Meet Katherine Lockwood! (Author Success Stories)
- Chelsea Tornetto
- 53 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to our latest Author Success Story! This month we're featuring children's book author, Katherine Lockwood!
Meet Katherine Lockwood:
Katherine is an award-winning picture book author who writes stories that celebrate the love and joy found in family life. Her books often feature authentic disability representation, inspired by her belief that every child deserves to see themselves in literature. Katie lives on Cape Cod with her husband and two young daughters. You can purchase her books here.
Website: https://www.acorncottagepress.com/#/
AHA: Hi Katherine! What inspired you to become a published author?
Katherine: When my daughter Rose was born in 2020, she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Moebius Syndrome. I grew up with Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes and know how important it is to see your life experience represented in the world around you. I wasn’t able to find anything - so I created it.
AHA: Did you have any experience in writing before you started?
Katherine: I have never considered myself to be a great writer and never had planned on writing picture books - although I thought I may write a memoir at some point. I used to co-teach special education in 9th/10th grade English and am a Student Adjustment Counselor for middle school, as well as a couples therapist trained in Imago therapy. I do write a sassy parenting column in the CF Roundtable quarterly publication about parenting while living well with Cystic Fibrosis. While not directly writing related - I grew up as a public speaker for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and running multiple fundraisers each year with my parents which provided ample skills in areas that other authors may struggle with.
AHA: Deciding whether to self-publish or pursue traditional publishing is often one of the first big decisions a new author faces. How did you make that decision?
Katherine: For my first project, I didn’t even think about the traditional path. I was writing a book about an extremely rare condition and didn’t think it would be of interest. I also really like having my hands in all the different stages of picture book creation and love working directly with the other creatives involved and from my current understanding, that just isn’t as much of a thing in the traditional publishing world.
AHA: Yes! Having full creative control is such an important part of the self-publishing process. But it also means you are doing EVERYTHING on your own! Was that harder than you expected? Easier?
Katherine: I guess it was more layered than I would have thought. And - I love it! There is so much to learn and so many mistakes to make. I have really enjoyed continuing to stretch and being able to collaborate with other authors, editors, designers, illustrators, beta readers, supporters, etc. It would have been easier to buy a $20 book that represented my daughter's diagnosis - but that wasn’t an option. I’m really enjoying it!
AHA: Easier... and cheaper! Self-publishing can be expensive. How did you fund your first project?
Katherine: My first project was “Why Me, Mama?” a picture book about how everyone is different, sometimes you see it and sometimes you can’t. I ran a successful 23K Kickstarter which fully funded the project. I did an offset print run of 3000 copies and paid $13,905 in 2022 - I had it printed in the US. Overall the costs were around $18k. Which was ALOT! I was able to lower the production costs in many areas for my more recent projects but I also have chosen to spend more in some areas - specifically for illustration and book design.
AHA: And what about timeline? Many authors choose to self publish because traditional publishing is SO SLOW. How long did it take you to publish your first book?
Katherine: I started brainstorming ideas for the story while my little one was in the NICU and we were eating in the Boston Public Garden each night. Being inspired by the somewhat aggressive “city wildlife." The entire project took about a year and a half.
AHA: Okay, you've published 8 books, with more on the way. You're a pro! What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Katherine: I don’t think we should say “self publish” because my advice would be to please not do it by yourself! Assess your areas of strengths and weaknesses and hire really awesome professionals to help. In order to be successful - your finished product CANNOT look self published. It needs to look amazing and collaborating with others is how you make it look professional and competitive in the market.
AHA: Such great advice! And speaking of being "competitive in the market," what about marketing? What marketing strategies have been the most effective for you?
Katherine: I have raised almost 50K in crowdfunding through Kickstarter and Backerkit. It can be great - but it's also a TON of work. My biggest tips:
Support other projects - it's the best way to learn and the first thing I look for when I'm looking at supporting projects. If I look at a KS and they have supported 0 other projects - that isn’t a good look.
Indie publishing is a collaborative process, not competitive. Parents and grandparents and other buyers of picture books are happy to buy more books that draw them in. That's the task! You don’t need to compete - you need to add value!
Create something that people care about! The niche books I create are not as price sensitive. Why? My books are needed! They offer something that doesn’t currently exist. That's worth $14.99.
After your first project - you need to have an audience. Not your family, friends, or other authors. An audience of readers! Hopefully you have a Mama that loves you and will support everything you do - that's a huge gift! Only expect everyone else to show up for you once! Thanks mom!
AHA: I know you sell plushies with some of your books. So fun! Can you tell us a little more about that?
Katherine: I am really into details and create dolls/stickers with each picture book (this has been an interesting process with plush!)
This can be really good for selling - perhaps a whole different article! But for example, I sell a a set that comes with a Katie linen doll, 2 copies of the book, and 2 stickers for $75 on Etsy with free US shipping that costs me about $15 in USPS fees. This brings the total of a single sale up considerably. And it's great for families to have a doll with representation as well!
AHA: Let's talk about the future! What are your plans (as an author and publisher) going forward?
Katherine: What are plans? LOL. My goal for the next 12-18 months is to get a distributor and expand my reach so that little ones with differences feel seen and loved. I also would love to explore the traditional publishing path over the next few years and get an agent and/or small publishing relationship - I would like to learn more about what that is all about! After being a SAHM and working part time for a few years I decided to return to full time work last Spring - with good benefits and a salary - and one of the reasons I did so was so I could afford to continue to pursue independent publishing. There are only so many crowdfunding campaigns that can be successful, and I am passionate about creating books that help little ones know that they matter in the world around them.
AHA: We can't wait to see what comes next for you and your books! Thanks for chatting with us, Katherine!
Katherine's Stats:
Title: | My Body Beeps! Growing Up With Diabetes |
Release Date: | Nov 2024 |
Printer: | Printed in China |
POD or offset print run? | Both |
Formats Available: | POD on KDP and 8.5x.8.5 fancy paperback with french flap |
Total Investment: (All amounts are rough estimates provided by the author and should not be considered 100% accurate or used as estimates for your own project. Do your own research!) | Illustrations - $3k Editing - $600 Book Design - $800 ISBNS/LCCN/PCIP - $125 2000 copies offset - $2130 Award Entries - $500 Total = $7,163 |
Total Number of Books Sold To Date: | -3,200 on Amazon KDP -500 of the offset run - wholesale to a nonprofit supporting children with Type1 Diabetes for their new families support box -300 ish sold through Etsy, craft fairs, etc. (I don't keep track - oops!) Total =4,000 units |
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