RiverCity Festival!

So sales have obviously been way down since the release of my first book almost exactly a year ago.  I haven't had a lot of luck with the Philadelphia bookstores (the few that there are) so I thought I'd try a more fun, alternative route:  getting a table at a festival.  It was a decision I do not regret.

The festival was called RiverCity Festival and it was held in Fishtown, a neighborhood in northeast Philly.  I labored beforehand, making prints of select artwork and some mini-Rennie's out of Sculpey and acrylic (which later turned out to be rather fragile in over-eager children's hands). 

 I had originally requested to be near the kids' activities, but it turned out the kids's activities were what seemed like miles away from the other vendors (separated by the music stage and a large soggy field).  I brought my trusty sidekick (the boyfriend) who very nicely lent me his folding table and a couple chairs.  We staked out a shady spot right next to the facepainting, thinking this would provide maximum exposure.  It didn't.  Instead my table got totally sidelined by all the other awesome hands-on flashy balloon-draped activities and we were completely ignored (and freezing cold).  After much debate, I asked the proper authorities to be relocated and after inspecting several potential lots, settled on some prime real estate right on a corner near the informal "entrance" to the festival.  It even had a much bigger table and chairs that you were supposed to pay for (I guess whoever was supposed to be there had already paid.  Thanks mystery craftsperson!)  

After that, traffic grew exponentially.  All in all I broke even and may have even made a profit (which I then spent on Christmas gifts), got lots of exposure, and even a few cards from some helpful fellow artists.  Everyone was very encouraging.  But the best experience was every time a child picked up my book and read it--some didn't even want to put it down, and one boy was practically dragged away by his parents (kind of sad he was dragged away from a book, but what can ya do).  

All this made me realize I really need to get back my Etsy store.

Update!

Still working on the Cousin Ann illustrations.  Will post more shortly!

San Francisco Publisher meeting!

So as many of you know, I took pretty much the most awesome vacation ever over Labor Day weekend with my boyfriend to visit some of his college friends out in San Francisco, CA.  It was my first trip to the west coast (I've been as far as the Grand Canyon/Las Vegas back in 5th grade) and seeing the Pacific Ocean (it is COLD).  But in addition to all the crazy funness (funness?) that went down with our friends, I also had a very wonderful meeting with my amiable publisher, Mr. Martin at Inner Light Books. 

This was very exciting as I have never met with a publisher to talk about my work before.  The closest I ever got was an anonymous critique at the SCBWI Eastern Pa conference in March (March?) and that was pretty one-sided.  I went to his adorable townhouse in the Mission District where he showed me some of his beautiful books (some printed by I.L.B.), lots of cool ethnic art on the walls, and I met his wife and his gray cat Don Quixote.  He looked over my design and illustrations for Cousin Ann, which he likes very much, and we basically talked about improving layout here and there, as well as perhaps adding more illustrations.  We also discussed the contract and payment (reasonable, in my opinion). The best thing out of it though is that he revealed he wants to do a hardcover version!  That may not mean much to anyone outside of the book business (maybe it does? I don't remember what it's like to be a civilian anymore, haha. Just kidding), but to me it means there will be a jacket with bios and a summary on it, more opportunities for reviews, a nicer looking product, and better quality.  

The publishing date is tentatively Dec. 1st, in time for Christmas (and my birthday! Happy birthday me, my first published book!)

Your Questions, Anwered!

I recently got an email from a fellow children's book writer asking for advice on getting your book into bookstores and getting signings.  She wanted to know if emailing press kits was better, or what.  This is a daunting task (for me, anyway) that I have seen a lot of buzz online about.  Here's what I wrote:

I would suggest stopping by during the store's business hours (try to pick a quiet, non-crowded time of course) and bringing a couple copies with you.  I've found that press kits are better for magazines and newspapers, and the occasional big store that doesn't always have the owner on premises.  With the small indie ones, showing up in-person to answer questions and put a face to the name is, I think, always better.

I haven't done as many signings as I'd like, but the ones I have done resulted from the networking and relationships I've made.  That's why it's so important to not hide behind a computer.

Also, and I didn't write this in the response, but make sure to have price points already planned out, at least in your head.  Have a suggestion and a calculation ready for when they ask you what kind of buyer discount you will give them (30-40 percent off is typical).  Or be ready to have them take a commission for each one they sell.  Either way, getting into the stores is probably one of the best (and most satisfying) ways to get your title (and name) out there.

In other news, I am meeting with my publisher at Inner Light Books in San Franscisco on Labor Day!  I am going out there for a personal vacation, but of course am more than happy to make a professional-development detour! :D

birds in a tree

Found out we can do Cousin Ann's Stories in color!  Here's the first illustration in the book (not counting the original frontispiece) for a poem about getting to know all the different kinds of birds.  But that's kind of obvious I guess.

Coming Soon!

I made this for a conference that Richard (my friend who's publishing the Cousin Ann book with me) is attending.

Publishing Announcement!

So if you've seen my blog lately, you'll notice I have been working on illustrations for a book of Quaker stories written by Ann Preston, a famous doctor in the 1800s.  I've been working on it with a friend of mine who is a professor at Temple U and an antiquarian bookseller (it was his idea, intro, and editing).  Well, he found us a publisher!  They're called Inner Light Books and they specialize in Quaker lit, appropriately enough.  They plan to have our book out by Nov. 2010, just in time for Christmas.  So if you like Quakers, or whimsical black-and-white ink illustrations, or morally-instructing tales of woe and horror, then start your Christmas list early and make this one number one!