The principal focus of this podcast episode is an insightful conversation with Sheri Fink, an accomplished author renowned for her children's literary works, particularly her latest book, "Beyond Words."

In our discourse, we delve into the profound significance of being a children's book author, exploring the emotional resonance that children's literature can engender in both young readers and their families.

Sheri elucidates the inspiration behind "Beyond Words," a project born from her experiences with children undergoing medical challenges, thereby intertwining the narrative with themes of empathy and resilience.

Furthermore, we examine the innovative elements of the book, including its unique audiobook format, which enhances the reading experience through interactive engagement.

This episode serves as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the vital role authors play in shaping the emotional landscapes of childhood.

Takeaways:

1. In this episode, Sheri Fink elaborates on her unique journey as a children's book author and the profound impact her experiences have on her writing.
2. Sheri discusses the importance of emotional resonance in children's literature, particularly through her book 'Beyond Words', which supports families facing difficult times.
3. The conversation highlights the collaborative nature of publishing, particularly Sheri's partnership with Aflac, and the shared mission to assist children undergoing treatment.
4. Sheri reflects on the significance of community engagement in her work, emphasizing that children's books can serve as vital tools for emotional support and connection.
5. The episode underscores the value of creativity and imagination in storytelling, as Sheri describes the whimsical elements she infuses into her narratives.
6. Listeners gain insights into the practical aspects of publishing and marketing children's books, including the necessity of adapting strategies to reach diverse audiences.

Links referenced in this episode:

Websites:

1. Aflac.com/BeyondWords
2. SheriFink.com
3. whimsicalworld.com

Instagram: @Sheri_Fink

Facebook: @SheriFinkFan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherifink

YouTube: whimscialworld

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Aflac
2. Archway Publishing
3. King's Printing

Mentioned in this episode:

From Idea to Bookshelf

From Idea to Bookshelf

Sherry Fink, author of Beyond Work, Little Rose, the Little Monster and many more.

Thanks Sherry, for appearing on the Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors podcast.

Thank you.

Sherry has mentioned she's written multiple children's books and today we're going to focus on her book Beyond Words and I look forward to our conversation.

Sherry, before we get into the details of the book, can you tell us what being a children's book author means to you?

What does it feel like to read children's books?

I tell them every day and you get to be the present terrific and.

The inspiration I've got a feeling you've come at this book a little differently because of the association with ASLAC from when you do your own children's book publishing without that affiliation.

Tell us about the inspiration behind this book Beyond Words extra special as you.

Mentioned, collaborate with F on this book and they reached out and said they made a children's book helps not only who are going through difficult things families that are so that perspective that I strive to do at all to help kids that was so good and create brand experience the families could enjoy who are going through cancer treatment and blood events.

It was a very unique do you.

Have a special connection to this story?

I feel especially to this story because I've been bombed children's hospitals going room to room trick ICUs and them and signing and to the children who are going chemo treatments and recoveries from so when they actually even had a childhood cancer team and I got I also have have children who are felt like it was my destiny with them.

I looked at your website and I loved your website and we'll talk more about it in a moment.

I love the fun that you portray on your website.

I always like to talk to published children's book authors about their children's book business.

I noticed you call your business a whimsical world.

Talk to us about this whimsical world that you created.

When did that start in books?

For the past 15 years and along my journey I was invited to speak at the same day their named Derek Taylor Kent actually 20 authors there we met in school I was speaking to the younger elementary speaking to the older ones and he told me many months later once we knew that day he was going to marry look at our individual careers.

He's best known for preschool series in El Pero and has written many books since then.

We once we combined our two and created world which was something even either of us could have created and our full mission Fire Delight and Educate all ages while planning esteem and high achievement.

Everything we do the live experiences interviews the merchandise thing is aligned and gosh that seems like a long eight or nine years ago officially merged everything together.

We've just been upward on that and.

That was also a business decision.

Yes.

Once we were like we're doing these things separate but what if we could do them together and we really have a relationship because children's authors I know it's they have to leave their family for the week festival or they have to get up super early to but nobody else is going with them the whole family we've got to year old now we do it all we hire which is really business that our up like my who's three now at festivals she'll see and she will literally come next to mine and pretend to me and that just they oh people they're starting to recognize which I just think is so and delightful.

That's fantastic because I've had guests on who have told me that a lot of times adults are buying their books for themselves.

And I said what do you mean they're buying them for themselves?

And they said because the adult comes up to me after a book reading and says that's me.

I'm the character in the book.

And I thought wow, isn't that amazing?

It is really had multiple times up and meeting me in person and cry always.

I don't know why I'm I was like it's okay.

I love I'm glad that it makes you happy.

That makes me very makes it worth it.

Absolutely.

And just so you know, when I looked at your website I can see that both you and your husband are big kids.

Yeah.

There no doubt in my mind.

And you know what?

That's what I love.

One of the things that they say Sherry if you want to live a long life is and maybe Stephanie who's listening in from Aflac can learn from this.

As for her company if you want to live a long life get younger friends.

These are eight and under so I guess yeah.

And that's what I love about having my grandchildren be able to share with them.

