It's not the things that go bump in the night . . .

But the thoughts of failure, imposter syndrome, or embarrassment that can strike fear in your heart.

We know that writing a book is a ride like none other.

Contemplating ideas. Mulling over plot and characters. Agonizing over words, pictures, and every piece of punctuation. Then there’s the process of finding an agent with the hope your hard work won’t end up at the bottom of a very large pile of manuscripts. And all the while you may be questioning your abilities and your story.

Nightlight Press gets it. As a hybrid publisher, our team of experienced professionals, not you, carry out the tasks that will take your book from document to book, ready for sale. Our team, your team, listens to you and values your voice, your vision, and your creativity. And when your book is published, not only do you retain the copyright, but you also receive 100% of the royalties.

So while we can’t strike every fear from your heart, a partnership with Nightlight Press eliminates traditional publishing fears that can hold you back.

Sound Storytelling Strategies

Check out our February 19 blog post, "So You Want to Write a Children's Book?" where we shared our top three tips for successful storytelling. Here’s a few more to consider!

Repetition is Key

There’s a reason that young children will repeat a phrase over, and over, and over again. It’s likely they learned the phrase at preschool or from a book that was read to them. They recognize what’s coming and are encouraged to repeat it. What they feel is pride, what they’re doing is learning.

Read Your Story Aloud

Reading silently doesn’t allow you to hear the nuances and cadences, especially if dialogue is involved. Reading aloud lets you sense the flow and help you at points where you may feel stuck. Will the child want to turn the page? Is it too preachy or too flowery? Rewrite, reread, rinse, and repeat.

Have fun!

Children are naturals at accessing joy. As we become older it can become more difficult to being open to that unbridled joy. Put yourself in the mind of a child and soak up some fun.

Nightlight Spotlight

We couldn’t be more pleased with the first title to roll off our Nightlight Stories press: Indy, One of a Kind, written by Toni Stanfield, illustrated by Janet (Jan) Oliver.

Indy’s a Pomsky, and she’s fast—really fast! When she encounters Howard the cat, who can climb trees, Indy begins to feel left out. She’s not sure if she’s as special as she seems, until she meets Olivia, a wise owl who shows her that everyone has their own unique talent. Indy learns the value of collaboration, celebrates her own uniqueness, and discovers that we’re all special in our own way!

Toni Stanfield is the director of Life Transitions Counseling in Traverse City, Michigan, where she specializes in grief and loss. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, a certificate in spiritual direction, and practiced psychology since 1979. Indy, One of a Kind is her first book.

Janet (Jan) Oliver is a professional illustrator who specializes in capturing people and animals in natural settings employing simplified watercolor techniques to enrich the action and emotions conveyed by the text.

Here’s what Toni had to say about her Nightlight Stories experience:

“I have dreamt about writing a children’s book for many years. This year it became a reality because of the coaching team from Nightlight Stories. They’re an impressive array of knowledgeable people that made my journey meaningful and transformational. I can compare it to building a custom house: my vision became a reality because there were professionals who cared enough to listen, understand the vision, and bring the story to full completion. The final result is a beautiful work of art that will bring joy to children and adults alike. The Nightlight Stories coaching team is amazing. Trust them with your dreams and vision!”

Ready to Light the Way?

If you're ready to be a part of this illuminating imprint, start your journey today by submitting your manuscript to Mission Point Press.

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