Laughing Leopard Blog

Publishing: Expectations vs. Reality

4/28/2020

Think of your favorite book. Do you know who published it? Probably not, because as a reader, it doesn’t really matter to you.

When it comes to books, publishing is probably the aspect most veiled in mystery. Through school visits, meet-and-greets, social media, and even book jackets, readers have the opportunity to peek into the worlds of writing and illustrating. Even a reluctant reader knows a little about how a book is written, but how a manuscript goes from author to reader is much less known, even to writers.

This isn’t a problem for the average bibliophile, but when that reader turns writer, a lack of knowledge can lead to bad deals and disappointment. To help you avoid these downfalls, we’ve compiled a list of a few misconceptions new authors often face when they first start out in the publishing world.

1. The Publisher Handles All Marketing

You just snagged your first book deal-woohoo! Now you can just sit back, relax, and watch your book soar to the top of the sales chart, right? Wrong! Whether you are published by a small, independent publisher, or you have a deal with one of the Big 5, you are expected to be actively engaged in marketing your book. The smaller the publishing house, the larger your responsibility is likely to be.

Why is this the case? While, yes, it is your book that’s selling, it is also YOU. As the creator of the book, you have insight and interest that no one else can--or should try to--replicate. Readers want to know what inspired your character choices, how you came to become a writer, and what you have planned next for their favorite characters. You offer a heart to the story that can’t be mimicked by a marketing professional. Many authors struggle with feeling “gross” or mercenary selling their books, but remember, marketing is just a fancy word for connecting. If you don’t let readers know about your book, they will never get to enjoy it. And isn’t that the whole point?

2. Your Book Will Sell Millions

Many new authors believe that once their book is picked up by a publisher, they will soon be rolling in the royalty checks as their novel flies off the shelf. The reality is that very few books sell millions or make their writer’s wealthy. According to Publisher's Weekly, The average U.S. book sells an average of 3,000 copies over its lifetime.

A publisher can put your book out in the world, but they can’t make people buy it. Even when readers do love your book, it is up against strong and numerous competitors, fighting print, ebook, and audio, not to mention other viers for attention, such as Netflix and Hulu.

This can sound negative, but don’t lose heart. The beauty of the modern age is that there is more than one way to make a living off of writing. Consider blogs, guest articles, selling merchandise related to your book, speaking at events and conferences, or conducting school visits. These are all ways to connect with and build your audience, exercise your writing and communicating skills, and make a little extra cash along the way. Additionally, each book that you sell becomes one more coin in the bank of your brand and your recognizability. The next book you publish will likely have greater traction because readers have already purchased and loved your first book.

3. Your Next Book Will be Picked Up

In the world of publishing, you have to earn each book. Just because a publisher purchased your last title, does not mean they will publish your next. The truth is, publishing is a business and that business must cater to its target audience. Maybe your last picture book on tigers flew off the shelves, but this year tigers are out and your follow-up isn’t projected to do well. The publisher can’t risk a loss, and so they decide to pass. It’s all about finding a fit and a partnership that works well for everyone. You haven’t changed, but the book being sold--the product--has. New product equals new audience equals new consideration by the publisher.

4. If Your Book is Selected by a Publisher, No Changes Need Made

Yes, we know you have written draft after draft, edited, rewritten, and tweaked until your manuscript is perfect, but that by no means signifies it is done being changed. Once a company picks up a book, the hands that touch it go up exponentially. Editors will suggest character changes, plot shifts, not to mention title changes-yes, the author doesn’t always get to title the book! Your book might be your baby, but it is also a product, and that product must be perfectly packaged to sell.

5. It is a Quick Process

See above. There are a lot of people your book must pass through before it hits shelves. Once the manuscript has been finalized, the illustrator must be chosen, illustrations agreed upon, fonts selected, and a cover made. And that’s just the production of the book itself. Then there is a marketing plan to be set, publicity shots, tour schedules, pre-release reviews to be gathered, and more. In reality, most books take around 2 years to reach bookstores.

6. You Get to Choose Your Illustrator

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of writing a children’s book. While an author may get some say, it is usually the publisher who matches illustrators to picture books. There are many different reasons for this, but, for the most part, it comes down to experience and knowledge of the industry. Publishers know what sells and what is popular. They have seen which illustrations work best with which titles and they are applying that knowledge to your book.

A closely tied misconception is that publishers want picture book authors to submit manuscripts with illustrations. While there are always exceptions, typically (and especially when the author is brand new and unknown), the publisher wants a clean manuscript. Why? A book passes through many hands before arriving on shelves (again, see above!). From submission to publication, edits will be made, titles changed, characters added and subtracted, and more. To have to redo illustrations to match these changes is an unnecessary step and the hesitance to lose beloved drawings can even make needed changes to manuscripts that much more difficult.

7. If You’re Good, You’ll be Discovered

“If you write it, they will come”

Sadly, this does not apply in the publishing world. While there are one or two stories of authors getting discovered online or a publisher happening to pick up a book by an unknown, love it, and get it to the top of the best seller’s list, these stories are one in a trillion. Publishing is a business and publishers want to make sure their money is invested wisely. They don’t just want to make sure your book is good, they want to know that you are nice to work with, willing to put in marketing effort, and able to build positive relationships with stakeholders and readers. The more a publisher trusts you, or the person pitching your book, such as an agent, the better your chances are for being picked up.

