childrens books – Page 5 – Self Publishing Advisor

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Phantom Tollbooth

The Phantom Tollbooth is a classic children’s adventure novel written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer. The novel tells the story of Milo, a bored, young boy who receives a magical tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Since publication, The Phantom Tollbooth has been adapted into a film and play.

Published in 1961, The Phantom Tollbooth is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In honor of this children’s classic, take a chance and publish your own children’s book. You never know, your book might just be the next Phantom Tollbooth.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.

Book Design, Book Promotion, Cheri Speaks, Self-Publishing

The Importance of Illustrations

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Don’t think that is true? Ask yourself, “Would A.A. Milne’s children’s classic, Winnie-the-Pooh, be just as charming without the illustrations from Ernest Shepard?” Maybe, but the beautiful illustrations have brought the world of the Hundred Acre Woods to life. Award-winning illustrations are often the difference between a good book and a GREAT one.

Finding the Right Illustrator

The illustrations in your book help communicate your book’s value to readers and buyers. As a children’s author, you must remember that children are you audience but adults are your buyers. You need to produce a book that is appealing to both children and adults. One of the ways to do this is by combining your story with great pictures.

When choosing an artist, make sure their style meshes your vision of the book. There are a wide range of illustration styles, so it is essential that you choose one that helps convey your message. Self-publishing companies such as Outskirts Press allow you to choose the artist who best fits your needs.

How Illustrators Are Paid

Payment arrangements typically include a flat fee or royalties and usually depend on where you find your illustrator. Self-publishing companies are a good place to look for an illustrator. Some companies such as Outskirts Press don’t require you to publish your book with their companies to use their illustrators but offer a discount on services if you do publish with their company. When considering a self-publishing company, be sure to read all of the fine print.

Another option is to hire a freelance illustrator without going through a middle man. This can be done by searching sites such as www.guru.com and www.elance.com. You can also talk to other writers to find out which illustrators they recommend.

Before hiring an illustrator, make sure you look at sample work. Ask yourself, is this how I want my illustrations to look? If not, keep searching. There is an illustrator out there whose style will complement your story.

Beyond Picture Books

Illustrations aren’t just for children’s books. Pictures can enhance any book. Whether you are in need of a book cover, an interior image, or a full series of illustrations, there is an illustrator you can bring your book to life.

ABOUT CHERI BREEDING:
Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.

Book Marketing, Kelly Speaks

5 Ways to Promote Your Book in April

Today’s post is by book marketing industry expert, Kelly Schuknecht.

Book marketing is an ongoing effort. Here are five ways to promote your book in April:

April is National Poetry Month. If you have published a book of poetry, this is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of National Poetry Month events. Visit Poetry.org to find a full list of Poetry Month events.
April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day. If you are a Children’s book author, call your local library and elementary school(s). Volunteer to read your book during storytime.
Speaking of libraries, National Library Week is April 10-16. Contact your local library, offer to donate a free copy of your book.
The London Book Fair takes place April 11-13. If you have not already made arrangements for your book to be represented this year, consider this opportunity for next year.
April 22nd is Earth Day. If your book is about environment issues (or even if it’s not), contact your local schools and environmental agencies and ask about Earth Day events you can get involved with. Even if you are not directly promoting your book, you will be doing something to help the environment and networking with individuals who have similar interests.

DISCUSSION: How are you planning to promote YOUR book this month?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Director of Author Support for Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Self-Publishing

Illustrated Children’s Books Affected by the Market & Self-publishing

The New York Times recently reported on the declining number of illustrated Children’s book sales figures. Several major factors have been cited as the cause of the trend, including an increased focus from parents to start their children on chapter books at an earlier age. (Literary experts will claim that push does not actually advance cognitive development.)

Are self-published books immune to this? Here are a few key considerations.

The Times article reads, “…many publishers have gradually reduced the number of picture books they produce for a market that had seen a glut of them, and in an age when very young children, like everyone else, have more options, a lot of them digital, to fill their entertainment hours.” Many publishers here implies those handful of traditional publishers. The reasons they’ve gradually reduced the number… appears to be in part the result of quality self-published options.
As a self-publishing author, you can focus your book sales online, with no requirement for retail returns or shelf space, and develop a niche marketing campaign to targeted readers (or buyers in this case).
It is possibly as much the result of publishers pulling the plug on new illustrated titles, and not the market itself. Under the self-publishing model, YOU are the publishing executive. You call the shots, and your book never actually ‘goes out of print.’
It’s not clear that this is a long term trend. Many industry insiders claim the economy is partly to blame, which is inherently in a state of flux. Furthermore, Jen Haller, the vice president and associate publisher of the Penguin Young Readers Group, said that while some children were progressing to chapter books earlier, they were still reading picture books occasionally. “Picture books have a real comfort element to them,” Ms. Haller said. “It’s not like this door closes and they never go back to picture books again.”

So have fun, and keep writing!