A Journey of Poetry & Self-Publishing with Jessa McLean

Jessa, thank you for joining me today. Let's start out by having you introduce yourself to everyone.

So my name is Jessa McLean. I am a little bit of everything. I dabble in lots of things. So I am, of course, a wife. I have two little boys, so I am a mom. I'm a teacher second grade teacher. I actually teach virtually, which is absolutely amazing. I used to teach in person and since switching to virtually, my mental health is just to pay better. So I'm sure that we'll kind of jump into that later. And then now I am starting to gain the title of author, which is really exciting. So, yeah, I've done a lot of things, but overall I am wife, teacher, mom and now author.

That's exciting. That is so exciting. So we are going to dive in to talk about your journey that you're going through self-publishing. You're a poet right, you write poetry too. So tell us your journey right now with self-publishing, with the whole process and how you're navigating it all.

OK, so to kind of backtrack to where it all began, I have always loved writing poems. When I was I don't know, I would say probably high school, I kind of started to write them about things that I was going through so life experiences, cheerleading, whatever it was that I was going through I would kind of write poems that kind of express my feelings. As I've gotten older it's related more to real life. I mean, it was always real life, but real, deep life now. So I've started to write more things like motherhood and teaching and things like that, things that I either struggle with or that are really great in life, and I will write a poem about it. So I actually I don't know, because I've always liked poems I am a teacher, I love children I kind of thought meshing them together would be really cool. And a few years ago I had written out my first children's book. Just, it was a poem, but that I want to turn into a children's book and it's a Christmas story and it's just sat in the notes on my phone for five years. I literally typed it up on my phone. It's been in there since then and I never really kind of revisited it. I had this whole idea of what I wanted to do with it and I never touched it. And then fast forward to this year. I actually went to I love country music and in June I went to CMA Fest with my mom and I had never been before. It was in Nashville, it's just a huge country music festival and at CMA Fest I'm seeing all of these people artists, new artists, up-and-coming artists, established artists performing and talking about their experience from where they started to where they are now and just talking about how they're on this huge stage and they're like. Three years ago I was up in the 300 section so it was so crazy to hear them talking about where they started and where they are and how they just followed their passion and they're thankful for their fans and all the stuff and it just lit this fire in me. So weird because it's been five years since I've written a story that I wanted to publish and it just like hit me. I was like when I get home I'm gonna hit the run running and I decided when I got home I just started looking into all the publishing routes and I found that self-publishing was going to be the best for me, just because I wanted to kind of have control of it. I hear that the process of traditional publishing can be forever. Doesn't mean I'm not interested in that. Down the road I would love to potentially explore that, but for now self-publishing was the best fit for me and that's where I'm at now. So I've done lots of research and I'm just kind of trying to figure out all the routes.

The whole self-publishing everything. It's a lot. You know, because you're self-publishing, you're doing everything yourself, so you have to learn it, especially when you're doing it the first time. You have to learn it as you're doing it. Yeah, and it's a lot and it can be overwhelming, and you know, if you don't know what you're doing, you just have to ask people. You have to google. You have to do all this and it's a beast, but it's completely worth it. Once you get to the point where you're holding your book in your hand, it's like wow, it's so worth it. And then the second time and the third time, every time after that it just gets easier and easier and you know what you're doing. It's just that I think the first one is the hardest.

I think that's what I keep kind of mentioning like to my husband. I'm like, once I get through this one, I feel like it's going to be a lot easier moving forward, hopefully, at least. Obviously, there's still going to be the steps I have to take and, as long as. I'm remembering those steps, but this first one, it's just been a lot of learning. I have learned that the writing community is amazing. I've spoken with so many like established authors, new authors. I've met friends that are like at the same stages as me and we've really kind of bounced ideas off of each other. And you know, she'll say something and I'm like, wait, I don't know about that. Or I'll say something and she's like tell me more, so we just learn. You know things that we didn't know, so you don't know what you don't know. So you just kind of learn as you go through. And it's been awesome.

Community is huge and the whole writing community I didn't know existed until I looked for it and I got it publishing and just you know, with the podcast and everything, and I was like holy cow. There are so many people out there doing what I'm doing, going through the same things, and it's such a breath of fresh air to talk to them and bounce ideas and get feedback and advice. And community is really everything.

It's so huge, absolutely it's kind of crazy because, of course, I'm going down the children's book route right now, but that doesn't mean that that's where I'll stay forever, but that's kind of where I'm at now. It's crazy to, like, even if I've spoken with somebody who does, you know, romance or something else, they still can give great advice, you know. So it's kind of cool that, like, even though we're all in different like genres, we can still kind of learn from each other and learn, like, what not to do is is a great thing that I've learned, just like make sure you don't do this or make sure you definitely do this. So it's been good to kind of get little bits from all different areas.

