New Author on the Block! A Student Success Story

Seeing someone accomplish a dream is inspirational, isn't it? Not only can you share in their glorious feeling of success, but you also get the sense that maybe you, too, can achieve one of your dreams. 

We are happy to announce that one of our students, Judith Jacques, is launching her first book. Help us congratulate Judith, the new author of Gardenland! Find out what advice she has for anyone wanting to write a book, or pursue any dream.

Judith Jacques took the Continuing Education class called Publish Your Book with instructor Georgetta Gancarz in Fall 2023. She says that Georgetta was “a huge influence and supporter of my ideas, and I learned a great deal from her. I'm forever grateful for her knowledge and teaching.”

We asked Judith to tell us more about her book and the process of taking it from idea to reality.  

Judith: This has been a lifelong dream to write a children's book. Children have been a massive part of my professional life, and sharing this with them is truly special and life-affirming. I hope this book brings children and adults as much joy as it has brought me.

Gardenland is the first in a series of books for children with themes of teamwork and nurturing your community. It comes out on November 16th, 2025.

Q: What were the biggest challenges and what helped you overcome them? 

Judith: The first challenge was finding an illustrator willing to work with a first-time author without representation. I was fortunate to discover my illustrator serendipitously through a women's networking group (shout out to Fem Allies in Business). Women's entrepreneurial groups can provide a tremendous amount of power, knowledge, and mentorship. 

The second major challenge was choosing the right platform for distribution. After conducting extensive research, I decided on self-publishing through IngramSpark, and Barnes and Noble Press, which are both print-on-demand sites. I chose them because they distribute to independent bookstores and book festivals. I'd love to get into Scholastic book fairs one day, and they also distribute to those fairs. 

Taking How to Publish a Book with Professor Gancarz equipped me with a lot of knowledge about the process that really laid the groundwork for book printing and distribution. She is truly a fantastic teacher, and I learned so much from her about how to navigate the book publishing process. I often say to people that the universe brought her to me as a guide to make my dreams come true.   

Q: Do you have any advice or insights for someone looking to write/publish a book? 

Judith: Write! Go for it! Life is short, do the scary thing, even when it's uncomfortable. Be consistent, even with tasks you're not good at or dislike doing.  

Also, consider hiring out for areas where you're not an expert, or ask a family member, friend, or co-worker, so you can focus on writing and the stuff you are good at. I have a mantra that I've been adopting throughout this process: "Have no fear, you can do it!" 

The last thing I'd like to mention is to stay true to your vision, even if others cannot see it. There will be people who will surprise you with their knowledge and support. Writing a book and bringing it into the world is no small feat. Push past the fear, and your dreams will come true! 

If you would like to find out more about the inspiration for my book, my illustrator and I, and meet the characters, you can go to www.gardenlandbooks.com.

"Life is short, do the scary thing, even when it's uncomfortable. Be consistent, even with tasks you're not good at or dislike doing." 

-Judith Jacques, published author and Continuing Education student