Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson

JoAnn M. Dickinson Author
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Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson is the podcast for children’s book authors, illustrators, and creatives who want to learn how to write, publish, and market children’s books. Hosted by award-winning children’s book author JoAnn M. Dickinson, each episode features interviews with authors, illustrators, editors, and indie publishing experts. Discover writing tips, self-publishing advice, marketing strategies, and inspiring stories that show the power of children’s literature to build confidence, empathy, and imagination.

  1. 40m ago

    From Children’s Book to Film Filmmaker & Author Mikael Bjorn

    What happens when a filmmaker brings nearly two decades of visual storytelling experience into writing books for children? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I’m joined by children’s author and filmmaker Mikael Bjorn, creator of Hugo the Sock Bandit and Russell’s Grandma. Mikael shares how his background in filmmaking and screenwriting influences the way he writes, why he sees his stories playing out like movies in his head, and what he discovered when he adapted Hugo the Sock Bandit from a book into a screenplay. We also explore the wonderfully imaginative world behind Hugo the Sock Bandit, Mikael's love of puppetry and Jim Henson, and his plans to take the story beyond the page. He is currently working toward developing Hugo as a live-action film with puppets and shares some of what goes into pitching, creating a proof of concept, and pursuing funding for a children's film. Our conversation also dives into self-publishing, editors and illustrations, creating an anniversary edition, getting books into schools and libraries, book marketing, and building a children's book brand that can grow beyond a single book. It’s a fun look at writing, filmmaking, book-to-film adaptation, self-publishing, and what happens when one story has the potential to become something much bigger. https://mikaelbjorn.com/ ____________________________________________________ 📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧SPOTIFY “Listen On The Go”: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Tia #ChildrensBookAuthor #BookToFilm #Screenwriting #SelfPublishing #BeyondTheBook

  2. 2d ago

    How to Turn a Children’s Book Into a Business Author Mary-Jean Harris

    What if selling children’s books didn’t have to rely entirely on social media? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I’m joined by children’s author and entrepreneur Mary-Jean Harris, who has found a creative way to combine storytelling, picture books, and her successful Fairy Tale Princess Parties entertainment business. Mary-Jean shares how years of interacting directly with young children helped her understand what captures their attention and influenced her picture book Princess Laria’s Lost Collection. We talk about interactive storytelling, writing for young readers, her background writing fantasy novels, and how authors can think beyond social media to create real-world opportunities for their books. 📚👑 A fun conversation about children’s books, entrepreneurship, creative book marketing, and turning storytelling into something bigger than the book itself. Follow Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson for more conversations with children’s authors, illustrators, educators, and publishing professionals. Website: https://www.ottawaprincessparties.com/fairytale-storiesIG: https://www.instagram.com/fairytale.princess.stories/ ___________________________________________ 📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1

  3. 5d ago

    Children's Book Marketing Strategies That Work: Branding, Social Media & Sales

    Want to learn how to market children's books, grow your author brand, and increase book sales without paying for ads?In this special episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I'm welcoming back Harleigh Rose of Doppy's Official, a full-time self-published children's book author, illustrator, marketing coach, YouTube creator, and host of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy.Harleigh and I are diving into one of our favorite subjects: children's book marketing and building a successful independent author business!From Instagram and Facebook marketing to YouTube growth, Shopify book bundles, author branding, podcasting, and coaching, we're sharing real experiences, practical strategies, and lessons we've learned along the way.Harleigh shares how she built two distinct brands, why some of her Instagram carousels reach 50,000 to 100,000 views, and how she uses social media to attract readers and customers.We also discuss how authors can increase book sales by selling directly through Shopify, offering discounted book bundles, and using free shipping incentives.In this episode, we discuss:📚 Children's Book Marketing: How to promote your books without relying on paid advertising.📱 Instagram Marketing: Why carousels are performing so well for Harleigh and how consistency supports visibility.💬 Facebook Marketing: Using Meta Business Suite automations to share links through comments and Messenger.🎥 YouTube Growth: How one video about self-publishing mistakes reached approximately 35,000 views and helped grow Harleigh's channel.🛍️ Shopify Book Sales: Creating book bundles, offering discounts, and encouraging larger orders with free shipping incentives.🎨 Author Branding: Building recognizable brands for both children's books and author services.⭐ Book Launches & Reviews: Lessons from unsuccessful promotions, launch teams, and the challenges of collecting Amazon reviews.🎙️ Podcast Marketing: How Harleigh repurposes YouTube content for her Children's Book Marketing Made Easy podcast.🤝 Author Coaching: How Harleigh is expanding her coaching business and developing new opportunities to connect authors with illustrators.We also share some of our own experiences with book launches, marketing challenges, and why connecting with other independent authors can make such a difference.Whether you're preparing to publish your first children's book or looking for new ways to market an existing series, this conversation is packed with ideas to help you think differently about your author business.Connect with Harleigh Rose:📚 Children's books: https://doppys.com📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doppysofficial/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsDpXyz1ptzfFjPg5TLWLcw🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/23FV5Pzsu6OQJ0vcl9FO0C_______________________________________📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧SPOTIFY “Listen On The Go”: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Tia #ChildrensBookMarketing #BookMarketingTips #SelfPublishing #AuthorBranding #IndieAuthor #writingcommunity