If you want a publisher to notice your book, you have to get in front of them. This can mean pursuing an agent who can help connect you to a publishing house, mailing in queries, or establishing yourself in the industry by attending conferences and participating in conversations. Do you have to have connections to get published? No. But it helps. A miner is much more likely to discover a gem sitting in front of them than buried in the dirt!

***

The world of publishing is one that most readers know little about, yet it is a vital cog in the wheel that brings to life what we all love--books! In today’s easy-access universe, anyone can write a book and send it out to the world. As a result, some view the publishing industry as a money-hungry vestige of days gone by; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

While getting your book out through a publisher might mean longer timelines and the relinquishing of some control, it also means a lot of smart people doing their best to make your book the best it can be.

Going through a publishing house, whether traditional or independent, isn’t for everyone and, like all paths, it has its pros and cons. The important thing is to walk in with your eyes wide open so you can make the best decision possible for your book and get it into the hands of those that will cherish it.

4 FREE tools for your author marketing toolkit

Facing the Blank Page: Overcoming Fear in Writing blog cover

A.Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos, picture book cover

A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand.

Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series!

Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.

Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.

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This is A. Blob Readers' Theater

4/14/2020

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Readers’ Theater--What is it, and why is it important?

Readers’ Theater is a learning strategy that gained popularity in the classroom during the 1990s (though dramatizing stories has been around since long before then!). This strategy helps bring books to life while also developing reading fluency, public speaking skills, confidence, teamwork, and more.

Cara Bafile writes in a Reading Rockets article on the topic, “Its goal is to enhance students’ reading skills and confidence by having them practice reading with a purpose. Readers’ Theater gives students a real reason to read aloud.”

Because it is read out loud, Readers’ Theater can help students cultivate a whole host of skills that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom. Performing a script connects the way a word is read on the page to the way it is pronounced--a skill that even some adults struggle with! As they perform the play, students practice reading with expression, attaching meaning to words and phrases, and they learn how to work with their classmates to bring the story to life.

An added benefit is the opportunity for imaginative play. Readers’ Theater scripts are just one interpretation of a story. Once they get the hang of performing written scripts, students can be challenged to try writing their own scripts! Not only does this further build creativity and important literacy skills, it aids educators in assessing students' reading comprehension and discovering what lessons stick out to them as important.

From a social-emotional perspective, Readers’ Theater can help students empathize with the characters in the story and pick up on more subtle character traits and emotions.

Starting Readers’ Theater

So how do you dive into Readers’ Theater? While you can certainly adapt books into scripts for your classroom yourself, there are hundreds of free script adaptations of your favorite stories already available. Begin with a story your students are already familiar with and have a close connection to and search for a script that is at their reading level.

Allow plenty of practice time and assure students they do not need to memorize their scripts. In fact, they shouldn’t as reading is the primary goal of the exercise. In this Reading Rockets article, children's literature consultant, Judy Freeman, recommends performing the script at least twice. "The first time, the children will be struggling with words and their meanings, and with making sense of the play. The second time, they'll be able to focus on enjoying the performance and their parts in it.”

Four 4th grade boys and girls in red and white Dr. Seuss top hats read a story off of music stands to a group of kindergarteners seated in a library.

Photo by: Senior Airman Christopher ToonReleased | VIRIN: 120305-F-GE400-054.JPG

Some groups find it easier to begin with props, others find that their students put more effort into their performance when the aid of a set and props are not available.

And that's it! Readers' Theater is simple, effective, and easy to adapt for any age.

For more tips on starting your own Readers’ Theater, visit these resources:

Try It!

To kick off your Readers’ Theater journey, we've created a script adapted from L.A. Kefalos’s picture book, This is A. Blob. Click below to download your free copy.

Readers' Theater FREE Download

If you perform this readers’ theater, let us know in the comments. We’d love to see your interpretation!

*While this script is written for 5 students, it can easily be adapted for fewer numbers. The 2 narrators can be condensed to one and additional characters can be either condensed or multiple characters can be read by one student.

For more reading strategies and in-class social-emotional activities, check out these blogs:

This is...Learning to Look Beyond Labels, blog cover

This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos picture book cover

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Publishing: Expectations vs. Reality

1. The Publisher Handles All Marketing

2. Your Book Will Sell Millions

3. Your Next Book Will be Picked Up

4. If Your Book is Selected by a Publisher, No Changes Need Made

5. It is a Quick Process

6. You Get to Choose Your Illustrator

7. If You’re Good, You’ll be Discovered

This is A. Blob Readers' Theater

Readers’ Theater--What is it, and why is it important?

Starting Readers’ Theater

Try It!

About Laughing Leopard Press

Archives

Categories

Publishing: Expectations vs. Reality

1. The Publisher Handles All Marketing

​2. Your Book Will Sell Millions

3. Your Next Book Will be Picked Up

4. If Your Book is Selected by a Publisher, No Changes Need Made

5. It is a Quick Process

6. You Get to Choose Your Illustrator

7. If You’re Good, You’ll be Discovered

This is A. Blob Readers' Theater

​Readers’ Theater--What is it, and why is it important?

Starting Readers’ Theater

Try It!

About Laughing Leopard Press

Archives

Categories

2. Your Book Will Sell Millions

Readers’ Theater--What is it, and why is it important?