Tag: publishers

Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Consumer Product Safety Act and Self-Publishing Children’s Book Authors

What this means for you…

As a self-publishing Children’s book author, you may have seen news of a new lead testing requirement established in the Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA) on ALL children’s products, including Children’s books. The deadline for self-publishing authors and printers are looking at for acceptable lead levels is an approaching February 10 of this year.

Testing and certification takes place at the book printer level and full-service self-publishers of children’s books are working hard to make sure they meet requirements.  If you are in the process of publishing or currently looking for a self-publishing option don’t worry. There are those out there already covering their bases. Here is a statement from one printer/publisher posted earlier this week:

publisher and other book printing organizations are continuing their efforts to obtain a complete exemption by the CPSC by providing test results showing that the lead content level is either nonexistent or well below the standard set by the Act.

If it is determined that books are indeed covered by the Act, publisher will comply with the Act’s requirements by February 10, 2009, as the new limits on lead content begin to go into effect for products directed at children age 12 and under.

Make sure to check with your publisher when researching your options and establishing direction for your children’s book.

Have fun and keep writing.

– Karl Schroeder 

Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher

Self-Publishing Resources

Self-publishing continues to gain footing in the book industry, bringing authors to the captain’s chair in terms of creative control, book pricing, and marketing. As this wave continues to build in speed and size, publishing options will inevitably follow.

Finding quality, researched information on self publishing options is important for authors looking for an advantage on the back-end, when sales help get good work into the marketplace. Stacie Vander Pol’s recently published book, Top Self Publishing Firms Revealed, is a new and sound resource in that arena.

The book is the product of Vander Pol’s own search for information about how several leading self-publishers fare in terms of book sales performance – actually helping authors get books in off press and into reader’s hands. Information about upfront fees, book pricing, and distribution is profiled as well.

Vander Pol notes in one interview that the her favorite part of the book is the enormous listing of current top-selling titles published by the organizations profiled. Keep an eye out for this one. It includes some solid, independent advice based on quality research.

– Karl Schroeder