Milestones, Magic and Persistence

This summer has been a whirlwind. Melody Magic has participated in several community events—with a couple more still on the horizon—and looking ahead, the future feels incredibly bright. As we navigate our second year in business, it feels right to pause, reflect on how far we’ve come, and acknowledge the challenges that help us grow.

The first half of 2026 was our most successful yet, marking our strongest two quarters in book sales. We also officially published our second and third titles: Symbiont Cerebrations and Blue Mubu: 2nd Edition.

Symbiont Cerebrations holds a special place in my heart. James Mikulec (author) and Keri Mikulec (illustrator) are a creative dynamic duo. Before their poetry collection came to fruition, both James and Keri dedicated volunteer hours to helping Melody Magic grow. They are genuinely good-hearted, down-to-earth people and top-tier friends. Symbiont Cerebrations is a true reflection of their innate creative versatility, and I am deeply proud to have helped bring their vision to life.

We also launched Blue Mubu: 2nd Edition, the second book in Stephen Nawotniak’s beloved Mubu The Morph children’s series (following Mubu The Morph: 2nd Edition). Collaborating with Stephen on an ongoing basis is a true blessing. The core message of Blue Mubu tackles the heavier emotions we all experience—sadness, loneliness, and the feeling that friends aren't always available. Growing up, I didn't have stories like this to help me navigate life's difficult moments. Bringing these books into their next chapter and sharing them with young readers is deeply fulfilling. Teaching these gentle lessons to children fosters resilience and ignites real self-discovery from an early age.

Of course, not every summer event turned out exactly as I had hoped. But there is always a lesson in the quiet moments.

Building an independent publishing company in a town that hasn't had one before is a brand-new concept for our community. It takes time for people to grasp our mission. Melody Magic isn't about pushing volume or maximizing quick sales; we are about spreading sincere messages and encouraging genuine creativity. How many businesses can say that?

My biggest takeaway from those slower events is that what we are doing is truly worthwhile. Patience and persistence are everything. I spoke with so many people this summer who offered high praise for our authors and our core mission. It might take seeing us a second, third, or fourth time before someone decides to buy a book and take it home—and that is perfectly okay. By consistently supporting our authors, community trust will continue to build over time.

Real magic doesn't happen inside the "expected outcome"—it happens in the unexpected surprises along the way.

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