Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Casazza.
Hi Gina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I recently published my first children’s book. It’s called You Really, Truly Do Belong! Helping kids understand that belonging isn’t about fitting it, it is NOT external. Belonging is internal. It isn’t dependent on our actions or the approval of others, it’s a feeling we have in our heart, knowing that who we are is enough.
At the time, I wrote this after I finished a Navy SEAL prep program. In the program, I was tackling my own belief about belonging and the last place I ever thought I would find a sense of belonging was in a Navy SEAL program and yet that is where it happened. I learned that belonging isn’t about fitting in. Belonging is being your authentic self, no matter what happens, you belong.
Once I learned the true meaning of belonging, I drove out to Joshua Tree to be with myself and nature, and that is when I wrote the book. It took a year and a half to publish.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been an AMAZING road. I think this is the first time in my life I actually enjoyed and loved every second of the journey. I made sure to take in everything along the way.
Sometimes it’s better to know nothing and just take the leap into the unknown. I am glad I knew nothing because if I knew how much it would cost, how long it would take and everything in between that I never would have done it.
I had no idea what I was doing. I am also not very realistic. I just thought when I wrote the book, it would instantly get published and become a best seller. However, that is not how it works. It’s a much longer process.
The first step was an editor. I wasn’t even going to get one, but my friend, Gabrielle Stone who is two–time best-selling author (Eat, Pray, FML), told me to get an editor. She referred me to hers and I owe her because it was the best advice. The editor took my book to the next level.
Then I spent six months looking for an agent and publisher. I talked to one of my teachers from college, Brendan Deneen, who wrote several best-selling children’s books (Night, Night Groot) and has his own publishing company. He gave me amazing advice regarding self-publishing vs. getting a publisher. He really helped me understand the world of children’s books.
So after six months, I decided to self-publish. I am so glad that I did. I found a few illustrators on Behance. I paid one of them for a sample. When I got the first look at my main character that she drew, I knew she was the illustrator. I hired her instantly.
The contract was for 3-4 months, but it took over seven months. A myriad of unforeseen things happened, sickness, moving and the pen broke. It kept getting pushed, but I was having fun along the way, I didn’t care that much. I loved seeing the sketching, giving my notes, seeing the changes, watching the drawing go-to color and come to life. It was a blast!
Then my brother mentioned I should create a digital animation book. He said there are so many children’s books out there you should make a digital animated book. So I did. I got an animator (Ahmed Youssef) that came from a friend of mine and a music composer (Matthew P. Sorensen) who has worked with me on all of my projects. He’s a music genius. So the three of us made one epic team to bring this digital animated book to life. It took around 3 months to finish.
Every copy of the book comes with the digital animated book as well. It makes it stand out, it’s different and so many kids are using phones out of the womb, so it was a no-brainer to create an animated book. That was another fun process that I got to learn and experience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I don’t feel like I specialize in much. I do a lot and I am known for constantly having something going on.
This children’s book was just an idea. I was in nature, by myself. I wrote it in four hours. It just came to me. It was so easy to write. I was just in the creative zone. Once I finished I called my friend Ivy and said I wrote a children’s book. I need to read it to you and get your opinion. She loved it after I read it to her and I was like okay, I’ll make it a real book. It was just that out of left field. I didn’t know it was going to be what it is today. I think that’s what makes it so special. I’m so proud of it and I’m so proud of myself.
I am a business owner (I M Bracelets), I have another business (Omnia) coming out later this year that I have been working on since the beginning of the year, I am a stand-up comic, actress/filmmaker, and I used to own a reiki practice. I am always having my hands in something and creating. This book was not planned at all. It just happened and I think that’s the most magical part of it all.
I never saw myself being a businesswoman; it just kind of happened and I have been embracing it.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Have fun. Let go of expectations. Never quit. & most importantly enjoy the ride.
Pricing:
- Softcover + digital animation is 19.95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ginacasazza.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youreallytrulydobelong/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3366406867015085
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YRTDB_NFTs
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Really-Belong-Softcover-Digital-Animation/dp/B0BGHXN771/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZM0HMX21IZMH&keywords=You+really+truly+do+belong&qid=1664408695&sprefix=you+really+truly+do+b%2Caps%2C1717&sr=8-1
