Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Libby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Amanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

My business, Story Crumbs, morphed from a previous vision I had. At the start, I just wanted to help author’s get engagement for their pre-orders. Pre-orders being such a vital marker of success for authors, I knew they struggled to really grab their readers’ attention. There are so many art prints and candles out there, I knew a authors needed something truly different to grab their readers’ eye. And that’s how my cookies mixes were born. My cookies mixes are based on book characters. Each ingredient is directly tied to different personality traits of a character to truly bring them to life.

I ran that business for a while, but although I loved it, I was feeling an unrest in my spirit. I love books, but I wasn’t reading any of the ones I was creating mixes for…truthfully, I hadn’t read a physical book for 4 years. It was SO hard to find a book I enjoyed, and on the rare occasion I did, I dreaded trying to find the next one–so I just didn’t.

The overwhelm of picking my next read after finishing a book I LOVED, or DNFing another recommendation, had led me into the biggest reading slump of my life, and I knew that needed to change.

So that’s when Story Crumbs got a revamp. On my Instagram page and Email List, I break down a book into digestible pieces so you can KNOW for certain that this is a book you’ll enjoy. I include basic information like a one sentence pitch, as well as more nitty-gritty details like the themes explored in the book and what the spice level is. On each post, I divulge ALL the information needed for readers just like me to know without a shadow of a doubt that when they pick up this book, it will not be a waste of time. In fact, it might just become their next favorite read!

All that to say, I still wanted to serve the author community I truly love. So, while readers get to find their next read, authors get to share about their books – and build their reader’s experience!

Being an author is truly about building relationships, and the best way to do that is engage and excite your audience. My cookie mixes do just that! When author’s submit to work with me, they are not only getting their book to 1.1k readers on IG and my ever-growing email list, they are getting cookie mixes based on their book character that reader’s can buy, enhancing their experience.

On top of that, I still offer the opportunity for author’s to buy cookie mixes as pre-order goodies so they can get those much-needed sales before launch.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure! I’m a book loving cookie monster who just wants to make the lives of all bookish lovers and writers better.

Readers, never again get overwhelmed by picking your next read! Get all the details about a book, in one place, and in a fun and unique way. These recommendations are given with cookie mixes based on book characters. Every ingredient in the cookie relates directly to an element in the book, including unique elements, tropes, and romance level. This is an indulgent, delicious, and fun experience that transports you right into the bookish world you’ve always wanted to visit. And you don’t even have to buy the mix, or the book! Come, learn about the book, and find your next read in a way that is relaxing instead of stressful.

Authors, find new readers and enhance your current audience’s experience with cookie mixes based on your own book characters! You will not only get featured on our page, but will get 2 cookie mixes with the packaged–and can order more at a discount for pre-order goodies or whatever you want!

Story Crumbs serves not only the readers and authors, but also the cookie monsters!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Well, I didn’t really. And that’s what I want to say. I want to tell all the entrepreneurs and business dreamers out there: you can start small. Your big business dream can have humble beginnings. It’s OK to start with just one client, and just enough resources for that client, and go from there. Sometimes the smallest things have the sweetest endings. You don’t need to have all the supplies for 100 or even a 1,000 orders. Just start with 1, and go from there. Your business dreams can become reality, if you’re willing to be patient.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Helping people who have real, true struggles. Sure, some bookish cookies aren’t going to fix your biggest problems or most heartbreaking moments, but they might just give you a smile in the darkness. They might just remind you there’s still magic out there (and delicious magic at that). And maybe finding your next read without it being just ANOTHER stress in the life that has already brought you to your knees will be a gateway to a much needed respite. Because you won’t have to worry if this book is what you need right now. You’ll have all the information you need to KNOW.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://story-crumbs.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/story.crumbs

Image Credits

First Picture: @anatheartistphoto

(all other pictures are mine)