In our first three installments of My Author Origin Story, we checked some important things off of the list:
✅Believe in myself
✅Find community
✅Write manuscript in my voice…revise…revise…revise, get critiques, get professional editting
✅Find AMAZING illustrator and complete illustrations
Now all that was left to do was print, publish and launch! Here we go!
SCBWI conferences were the gifts that kept on giving. The 2024 Winter Conference delivered direction for the year, so I arrived at the 2025 Winter Conference more comfortable, informed, and focused than the year before. Besides taking workshops that allowed me to dive deeper into the craft, Felipe and I finally met in person. And yes, Felipe was just as lovely to work with in person as he was virtually. Together, we checked out conference sponsors for printing options, and met Rachel Kerr and the folks from OnPress Book Printing. As a self-publisher I had two printing options: print on demand or offset printing. I wanted the book to look as close to traditional publishing as possible, so I decided to go with offset printing. I knew it was going to cost me, but I wanted the book to stand out for its content, not for its lack of quality. I visited the OnPress conference table at least 6 times, went to their conference workshop session and even went on a private tour of their printing plant. Yeah, I’m that girl; I wanted to make sure my investment was with a reputable, customer service oriented company. Each interaction with OnPress exemplified professional competence, grace and courtesy, so I ordered 500, 10x10 paperback books to be printed and delivered to my home!
I was not going to be the author with boxes of books sitting dormant in the basement so I needed to set a release date and get Got Ideas, Anyone? launched. The books were delivered in early December. I’ve heard that December is not a good time to release books, so I set the release date for after the holidays, January 21, 2026. That gave me enough time to firm up details with my local bookstores, get help from Misty Black Media for Amazon setup and to soft sell holiday gifts to my friends, family, and colleagues that didn’t want to wait. But for a larger local impact January 21st was the right official release and launch date. It was the Wednesday after MLK Jr. Day. Typically books are released on Tuesdays, but this particular Wednesday was perfect timing for me because my school was having its annual multicultural book sale and a parent assembly.
It was a glorious day. Felipe came in from New Jersey. The school gave us the honor of launching the book as the first author/illustrator visit in the newly built library. Margaret, the same author and librarian that inspired me, introduced me, and I introduced Felipe. It made sense that Felipe should go first because after all it’s a PICTURE book. Whenever I handed people the book, they always commented about the art before they read one word of text. Felipe talked about his art process and did some live illustrations based on crowd requests.
Then I read.
The parents received it wonderfully, but what made it even better was the children. Each classroom presented a page from Got Ideas, Anyone? Teacher Resources, found on my website. Sixty plus children and many of their parents got to see how the book could be enjoyed in the classroom and at home.
After assembly, Felipe and I got to visit classrooms and sign books, and Got Ideas, Anyone? was officially launched. Like I said, it was a glorious day.
Since the launch, I’ve been keeping busy. I’ve worked on more manuscripts, been mentored by Alliah Agostini through the PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program, and had a great showing at a bookstore signing. I am having a good time. Has every moment been rainbows and roses? No. Do I get frustrated by the publishing industry at large? Yes. Does it take a village to raise an author? Absolutely yes, even a “self-published” one. Do I fight back thoughts of doubt and insecurity? Sure. Am I always motivated? No. Have I made a million dollars? Not many of us will, but it’s been a good ride, and I’ll do it again, and again. Just you watch and see.
While growing up in Boston, Tischa D. Brown enjoyed the locations and lessons great stories had to offer. She holds a MS in Early Childhood Leadership and Policy from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Child Development and a BA in Psychology from the University of Hartford. For the last 30 years Tischa has put her love for storytelling to work in early childhood education. That’s why Tischa’s debut picture book, Got Ideas, Anyone?, highlights the classroom in all of its glory! While proud of her academic and professional accomplishments, nothing brings her more joy than traveling the world with her family, and when faced with a seemingly impossible challenge, she reminds herself that she and her daughter have been lost in a desert and survived!
You can contact her through her website: tischadbrown.com
And follow her on Instagram:@tischastake.
Felipe Blanco is an illustrator and freelance artist currently based in New Jersey, USA, but originally born and raised in Brazil! He shares his home with his beloved wife and cat, Haroldo. His creative path began early, always surrounded by drawings, colors, and stories. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s in Digital Design. He’s been working as a freelance artist for almost a decade, collaborating with indie game studios, teaching digital painting, and even experimenting with 3D printing for fun projects and products! He loves creating stylized, colorful art filled with personality and charm. Now his main focus is picture book illustration, where he combines his love for storytelling and visual design.
You can contact him through his website: Felipe Blanco Illustration
And follow him on Instagram:@blancoilustra.
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