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Today’s podcast episode is part of a mini-series in which Charmaine explores money-making options for busy moms. Charmaine discusses the pros and cons of writing and self-publishing, as someone who writes online and has published a children’s book, “Amos Takes the Skyway,” with Amazon KDP. Listen to this real-talk episode to get the scoop on whether this is a journey worth investing your time in:
Should You Pursue Traditional Publishing?
Traditional publishing has always been characterized as an uphill battle, even for the most successful authors.
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter manuscript faced rejection 12 times before becoming one of the most beloved series in literary history.
Stephen King’s memoir “On Writing” similarly details the struggles of breaking into traditional publishing.
For mothers with limited time and numerous responsibilities, this path often feels inaccessible in the short term, requiring significant patience and persistence through multiple rejections. The time investment alone can be prohibitive when balancing childcare, household management, and potentially other work commitments.
If your dream really is to write traditionally published books, I’d say go for it– as long as your expectations are realistic. Traditional publishing seems like a long game, best played by networking and making contacts. It’s possible, but not in many busy moms’ orbits right now. Let’s talk about another avenue you can take to get your writing published right away:
Should You Try Writing Online?
The digital revolution has created alternative paths for writers through online publishing platforms and self-publishing services. I’ve personally explored multiple avenues, maintaining blogs like “Chocolate for the Teach” about my experiences as a substitute teacher, and this blog, which houses a lot of my personal projects and advice for moms.
While these platforms allow writers to share their voice, monetization presents significant challenges. After maintaining a blog with over 100 posts for more than two years, my affiliate marketing income totals just $8. The sobering reality is that making money through online writing requires not only quality content but also substantial readership – something increasingly difficult to achieve in today’s oversaturated content landscape.
Should You Self-Publish Through Amazon KDP?
Self-publishing through platforms like Amazon KDP presents another opportunity, one I explored firsthand when creating a children’s book with my mother. “Amos Takes the Skyway” became a reality through self-teaching and determination, with my mother handling the technical aspects of publishing while I focused on writing. Though we’ve sold approximately 100 copies – primarily to supportive friends and family – the financial returns have been modest at best. More valuable than the income was the experience of completing a bucket list project together and creating something meaningful that connected with readers on a personal level.
Is Writing for Profit Possible as a Busy Mom?
The reality of writing for profit as a mom requires realistic expectations. The barriers to entry have never been lower, but this accessibility creates unprecedented competition. Success demands not only writing talent but marketing skills, technical knowledge, and significant time investment – all resources that mothers often have in limited supply. Whether pursuing traditional publishing, content creation, or self-publishing, substantial income typically requires long-term commitment and patience. For many of us, writing becomes less about financial gain and more a labor of love – something we pursue because we enjoy the creative outlet it provides.
For stay-at-home moms considering writing as a side hustle, careful evaluation of your goals is essential. If immediate income is your primary objective, other opportunities may prove more fruitful. However, if you genuinely enjoy writing and are willing to view it as a long-term investment with uncertain financial returns but significant personal satisfaction, it may still be worth pursuing.
That’s why I’m still in the game.
The joy of creating something meaningful, sharing your perspective, and connecting with readers – even a small audience – can provide rewards beyond monetary compensation. As with any side hustle for busy moms, the key is finding the right balance between time investment, financial expectations, and personal fulfillment.
That’s it for this week’s (Mostly) Stay-at-Home-Mom. For more episodes, you can find the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also dig into more of my motherhood articles here on By Charmaine’s blog. Thanks for listening!