Book Birthday Blog with Renee Bolla

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Renee Bolla on the release of The Truth About Stepmoms

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

From my earliest memories, I have never known the life of married parents. My journey as a stepchild began at the age of two when my parents divorced, each finding new paths in remarriage. Growing up, I grappled with confusing narratives—movies portraying stepmothers as villains and fairytales instilling fear in the very word 'stepmother.' The society I was raised in didn't fully embrace the uniqueness of a blended family. Fast forward to later years, I found myself stepping into the role of a stepmom when my daughter, Nina, entered my life at the tender age of two. She not only made me a mother but also became my teacher in the profound lessons of unconditional love. Inspired by my own experiences as a stepmom I felt the calling to reshape the stepmom narrative, ensuring it embraced the love, warmth, and happy endings every blended family deserves.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

In writing The Truth About Stepmoms, I was inspired by my own journey as a parent and stepparent. I've experienced firsthand the beauty of blended families and the unique dynamics that come with it. Through this book, I hope to show readers that family is not defined by traditional norms but by the love, support, and understanding we share. Every family has its own recipe, and it's the combination of these special ingredients that makes each one truly wonderful.

What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

The most difficult part of writing The Truth About Stepmoms was finding the right perspective to tell the story. I started with two sisters navigating a blended family household then changed the perspective to a dad and daughter navigating changes within a family household. It took me two years of exploration and evolution to realize that the heart of this book lies not just in stepfamily dynamics but in the universal themes of love, resilience, and understanding. Through the characters' journey, I wanted to convey the message that family is about embracing differences, overcoming challenges, and celebrating the unique bonds that tie us together. This book is not just for stepfamilies; it's for every family, reminding us that love knows no boundaries and that every family's story is worth celebrating.

I am forever grateful to my mentor, Valerie Bolling, and the other authors at Highlights Foundation Summer Camp who challenged me to take my writing further, to dig deeper, and to keep writing. They were instrumental in helping me craft the perfect version of The Truth About Stepmoms. Thank you for believing in me and in the power of storytelling that connects us all.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

My marketing plan for The Truth About Stepmoms is designed to make it easily accessible to everyone who wants to join in celebrating family diversity. My book is available on my author website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Books-A-Million, and many local Michigan businesses.

To connect with my local community, I've lined up exciting events throughout May:
 
5/4: Fascination Factory in Birmingham
5/10: Sidetrack Bookshop in Royal Oak
5/11: Coreander’s Children’s Bookshoppe in Gross Pointe Park
5/19: Detroit Public Library in Detroit
 
Stay tuned for more events at Schuler Books, Apple Blossom Baby & Décor, and others by following me on social media or checking my author website.

Check out my book trailer here.

I have connected with bloggers and set up a launch team to promote on social media.

Plus, in May, I’m introducing friendship bracelet making kits and family photo album making kits to complement the book's themes of love and connection.

Whats next for you?

As a creative, I'm always on a journey of discovery and reinvention. From my corporate retail background to diving into the world of picture books, every step has been about embracing new challenges and finding my joy.
 
My next venture takes me into the realm of expanded picture books, targeting readers ages 7-10. Inspired by the unique format of Jon Klassen's The Skull, my upcoming book delves into the hilarious world of embarrassing parents. It's a blend of laughter and heart, a story that kids and parents alike will relate to and enjoy.
 
I believe in the power of laughter, and this book is a testament to that belief. It's about finding humor in everyday moments, celebrating our quirks, and embracing our uniqueness.
 
Follow my journey as I continue to weave the perfect blend of humor and heart into all my books. Stay tuned for updates, sneak peeks, and more surprises along the way. Let's share in the joy of storytelling and create unforgettable moments together.

More about the book . . .

The Truth About Stepmoms celebrates the precious bond that can grow between children and their stepmothers, debunking common stereotypes and fostering a positive understanding of blended families.
 
The story follows a young girl’s humorous yet heartfelt investigation as she attempts to uncover the truth about her new stepmom, Via. But to her surprise, she discovers that Via does not change into the wicked figure she heard about from friends, books, and movies but remains the same caring, fun-loving, and kind-hearted individual who brings love and joy to her life in unexpected ways.

Publisher: RNB Press

More about the author . . .

Renee Bolla, a children's picture book author, seamlessly transitioned from the corporate world of fashion retail to craft enchanting literary worlds for young minds. With the release of her self-published picture books, Finding Bunny and Imagine That, in 2022, and her newest book, The Truth About Stepmoms, coming Mother’s Day 2024, Renee has emerged as a storyteller who captivates hearts and sparks imaginations.
 