So if you could tell us a little bit like because I looked and it's quite interesting you I was looking at your book formats so you have a hardcover beautiful hardcover.

You can probably see Sherry, I've got your hardcover book behind me beyond words beautiful book and a lot of fun and we'll talk more about that in a moment.

And then you also have a paperback.

So explain to us your strategy with your hardcover and your paperback for this.

I think the AFLAC was to make to as many people as possible.

And hardbacks are but they also have a higher price.

So by release and a paperback at this they maximize families that would be able the book.

And tell us a little bit about that relationship.

Are you printing the paperback through the Amazon kdp?

No.

The company that's publishing the book when and they are printing them all just like them the same company.

So they're using I noticed they're using King's Printing.

Craig.

Yeah.

So your soft cover and hardcover now this is with beyond words.

No, this wouldn't be with your books.

Okay.

Just so our audience understands the difference and the special relationship that you're having with Aflac.

And it's like a partnership from what.

I'm gathering collaborated came to me there so much research so much heart story before came to me they had focus groups students where they different stories with what what resonated had them do different art that they were by hearing a little bit about what the story.

And then when I went story I had all the to pull from so great because you've some of those that the kids have through the book like even the heart that created art that planet.

And I was like oh, we have the flying story.

Those were from the ideas There were things that to weave in and did.

We had a big in which those students grade were invited and they got to see ideas to this beautiful and here at Red Author.

Terrific special, right?

Very special because I'm very lucky.

My My oldest granddaughter like I said is a co author in our first book and also in our second book.

But she and her my four other grandchildren helped us write 38 books in our series the Adventures of Caboose the Rocky Mountain Bear.

And so they are my I guess my sample group.

Like you're talking about beta readers.

Beta readers a little smaller size but I still have these beta readers.

It definitely makes it special for sure.

The other thing I wanted to talk to you about and I loved it and I'll tell you it was very special for me because I actually I read the book beyond the words and I read the couple of times and then what I did is of course I noticed the QR code at the back and we'll talk a little bit about that which linked to the audiobook.

And so when we were putting our book together we were trying to think how could we reach people.

So what my old middle granddaughter did she's got the perfect voice for Caboose.

So she actually recorded our first Story the Adventures of Caboose the Rocky Mountain Bear.

And we actually did up a QR code.

And so we created a bookmark and we have the QR code.

And when you go to that QR code, it not only gives you the audiobook, it also gives you my oldest granddaughter, Kira, talking about the story behind the story on how Caboose came to life.

So when I saw what you did in the in Beyond Words, I thought, whoa, this is next level.

Just spectacular.

So I'd like to talk a little bit about the audio book and with Kelly Girardi as your narrator again, how did that all come together?

And just before we get you to tell the story, just so our listening audience knows, at the very back of the book Beyond Words, there's actually a QR code.

And it's cute because it also has the Aflac duck in the middle of the QR code, which is cool.

And then you actually get this audio book.

I think it's about 17 or 18 minutes.

But what's incredible about it is it's very professional and the sound effects.

And so I just took it and I played it on my iPhone and I just flipped through.

I followed it along and I did that twice.

I was just mesmerized.

So tell us about that whole relationship on how this whole audiobook experience happened.

So affluent grand vision for the book.

Like they told me celebrity reading the story online QR code in the book that experience that is just brilliant.

And we were brainstorming celebrities that we thought might be And I was like a crazy idea.

But if there is that's a female and a mom that I Instagram who I find inspiring.

She's got millions and she just be a really good person.

And they're like okay, search.

And then thing I hear back about it they've.

And I was like oh my gosh, that's.

And then they tell me is she going to record the but she at this book you are going to be at and get interviewed with her like to the same day.

I was like that's so amazing.

That is amazing.

Yeah, because you get to meet somebody it's a hero to you to do something together and support an amazing process.

And I would I spent a lot of time with Kelly during we shared Uber each other at dinner.

And she's.

She is one of you just think could be better in real life.

But she told firing so authentic just human being affiliated with her in any way.

And I am so thrilled that voice of this story.

She did a very good job as a Narrator.

Just because you're an astronaut doesn't necessarily mean that you have a great narrator's voice.

True.

She was the for this project.

Yeah.

And the audio production itself to enhance the narration.

You know what it's worth purchasing the book just for the audiobook.

Like what Great value added for sure.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

You're welcome.

So I guess this the next part I want to talk to you about is from the publishing side and your publishing approach.

Now I know we're going to we're going to end up talking really in two manners because we're going to talk from beyond the words and that publishing approach.

And then I'd also like to get you to give us some insight into your own children's book publishing approach.

So let's talk about beyond words first.

I know that you guys used a publisher called Archway.

Were you familiar with Archway Publishing before you actually worked on this project?

I was not they were not on my all provided the and they worked illustration company and provide management for that and then fulfillment of the books.

Okay.

For beyond and I noticed they used Archway uses a publishing company called King's Publishing.

Yes, that's the printer.

Yes, the printer.

And now would you have had any association with King King Printing before this project?

No them at all either.

I okay.

Other team.

Other member of the team that was the illustration company.

I have partnered with Bright Jungle my books to life and sorry they may add value here.

Okay.

