Carmen Montero: Navigating the Journey of Publishing a Children’s Book

Carmen Montero, Researcher at Youth Cancer Europe, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Exciting News: Navigating the Journey of Publishing a Children’s Book!

As I look back on the process of bringing “Can-Can and the Adventure of Ming Island” to life, it has been quite a journey, and I am eager to share it with you!

Last year, my goal was crystal clear: change the perspectives of the little ones with/without a cancer journey, break down the global stigma around cancer, and showcase the complete cancer journey—emotional, social, and physical. As a cancer survivor, I encountered challenges rarely addressed in books or discussed at home. This motivated me to write a story that initiates conversations and makes talking about cancer enjoyable and interactive.

This project goes beyond storytelling; it aims to be inclusive, diverse, and have a global impact. I wanted the book to be as beneficial as possible, with every copy sold contributing to childhood cancer care in low-income countries where survival rates are only about 30%, compared to 80% in high-income nations.

After receiving feedback from cancer survivors, psychologists, parents, and children’s psychologists, the final manuscript is ready for proofreading. However, the journey has not been easy. After exploring different options, I learned about two main publishing routes, and this is what I learned so far (maybe I am wrong at some points, but I’m just starting)

1)Traditional Publisher Route:

•  They handle everything but limit your creative input.
• Marketing, illustration, and editing are taken care of.
• No Profit margins for new writers are minimal, making donations challenging.

2) Self-Publishing Adventure: The one I chose

• Total creative control, but it comes at a high cost.
• I received invaluable guidance from mentors like Hannah Huber, Vassia Sarantopoulou and Rebecca Blunden.
• No Faced challenges with the budget, grant applications, and language barriers in the Netherlands, where I plan to publish my book.
• No Experienced periods of doubt about the book and the entire process.I’m grateful for the support of the Patient Innovation Bootcamp, funded by the European Union. This program equipped me with the skills to promote and elevate my concept, in addition to boosting my confidence to try.I invite you to join me in this exciting endeavor to spark conversations, break taboos, and make a global impact! Stay tuned for updates on the publication process of “Can-Can and the Adventure of Ming Island”!”

Source: Carmen Montero/LinkedIn