I just discovered The Weekend community today and saw a contest that aligns really well with what I post about on here. I post a lot about my hobby: digital illustration and writing children's books. My plans this weekend consist of catching up on chores that I was neglecting because of spending too much time on my hobby. Every time I finish and publish a new piggy book, my own house has become a pig sty. When I'm working on a book, I'm basically only focused on taking care of my toddler and working on the book. That's pretty much all I have time for. I end up putting off chores and other tasks that need to be done. Aside from cleaning this weekend, I may work a little bit on new GIFs for our recently published book, and might do a little writing for Little Piggies Invest in Digital Currency. It's hard to say if I'll have the time or energy, though. I've decided to do Option 3 from the contest, since I was able to turn my illustration hobby into a book series on Amazon.
Contest Option three:
Have you, or anyone you know, ever turned a hobby into a business or opportunity to make a few dollars on the side. Tell us what it was and how the process went from hobby to income; the challenges, work-arounds and successes. Blogging on hive and playing Splinterlands is excluded from the topic.
I learned how to use Adobe Illustrator about fifteen years ago in college. I stopped illustrating for a while, and then picked it back up in my late twenties. I was illustrating designs for stationary products to sell on Etsy. One of my biggest challenges of selling physical products on Etsy was figuring out the shipping costs. I would always either lose money in shipping, or over-charge the buyer for shipping. Also, I would purchase the items I designed ahead of time and ship them from home. If they didn't sell, they were stuck at my house. A little over a year ago, I found a way to use my illustration hobby to make passive income and avoid the pitfalls of Etsy selling. I started self-publishing my own book series on Amazon. Amazon takes care of all of the shipping. Also, they're printed as they're ordered, so there's no leftover product sitting in a box in my closet. All I have to do is upload the PDF files of the book onto Amazon, then Amazon takes care of the rest. I'd say the main challenge is that Amazon does take a huge chunk of the sale. I only make a small royalty fee for each book sold.
For most of my adult life, I had wanted to create a children's book. It was always one of those dreams in the back of my mind that I had no idea how to accomplish. I had no connections in the publishing industry and had no idea how to submit a proposal to a publisher. I love that Amazon gives people the opportunity to bring their book idea to fruition without needing ties to the publishing industry. My book series has become a passion and has opened up a new career path for me when I am browsing jobs. For many years, I lost direction on what I wanted to do for a career. I have started looking for marketing jobs in the publishing industry and now have a portfolio that I'm proud to share. I've also submitted numerous proposals to publishing houses and hope to have the books published by a trade publisher someday.
That’s a wonderful hobby and small time business you have going! I think it’s great that you’ve done it and are using skills you had and combined that with something you are passionate for.
I know what you mean with letting the house go. It’s been a tough couple weeks and our house is just one constant mess. We’ve cleaned it and within a few hours it’s like nothing was cleaned hahaha young kids! Destructive and dirty, especially boys lol
Welcome to the awesome community here! It’s an incredibly fun place. Get to some good comments on other peoples posts and make sure to stick around every weekend! There’s always a new fun topic to explore! There’s also so many friendships that develop here so it’s a remarkable place for sure.
Yes, there's been many times where I've wondered, "what's the point in cleaning?" when there's kids around 😆 As I'm cleaning, she's usually getting into something else and making another mess.
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I love this. I have often thought about writing children's books because of all the stories I have made up when telling stories to my children, but never had any inkling of how to do it.
I love how you turned your knowledge into actual product.
Thank you, you should do it! 📚
Hey there, thanks for joining in this week, your first time I think. I like your hobbies: Taking care of baby and working on book...Although chores sometimes get in the way.
It's great to have you along for WE79 - Hobbies and in THE WEEKEND community in general. Thanks for your quality post and have a great weekend.
Happy to have found this community 😄
Nice hobby and great you have managed to turn it into work!
Yes, finally found my passion after years of not knowing what it was!
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How cool is that? Very completely cool. What a wonderful hobby/side gig, thing to do.
I have a book on Amazon, too. I wrote it several years ago on a sort of challenge and published electronically. I'm guessing by now that it has earned enough royalties to cover the costs involved at the start, but that is not the important part. Every month I get a teeny payment from Amazon and every month I smile and can say "I DID that." It's a good thing.
Absolutely, it's a great feeling to cross publishing a book off your bucket list 📚😊✔️
Beautiful hobby! I look forward to seeing more of your work, will scroll through your blog to enjoy your illustrations and writing. I hope you fulfill your dream of getting published soon enough! Please keep us updated. Wishing you all the success! Thank you for sharing with such honesty. See you around!
Will check your blog out, too!
Thank you, that's very kind of you!
a great idea:) keep going:))