For people who are choosing to self-publish, I think it would be helpful to learn about your process in producing your book. If possible, could you please give us a breakdown of the most important aspects of self-publishing your manuscript?

There are so many elements to self-publishing which may not be evident until you start diving into the process. As a picture book author, the production process is very different as you need to collaborate with an illustrator (the words must work in tandem with the images in order for it to appeal to the readers). If you are writing a book with no or few images, the words have the responsibility of telling the story once the reader gets past the cover. If this is the case, the production process of formatting and then creating a cover is a lot simpler.

No matter what genre you write in, always ensure you have an independent person edit and check the formatting if needed. One free source of information that I would highly recommend is www.reedsy.com. They have lots of resources for writers who want to get started, from mini-email courses to YouTube videos, a book editor programme, and a marketplace where you can match up with editors and other professionals whose services you may need.

Also, you need to decide what channel you will self-publish your manuscript. The simplest entry method would be publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon. You can upload your manuscript and hit publish and in hours, have it available for people to buy. Alternatively, you can publish through IngramSpark, which is like an intermediary for the majority of booksellers; whether that is retailers, libraries, or any organisations looking to purchase books. This provides an even wider marketplace which also includes Amazon!

For me, growing up, I didn’t see characters with my own skin tone and, as a result, I had a poor self-image. Did you have a similar experience, or were you happy with the types of books you were able to read, as a child?

I didn’t have a poor self-image, as I grew up in the Caribbean so I was surrounded by people who looked like me from all walks of life; whether it was a schoolteacher, newsreader or our Prime Minister. Having said that, we still suffered from a lack of representation in the books that we read which I only really realised as I got older.

I know you’ve been attending and hosting book readings and events for your story. For people who haven’t yet experienced this side of marketing, and who may feel daunted by it, could you give us a breakdown of what it’s like to experience a book reading (e.g. what happens at these events? What eventualities should you prepare for?).

The most important consideration is your audience. As a children’s book author, I need to take into account the age range of the kids; the time span of the event; whether it is part of a larger activity and how the parents are involved.

The venue plays a big part in the planning as well. If it is in a school, there are different logistics compared to a commercial venue. Is there an expectation for a more interactive session, will you show your pages on a screen alongside the reading, allowing time for Q&A, signings and photos if appropriate?

I would suggest starting small; maybe offer to host a reading for a community group. Even if there are two people in the room, it’s good practice and helps build your confidence.

And, finally, do you have plans for future book releases yet?

Yes, I am actually publishing my second book, ‘Mari Loves Reading’, on 7th November. This continues Mari’s adventures, but we spend more time getting to know her friend, Kevin, as he learns to develop his love of reading along with his friend.