Monthly Meeting: September 2025 – Author Jennifer Ballow

September's Monthly Meeting meeting gave us a walkthrough of the journey of writing a story, self-publishing, and understanding the awards & reviews process brought to you by Jennifer Ballow.

Jennifer Ballow, wrote and published her debut picture book, Under My Pillow, in 2023 which was inspired by her twin daughters’ when they were losing their baby teeth and writing letters to the tooth fairy. Under My Pillow was positively received on Goodreads, Kirkus, and Amazon and won an honorable mention for StoryMonsters Purple Dragonfly Award in the Family Matters category in 2024. Jennifer is a native Austinite and licensed master-level social worker who hopes to inspire children and their caregivers to connect through reading, imagination, and creative writing activities.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:

Basics:

• Create a book worthy of winning an award
• Write what you know
• Write what you are passionate about
• Trust your intuition
• Strong storytelling includes deep emotional threads

Getting Started:

• Create a list of your favorite books: ask yourself what they have in common (ie. messaging, complexity/simplicity, humor, color palette, style, etc.)
• Brainstorm using stream of consciousness techniques to reveal your intuitive, original writing
• Devise a plot and list of characters (create an outline)

Process:

• Create detailed character profiles
• Include a story arc
• Consider using a three-act structure (ie. Act 1: Set-up; Act 2: Confrontation; Act 3: Reconciliation) 
• Consider using grade-level vocabulary (ie. Grades K-2; Grades 3-5)
• Edit to cut clutter (ie. “kill your darlings”)
• Guideline: write 1000 words per 32 pages for picture books
• Proofread!
• Ensure proper grammar usage, sentence structure, and punctuation
• Some rules may be broken (Dr. Seuss invented some words!)

Successful Stories Often:

• Include additional messaging
• Involve a call to action
• Invite critical thinking
• Include related activities

Consider Self-Publishing:

• IngramSpark
• Amazon KDP
• Refer to the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Standards Checklist

Printing:

• Invest in high quality printing and design (especially front cover and spine) 

Awards:

• Study and strategically select awards that interest you
• Research American Library Association Awards (Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, Pura Bepré, Coretta Scott King, Geisel, Alex, William C. Morris, etc.)
• Research awards from: SCBWI, Writer’s Digest, Story Monsters (Purple Dragonfly, etc.)
• Research current and past winners (books and author/illustrator profiles)
• Create an award application schedule a year in advance
• Budget for application fees
• Some award organizations allow the public to volunteer

Reviews:

• Launch an email letter campaign to request reviews of your book; include a digital copy of the book for the reviewer’s convenience; follow up on review requests; thank all reviewers
• Consider paying for reviews (reviewers should provide full disclosure that they are paid/selected)
• Budget for review services (eg. Kirkus charges $450 per “Traditional Review,” lasting 7-9 weeks)

Tips:

• Consider hiring a writing coach
• Know that “imposter syndrome” feelings are common
• Ask for help (ie. hire professional editors/illustrators/writers)
• Resources: Fiverr, Story Monsters, Happy Self Publisher

Caveat:

• Value the importance of developing a child’s imagination