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.
How a New Children's Book Author Got Her Books Into 14 Local Stores | Jacqueline Priestly
How does a brand-new children's book author get her books into 14 local stores, without relying on Amazon advertising?In this episode, I'm joined by children's author Jacqueline Priestly, creator of The Wild-Life Keepers, a playful children's book series inspired by the wonderfully wild personalities of childhood.After 15 years working in marketing and communications, Jacqueline stepped away from her career to spend more time with her three children and pursue her lifelong dream of writing books.Her inspiration? Her own kids!From the energetic Tasmanian devil to the curious, chatty parrot, Jacqueline's characters reflect the everyday personalities and funny moments that children, parents, and caregivers instantly recognize.But these stories offer something special for grown-ups, too—a gentle reminder to embrace the chaos, find humor in the little moments, and give ourselves a little grace along the parenting journey.We also explore Jacqueline's impressive journey as a new independent author, including:1. Turning her children's personalities into memorable picture book characters2. Creating stories that children and parents can relate to3. Working with an illustrator to build a recognizable children's book series4. Getting her books into 14 local boutiques, gift shops, and retail stores5. Approaching store owners, building relationships, and understanding wholesale and consignment6. Why she chose local retail opportunities over paid Amazon advertising7. Finding encouragement and honest feedback through an independent author support group8. Building a children's book brand while balancing motherhood and a new creative career
https://jacquelinepriestly.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 #BookMarketing #SelfPublishing #writingcommunity #PictureBooks #BeyondTheBook
27 Oct 2026
Writing, Illustrating & Building a Creative Business After Retirement | Kim Marie Children's Author
What happens when you finally have the time to pursue all those creative ideas you’ve been dreaming about?
In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I’m joined by children’s author, illustrator, and artist Kim Marie, creator of the Live Your Dreams brand.
Kim shares how her creative journey evolved from art and storytelling into writing, illustrating, and self-publishing her own children’s books. Her first book, A to Z Animal Picnic, was an idea decades in the making, while A Giraffe Who Makes You Laugh came together much more quickly—although illustrating it became a year-long creative process.
We talk about creating illustrations with traditional art and Procreate, the realities of self-publishing, selling books at in-person events, and why publishing a book isn’t quite the passive-income opportunity many new authors imagine.
Kim also shares how retirement has given her the freedom to explore even more of her creativity through original artwork, coloring books, journals, prints, creative gifts, and even hand-painted watch faces.
It’s a fun conversation about writing, illustrating, self-publishing, creativity, and building a creative business after retirement—and what can happen when you finally decide to stop dreaming about your creative ideas and start bringing them to life.
🎧 Join us for another inspiring conversation on Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson.
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📲 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 #AuthorIllustrator #SelfPublishing #CreativeBusiness #BeyondTheBook.
22 Oct 2026
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/
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📲 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
Who has been a guest on Beyond the Book with JoAnn M. Dickinson
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Vix Browne
Maria Cedolini Thompson
Liliana Tommasini
Douglas Berry
Melissa Ahonen
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104,312
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5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
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Quality
91
Social presence
94
YouTube
82
Engagement
0
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JoAnn M Dickinson host the show. Published by JoAnn M. Dickinson Author.
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