Case Studies

Maybe That's Autism

A Journey of Patience and Collaboration
This case study highlights the incredible journey of a children's book that began with a unique friendship and a shared mission. The illustrator, who has autism, teamed up with his friend, the author, to tell a story that would communicate their experiences and educate young readers about autism. Over the span of many years, the duo faced multiple challenges, but with dedication, collaboration, and the help of trusted partners, they succeeded in creating a book that has touched the hearts of many.

The Beginning: A Personal Story with a Purpose

The author’s journey began with a deep desire to help the illustrator share his personal story. The illustrator, who has autism, wanted to communicate his experiences in a way that could help others understand his world. The author, with no previous publishing experience, took on the challenge of writing a children's story. The duo faced several early obstacles: print-on-demand technology was still in its infancy, and the author had to navigate her way through writing a children's book despite lacking formal training. The illustrator’s father helped storyboard the book's original concept, and together, they set out to craft a meaningful narrative for children. The book’s primary audience was young children, with the goal of both educating and telling a heartfelt story about neurodiversity, emotions, and the importance of a Circle of Friends.

Early Collaboration: Laying the Foundation for Success

The project initially began many years ago with the author and illustrator focused on writing the story and refining the illustrations. Over the years, the duo dedicated their time to perfecting the narrative, gathering feedback, and completing the artwork. Taylor, a trained artist, meticulously inked the illustrations, while Leah, also an experienced artist, added the watercolor details. Despite the challenges they faced during those early years, including working without the digital tools and resources we have today, the creative heart of the book was formed. It wasn’t until recently that Beth Prints and local professionals were able to step in and support the project with design, layout, and further professional guidance. This was when the project truly started to gain the momentum needed to complete the journey.

As the project progressed, the author’s vision began to shift. Initially, the focus was on the circle of friends needed to support the character, but as the manuscript evolved, the emphasis changed to explaining autism to a wider audience. The original version of the book was too long for its intended age group, which led to extensive editing. The author and Beth worked closely together during this time, with regular editing sessions, breaks to ensure clarity, and thoughtful discussions about how to best communicate the message. The story became more concise, with the focus shifting from personal experience to providing a valuable lesson for children. Despite these changes, the artwork, created by the illustrator, remained unchanged, preserving the heart of the book.

The Middle: Refining the Story and Redefining the Focus

Overcoming Challenges: The Power of Persistence

Each stage of the project presented its own set of challenges. From writing and design to editing and layout, the journey was anything but smooth. However, a local agency and Beth Prints were committed to seeing the project through to completion. One of the biggest challenges was aligning the author’s objectives with the evolving focus of the book. The original story, while deeply personal, had to be refined to communicate autism in a way that young readers could understand. With regular communication and feedback, the team worked together to ensure that the message was clear, educational, and engaging for children.

The Breakthrough: Turning a Dream into a Finished Product

After years of development, the book finally began to take shape as a polished, professional product. The collaboration was especially rewarding, as their design and layout work brought the book to life in a way that aligned with the author’s vision. The team, along with Beth Prints, was thrilled with the final design and layout, which effectively communicated the book’s message while preserving the heartfelt tone of the story. The author and illustrator’s hard work had paid off, and the finished book was a testament to their perseverance and collaboration. The book not only conveyed the intended message but also became a powerful tool for educating children about autism.

The completed book was met with tremendous success. It received glowing reviews, including positive feedback from respected individuals, marking a major milestone for the author and illustrator. They began having regular book signing events, sharing the story of their journey, and selling the book to a wider audience. The book has continued to gain traction and remains a source of pride for the duo. The author expressed immense satisfaction with the final product, acknowledging the dedication and hard work that went into making it a reality. The book’s success has exceeded expectations, and it remains a rewarding endeavor for both the author and the illustrator.

The End: A Resounding Success

Fourth in the Fire

The Author's faith journey, marked by her husband's brain tumor diagnosis and their unborn child’s heart defect, inspired her to share her story. With the guidance of the team at Beth Prints, Megan transformed her personal experience into a book designed to offer encouragement and hope to others facing life's hardest challenges.

Beginning: The Author's Journey

Megan’s story began with a crisis that impacted both her family and her faith. Her husband, a pastor, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and eventually their unborn child was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. As they navigated these hardships, Megan turned to social media to connect with others and share her journey. After overcoming the initial medical challenges, Megan decided to write down her story to express gratitude for the support they received and to offer hope to others facing similar struggles. Beth Prints stepped in early, offering guidance on how to turn her personal journey into a polished, professional book.

Challenges at the Start

Starting the project came with significant obstacles. Between raising five children, a husband back to work, and moving to a new city, Megan’s time and resources were stretched thin. Despite these challenges, Beth Prints ensured the project stayed on track, offering remote support through email and phone consultations. The team helped Megan manage deadlines while keeping the process moving forward, aiming for a June launch, even when personal and professional commitments seemed overwhelming.

As Megan worked through her story, a key phrase—"Fourth in the Fire"—emerged, encapsulating the essence of the journey. This phrase, initially not central to the book, became the book’s theme: that God remains with us through our struggles, no matter how intense. With Beth Prints’ editorial support, Megan refined her focus and direction, allowing the book’s message to evolve into one that would resonate deeply with a wider audience.

Shaping the Vision

Writing and Revising

Megan faced challenges in conveying their experiences, particularly when discussing medical terms and other important areas. Beth Prints provided essential editing and feedback, helping refine the manuscript and clarify key themes. Through helpful revisions, the focus of the book shifted to emphasize God's divine presence and the strength found through faith. With expert guidance, the book became both deeply personal and broadly applicable, allowing it to connect with a wider audience.

Design and Publication

The design process was collaborative from start to finish. Beth Prints handled the book layout, offering multiple options for review. Megan’s husband, a trained graphic designer, created the cover art, and the team collaborated to refine it to fit the tone and message of the book. This process even included a socials post on cover design preferences! The goal was to ensure the design was relevant to both the subject matter and the genre, making sure it would resonate with the target audience. The team worked diligently to meet deadlines, providing the support Megan needed to get the book to market.

Upon completion, Megan’s book exceeded expectations in both sales and reviews. What began as a personal journey turned into a source of inspiration for many, with the book quickly surpassing the national average for self-published works. Thanks to Beth Prints’ help in coordinating the launch, Megan was able to reach a broader audience through a specific social media campaign and the support of a book publicist. Beyond the sales, the book provided Megan with a platform to fulfill her long-held dream of public speaking, and she is now regularly invited to share her story, including as a keynote speaker at events. The book is also featured at a bookstore, though not originally slated for brick-and-mortar bookstore sales. The book’s continued success is a testament to its powerful message and the teamwork that brought it to life.

Outcome and Impact