As a devoted mother to three daughters, Renee weaves the magic of her personal experiences into every narrative, creating stories that resonate with the shared joys and challenges of parenthood. Writing serves as her creative sanctuary, unlocking the enchantment of literature and inviting readers into boundless realms of imagination.
 
Join Renee on her journey as she continues to inspire young hearts, one story at a time.

IG: @reneebollaauthor

FB: @reneebollaauthor

Pinterest: @reneebollaauthor

Tik Tok: @reneebolla

Author's website: https://www.reneebollaauthor.com/

 

Authors Marketing Together by Renee Bolla

Collaborate. Connect. Inspire.

Marketing is essential in any business, and the world of literature is no exception. Today authors are expected to not only write but also market their work. I’m sure some of you cringed when I said the word market. I get it. It can be daunting, time-consuming, expensive, overwhelming, and intimidating, especially for newbies. We are writers, and we just want to write! But we also want people to read what we write, and that’s why marketing is a crucial element along the journey.

I only recently began my author journey. At the end of 2020, I resigned from corporate retail after 20 years and followed my dream of becoming a published author. Zero-knowledge or experience, just a passion to share my stories and celebrate literacy. I’ve discovered writing can be a solitary process. It’s just you and your keyboard (or notebook if you’re old-school) with your thoughts. While writing is a solo activity, I realized marketing requires a network and a community.

There are many organizations that helped get me started and continuously support my writing journey: The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, Women in Publishing, Making Picture Book Magic with Susanna Hill, and Highlights Foundation. But it was through the 12x12 Picture Book platform that I found my marketing community.

Leslie Eva Tayloe, Mona Voelkel, Tarja Nevala, and myself, Renee Bolla, a group of strangers, everyday women pursuing our writing dreams, found each other through a post on the 12x12 platform. A simple post from Leslie asked if anyone was interested in forming a marketing group. And just like that, Kidlit at Heart was born. We are a marketing group of women authors who inspire, support, and learn from each other while marketing our picture books, celebrating literacy, and connecting with communities. Each of us brings unique experiences and backgrounds. We are a blend of self-published, traditionally published, and even hybrid authors, but we are all aligned on one common goal…to build our author brand and sell our books!

The initial stages of forming our marketing group were about getting to know one another and asking the right questions. What is your goal as an author? How do you want to make an impact? What are your values? What are your expectations for this marketing group? What do you want your author brand to accomplish? How much time can you dedicate to this group? The only way for your marketing group to succeed is to ensure you are all aligned. We established early that we are NOT a critique group. We are here to market our author brands and our books as well as educate readers and other writers along the way.

In our infancy, we worked together on creating a brand. We knew early we wanted to be more than a group that casually meets. We wanted to be a picture book marketing brand. That means we established a name, logo, mission statement, and vision statement. This didn’t happen overnight. We took our time thinking about who we wanted to be and what we wanted to stand for. We researched other inspirational brands to help guide us. We had fun creating brand names, fonts, colors, and logos. And as writers, we loved writing our mission and vision statement. After some time collaborating, we had a brand, brand kit, and website. I also want to mention the importance of checking that your brand and domain name are available early in the process.

Next, we established meeting dates, times, and frequency. While this may sound basic, aligning calendars can be challenging and a deal breaker for some. Kidlit at Heart meets twice a month for an hour, and we set our dates for all of 2023. We aligned early that this time is prioritized for our marketing group. We do Zoom meetings because we are a group that crosses many time zones. One day we would love to meet in person.

We start each meeting with an agenda sent in advance and wrap up with an email that recaps the meeting and preps us for the next one. In between meetings, we connect via email or our shared Google Drive, where we continuously exchange marketing information, including information about events, classes, writing contests, blogs/newsletters, aspirational authors, interviews, podcasts, and website tips, to name a few. 

The biggest challenges we (and you) may face when trying to coordinate a marketing group can be bucketed into three areas. Scheduling/time commitment, conflicting individual priorities, and different viewpoints or working styles. That’s why it’s crucial to ask the right questions initially. We started Kidlit at Heart with six members but are now a group of four. Along the way, we had two individual members’ priorities/goals change, and they felt they no longer aligned with what we were working toward as Kidlit at Heart. Therefore, they chose to leave the group. We are all still closely connected and continue to support each other’s journey, just not as part of the marketing group.

There are many wonderful benefits of forming a marketing group and this experience has helped me grow as a writer, brand builder, and marketer. I want to highlight a few benefits with you in hopes of helping you along your author journey and potentially helping you form your own marketing group.

1.     Cross-promotion: Authors can cross-promote each other’s work, increasing visibility, including sharing each other’s work on social platforms, websites, or each author’s events, as well as connecting each other to your respective networks.