And it's nice connecting with other moms too. You know that have the kids at home that are kind of going through the same um like finding other people that have the same aged kids as you like oh you're writing a children's book too and you have a three-year-old at home like okay, you know what I'm going through, or even ones that have like newborns and they write their book and they work on that when they're like nursing at 3 am. It's nice to know that you're not alone at any stage of your life, whatever you're doing yes, that is huge to have more than one connection, will you? Tell us about your book. Tell us what you're working on right now.

Yes, so my first book is actually open for pre-order now, which is super exciting. So pre-order so far has been awesome. I'm doing a pre-order because I'm actually going a route of buying my books in bulk, like having them printed and then distributing myself, which is risky, especially with my first book. But it's a Christmas book, so I feel like people love Christmas and if you don't, that's okay too. I will be coming out with other things but Christmas. But Christmas is my first one and with that I knew that I wanted it to be out before this Christmas. That was kind of my goal. This book is the beginning of a series that I plan to write, so, and by series I mean it is called the Lonely Series and it is going to be focusing on objects like inanimate objects that are lonely, that people don't really think about being lonely, and it kind of speaks from their point of view. So this first one is called the lonely side of the Christmas tree and it touches on when you decorate your Christmas tree. If you put it against a wall, for example, that side on the back, you're not gonna fully decorate. Maybe you do, but most people don't, because you don't see it. So it's basically talking about from that side of the Christmas tree's point of view, and basically that side of the Christmas tree is lonely and it's kind of fighting back and it's something that you don't ever think about. So the thing that I really wanted to hit on with my books is or at least this series is things that people like I want it to be different. There's so many Christmas books out there. There's so many books out there and it's hard to make yourself kind of stand out. So what I was really going for here was something that maybe people had never thought of before. You know, you don't think about the back of the Christmas tree being lonely, but this one really touches on that. So another teacher friend of mine a few years back we kind of talked about this idea and that's where it kind of came from, and then I've just thought of all these other things that come from it. So I have a couple more in the works. I've already written out two others that are lonely. I won't say what they are yet, but we do have. I do have two more that I've already written out and I'm ready to kind of move on with them once I'm done with publishing this one. But this first one is going to be about the lonely side of the Christmas tree. So I'm excited because I'm also hoping that, like you know, little kids will start to decorate the back of their Christmas tree because of this book, which is kind of a cool thing that can come from it.

I know of my six year old read that she is very emotional and she would probably start crying and be like, well, I didn't even think about it, and then Christmas would come around and she would probably give it a hug. And that is such an original idea, a original, a lot of original series. What like sparked?

that because it's so unique. So the Christmas tree one specifically, was when you're a teacher, you are next to another teacher like your classrooms typically connect, especially elementary and my partner teacher, which I called my sweet mate, her and I one day were talking about it, and it was close to Christmas time I want to say it was November and she had kind of made the comment about, you know, the lonely side of the Christmas tree. And then we kind of got to talking about it and she was like you know, that side of the Christmas tree doesn't get decorated and it was almost time to start decorating for Christmas. So it was kind of like oh, that's so crazy. So then I was like okay, and I literally went home that night and wrote it Like wrote it out on the notes of my phone and then I like had it ever since then and I just never touched it. So that was kind of where that one came from. But then, after having that conversation and kind of typing out, that first one is where I came out with. You know, there's a lot of other things that people don't think about, that are lonely. So you know it's funny because anytime that I like in doing something and I think like, oh man, I haven't seen that or touched that in forever, I bet it's lonely and I start to kind of think of that. So you know, all writers I'm sure know like you get your inspiration by going out and doing things and indulging in things. So anytime that I like think of something, I put it in my notes and I'm like, okay, let's see if I can think of something for this one, let's see if I can think of something for that. So that first one sparked from kind of that conversation with another teacher, and then the other ones have just been ideas that I've slowly started to think of as I see things and experience things.

It's available for pre-order right now. When is the release date? Do you have that?

Yeah, good question. So I am working with an illustrator. Wish I could draw, I totally cannot, but I am working with an illustrator. She's super talented. She is actually also in school, which is awesome because we're both kind of going through this process at the first time together. Her dream is to illustrate children's books, so it's really great that she's getting the new experience, I'm getting the new experience and we're kind of going through this as newbies all together. So what I'm doing is with her timeline. I'm taking into consideration that you know, with her being in school she's pretty busy. Originally our timeline was like mid-October and we're trying to push to be done or like beginning of October, and she's been doing a great job, kind of staying on that. So the goal is, if she does finish early October, then send it off to printing as soon as she's done it. I've already been in cahoots with the printing company I'll be using. We've been sending files just to make sure everything's looking good. That way when she's done we can send it off and be good to go. So if all goes well and we send it, let's say, by early to mid-October, I should have books in hand by mid-November. That way I can have books out in two people by, you know, mid to end of November and then December. So my goal was always like Thanksgiving was kind of what I wanted to be, is like my release, with me doing a pre-order and kind of basing it off of the illustrator's timeline. I don't have an official release date. I wish I did, but I think as soon as the books come is when I, or as soon as the books are ordered is when I can be like hey guys, they're going to be here on this date and then they're shipping immediately. So that's the cool thing is with all these pre-orders as soon as I get them I'm sending them right out to everybody so they'll be able to get them as soon as I do.

