Our Little Christmas Bunny Book Is Progressing (How To Self Publish A Book On Amazon KDP)

Hello dear friends,

I told you yesterday (or maybe the day before) that I would share with you our little book. So let's get on with that, shall we? First, I may or may not succeed in reaching my goal of having this book presented to the world in the amount of time I wanted. I have come to terms with that. If I pull this book off, it will be a Christmas miracle, and I'm a woman with vast amounts of optimism, so we shall carry onward and upwards. Cross your thumbs, and let us hope for the best. I do not want to disappoint anyone, most especially you or myself. I had a moment last night and a sit down with my beloved. I shared with Jeffrey Shawn about feeling a bit down; admittedly a little discouraged that I may not be able to do it. I'm a little emotional at times. He has broad shoulders and said, "It'll be okay if it doesn't happen, baby. If you can't get it done, it's not the end of the world." He's constantly reassuring and knows exactly how to soothe my weary heart. 

When I set my mind to something, though, one thing you should know (if you don't already, which I think you do...smile) is that I mean what I say, and I never take no for an answer. I am relentless. One should never underestimate me, smile. I had not a single hand (well, I was the one to draw, write the book and perform the editing, uploading and formatting). Still, (you know what I mean) I have nothing to do with how everything is working out so smoothly with this book. Logically, I received the actual bunnies a few days before Thanksgiving, and then the idea about a bunny book came to me so rapidly. There has to be some reasoning for all of the whimsical, bazaar crazy notions that I thought I could write, illustrate, and self publish a book within a few weeks, right? Right?

I think there's definitely spirits working on the other side of the veil guiding me onward. So today, I will keep my head down, continue working and have fun. A buttoning down the hatches, so to speak. 

Here are a few of the sketches. I showed you the cover, but here it is again (at the bottom) to get an idea of what it will look like as an actual book. I love these book mock-ups; it truly brings the book to life.

Yesterday, I spent several hours uploading the book description, keywords, manuscript, and author's page for the leaflet—the technical aspects.

I'm now painting the illustrations, and I plan to have them done by tomorrow. I completed all of the sketches, which I believe are near 25 in total. This morning after this post publishes I'll continue the paintings. I had to go back through each little face and make them look the same accurately. I believe the artwork will be quicker than the actual sketches, as I had to brainstorm what the art must look like. It took me years to come into my artistic technique and style. I'm also happy to announce that KDP (Amazon's Print on Demand) now has a hardcover option, which is thrilling to me. I had no idea. My dream is to have a tiny book size such as Beatrix's; however, that option book size isn't available unless one is with a traditional book publisher. 

I must love you and leave you, but I wanted you to know where we are on our little book. Isn't it exciting?

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

A Pleasant Surprise - My New Book and Cover Reveal (Just In Time For Christmas)

As many of you that read this here olde blog know, I've been prattling on about listening to new affirmations while I sleep at night. These beliefs shifted my foundational core prolifically and joyously (more on that in detail when another of my books (nonfiction) comes out in a few months.)

Where was I?

Oh yes.

A few months ago, I was sipping tea in the cottage, and the thought wisped over my mind. I think Sir Oliver Twisty Topsy needs some new friends; he seemed awfully sad staying sat in one spot all day; he looked dreadfully lonely. However, I placed the thought on the back burner (because Jeffrey Shawn and I) are still living with my folks. (My mum isn't too keen on inside animals. However, we moved in shortly after Sawyers murder, and my folk's sentiments waned. In other words, they felt horrible at what had transpired; they happily took in me, my hubby, chickens and house rabbit.)

Although I had sent the intention out into our forest of fools (the world) that I wanted: two more bunnies, must be boys, a similar docile breed as Oliver, had to be babies, so that they came with no previous issues and I wanted a black, and a mixed colour different in appearance to Oliver's colouring, I thought no more about it. I had felt it and let it go because of my circumstances. Then, a fortnight later, I was picking up rabbit's Buckaroo and Chappie. So one day, in a tea fuelled frenzy, my way of expressing the elated joy I felt was to sit and write a darling little story. I manifested my dream regardless of circumstances. Tasha Tudor always had the motto "Take Joy", so I also adapted the phrase to emulate her when Sawyer passed. I had managed to manifest my dream of having three cottage bunnies, and it made me feel as if I was in the likeness of my other favourite hero, Beatrix Potter.

For reasoning, only the spirit gods know I simply followed my inspired heart. I'm halfway through the illustrations now, and the book's release date is December 15th, 2021. I am delighted about this charming little Christmas bunny book.

My inspiration for the cover art of my book is an ode to Charles Dickens. Have you ever researched his backstory of how and why he wrote A Christmas Carol? It is rather quite an inspiration for authors.

Do you like the cover? 

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx