Sheryl Bass is a children's author and book PR expert with a master's degree in social work and journalism. Her Baby Dragon series focuses on social emotional learning for children, teaching important life lessons through engaging stories. Starting from a flash of inspiration during a sneeze 15 years ago, Sheryl brought her first book "Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze" to life through self-publishing after traditional publishing routes proved unsuccessful. She runs Be Kind Publishing, emphasizing kindness and social emotional development in children's literature.

In this episode:

• Origins of "Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze" from a sneeze inspiration
• Importance of social emotional learning in children's books
• Working with developmental editors to strengthen storylines
• Finding illustrators through self-publishing resources
• Understanding work-for-hire contracts with illustrators
• Self-publishing vs traditional publishing in children's literature
• Using pubby.co for obtaining book reviews
• PR strategies for children's book authors
• Marketing through podcasts and in-person events
• Building a children's book series

Resources mentioned:

• Self Publishing Made Simple - April Cox's mentoring service - https://www.selfpubmadesimple.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoodOm97WpZCXhBvTukZyUleNWbf4QPvbmp0DJGvSO4-EyZ5SJr8
• Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators: https://www.scbwi.org/
• Pubby.co - https://pubby.co/
• IngramSpark - https://www.ingramspark.com/
• Amazon KDP - https://kdp.amazon.com/

Book Recommendations:

• "Hunger for Words" by Christina Hunger - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092DYHW2K?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with Sheryl Bass:

• Website - https://www.be-kindpublishing.com/
• Baby Dragon Finds His Family: A Picture Book About Belonging - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLRX6WKG?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze: A Picture Book About Empathy and Trust - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJTFPQ55?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
• Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

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