Comments on: How to Publicize Your Children’s Book http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:59:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Elaine P. Birchfield http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-35420 Elaine P. Birchfield Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:13:22 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-35420 I self- published my first children's book,'Wilbur's First Adventure-The Beginning' last year and it became 'live' in May of '07. I contacted some big book stores about book signings and doing storytimes where I would go in and read to the children resulting in sales and the stores continuing to carry my books. Several Borders down in Georgia, where I am from, hosted such events for me with much success. I also was blessed enough to get my book into the school system in the county of North Carolina where I now live AND I have donated and done some book signings at some of the local libraries. The teachers at the local elementary school have made 'Wilbur' and me the annual Valentine event for the kindergarteners . All this has made my little book pretty well known in certain areas, but when you self-publish and don't have the marketing clout of major publishers behind you, it is up to you to get your book 'out there'. It really is a lot of fun and very fullfilling-- and seeing those little faces light up when you read your book, it really is a labor of love. My book is the beginning of a series and I already have the second one written and copyrighted. That is an important point for you that have not already published, be sure to get your works copyrighted to protect your ideas. I self- published my first children’s book,’Wilbur’s First Adventure-The Beginning’ last year and it became ‘live’ in May of ’07. I contacted some big book stores about book signings and doing storytimes where I would go in and read to the children resulting in sales and the stores continuing to carry my books. Several Borders down in Georgia, where I am from, hosted such events for me with much success. I also was blessed enough to get my book into the school system in the county of North Carolina where I now live AND I have donated and done some book signings at some of the local libraries. The teachers at the local elementary school have made ‘Wilbur’ and me the annual Valentine event for the kindergarteners . All this has made my little book pretty well known in certain areas, but when you self-publish and don’t have the marketing clout of major publishers behind you, it is up to you to get your book ‘out there’. It really is a lot of fun and very fullfilling– and seeing those little faces light up when you read your book, it really is a labor of love. My book is the beginning of a series and I already have the second one written and copyrighted. That is an important point for you that have not already published, be sure to get your works copyrighted to protect your ideas.

]]> By: Angela Hays Moore http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-24399 Angela Hays Moore Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:35:07 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-24399 It's a LOT of work to get your illustrated children's book out there, especially if you don't have big advertising dollars out there backing you! It will be one year since my first book, "Maggie Seeks the Kingdom of God" was published, and I actually took "Pre-orders" for the book before it was even hot off the presses. You need all the momentum you can possibly get!!! Mine was obviously a Christian book, so I contacted churches, children's ministries, Christian preschools and schools, and actually walked the books into bookstores, quaint little craft and antique stores, etc. to get my book out there! I spent some upfront money on some fantastic posters and 1,000 bookmarks (which I ran out of!) and I even ran a writing contest where the winner in each age category won a gift card at a Christian bookstore and of course, their own personal signed copy of "Maggie!" GREAT PR! I was invited to guest speak at churches and even a public school event. THESE are fantastic opportunities to get your book out there, and although people say that sales are so great at these and not to expect much, I'd say it's actually a good thing, and I would have done more, had I not been so busy with my five small children! Maybe on the next book! :) I also spent money on newspaper ads, a website (check it out: www.AngelaHaysMoore.com) and complimentary ads were provided me by a few church newsletters. Pastors were fantastic help and they became essential in book sales. I had 300 books when I started, and was out of stock in less than 2 months after I had the book in hand! It was a great experience and if you're thinking of self-publishing, investigate and research it thoroughly; be realistic about how much time and money it really takes; and then live your dream! I'd do it again. Really. I think the most interesting part was receiving emails and letters from all over the world (even Australia, Africa, and New Zealand) and hearing how people heard about "Maggie Seeks the Kingdom of God" and a little about them! Quite FUN!!!! Hope this helps and encourages you! :) Best of luck and many blessings, Angela Hays Moore It’s a LOT of work to get your illustrated children’s book out there, especially if you don’t have big advertising dollars out there backing you! It will be one year since my first book, “Maggie Seeks the Kingdom of God” was published, and I actually took “Pre-orders” for the book before it was even hot off the presses. You need all the momentum you can possibly get!!!

