Episode 3 - On Diverse Children’s Books & Self-publishing
My third conversation is with Ariel Mendez, an author/illustrator of children’s books, who has mastered the business of self-publishing. She launched her first book fully funded by Kickstarter. She has a background in International Relations, is a dedicated mom of two gorgeous little boys, and also manages to teach others how to get their stories out there.
We discuss the importance of the ecosystem of diverse books and their impact, how to get started in publishing, the power of just asking, balancing mom life and business, and how superheroes also have bad days. Ariel inspires us to bypass the gatekeepers, and get started putting our diverse stories into the hands of children out there, with her warmth and passion.
“All that you touch you change, and all that you change, changes you.” Octavia E. Butler ( Award winning African American Science Fiction Author)
Ariel Mendez
Connect with Ariel: www.arielmendez.com & Instagram @arielmwrites
Read Ariel’s first children’s picture book Fear and a Friend
Special Mention: Original music by SanjayC check out his YouTube Channel.
Ariel’s sons’ favorite books:
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotamayor (Author) and Rafael Lopez (Illustrator)
Hair Like Me by Heather Burris (Author) and Ariel Mendez (Illustrator)
Even Superheros Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker (Author) and Eda Kaban (Illustrator)
Sergeant Reckless . The true story of a little horse who became a hero by Patricia McCormick (Author) and Iacopo Bruno ( Illustrator)
Keshni recommends: Octavia E. Butler, The Parable of the Sower.