Oh, that's exciting. So I just released a my day, the pumpkin patch, so it's like a Halloween book, and I had to kind of go through the same thing. Since it's a holiday themed book, right, I had to think, okay, I want it close to Halloween, but I want it to be like not too close, because you want people to you know, buy it and lead up to it. So mine was mine released on September 5th. It's like okay, september you know that's yeah, and I didn't want to do it too close to October because then a lot of Halloween books are going to be released then and I'm like what I want to be. You know, fall down the category list. When you do holiday books, there's a lot that goes through your mind, you know, on timing, because if it was, you know, not a non-like themed book like that at least anytime you don't have to worry about, you know, holiday. So it does add like an extra level of preparedness, you know like, yeah, it's funny I've talked about since.

I've written others since then. I'm like I almost wonder if I should have just done one of my others first. But I was like I've been sitting on this one for five years, like I have to do this one. I just am going to have to add that, like you said, that extra layer of really getting the timing right. So I'm cutting it close with. You know, I didn't start the planning until June. So like I'm getting this book out and published within six months, which is really it's doable. But it's a lot when you add in meeting an illustrator. You know some illustrators need that much time alone just to illustrate it. So by the time that her and I kind of had come to agreement and like really figured out when she was going to get started, it was already end of July. So you know she's doing an awesome job. You know getting that turned around quickly. But I know that I'm. You know she feels the pressure, I feel the pressure, so we're just I want to make sure that she's comfortable with it, which is why I'm like okay, early to mid-October, it should be good. We can still make it work as long as people have their books in December. I think it would be good to go, that's perfect.

That is so perfect and people can get them for, like you know, gifts and and stockings and everything. Yeah, that's exciting. Well, congratulations on it being so soon. Thank you. And when you have it in your hand. I'm so excited for you to just have that feeling. I can't wait In your hand. It's, it's amazing, it's like unlike anything.

I know I can't wait.

Let's talk about your balance. I know you wrote it, you know, five years ago or whatever and you wrote it in one night. But again, the process of self publishing is a lot and it's a lot to do and conquer, as a mom too, because our brains are over here and we want to be over here. So tell me how you found that balance and then any advice you have for a mom listening that wants to. You know, self-publish a book, but it just is a lot. What would you say to them?

Yes, so balance is not my forte. I am learning as I go what's crazy to me. Prior to being a mom, I was always over booked with everything. I mean I cheered on two different cheerleading teams in high school. I was in school full-time, working part-time. So like I am used to having a full load. But having a full load as a mom is so different than having a full load in any other situation. Right, because even not having plans with your kid, you still have a full load. So even without the birthday parties and all the other things, like you are, you're fully loaded. All the time you have to be on, you have to be ready, you have to be present. So I have talked with my husband a lot about this. Being good in all areas of my life is like what I strive for, and not just being good, being great in all areas of my life. So that's mom, wife, teacher, author, sister, daughter. You know I want to be good in everything, but sometimes I have to take from some areas to be better in other areas. So right now, author is getting a lot of my attention. That doesn't mean that I'm neglecting my children, it doesn't mean I'm not being a good teacher, but I'm putting a lot into this. So I think it's that give and take sometimes has a lot to do with kind of how I, I guess, balance it. So it doesn't always have to mean that the balance is equal within all areas. Sometimes you can take from some areas to give to others, as long as you plan to kind of even it back out at times. So I think that that's kind of where I've tried to focus is making sure that I know I don't have to be 100% great in all areas all the time, as long as I am still giving to each area something and also still giving to myself. That's the part that I struggle with the most. Filling my cup that part's hard. I constantly am filling everybody else's or filling other areas of my life before I'm focusing on me. I don't have it down pat yet. I do not have a perfect science, but I do know that sometimes I'm better at some things than I am at others.

And that's okay.

At no point do I feel like I don't have some sort of pressure on me for something, whether it's I'm not giving enough time to my kids, or I'm not giving enough time to my husband, or I'm not giving enough time to myself. There's always some sort of pressure on me. But it's how I kind of take that pressure. Do I take it in crumble, or do I take it and figure out who needs my attention first or what needs my attention first? So that's where it kind of goes, and sometimes I don't choose the right thing to give my attention to and I start over the next day. You know so every day looks different. But it just, you know you, you do what you can with what you have and you make the decisions based on what you think is best at that time, and Kind of like with kids as well. You know you, you do what you can. But, like you said, if the kids home from school sick and you have to change your whole schedule, then you have to change your whole schedule. You know, you just have to prioritize.

