1. What inspired you to write your book and how did the idea come to life?
I have spent my life working with children, first as a registered nurse, then a special education teacher, and then as a psychologist. When I decided to retire, I wanted to share with the public some of what I worked so hard on with my clients. Helping children and their caregivers learn to recognize, discuss, and process their feelings while respecting that not everyone felt as they did was a common therapeutic theme. I also helped the clients that I worked with access compassion for themselves and others and learn how to improve relational connections.
2. Can you share your initial goals for publishing your book?
My initial goals were to share with others the ideas and strategies I often worked on with my private practice clients over the many years I was a practitioner. My hope is to help more children, teachers, and caregivers even in my retirement.
3. What made you choose Gatekeeper Press as your publishing partner? How did the experience meet or exceed your expectations?
I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and I took a workshop on self-publishing offered by them. The children’s book author who ran the on-line workshop had self-published with you and recommended your services.
It has been a pleasure working with Gatekeeper Press. My author/manager is knowledgeable, competent, and timely in her communication. She also seems to be very caring. The graphic designers I have worked with have been amazing. It was difficult to combine the text with the illustrations, initially, but the graphic designers worked hard to accomplish this task and I am quite pleased with the final result. Annie, my illustrator, had painted 34 water color pictures and the pictures’ lines on each side of the page also had to accurately join in the middle where the spine was attached. This was no easy task!
4. How would you describe the process of working with Gatekeeper Press, from manuscript submission to publication?
I am waiting for my final hardcover proof and to go to publication, but, so far, the process has been extremely well-organized with excellent communication. The people I have worked with have been kind and professional. And, I am especially grateful for their wonderful communication.
5. What challenges did you encounter during your publishing journey, and how did Gatekeeper press assist in overcoming them?
So far, my biggest challenge has involved combining the text and illustrations and seamlessly connecting the illustrations on both sides of the pages connected to the spine. The first graphic designer I worked with made a lot of progress, but she was struggling to seamlessly connect the pages on each side of the spine. My author manager worked to find a more experienced graphic designer who was able to accomplish this. The first graphic designer worked with the second to catch her up and together they brought the book together.
6. Were there any aspects of the publishing process that surprised you or differed from what you initially expected??
Beginning this process was quite overwhelming. While I understood the gestalt, I was not fully aware of the unfolding process. I did not expect there to be so much difficulty combining the text and illustrations and I was not aware of the many steps involved in the publishing process. I will be much better prepared the next time I publish 😊.
7. How have readers received your book, and what feedback have you found most rewarding so far?
I Can’t answer this yet. I hope readers are positive about my book.
8. What was your favorite part of the publishing experience with Gatekeeper Press?
I enjoy having an author/manager and then working with people from all over the world who specialize in different aspects of the publishing process. I am learning so much. I also so appreciate the excellent communication, not only with me, but among all of those at Gatekeeper Press in service of my book publication.
9. Would you recommend Gatekeeper Press to other authors? Why or why not?
I would. You provide all that a traditional publisher would provide, of course at a cost to the author, but giving the author full control. That is important to me.
10. What advice would you give to aspiring authors considering self-publishing their work??
I would talk to others who have self-published, particularly those who have done well with self-publishing. I would choose a reputable self-publishing company and carefully check reviews.
Connect with Marcia Kaufman:
Facebook: Marcia Kaufman
Instagram: marciakaufman68
Threads: marciakaufman68
Bluesky: @marciakaufmanbsky.social
Discover more about In a Time Before Rainbows and purchase a copy here.
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