My daughter is a publicist, and she reached out to The Children’s Book Review on behalf of my picture book. In the reply, I’m offered the opportunity for a “Dedicated “ review ( cost $285). I’m willing to pay for the review if it’s worth it. What do you think?
That's one of those judgment calls. What is the reputation of Children's Book Review with your audience. (My audience goes for School Library Journal, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books, Shelftalker, and Horn Book.) Some schools subscribe to CBR, but does YOUR audience reliably go there?
Thanks for these details! I’ll do some research and think about my audience. I’m an educator, and have started reading my book in schools, so the school market is something I’ll explore.
As usual, you keep me going. I've published 20 books in 9 months. Not quite all up yet. I listened to you about niche marketing and now have a series I think might be a good one. But I'm piling up books and still not getting noticed too much. I remember you saying that you have each of your books reviewed by Kirkus. That's a lot of money. But it looks like it has been worth the investment for you.
Hey, Tricia: I’m slow compared to you. I only publish 4-6 books/year. Not 20!
As for Kirkus, I know that my audience is school librarians and teachers and they care about reviews. If I was publishing ebooks for adults, then I’d never do that. The question is who is your audience? Do they care? For example, if you’re in KU, those parents tend not to care about reviews as much. So, only do it if you think your audience cares.
The broader the base, the higher the pyramid, I keep this in mind. Risk: Form an LLC & publish 3 books/year for the next 10 years. I must recalibrate my retirement since my husband died. The IRS w/view this LLC as a hobby unless I produce sales! Challenges: #1 Time Mgt. I will recertify my teacher license in 2023, and still sub in the high schools next 2-3 years (don’t quit your day job! 😊). #2 Money: I paid $450 for a trademark. It failed because words like learners and cat were too common. I did get a Visual Arts copyright on the logo through the U.S. Copyright Office. I stretch money out like a rubber band & am on target to get the 1st book published (Sept. 2024 Darcy’s 6-Month Countdown = March 2024), then 3 books per year thereafter. Focus is schools & libraries (w/Library Marketing Plan). Successes: Jeniffer Thompson/IBPA says the best way to sell your 1st book is thru your 3rd book because you’ve had time to build your brand & following. I gave 300 bookmarks w/my logo to my Chamber of Commerce’s for their Classic Car Show goodie bags in Aug. (local support) I gave 450 bookmarks to my state childcare org. for their Family Network goodie bags in Oct/NAEYC (branding). Next year, I’ll give the same w/1st book cover reveal including www & available on amazon. I have 6 books professionally edited & 4 illustrated. Since my audiences are schools & libraries, I’ll have Kirkus & PW reviews; Lexile reading levels; BISAC codes; Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH); & Library of Congress Control numbers (LCC done by hired professional) for each book. Contests: I’ve entered unpublished ones like Late Bloomer/SCBWI (over age 50) & others. I’ve joined organizations to help me learn & to expand my skill- set. This July, ACFW had a KidLit Group approved: 4th Tues/month-zoom. Although I don’t write exclusively for the Christian market, it’s a good group to build relationships with for a newbie. It’s fun! Appreciate all you do!
Wow! You are taking solid steps toward your goal! You’ll be amazed at how much can be done in just a year or two! Congratulations on accepting the challenge!
Darcy, I signed up but I didn’t see how I could let them know I can’t physically attend. Maybe I can attend another one you do. I’m very glad and excited I will be able to watch it. Thanks.
Your success stories are a motivator and a blessing. I struggle to find the time to really work on my books because I have a full time job/mom and two very needy dogs. One day.
Hi Darcy, I can’t attend the webinar but I would like access to the recordings. Can I sign up and be able to look at the recordings for the limited time?
Hi Darcy,
My daughter is a publicist, and she reached out to The Children’s Book Review on behalf of my picture book. In the reply, I’m offered the opportunity for a “Dedicated “ review ( cost $285). I’m willing to pay for the review if it’s worth it. What do you think?
Prudence
That's one of those judgment calls. What is the reputation of Children's Book Review with your audience. (My audience goes for School Library Journal, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books, Shelftalker, and Horn Book.) Some schools subscribe to CBR, but does YOUR audience reliably go there?
Up to you!
Darcy
Thanks for these details! I’ll do some research and think about my audience. I’m an educator, and have started reading my book in schools, so the school market is something I’ll explore.
As usual, you keep me going. I've published 20 books in 9 months. Not quite all up yet. I listened to you about niche marketing and now have a series I think might be a good one. But I'm piling up books and still not getting noticed too much. I remember you saying that you have each of your books reviewed by Kirkus. That's a lot of money. But it looks like it has been worth the investment for you.
Hey, Tricia: I’m slow compared to you. I only publish 4-6 books/year. Not 20!
As for Kirkus, I know that my audience is school librarians and teachers and they care about reviews. If I was publishing ebooks for adults, then I’d never do that. The question is who is your audience? Do they care? For example, if you’re in KU, those parents tend not to care about reviews as much. So, only do it if you think your audience cares.
Darcy
The broader the base, the higher the pyramid, I keep this in mind. Risk: Form an LLC & publish 3 books/year for the next 10 years. I must recalibrate my retirement since my husband died. The IRS w/view this LLC as a hobby unless I produce sales! Challenges: #1 Time Mgt. I will recertify my teacher license in 2023, and still sub in the high schools next 2-3 years (don’t quit your day job! 😊). #2 Money: I paid $450 for a trademark. It failed because words like learners and cat were too common. I did get a Visual Arts copyright on the logo through the U.S. Copyright Office. I stretch money out like a rubber band & am on target to get the 1st book published (Sept. 2024 Darcy’s 6-Month Countdown = March 2024), then 3 books per year thereafter. Focus is schools & libraries (w/Library Marketing Plan). Successes: Jeniffer Thompson/IBPA says the best way to sell your 1st book is thru your 3rd book because you’ve had time to build your brand & following. I gave 300 bookmarks w/my logo to my Chamber of Commerce’s for their Classic Car Show goodie bags in Aug. (local support) I gave 450 bookmarks to my state childcare org. for their Family Network goodie bags in Oct/NAEYC (branding). Next year, I’ll give the same w/1st book cover reveal including www & available on amazon. I have 6 books professionally edited & 4 illustrated. Since my audiences are schools & libraries, I’ll have Kirkus & PW reviews; Lexile reading levels; BISAC codes; Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH); & Library of Congress Control numbers (LCC done by hired professional) for each book. Contests: I’ve entered unpublished ones like Late Bloomer/SCBWI (over age 50) & others. I’ve joined organizations to help me learn & to expand my skill- set. This July, ACFW had a KidLit Group approved: 4th Tues/month-zoom. Although I don’t write exclusively for the Christian market, it’s a good group to build relationships with for a newbie. It’s fun! Appreciate all you do!
Wow! You are taking solid steps toward your goal! You’ll be amazed at how much can be done in just a year or two! Congratulations on accepting the challenge!
Darcy
Darcy, I signed up but I didn’t see how I could let them know I can’t physically attend. Maybe I can attend another one you do. I’m very glad and excited I will be able to watch it. Thanks.
I looked at the bottom of the e-mail and I can do just as I asked. Thanks.
Your success stories are a motivator and a blessing. I struggle to find the time to really work on my books because I have a full time job/mom and two very needy dogs. One day.
Ok, thanks.
Hi Darcy, I can’t attend the webinar but I would like access to the recordings. Can I sign up and be able to look at the recordings for the limited time?
Karen:
You would need to quickly reach out to the Highlights Foundation and ask. I don’t know the answer.
Darcy