Welcome to Tuesday Debut, Everyone!

I hope, wherever you are reading this, you’re getting the same little taste of spring that we’re getting on Blueberry Hill! Finn and Violet and I know that spring won’t really be here for a few weeks yet, (ok – maybe just me – they’re more interested in chasing squirrels than tracking weather patterns 😊) but it sure has been nice to have a couple days of sunshine, melting snow, and no hats or gloves!

To celebrate, let’s find out who won Sue Sutherland’s 3 – that’s THREE! – giveaways from before the Valentiny Contest! Sue kindly offered 3 signed, paperback copies of her book, TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER, to 3 different people who commented on her post – 1 to a commenter, 1 to a commenter’s favorite library, and 1 to a commenter’s favorite school or teacher!

And the winner’s are. . .

For a signed copy to keep for herself. . .

sueyoungmusic2014

For a signed copy to give to her favorite library. . .

Nancy Ferguson

For a signed copy to give to her favorite school or teacher. . .

Annette Birdsall

Congratulations, Sue, Nancy, and Annette! We so appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on Sue’s post and support her writing efforts, as all our lovely blog readers do here every week! Please email me so I can connect you with Sue to get your prizes!

And for this week, we have a new giveaway! Today’s debut-ess is offering a picture book manuscript critique to one lucky randomly selected winner who leaves a comment on today’s post by Monday March 16 at 3 PM Eastern!

Title: Zoom to the Stars – A Bedtime Adventure
Author: Megan Erin Hamilton
Illustrator: Chris Fowler
Publishing House and Date of Publication: Argyle Fox Publishing 11/18/2025
Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction (with nonfiction elements in back matter)
Readership age range of your book  ages 3-7

SUSANNA: Where did the idea for this book come from?

MEGAN: In April 2025, I joined a bedtime story contest with the Institute of Children’s Literature. I needed a non-typical bedtime story theme… and I had less than a month to write it so that made me work hard! I thought back to bedtime battles with my daughters and remembered how playing along helped make the process smoother for all of us – and more fun.

My oldest daughter loves space and rockets (she’s now studying Aerospace in college) and I enjoy stargazing, so that helped me pick a space theme. I wanted to incorporate some STEM learning elements as I’m a teacher at heart and my kids love science. The dog in the story is patterned on daughter’s favorite stuffed toy when she was little.

SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?

MEGAN:I wrote the first messy draft in a few days, and knew it needed a LOT of work. So I started swapping critiques with other picture book writers and making edits based on their feedback. I kept learning and revising, and each revision made it better. I submitted draft #5 to the contest at the end of April… I didn’t win anything but I was learning a lot in the process, so that’s a “win” in itself.

SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?

MEGAN: I continued swapping critiques with other kidlit writers and editing – especially needing help with the ending – and decided this was the story I wanted to publish first. I had found a hybrid publisher I was very impressed with, Argyle Fox Publishing, and sent them draft #7.

My editor at Argyle Fox worked with me on further edits and I was on draft #10 or 11 by the time we finished in early July. I had to learn to let go of some words/lines that I liked but they really weren’t helping the story, and to take critiques from others. This was not always easy but the final story was SO much better than where it began!

Megan’s work buddies – Pax and Ebony 🥰 She also has a lot of puppets because she’s a puppeteer! How cool is that?!

SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for publication?

MEGAN: I joined two picture book online courses – At Home Author and Journey to Kidlit – and submitted my story for professional critiques to both of them in April and May. That produced a lot of insightful feedback. Each of those courses also provide weekly or monthly manuscript swap options with other PB writers, so that helped me swap critiques. When my critique partners were saying “I don’t really have any advice to offer – great story”, then I knew I was close. And it “felt” like it was time to take the next step toward publication.

SUSANNA: At what point did you decide to self-publish rather than submit to traditional publishers?  Did you try traditional first? Or did you have specific reasons for wanting to self-publish?

