Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Dean.
Hi Brooke, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Being a writer since I can remember, the love of storytelling has been something I was hoping to pass on to my son. I would read to him even while he was invitro, and I would read him bedtime stories every night from the time he was born until he could read to me on his own. He had ideas and would make up stories on his own, but it wasn’t until he was about 6 or 7 years old that we began to explore taking his ideas to another level. Once my son decided that he had a story to share, it was time for me make that a goal a reality for him.
When I asked him to sit down and create an outline based on the beliefs that he wanted to convey, it taught him the value of his own power. The simple act of committing to a writing project and seeing it through measured the depths of his discipline and was a powerful way for him to get in touch with his values and motivations. And because it mattered to him, it mattered to me. As his publisher, I showed him that we call the shots. I became the CEO of his destiny – and subsequently, my own.
I wanted my son to start thinking about what his passions were, and of course we can have more than one. Once he realized that he could manifest his ideas into something he could see and touch, the next question I had to ask us both was, “What can we do to stoke that passion?” I had some work to do. I owed it to us both to explore publishing his books. And while I knew it took hard work, I learned that when you’re doing something you love, it didn’t feel like work.
Only 1% of the world’s population ever publishes a book. When I read that statistic, I knew I had to set us apart from the masses. By becoming his publisher, at nine years old he can now call himself an author, which lends an air of authority to all of his endeavors even at such a young age. And I can now add publishers to my CV, LinkedIn, and website and boost my professional influence. We have accomplished something few other people have. As a result of being a publisher, I can assert myself as a growing expert in this field. It has opened the door for speaking engagements, conference presentations, and other professional networking opportunities. I gave myself permission to follow a dream I didn’t know I had while helping my son pursue his dreams as well.
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?
The hardest part of my publishing journey has simply been to start. I didn’t know what I didn’t know, but I had fun asking questions and learning along the way. The second hardest part was coming up with a budget since I knew self-publishing meant coming out of my own pocket. But it helped me to find creative solutions without sacrificing the quality of the project. I took every obstacle or challenge as an opportunity to grow, and while I’ve made some mistakes along the way, it has only helped me do a much better job when publishing the next book…and then the next book.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my professional role as an Editorial Ops Manager at Audible, I take audiobooks, audio shows, and podcasts from ideation to distribution, which is not unlike being a publisher of books. I am known for being the lynchpin in a project from soup to nuts, and I’m proud to say that I’m an excellent collaborator with an eye and attention to detail that sets me apart; I focus on the journey one takes as a creative. Since I navigate both worlds seamlessly as a storyteller, content creator, and operations manager, I’m able to see the big picture and bring a story to life.
I am the publisher of seven books that my son, Jaxon has written: The Whisker Gang; The Whisker Gang Doesn’t Like Bullies; The Whisker Gang Never Gives Up; The Whisker Gang: Jax Learns to Swim!; The Whisker Gang Eats Healthy; The Whisker Gang Has Fun at School and The Whisker Gang’s Winter Adventure: Finding Friendship on the Ice. His books are also available as e-books and on Audible.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely a consumer of television, film, music, and the arts. I wrote my first book of poetry in first grade, and writing has been in my blood ever since. I was outgoing and into a lot of things like sports, singing in my church and school choir, and participating in essay writing contests – so my interests were varied and wide. I would navigate being a “nerd” seamlessly with being a “jock” and there wasn’t one area I excelled in more than the other. I LOVED school, and learning was and still is fun to me. I played the piano, three sports, worked in the mall as a teenager, loved animals, did community service, attended church, and was a straight-A student. I attribute all of this to my mother, who told me from a very young age that I could achieve anything I wanted if I just worked hard and had fun. I still hold that same belief as an adult, and I am passing that same belief down to my son.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewhiskergangseries.com
- Instagram: @thewhiskergangseries
- Twitter: @thewhiskergang
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdTbxSXKEqqomfT15KFQUQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhiskergangseries
Image Credits
Brooke D. Dean