So when you so though those three companies you had never dealt with with your own whimsical world of children's books.

With Bright Joke but not Archway.

Okay.

Okay.

And so explain to us a little bit about the illustration side because most of us as children's book authors we end up using in most cases an individual illustrator that we get to know.

And most children's book authors that I've interviewed and I've interviewed over 75 children's book authors is they tend to end up developing a relationship with their illustrator and they stick with them for multiple books.

So tell us about your experience with illustration.

I've worked at both initially in my career a single illustration who did the first five.

And then when I books more like a I had production schedulers and timelines.

I needed to release the and hit certain season commitments that I had made author.

I came beyond that because I would too many illustrator to handle.

Okay.

Because husband and I combined forces started having a need illustrate his books at the same time and then I started taking on med so then they needed people.

So I was like need to find other communities here so that we hit our timelines quick without poaching to serve another I found bright jobs they form called another name I can't think of right now but but you'll the books throughout history they name in the past company and what working with a studio that you have and the project yes between for Trader and you and some trader might speak a language than you do that's not a brick wall because you have manager who can cross the other audit is that you have a project and strict deadline happens in the life of the illustrator someone or something happens they can't keep their timeline the studio on the response find someone else in a gap who can and hit.

The timeline and you don't find the transition if you have to switch it's.

Rare has to happen.

Okay okay.

Because yeah I just want to be clear on that because I've talked to authors who have had illustrators including themselves Some of the children's book authors I've interviewed are the illustrator and they said the most difficult thing they have is keeping continuity through all the illustrations.

Yes and that is the author the art and I make sure never go with whatever the drawn no matter how traitor is they can't brain they're not going to read your mind and know what the right fit is see something that's not it you're like oh okay this way and that's process that with my books and that we also with beyond and the Aflac team able to give and make sure that it was in alignment.

So together with the three of us we're being bigger and I think than on our own.

Okay so it sounds like that whole relationship with Aflac yourself and Archway and the and the illustrator work well yeah.

I think we were really I have worked with the team for over a decade trust them I know that they deliver.

So I knew that if if we would be able to the goal sensitive though because they're so variable.

So I'm always like are we gonna make it and then when we do but I knew it would be quality.

It definitely is beautiful quality.

Thank you Layer that's checking out the book it's like hidden prizes is that they will find a book they look over and three night at bedtime read it three so this book about it by planting seeds so that they could every time they load which I think is as apparent too because board gets.

Sprint over like I said to you I was when I scanned the QR code it was fantastic because I was mesmerized and like I said, I played the recording twice because only about 17 minutes and yet I can see a child.

Because you know what I like all five of my grandchildren are very familiar with technology and if they don't have a smartphone, they've got an iPad.

And the beautiful thing about it is you can scan that QR code and then you can.

You can just listen and flip along through the book.

So it certainly adds a really nice dimension to the book.

So I want to talk about your website and I love your website.

It's.

It is whimsical and I love how you and your husband have some fun on the website.

So that's very neat.

And I've got your website up in front of me and I.

The banner keeps sliding through so I can see the picture of you being a mermaid and then your different book titles and then your husband and yourself.

So it's definitely a lot of fun.

And so talk to us about the development of your website in terms of when you first started out.

How has it grown from what you originally had?

And talk to us about that.

The whimsical nature.

When did that sneak its way in to your website?

I think I've always.

It's been just core to my.

Ever since I was a kid talking to someone who has wanted to be a writer, a princess and I feel career where you can legitimately do all of those things.

Yes, my very first.

So I used to do HTML and back when I was in grad school, HTML I taught myself HTML taught classes at my university while doing grad school money.

So first attempt at a actually leveraged blog way back in the day.

Remember blog?

Before Google bought it, I had a blog, but it's a blog.

I was mowing it up and I thought, oh, I'm going.

So I made it to my first book.

It's called the Little Rose.

My whole website, the colors which are pink, it had a book and the character everything was geared towards because at that time I couldn't.

This was.

I couldn't fathom a reason differently.

But then I got another idea.

Second book came out and I no, now I have to do a website.

So then I had a.

That was for the little note.

It was like a mirror image.

The same style I use still because I was just doing and I could manage it with my skills.

And then I had a third book and I was like sanity, like keep creating it every time I have a new book.

In all of this, I instead decided that I needed myself the brand because that was.

The uniform was me absolutely and everything I was doing was emotional learning.

So doing crazy things.

I was doing the same both things but under so that's when I thought do a Sherry thing that has that way I have flexibility add titles or add merchandise which really wanted to do for a very long excited to do it now and then once my husband I was like whimsical World needs website.

So if you go to whimsical.

Com you'll see that we that I had already for Cherry Finktok.

Nice.

We did it for the world.

We're able to leverage the programming that I had picked but then have it just for when you go to the two different see different things the same you can tell that it's like it because they're complementary duplicative because there's a lot of things that that aren't necessarily Whimsical world.

Like I do writers conferences and web conferences and different things that aren't necessarily umbrella would be on my site.

Terrific.

Terrific.

Yeah.

Because I noticed you're launching an adult book and it's on your Sheri Fink website.

Correct.

Yeah.

It enables me to follow the inspiration ways.

