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[0:00 - 2:31] Intro  - Andrew Larsen – https://www.andrewlarsen.ca – is a multi award winning children’s author. He’s written 16 children’s books and we ask him how he makes money doing it. It’s a history of writing his first book to how he continues to do it as a full time job. If you’ve ever thought about writing a children’s book, and make money doing it, this is a must listen. 

[2:32  - 4:45] Money Mistake - Get regular checkups on your home mechanical systems. Don’t get sucked in to flashy ads - if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. 

[4:46 - 6:14] How did you become an author? What’s the Andrew Larsen Story?

[6:15 - 6:46] Your first book is Bella and the Bunny - tell me about it. 

[6:47 - 7:37] With a history in the food industry, how did you land on becoming an author?

[7:38 - 8:40] Is being an author a side gig or is it for real? Are you going to be rich writing a children’s book? 

[8:41 - 8:59] Are you still side hustling at weddings and catering events? 

[9:00 - 10:44] What is the process of writing? Did you contact a publisher? How do we go from a screen to a finished submitted manuscript? 

[10:45 - 11:46] Why was this one story the one you choose to submit?

[11:47 - 16:22] Is there money in writing a children’s book? Do you find the illustrators? Tell me about getting your first book published and what it meant for you and your family and your financial situation. 

[16:23 - 16:44] How many children’s books have you written? How many kids books do you write a year?

[16:45 - 17:20] Do you have an agent in the publishing industry? 

[17:21 - 18:01] Is a children’s book a couple hundred words? How long should a children’s book be? 

[18:02 - 19:21] Why is it so hard to write a children’s book? What are the keys to a good children’s book?

[19:22 - 20:09] Your first book gets published - are you rich and famous as a children’s author? How do you promote your children’s book? 

[20:10 - 21:31] What other income streams are available for children’s authors?

[21:32 - 23:38]When did you feel you had hit success and being a children’s book author was for the rest of your life?

[23:39 - 24:34] How do you keep writing children’s books when your children grow up? 

[24:35 - 28:07] It’s expensive to live in Toronto. How do you manage your finances with an inconsistent paycheque? Are there grants available to children’s authors? Do you have to publish a children’s book before you can apply for grants?

[28:08 - 29:35] Writing is a job you can do from anywhere, so it’s very appealing to many, especially in the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement. What would you say to them about writing a children’s book? Are there multiple revenue sources?

[29:36 - 32:22] The Wealthy Barber is about investing early. Are you taking excess money to invest in the market? 

[32:23 - 34:57] How should someone start writing a children’s story? What’s the key to success? A good editor? A friendly publisher? 

[34:58 - 37:39] What is your process from beginning to end? How do you generate your ideas? How many drafts do you write? Do you work with writer groups? Share with friends for feedback? Do you work with an agent? Do you work with different publishers? 

[37:40 - 38:43] Do you still get rejections? 

[38:44 - 40:34] How much can a children’s author expect to make in Canada? How long did it take you to make enough money to feel comfortable? Do you need another job?

[40:35 - 42:10] What do you say to the new moms, or the people that hate their jobs, or people that want to start writing a children’s book to earn a living? 

[42:20 - 53:09] Rapid fire questions - What’s in your wallet? What’s a book everyone should read? Where do you spend most of your money each week? What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc. What’s your number - to live independently wealthy and life on your own terms? What’s next for you? How can people get in touch with you? 

[53:09 - 58:50] The Knowledge Bank - How (and why) you should start investing

https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/how-to-start-investing/

[58:50 - 59:41] Outro