Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in publishing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Pauline Tait, Author of Anna's Promise, based in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, UK.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Hello, I am an award-winning and best-selling children's author, romantic suspense novelist, writing mentor to fellow children's authors, and Editorial Manager for the international online magazine for writers, Writers' Narrative.

Tell us about yourself

Initially, I ventured into the writing world as a children's author with the release of my first picture book, The Fairy in the Kettle. After years of working in primary literacy, I now use my children's books to encourage and inspire children in their own reading and writing through school author events, creative writing lessons, book shops, and festival events.

However, I am also a romantic suspense novelist. My second novel in The Maren Bay series is due for publication in May. This is a series that is close to my heart. Not only is it set on the stunning Scottish Isle of Skye, a place I have holidayed on with my family most years for over twenty years, but I have recently discovered that, for over three hundred years, my ancestor lived, worked, and died on the island. Making my connection to the island and its people all the more special.

Writing is a passion. I couldn't step away from it if I wanted to. And I am eternally grateful for the doors it has opened and the fantastic people I have met along the way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Without a doubt, it is where I am today. As well as writing in two fantastically enjoyable genres, I mentor fellow children's authors. Working with them to ensure their manuscripts are marketable and tick all the right boxes if they intend to submit to agents and publishers.

If they choose to self-publish, then I will continue working with them from the manuscript stage through finding and working with an illustrator, navigating the publishing world, and helping them as they prepare to publish and market their books.

This is an incredibly satisfying part of my author's business. Helping people is definitely at the root of who I am. My first career was as a pharmaceutical technician; retraining to work in primary literacy with children who had extra-curricular needs was incredibly rewarding, and had my writing career not taken off, I would probably still be working in schools today.

But branching out into mentoring has allowed me to stay true to both my passions. Writing and helping fellow writers is exactly where I want to be. Becoming Editorial Manager of Writers' Narrative has been the icing on the cake. I work alongside an incredible editorial team, and together, we produce a magazine to help and inspire authors around the world, no matter the stage in their author journey.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I would quite happily do without the admin side. It takes time away from writing, but then I guess most authors would say the same.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I would say, do it. But research it well and be prepared to alter course as the road isn't always straight.

You can connect with Pauline Tait:

Website: https://paulinetait.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tait_pauline_author/
X: https://twitter.com/PTait_author
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-tait-award-winning-author-and-writing-mentor-70ab93191/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.