Yes.

Makes 19 different.

And with your website is that for beyond.

Talk to us a little bit about how you're using your website to promote the book.

Because I'm just.

I'm watching the banners go through but I haven't seen Beyond Word banner slide in.

So is there a reason for that?

Yeah, everything is well so on Think site or the whimsical world.

But the beyond words is something that Whimsical world on my Sherry Fink site on the homepage I have free featured banner and beyond.

And then when you click that, I think I might have a book about it online.

Yes.

Like I'm looking at it, I'm scrolling up.

I see magenta Beyond Words and wishing you rainbows all come up.

And then you with your beautifully rainbow hair.

Your beautiful rainbow hair.

And then when you go to the link ultimately take you to Beyond Word.

Okay.

Where you see the audio.

You can order a paperback or a copy where you can get the coloring pages.

Yeah, absolutely.

I just clicked on it.

You bet.

I see that.

Fantastic.

So that's great news how you've done that.

So that's terrific.

Okay.

I also.

Oh, sorry.

So also at the bottom of both connects to my Instagram.

So the Sheri Fink connects to Sherry Fink on Instagram.

Okay.

Books.com connects to the account on Instagram.

Again, this is really for authors at the of the main page.

Yes.

Automatically pull my Most recent Instagram.

So anybody that I don't have to update the whole because I have this plugin that's automatic latest things.

Terrific.

Yeah.

It's interesting you should say that because what I've done is I have a business card with my.

I'm just showing you that.

But I have a QR code on it that.

And what happens when you actually scan the QR code?

It takes you to the latest episode of Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors and then you can make a decision from there.

So depending out on when I hand out the business card and depending on when someone scans the QR code, that's the.

That's the episode they get.

Now the whole library is available to them, but that's the way it works.

So that's great.

Yeah.

I like things that are automated because the many things that we have to touch it we overwhelming as an.

It's hard to keep up.

We even just posting on all forms that we can do to make our lives and still keep things up to date.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

Now, I noticed you are.

I don't think you're on LinkedIn, are you?

I am.

Oh, are you?

Okay?

I just.

I was just looking for the.

Oh, oh.

So you know where it says connect with Sherry.

I just looking for the LinkedIn logo.

But I am on LinkedIn.

Okay, terrific.

Terrific.

And the reason I mentioned that is because it's surprising.

I probably only had a half dozen children's book authors who are actually on LinkedIn.

And I always say to them, oh, yeah.

And I say, you know what, guys?

If you look at LinkedIn, there are so many groups and some of the biggest groups that you should be joining are like, for example, I'm a member of the principal and teachers.

There's a large principal and teachers LinkedIn group.

It's in the.

It's in the tens of thousands of people that are members.

And I post there all the time because a lot of my guests are either children's book.

Sorry.

Are either early educators or they're elementary school educators.

And the interesting thing about that is that they've written these children's books and they actually even developed them with a lesson plan.

And I always say to them, if you're.

If you're doing that, you should be speaking to people who.

That.

That will bring your books into their schools.

And so, so that's one of.

One of the things that I try and talk about on every episode is I'm encouraging children's book authors to make sure that they are on LinkedIn and they look for the appropriate groups because a lot of times I find that children's book authors will join other children's book authors, Facebook or Instagram.

But what you're ending up doing is many times you're talking to the same audience so you're all trying to get the same reader.

And whereas if you can expand your audience where you're reaching out to teachers who and principals who want to bring books like yours into a school, that's the audience you should be talking or part of the audience you should be talking to.

And the thing I've found is that the post think they're longer than they do form.

So I don't know the long tail of it.

If I post on that one's that's probably 24 hours maybe before it stops getting any engagement.

Then something on might have two days, four days, five days depending on if it's on my like a fan page or page which gets a lot because it's personal upgrade I didn't boost it so upgrade it the same I will get common engagement with it two weeks like it stays longer.

And I don't know if that's competition.

Less people ate for lunch and I don't know why there's more engagement or time.

Okay.

And it's definitely worth and it's also hired to speak at conference ikeno conferences and a lot of those opportunities and through LinkedIn.

And that's a great point.

I had never even thought about that.

But that's a great point for because some of the what I'm tend that's why I ask about what's your business plan Because a lot of times as a independent or a published children's book author is if you only have one or two titles it's hard to develop a business around just those one or two titles.

So you really have to think outside the book and going and speaking in public.

And I recently had a guest on and she told me that she wrote her first children's book.

And when she went and did all these events like she would go to markets and children's festivals and stuff like that.

She was finding that she had a lot of people coming up to her saying how do I become a children's book author?

And she actually ended up she had so many requests she said I think there's a business opportunity here.

And she set up her own publishing house.

So you just don't know where a book will take you.

But you certainly need to find a way other than one or two titles to support yourself in this journey as a children's book author.

Oh and then once you as you have different like we've each published and that's very and they're all in print we've made the strategic print festivals now we because before you have a few books you only need half a table right Bind together And then we needed and then we started getting 10 now we're looking at 10 by 20 like that's space but we still have so many titles and we love as things end up kind of way when someone comes to the booth oh it's okay we have 40 books get down to cut to the that they're looking for like shopping for today.

