Alana is a self-published author from Brisbane, Australia. She is also an IVF mum, a FIFO wife, a small-business owner and was diagnosed ADHD at age 29. Read about her life before authorhood and how her beautiful keepsake IVF picture book – The Magic Baby Lab, came to be. But first….
Alana’s favourite picture book from childhood?
Miss Spider’s Tea Party. My Mum kept it, and now it has been passed down to my children, continuing the tradition.
Alana’s kids favourite picture books?
Aside from “Mummy’s Books,” my kids love Where Is The Green Sheep? (a classic), If I Had a Dinosaur, and Super Bear. My personal favourite to read with them is Wish by Mathew Cordell. It’s a beautiful book that has made me cry many times, and was one of the inspirations behind my own writing.
In this article:
About Alana
I am a self-published author based in Brisbane, Australia, and i’ve always been creative. Before venturing into the world of self-publishing, I explored various career paths.
I spent significant time in the allied health sector, working in reception and management roles, assisting patients and thriving in dynamic environments. My Journey then led me into health and fitness, where I competed in bodybuilding competitions, earned trophies, and became a personal trainer. This period in my life was marked by the success of my business, where I helped numerous clients achieve their goals.
However, my focus shifted when I embarked on the journey of having children through IVF.
Motherhood, postnatal depression & an ADHD diagnosis
The transition to motherhood was a transformative experience for me.
After having my second child and facing postnatal depression, I turned to writing as a means of expression and healing.
Diagnosed with ADHD at 29, my diverse career paths suddenly made sense
My inclination towards creativity and my ability to juggle multiple interests found a new avenue – In writing.
My first book - The Magic Baby Lab
My self-publishing journey began with my first book, The Magic Baby Lab.
This keepsake picture book was born from my experiences with infertility and IVF. It serves as a heartfelt gift for IVF families, offering a playful introduction to the concept of IVF for children ages 0-4 years.
With inclusive language and beautiful illustrations, it has sold over 1000 copies worldwide.
My second book - Cranky Purple Pants
My second book, Cranky Purple Pants, helps children aged 2-6years to identify and regulate their emotions using deep breaths.
My third book - Some Snails
My third, self-illustrated and self-published book, Some Snails, was a fun project inspired by my son’s pet snail, Gary, and features quirky illustrations and unusual snail facts.
How it all started
The Magic Baby Lab began as a note on my phone, an idea that had been simmering for some time. It wasn’t until I reached out to my friend, Laura Feldman of Little Ivory Haus, that things began to take shape.
Laura has successfully self-published her own book and offered a course on the process, which provided me with the necessary steps to bring my books to life. This course significantly accelerated my journey from idea to publication.
Self-Publishing VS Traditional Publishing
…and how I decided which way to go.
Although I briefly considered traditional publishing, the niche nature of The Magic Baby Lab and my desire for creative control made self-publishing more appealing.
Self-publishing also allows me to manage inventory flexibly, though it poses challenges in getting my books into mainstream bookstores.
While tradition publishing wasn’t the right fit at the beginning of my journey, I would like to revisit the option in the future.
My advice to aspiring authors
If I could change anything about my self-publishing journey, I would prioritise branding more before launching my books. My early efforts lacked the polished brand identity I now strive for. Additionally – I would avoid glossy book covers as they are difficult to photograph.
The journey of self-publishing taught me a lot about myself.
I discovered my resilience and determination to succeed in a new field, despite the obstacles.
For aspiring authors, my advice is: find a supportive course of community to guide you through the self-publishing process and focus on branding before launching.
Where can you find my books?
My books are available on my online store – Mischief and Mellow. Mischief and Mellow started as a platform to showcase my self-published works and evolved into an online children’s store offering curated items for young families.
My books can also be found on Amazon and in select physical stores.
My WHY
My main mission remains to provide creative books and useful products that are loved by young families while also building a flexible lifestyle for myself.
Find and follow Alana on socials – Facebook & Instagram or visit her website mischiefandmellow.com.au
Article and images kindly supplied by Alana Ford.
Thank you for being Birchy’s Books first Indie Author of the Week, Alana!
Next week we hear from Fionna Cosgrove – The Spooky Author.
