Hi Reader,

This week marks the one-year birthday of my book, How to Format a Children’s Book for Self-Publishing: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Authors and Illustrators, and I’ve found myself reflecting on everything this journey has taught me about publishing, authorship, and the incredible publishing community surrounding us.

It’s hard to believe it has already been a year since Kayla and I held the finished book in our hands for the first time.

IBPA Publishing University

This month also brings another exciting milestone. I’ll be traveling to Portland, Oregon, to attend Publishing University hosted by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). I’m especially honored because I’m attending as a finalist in the IBPA Book Awards for the interior layout design of my book.

One of the things I value most about events like this is the opportunity to connect directly with the people and companies who help make publishing possible for independent authors.

As self-publishing continues to evolve, relationships matter more than ever.

IngramSpark Facility Tour

Last month, we had the opportunity to tour the IngramSpark print-on-demand facility and see firsthand the complexity involved in producing thousands of individual books every day. Watching the process up close gave us an even deeper appreciation for the technology, logistics, and craftsmanship required to bring books to life through modern print-on-demand publishing.

Experiences like this matter because they help us better educate and guide our authors.

Staying on the Cutting Edge

At conferences like Publishing University, I intentionally spend time talking with commercial printers, print-on-demand distributors, publishing vendors, technology providers, and industry professionals who are shaping the future of publishing. These conversations help us better guide our authors through the constantly changing world of self-publishing.

Understanding printing methods, distribution systems, metadata requirements, ebook standards, marketing expectations, and production workflows allows us to help authors avoid expensive mistakes and create books that truly compete in today’s marketplace.

That’s one reason I continue investing in industry education and professional memberships. I want our clients to benefit not only from beautiful design, but also from real publishing knowledge and trusted industry connections.

New Blog Posts

Over the past year, I’ve also learned many personal lessons from publishing my own book. If you missed this recent blog post, I shared some honest reflections from my first year as an author:

➡️ 10 Lessons I Learned Self-Publishing My Own Book​

I also recently shared the story behind a beautiful children’s book launch that combined music, illustration, commercial printing preparation, and an outstanding online presence. It’s a great example of what can happen when authors approach publishing professionally from the beginning:

➡️ A Sing-Along Children’s Book Launches with an Outstanding Online Presence​

Thank you for following along on this journey with us. Whether you’re writing your first book, preparing for launch, or simply dreaming about becoming an author someday, I hope our work continues to encourage and educate you along the way.

And if you happen to be attending Publishing University in Portland this month, I would love to connect while I’m there.

Warmly,
Becky Bayne
Owner, Becky's Graphic Design, LLC
Award-Winning Book Designer + Self-Publishing Expert

​Becky’s Graphic Design​