A Laugh-Out-Loud Adventure from Bump to Baby
Pregnant alter ego depicts the road to motherhood in new book that celebrates relatable moments.
Traverse City, Michigan—Shock. Surprise. Anxiety. Joy. Confusion. Elation. Even when a pregnancy is welcome news, the reaction is hardly ever a singular emotion. But for Erica Gaylord and her husband, Andrew, their response was to make light of the painstaking anticipation and wild experiences. “Part of our shared humor is a play on words; we’ve always been very ‘punny.’” That reaction culminated not only in the birth of their first child but the gestation of her book, Preg-Nancy: A Laugh-Out-Loud Adventure from Bump to Baby, from Mission Point Press (April 17, 2025).
“Throughout my first pregnancy, I referred to myself as Preg-Nancy to describe my feelings, saying things like, ‘Preg-Nancy really wants cheesecake . . . Preg-Nancy feels like absolute crap today . . . Preg-Nancy needs to put her feet up,’ and eventually I started writing down all of Preg-Nancy’s experiences.” Gaylord continued to create Preg-Nancy scenarios throughout her second and third pregnancies before sharing the beginnings of her book with Andrew, who is featured as Bob, Preg-Nancy’s husband.
From dream to reality
With such a business-oriented background, Gaylord didn’t initially envision publishing her alter ego’s experiences, but then her excitement grew. “I shared my Preg-Nancy stories with my mom, sisters, and a few close friends. They loved it! It was their collective encouragement, validation, and ability to earnestly relate that led me to believe in myself and explore publishing my story.”
Describing the book as her passion project from the start, Gaylord also took on the pivotal role of illustrator. “Truthfully, Preg-Nancy is such a personal experience that writing and illustrating it felt most authentic,” she said. She approached the illustrations as visual punchlines to support the story. Drawing on her childhood, she purposely used simple sketches reminiscent of Nickelodeon shows like Doug, Hey Arnold, and Rugrats with a ’90s color palette of lime green, pink, yellow, teal, and purple. “It felt right to appeal to other kids from the ’90s, who like me were becoming parents.”
A perfect gift
Gaylord was also very intentional in creating her book to stand apart from the multitude of pregnancy titles currently available. “I visualized my story as a keepsake, a witty-yet-wholesome quick read you can squeeze onto your bookshelf or tuck away in your baby box as a special memory. It can be added to a shower gift or put in a basket with other items for a fun Mother’s Day presentation. Preg-Nancy offers the simple message that even though women go through hell during pregnancy and childbirth, it’s all worth it in the end.”
The Author
Erica Gaylord, a Mesick, Michigan, native, owns Northern Lights Insurance Agency. A 2009 Mesick Consolidated Schools alum, she earned her associate’s degree with honors from Northwestern Michigan College, followed by a summa cum laude bachelor’s in business administration and an MBA with highest distinction from Ferris State University. Outside work, Erica enjoys life with her husband and three kids, artsy projects, and hiking the Manistee National Forest. She loves bluegrass music, pontoon rides, Disney World podcasts, and her husband’s cooking. Preg-Nancy is her debut book.
The Book
Preg-Nancy: A Laugh-Out-Loud Adventure from Bump to Baby
Erica Gaylord
30 pages; 5 x 8 inches, Color Illustrations
Pregnancy, Parenthood, Humor
ISBN: 978-1-965278-08-6, $14.95 (Softcover)
Mission Point Press, April 17, 2025
Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its April 17 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at Preg.Nancy.Erica@gmail.com.
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