Messy Cat

The Creative Conundrum: Navigating the Intricacies of Children’s book Cover Design

12th Jan 2024

Messy Cat Pre-Launch, Winter 2024
Introduction: A Week of Distractions

This week on the journey of life, amid the chaos and unexpected events, I found solace and focus in the realm of creativity. My son’s impromptu half day on Monday led me to reflect on the chilly days, acupuncture sessions, and the ever-entertaining company of my feline friends, particularly Pickle and Maisie. Amidst these daily adventures, I couldn’t help but immerse myself visually in the world of “Darlington Road,” the setting of my upcoming children’s book, featuring the mischievous Messy Cat and his feline companions.

Preliminary Musings on the Cover: A Distraction-Filled Week

As I delved into the preparation of my book release, one aspect loomed prominently – the book cover. A crucial element that can make or break a reader’s interest, the cover demanded my attention. However, distractions crept in, from discussions about how I can assist with selling an old friend’s property (I also work as a Viewber) to my son’s fascination with the “Onepiece” Manga series.

Despite the distractions, I managed to acquire the next book in the series for my son, keeping him happily engaged while I pondered the imminent challenges in my book publishing journey.

The Procrastination Predicament: Front Cover Dilemma

Before the unexpected Amazon KDP blocking incident a week or so ago, I had set a goal to publish on January 1st. Yet, the hurdles appeared, and among them, the decision of where to publish first became a prominent roadblock. However, the glaringly obvious obstacle was my procrastination surrounding the front cover.

As the writer and illustrator of my book, I found myself entangled in a conundrum. The narrative weaves around the cats of “Darlington Road,” presenting a unique challenge for the cover design. It’s a children’s book, but with language that challenges readers aged 8 to 12, aiming to celebrate their ability to learn and captivate adult audiences. Each chapter has it’s own characters and these are based on real life cats and their adventures in their community and beyond.

Research and Analysis: Unraveling the Cover Puzzle

Seeking inspiration and guidance, I turned to Mr. Google for insights into children’s book cover design. The search yielded a comprehensive list of considerations for crafting an engaging and visually appealing cover. Let’s break down the key steps identified during my exploration:

1. Understand the Target Audience:
- Identify the age group: 8-12 years.
- Consider interests: Cats, animals, friendships.
2. Research and Analysis:
- Explore successful covers.
- Analyze colors, styles, and themes.
3. Collaborate and Communicate:
- Internal dialogue with the author/illustrator (that’s me).
- Identify key themes and characters.
4. Sketch Concepts and Visual Selection:
- Experiment with layouts and compositions.
- Choose a central image or character, which will definitely be Messy Cat.
5. Typography, Font, and Color Palette:
- Choose readable fonts and align with the design, possibly the same as my logo, I’m not quite sure yet.
- Select a vibrant color palette. At the moment, I quite like the idea of Orange, blacks and greens in maybe a retro style, but lets see.
6. Layout and Composition:
- Balance elements for visual appeal.
- Pay attention to hierarchy, now this is something I’d not considered.
7. Title and Author Information:
- Integrate the book title and my name as the author creatively. Am I going to use an alias, a pen name or my own name? Also another ponder.
8. Review and Refine:
- Seek feedback from the target audience, well, a few chosen close friends and my son, possibly my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter page.
- Make necessary adjustments.
9. Finalize Design:
- Ensure resolution for print and digital formats. I’ll make sure I check these before I start design, but it’s good to check all this first to save time and redesign.
10. Back Cover Considerations:
- Design a compelling blurb. I think, it’s possible this could have it’s own blog post. I think this might be useful to other first time authors. What do you think? Do Let me know in the comments.
11. Prepare for Print/Digital:
- Consistency with the front cover. I know that, from research, different platforms have different sized images. I’m planning on turning this into a Podcast, an audiobook, a digital book and also a paperback, so lots to think about there.
Conclusion: Navigating the Cover Design Seas

The journey of crafting a children’s book cover unfolds as a creative odyssey. With Messy Cat as the guiding star, I embark on the intricate process of visually capturing the essence of “Darlington Road.” Join me in the next installment as I dive deeper into the decision-making process and challenges of first time publishing. Until then, let the whimsy of Messy Cat and his feline friends brighten your day. Stay tuned for more adventures in the world of Messy Cat!

Until next time, friends,

Rebecca
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A Day in the Life: Challenges of a Neurodivergent Household

8th Jan 2024

Messy Cat Pre-Launch, Winter 2024

What a rollercoaster of a day it’s been! As a lone parent to my incredible 11-year-old boy, life is a constant mix of joy and challenges, especially when autism is part of the equation.

My plans for a smooth Friday shopping trip took an unexpected turn when I realized my voucher had expired just two days prior. Annoying, right? A call and an email to the school followed, but resolution had to wait until after the weekend. So, it was cupboard food until either the voucher got reinstated or my payday arrived.

Working in the gig economy as a Viewber has its ups and downs, particularly around Christmas. The flexibility is a godsend for me as a lone parent, allowing me to be there for my son. It’s a job I love, connecting with properties and relishing their unique backstories. But, of course, life isn’t all about work.