  4. 5d ago

    How to Build a Self-Publishing Career 32 Books Across Multiple Genres

    What does it take to build an independent novel and children's author career when you don't write in just one genre?In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling indie author Nicoline Evans, known online as Nicoline Novels, for a fascinating conversation about writing across genres, self-publishing, book marketing, author events, and building a long-term writing career.Nicoline began writing novels in 2009 and published her first book in 2014. Today, she has created approximately 32 books spanning novels, children's books, illustrated chapter books, poetry, fantasy, and more. She's also tackling historical fiction, which has introduced an entirely new level of research into her writing process.We talk about what she's learned from writing in so many different genres—including the lessons that came from publishing her first children's books, choosing book sizes and formats, working with editors and illustrators, and deciding between print-on-demand and bulk printing.Nicoline also shares what she's learned from years of selling her novels and children's books in person. She has traveled to Comic Cons, book conventions, festivals, art fairs, and events around the country and has watched those audiences change over time. That experience has helped her become much more strategic about choosing events that actually match the readers she's trying to reach.And while social media plays a role in her author business, Nicoline says some of her strongest reader relationships have come from meeting people face-to-face at events. Many of the readers who now follow her online first discovered her books in person.In our conversation, we explore:• Writing across multiple genres• Building a 32-book indie author catalog• Children's books, fantasy, poetry & chapter books• World-building and historical-fiction research• Self-publishing and managing multiple projects• Working with editors and children's book illustrators• Print-on-demand vs. bulk book printing• Selling novels & children's books at Comic Cons, BookCon & festivals• Choosing the right author events• Social media vs. in-person novels and children's book marketing• Building relationships with readers• Creating a long-term independent children's author career website: https://nicolineevans.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicolinenovels/_________________________________________📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: https://linktr.ee/joannmdickinsonauthor 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧SPOTIFY “Listen On The Go”: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Tia #childrensbookauthor #selfpublishing #authortube #writingtips

  5. Oct 15

    What Actually Works in Children's Book Marketing | 2 Authors Share Their Experiences

    Book marketing can be one of the biggest learning curves for independent children's book authors. With so many options- social media, book fairs, author events, awards, schools, libraries, newsletters, conferences, and more, how do you decide where your time and money are actually worth investing?In this episode, returning guest and children's author Dr. Deana Plaskon joins me for an open conversation about what we've both learned from marketing our books.Rather than talking about what authors are supposed to do, we compare what we've actually tried, what's worked, what hasn't, and how our marketing strategies have changed as we've gained experience.Deana shares how identifying the right audience for her Bella and Bird children's books led her to professional conferences where she can put her kids books directly in front of school counselors and other professionals who can use them. She also shares a valuable strategy for approaching libraries, not only for story times, but for connecting with the people responsible for purchasing books across an entire library system. We also compare our experiences with book fairs, craft fairs, farmers markets, school events, Barnes & Noble signings, conferences, and other in-person opportunities. Interestingly, Deana has found that some of her strongest sales have come from craft fairs rather than book fairs because she isn't surrounded by hundreds of competing books. Our conversation also explores:1. Finding the right audience and niche for your children's books2. Marketing to schools, libraries, educators, and counselors3. Book fairs vs. craft fairs, markets, festivals, and other events4. Using reputable children's book awards as part of your marketing strategy5. Deciding whether an event is worth the cost6. The realities of social media marketing for indie authors7. Websites, newsletters, email lists, and building your own audience8. Bundling children's books for events and holiday sales9. Why relationships and personal connections can create unexpected opportunities10. Thinking beyond traditional children's book marketing to get your characters and books noticed11. Learning when it's time to change a marketing strategy that isn't producing results________________________________________ 📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Ti#childrensbookauthor #selfpublishing #authortube #writingcommunity #marketingtips