Mine was obviously a Christian book, so I contacted churches, children’s ministries, Christian preschools and schools, and actually walked the books into bookstores, quaint little craft and antique stores, etc. to get my book out there! I spent some upfront money on some fantastic posters and 1,000 bookmarks (which I ran out of!) and I even ran a writing contest where the winner in each age category won a gift card at a Christian bookstore and of course, their own personal signed copy of “Maggie!” GREAT PR!

I was invited to guest speak at churches and even a public school event. THESE are fantastic opportunities to get your book out there, and although people say that sales are so great at these and not to expect much, I’d say it’s actually a good thing, and I would have done more, had I not been so busy with my five small children! Maybe on the next book! :)

I also spent money on newspaper ads, a website (check it out: http://www.AngelaHaysMoore.com) and complimentary ads were provided me by a few church newsletters. Pastors were fantastic help and they became essential in book sales. I had 300 books when I started, and was out of stock in less than 2 months after I had the book in hand! It was a great experience and if you’re thinking of self-publishing, investigate and research it thoroughly; be realistic about how much time and money it really takes; and then live your dream! I’d do it again. Really.

I think the most interesting part was receiving emails and letters from all over the world (even Australia, Africa, and New Zealand) and hearing how people heard about “Maggie Seeks the Kingdom of God” and a little about them! Quite FUN!!!!

Hope this helps and encourages you! :)
Best of luck and many blessings,
Angela Hays Moore

]]> By: Madiha. http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-22177 Madiha. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:34:27 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-22177 Just like "Diana Epstein" said in one of the comments above, I too have written and illustrated a childrens book when I was 11. I too recently found it around the house and reading back on it, I think it was very well done and alot of children would enjoy reading the book. It's already all made, written, illustrated and even bound with homemade tape and glue. I would love to revamp this model, edit it, re-illustrate the drawings and make it look perfect. I would like to start somewhere...any help would be appreciated. Cheers. Just like “Diana Epstein” said in one of the comments above, I too have written and illustrated a childrens book when I was 11. I too recently found it around the house and reading back on it, I think it was very well done and alot of children would enjoy reading the book. It’s already all made, written, illustrated and even bound with homemade tape and glue. I would love to revamp this model, edit it, re-illustrate the drawings and make it look perfect. I would like to start somewhere…any help would be appreciated.

Cheers.

]]> By: Nora Jones http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-19984 Nora Jones Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:38:20 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-19984 Dear Valerie I am getting my book, 'Ice Palace', self-published by a company in Sydney named Little Steps Books. I have found them to be quite affordable and professional. Good luck and kind regards, Nora Jones Dear Valerie
I am getting my book, ‘Ice Palace’, self-published by a company in Sydney named Little Steps Books. I have found them to be quite affordable and professional.
Good luck and kind regards,
Nora Jones

]]> By: Valerie J McCooke http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-19935 Valerie J McCooke Mon, 22 Oct 2007 02:09:55 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-19935 Hello Fern I have several childrens stories that I have writen over the years. This all started off when my Granddaughter first returned home to live with her father after a horrid time with a mother with a life of abuse. She was 6 years old. She had nightmares every night, and to help her settle and go back to sleep I began to tell her stories. The stories are for children from birth to about 6-7 years old and range from Fairies to Clown Fish and a Grandfathers Chest. Over time my family and friends insisted that I write the stories down on paper. The stories are stilll popular with any small child that stays with my family. It would be a dream come true to publish any of these stories. Can this happen for a 60 year old grandmother who now love to sit and write stories for children? How can I start, and can this all happen in Western Australia, without costing me all my savings? Any help would be wonderful. Thank you and have a wonderful day Valerie Hello Fern
I have several childrens stories that I have writen over the years.
This all started off when my Granddaughter first returned home to live with her father after a horrid time with a mother with a life of abuse. She was 6 years old.

She had nightmares every night, and to help her settle and go back to sleep I began to tell her stories.

The stories are for children from birth to about 6-7 years old and range from Fairies to Clown Fish and a Grandfathers Chest.

Over time my family and friends insisted that I write the stories down on paper.

The stories are stilll popular with any small child that stays with my family.

It would be a dream come true to publish any of these stories.
Can this happen for a 60 year old grandmother who now love to sit and write stories for children?

How can I start, and can this all happen in Western Australia, without costing me all my savings?

