Thinking about self-publishing your children’s book? Award-winning author and publisher Darcy Pattison has walked that road for over a decade, producing more than 70 titles through her company, Mim’s House Books. In our conversation on Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations (watch here), Darcy opened up about the lessons she’s learned as both creator and publisher—and why she believes indie publishing can be the most empowering path for authors.
From Scarcity to Abundance (2:41)
Darcy began her career traditionally published, with eight books under her belt. But when opportunities slowed, she faced a choice: stop writing or take control of the process herself. She chose the latter and hasn’t looked back.
“Traditional publishing has been a place of scarcity. Indie publishing is a place of abundance,” she explains. Today, she releases five or more books a year, compared to the one-book-a-year pace traditional publishing typically allows.
Finding Your Readers Where They Are (8:10)
One of Darcy’s biggest takeaways: indie publishing only works if you know exactly who you’re writing for. She tailors her lists to science-loving teachers and librarians. A friend of hers, meanwhile, publishes horse stories and sells directly at horse shows.
“For the right person, self-publishing really is a way to put your books in the hands of the right kids,” she says. The key is clarity: What kinds of books do you want to write? Where is your audience waiting for them?
Why Series Matter More Than Single Titles (14:25)
Another strategy Darcy swears by is thinking long-term. A single book rarely pays the bills, but a backlist of titles—or better yet, a series—can build momentum.
Her Moments in Science and KittyTubers series not only made marketing easier, they also opened doors to licensing deals with platforms like Epic!, which prioritize publishers with deep catalogs. “Even if one book doesn’t do well, another book will come up and sell,” she notes. “I’m building my intellectual property into something that is significant.”
Wearing Many Hats—Including Art Director (21:02)
Self-publishing, especially in picture books, requires authors to stretch. From hiring illustrators to handling layout and distribution, Darcy emphasizes the importance of developing a strong visual sense and business skills.
Her background as a quilt artist gave her an eye for composition, but she encourages others to train themselves by studying picture books, visiting art museums, and taking classes. “Picture books have to have illustrations, and you have to learn to be an art director,” she says. And if art direction isn’t your strength? Hire it out, just as you would accounting or distribution.
Kickstarter as a Launchpad (28:17)
When it comes to funding and marketing, Darcy turns to Kickstarter. Unlike GoFundMe, which is donation-driven, Kickstarter is preorder-driven. Supporters back a project in exchange for early copies or bonuses. This approach helps her cover upfront costs while also generating buzz.
“If I spent $5,000 on an illustrator and the campaign raises $5,000, I’m already in the black,” she explains. Plus, backers often receive books two months before release, giving them time to share with kids, classrooms, and communities—sparking word-of-mouth before the official launch.
Your Stories Matter (36:55)
At the heart of Darcy’s message is empowerment. When you self publish, you are betting on yourself.
“Your voice is important. We need those options in our world of literature,” she says. But that means putting in the work: “You must write. If I’m not writing, I have nothing to sell.”
For authors ready to take charge, self-publishing can be both a challenge and a liberation, an opportunity to bring more stories, in more formats, to the kids who need them.
Darcy dives deeper into these topics in her forthcoming book, Publish: Find Surprising Success Self-Publishing Your Children’s Book, launching on Kickstarter in September 2025. You can back her project here.
📺 Watch the full interview with Darcy Pattison
🔗 Mim’s House Books | Darcy’s website | Indie Kids Books Substack
