I am enjoying interviewing professionals and mom bosses about their line of work or their side hustles. Today I am sharing an interview with children’s author Sarah Butland.
Tell us a little about yourself and your business. Why did you select it and how did you get started?
I’m an author who started with a children’s book titled Sending You Sammy to encourage kids to eat healthy while still being a book they want to read! With headlines focused on low literacy rates (especially in boys) and high obesity rates the story just made sense. The first of a series, Sending You Sammy introduces readers to BananaBoy who “fights” against junk food and laziness.
Describe what you do and what you sell for those of us not familiar with your line of work or product.
Writing is what I do and when I ran out of a red coloring pencil while coloring a well known “red” superhero I was struck by inspiration, creating BananaBoy. Kids, and parents, are loving the idea of the book as it avoids the typical violent acts and celebrates making healthy decisions.
My books are available through the usual bookselling sites (Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Chapters in Canada and will help inspire your whole family to snack on vegetables and fruit more than chips and chocolate.
What are some of your favorite things about what you do?
I love the freedom to express myself through writing and be able to reach a wide variety of readers.
What are some challenges of this business?
Some challenges include the competition. While I believe in my books and the message they share it’s hard to be seen without paying a lot for marketing.
For someone interested in what you do, can you share what to expect as far as earning potential and effort?
When I say I’m a writer people often ask “but what do you do for an income?” While it’s true right now that I make a living elsewhere the plan is to find avenues to grow my income through what I love doing. If anyone wants to write, whether it’s through freelancing or being an author, I say go for it!
What does it take for someone to get started with their own side hustle in your line of work?
Drive. Definitely, the drive to spend time focusing on the side hustle of choice and the desire to do it. It’s not necessarily for the money as that could take longer than desired but if you’re loving what you do and know it’s helping even just one person it’s worth it.
Anything else you would like to tell us about your business?
Writing for children is not easy but is definitely fun. Ensuring that the storyline is not “dumbed down” while still being something young readers understand is the biggest obstacle but once you surpass that it’s all fun, games, and smiles!
If you’re interested in learning more about author Sarah Butland, visit her website.
If you would like to be interviewed for my side hustle series, please fill out this form.
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