I like how you said you know, if this state goes bad, start over the next day, try again the next day. Have you heard the quote? That's like don't let one bad day make you feel like you have a bad life. I remember the very first time I read that I was like you can have a bad day. One thing could go wrong, whether it's something big or something terribly, terribly small, and you're just like. It really does make you think that not your life Is ruined, but you just life's bad. I have to. I'm just gonna quit this project. I will never finish it. I'm not good enough. Whatever it is, just because of that one bad day, of that one bad five minutes of your life. You know right, it's. Yeah, get a good night's sleep trying. In the next day You'll feel better, go take a walk outside. You know it's. You have to remember that.

Yeah, I think it's gonna be perfect as a mom or an author or a creative in general as a teacher, that's something that I always was very big about, especially in in person when I was doing brick and mortar teaching. You know the kids that even the kids that don't have behavior problems, but the kids that have behavior problems they have to have a refresh every day, and so do we. So that's kind of how I look at it. You know, if yesterday was terrible for them, I don't want them to come in the next day knowing that I'm mad at them because of something that happened the day before. So you come in the next day and you act like yesterday didn't happen and you start over. If they have a behavior plan, the behavior plan refreshes every day, you know. So it's one of those things that I've kind of taken into my life is, you know, if something didn't go well yesterday, that doesn't mean that it has to start bad today. It restarts today and I start over. Yeah, I either start from the beginning on that project or I pick up where I left off. But I don't have to like act like, okay, this happened yesterday, so it's going to happen today. I can kind of go into it the next day knowing that either I pick up where I left off, I fixed the mistakes that made, that were made yesterday, but it doesn't mean that those mistakes will continue to happen.

So good. Thank you for sharing that. I think everyone needs needed to hear that. So thank you so much.

Biggest advice that I had is live near your family. If that is an option for you, it is so helpful. I Could not survive if I didn't have family close by. You know, my mother-in-law actually lives in my neighborhood. You know the other side of the neighborhood but she's in our neighborhood and I mean that saves our life. Sometimes. You know, we're so thankful that she lives so close and my parents maybe live 15 minutes away my aunts down the road, you know. So I have so much Help and such a village that it helps me to keep that balance as much as I can. I still struggle with it, even with the help, you know, because when I have the help here I'm trying to figure out what should I get done during that time that I have the help. But you know, working from home as a virtual teacher, I have a schedule basically of people that come and help, because right now my younger child, so I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old, the three-year-old in daycare, but the one-year-old is still home. He's almost one and a half now. He still stays home and we're hoping to keep them home until he turns two. So having somebody Constantly here or me going to my parents house to work from there or whatever the case is. You know, having family close by is a game changer. So if that's an option, having family close by is amazing. And then asking for help, um, that's been very hard for me. That is something over the past three and a half years that I really had to just lean into. I have never been somebody who asked for help all the time, but this has just been a time in my life where I've realized that asking for help is just what I have to do and that's a big thing that I would say if you have a dream to create something and you want to make that time for yourself, ask for help, whether that's family, whether that's getting a babysitter or whatever it is, whether it's your husband, but just asking for help is big. And then my last thing is just communicating. Communicating when you need things, communicating when you're overwhelmed, that's just yeah, that's important. That's been big for me. If you are a writer, you probably are good at communicating anyway. But making sure that you give your chance, give yourself that chance to kind of communicate what you need and how you're feeling.

Well, wow, just I thank you so much for being here today talking about everything you're going through in your journey and your book. Everything is so exciting and I'm so excited for you like I just I get so excited for other other women and other moms like, yeah, doing really cool things, like writing a book, like that's, yeah, that's huge. Once you join these writing communities, it feels, it feels like, oh, everyone's writing a book, but it they're not. You know, we're people from all over the world coming together in one corner at the internet talking to each other. It's, it's just, it's huge, and I love talking to you guys about, about everything and hearing what you're doing.

It's so exciting, it's so excited everybody, and I appreciate you having me. This is exciting for me too.

Yeah, thanks for being on here. Where can people go online? I will put everything you say I'll put in the show notes, but where can people online and pre-order your book right now and then just connect with you and like social media and stuff?

Yeah, so everything is under J McClain books, so that's J M C L E A N books. I have my Instagram, my Facebook and my. I have a tick tock, which that is not my strongest suit, but I do have one all under the name J McClain books. And then my website is also J McClain books, so it's wwwjmclaimbookscom, and you will see that the pre-order is available on there Once the books are ordered. Then we'll have it just as regular ordering, but that is my website and you can find all the information there.