In the early months of 2020, as families across the United States adjusted to uncertainty, Mona Liza Santos, a San Diego-based author and independent publisher, turned to storytelling as a way to create stability at home. What began as a single children’s book, Mama, I Love You, has since evolved into a growing catalog of more than 40 titles focused on emotional intelligence, kindness, confidence, and cultural identity.
While many pandemic-era creative projects faded as normal routines returned, Mona Liza Santos approached publishing with unusual consistency. Instead of treating authorship as a short-term creative outlet, she built a structured body of work. Over the last four years, her output has expanded steadily, reflecting an intentional focus on themes that resonate with parents, educators, and early readers alike.
Unlike traditionally backed authors, Mona Liza Santos operates independently. That means overseeing not only writing but also editing, coordination with illustrators, publishing logistics, distribution decisions, and audience development.
The operational weight of independent publishing can be considerable, particularly in children’s literature, where illustration, formatting, and production standards significantly affect credibility.
For Santos, the challenge has not been creative output but navigating the mechanics of the publishing ecosystem without institutional support. Distribution pathways, media engagement, and discoverability remain complex for independent creators. Yet her catalog growth suggests a deliberate, disciplined approach rather than reactive experimentation.
Her work has earned industry recognition, including a Mom’s Choice Award Gold Medal for Mama, I Love You. The award, which evaluates family-friendly media and products, signaled early validation beyond her immediate readership.
Additional features and reviews from platforms such as Publishers Weekly’s BookLife, BookTrib, and Authority Magazine have further broadened awareness of her titles within the publishing community.
However, the defining thread in Mona Liza Santos’ publishing strategy is thematic consistency. Each book contributes to a broader objective: supporting emotional literacy among children.
The concept of emotional literacy, helping children understand, articulate, and regulate emotions, has moved closer to the center of educational and parenting discourse in recent years. Post-2020 shifts in family life accelerated conversations around mental health, empathy, and communication within households. In that context, children’s literature plays a formative role.
Rather than positioning her books as entertainment alone, Santos frames them as conversational tools. The narratives often revolve around affirmation, kindness, identity exploration, and emotional awareness. The simplicity of the stories is intentional; the goal is accessibility for early readers and shared reading experiences between parents and children.
Building a catalog of more than 40 titles in a relatively short span also indicates a production model that prioritizes continuity. In children’s publishing, consistency matters. Parents and educators tend to look for authors whose body of work reflects coherence in message and tone. Santos’ expanding portfolio suggests a long-term view of authorship rather than isolated releases.
Operating from San Diego, California, Mona Liza Santos continues to release new titles while strengthening visibility through national reviews and regional media features. An upcoming independent review from Kirkus Reviews and local press coverage are expected to further introduce her work to broader audiences.
Still, Santos measures success differently. While recognition has expanded, she often emphasizes reader feedback from families and educators as a more meaningful benchmark. In a crowded children’s book market, reader trust builds slowly, through repetition and relevance.
Looking ahead, Mona Liza Santos has expressed interest in strengthening distribution into libraries and schools, a move that could deepen the educational reach of her catalog. There is also potential for expanded engagement through speaking opportunities and collaborative partnerships that support emotional literacy initiatives.
Independent publishing is often associated with volatility. Yet in the case of Mona Liza Santos, the trajectory has been measured and steady. The growth of her catalog, combined with focused thematic alignment, positions her not only as a children’s author but as a developing independent publisher operating with a defined purpose.
In an industry that frequently rewards trend-driven output, consistency can be the more durable strategy. For Santos, the long-term objective is not rapid visibility but sustainability, creating books that remain relevant to families navigating the emotional development of young children.
As conversations around emotional intelligence continue to evolve, authors like Mona Liza Santos represent a segment of independent publishing focused less on spectacle and more on foundational values: kindness, confidence, and understanding.
For now, her work continues quietly, one book at a time, building a catalog intended to outlast passing cycles of attention.
Official website: https://www.monalizasantos.com/
Books:
Follow her journey on Instagram: momosvoyage
