The Daydream That Stuck
It started in 2011, during my first maternity leave. I was sat on the sofa at some ungodly hour, feeding my baby, flicking through a pile of children's books and thinking: I could do this. Not in an arrogant way. More in a quiet, stubborn, this-feels-right kind of way.
I had always loved writing. I had always loved drawing. And suddenly, surrounded by board books and baby grows, the idea for a rhyming children's book popped into my head. That was the moment Black Cat Publications was born, even though it would take another 13 years to become real.
The Long Middle Bit
Life got busy. Three children, a full-time office job, school runs, bedtimes, the works. But the idea never went away. I would scribble rhymes on my lunch break. I would sketch characters after the kids were in bed. I filled notebooks with stories that might never see the light of day.
There were plenty of moments where I nearly gave up. When the self-doubt crept in at 11pm and whispered that nobody would want to read my silly little books. But then I would read one of my rhymes to my children, and they would laugh, and I would think: actually, this is good.
Taking the Leap
In 2024, I finally took the plunge. I self-published my first titles and launched Black Cat Publications as a proper brand. It was terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure. Suddenly, the stories I had been carrying around for over a decade were out in the world for other children to enjoy.
The response was incredible. Parents telling me their children asked for the same book every night. Teachers using the Guess, Boo! books in their classrooms. Strangers on the internet saying lovely things about my illustrations. I honestly was not prepared for how emotional it would feel.
What I Have Learned
If I could go back and tell 2011 Emily one thing, it would be this: trust the process. The 13 years were not wasted. Every draft, every scrapped illustration, every late-night writing session was building towards something real.
I have also learned that independent publishing is hard work. You are the writer, illustrator, designer, marketer, packer and poster. But it is also incredibly rewarding. Every sale feels personal because it is personal.
What Comes Next
Black Cat Publications is still growing. I have new books in the works, new print designs, and plans that I am not quite ready to share yet. But the heart of it remains the same: original stories and artwork, made with love, for families who appreciate something a bit different.
If you are reading this with your own creative daydream tucked away somewhere, let me tell you: it is worth pursuing. Even if it takes 13 years.