What genre do you write in?
Children’s Rhyming Picture Books for 2-7yrs.
How did you get started?
After receiving several poems from me, my girlfriend told me I “need to do something with that talent”, so here we are! I’m a published children’s author! My first book, “The Witches’ Tea Party”, was written for my daughter and was published in January 2019 and is a fun rhyming picture book about friendship and sharing.
I started reading the book in schools and libraries and it was being really well received! Following on the success of this, I decided to write more. Moved by numerous posts on social media about marine life trapped in floating waste (and based on an actual turtle I met on holiday), I wrote “Turtle Trouble” (published in August 2019); about pollution and recycling; endorsed by seven environmental agencies.
Both books really took off and my calendar was full up with author visits to schools, libraries, and community centers. Then Covid arrived and everything stopped! I started doing video storytimes to entertain the children during the lockdown. I put my efforts back into Graphic Design and landed a contract working for a Calendar company; which kept me afloat during the first lockdown.
When that contract finished I had more time on my hands to write again, so I created my “Children’s Poems and Short Stories”, which came out in December 2020. I commissioned an illustrator for my first two books, but I decided to illustrate this book myself. I really enjoyed drawing again and it was a great distraction from the covid situation. I had a few of the poems already written but penned a few more and then got to work illustrating them all. I’m really pleased with how it turned out, but have, as yet, been unable to read it in schools or libraries, due to the current covid restrictions.
How did you get published?
I looked into all the different options for publishing and, after heavily researching and talking with other authors, decided to publish through the Amazon KDP system.
How do you make sales as an author?
All three books are available to buy worldwide on Amazon and signed copies can be ordered through my website and social media pages. The books continue to sell online, but, pre-covid, I was selling a huge amount via my author visits. “Turtle Trouble” (published in August 2019) is also for sale in several gift shops around the UK, at aquariums, zoos, and safari parks, and I regularly get repeat orders when their stock runs low.
What would you like to promote? (Add links, description, photos)
I would like to promote my latest book “Children’s Poems and Short Stories”, which came out in December 2020.
Tell us about yourself and how we can connect with you
I’m originally from the Lake District, UK, where my family still lives. Studied Graphic Design at Harrogate Art College and Middlesex University in London. I’m a children’s author with three rhyming picture books for 2-7yrs.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08PJPQDJN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2
Website: https://www.stuartmcdonaldauthor.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StuartMcDonaldChildrensAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartmcdonaldauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wwwstuartmcdon1
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