How To Publish a Children's Book Yourself

One of the most common questions I get asked when I go to a book signing, fair, tradeshow, etc. goes something like this, "I have this great idea for a kids book and I wanna get it published.  Who should I call?" Some of the questions are more like, "I have this great book… When will the publishers come find me?" and some are more like, "What can you (meaning me) do to get my book published?"

I love these questions.  I have also spent hours answering these questions.  The reason I can answer these questions is because if there was a mistake to be made, I have made it…

Let's start at the beginning. You have a book that you have written.  Chances are you did not illustrate it yourself, or, you have a "family member" who poorly illustrated it, or, by the grace of God, you actually have some artistic talent or someone in your family does. Presuming the more likely scenario, you need an illustrator.

Join the SCBWI.  This stands for Society for Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators.  The cost is nominal, I think like $75 a year or something like that, and there is scores of opportunity in it for you, including a GREAT list of illustrators for you to thumb through. There's also other things like local workshops in your area that allow you to meet agents, editors, publishers; you know, people in the biz that you MUST know to make it in the biz.

So; now that we have the horse WELL in front of the cart, lets back the ponycart up.  You have written a book, you may even have an illustrator for your picture or chapter book. Now what? You've sent out galleys to the big six (Simon Schuster, Random House, Penguin, Scholastic, blah blah blah) and nobody is interested. That is because… nobody wants to be interested. They are inundated with material, in excess of 1000 new submissions per week.

At this point, you've probably asked, "What's a galley?" Here is secret number one… nobody wants to review your book after it is published and released!  NOBODY!!!


That's just plain stupid you are thinking. Guess what; you're absolutely right! But it doesn't make it not true…  There is a protocol to getting a children's book released and I will walk you through that.  Otherwise, you will wind up with a garage full of books you can hardly sell…  Trust me… been there, done that.

So, stay tuned… there is a method and I will teach you the method.

Free E-Book for kids: Free E-Book For Kids!

Free E-Book for kids: Free E-Book For Kids!: "Hi! My name is Sharon Cramer and I am the author and Illustrator of a series of Children's books called Cougar Cub Tales. Cougar Cub Tal..."

Free E-Book For Kids!

Hi!

My name is Sharon Cramer and I am the author and Illustrator of a series of Children's books called Cougar Cub Tales.  Cougar Cub Tales: I'm Just Like You is FREE through Amazon for the summer!  The download site is http://www.amazon.com/Cougar-Cub-Tales-Just-ebook/dp/B004HD5TV6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1309810219&sr=1-1.  

It's such a great way to keep kids reading through the summer. It is getting five star reviews  and there is a new release coming soon.

Anyway, just wanted to include the kids across the big puddle. We are getting thousands of downloads over here. 

Thanks and I hope your kids enjoy the book!  They can hear me reading it at www.cougarcubtales.com

Sincerely,

Sharon