Daily Inspiration: Meet Jordan Butler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Butler.

Hi Jordan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always been creative and have been known to note down ideas that come to me randomly “just in case” I ever decide to make it into something unique. Well, my first children’s book idea for Hattie the Hippo lived in my head for YEARS before I ever put pen to paper. Then one day in 2022 I decided to just start the project, having no idea how far I would get or where it would go. I ended up writing the entire book in one sitting and was amazed at how easily the story flowed.

At the time, I knew nothing about publishing and spent hours upon hours learning as much as I could about it. That is, outside of running my chiropractic business and being a mom to three young children. I was really attached to Hattie and felt like she could be something big, so I was hoping to find a literary agent and “big box” publisher. I sent multiple rounds of queries to agents without success for 6 months to a year. During that time, on a whim I ended up writing a short counting book for toddlers, Five Bouncing Buzzing Bumblebees. Since I wasn’t as attached to this project, I decided to try my hand at self publishing and thought if it went well I could go this route with Hattie as well. Little did I know, self publishing is NOT for the weak. The more I learned, the more I realized there is to learn. And the up front investment is also significant, so the last thing I wanted to do was make a costly mistake.

After attending a conference, participating in a coaching program and researching for about two years, I finally have my first book ready for print. Pending no major issues, it should be available this summer! I am hoping now that I know the ropes, future books will be a piece of cake. I anticipate lots of school visits, farmers market booths, and readings at local bookstores. I love Kansas City and am so excited to be a part of the local author community to promote literacy and quality family time spent with books – my personal favorite thing about children’s books!

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?
Absolutely not. Haha! But I read somewhere that people who make a difference for others don’t often have an easy path, so I like to remember that. Every bump in the road teaches me something I didn’t know and ultimately helps me become the best version of myself. I would say the biggest struggle has been digesting the PLETHORA of information out there about publishing. I am easily overwhelmed and have been so afraid to go for this dream and fail. But looking back on how far I’ve come and how much I’ve learned, I can’t help but feel proud of myself for making this dream a reality. My current challenge is reaching my crowdfunding goal via Kickstarter, where my project is available for early backers through May 20th. http://kck.st/4cT7ijb

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Since writing my first book in 2022, I have since written 5 more children’s books and have a few more in the works. Once I started I just couldn’t stop! It has been fun getting in touch with my inner child through writing. I never actually planned on becoming a children’s book author. I was just having fun and never anticipated this passion project would quickly bring me such purpose and fulfillment. I love that books can be passed down from generation to generation and enjoyed for years to come. Even if it’s only within my own family, it’s been such a fun way to connect with my kids and hopefully teach them that they can do anything they want to do!

Although I’ve tried NOT writing in rhyme, I tend to gravitate toward it. The Hattie the Hippo series is about a hippo who has hundreds of fashionable hats. She’s stylish and fun and a little insecure, but with the help of her Aunt Lucy, she overcomes her stage fright and learns to be comfortable in her own skin. I know kids will love her, relate to her, and hopefully have some laughs along the way. I just received the initial images from my illustrator, Alena Grebenkina. Seeing my vision come to life is SO exciting!!

Five Bouncing Buzzing Bumblebees is a darling counting book, also illustrated by Alena, that teaches kids about the life and importance of bees. I am a huge advocate for sustainability and preserving and spending time in nature. I love that kids can learn big concepts in simple ways with the help of memorable rhymes and characters.

How do you define success?
In the publishing world, I would define success as getting my books in the hands of oodles and oodles of children, not for the purpose of sales, but to touch their lives through imagination and to hopefully inspire their own creativity.

In general, I define success as finding a way to turn doing what you LOVE into what you do “for work.” And going to bed knowing my kids are proud of me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.magichivebooks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magichivebooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565529527910
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@magic.hive.books