By Darlene Brace
I have lived in Jamestown all my life, and I was an elementary school teacher in Jamestown for thirty years. I retired in 2015, and now I am a writer for The Villager. I really enjoy writing the articles I write on local businesses, events, and entertainment, but for years I have had a bucket list dream of writing my own book. In a roundabout way, writing for The Villager has helped me make this dream come true.
Last December, my boss Jeanine asked me to do an article on Amy Riolo, who is a world-renowned cookbook author and chef. She is originally from Jamestown and now lives in Washington, DC. She also mentors other writers. I interviewed her for the article, and toward the end of the interview, I mentioned my interest in writing my own children’s book. She and I ended up meeting for coffee about a week later so I could show her some of my work. She gave me some helpful information and ideas. This inspired me to take the necessary steps to make my bucket list dream come true and publish my own book.
I already had the manuscript written, and after making a few edits, I felt I had a finished product. Then I proceeded to search for an illustrator for my book. I posted a message on Facebook, looking for someone local to do the illustrations. I received many replies, and I considered two different local artists, but neither of them worked out. I was a little discouraged, but when I talked to my daughter about it, she suggested a student of hers at Falconer High School. Her name is Tyler Welch, and she was a high school senior. After meeting with Tyler, I was so impressed with her work and her work ethic, that I hired her to do the pictures for my book. It was April of this year, and I gave her the deadline of having the illustrations done by early September, so that I could publish my book and have it on the shelves in time for Christmas holiday shopping. By September, Tyler finished the illustrations as planned.
I had mostly figured out how to publish the book myself through KDP Amazon. With a little help from a friend of a friend, I was able to format my book myself using Canva and upload it on KDP Amazon. It took hours of editing and reformatting, but finally I had my book ready for publishing. I submitted it and after about 24 hours, I was shown a preview, and I was able to order a proof copy. I was thrilled when I received my proof copy a few days later. I quickly opened the package and read it. I was so excited, I called family and friends to share my news. There were still a few adjustments to be made, but then I clicked the “Publish” button. After about ten more days, I received my first author’s copy.
Now I am officially a published author. The name of my book is Mrs. Silly Willy and the Day of the Frogs. It is based on a true event that happened in my classroom about twenty years ago, but I embellished the story to entertain the reader. The book is targeted for children 4 to 8 years old. The basic premise is twofold. At the beginning of the story, a first grader named Ronny is reluctant to leave her mom on the first day of school. With the help of her caring teacher, Ronny adjusts to school and enjoys it. The rest of the story features the silliness that happens when the classroom frogs escape from their tank and how Mrs. Willy becomes Mrs. Silly Willy.
I have sold some of my books to family and friends, and I am working on more ways of promoting, marketing, and selling it. On Saturday November 23rd, I am doing a book signing and author Q&A from 1pm-2pm, at the beautiful boutique and gallery shop called Art, Cloth and Craft, located at 108 East Third Street in downtown Jamestown. I am also selling my books on December 7th at a holiday fair fundraiser at the YW Lake Lodge in Lakewood from 10am-4pm. Then on December 14, I will be at the Mayville Holiday Market at 2 South Erie Street from 10am-4pm. The book is also available on amazon.com or you can also contact me directly at dar-dar14701@gmail.com.
I am so excited that my bucket list dream came true! I would like to thank my boss Jeanine for her continued support and encouragement of all my writing and for her roundabout hand in making this happen. I also want to thank Amy Riolo for giving me the nudge that I needed, as well as Tyler Welch my illustrator, my daughter Brittany Sprawka, Niki Patino, and Gail Heil for their help and support.
I hope that this article sparks more interest in my book. It’s a really cute story and it would make a great Christmas gift for the young child in your life. It is also my hope that maybe this article about my journey will be inspiration for someone else who wants to write and self-publish their book. I was able to make my bucket wish come true, and I hope this may help others make their own dream come true too.