You know right.

How old are they are trying to thing for them at the right time.

Being an owl person about every single It's a good problem to have but it's thing to figure out because we'll have a line and I'm like oh my people waiting.

They've got babies.

I know what that's like cut to the chase like you can figure out your little incredible.

But like you said this has been a 15 year journey, right?

Yes, that's right.

Yeah.

It hasn't been overnight success.

Oh no.

Nothing ever is nothing worthwhile I think for sure but it's so fulfilling.

Right.

I had a friend who was a vegetarian and he was following me around for a day I don't know 9 years ago something like that.

And he said people knew how hard you had to work for it on it.

And I was like that's a really perspective but I can't not do it.

That's the thing.

It's part of who I am.

These ideas love these characters.

I can't not share their story.

It's just you have so many ideas pipeline I have to figure out who's next.

You're on hold.

So I want to talk to you from two aspects beyond words and then talk about your your books.

Your own books.

And even though they're both the same thing but beyond words is was there talk to us about that specific moment when you thought oh when someone aflac approaches you that's like a big compliment but you still have to think oh this is something different.

So how did you know what was that moment and you said you know what this is a great opportunity.

I'm going to do it.

Initially approached I was full and then I was like I don't because I had over 12 world before and I've been on for longer now than world so I was like I already had A book already scheduled to which was wishing you ran and I was like that yeah was I didn't take to delay the release of the book cause I already had everything I interviewed all the things how to do this I had a 2 year old and a gosh how old was he?

34 month old so it was like time is very in demand and I don't want to something that I can't give my like it deserves the attention of any other book I would create so hesitant mid until the team a a teams call I got to meet the and their own not from their own perspectives like why the book mattered they wanted to make it they thought that I would be a good fit for it and while I was chatting with them just had this overwhelming it's like magic it was like like a hug I'm a very sensory person and I fall like too almost sometimes like I'm in a this doesn't feel right and I'll just make sure go I'm like no it just wasn't for me but this was definitely it felt and I don't use those I I to make it work and that like I have this other that I've worked so hard I've I have it planned originally we were thinking having they wanted me to delay it do it I can't delay and they thought about it and they're like you do the book if you will please.

And then I was like I'm in excellent that makes it a yes for me.

And I was because I was about this book that I was told about or we had even inked the ideas about the character it was just meant to and that was so let's pick.

Up on character development because I have to tell you a story about my oldest granddaughter because your the book beyond words really struck home and what happened was when my granddaughter was young younger and she was going to daycare and with my career I had some flexibility and I had a lot of personal holidays so her and I would hang out and what happened was her daycare they had a rabbit they had this bunny and you and each child if they were going on a trick they got to take the bunny with them including a suitcase full of clothes and yeah it was a lot of fun.

So the bunny's name was Georgia and we ended up because we had a home in the Rocky Mountains.

We would drive down there and of course I would have to not only put my granddaughter in her child proof seat I'd also have to make sure that Georgia was wearing her seatbelt and so it was a lot of fun.

So when we got to the Rocky Mountains Kira and I would take Georgia and we would go all over the place having these adventures with Georgia the bunny.

So the reason I bring this up is that Georgia got so popular at the daycare they had to get another plushie and they got George a bear.

So now you've got this rat, a bunny and this bear.

So you can see why the story really stuck with me because all of a sudden you've got these two main characters a bunny and a bear.

And it was interesting Now I know they were friends but in Kira's mind and even the daycare's mind they told them that George the bear was George's brother.

And in child's mind they didn't see any issues with that whatsoever.

So any anyways I just.

I'm off topic a little bit but you know what I wanted you to know how it tugged at my heart with this bunny and this bear and why it was significant to to me.

So sisters were very into the so tell us why.

Why a bear and why a bunny.

I was thinking what is the most stuffed animal because one is going they want to hug something.

What do kids reach for did some research and I that over 60% of the time teddy bear over 60 depends on which study the numbers are huge Any other big kid that I know sister growing up bunny that sleeps in the crib that bunny is to crib level right still has hers and I my daughter the exact still make it prize my daughter with it and it's still I was like and then my nephew they all have a bunny so it's a bear.

But what are the other that kids most so I did research on that we as you're going through there's classroom scenes yes where you see a turtle none of those are by coincidence they are all there because kids like and that's what I thought to see in the book of these and the reason that they're named and bunny those are very common names to those characters though they all these letter indifference that.

Could have easily been in the hospital could have been the one on the adventure they're all the same it could have easily been either so I liked it kids and families would be able to relate one child something but it could easily been yes we all need.

Pork for sure and like I mentioned to you before we started recording the show is that it was because of one of our like our first customer who said to us you know what we'll sell a lot more books if we have a accompanying plushie to go with your book and what's been amazing is since that time we actually have gotten our books listed into three major hotels in the Rocky Mountains and they took our book because of the plushie and we just received our third order which and they just started just before Christmas.

So it's pretty amazing when people when kids have the book and the stuffy or the plushie to go with it it's pretty remarkable and I could show you a whole bunch of pictures but that's another show so let's talk about towards the end of the book Buddy and bunny I like the little twist at the end with the aflac duck so explain how that was that ending and that connection was that there right from the get go did you have that as the end in mind I.

