Finally. The new version of my book has arrived. It looks beautiful. This is currently available to pre-order at Waterstones and now I’ve had the proof copy to approve, we can finally go live. Pre-order here for just £7.99.Massive thanks to @Florence Hannath and the team from Partnership Publishing and Magic Moon for believing in this story. Let’s go. https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-shadows-of-brynmoor-cottage/a-g-wheeler/9781915200884

We all know how difficult it can be trying to get a publisher interested in your book. That’s why a lot of authors self-publish. What's the hardest publishing rejection you've ever faced? How did you handle it? What did you do next?

I created these drawings for personal use. When I visit schools or attend book fairs, I always talk about the importance of illustrations in books. These drawings represent a child's imagination when reading a picture book. Next to them are friends who are characters from all the books they've read.

When it comes to self-publishing, two names always come up: Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Both can get your book into the world, but they work in slightly different ways. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide: ✅ Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) - Free to upload – no upfront fees. - Huge reach on Amazon (print + Kindle ebook). - Author copies at cost – great for events and promos. - Simple setup – user-friendly platform. - Downside: Distribution is mainly Amazon (not widely available in bookstores). ✅ IngramSpark - Paid setup - Global distribution network – bookshops, libraries, schools, and wholesalers. - Print quality options – more trim sizes, hardcover choices, and paper options. - Author credibility – bookshops prefer ordering from Ingram rather than Amazon. - Downside: Less beginner-friendly, smaller royalties per book. 📝 So which is best? - If your main goal is Amazon sales + ebooks, start with KDP. - If you want to see your book in bookshops, libraries, or schools, or want hardcover options, go with IngramSpark (sometimes alongside KDP). Many authors actually use both – KDP for Amazon sales and IngramSpark for wide distribution. 💬 What about you? Have you tried KDP, IngramSpark, or both? Which worked best for your goals?

🎉 Friday Fun Challenge! 🎉 We’ve got a special game for you today… ✨ 👉 Watch the GIF below — it’s filled with words!👉 Hit start - then stop. When it stops, you’ll land on 3 random words.👉 Use those 3 words to create a short children’s story (max 400 words). 📚 Post your story in the comments, and we’ll read them all.🎨 Our favourite entry will WIN a custom illustration design based on their story! Get creative, have fun, and let’s see what magical tales you can come up with. 🌟