I recently had the chance to be featured on Amazon’s KDP University, and it was such a fun and meaningful conversation. Here’s a quick recap of what I shared and what I hope aspiring authors can take away:
đź’ˇ Why I Write About Emerging STEM Topics
- I write books on emerging science—topics like:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Interplanetary Travel
- Self-Driving Cars
- As an engineer, these are part of my daily world, and I saw a big gap in children’s books covering these subjects in a fun, age-appropriate way.
🛠️ Why I Chose Indie Publishing
- I love having creative control over every part of the process: writing, illustrating, formatting, and marketing.
- Indie publishing allows me to move quickly and connect directly with my readers.
- It’s not always easy, especially with two young kids, but the flexibility and ownership make it worth it.
🔍 How I Handle Metadata & Discoverability
- I emphasized the importance of metadata optimization (titles, keywords, categories).
- Tools I use and highly recommend:
- Publisher Rocket – for keyword research, category selection, and competitor analysis.
- Laurie Wright’s course – especially helpful for metadata and advertising guidance.
- Laurie’s Facebook community has been a huge support system during book launches and creative blocks.
⏰ Finding Time to Create
- I shared how I carve out writing and illustration time:
- Early mornings (6–10 AM when I can)
- Saturday mornings
- 30-minute focus sessions during naps or breaks
- I work mainly from my home office, but if time allows, love heading out of town to a cozy cafe (preferably surrounded by nature) for creative refresh.
- Follow me on instagram @drdhoot to get up-to-date updates.
đź“š Advice for Aspiring Authors
- Start by identifying what’s missing in the market.
- Look for small blocks of time—even 30 minutes can move you forward.
- Come prepared: have your tools ready, know what task you’re tackling, and stay consistent.
- Most importantly: write what excites you. Passion is your best marketing tool.
Here’s the full interview if you want to watch it:
