Behind the Scenes: The Journey of 'Camilla and the Beast'

Every book has a story behind the story. "Camilla and the Beast" is no exception. This heartwarming tale of courage, kindness, and friendship didn't just appear overnight. It was a journey filled with inspiration, hard work, and a touch of magic.

The Spark of Inspiration

Camilla is my niece. She is bubbly, cute, and full of personality. She and I have always had a magical connection. She is not like any other 4-year-old; she is brilliant, asks big questions, and is a child you can actually rationalize with.

Beast is also real. Camilla would come over and love on my dogs, and then one day Rosie, my dog, nipped at her. Camilla started telling me how Beast always bites her. So we started talking, and the story began.

Crafting the Story

Once the initial idea was in place, the writing process began. This involved countless drafts, revisions, and moments of self-doubt. Crafting a story that is both engaging and meaningful for children is no small feat. The focus was on creating a narrative that was simple yet profound, with a rhythm and cadence that would appeal to young readers. There were many revisions, and every time I thought I was done and ready, I learned something new and took another shot at writing all over again.

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The Illustrations

As most of you know, I work in design. I had a vision of what I wanted Camilla to look like and how I wanted the book to flow, but I just wasn't able to execute it. I used a lot of AI to get inspiration which guided the illustrator on what my expectations were and the type of illustration style I was looking for. I wanted to incorporate that Boho beige mom vibe.

I looked at many illustrators until I found Alejandra. She has been incredibly patient and iterative in bringing my dream to life.

The Self-Publishing Journey

I never really thought about trying to get traditionally published until a coworker asked me why I hadn't tried. Writing a book was always a goal of mine, but I never considered it in terms of distribution or making money. I did end up submitting to a few publishing companies, but by that point, the book was done, and I was just sitting with it. After a few rejections, I decided to self-publish.

I learned so much about the self-publishing journey, including book formatting, cover design, and distribution channels. It was a steep learning curve, but one embraced with determination and passion.

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