Written a Childrens' book

[Boudicca]

I have written a childrens' book, and a friend has illustrated it for me. Between us we have made a "mock up" and now we are at a standstill as to what to do next in "getting it published" . Our book is copyrighted, and is additionally on a CD. I would be very grateful for advice. Sandra

[kfierle]

I am not sure I can be of help. I have a friend who has self-published numerous books. She used www.lulu.com. They even helped her obtain an ISBN as well as marketing strategies.

Good Luck!

[Tom Hannon]

Congratulations Sandra. Next step is to find a publisher and then the real work begins as you market the book. With me working 80 hours a week with my business, I had no time to market my book and sales suffered. I feel with my next publication, I will have more time for marketing now that I am retired.

One issue that might bug you is, I know of three authors who published children’s stories and with each one they had their own illustrations. Publishers seem to want to use their own illustrators. I disagree with this method and think it is unfair. Why should you do all the legwork and the illustrator collect half the royalties without doing anything? But perhaps you can hook up with the right publisher.
I suggest finding an agent. A good move with the copyright. I also live in Buttonwood. We might be able to hook up some morning, afternoon or evening at say “Fish Hawk Rec Center and toss around ideas. Let me know. Tom

[K9-Lovers]

Try Tate Publishing also.

http://www.tatepublishing.com/?gclid=CN2l3czjlagCFQOt7QoduG0iZQ

[tudacee]

Congratulations....that's great!

I've had luck with my children's book on www.smashword.com

They publish ebooks through various outlets like amazon, or barnes and noble.
It's not hard copy, but sales seem better these days with kindles, nooks and such.

Let me know if you publish, wherever...I'd love to read it.
Donna

[TrudyM]

Amazon has a self publishing set up, It is called createspace. It is a print on demand system. You set up your book open a merchant account with Amazon if some one orders it they print it. I do not know if it is more or less expensive than those listed above. Or if it would work well for a book that is has a lot of pictures,

But to sell the book I know this works: (I was a temp in the small vendor group in books last Christmass)
You can set up a merchant account to sell any book that you have published by anyone for an annual fee that is low (don't know what it is at the moment but under $100) They will list just about anything under their Advantage (consignment) program. You own the book but a small number of copies sits in the Amazon warehouses when they sell it, you get paid and they order more.
They will then set you up with an online account that you can log into to manage the sale of your book. You must get an ISBN. (this is a number that identifies the book like a UPC but for books. The ISBN will be issued with a 13 digit identification and a shortened 10 digit format do not use these on two different books as they are recorded in the book industry as the same book)
A couple of last Christmas really good sellers were being sold direct by the author and they were then picked up by small publishing / distributing houses.
If you do it direct or through someone else Be sure to upload an image A book listed without visuals does not sell.
The online account lets you track sales edit the listing, confirm orders. print shipping labels, the works..

Go to Amazon.com and look all the way at the bottom and click on the links. You can also use the contact us link and email them with questions put a note in the first line that states. "Please forward to books small vendor group" They are pretty helpful as Amazons goal is to have every book that is in print available either directly or indirectly through Amazon. They will stock one copy of just about anything.

Hope this helps

[Boudicca]

Wow, thank you for such detailed assistance. Having "birth'd the baby" I have no idea what to do with it :) Thanks once again Sandra