A newish business venture stalled out. Where from here?

[philish]

Background: I self-published two books last fall which I wrote and illustrated. They are directed toward special needs teachers/therapists/families. The concept has been moderately popular with audiences I've presented it to, and at least one clinic has been very engaged with the material to great success. They even presented the material at a national conference.

However, book sales have not been great and I do not have the capital to invest in other materials that might help promote sales. I'm not getting a platform at conferences because I a) am not already a "celebrity" in the field, b) don't have a health sciences degree or c) an advanced education degree. Great idea, but not the right letters behind my name so I am not perceived as being knowledgeable. This same barrier holds true for getting the attention of a publisher.

I have pressed on with this because of the initial success I had presenting it at a conference. This gave me great hope. But I have not been able to recreate the circumstances of that conference.

This past month I've had to face the bitter reality that my hope for self-employment through this book project and speaking engagements may be unfounded. I like the project and I feel it's worthy of the time I've invested. I have heard from a few families how much they like it and I know it's been a significant mental/visual metaphor that's helped my daughter understand her feelings. However, I do not work in this field --I am simply the mother of a child with special needs who can write and illustrate well enough to put out a great idea. My passion for creating the books was because I need to communicate something I did not see in the current market. The responses I get from families and clinics who "get" the concept supports my perception.

But I lack a regular income and/or a base within a clinic from which to further promote and add credibility to my project. In other words, it's a good idea and great books, but they are not MY LIFE.

But dammit, I'm a Capricorn and I've plugged on!

I am at a crossroad. I've been living off my rapidly dwindling retirement account (which I plundered last year to begin the project), have no other income, am managing a fragile kid who is in therapy to recover from my divorce, relocation, father anger, etc., and cannot manage a babysitter. Have no health insurance, live in a 350 sq' garage apartment... This is completely unsustainable.

Here have been a few relevant questions.

What do I need to know about the future of TBK? 45.3,6>33

Accept it's a mess, have a good sob and get over it? This reading sounds like my lament above! ​

How best to proceed with TBK? 14.1,2,4>52

What do I need to know about proceeding with SSR about a partnership with TBK? 53.1,5>22

This and other responses (20.6>8) Suggest they may not be organized enough to carry through with a fruitful partnership. Though, absent a publisher to support the books, I feel that aligning with a clinic would be the next best way to promote their sales.
​

I am considering requesting a meeting with BIG AUTHOR in the field (with whom I have a positive acquaintance) to ask for advice/direction. 57, unchanging

"Moving Gently brings advancement in small matters. It is favorable to have a goal in mind. There is further advantage in seeing a great leader."​

This person is clearly a "great leader" so I will contact her. Not sure this will lead to much, but she may have some good advice. And yeah, 57 for me here feels like "Cowardice" as it's translated in one of my sources. I'm quaking.

And I'm done. If anyone has a thought to share about my readings, I'd be most grateful. If you'd like to see the project/books, here's my website. Please have a look!

muchas gracias,
philish

 

[sooo]

Tough times for sure, Philish. Sorry to hear.

I just wanted to mentioned 'the seal' aspect of 57, which LiSe writes about. It should help with strengthening your confidence, which sounds like it's dragging, understandably.

The general impression from your readings that I get is hopeful but progress is gradual. It appears to be important to present your ideas in an optimistic light, and not allow feelings of desperation to peek through the cracks. Easier to say than do, especially during such difficult times, but be confident in yourself and your books and ideas in general. 14 says you've got the goods.

 

[philish]

sooo--

I think you answered my question about my winter boots! (They were FAbulous! You thoughts were sooo helpful.) Thank you for returning.

I do think the project is good (14), but as you say, I probably need to pull back and lay-off the PR push. Light-hearted is good, and this morning I remembered an idea I had for a very short animation I could produce. I should make that a goal this coming month and let it sit on the site for a while as "soft" PR. Wouldn't cost much money.

Meanwhile, I need other work. My background is actually in theatre design, and when I asked about returning to it, I got 31. And would people be receptive to my work, I got 14. I am finally living in a city where I could pursue this at a professional level.

