Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Baertsch.
Hi Jenny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m the author and publisher of the children’s chapter book Junkyard Tough: A “Tail” of Bravery. It all began when my family took in a junkyard cat, and after a series of crazy events, I developed a fun idea and memorable message for a chapter book. With a manuscript in hand, I started picturing myself as a published author and one thing was crystal clear: I wanted to keep the entire process local and make a difference in my community. That meant self-publishing. Through that process, I developed my own publishing imprint, Baertsch Books, and soon realized that writing a book was only part of my goal!
By sharing my story, I want to inspire as many kids as possible, letting them know that with hard work and bravery, anything is possible. To date, I’ve had the privilege of visiting 40 local schools, libraries, and bookstores and have interacted with thousands of young people. I’ve also developed partnerships with local organizations and small businesses. This is why I’m not on websites like Amazon but instead sell in-person and through my own website.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In today’s economy, we’ve all experienced struggles related to supply chain issues and product shortages. I was surprised to learn the paper industry was hit hard! This is bad news for a self-published author who prints her own books through a local print shop. When my book inventory started running low, I reached out to my printer and was told they couldn’t get the paper for my inside pages. Keep in mind, my paper isn’t rare or unique in any way except the color is cream rather than white. But paper is in such short supply that smaller print shops like mine aren’t able to get their hands on anything.
Frustrated but determined, I reached out to every paper supplier I could think of, but no one could help. That’s when I made a post on my Baertsch Books social media, and within an hour, a local business owner sent me a private message saying he could help! I attribute 100% of my success to the local relationships I’ve developed. Without the support of my community, Junkyard Tough would just be a document saved on my computer. Thank goodness for friends and neighbors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve worked in marketing for a community bank for 14 years. My position is very focused on brand management, public relations, and developing deep partnerships within the community. This experience truly prepared me for developing my own publishing imprint and utilizing relationships to find success.
A little part of me always wanted to be a teacher, so the opportunity to interact with and inspire students through Junkyard Tough is really fulfilling! I tell kids, “You all have stories inside you” and “anything is possible with hard work and bravery!” It’s the message I wrote to my own kids, Tessa and Chase, on my book’s dedication page. There’s no doubt I’m proud of becoming an author, but inspiring our young people and making a difference in my community are definitely my proudest accomplishments.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Every author with a goal of publishing will come to a fork in the road. There are many ways to publish – the most well-known being traditional publishing and self-publishing – and deciding what’s right for you can be daunting. I did a tremendous amount of research, and I contacted industry professionals for advice.
Many fellow authors were pleased to share the pros and cons of their own journeys. Now I’m the one giving advice!
I’m amazed at the number of people I meet who say “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” but they don’t know the next step. Been there, done that! My advice is to paint a clear picture of your journey, research how to get there and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Pricing:
- Book is $9.99 + tax at retailers listed here: www.BaertschBooks.com
- Book is $13.99 (includes tax + shipping) here: www.BaertschBooks.com/buy-books
- Book & bookmark combo is $14.99 (includes tax + shipping) here: www.BaertschBooks.com/buy-books
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BaertschBooks.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaertschBooks
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/baertsch-books
