What happens when you share your creative side-quest with your kids? They grow, they explore, they challenge themselves, they thrive.
My move into publishing does indeed feel like a quest. I had to explore and talk to people to build up my knowledge. I needed to publish my own books in order to learn. I had to fail, develop, try again.
And my children experienced this journey with me.
They saw me writing, sketching, playing.
They saw how creative play into a story.
They saw how I prioritised my creativity.
They were there when things didn't go to plan and witnessed how I made changes.
They saw me speak passionately about it to colleagues, friends and family.
Then they started to explore side-quests of their own.
My boys started making 'businesses' on the weekends. Some didn't get off the ground (their massage business had questionable tools). Some made money for charity (toy sale on a sunny day). Others improved their social skills (making comics with friends).
Each time, my partner and I gave them the same encouragement and advice as we would our peers.
Then Hunter wrote a story, just like I had, and asked if he could publish it.
So, I took him through the process. Storyboarding, editing, finding an illustrator. We made decisions on book size, page numbers and marketing plans. Everything I did for my books, we did for his.
And now we have a book ready to print! Ready for other children to read, enjoy and possibly be inspired by the author.
How cool is that?!
The book is called Pirate Penguin. It is an adventure story that has themes of friendship and being yourself. It's a funny, fresh and exciting book to read to your kids.
By pre-ordering, this helps us to build momentum about the book, and enables us to plan our launch in October.
Pre-order an exclusive signed copy here: Pirate Penguin by Hunter McNeil-Ali – Sequoia publishing