Any help would be wonderful.

Thank you and have a wonderful day
Valerie

]]> By: Nadine O'Reilly http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-18999 Nadine O'Reilly Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:14:29 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-18999 I self-published a children's book for kids with life-threatening peanut allergies ("Peter Can't Eat Peanuts"). While it's been doing fairly well on Amazon.com, I'd love to get more publicity for it because there are millions of children with peanut allergies in the US and Canada who will benefit from having this book. My question is: When a niche is this targeted (which in turn results in a geographically scattered fan base that makes in-person appearance sales difficult), what is the best way to publicize? Thanks!!! PS: I've contacted Associations relating to food allergies for possible joint ventures, but no return contact from any yet! I self-published a children’s book for kids with life-threatening peanut allergies (“Peter Can’t Eat Peanuts”). While it’s been doing fairly well on Amazon.com, I’d love to get more publicity for it because there are millions of children with peanut allergies in the US and Canada who will benefit from having this book. My question is: When a niche is this targeted (which in turn results in a geographically scattered fan base that makes in-person appearance sales difficult), what is the best way to publicize? Thanks!!!
PS: I’ve contacted Associations relating to food allergies for possible joint ventures, but no return contact from any yet!

]]> By: Diana Epstein http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-18382 Diana Epstein Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:33:38 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-18382 I wrote and illustrated Billy Goes to the Moon, when I was between 15 and 16 years of age. It came out of hiding recently, and my son who loved it, suggested I self publish and go the distance so kids can enjoy my experience. I now need some help in finding out how to market the book. I would like to know what the next step is. I hope there is someone out there reading my message. Thanks , Diana Epstein I wrote and illustrated Billy Goes to the Moon, when I was between 15 and 16 years of age. It came out of hiding recently, and my son who loved it, suggested I self publish and go the distance so kids can enjoy my experience. I now need some help in finding out how to market the book. I would like to know what the next step is. I hope there is someone out there reading my message.
Thanks ,
Diana Epstein

]]> By: Kip Cosson http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/09/20/how-to-publicize-your-children%e2%80%99s-book/comment-page-1/#comment-18260 Kip Cosson Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:48:12 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=216#comment-18260 Fern, I recently just came out with my first children's book, Ned Visits New York. I agree book signings are a hard gig to do, you have to do something to create interest. I took my children's book - 8x8 and blew it up to a 20x20 book. By doing this it makes it more interesting and easier for the kids to see the book. It has actually become a great opening magic trick. I have the big book hidden under a black cloth on a stand. I then take the small book and put it under the cloth. With my magic wand I turn the small book into a big book. When I pull the cloth off there is a big book with the small book hidden behind the big book. Every time kids are wowed and It has been a great way to get their attention. Another thing I recently did at one of my children's book signings was to have a book signing at Meece Mouse's favorite place, Murray's Cheese. (Meece Mouse is one of the characters in my book) We announced the event as a grape juice and cheese tasting event, followed by Kip Cosson reading from his new book. I had a great turn out, sold 25 books!! I was happy, the store was happy, everyone was happy!! I agree with you that you need to keep it fun and exciting to get people's attention!! Thanks, Kip Cosson www.KipKids.com Fern,
I recently just came out with my first children’s book, Ned Visits New York.
I agree book signings are a hard gig to do, you have to do something to create interest.
I took my children’s book – 8×8 and blew it up to a 20×20 book. By doing this it makes it more interesting and easier for the kids to see the book. It has actually become a great opening magic trick. I have the big book hidden under a black cloth on a stand. I then take the small book and put it under the cloth. With my magic wand I turn the small book into a big book. When I pull the cloth off there is a big book with the small book hidden behind the big book. Every time kids are wowed and It has been a great way to get their attention.
Another thing I recently did at one of my children’s book signings was to have a book signing at Meece Mouse’s favorite place, Murray’s Cheese.
(Meece Mouse is one of the characters in my book)
We announced the event as a grape juice and cheese tasting event, followed by Kip Cosson reading from his new book.
I had a great turn out, sold 25 books!! I was happy, the store was happy, everyone was happy!!
I agree with you that you need to keep it fun and exciting to get people’s attention!!
Thanks,
Kip Cosson
http://www.KipKids.com

]]>