MEGAN: I thought hard about both paths and decided to self-publish my first book while working on other drafts. It’s such a long road toward traditional publishing and I didn’t want to wait years to find an agent or publisher and get a book out into the world. I also wanted to “own” the creative process and the full rights to my book. I had some money saved up and a personal goal of publishing my first book in 2025, so I plunged in!

I was quickly learning how complicated the publishing journey is, so I sought a reputable hybrid publisher to help with editing, formatting, layout, design, uploading to Ingram, etc. I did a lot of internet research and read reviews from other writers, and finally found Argyle Fox Publishing. Their website was honest, clear and up-front about costs and services – and I appreciated that. They were also far less expensive than many other hybrids and the author kept 100% of the royalties. I contacted them, liked what we discussed, and contracted with them. And I’m SO glad I did – Daniel Brantley, my editor, was so responsive and supportive. I have learned so much from him through this process.

SUSANNA: How did you find an illustrator?

MEGAN: One thing I really liked about Argyle Fox is that they have relationships with many illustrators and handle the contract, mediating between author and illustrator. I had made an informal agreement with an illustrator at first, but it wasn’t going well. And after two months of work we discovered she was reusing images from previous books and possibly using AI. (Yikes – dealbreaker!) I was heartbroken to lose all that time, work and trust – but glad that we discovered it before my book was published and we might have had copyright issues!

So I asked Daniel at Argyle Fox to connect me with an illustrator he had already vetted. He showed me artwork from several artists so I could choose the style I liked best, and we contracted with Chris Fowler. He did a great job with the pictures!

SUSANNA:  Did you and the illustrator have a contract of any kind?  What types of items did it address?

MEGAN: We did have a contract but Argyle Fox Publishing handled that. I know it included things like the payment schedule, clear due dates, to provide sketches first with the ability to make edits as we went along, and that the final artwork would belong to me. (That was important to me, so I can use those images however I want.)

SUSANNA:  Are you able to give a ballpark figure of any kind (or a specific one if you’re so inclined) about the cost of the illustrator?

MEGAN: Argyle Fox negotiated a rate of $1500 for a 32-page picture book plus front and back cover. I think that was a great price compared to what I’ve heard others have paid for quality illustrations.

SUSANNA: What was the illustration process like since you were directing it? Any particular challenges?  Anything you particularly enjoyed?

MEGAN: I had a huge learning curve! Since I was providing direction for the illustrations/layout, along with my editor, I had to do a crash course in picture book art and design. I had no idea previously how much thought goes into the placement, types, size, colors, etc. of the pictures, blanks space and text. It was a LOT but it was exciting, too! Sometimes we had to go back and forth a few times to fully communicate to the illustrator what I was wanting.

And then there’s the overall view of the book – if there’s a carpet on the floor in one picture, that same carpet should be on the floor in the next picture. The characters should change position and facial expressions but keep the same clothes, hair, etc. Small details like that. I must have looked over my book at least 100 times, each time finding small things to fix. But it was wonderful to see it come to life in color!

text copyright Megan Erin Hamilton 2025, illustration copyright Chris Fowler 2025, Argyle Fox Publishing

text copyright Megan Erin Hamilton 2025, illustration copyright Chris Fowler 2025, Argyle Fox Publishing

SUSANNA: How did you format your book for publication?

MEGAN: Argyle Fox Publishing took care of the formatting. I was glad to leave that to them!

SUSANNA:  How did you select a printing service?

MEGAN: Argyle Fox typically prints through Ingram Spark and I liked that, as they have worldwide reach. I also wanted to upload my book on Amazon since a lot of people search/buy books that way, and to have an ebook option.

SUSANNA: Did you do a print run so you’d have inventory, or is your book print-on-demand? (And where is your book available – online bookstores? brick and mortar bookstores? Digital only?)

MEGAN: My book is print-on-demand through Ingram. I purchased 150 books through them at wholesale price. This was expensive (approx. $1000) but I wanted to have some on hand for my launch party and in-person sales. I didn’t want to buy 500-1000 books through a print run due to the cost and lack of storage space in my townhome – and because I didn’t know how the book would sell. I may do it in future.

