl

Sheryl Bass holds a master’s degree in Social Work and has studied child development, and she uses these insights to inform her picture book writing. Her goal in creating Be-Kind Publishing is to produce lighthearted rhyming stories with gentle themes of teamwork and friendship.

Sheryl also holds a master’s degree in Journalism and is currently working in public relations. Sheryl resides just outside of Chicago, IL with her husband and two terriers.

Get her book
Connect with Sheryl
Resources discussed during the show
  • April Cox, coach, Self-Publishing Made Simple
  • Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
  • Laura Bontje, children’s book editor
  • Children’s Book Insider
  • Remesh Ram, illustrator, Prayan Animation
Join our online community

Let’s connect via my Facebook group, Parents Who Write, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentswhowrite.

Listen or Watch

Listen to Parents Who Write on Apple Podcasts
Listen to Parents Who Write on Spotify
More button

Feeling stuck in your author journey?

As an experienced editor, I specialize in helping writers like you, especially parents juggling family and creativity, finish and publish their books.

Take action on your writing dreams! Book a FREE 30-minute discovery call to discuss how I can help you implement these strategies and finally achieve your author goals.

Bonus: Book your call and mention this episode for a free publishing check list.

Posted in Podcast

Related

Becoming a parent who writes
01. Becoming a parent who writes
In this episode, Erin shares her emotional journey, from her struggle with identity loss to rediscovering herself. Find out how Erin became a parent who writes.
From postpartum depression to author w/ Samantha Bryant
32. From postpartum depression to author w/ Samantha Bryant
When postpartum depression strikes, escaping those feelings can seem impossible. Learn how this mom returned to creative writing to help herself through depression.
Scenes, Characters, Series, Oh My! Taming the Chaos of Multi-Project Writing w/ Edward Green, episode 65 of the Parents Who Write podcast
65. Scenes, characters, series, oh my! Taming the chaos of multi-project writing w/ Edward Green
Do you struggle with multi-project writing? In this episode, Edward shares not only his writing journey but also the answers to questions that used to plague him too. Like, how do you keep track of all those random scenes that pop into your head?