For Sammafter our coffee · Oct 2026
A loose map from where you are now to a little bookshop of your own. Swap the stops around, take the side roads, pull over whenever you need to. You're driving.
The main goalthe whole way
This is the real destination. Lottie, the kids' book and the thriller, self-published first and maybe with a publisher later. Every stop on this road gives them time, money or readers.
Watch your three books fill in as you drive.
The reader loopwhy the side hustles matter
Crowned & Curious, Paper & Porcelain and Creative Worlds are short reads that keep people coming back. A C&C print at the stall says "keep reading online" with a QR to your Substack. When a book launches, those readers are already waiting.
The side hustles are the platform. Counters use made-up numbers after today.
Stop 1Oct 2026
ABN sorted, Paper Parlour Productions registered, around 85 readers on Substack, 330 on Instagram, and hundreds of poems indexed and ready.
writingLottie, the kids' book and the thriller, all in progress
Stop 2Now to early 2027
Find work that covers the bills and leaves room for uni and writing. Everything further down the road gets lighter once money isn't the worry.
writingRework Lottie, a chapter at a time
Stop 3Nov – Dec 2026
Paper Parlour is the house and you're the voice. Crowned & Curious, Paper & Porcelain and Creative Worlds are the short reads, each with its own colours so readers know what they're opening.
writingLet your readers pick the next queen
Stop 4Summer 2026/27
Reading journals, mood board kits, bookish printables. Small and fun, and every sale teaches you a bit more about selling online.
writingFinish the kids' book draft
Stop 5Early 2027
A Paper Parlour website with a shop built in, for downloads, stories and book donations.
writingThe kids' book gets its pictures and layout
I'm happy to set this up for you, plus starter branding for Paper Parlour Productions. A little push I can comfortably do. – Daniel
Stop 6Autumn 2027
A trestle table of donated books at a few local markets. Cheap to test, and you'll learn what sells, what people ask for, and whether you love it.
writingC&C prints that say "keep reading online"
Stop 7Jun – Aug 2027
A small trailer behind the car or a cheap second-hand van. Shelves in, sign on, road-ready by August for the spring holidays.
writingThe kids' book, self-published in time for the van
Stop 8Spring 2027 into summer
Holiday weekends where the families are. Post the next stop for your followers and sell a cheeky holiday read. Every bag gets a bookmark and a QR to your Substack.
writingLottie's new draft, finished between customers
Stop 92028
Lottie and the kids' book front and centre in the van, then a first small run of Paper Parlour stationery.
writingLottie, self-published
Stop 102028 and beyond
A little bookshop with your name on the door and your books by the till. Get here by this road, a side road, or one nobody has drawn yet.
writingThe thriller, pitched with readers behind you
Any orderany pace
Detours, rest stops and U-turns are all part of the trip. When life gets loud, pull over. The road will still be here.
Tap a stop to drive there. Stamps are saved on this device.