We were lucky to catch up with Veronica Green recently and have shared our conversation below.
Veronica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you to move beyond an idea and actually launch?
The moment I realized that I wanted to use my writing as a vehicle for change and justice, it was like somebody pushed me into fast forward. I wrote like crazy and hated most of what I wrote, but I just kept writing draft after draft of my first children’s book. I spent months trying to figure out a kid-friendly way to discuss animal exploitation and how kindness begins on the plate. People often underestimate how challenging writing a children’s book can be! When I was finally happy with my story, I decided to begin researching illustrators. I knew that I would need to hire someone, but wasn’t sure where to look or if I could even afford it. I found many artists online, some local and some abroad, who were amazingly talented. One even specialized in artwork about my particular topic! However, they were out of my budget and so I began to look at portfolios on Fiverr. For those not familiar, Fiverr.com is a website where you can hire people to do creative virtual jobs (anything from graphic design to marketing, animation, editing, and illustration). I really lucked out, because not everyone on this platform had the style that I was looking for, but I came across one portfolio that caught my attention. Beautifully detailed illustrations, slightly anime style, colorful, professional, and in my budget! She was the first artist I reached out to, and I wound up hiring her. I’m still very grateful for that, because I know I could have wasted much time and money testing out various illustrators.
While the illustrations were being made, I began to research publishing options. I’ve been writing since I was a child, but I’d never published anything before! My inexperience made me foolishly optimistic. I began sending out my manuscript to big publishing houses. After much waiting and receiving disappointing rejections, I realized that I wasn’t getting anywhere. So, I reluctantly dove into the world of self-publishing.
Fortunately, we are living in an era of creative independence. Meaning, there are more options than ever before to help artists get their work into the public sphere without being “signed” by a larger entity. It’s a lot of work and you have to wear many hats, but it’s possible! I researched all the various platforms available, weighed the pros and cons, and finally signed up with Amazon’s self-publishing platform. It seemed to be the most user-friendly and I really liked their print-on-demand option.
I’ll never forget the day I received the first copy of my book in the mail. It was surreal! To see this thing that I’ve had in my mind finally materialize… It was awesome. I actually kept that first copy and signed the inside with a special message to myself. Cheesy, I know. But that was the beginning of my journey. The baby-steps I had to take before walking or running. I remember signing up as a vendor to my very first large event, I believe it was the Yoga Expo. I spent something like $500 on that booth and all I had for sale was 1 book. I sold a ton of copies, but it was just barely enough to cover my booth! I’m currently on my 8th book and I now get invited to join most events complimentary because I host an entire Kid Zone, complete with storytime, book-signing, crafts, and kids yoga. Sometimes when you’re starting off, you’ve got to take some losses… chalk it up to marketing expenses. If you stay consistent, you’ll gain traction and make a name for yourself in the industry.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a children’s book author and certified nature-based educator. My mission is to empower children with knowledge so they may grow to be conscious and compassionate adults. I have published a series of children’s books about a superhero named Veggie Vero, who rescues animals and teaches children about plant-based options. In addition to my books, I offer personal creative writing classes to local youth, ages 12 and younger. I have mentored several young writers through the process of publishing their own books and I can attest to the sense of pride and confidence that a child gains from seeing their creative ideas manifest into something tangible. In addition to my literary work, I often host kid’s workshops and plant-based cooking classes. I enjoy sharing simple recipes that children can make and feel a connection to their food before eating it. This connection is the basis of mindful living. Children who grow up feeling connected to the natural world will likely become adults who make conscious decisions about the food and products they consume.
My journey into veganism was gradual. I stopped eating meat along with my partner, who is also an animal lover. For both of us, it was a combination of health reasons plus a growing awareness of the pain and suffering that our dollars supported every time we consumed meat. However, eliminating meat was only the beginning. I became very inspired to share this lifestyle with others. I particularly wanted to help children enjoy healthy foods, so I came up with the initial idea for Veggie Vero. She was meant to be a superhero that encouraged children to eat their veggies. But what happened next changed everything. To prepare for this children’s book, I began researching nutrition… It led me down a rabbit hole of articles, videos, and documentaries related to veganism. I was fascinated. Although I was already vegetarian, I had never really thought about the impact of animal by-products such as milk, eggs, cheese and also beauty products and clothing that exploit animals. At that point, I began to realize that Veggie Vero could have a much more important message to share than simply “Eat your Veggies.” I realized that she could be a vegan superhero, standing for justice, giving a voice to the voiceless, and empowering children with knowledge that is not usually spoken about to kids. Children deserve to know where their food is coming from! I decided that I would go fully plant-based myself, and Veggie Vero would too… we went vegan together!
I haven’t stopped writing and creating since then. It’s been amazing to see how the books have taken on a life of their own. I receive messages from all parts of the world, thanking me for creating such an important character. Many families who are raising their children vegan send their gratitude for creating literature that makes their kids feel special and empowered. Others who are not vegan, but thinking of transitioning their families have expressed their appreciation for how the books helped to open a dialogue. This is what I’m the proudest of…the impact that my writing has in people’s lives and the opportunity to be a small part of a global movement towards compassion and sustainability.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I really had to unlearn during this journey is the idea that “success” is measured in dollars. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not running a charity. I charge for my books and all of my creative services. However, I definitely put in way more hours then I’m compensated for. There are countless hours of unpaid behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a creative business. But what I’ve learned is that there are different measures of success and money is only a part of the equation.
The joy you get from seeing your dreams manifest is unreal. Waking up and feeling happy and motivated to ‘get to work’ is something that will always be more valuable to me than a big, corporate salary. This was something I had to experience in order to really understand because I grew up, like many others, believing that “success” means a safe job with a large company that offers benefits and a big paycheck. I know that people who pushed me in that direction only had good intentions, but if the recent pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that corporate jobs are not actually safe. And the way I see it… if nothing we do is safe, then we might as well do something we love!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of my creative work is getting to see the fruits of my labor in the form of pictures, videos and sometimes, in-person discussions. Seeing children read and discuss my books never fails to lift my spirits. I enjoy hearing all the different ways that kids embrace Veggie Vero and bring her into their creative play. I’ve even received photos of children dressed like Veggie Vero for Halloween! It really has been such a blast. Above all, I love knowing that I am part of a larger movement… a shift in human consciousness. Younger generations are growing up with an awareness that previous generations lacked. I am so honored to be a part of their education, to hold a place on their bookshelves, and to open a window for discussion about how we can reduce our Eco-footprint on the Earth.
Contact Info:
- Website: VeggieVero.com
- Instagram: @veggievero
- Facebook: facebook.com/VeronicaGreenBooks
- Youtube: Veronica Green- Here’s the link to my page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjqi-sAlv2T_YMCn3TzIIVA