It's International Children's Book Day, which I didn't realise until today and coincidentally it's the same day that marks 1 year of Slow Down Amaya being officially published!

When I first published my debut picture book, I thought that I would reach maybe 100 children and families with mindfulness through storytelling. However, I've actually reached almost 900! This has been through book sales of my three books, delivering storytelling sessions in schools, libraries, organisations, the National Museum of Scotland, and more.

I never would have imagined that I would have reached this many people and had people across the world reading my books. My books are being read in the UK, the US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Italy, Germany and Spain.

I'm excited for my stories to reach even more countries over the next year and beyond.

In this blog post I share my reflections and what I've been working on the past year as a self-published author.

The Journey

It feels like such a privilege to have introduced so many children and families to mindfulness with my debut book, and my other books.

I wanted to share ways to support children's mental health and wellbeing through engaging stories and mindfulness activities. I discussed more about the reasons why I decided to publish Slow Down Amaya in my very new (released today) Butterfly Minds Podcast.

There have been ups and downs in my author journey that I want to share with you, to give an insight into what being an author involves behind-the-scenes.

Highs

Publishing 3 books in under 6 months. People often ask me how I had time, and l still don't fully know myself! It takes a lot of dedication alongside limiting the amount of time I spend scrolling on social media.

Being shortlisted for the Ink Book Prize and going to London for the awards ceremony. Travelling to London on a train with a toddler was a new experience, but it was exciting and fun!

Launching my membership The Mindfully Slow Down Club, a space where I share monthly mindfulness activities for children and families.

Delivering 8 primary school and tuition school visits and sharing mindfulness through storytelling with 20 classrooms of children.

Connecting with so many readers and fellow authors across the world. This has been a huge support and source of encouragement to keep spreading my words.

Creating my 4-month 1:1 Transform programme based on my book for parents and carers, Mindful Living: A Guide for You and Your Family, to help bring calm into the neurodivergent parenting journey.

Lows

Amongst the highlights there are low lights too. For me, I don't know if lows is the right word, challenges might be a better word.

It is a constant juggle balancing my time and energy as an author, and all the other hats I wear in my work including being a full time mum.

Being unsuccessful with being added to an author directory to be contacted to deliver school visits. Although I can still deliver school and organisation visits, and any other location, it takes a lot of time and energy to organise behind-the-scenes.

Having a week or more with no book sales. This ties into marketing and having the time and energy to consistently market my books.

This is an ongoing learning curve for managing my energy. I've been doing more marketing that will last on the internet longer, such as blogging, using Pinterest and my podcast, instead of feeling like I always need to be online and keep up with the ever changing algorithms on social media.

The Future

Books

I've been continuing to write through blogging and I have two other picture book manuscripts and an ebook idea that I've been working on.

I have ideas that bring inspiration at random times and write when I can. This often means that I'm working on more than one thing at a time!

I don't know when they will be released into the world but I'm sure they will be read by children and adults one day.

Storytelling

I have my first storytelling event in a bookstore this month, which I'm very excited about.

I'll be sharing a special storytime where i'll be reading my second picture book, Slow Down Sammy, on Sunday 27th April from 10-11am at The Edinburgh Bookshop.

You can find out more and book your free ticket on their website here.

I hope to do more storytelling events this year to reach more families, keep your eyes peeled.

Libraries

Slow Down Amaya is currently in two libraries, in Edinburgh and Washington State.

I would love for my books to be in more libraries across the world. If you’re able to request books to be stocked in your local library, I would be grateful if you could ask for Slow Down Amaya, Slow Down Sammy and/or Mindful Living: A Guide for You and Your Family.

If you need any details from me feel free to get in touch by emailing me at hello@butterfly-minds.co.uk

Conclusion

Becoming an author has been an insightful journey so far. I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to share my stories and help families feel more relaxed with mindfulness. Thank you for your support on my writing journey and for being a part of this journey with me.

1 year of Slow Down Amaya