(And How I Found Myself Writing It)
Hi, I’m Stevie!
I’m an artist and author living in the coastal town of Tannum Sands. Even now, it still feels surreal to say I’m a self-published children’s author. There’s so much that goes into creating a book, and I’m proud to say I’ve now written and illustrated three of them.
I never set out to publish a children’s book — but no one who knows me was particularly surprised when I did. Creativity has always been a big part of who I am, and since moving to
Tannum Sands, I’ve truly found my outlet. One curious idea led to another… and then I was holding the first printed copy of How to Find a Monkey.
The spark came during a rainy afternoon walk with my daughter, Millie. We were wandering along a local trail when she spotted vines swinging between the trees and declared she was going to “find a monkey.” Her imagination and excitement were contagious — and in that moment, I felt anything was possible.
What started as a personal project for Millie turned into a book enjoyed by children across the country. After creating the book with Blurb, I realised publishing it was just a few more clicks away. I was nervous — anxiety definitely crept in — but the result was nothing but positive.
I reached out to my local library to organise a reading, and from there the story took off. It became something of a local treasure — featured in the Gladstone Luminous Festival as an LED story walk, read at a teddy bear’s picnic, and stocked in multiple regional stores.
I truly believe there can never be too many stories in the world, and that they should evolve with the times. Children’s literacy has the power to change lives — and perhaps even the world.
I chose self-publishing early on because I wanted creative freedom — and to be honest, the traditional publishing path felt like a marathon I wasn’t ready to run. I wanted to keep moving forward with the project, and self-publishing gave me that autonomy.
Initially, I sold my books through Blurb’s platform but soon realised that by investing in myself, I could offer better pricing for readers. Now, my books are printed in small batches right here in Australia, with just a 1–2 week turnaround — making them more accessible
and sustainable.
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Because I both write and illustrate, people often ask about my process. Surprisingly, I usually begin with the drawings. I start with a visual vision for the book and build from there. Once I have the imagery, I begin writing, then create a storyboard, and refine the illustrations again. My artwork involves a layering technique, so I had to teach myself quite a few new digital skills to bring the scenes in my head to life.
My first book took 18 months to complete. By the third, I was down to around six months — I’m definitely refining the process!
And I truly love every step of it.
The Hardest part?
Making decisions when there’s no “right” answer — from pricing to printing to promoting. It’s all on you. It’s empowering… but also mildly terrifying. This is where engaging your local community makes all the difference!
The Best part?
That moment when a child (not your own!) laughs or lights up while reading your book. That’s when it all clicks — this is real, and it matters.
I’ve just launched my third book, How to Find a Mermaid, with a spectacular mermaid- themed party. This book is now available alongside How to Find a Monkey and I Can’t Wait to Meet You, Baby through my website (www.stevierussell.art) and at several local businesses in Gladstone, QLD.
I have library readings coming up in November with Gladstone Regional Libraries, and I’m already working on ideas for future stories. Looking ahead, I’d love to illustrate for other authors. That would truly be a dream!
✨Believe your story is worth the effort.
Self-publishing is a big undertaking, but there’s no need to rush.
✔️Move at your own pace.
And when you’re finally holding that finished book in your hands, you’ll be incredibly proud of what you’ve created.
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Stevie Russell is a children’s author and illustrator based in Tannum Sands, Queensland. She’s the creator of How to Find a Monkey and its recently published sequel, How to Find a Mermaid — two joyful and thoughtful picture books full of heart, adventure, and discovery. You can read more about her publishing journey below, but first…
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Kissed by the Moon by Alison Lester
If you’re interested in sharing your self-publishing story for our Indie Author Diaries blog series, get in touch today!
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