March 3rd 2025-

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Hello Wonderful People,

It’s coming along! I’ve refreshed both of them—rewrote and rearranged the words for the kids’ book, and made each page rhyme. I’m really pleased with the results. Some examples include: You are one of a kind, the only you—no one else can do what you do. And another: You are cherished, you are needed, you are loved beyond compare—more than you can imagine, more than words can share.

My further research shows how publishers are taking on fewer and fewer books as online resources increase. Non-fiction is especially hard to get published. I’m just finishing the changes to the manuscript, then I’m going to make one final push to query new agents and publishers this month. After that, I’ll wait, and if I don’t get an agent or publisher, I will self-publish these first two books. So, one way or another, I’m really hoping to make these books available soon! Keep posted.

I also have more ideas for books percolating—especially with the bunny, elephant, bear, and goose characters. I’m still taking advanced drawing classes online. It’s been such a good challenge to expand my drawing skills for future books.

Jan. 25th 2025-

Getting Closer 

Book Update!

As most of you know, last year I wrote and illustrated two books:

• Words of Affirmations – for kids aged 3–6

• Words to Lift the Heart in Tough Times – for ages 8–80

These were truly community projects, created with the help of hundreds of amazing volunteers who answered questions in small groups and online. These books are masterpieces of combined experience, and I’m so thankful for everyone’s help!

For the past year, I’ve been researching and reaching out to agents—a much bigger project than I could have imagined. I’ve sent over 100 query letters and received some encouraging feedback.

However, the book market has been shrinking as online resources grow, and nonfiction is one of the toughest genres to sell. Many agents and publishers hesitate to take it on. But I truly believe in these books. There are so many people who need words of hope, life, and beautiful illustrations that touch the heart. I even read my copy regularly to feel renewed and gain perspective.

So here’s the update: after lots of research, I’m not only continuing to approach agents but also planning to pitch directly to Canadian publishers. I’m currently working on book proposals and feeling closer than ever to making this dream a reality!

Thank you all for your patience, help, and encouragement along the way. I hope to share more news soon about when these books will be available.

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Jan. 25th 2023- First book- Hope in Hard Times
 Researching Personal Journys and Collecting Quotes 

I am meeting different groups and having conversations about hope in hard times.  I will take our discussions and incorporate them into the book.

Would you like to Join the discussion? I would love your insight. :)
 

If you are interested, you can email me, and I will send you the info:)

Dec 20th- Books of Hope

Books are finished- Looking for a Agent

Hello, wonderful people,

The book's final formatting took longer than expected. There was so much to learn while creating my first book. I have been working on reformatting the book multiple times this fall.

Finally, it's formatted and ready to go. I'm printing a couple of hard copies for myself just so I can see what they will look like.

Next, I will continue to look for an agent. Once I find an agent, they will search for a publisher. Once the publisher has it, it could take another couple of years before it is made available to the public.

I have many more ideas, but I am going to shift my focus in 2024 to taking courses and building my skills. Then, I will continue writing and illustrating books in 2025. That is the plan at present.

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June 26th- Books of Hope

Final Edits, Looking for an Agent

Hello Wonderful People, 

The two books are coming along; I am editing and formatting the art for both books, editing and refining the words, placement and fonts. 

Then I have been researching Agents- it's a bigger job than I thought. I am working on a query letter that describes me and my book to send to Agents; before I can do that, I will need to have my final manuscript complete. So there is a lot on the go, and it is coming along and getting exciting. I will be taking July off the books as I will be teaching art kids camps full-time. I will continue with the book process in August. Thank you so much for your care and support! It's been huge. This book endeavour is a way bigger project than I thought, and I am excited about the hope and joy these two books will bring to many. 

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February 21- Books of Hope
Refining and Taking Shape

Hello Wonderful People, 

 

The books are coming along and starting to take shape. 

Doing this project together has been so beautiful and rich. I could not have imagined this much good could come out of the process.  

I am excited. 

I have met with four discussion groups in person and had hundreds of online and in-person conversations, both big and small. Some people write pages of informations, and others send a quote and words of advice. It's been rich, beautiful, and humbling, and it has been a pure honour to work with so many amazing insightful, caring people. The amount of help coming in has touched me so deeply. 

 

I am currently refining and sorting the information and putting it together for these two books. 

I will have another in-person refining group next week.  During the week of March 6th, I will be doing a big social media book week. During this time, I will be asking lots of questions and showing you what I have so far.

I look forward to your help. This week will be posted on Instagram(@IllustratorSaraGagnon) and Facebook (Illustrator Sara Gagnon)

 

I hope to have the ruff draft for both books done by the end of March. 

 

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