Where do the Anti-Woke Christian Moms Hang Out?
So I've written a children's story, but it has no illustrations yet. It's an allegorical Christian rebuttal of identity politics, portrayed gently for children, in a positive tone, with a redemptive ending, and set on a fantastical island. I know there are readers for this, but I don't know how to find them!
I'm a Mennonite, and we kind of hang out in our own bubble. I don't think most Mennonite moms spend tons of time thinking about how identity politics and culture affect their sheltered children. My reader magnet is a playful, sweet groundhog story, in a super sheltered way; it doesn't tackle any big cultural issues or make any waves. I've gotten positive feedback on my reader magnet from Mennonite moms, but Mennonite endorsers for my fantastical allegory have been a bit of a challenge. I'm not confident that everyone on my email list strongly feels the need for the story I have ready (I think,) to publish.
Just yesterday, I took groundhog story reader magnet qr coded bookmarks to our local Christian bookstore. I also left some at the library, but that's a shot in the dark!
AI suggests tailoring a reader magnet to fit the themes (humility, community, service, etc,) in my story, featuring the same characters. Like a discussion guide, etc. But how is that a valuable reader magnet now, before the story is published? I don't even have pictures, and elements from the world I've created would mean nothing without a book to introduce them.
I'm at a bit of a loss for how to specifically target parents that will align with and feel a need for the style and the message of my book, especially because my close peers aren't necessarily that crowd.
Any suggestions? Where do these kinds of moms hang out, online, or in real life? What kind of reader magnet would attract them, and only them? Is there a course for this? If so, which one?
Also, I feel like any marketing for kids needs pictures, but I'm not an illustrator, and is it really great to pump out AI images, only to have the published book look way different then? That feels like a bait- and- switch to me.
I'd really prefer not to make social media a big part of my platform, or platform- growing efforts.
I've been hoping to land a trad pub deal, because I have a preschooler and a toddler, and I feel too busy to handle all the marketing by myself. Is there a magic number of email subscribers necessary for a picture book? I'm at 118, with a 73% open rate so far.
At what point is it safe to pitch an agent, without feeling like I'm throwing away my chance for this book I feel so passionately about? I'm suspicious, due to the nature of the messaging, there's only a handful of agents who even might consider touching it, so I don't have dozens of options to pitch!
Sorry, this was like, a million questions in one. Thanks to anyone who can offer a tidbit of insight or advice!