Wanted something that the heart of the story but very much a discovery process like I think when we first started I was telling them like there were different planets they haven't so this beyond words is inspired is already done through my duck which is the animatronic duck you give to children cancer treatments app that accompany and when I was doing my I downloaded the app how knit that and then there's a of the app where the off into space and sound skips thought we can space this such an intricate and possibilities right There's a lot of things with that from a creativity doesn't lock us down into a classroom setting and I like to a whimsical when they're discovering something new about themselves think inside the box the limitations of what we have whatever situation that they're so we showed the different love on each and what if we made something super where they would be like I to the puppy planet that sounds amazing to me or robot world would that be for a kid to go to robot world each of the planets had a form that didn't require thing to say really wanted to bring home last want to give a spoiler but I will alert so in Buddy goes to the underwater plant the creature there and they give him a gift Buddy isn't if he dreamt experience his nana bear it feels like back when he's back on Earth the next day wants to do something nice he really all the kids for her they're carrying daydreaming with clouds with her games they're giving her they're doing all these sweet that they care even though they know what to say he gets his chance he's really excited to like cares and he's got A dandelions which is symbolic for the story.

And it's one of those mentioned.

There's a dandelion scene.

Yes.

That looks a depending on the planet and kids will see that that it's a magical thing that's planted there.

But also when he's holding the dance hand in his pocket and he that and he's maybe it's.

He really did this thing incredible.

And I have this my friend still get.

I know.

And so that when you were developing the theme for Beyond Words how did you.

How did you all agree to how that.

Because there's a lot.

There's a lot going on in Beyond Words.

It's.

It's a journey through so many experiences.

And so how did you bring all that together into one theme that you could work with?

I think it is.

I was out of a lot of the time and I was brainstorming while I was on the elliptical.

I was having meditation and then regular check in points meetings.

What if we did this that.

And then when I created line I was weaving in things that they had suggested in the focus groups as best and I was saying these choices.

You know why it was a rabbit.

Why that why that.

And one of the to me was not that he the planets overcome adversities between each of those planets.

That's why you have him asteroid field.

That's why he's and the giant blob.

Because that I wanted kids to do to vicariously confidence through.

So he's not just going in oh give her a hug.

Oh oh.

It's like experiencing buying different things and have but then trying something else that work.

So he's hoping and communication and difference along the way child is building it with so when you get to that last I don't think there were many like everybody was like yes this is it.

You know all the ingredients mix it up in the right order.

Something really good at the end.

And there were little feedback on things like oh make sure that this is stay to make to up point.

Yes Type of thing.

But there wasn't the edits.

It was just.

It felt serendipitous.

Yeah.

And I loved at the end of the book how you had the have all of the pictures with no words with people like the characters together.

I thought that was a very nice touch.

Yes thank you.

But it's beyond.

Yes.

And we talked about the value we talked about the incredible value through the audiobook.

But also I noticed when I went there's and I clicked on the if you scroll down when you go to the audiobook.

I noticed that if you actually scroll up you find coloring pages that accompany the book.

And I wanted to make sure we mentioned that because I thought that was a very nice touch too because the first time I listened to the audiobook I didn't scroll down any further.

But the second time that I thought I don't know what happened.

Maybe my finger slipped.

I don't know.

Anyways, it started scrolling up and all of a sudden these coloring pages popped up.

So I just wanted to mention that to anyone listening when they go out and purchase the book and they listen to the audiobook and they go to the audiobook's site.

Is that there's extra added value through the coloring pages.

Oh yeah.

So is that Affleck beyond words and check out.

Yeah, for sure.

Now I want to talk to you about your writing process because as an accomplished children's book author and is how I'm always curious how has your writing process changed from when you first started your first book to now?

What's changed?

Can you give us some insights?

The first book I wrote with Rose I didn't even know what was happening.

I going through a really difficult corporate world and I had been bullied by another woman in my workplace.

It devastated me.

I just didn't know like that it worked try like nothing tried to fix it.

And I was one day and I was just set and I of total surrender where I was like I will do it change this situation.

And that's when this idea came to me about a Rose that grows up in a week.

She's different thinks that she.

And then it wrote far and I had this happened to me before the I think I had written as a kid very carefully but this was like that was just flowing.

And I wrote it on the back of an envelope pencil on my leg at the stoplights.

Luckily tons of stoplights on the way to work and the children's book.

And later when I had a conversation with a lady for about writing she said I was like ah business and marketing and stuff and she's gonna know more.

And I thought oh little story in a drawer me and I told her remember and she said goosebumps you that because my grandfather that message maybe it's a children's book.

And then I couldn't not know what I was doing.

I made tons.

So my first book the first draft Dream of Consciousness made me feel like I was writing it Second book an idea but I didn't know it.

And I'm a plotter.

There's plotters and pantser I am definitely a plotter in life.

Like I have plans, I have goals checklists I have all the but when I write my for whatever reason I'm a pantser what's going to happen either And I like that character and I I go oh this is a book about okay cool Beyond Words it was very different.

I had a committee involved I had to structure around some is just very nebulous and hard to control.

