Today we’d like to introduce you to Kjersten Faseler.
Hi Kjersten, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
In 2019, I set out to write an animal alphabet book inspired by my daughter’s love of animals. I had no experience publishing, but I was determined to make my book a reality.
I was working a full-time job at the time, and any spare minute I had after hours, I was researching the publishing process on Google, YouTube, everywhere – but I only found bits and pieces of information. Nothing taught the entire process from start to finish, so I decided to create my own framework for self-publishing based on all of the knowledge I had gathered. I created a detailed step-by-step checklist with a specific timeline that I followed to officially publish my book in 2020.
Within nine days of publication, I had sold 550 copies of my book, and by the end of the month, I had reached over $10k in sales. I started receiving messages from people with children’s book ideas who needed guidance. I knew the process I followed had worked, so I started helping them through the publishing process and soon realized I could turn my passion into a business and help people self-publish on a larger scale.
Fast-forward to today, and through my self-publishing coaching business, I have helped people from around the world, from North America to South America to Europe to Africa, to publish their very own children’s books.
What started as a passion project soon turned into a full-time business I love.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges about being a one-woman business owner is that work is 24/7/365. On top of essentially being the marketing department, accounting department, IT, and more during the day, after-hours, I am constantly thinking of new ideas, brainstorming educational content, researching industry trends, and dreaming about ways to improve my services and better help my clients achieve their goals. It is a lot of work, but it is incredibly rewarding.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
PublishSmart Academy is a self-publishing coaching business that helps aspiring children’s book authors turn their dreams into reality. I founded PublishSmart Academy to provide authors with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to write, publish, and market their books successfully.
Through my online course and one-on-one coaching, I specialize in guiding authors through the entire self-publishing process, from brainstorming ideas to writing and editing their manuscripts to working with an illustrator and self-publishing to marketing and selling their books to maximize profit.
While many websites offer self-publishing and marketing tips, most do not cater specifically to children’s book authors or provide step-by-step, detailed instructions on how to publish a book. That’s why I founded PublishSmart Academy, which is a one-stop shop for children’s book authors who are serious about self-publishing.
Running this business is incredibly rewarding as I have the privilege of helping new authors publish their very first books. Many of these authors have been so successful that they immediately begin the publishing process for their second and third books. I am passionate about helping others achieve their dream of publishing, as that was once my dream, too.
How do you define success?
I define success as the achievement of one’s goals and aspirations. It is about living a life that is aligned with your values and priorities, both in business and your personal life, and making a positive impact on the world around you.
Pricing:
- 1-Hour Strategy Call: $125
- 30-Minute Strategy Call: $75
- Children’s Book Publishing Academy online course: $997
- Self-Publishing Checklist for Children’s Book Authors: Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.publishsmartacademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjersten_faseler_author/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kjersten-Faseler-Author-100063480852676
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kjerstenfaseler
