Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayne Ann Osborne.
Hi Jayne Ann, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As June 2022 began, I had my hands full to bursting. I had a new baby, our fourth, and summer vacation was just beginning. I was trying to figure out how to market the children’s book I had recently published. I was helping put on an annual women’s luncheon. I was both busy and exhausted.
I was trying to stay afloat when I received a phone call from my father.
“Hi, Jayne Ann. I need you to give my friend a call. I told her all about how you just published ‘When Mommies Get Sick’ and thought you could help her out. She also has a book she’d like to publish. She’s dying of cancer and doesn’t have much time left. This is her final wish. I told her I’d give you her contact information. I need you to give her a call as soon as you can. Thanks!”
I tried to begin putting together what he had just asked.
She’s dying of cancer?
Publishing a book is her final wish on this earth?
Does anyone have any idea what kind of pressure that is?
Can’t he see I’m busy and I’m new to this book publishing business and… and… and…?
However, I did make the call. When I met Carolyn Kasteler for the first time to discuss her book, Watching Over Angels, everything changed.
Through a series of miraculous, divinely engineered events, we pulled it off! My sister, Holly Kolb, and I helped Carolyn publish her book in record time. The manuscript was gathered, edited, formatted and published in just 9 days.
Amazingly, Carolyn was able to hold the physical copy in her hands before she passed away days later.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the biggest challenges to pulling off the publication of “Watching Over Angels” were the small technicalities that make publishing any book quite a lengthy process. There are Library of Congress Control Numbers to apply for, ISBN numbers to sort out, chapters to write and piece together in a readable, cohesive manner, editing to be done, formatting to apply, cover designs to create, legal permissions to seek out, printing to be done, etc.
It seemed each obstacle we faced was a mountain of unknown. Yet, as we kept moving forward and kept advocating for things to be accomplished in as timely a manner as possible, each obstacle seemed to sort itself out. It was almost like Holly and I was just supposed to keep walking forward until further notice. So we did!
Through sheer determination, an open sense of curiosity, hope, and divine guidance, the impossible became possible before our very eyes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a published author and illustrator. I specialize in watercolor illustrations, and I like to think my secret weapon is being able to come up with illustrations that allow the reader to discover something new within the artwork with each new read-through of the book.
The thing I’m most proud of is always finding a way to create something, no matter my stage of life or situation.
My first entirely self-published children’s book, “When Mommies Get Sick” was written and illustrated during the most extreme trial of my life. I was pregnant, with three other small children at home, yet I was so horrendously ill that I couldn’t leave my bed for months. I lived on IV fluids and the kindness of friends and family. I was suffering with a condition called, “hyperemesis gravidarum,” which left me bedridden and completely unable to care for myself or my children for a time.
Despite these challenging circumstances, I was able to maintain a sense of sanity by dreaming up what would later become “When Mommies Get Sick.” I created the whole thing in my mind and as my strength began to return, I began to paint. I finished the text and illustrations shortly before our beautiful daughter was born.
I am so proud of the chance I was able to take to create something meaningful. I found a way to create not only a book, but also a sense of connection with my children as we battled through my pregnancy condition together. I love being able to see my book in the hands of other families now, as they find comfort and encouragement during times of difficulty within their families as well.
What matters most to you?
One thing that matters most to me is creating a life I can look back on and smile, knowing I took every opportunity to create, to grow, to serve and to learn. We can’t always control our circumstances, and things will happen that we wouldn’t necessarily choose. But within each experience we’re given, there are choices laid out before us on the paths moving forward. The choices we make and the paths we take matter. You only get one shot at this life and living it on purpose is up to you, and you alone.
Pricing:
- When Mommies Get Sick: $10 on Amazon
- When Mommies Get Sick, signed copy sent with coloring pages and bookmarks: $15
- Watching Over Angels (on Amazon) paperback: $14.99, hardcover: $19.99
- To learn more about our book coaching services, please email me at mommingonpurpose@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.life-onpurpose.com
- Instagram: mommingonpurpose
- Pinterest: @lifeonpurposeblog
Image Credits
Mary Kim Photography by Mary Kim Oswald
