Hello all! Welcome back to Mother Nature's Heroes Family! Yes, we have been absent for a bit this summer!
So, what's new? Well, for the past couple of months I have been working diligently on my soon to be released preschool books!
We have an early middle grade novel doing quite well already! Sally the Snake -The Quest to the Beginning is well know in our community and several others in Southern Ontario! She has been well received and is the first in a series of middle grade novels which will eventually link with our upper middle grade novel entitled: Bala the Unicorn -The fight for Survival.
We will be releasing 4 preschool books this Fall! Here's a sneak peek at some of the illustrations and a bit of their storylines.
The first is called: Mr. Toad and the Volcano. This is a story about a toad hopping into a volcano and having to find a way out!!!
This story was the very first I told at a local day care in 2011! Upon telling the story, I asked the children how Mr. Toad could possibly get out of the Volcano. One thing you need to know, these were Toddlers! One little boy shouted out an answer which became the end of the story. Thank you Wil! Telling this story led to the next. I usually make them up as I go, not knowing what is going to happen but always making sure the children are interested. If they're not, change it up!
The second preschool book is: Bunny and the Rocket Ship. Bunny wants to go to outer space but meets with danger during her trip!
The third and fourth books are: The Chocolate Monster and the Curse, The Chocolate Monster and the Witch. These books were made from one into two books due to the length of the story. They are about a chocolate monster, and evil witch and a curse that couldn't be broken!
These stories have been well told for the past 6 years! Finally, after not originally considering publication, I have decided to take these well loved stories to print! With full illustrations each page, your child will have the unique opportunity to colour their own book!Yes, you read correctly! The stories are line drawings! Children will be able to personalize their story as they like!
After polling close to one hundred children, the vote was unanimous! Every single child would want their own unique story to colour!
Each of the illustrations was hand drawn, free hand, no tracing or help from an outside party involved.So, why am I telling you this? Because once upon a time there was a little girl with a dream but no one (except her Mother), teacher, family, friend had faith she could do much of anything, she was little, quiet and not outgoing. Being an Author and more specifically an Illustrator was out of the question. Do you know how many people want to be the next big thing? Too much competition, you're not an artist, everyone does it, thousands write and never get published, self-publishing isn't recognized, and on and on and on.
The thing is, self-publishing is being recognized! Long gone are the days where all you had to do was look at a book and know right away it was self-published. Years ago I purchased a book from a self-published Author, wanting to support him in his dream. Upon opening the book, I noticed the haphazard margins, lack of consistency in the print, the length of the pages, the poor colour, etc. Yes, this was definitely self-published. I felt bad for this man.
Now, self-publishing involves editing, correct margins, precise colouring of illustrations, obtaining ISBN's, and promotion, promotion, promotion among other things!
I had the good fortune to have lengthy emails, a couple years ago, with a well-published and well-known children's Author who has travelled our great country at length. (Due to the unavailability of this person and not being able to request a quote, I am unable to reveal his name.) I was educated about the publishing world quite thoroughly. At this time, this Author has sold a million of his books and is still going! And he is self-published! How's that for legitimacy?
What I have learned is that neither the self-publishing or traditional publishing houses have much nice to say about one another. If you pursue the traditional route, it is often best to have an agent. Obtaining one is difficult to say the least. There is no guarantee they will sell your book. If they charge you, they are not a legitimate agent. Real agents only get paid if you get paid, remember that.
After attending several writing seminars, writing courses and researching for hours and hours, I have learned there are both positives and negatives to each world. It is more difficult to find an agent and publishing house, but the marketing and exposure is vast.
While self-publishing may appear the easy route, you have to market and promote which can be challenging given your knowledge and sales ability. After all, you are selling yourself.
I was originally signed by a boutique publisher. The back and forth from one contact to another over a span of several months, 4 different people in total I believe, was stressful. I never knew who knew what about my contract, or who was doing what or why did they give me contact after contact?The original contract was not honoured and after a year and a half of nonsense, I ensured it was terminated. Needless to say, not all small publishing companies are honest or care about the author. Sad, but true.
So, in the end, you must set your priorities, your commitment, your time, and your level of persistence to help you determine the best path for you. Talk to Authors, take courses, attend seminars and meet agents. Get a feel of what you're willing to do.
The one positive from the boutique publisher was the lack of Illustrator they were to obtain. This never happened. How is this a positive? I forced myself to be the Illustrator and now I will have completed 5 books as of this fall. How's that for determination!
You never know what you're capable of or what your priorities actually are until you are in the situation. Focus, strive for your dream. Always.
And no I haven't forgotten Fact or Fiction Friday. The last entry was the Shed. Did you guess is correctly? Fiction? Yes, although the actual Shed is located in the Halton region of Southern Ontario.
We are all Mother Nature's Heroes, all deserving of life, together.
