Your full name
Lubaina Ali
Your book title
Help your child thrive at school: A parent’s guide from a teacher’s perspective.
If you had to pitch your book in a single sentence, what would you say?
Help Your Child Thrive at School is a practical, teacher-backed guide that empowers parents to boost their child’s confidence, engagement, and success in school.
What makes your book different?
What makes this book different is that it helps parents understand how their presence shapes their child’s success—especially in a world full of overwhelming online advice. The book stands out because it pairs clear, logical guidance with a rich, anecdotal narrative style. The author weaves real classroom stories, grounding each lesson in genuine, relatable experiences drawn from their deep understanding of teaching.
Who is your ideal reader, and what do you hope they get from reading your book?
My ideal reader is a parent who wants to be a confident, engaged partner in their child’s education—someone who feels unsure in the face of endless online advice. I hope they finish the book feeling empowered, with practical steps they can apply immediately, and a deeper trust in their ability to help their child thrive.
What is your full-time profession?
Currently a Year 4 and 5 Maths teacher in Sweden
YOUR WRITING PROCESS
What inspired you to begin writing this book?
One morning, I woke up and realized I had a vast reservoir of knowledge from my teaching career, and I wanted to reach more parents beyond those I had already spoken with. Across seven countries, I saw a recurring pattern in the questions parents asked—they all sought practical, reassuring guidance from their child’s teacher. That epiphany, if you will, was the spark that drove me to write this book.
How long did it take you to complete your book’s final draft?
It took me about three years from the time of conception of the idea to a final draft. While writing, I had also been working part-time as a care-giver, studying Swedish in a neighbouring suburb and studying towards my European driver’s license.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in writing your book, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was distilling my diverse international experiences into a clear, practical framework. I tackled this by identifying the recurring themes in parents’ questions and grounding each chapter in those universal needs. Along the way, I relied on a disciplined writing routine—breaking the process into small, manageable steps—and I invited early feedback from trusted peers, which kept me on track.
Still, I had moments of self-doubt, wondering if what I was offering was truly significant or if anyone would relate. I kept going by anchoring myself in the small, real changes I saw in parents—those conversations reminded me that even helping a few families made every moment of this journey worthwhile.
How did you approach the editing and proofreading stages of your book?
Before sending the manuscript to a professional editor, I did a thorough round of self-editing, refining the structure and language to bring my vision to life. Once I had a solid draft, I collaborated with a professional editor who brought even more polish, ensuring clarity and a strong, cohesive voice. After that, I completed a final review before publication.
What surprised you most about the writing or publishing process for this book?
The greatest relief was not having to worry about the publishing process—Dave and the MYeBook team took care of all the technical details, which let me focus entirely on the content and the message I wanted to share. While the feedback came back quickly once I submitted, I realized that the writing, organizing, and structuring took far longer than I anticipated. Now, having gone through it, I feel much more confident in the self-publishing process. I was also deeply grateful for how thorough and attentive my editor, Tracy Buenk, was—her meticulous work and collaborative approach elevated every part of the book. And I also had a clear vision for the cover—working with Gregg, we experimented until the final design perfectly matched my input. I’ve been thrilled to receive so many compliments on it since.
YOUR SELF-PUBLISHING JOURNEY
What made you decide to opt for the self-publishing route for your book?
I did initially consider the traditional publishing route, but some early feedback suggested this was a niche topic. After researching self-publishing, it became clear that it offered the creative freedom, flexibility, and direct connection to readers that I really needed. Once I saw how it aligned with my goals, I knew it was the right choice.
Could you share a key learning experience from the self-publishing process?
I realized that if you have the right budget, you can bring your dreams to life with high quality ensuring every detail from design to production is exactly as you envisioned—but to be totally honest, the process became quite expensive. Still, every investment I made was worth it, because it gave me the tools and freedom to achieve exactly what I envisioned.
What resources or tools did you find most valuable during your self-publishing journey?
One of the most valuable resources was Dave’s guideline videos which helped me confirm that self-publishing was the route I wanted to go. I went onto Dave’s website, and everything was upfront and felt really trustworthy, which gave me the confidence to go ahead with the MYeBook company. I also relied on careful planning and regular check-ins with my editor and designer, whose expertise was absolutely crucial in bringing the book to life.
For your next book, what would you do differently when it comes to the writing / publishing process?
For my next book, I’d give myself a bit more time in the outlining stage so the structure is even clearer from the start. I’d also engage a marketing professional to help strategize my launch. While self-publishing gave me freedom, I’d aim to build even more momentum from the beginning next time.
MARKETING AND BOOK PROMOTION
Have you written any other books?
Yes, I have written a children’s book in Swedish which is under publication here in Sweden.
How are you planning to connect with and find new readers?
I’m planning to connect with new readers by tapping into online communities, especially parenting forums and education groups, and by sharing relatable content on social media. I also have the parents of my current students who know I’ve written this book, and it directly relates to what we’re working on together. I’m also considering guest blogging on education sites and hosting live Q&A sessions. I really want to create a conversation around the book, so I can keep growing that reader base organically.
What advice would you give to other self-published authors struggling to promote their book/s?
I’d advise other self-published authors to be really intentional about building their online presence early—start sharing snippets, teasers, or insights from your book well before launch. Engage consistently on social media, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your existing network—they can be your biggest advocates. Also, try collaborating with other authors or participating in podcasts or online events—those personal connections really help create momentum.
LOOKING AHEAD
Do you have any upcoming books or projects you can share with us?
Not just yet, but I do have a children’s book already written called ‘Den Arg Älgen,’ (The Angry Moose) which is in the process of being published here in Sweden. Once it’s out, I may consider publishing it in English as well. Beyond that, I have a lot of other ideas, but since I’m a full-time teacher, I have to pace myself with future projects.
Where can our readers find out more about you and your book?
At the moment, I don’t have a website, but I’m in the process of setting one up and planning a blog. For now, readers can follow me on my Facebook page: ‘Lubaina Ali’, Instagram: ‘author_page_lubaina’ and WhatsApp page: ‘Parental guidance’ , where I share updates about my writing, teaching, and upcoming projects. Once the website is live, I’ll be sure to share that as well.
If you have an author or book website, please share the link.
https://books2read.com/thriveatschool
