When Kerryn Cullen woke in the middle of the night with a story forming in her mind, she had no idea it would be the spark that launched her into the world of children’s books. A mum of three with no formal background in publishing, Kerryn followed her intuition – and her desire to encourage values like kindness, resilience and self-belief in families – into creating Wish Baby, a heartfelt picture book that speaks as much to parents as it does to children. As she prepares to launch her second book, Wish Mama, Kerryn shares her journey from late-night scribbles to published author, and how she’s using storytelling to help parents and children feel more connected and loved.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
You know that quiet inner nudge and the feeling that there’s something more out there for you? That was me. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but I could feel something under the surface. With everything happening in the world today, as a mum, I have worries daily about my children growing up and the type of people that my children will become, like all mums do. I wished that my children would grow up to have the values to be able to take on whatever life throws their way but also while growing up to feel loved, seen and connected.
One night, I woke up at 3 a.m. with words circling in my mind. I grabbed my phone and started typing in bed, barely awake. What came out was the very first draft of what would become Wish Baby, a book to encourage values like kindness, resilience and self belief. At first, I kept it to myself. I felt a bit embarrassed sharing something so personal, especially since I’d never written a book before. But I asked a couple of people for their thoughts, and the feedback truly surprised me. One person even said, “You need to publish this”.
That idea felt impossible. Me? Publish a book? But the signs kept showing up. Little things like a client at my other job randomly mentioning something related, meeting people who had experience in publishing – it was like the universe was gently nudging me forward. That’s when I decided to follow the path.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
It began with a note on my phone, a whole lot of self-doubt and a lot of research. I didn’t have a business plan or background in publishing, just a story I believed in and a deep desire to create something meaningful for other mums/parents and their children.
I started small finding out what I could about how to publish my book. I learned what I could with lots of research, made mistakes, asked questions, had some tears overcoming new things I’ve never done before, but kept going. I found my mentor Laura Feldman, best selling author, and I followed Little Ivory Haus Self Publishing Course that helped me with step-by-step instructions on how to publish my own children’s book. Without this, I would have been stuck googling the internet to find the way.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I realised that my stories weren’t just for children and that they were for mums too. Wish Baby touches on the tender parts of motherhood: the love, the vulnerability and the hope.
Hearing from other mums, teachers and grandparents who felt moved by my words was a turning point. It wasn’t just about writing stories anymore; it was about helping parents connect more deeply with their children and with themselves. That’s when I knew I had something special.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I’m still figuring it out like most mums. I’ve got three boys, I’m writing books, running a business, and working another job in disability support, so life is definitely full. Some days I feel like Superwoman and get heaps done. On other days It’s pyjamas on the couch with a good book and just being with my children, husband and dogs to recharge. I’m a big fan of a good checklist. It makes me feel like I’ve got it together even when I don’t and I try to keep things flexible. When I’m with my kids, I really try to be with them. And when I’m working, I remind myself why I’m doing it. It’s all for them. It’s not a perfect balance, but it’s real.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
The biggest challenge was believing in myself as I had lots of self-doubt. I had no idea how to publish a book or run a business, but I decided to figure it out step by step. 18 months on, I’ve published Wish Baby, attended author visits at schools and early learning centres, have my children’s book in local and Australian stores and online worldwide, have met so many wonderful, supportive people, and written two more books (the second one is due for release soon). I have received heartfelt messages from mums and teachers who say the book truly resonated with them and in my opinion, that part of the connection means the world to me.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The best part is the freedom to create from the heart. I get to make something that reflects my values and sometimes my fun and quirky personality, and I’ve met so many kind, inspiring people along the way.
The hard part is that it’s all on you with the late nights and early mornings, the decisions, the learning curves with the many cups of coffee, but it’s worth it. I’ve grown so much in the process and it’s helped me become a more confident version of myself as a woman and as a mum.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My second book, Wish Mama, is nearly here and it’s something really close to my heart. It’s written for mothers and tells the story of a child’s wishes of what they would love in a mum. After Wish Mama is released, I hope to bring more stories from the heart to life to connect with children and parents. I have so many ideas for stories I can’t wait to write. But most of all, I want to keep creating meaningful stories that bring parents and children closer together.
Visit kerryncullen.com.au to find out more and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