Some tricky politics with the "wasband" necessary for that. Childcare and his work anxiety are ongoing issues. Different thread...

Just very glad to have this forum to write out my woes, and for them to be heard! These are very difficult times, indeed. I've felt awful, really quite desperate since mid-May. We've had a series of eclipses that, collectively, has really shaken me up. Projects imploded, confidence lost, child exploding. Terrible.

But I intend to make a gratitude list today and post it on my refrigerator. Need some counter-balance.

If anyone has anything else to post, I would be grateful. But thank you, again, sooo for responding. Really lovely to hear another human! :bows:

Gratefully,
philish

 

[sooo]

Very glad the boots worked out for you, Philish. At least your feet should be comfy, if not your future security in book publishing, just yet.

I've been reading through your posts again, looking for something which might shed some light on this, but it's no simple matter. I think it's good that you keep 53's wheel softly turning. It seems as though it should dovetail well with a child education production workshop of some kind. An educational cartoon network? Love the animation idea for the Beakers. The concept of using science beakers as illustrations of human sensory experience is very interesting, and I think it has potential to capture kids' imagination.

Seems to me there would be two main venues for this product: education and entertainment. Unless you're already connected or at least aware of the in and out of the academia protocol of endorsement, I think the entertainment path would offer much less resistance. Maybe a crossover, incorporated into kids' popular TV cartoons, possibly hired on as a writer and future producer. One never knows how these "lucky" breaks happen, but they happen to someone who was in the right place at the right time with the right idea.

(I see) influence is sewn loosely through the fabric of your readings (with pink ribbon). I assume it's your influence, but it may be mutual. I guess it refers to a gentle, child-like touch or approach. Soft PR, as you put it. Some massively profitable companies started by just making something work, with no idea at all how to make money from it. Genuine enthusiasm launched it, and it caught on. One way for sure not to catch a fish is to not fish. Sometimes it's a matter of holding yer jaw just right, and pretend you're walking away from your rod and not noticing. That's when the fish will bite!

 

[philish]

You are a very subtle reader, sooo.

I agree, the entertainment angle will produce a better response. I did teach for a few years and am familiar with edu-lingo, but I find that environment far too dry for me to compete in.

I also have a woman interested in pursuing my project with children's museums. She's a Occupational Therapist and Universal Design consultant who works exclusively with children's museums and parks. She asked me to make my "Santa" list of potential projects for which we apply for grant funding. Got my list out to her last week. Threw in everything --animation, books, stage musical, video games, hands-on exhibit, etc. But I know this is a long-term goal, as the funding, planning, etc. may take YEARS to develop and implement.

There may be others interested in the project who, for whatever reason, are not yet ready to invest. I get visitors to the site from everywhere.

Also spoke with wasband today and sketched out my situation. He is nervous about asking to work from home, but he's rather do that than continue to commute as he has been. Again, no assurances except that he will try more consciously to make preparations to present his case to his boss. Without this flexibility I cannot pursue f/t work.

All and all, some significant emotional relief today from a heavy-duty full moon yesterday! I will continue to keep your thoughts of "light and sweet" in my future work. Humor is a must for me. Laughter is golden.

:bows:

 

[philish]

Sometimes it's a matter of holding yer jaw just right, and pretend you're walking away from your rod and not noticing. That's when the fish will bite!

I think this works with men, too. ;-)

 

[sooo]

I also have a woman interested in pursuing my project with children's museums. She's a Occupational Therapist and Universal Design consultant who works exclusively with children's museums and parks. She asked me to make my "Santa" list of potential projects for which we apply for grant funding. Got my list out to her last week. Threw in everything --animation, books, stage musical, video games, hands-on exhibit, etc.

Wow! A perfect professional to receive help from. Perfect. Even if the direct connection doesn't come through her, she should get you on the right track. But maybe you help her get on the right track. "It is true that if we cannot be influenced ourselves, we can't influence the out-side world." 31.5 Wilhelm commentary

 

[sooo]

I think this works with men, too. ;-)

Cattle prods work well too. I mean, how many men sit there thinking *she touched her hair and her ear while glancing at me*? Most men would be too busy looking at her ass or... other things, to notice. chuckle