Exploring Life & Business with Lulu Buck of Buck’s Books Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lulu Buck

Hi Lulu, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, I’m Lulu Buck, and I’d love to share my story of becoming an author, a journey that has been the most rewarding of my life. As a first-generation American, I’ve faced my share of challenges, but these experiences have deeply shaped me and fueled my creativity.

It all started over 25 years ago with an idea for a book. Life has taken me on many paths since then, from working as a public educator to serving as a consultant for the Colorado Department of Education, where I impacted many school districts. Along the way, I discovered my passion for nurturing equity, inclusion, and acceptance in children’s lives. But deep down, I held onto my dream of writing a book.

Then came a pivotal moment in my life. My husband passed away in December 2019 after a grueling four-year battle with cancer. He endured 59 rounds of chemo and radiation, and losing him left me shattered. Not long after, the pandemic swept in, isolating me further and cutting me off from the mental health resources I needed. To process my grief and keeping my children’s lives stable, I turned to my creative outlet: writing.

I poured my heart into my first book, Sue’s Sky, a story about acceptance, inclusion, and friendship. Collaborating with my dear friend Chrys Zyx, whose unique canvas paintings brought my vision to life, was a dream come true. Chrys and I had been friends for years, and her artistic touch gave the book a unique beauty. Her illustrations were so captivating that we won a bronze medal through the International Latino Book Awards.

The journey to self-publishing wasn’t easy. Navigating the publishing industry as a person of color revealed the systemic challenges that prioritize profit over meaningful content for children. But I kept going, driven by the belief that my books resonate deeply with children, even if adults sometimes don’t see their value.

As a mother, educator, and advocate, I knew I wanted my work to be more than just stories. I created a curriculum to accompany Sue’s Sky and its Spanish translation, El Cielo de Susana. These lesson plans teach acceptance, anti-bullying, bias, identity, and teamwork, helping educators and families build stronger communities. One activity, “Paint Your Own Sky,” has been significant, allowing children to express themselves through art.

The response to my books has been overwhelming. I’m deeply grateful to the educators, schools, libraries, and families who’ve embraced my work. Thanks to the Mwebaza Foundation in Longmont, Colorado, I’ll never forget the honor of teaching Sue’s Sky to students in Uganda. That moment was a dream come true, and my book made an international debut!

Being an author is not just about writing books. It’s about creating something that grows, inspires, and helps children become their best selves. I’ve faced my share of struggles, but I’m proud to say I’ve revived my dreams. Every story I write is a love letter to my children, to the educators who share my passion, and to the children who read them.

This is just the beginning. There are so many stories I want to bring to life, and I’m excited for what’s to come. Thank you for being part of my journey.

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?
No, my journey has been anything but smooth. But every twist, turn, and bump along the way has shaped me into the author and person I am today.

As a first-generation American, I’ve had to navigate challenges that many take for granted. When I decided to become a self-made, self-published author, I knew the road would be tough, especially as a person of color in an industry that often prioritizes profit over stories that truly resonate with children. The publishing world is not always welcoming to voices like mine, and I’ve had to fight to make my books visible.

Then came personal struggles. The grief was overwhelming, and not long after, the pandemic isolated me further, cutting me off from mental health resources. My priority was keeping my sons’ lives as stable as possible while grappling with my own pain. The pain never stopped as I lost significant people in my life. Creativity is my therapist as I navigate the personal struggles that keep coming.

I also had to overcome self-doubt. Writing, self-publishing, and promoting books on my own felt daunting, especially when I didn’t know how my work would be received. The industry isn’t kind to those who don’t fit its mold. While my books deeply resonate with children and their intended audience, sometimes adults don’t see their value, and that can be discouraging. Children are my inspiration and they fuel me to overcome self-doubt.

But amidst all of this, I found purpose. My grief turned into creativity, and my struggles gave me the fuel to write stories that matter. I created lesson plans, built communities around my books, and connected with educators and families who share my passion for equity, inclusion, and kindness. Every challenge has been a lesson, and every setback has reminded me why I do what I do. I love my new identity of being an author for kids.

It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. My journey is proof that even on the hardest roads, you can still find beauty, growth, and a way forward.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Buck’s Book Consulting is more than a small business housing my 3 books “Magical Golden Whistle”, “Sue’s Sky” and “El Cielo de Susana”. Some environments need more guidance and support to be more kind. The consulting part of my business supports the adults. I offer consulting, training, tools, and guidance to support the adults to enhance kid spaces to be more accepting and kind so that all kids can grow and learn in those spaces. I offer workshops, author visits, training, and tools for anyone interested in making kid spaces kind.
I also love consulting other inspiring authors to become self-made and self-published. It is rewarding to be called upon by someone who wants to see their work out into the world. My road to authorship is unique, but it is also necessary to share it with others so they can see that it isn’t impossible.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
There will likely be a continued focus on books that tackle important social issues, such as climate change, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Authors will be expected to engage more deeply with these topics, especially in children’s books, which are instrumental in shaping young minds. These themes seem to be needed, not only for kids but for adults too.
I’m curious to see how AI will be received, controlled, and used in the world of being an author. AI tools will play a larger role in content creation, from assisting with drafts to brainstorming plot ideas. While this will speed up the writing process, it may also challenge how originality is valued in authorship. The human touch in storytelling will become even more cherished. I am thankful for having this gift of creativity and originality that will be more important in the future as technology becomes more involved. Creators like me will truly stand out from the robots.
Lastly, I need to get with the times when it comes to sharing my stories on other platforms. Audiobooks and podcasts are booming, and this trend will continue. I need to explore serialized storytelling or interactive audio experiences to engage readers in new ways. I embrace change and I love learning all these new tools and ways of doing things. If you stop learning, you stop living.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lulubuck.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BucksBooksConsulting
• Twitter: https://x.com/c_lu_lu