  6. Oct 8

    Turn a Children’s Book Into a Classroom Tool for SEL Dr. Tisha Shipley

    What if a children’s book could become more than a story and give teachers and families practical tools they can continue using long after the last page is read? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I’m joined by educator, professor, and children’s author Dr. Tisha Shipley, author of Rider’s Magic Mark: Your Difference Is Your Magic. Inspired by Tisha’s real-life nephew, Rider, who was born with a rare birthmark, the story helps children discover that what makes them different can also be what makes them special. Each character is based on someone close to Tisha and explores qualities such as bravery, courage, humor, creativity, and empathy. Drawing on more than two decades in education, Tisha took the book one step further by creating free companion curriculum and classroom resources designed to support social-emotional learning (SEL), confidence, gratitude, vocabulary, and classroom community. We talk about turning a children’s book into a practical classroom learning tool, creating resources busy teachers can actually use, collaborating with an illustrator, self-publishing, and why children’s literature can become the starting point for learning rather than simply storytime. 📚 A wonderful conversation for children’s book authors, teachers, homeschool families, educators, and anyone interested in SEL and educational children’s books. Follow Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson for more conversations with children’s authors, illustrators, educators, and publishing professionals. website: https://www.ridersmagicmark.com/IG & Facebook:  @Ridersmagicmark  _____________________________________________ 📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: https://linktr.ee/joannmdickinsonauthor 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧SPOTIFY “Listen On The Go”: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Tia #childrensbookauthor #selfpublishing #teachers #socialemotionallearning #writingtips

  7. Oct 6

    How a Self-Taught Creator Writes, Illustrates & Makes Music for Children’s Books | Derek Allen

    What happens when a reluctant reader grows up to become a writer, illustrator, musician, and creator of more than 700 short stories? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I’m joined by children’s author and self-taught artist Derek Allen, creator of the Moonbeams and Rhyme Dreams trilogy. Derek shares the fascinating journey behind his creative work—from a dream that sparked the beginning of his short stories and poems to teaching himself Procreate and learning how to illustrate his own characters and books. But Derek’s creativity doesn’t stop with writing and art. He also creates original music for his videos and has released music on iTunes, bringing writing, illustration, characters, and music together to create a world that extends beyond the pages of his books. We talk about being a reluctant reader, learning new creative skills without formal training, writing hundreds of stories, developing memorable characters, and how Derek continues to expand the imaginative world of Moonbeams and Rhyme Dreams. 📚🎨🎵 If you’re interested in writing children’s stories, illustrating with Procreate, creating children’s book characters, or finding new ways to bring your stories to life, you’ll enjoy Derek’s wonderfully creative journey. Follow Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson for more conversations with children’s authors, illustrators, educators, and publishing professionals. Website: https://www.derekallenbooks.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/authorderekallen/_______________________________________ 📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.com⁠ 📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧SPOTIFY “Listen On The Go”: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Tia

  8. Sep 29

    Turning National Parks Into Magical Children’s Adventure Books | Kathy Arnold Cherry

    What happens when a love of national parks, wildlife, and nature becomes the inspiration for an imaginary world of adventure and magic? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I’m joined by award-winning children’s author Kathy Arnold Cherry, creator of the Erutuf National Park children’s book series. Kathy shares how her own experiences visiting national parks inspired her to create Erutuf—an imaginary national park where siblings Reese and Dean encounter talking animals, solve mysteries, overcome challenges, and work together to protect the park. We talk about the real-life inspiration behind books including Turtle Tube, Bison Blog, and Polar Post, including the unforgettable moment Kathy and her husband turned a corner while hiking in Yellowstone National Park and found themselves facing a massive bison. Kathy also takes us behind the scenes of writing her children’s adventure books, researching real wildlife and landscapes, building a recognizable book series, working with editors and book designers, and some of the lessons she has learned through self-publishing. Plus, Kathy gives us a peek at what’s coming next for the Erutuf National Park series. 🦒 If you love children’s books, national parks, wildlife, nature, imaginative adventures, or hearing the stories behind the books, join us for this fun conversation about turning real-world inspiration into magical stories for young readers. 🎧 Follow Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson for more conversations with children’s authors, illustrators, educators, and publishing professionals. https://kathycherrybooks.com/about-kathy-arnold-cherry-author/ ____________________________________________ LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit my website: ⁠https://www.joannmdickinsonauthor.co📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/joann.dickinson.author/ 📘 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDickinsonAuthor/ 📺 YOUTUBE “Watch full episodes on YouTube and Subscribe” https://www.youtube.com/@JoAnnMDickinsonAuthor?sub_confirmation=1 🎧SPOTIFY “Listen On The Go”: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjhykL1T0fAuSJzcw6Tia #selfpublishing #childrensbooks #middlegradebooks #NationalParks #NatureBooksForKids

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Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson is the podcast for children’s book authors, illustrators, and creatives who want to learn how to write, publish, and market children’s books. Hosted by award-winning children’s book author JoAnn M. Dickinson, each episode features interviews with authors, illustrators, editors, and indie publishing experts. Discover writing tips, self-publishing advice, marketing strategies, and inspiring stories that show the power of children’s literature to build confidence, empathy, and imagination.

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