My Journey Into Self-Publishing Children’s Books

Hi, I’m A. B. Wade—a dad, a vet tech, and now a children’s book author. I never planned on becoming an author, but life has a funny way of leading us exactly where we’re supposed to be.

It all started while reading bedtime stories to my two sons. One night, I thought: I could come up with a story like this. So, we began creating our own adventures together—each night adding new twists and characters.

Then, inspiration struck in the most unexpected way: one of our pigs got sprayed by a skunk. Out of that messy moment came the idea for my very first children’s book, Millie Lost Her Nose.

At first, I was too nervous to share it. But when my son asked me why I didn’t believe in myself, I knew I had to take the leap. I found an illustrator, overcame my fears, and published it.

That was less than a year ago. Since then, I’ve self-published two books and am preparing to release my third. The process has been overwhelming at times, but also incredibly rewarding.

Through this blog, I’ll share the behind-the-scenes of my journey as a self-published children’s book author. You’ll find:

• Honest insights about writing and publishing children’s books

• Lessons I’ve learned along the way (including mistakes!)

• Reflections on storytelling, creativity, and parenting

If you’re curious about self-publishing children’s books—or if you just love stories—I invite you to follow along. This space is about adding a little more good to the world, one book (and one child’s smile) at a time.

—A. B. Wade