2.     Sharing resources: Authors share information on writing workshops/events, connections, book SWAG ideas, benefits of teacher guides, and speaking opportunities.

3.     Collaboration: By working collaboratively, authors can leverage each other’s strengths and pool resources to create a more effective marketing plan. A few examples of this: author interviews, giveaways, library placement, virtual events, website presence, brand building, and social media collabs.

4.     Feedback and support: A marketing group is a trusted and safe space, providing a supportive network to share successes and struggles, offer input and advice, and encourage authors to keep going. For example, our latest topic was all about creating press kits. We came together to ideate, set deadlines, and hold one another accountable.

5.     Increased visibility and credibility: By working together, authors can open doors for speaking engagements, media interviews, further reach on social, cross-website exposure, and ultimately higher book sales.

6.     Skill sharing: Each author can teach others what they know about marketing, writing, and publishing, leading to growth for everyone involved. Our group offers a wealth of experience, knowledge, and energy, and we all work together beautifully.

Being a writer can be a lonely and challenging journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Forming a collaborative marketing group with other authors can build a supportive community, increase your book and brand’s visibility, and help you achieve success.

As for Kidlit at Heart, where are we going from here? We have a vision to share our creativity and love of literacy with a broader community and support other writers on their marketing journey. Check out our website and take our “Get to Know You” survey, because we welcome feedback. If you complete the survey, you will receive “30 Tips to Build Your Brand” to get you started on your marketing journey.

Best of luck, and remember, our biggest resource is each other.

 

Renee Bolla is a former retail executive turned children's picture book author. She has two self-published books, released in 2022, Finding Bunny and Imagine That. Her inspiration for writing comes from her experiences as a mom to her three daughters. Those experiences are woven into each one of her stories. Writing has always been a creative outlet for her. She loves that a book can be a magical door that opens to infinite worlds, igniting imagination and how each page invites you to soar on the wings of its words.

Renee is a writing contributor for Detroit Mom and a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Picture Book Challenge. She is also a founding member of Kidlit at Heart, a children’s picture book marketing group. As well as a presenter at the Women in Publishing Summit 2023. You can find her on Instagram & Facebook (@reneebollaauthor), Tik Tok (@reneebolla), and Twitter (@rbollaauthor). To learn more about her journey, visit her author website.

More Than a Publishing Summit by Renee Bolla

 

If you were to ask me the day I resigned from corporate retail if I would be a self-published author who started a picture book marketing group, I would have laughed. Not because I didn’t think I was capable but because that would have felt so far out of my wheelhouse. I was a fashion merchant and brand strategist with 20 years invested in corporate retail. What did I know about being an author? Fast forward, I had two picture books released in 2022, formed Kidlit at Heart, and just presented at the Women in Publishing Summit, the largest virtual event for women in the publishing industry.

 

The power of the writing community is remarkable. I didn’t know anyone in the industry when I began. I didn't have a formal education in the field, so I did the most logical thing I could think of and jumped in headfirst. Soaking up knowledge anywhere I could get it and connecting with as many people as I could. I joined the 12x12 community and SCBWI. I met my fellow Kidlit at Heart members (Mona Voelkel, Tarja Nevala, and Leslie Tayloe) through 12x12 and soon discovered each of us was also a member of SCBWI. We were strangers from all walks of life that came together for the love of creating. 

 

We heard about the Women in Publishing Summit (thanks Instagram) and its mission to celebrate, empower, encourage, and support women writers in the publishing industry. We wanted to be a part of that. Its mission closely aligned with Kidlit at Heart’s values of inspiring, creating, and connecting. So, we took a bold approach and directly contacted the founder, shared our story, goals, and passion for creating. That was the birth of our first speaking opportunity as a picture book marketing group. We hosted the workshop Forming a Collaborative Children's Book Marketing Group, a wonderful topic that we can expand on another time.

 

The summit was my first speaking opportunity as an author. My previous 20 years in corporate retail brought me many speaking opportunities but THIS! A conference of this caliber, this size, this early on in my journey. Nervous? You could say that. I felt like I was in middle school again, preparing my first speech for the school’s annual debate. I was on year 2 of my author journey, not exactly an expert. But I am well versed in all things marketing and have the personal experience of transitioning into a new career late in life. I knew what helped me along my entry into the writing industry. Community and connection. That realization changed my internal dialogue and calmed my nerves.

 

The Women in Publishing Summit was my chance to be part of something meaningful. An event entirely dedicated to women, dedicated to sharing women’s stories, and our voices while celebrating our accomplishments. Women supporting women. Talk about community. Whether you are an experienced writer or aspiring to start, this brought true mentorship and connection. 