My book is available through my website, Amazon, and online bookstores through Ingram (Barnes and Noble.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, etc.). I’m trying to get it into my local Barnes and Noble but I’m finding it’s a long process and they have many requirements.

SUSANNA:  How long was the process from writing through publication of your book?

MEGAN: It ended up being 8 months (April-November) despite the two months of setback with my first illustrator – which is pretty fast in the publishing arena! I was pushing really hard for that because I really, really wanted to publish in 2025. And I made it – whew!

SUSANNA:  Were you able to get your book reviewed by Kirkus, SLJ, Hornbook, Booklist etc.?

MEGAN: I did not pursue these reviewers yet due to cost and complexity. Especially since I was pushing my book out so fast. I recently submitted my book to Readers Favorite Reviews and received three 5-star reviews, so I’m thrilled about that!

SUSANNA: Wow! That’s great! Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.

MEGAN: I created public-facing author Facebook and Instagram accounts (to keep them separate from my private ones) and began posting about my writing process to start building an audience. (I had to learn Instagram from scratch – still learning!) I also created an author website through Tertullia (they made the process easy and low-cost) – another learning curve. I started a blog on my website.

I recruited a launch team and ran a free e-book promo the week my book came out on Amazon. I also scheduled a virtual Facebook launch party the Tuesday my book came out and an in-person launch party at my library on a Saturday. I put posts on online community event pages for local news agencies and handed out invites to friends, coworkers, etc. Both parties went pretty well and garnered some interest. I sent out press releases but only my hometown paper actually printed one. I also created coloring sheets, did a giveaway for people who signed up for my e-newsletter, and printed some promo postcards.

Lately, I’m connecting with other children’s authors to participate in “free ebook days” and with some reviewers on social media to post book reviews. I’ve entered a few low-cost book contests, as well. And I’m reaching out to local libraries, daycare centers and elementary schools to offer story time visits.

I also keep posting consistently on social media – reels generate the most interest on Instagram. Videos of my cats do well, too, LOL.

SUSANNA: Is there anyone who doesn’t love a cat video? 😊 Anything else you’d like to share?

MEGAN: Find and join kidlit writer groups! We can learn so much from fellow writers and they help you find critique partners and resources. Keep learning and honing your writing craft.

Publishing a book is like running a marathon up a mountain – it can be daunting, exhausting and exciting all at the same time. Keep going, one step at a time, and you will get there. It will be worth it when you hold your finished book and see a child’s face light up with joy!

Thanks for the opportunity to share my writing journey. I hope it’s helpful to other writers!

SUSANNA: Thank YOU, Megan! We so appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with us. I’m sure MANY people will benefit from your post today! Wishing you all the best of luck with this and future titles!

Readers, if you have questions for Megan, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond! And remember, your comment below by 3 PM Monday March 16th puts you in the running to be the randomly selected winner of a picture book manuscript critique from Megan!!!

Author Megan Hamilton, who favors herbal tea, dark chocolate, and Siete brand chips for her sustaining snacks 😊

Website – www.MeganErinHamilton.com
Social media handles:
(IG) megan.h.stories
(FB) Megan Erin Hamilton – Author

You may purchase Megan’s book at:
(all links below are book-specific)

Indiebound/Bookshop.org
Amazon
Barnes&Noble

We can help our debut authors successfully launch their careers by:

– purchasing their books

– recommending their books to friends and family

– recommending their books to our children’s teachers and librarians

– recommending their books to our local libraries and bookstores

– suggesting them as visiting authors at our children’s schools and our local libraries

– sharing their books on social media

– reviewing their books on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and other sites where people go to learn about books.

Thank you all for stopping by to read today!  Have a lovely, inspiration-filled Tuesday!  Maybe today is the day you’ll write your debut picture book 😊

Missed any previous Tuesday Debuts?  Check them out HERE!