I’ve always wanted to write a book.

Since starting @thewrightbros comics with my kids, I’ve met so many people that say this. 

Pulling off a project like this is not impossible but it is really hard work, commitment and self-belief. 

But it started with my kids saying, ”I’d love to write a book.” – and that followed with dedicated support and commitment to that concept. 

Showing my boys that an idea can become reality if you work at it. The trick was making the process as visual as possible so our boys could see how it worked. 

Many people have asked us how we did this; how did our kids create a real-life 200-page hardcover novel. A legit book. 

Here is how I taught my kids how to turn an idea into reality:

Step 1: Make it visual and explain commitment 

• We used our hallway at home to create a storyboard. Each page that the kids drew and wrote, we stuck to the wall (using white tac so it didn’t damage the wall #mumtip) . I set a target of 200 pages as the kids wanted to write a book as big as their favourite comic novels, Dog Man by Dave Pikley. 
• Before we made any big commitment, I just left the boys to create pages in their own time and supported them to start to put these ideas in order and make sense. After a couple of weeks, as the storyboard wall grew larger and larger, I sat down with the boys and talked to them about the kind of commitment it would take to do a 200-page novel. The length of time they would have to dedicate to this project and the energy it would take keep at it; basically, put the fear of god in them about hard work. And if, after this chat, they were still committed to producing their own comic novel, I would 100% back them and we would do this. Both boys were beyond excited that their ideas were being listened to and they wanted to commit to this project. 

Step 2: Set targets and make it legit

• I spoke to the boys about what they wanted to do with the book when we made it; what was the purpose? Was it just to make it and keep at home or was there a bigger thought around this. One early goal that the boys spoke about was being able to sell their book at their school fete. This goal was fantastic as it became a driver throughout the initial phases of developing the book. 
• We named this ‘Project’, The Wright Bros. Comics (and I registered this as a business). I then spoke to the boys about selling products and how this could now be their own little business. We spoke about how sales work, what production costs are, how they make profit and all the work that is involved in running a business. We had lots of ‘serious boring’ talks but the boys were really intrigued by them and it prompted them to ask more and more questions as we went along. 

Step 3: Find the right people – build your own knowledge in the field 

• I knew we needed a professional cartoonist to take the kids ideas and turn them into a ‘publishable’ book. So, I jumped on social media and found one! I met Stu, from the 4th Monkey online – and immediately we connected. Stu joined the Wright Bros. Comics team and we spoke about the boys’ goals and next steps. 
• Next was to find a printer… I’d now made a huge commitment to my kids; if they wrote it, I would publish it. So, how does that all work?! I spent hours and hours, nights on nights, researching the wonderful world of publishing and printing. I met self-published authors and picked their brains, I researched book printers onshore and offshore, I got endless quotes and googled what words in those quotes meant, I made several flowcharts to help me understand how this all works…this was the point when I had doubts. This was when I thought, ‘what am I doing?! No wonder why so many people start writing kids’ books and then they never eventuate.’ But this was also the part when I let the fear of the unknown be my driver and I lean in, not out. So, I had to start making some decisions and pressing the green button. 
• I found an onshore printer; I wasn’t quite ready to print offshore as I didn’t understand the insurances and taxes yet. From there we discussed quotes (this was a funny process, showing the kids how much things costs BEFORE they make any money from the product was a tricky concept to teach) and we got samples to approve. 

Step 4: Making the Book! 

• This part was fun but really hard persistent work. Each night the boys would send their daily sketches and ideas to Stu, who would work his magic overnight and send the boys a draft page each morning to approve. This process went on for 3 months. With each new page that was created, I would hang this in our hallway and the storyboard grew larger and larger. We really got lucky with Stu – he is as much a workaholic like me; both of us work full time jobs and each night (and each morning – AND WEEKENDS!) we dedicated to supporting the boys to make this book. THANK YOU, STU! 
• 3 months later; the book was done! I was so incredibly proud of my boys for following through and completing this book. And I am bias, but it is a very funny read and for a mum that has been reading endless kids’ books for the last 9 years, #PooHeads the best book I’ve read since the Magic Faraway Tree.

Step 5: Marketing 

• Remember I said the initial goal was to sell it at the school fete…well now that it was complete, and it was a fantastic product, the goals grew into selling this book Australia wide. Actually, in the kids words, ‘can every school library have this book mum?’ – so this is where we started to focus our first marketing campaign. First, we developed a website – I showed my boys how a website is made, including showing them backend coding, and how sales are generated through a website. I showed them how people find the website (marketing) to make an order. We did our first few marketing campaigns through Facebook and started attending local fetes and markets with our own stall. Doing market stalls was a really cool way to show the kids how physical in-person sales work. In the end my youngest boy (7) started saying ”Cash or card?” haha. 
• Since #PooHeads launched on August 3, 2024 it has seen incredible results;
  • over 120 schools throughout Australia have requested the book in their school library. These schools are in locations throughout the country, including, Mackay, Tasmania, Ayr, Melbourne, Albury, Brisbane, Townsville, Perth, Darwin
  • The Wright Bros. have appeared on local QLD news outlets 
  • Sales have hit 250+ copies in Australia  
  • The book has gone international, selling to families in New Zealand, England and Canada 

What’s next… The boys have just started writing #PooHeads number two’s …stay tuned!