 

This piece is in celebration of all the inspiring women out there. Make today, tomorrow, and every day a day to celebrate your courage, strength, and resilience. And always remember, we are strong alone, but together we can change the world.

 

Renee Bolla, a self-taught, self-published author who resigned from the only career she knew to follow a dream of becoming an author at almost 40, is now and forever a part of the Women in Publishing community. 

Book Birthday Blog with Renee Bolla

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators. 

 

Congratulations to Renee Bolla on the release of Imagine That!

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I am a mother to three strong and talented daughters, and they have been my inspiration since day one. I have always been that mom who kept journals, attempting to document their everyday moments along with their big milestones. I found so much joy in preserving the memories we created together. When I made the bold decision to resign from my corporate job at the end of 2020, I had the time and the creative freedom to run with these ideas. My debut book, Finding Bunny, was inspired by my youngest daughter and her love for her best friend, Bunny. It is a heartwarming story about friendship and the emotional journey a little one experiences with losing and finding her best friend. My newest book, Imagine That!, was inspired by my first born. She was adventurous and fearless from birth but has always struggled with bedtime because of her fear of the dark. She has a vivid imagination which takes her to magical places but at the same time can make the dark a little spookier. We would make up stories together at bedtime to help ease her mind and from that Imagine That! was born.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

I want my little readers to understand the power of their mind and their imagination and use that in all aspects of life. I want them to feel empowered to conquer their fear no matter how big or little that fear may be. And that being brave doesn’t mean you don’t experience fear. That bravery is having the courage to try something despite being scared. Your mind is a powerful tool, be proud of that.

What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

When I started this book, I started in a completely different direction. The premise of it was the same, battling fear of the dark through the power of your imagination. But it was lighter and more dreamlike. Think rainbows and unicorns. But I was challenged to stretch myself and tackle deeper feelings children experience about the dark and bedtime. It was hard because I started writing what I literally would tell my daughter at bedtime and that didn’t necessarily translate to a picture book. It was descriptive bedtime story telling not picture book worthy at first. But with the talented writing community that surrounds me pushing me out of my comfort zone, I was able to think beyond that literal story I told my daughter and Imagine That! took form.

What are your marketing plans for this book?

I am passionate about connecting with children through events and promoting the joy of reading through fun and engaging activities. I am partnering with local bookstores, libraries, schools, toy stores, kid’s boutiques and other various locations that children go to find joy such as art studios, bakeries, donut shops, parks and sports facilities. I will tailor each event to the specific location, but every event will center around the message of the book, fear and bravery. I have a page on my website that highlights upcoming events and will share my journey through my social channels.

What's next for you?

When I started my writing journey my goal was to write a book for each of my daughters. So, my next book will be dedicated to my stepdaughter. This book will highlight the relationship between a stepdaughter and stepmother. There are not many picture books out there that focus on this relationship and I think it is something to celebrate and share. I have a few more stories in the works. My goal is to release two more picture books in 2023. So, stay tuned.

A little bit about the book . . .

Imagine That! is a story that will spark imagination and empower children to creatively conquer their fear of the dark.
 
Emma, an adventurous little girl, is fearless during the day. But nighttime is a different story. She is terrified of the dark. The dark is where spooky things live and take over her room every night. Emma knows she can do challenging things but sleeping in her room all by herself seems impossible.
 
Her mom insists her imagination is playing tricks on her. Like her imagination has magical powers? But wait! Is there something about her imagination she hasn’t quite figured out?
 
Imagine That! is a story about the power of a child’s mind and their imagination. As quickly as it can create fear it can turn that fear into happy thoughts. Will Emma learn to use her imagination to help conquer her fear of the dark?
 
Find out in Imagine That!

A little bit about the author . . .

Renee Bolla, author of the debut children’s picture book, Finding Bunny.
 
As a former retail executive, Renee led merchandising and brand teams for 20 years before trading in her fashion career for sweatpants and a pencil. A curious human with a passion for learning new things, Renee embraces life’s journey as a mom, wife, entrepreneur, writer, and coffee lover.
 
Before resigning, writing was a hobby that filled her creative soul. And while it started as a hobby, it has evolved in to much more. Now, inspired to write stories about her three strong and talented daughters. Each being unique to their individual personalities and real-life experiences of being a kid. It is the beginning of her writing journey, and she is looking forward to sharing her stories with you.
 
You can connect with Renee on the following social platforms:
Instagram: @reneebollaauthor
TikTok: @reneebolla
Twitter: @RBollaAuthor
Facebook: @ReneeBollaAuthor
Or visit her website, https://www.reneebollaauthor.com/, to continue following her journey.