Saturday night’s attempt at creativity led to a delicious curry, but as any parent of an autistic child knows, food preferences can be a hurdle. This resulted in a bit of chaos, setting the tone for a challenging Sunday.

Living in a less-than-ideal property with its own quirks, including an ongoing low-frequency vibration, adds an extra layer of difficulty. The hum, weather-dependent and seemingly uncontrollable, required brown noise for sleep. With winter discomfort and a poorly-insulated flat, our morning was far from pleasant.

The day unfolded with school refusal and a reluctant rise from bed, accompanied by snowfall—our only silver lining. Persuading my sensory-aware son to wear a coat in the cold became a delicate negotiation. Then came the hunger and thirst, with a compromise involving a school canteen run (which couldn’t happen due to school rules) and a subsequent visit to Waitrose.

Returning my son to school after a hearty meal, I finally found the time to focus on work and my plans for the day, including delving into affiliate links. Unfortunately, affiliate application rejections from Thortful and Eufy added a layer of frustration. Navigating the world of affiliate links, contrary to popular belief, isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Despite the setbacks, I’m committed to providing authentic and relatable content in my blogs. The road to affiliate success, as I discovered, demands more than just a handful of posts and followers. It’s a slow and steady process that requires patience and perseverance.

So, as I sit in my chilly flat, contemplating the day’s events, I can’t help but wish for a magic shrinking potion to join my cat, PicklePuss, in the warm airing cupboard. Life may throw curveballs, but in the end, it’s the journey that defines us.

PicklePuss in the Airing Cupboard

Now, let’s talk about my book. I decided to open a new Amazon account to keep things separate, a decision that proved more complicated than I anticipated. Before Christmas, I delved into the publishing process with a few low-content journals, only to find myself banned by Amazon last week. Cue a flurry of emails, back and forth, as I grappled to understand my misstep. Amazon, it turns out, doesn’t mess around, and my dyslexic brain had missed crucial details. My logic of having two accounts didn’t align with Amazon’s policies, so it was back to the drawing board.

Yet, amidst the setbacks, I see this as a gift from the Universe. Without this hiccup, I wouldn’t have explored alternative self-publishing avenues—a topic I’ll delve into in another blog post. Today, I’m simply indulging in a bit of rambling. Life throws these challenges our way, often serving as a reminder of the intricacies faced by a neurodivergent household in a neurotypical world.

On a positive note, signs of spring have begun to emerge. I stumbled upon what appears to be a catkin tree in the early stages of budding. It’s the little moments like these that bring a glimmer of joy.

Now, I’m on a quest to find that elusive shrinking potion, so I can cozy up in the airing cupboard with PicklePuss. The clock has ticked past 4 pm, and my boy is home from school, happily singing along to Alexa after a snowy Pokemon adventure. It’s as if the challenging morning never happened.

That’s the latest update for now. If you’re in the UK and reading this in January 2024, stay warm, stay well, and take care.

Speak soon,

Rebecca

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The Birth of MessyCat: Navigating Art, Parenting and Passions

29th Dec 2023

Hello, fellow cat enthusiasts, art aficionados, and kindred spirits! I’m Rebecca, a lone parent based in the picturesque town of Eastbourne, East Sussex. My life revolves around my 11-year-old son, two charming cats – a ginger boy with a constantly confused expression and a tortie girl with sass – and a world of creativity that have given birth to my upcoming venture, Messy Cat.

You might know me from my Instagram page, @RebeccaSussexArtist, where I share my artistic endeavors, including an introduction to the mischievous escapades of a little black ink cat aptly named Messy Cat. Little did I know that these whimsical illustrations would become the cornerstone of a journey I’m excited to embark on – the journey into creativity, attempting to generate income and the challenges of being a self-employed artist, illustrator, and writer.

As a lone parent, my journey isn’t just about finding my way in the art world; it’s about navigating the delicate balance between pursuing my passions and being there for my son, who is my absolute world. Parenthood has a unique rhythm, and when you throw in the joys and challenges of raising an autistic child, especially on your own, it becomes a symphony of love, patience, and resilience.

The inspiration for Messy Cat came from a simple ink drawing I shared online, and the encouragement I received from friends and followers sparked an idea – turning these drawings into a book. Fast forward to now, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve spent the past year pouring my heart and soul into a book that’s soon to see the light of day.

Being self-employed isn’t just a career choice for me; it’s a necessity. It’s about crafting a life that accommodates my own health considerations while ensuring I’m there for my son when he needs me the most. This journey is personal, and I want to take you along as I navigate the intricacies of self-employment, artistry, and parenting.

The Messy Cat blog isn’t just about the book launch (though that’s a significant part of it), but it’s a chronicle of the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected detours I encounter along the way. I’m not just an artist; I’m a storyteller, both visually and through words, and this blog is where I unfold the chapters of my life – messy, beautiful, and uniquely mine.

So, whether you’re an art enthusiast, a parent, or someone looking for a bit of inspiration, welcome to Messy Cat – where the creativity never stops, and the journey is as exciting (manifesting here!) as the destination. Stay tuned for tales of ink, art, writing and the beautiful chaos that is life.

Until next time,

Rebecca

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