| That's right. Talk about living with the competition! | | | | 5 days (we worked about 3-4 hours a day) we had |
| Guardian Angel Publishing ( a company specializing in | | | | what is called a dummy! |
| children's picture ebooks and paperbacks, has started | | | | When, a few months later, I stumbled upon Guardian |
| an imprint of books written and illustrated by children | | | | Angel Publishing, I knew I had to give it a try. Lynda |
| under twelve years of age. These books will be | | | | Burch, the publisher, answered the same day. She |
| given the same amount of attention as those written | | | | said she loved the book and would like to encourage |
| by their adult counterparts, distributed to schools and | | | | my daughter's talent. The rest is history. My daughter |
| libraries by Follett, Inc (the largest distributor of | | | | is the first author under this imprint but there are |
| children's ebooks to schools and libraries), and sold | | | | books by other young authors in line as well. |
| through all the major online retailers as well as on | | | | Is this to remain an oddity or will it become a trend? |
| order at any brick and mortar bookstore. The low | | | | I have devoted and plan to still devote time |
| expense of electronic and print-on-demand publishing | | | | promoting her book, but would a mom who is not an |
| has made this innovation possible. | | | | author know how to do this? What about book |
| Of course my daughter is thrilled… how can | | | | reviewing? So far I have not been too successful |
| she not be? Already all her classmates have asked | | | | gathering reviews because some reviewers, while |
| for her autograph and her school librarian bought a | | | | they congratulate my daughter on her achievement, |
| copy of her book. There's no question a thing like this | | | | aren't sure how to critique a child's work. As a |
| can do wonders for a child's confidence and self | | | | reviewer, I fully understand, so I'm concentrating on |
| esteem, not to mention the way it also encourages | | | | gathering endorsements instead. |
| and nurtures a child's artistic talents. She's already | | | | Guardian Angel Publishing is offering contests |
| planning a sequel and I can't blame her. Take a look | | | | sponsored in elementary schools and will select |
| at her book: | | | | winners for publication. If your child has written and |
| How did you find out about this publisher? How did | | | | illustrated a book and you would be interested in |
| your daughter write and illustrate a book? Does it | | | | seeing it published, you may find more information |
| take long? … You may ask yourself. | | | | and submission guidelines at: |
| Actually, I didn't even know there were publishers | | | | In the end, I think this is something schools should |
| who were doing this, and I stumbled upon this | | | | definitely get involved with in order to encourage |
| company while searching a publisher for myself. As to | | | | students to read and write. There must be |
| how did my daughter write and illustrate the book, it | | | | thousands of talented little authors out there who |
| happened last summer… yes, on those long, | | | | aren't even aware of their talents and whose |
| hot, and often boring summer days when you have | | | | creativity needs unleashing and nurturing. Even if you |
| nothing to do and wish school would start soon. We | | | | don't submit to a publisher (though I have to tell you, |
| turned the kitchen into an atelier--papers, paints, | | | | there's nothing quite like holding your child's published |
| pencils, crayons everywhere. I wanted to teach her | | | | book in your hands!) this is a fun and educational |
| the whole process of how a picture book is made. | | | | activity to do with your child during those long |
| She worked and I supervised. Sometimes I helped, | | | | summer holidays. |
| too. When she faltered, I kept encouraging her. After | | | | |