So really great challenge.

Did you do much research when you wrote Beyond Words like all of you together and then you separately as the children's book author what did that look like?

What did the research look like?

All of the results group studies I had the from people who have gone through childhood cancer people who have children who are experiencing it research that had and also I researched stuffed animals all things and then all of that kind of together and then create an outline because want to be writing it random want to make sure I'm but particular story because we published so much process reach that really guide maybe I'm a plotter so I start writing I'm into projects right now but I'm working on something that longer I'm working on a middle okay Holy moly.

And I want so I want to talk to you because you've got so much going on and first I want to talk to you about how you're viewing I guess it's viewing success by committee.

So how what's the success by committee going to look like for Beyond Words.

I feel when out they this amazing book tour we had launch events and two we had I mean it was just detail was considered and planned Appreciate that because putting on a massive endeavor massive and these events did was at the corporate headquarters of affluent Georgia Columbus, Georgia.

They were to the executive as the foundation as the kids that as well as the employees.

Right.

But they I walked into a room and I think every author dreamed was like beyond but I walk into this and detail from the life they have is some of them were as tall they were I was just like I had about an hour before age and I was so grateful because I couldn't get it to like they had earned projection and they had animated scene incredible every table set up activity that brought to loud planets for the kids.

And then I had a place where I was after I gave I mean I they had the president oh my gosh they had the CEO the president the person in charge of created the book and then me.

Oh man.

Like because I wanted you were like a rock star.

I wanted a job for them and I wanted not only the grownups but also because they had waited and that's very hard to sit adults are talking to the fun stuff when I fun stuff so that's we did that and then they put me into a car with drove me down to Atlanta into the hotel and they're like here's the I'm do the satellite media tour tomorrow and we're going to night and here's so and so do a run through and and then each night I was books in my room so that for later wow like call times and makeup for the satellite meeting she worked for CNN Caster's makeup and she Molly Anderson's hate Naked Gun too Just amazing.

It sounds like an amazing experience and.

Not only just day one then we did the satellite media Interesting okay so most interesting thing about this see the people really like they've these shows back to back.

Someone will tape a line on a stick that said June go three minutes and then okay to June.

That's the this is Chicago area and you only so you have to hit your mark.

There's certain things that you want to make Some of the interviews are really short longer and you have the answers and you don't know what exactly they're going to ask this I think what.

An incredible experience because it sounds like something that aspiring children's or a published children's book author they think wow could this ever happen to me.

So it was amazing after that we to there so there are some in the hospital to attend the party that we not well enough to attend.

We got Kelly and go up to them in their rooms with them with their family oh just do a special visit copy of the book sign it for there was a newscaster around and interviewing us so emotional because just my heart on such a deep and we walk into celebration events and at the hospital it's did you imagine this all these kids all different all different ages little gowns some of them are they're walking around with their beep things having the time of their life and you get to be a part of that and it was just mind blowing incredible experience was so life to me and the love as for these kids and you can feel it and that I.

Think because as a children's book authority you wouldn't have been able to have this type of experience on your own.

Correct I have never had to back I've had it here there a month apart a year apart had 14 hours before and looked at my 17 page of what I was going to do because I came I was like here's where I'm going to be.

Here's what I'm doing.

I literally any other author who could pull than you.

You were meant.

Wow.

It just.

And it just shows you everything is possible.

And I could have dreamt about collaboration and having an impact because the other amazing about this book, Rick.

100% proceeds the net proceed go directly to research and treatment sickle cell blood disorders.

100%.

Wow.

And that's fantastic.

That's.

And you know what and it clearly states that on the back of the book and I love that.

So I feel so lucky.

I feel so lucky to be a children's office to get to inspire kids, be a part of something that had an impact.

Who would have known in terms of the role of writing.

Writing a children's book.

Starting with writing one children's book and then how it.

How your garden grew, you blossom.

That's right.

About every book.

Yes.

It's incredible.

So in terms of your time devoting your time to writing now, what does that look like and are you.

If someone came to you with another opportunity like the AFLAC opportunity would you have time to take on it on and would you want to take it on writing today?

Interesting.

I have a couple I competing for my attention.

Right.

I think I signed in for this year.

We'll see.

I usually am for this but I was focused on.

I mean I've had two books four months literally children's books.

Which is for me getting back wagon is a bit of a challenge the marketing part of the cycle.

But I challenge and if someone did come it made sense and mission and time and energy and these projects takes and the team with me.

Yeah, I would totally do it again, like excellent.

Wouldn't take the opportunity well, it was.

Like such a great experience.

It's just that to your point, the time to then go out because it's not just writing the book now you've got this incredible book launch this rollout.

And the other thing, Sherry is that I always say to now in this case I don't want to sound negative.

The thing about children's books is that you have a renewable resource.

You have children and they come into you.

They're born into your age category every day and some of them leave at the back end.

But you've got this renewable resource coming all the time which makes you book timeless and I'd love to see a cure for cancer so that we don't.

We don't need to do fundraising and stuff like that.

But we don't know when that's going to happen so so that makes it a little more difficult because I don't wish for more children with cancer to come into the world but we all know that's a reality and if we.

