Why Subscribe to Indie Kids Newsletter?
Why Subscribe to Indie Kids Newsletter?
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Hi, I’m Darcy Pattison. Here’s a question for you: how can you successfully bring your children’s book to market?
For the last eight years, I’ve worked hard to bring about fifty children’s books to market through my publishing company, MimsHouseBooks.com. Along the way, I’ve set up systems that support such things as writing, layout and design, editing, publishing, advertising, and sales.
Let’s talk! Anything the indie publishing world talks about is fair game, but we’ll spin it for children’s books.
When you hear about this layout or that marketing technique, the question is always, “Will it will apply to children’s books?” Maybe. Maybe not. We have a unique market which requires us to do things OUR way. Come read, comment, and help me create a resource for those coming behind us.
Why I’m qualified to write this!
Since 2013, I’ve independently published about 50 children’s books. Here’s some highlights of the Mims House Books publishing program:
Four NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books of the Year
Four Starred reviews: PW and Kirkus
One NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts
Two Junior Library Guild selections
Two Eureka! NonFiction Honor Book from the California Reading Association
Chinese translations - four-book series
Korean translations - one book and then a six-book series.
1.5 million reads on the EPIC! reading app
I’ve taught a Novel Revision retreat across the US, and taught at the Highlights Foundation. I have spoken at the national conferences for the Nation Science Teaching Association, the American Library Association, the National Convention of Teacher’s of English, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For six years, I was the SCBWI Regional Advisor for Arkansas. In short, I know children’s books and this industry.
This is switching to a free and a paid resource.
BASIC - Free
You’ll find articles here about the basics of writing and publishing a children’s book. For example, what fonts works well for children’s books? Do you need a catalog for your publishing program? See other topics here. Be part of a community of people writing and publishing for kids. Our unique audience means we must find new answers to old questions. Let’s discuss our options!
ADVANCED - Paid
Have you published one or two books? The paid option will discuss advanced topics in independently publishing children’s books. For example, in 2022, I attended three conventions:
Kidscreen, for those who produce video for kids
Licensing Expo, where licensing deals get made
Toy Fair, for those who create toys for kids.
They all feature smart people who work to entertain and educate kids. How does independent publishing fit into the wider world?
OR, the topic of distribution always needs a new shake up. Where do you distribute? Could you expand that somehow?
Topics will come from my work. Or suggest topics from the work you are doing! Let’s talk!
Why Subscribe?
EXPERIENCE. I am committed to writing and publishing children’s books, bringing books that I love to market so they reach the hands of the right child reader. Everything here is filtered through that lens of eight-years of experience. I’ve made so many mistakes and yet found a way to earn enough to keep working.
ANALYSIS. You need to step back and take a wider view of this industry and your place in it. The advanced level will take that wide view and show how we can writer better and find better markets for our books.
HOPE. In everything I teach, my job is to spread hope. It’s not a touchy, feely hope based on well, hope. Instead, solid information, facts, strategies and ideas give you hope of finding your way through the maze of publishing. Successfully. Sanely. With joy.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Nothing. If you are already subscribed, you do NOT have to do anything. You’ll stay subscribed to the free basic posts.
Sign up for Paid Subscription. However, if you want to talk about more advanced topics, you’ll need to upgrade your subscription. Click on the button and follow directions.