I would love your take on pricing hardcover POD picture books. The recent forced change to 40% on IS would mean a price hike. Not sure where to land with pricing given that the average PB retails for 17.99 and we were already at the top end of that market at 19.99. Any tips to find a pricing sweet spot would be much appreciated!
Printing, Distribution and Marketing are the key issues that I face. Finding affordable and reliable POD companies and Offset printing. Also having a better understanding of Author Central, A+ Content, and Amazon Advantage. Understanding how to control my marketing dollars when I place ads. The importance of picking the right keywords. These would all be helpful.
I'm laying out my 2nd book and I need to figure out how to adjust the opacity of the art behind my text. I feel too stupid to ask the right question. It's like 2nd grade when the teachers asks you to look up ptarmigan in the dictionary and you look under "T" because you don't know that it begins with a "P".
As the article says, go into it professionally. Don't beg and don't apologize. It's just: here's work for this amount. Are you interested? They will either say yes or no. Either way, you've been professional about it all.
Of course, I've been known to turn fan-girl on illustrators. I LOVE this part of your portfolio; oh, wow! that was an amazing illustration; I love your exuberant color palette; your line art is stunning. And so on. Enthusiasm for their art is always a good thing.
Hi Darcy, I submitted to the poll but now I have a burning question about marketing help. Both ibpa and ALLi seem really great. Do you recommend one over the other? I don’t need help or advice on the mechanics of publishing- I’ve published 5 books. It’s more about how to get into certain markets. Your advice about directed marketing is GREAT and I’ve used it. So thank you. I’m looking for help and deals regarding the libraries, subscription boxes etc.
I was wondering if they use Behance, childrensillustrators.com, e.g; or do they use other sources to find the illustrator they use. Do the ones they use only do work for traditional publishers or do they value indie author/publishers like us. I want to approach some illustrators that I just love their artwork but am hesitant because they’ve done work for traditional publishers.
I know my question is late but I thought I would ask anyway. I took the poll and I couldn’t think of a specific question at the time until now. I was wondering how traditional publishers go about picking an illustrator since you’ve been published through a traditional publisher. What source do they use? I ask because there are illustrators that I would love to use that I don’t know how to go about contacting them. Are they dedicated to them? I’m sure they are very expensive so I probably wouldn’t be able to use them but would like to know just in case. Thank you.
I'd be happy to share my experience self publishing a board book your substack, which I noticed is a topic you haven't covered and I get a lot of questions about due to the popular format and lack of print on demand options. Let me know :)
I would love your take on pricing hardcover POD picture books. The recent forced change to 40% on IS would mean a price hike. Not sure where to land with pricing given that the average PB retails for 17.99 and we were already at the top end of that market at 19.99. Any tips to find a pricing sweet spot would be much appreciated!
Yes, I should talk about that price hike! Pricing is a constant worry, isn’t it?
Darcy
Thank you! That would be truly appreciated!
Truly appreciate all your insight and love forward to a new post landing in my inbox!
Printing, Distribution and Marketing are the key issues that I face. Finding affordable and reliable POD companies and Offset printing. Also having a better understanding of Author Central, A+ Content, and Amazon Advantage. Understanding how to control my marketing dollars when I place ads. The importance of picking the right keywords. These would all be helpful.
Thanks! Lots of issues to discuss. I’ll try to cover some.
Darcy
I'm laying out my 2nd book and I need to figure out how to adjust the opacity of the art behind my text. I feel too stupid to ask the right question. It's like 2nd grade when the teachers asks you to look up ptarmigan in the dictionary and you look under "T" because you don't know that it begins with a "P".
thanks!
April - To be clear, the artists didn’t leave spaces for your text? So you need to put the text on top of the art?
Darcy
Karen:
As the article says, go into it professionally. Don't beg and don't apologize. It's just: here's work for this amount. Are you interested? They will either say yes or no. Either way, you've been professional about it all.
Of course, I've been known to turn fan-girl on illustrators. I LOVE this part of your portfolio; oh, wow! that was an amazing illustration; I love your exuberant color palette; your line art is stunning. And so on. Enthusiasm for their art is always a good thing.
Darcy
Hi Darcy, I submitted to the poll but now I have a burning question about marketing help. Both ibpa and ALLi seem really great. Do you recommend one over the other? I don’t need help or advice on the mechanics of publishing- I’ve published 5 books. It’s more about how to get into certain markets. Your advice about directed marketing is GREAT and I’ve used it. So thank you. I’m looking for help and deals regarding the libraries, subscription boxes etc.
They may need the work.
I guess I can just go for it.
I was wondering if they use Behance, childrensillustrators.com, e.g; or do they use other sources to find the illustrator they use. Do the ones they use only do work for traditional publishers or do they value indie author/publishers like us. I want to approach some illustrators that I just love their artwork but am hesitant because they’ve done work for traditional publishers.
I know my question is late but I thought I would ask anyway. I took the poll and I couldn’t think of a specific question at the time until now. I was wondering how traditional publishers go about picking an illustrator since you’ve been published through a traditional publisher. What source do they use? I ask because there are illustrators that I would love to use that I don’t know how to go about contacting them. Are they dedicated to them? I’m sure they are very expensive so I probably wouldn’t be able to use them but would like to know just in case. Thank you.
Hey, Karen:
Have you read this post? Does it answer your questions?
https://www.indiekidsbooks.com/p/illustrator-finding-and-working-with
If you still have questions after that, let me know.
Darcy
I need to find out the best way for someone to market children's picture books on line..
I'd be happy to share my experience self publishing a board book your substack, which I noticed is a topic you haven't covered and I get a lot of questions about due to the popular format and lack of print on demand options. Let me know :)
I sent you a message on FB. If you didn't get it, answer here and we'll find a way to connect.