Can help then no for sure for.

Sure so advice for aspiring authors you've got your life as a children's book author has gone to the next level I think I want I want to be like Sherry when I grow up so talk to us about advice for aspiring children's book authors who are just starting out they don't have a published book they may just have an idea what advice would you give them okay.

So I have a couple of things number one is write the story don't write the thing that you think will be successful write the really pulls your heart be when you're going to be passionate about all the time and energy and effort and take to not only fit so share it with the world because it is you can't just throw ever look at it again another be think of you run your book life business worthy investment and some are you got to look at the arm turn on investment right yes first starting out you might hardcover but maybe you can't okay start out with your best quality paperback you can if you really illustrator wait save up your money but that's what you equality what you're going to make you want something that you're proud no matter what thanks and all right yes really own that book that you're like oh you don't want unsettle take your but the way you really want and then don't let other people limit you starting out and I had the little I to publish it scared and I would who I didn't know oh what do you I should do and don't do it most of them were very but other people were well mean you don't want to be disappointed kid.

And you know what Sherry I say to people because we live this done is better than perfect that's right and you know what the beautiful thing about being if you're especially if you're an independent or self published book authority is that nothing is etched in stone your book is not etched in stone.

You can go in and get your get the the files modified a bit to reflect what you would like to do and I'll give you a small example of what we did is when we first launched our first book someone said do you have a book plate and I said book plate what's a book plate and they said most children's books get purchased by either a parent or grandparent or a family friend and they're given to the child and they always like to write a little message to the child in the book.

And that's what you use a book plate for.

And I thought oh what's.

What does it look like?

They said whatever you want it to look like.

So we actually when we first wrote our first book if you look and I know our audience can't see it but when we wrote our first book we didn't have this little heart with a little message so that you and this is what I call the book plate is where someone can actually write into the heart a message to the child.

And so we did that probably four to six months after we published our first book.

But we were able to easily go in and modify and then just up uploaded again our files and it wasn't that expensive to do.

And that's why I say to everybody you can't be all thing to all people.

To your point like you were saying earlier Sherry is start with the paper back if that's the format that you can afford to do.

Especially with Amazon.

Because the beautiful thing about Amazon is they'll just print you one book whatever you want.

And so you don't have to go out on demand.

Yeah on demand.

You don't have to go out and print thousands of books to get started.

And the other thing I would very transformative for my bill is go people or introverts.

And it's really hard to and talk about your book.

It takes time to but the only way you're going to get comfortable by doing it we do festivals and events and these things talk to customer which is so because you learn like you you end up a short word works for that particular to spend a half hour explaining.

You get what you also meet people just starting out on the journey earlier where don't know what the path is.

So they're inspired by you like you're that far ahead right until you talk to somebody and you say I guess I'm not okay with something after all.

You're just you're.

And they are too you're just absolutely.

And that's also where my invitations to speak it from my collaboratives to do other events from being at something media doing that with their video cameras and so many video cameras and they'll say hey can I or my YouTube channel.

I'm like yeah do it Just say yeah.

And that's the whole thing about like doing podcasts or any of that stuff for sure I couldn't agree with you more so I want to talk to you about encouragement for readers now you can please answer this question from beyond the words and the special why people should purchase this book and then talk to us about your books in general and why they should purchase your books.

Words specifically it's such a special because it's not only to the person that's going challenging but it the family and friend person no support I think single person wants someone who's going through something feel loved don't know what to say distance our intentionally same way so this is so special because it gives them a chance oh I could give her I could suspense them like kinds of things those coping and the ability for other people will last forever that is what's so special regarding my other similar theme every has the desire to they're all social emotional so as you're reading this as of the character and something special about your at the same time this child is having fun end of the day there's a or nurtured for their grow even bigger and better that why I do what I do and that is beyond words like a thousand and people will check it out it's a very special project that no no.

Question I just love it Final thoughts Sherry is there anything you'd like to share before we conclude that maybe I didn't ask you or you might be thinking oh what if is there any final thoughts you have that you'd like.

To share don't give up how hard it can be like when you have a vision for your life and it all the time and it doesn't because see examples of people who because the people who weren't they I would post about that so don't compare to somebody who's further you can be inspired by feel like you're less than because and just everything beauty of it right Technology hands change they they get bigger and they stick it and want to read different stories these things like are for us we don't need to that's the thing about this career getting bored yeah thank you this is great because a little bit different and your routine something that worked before anymore that's okay absolutely up to the p something even better waiting give up keep sharing out there keep writing keep because the world needs if you have it to write a certain story certain message some experience for children then you was meant to do it don't stop until you well Sheri.

Thank you so much for being a guest on the Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors Podcast.

Your generosity of time, your insights.

Wow.

Will significantly benefit aspiring authors and readers.

We promise to provide our audience with links to Sheri's social media, her website, and her book Beyond Words and her other books.

And if you've enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button to listen to our future episodes and feel Feel free to share this episode with anyone inspired by or who enjoys hearing about Sheri and her children's book Beyond Words.

Thank you, Sheri.

This has been a gift.

Terrific.

So, Sherry, I'm just going to stop the recording and we can still talk for a minutes of couple.