DEBUT DIARIES – ONE YEAR ON B.B. Taylor

Welcome to Debut Diaries – One Year On, where SCBWI-BI members share their highs (hopefully lots of these) and lows (hopefully fewer of these) of the post-publication year.  

This month, Tizzie welcomes B.B. Taylor, author of The Vigilante Tooth Fairy, to join her for Afternoon Tea. After a whirlwind post-debut year, it’s a chance for BB to put her feet up, and share her insights over a cuppa and some carefully chosen sweet treats, which reflect the mood of the months following life after debut. 

(Copyright: James Shaw)

BB: Hey Tizzie, thanks for inviting me. I can never say no to a bit of afternoon tea!  

 

So, The Vigilante Tooth Fairy was my first traditionally published book, released by Tiny Tree Books back in March 2020. The book was illustrated by James Shaw and we had a whole year of tasty adventures ahead …. But like some slightly overcooked brownies, the end result didn’t quite look like what I’d planned.  

(Photo credit: B.B. Taylor)

Not even a week after launch, we were in a dystopian world the likes of which we had not seen in our lifetime. And just like that, the plans for the year ahead flopped faster than a badly cooked soufflé. All school visits, book tours and in-person events cancelled and the country in a national lockdown. It wasn’t the epic spectacular I had anticipated.  

 

It felt as if someone had replaced all the sugar in my lemon drizzle cake and replaced it with something sour.  

(Photo credit: B.B. Taylor)

 

But, as I always say, if the first recipe isn’t a success, there are always plenty more pages in the book to try. So, I went back to the drawing board, and with the support of the amazing team at Tiny Tree we came up with a new recipe, trying new combinations of social media, virtual visits and promotion.  

I connected with new readers, I discovered new ways of reaching audiences and I grew as an author in so many new ways. I even ended up doing an MA in Creative Writing for Young People and opening a bookshop. None of which would have happened without the challenges of the last year.

  

I even started several new projects! (Top secret, so can’t reveal anything about them yet!) But I learnt that stepping outside my comfort zone is like trying a new cake and finding new tastes and hidden gems. I’m ready for the year ahead and the new adventures both edible, and not so edible!

I wasted a lot of time at the beginning of the pandemic worrying rather than doing. If I had to do it all over again, I would have kicked myself into action sooner, making the most of all the opportunities to connect with new people.

* Header illustration: Coral Walker  

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B.B. Taylor is a professional daydreamer and superhero in training. Currently living in the West Midlands, she has been writing for nearly a decade, she is also the owner of Books and Banter. Occasionally accompanied by a yeti. 

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BB's website

Tizzie Frankish is a regular contributor to Words & Pictures.
Website: Tizzie Frankish
Twitter: @tizzief