We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Precious Batten. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Precious below.

Precious, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

My Journey from Idea to Becoming a Children’s Author

The Spark of Inspiration

It all began with my three children. As an early childhood educator and a mother, I constantly sought ways to teach my kids essential life lessons. One day, while reading bedtime stories, I realized there was a lack of books that resonated with my children’s experiences and backgrounds. I wanted stories with black and brown characters that they could see themselves in, helping them learn and grow in relatable ways. With this inspiration in mind, I decided to write my own children’s book. The idea was clear, but the path to execution required several steps and a lot of determination. The first step was research. I had to learn everything I could about writing children’s books. This involved reading widely, learning the craft, writing the manuscript, finding the right illustrator, publishing, formatting the book, choosing a platform, marketing and launch, and I had to get it into readers’ hands.

In the following months, I focused on building my brand as a children’s author. I attended book fairs, book signing at Barnes and Noble, collaborated with other authors, and continued writing. Over the next year, I expanded my book series, addressing different themes and lessons important to children.

I learned that persistence is key and trusting in God is everything.

Precious, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello, I’m Precious Batten, an early childhood educator with six years of experience and a mother of three. My journey into children’s literature began with a profound desire to teach my children important life lessons through stories that reflect their experiences and backgrounds. I noticed a significant gap in children’s literature, particularly the lack of representation of black and brown characters. This observation inspired me to write my own stories, aiming to fill this void and provide children with relatable and educational content.

My path to becoming a children’s author was driven by my background in education and my personal experiences as a mother. With a deep understanding of child development and communication, I started writing stories that could help children learn and grow in an engaging manner. I took courses on writing for children, attended workshops, and connected with other authors to hone my craft.

I write and publish children’s books that feature black and brown illustrations, focusing on themes that teach valuable lessons. My books aim to educate and empower children, fostering a love for reading while addressing important topics like diversity, empathy, and resilience.

I address the need for diverse representation in children’s literature. By creating stories with characters that children of color can relate to, I help foster a sense of identity and belonging. My books also provide parents and educators with valuable resources to teach children important life skills and values in a fun and engaging way.

What sets my work apart is the combination of my professional background in early childhood education and my personal experience as a mother. This unique perspective allows me to create stories that are not only educational but also deeply resonant with both children and their caregivers. I strive to write stories that are inclusive, empowering, and reflective of the diverse world we live in.

I am most proud of the impact my books have had on young readers. Seeing children connect with my stories and characters, and knowing that they feel seen and represented, is incredibly rewarding. My work has also received positive feedback from parents and educators, who appreciate the educational value and inclusivity of my books. I also value my ability to Keep God First, I truly believe that I can do all things through him.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As an early childhood educator and mother, I have always been committed to giving my best in everything I do, whether it’s in my professional work or in raising my children. When I decided to become a children’s author, my perfectionist tendencies intensified. I believed that every aspect of my book had to be flawless before I could consider publishing it. This mindset, however, led to a significant delay in my progress and caused a lot of unnecessary stress.

The turning point came during a Profund moment where I realized how important it is to fall in love with the process instead of the outcome. Waiting for perfection often leads to missed opportunities. They encouraged me to embrace imperfections as part of the creative process and to understand that feedback and revisions are integral to producing a quality book.

I had to unlearn the idea that everything needed to be perfect before I could move forward. I realized that striving for perfection was holding me back from sharing my stories with children who could benefit from them. Instead, I learned to focus on making consistent progress, accepting that mistakes and imperfections are part of the journey.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I watch many sermons by Sarah Jakes Roberts, T.D. Jakes, Brian Bullock, and more. I also have been inspired by books such as “The Four Agreements, The Bible, Atomic Habits. I am so inspired by motivational success stories that are also tied into the word of God and who he says we are. I truly believe that each and every one of us are created for a purpose and the hard work is tapping into that purpose and operating it in all the days of our lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://preciousleecreative.com/
• Instagram: @preciouslee__