Today we’d like to introduce you to Brynndah Hicks Cummings.
Hi Brynndah , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After retirement from higher education, I created 4BHC Publisher4BHC Publisher is a Mesquite-based independent publishing company founded by children’s author Brynndah H. Cummings. The company focuses on culturally rich children’s and young adult books that encourage kindness, confidence, literacy, and emotional growth. Through author visits, community events, school partnerships, and literary festivals, 4BHC Publisher works to make reading engaging and accessible for young audiences. 4BHC Publisher promotes diverse storytelling, social-emotional learning, and a lifelong love of reading.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The challenges of self-publishing a children’s book range from independently searching and connecting with professionals from editing, illustrating, marketing and distributing, As a smaller than small business with big dreams, the process to successfully establishing your brand and purpose does not happen overnight. It remains a continuous process of making the right connections that ultimately link you with your target audience. For example. educators, parents, librarians, book festival coordinators. Not every call back or outreach email will be answered. But I have to decide daily to reach out again or move on. Another eye-opening experience is witnessing the digital misrepresentation of my children’s book on international platforms without my permission or approval. For example, on Spotify, there is an account created in someone’s name, claiming to have access to a free audible book on amazon.com The site encourages the customer to download the audible book for free. It’s my name as the author! I have contacted Spotify, Google and Amazon. Amazon.com/KDP platform states that no audible book exists and to contact Spotify. Spotify has received documentation of my concerns, yet the information remains on the Google search engine. Each time a customer downloads what they believe to be an audible book, I am concerned about the misrepresentation of my name and their private information.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
Currently I am promoting children’s stories through my company 4BHC Publisher. The themes are generally taken from the “Fruit of the Spirit”. For example, the first book “The Principal’s Daughter” encourages choosing kindness. I also incorporate Social Emotional Learning. I wrote The Principal’s Daughter to show young readers that kindness is stronger that whispers, that courage and empathy can turn misunderstanding into connection. I am so honored that the readers have embraced it with a 4.5 star rating calling it smart, funny and heartwarming.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Trusting the process of improvement one step at a time and always believe in your best.
Pricing:
- The Principal’s Daughter is ON SALE NOW on AMAZON and The BookShelf.
- THE PRINCIPAL’S DAUGHTER https://a.co/d/jiCJJjq
- SPANISH EDITION LA Hija de la Directora https://a.co/d/4LCOf9j
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brynndah-hicks-cummings-83999297
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brynndahcummings/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/brynndah.cummings
