As one of the top kidlit writing websites, one that appears first in numerous Google searches, with thousands of followers, thousands of daily hits…
…I’m here to tell you that this platform doesn’t necessarily yield book sales. It yields emails from writers asking how to self-publish.
(Speaking of my books, I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK was just released and LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD comes out next month. Did you get yours yet?)
Listen, I’m not bashing those who want to be their own children’s publisher. Everyone dreams of being an author, don’t they? There are some projects that are close to people’s hearts. Stories they want to share, to inspire others. And everyone has to start somewhere. A lot of people seem to start with me.
But why me? I have no experience in self-publishing. Zero. I don’t know the first thing about it and I’d be lost if I tried to do it myself!
Here are my top 5 reasons for choosing NOT to self-publish picture books:
- You prefer the professional backing of a traditional publisher, from production to distribution to promotion.
- You aren’t an illustrator. You want a publisher who can attract top-notch illustrative talent.
- You realize how difficult it is to sell a book to the public, to bookstores, to libraries, to schools…and could not do it alone.
- You welcome input from the creative team and find it invaluable for making your book the best it can possibly be.
- You prefer advances over expenses.
These are my personal reasons. Your mileage may vary, but I’m guessing that many traditionally-published authors feel similarly.
Here are my top 5 reasons to choose self-publishing:
- The story you want to tell—you MUST tell—isn’t commercial enough to secure a traditional publisher, or it is in an experimental or non-standard format.
- You prefer artistic autonomy.
- You have capital available to invest in quality contractors to help you with the entire process, from production to distribution to promotion.
- You have an established platform/audience via which to promote and sell the book.
- You enjoy taking risks. You thrive on it!
If you really want the low-down on self-publishing children’s books, Kidlit411 has put together a marvelous resource list. Also read Chuck Wendig (stop calling it “self-publishing” and get your boomcake on). Check out Will Terry and Dar Hosta, two successful independent author-illustrators.
Me, I’m probably the worst source of information on self-publishing. Unless you’re reading this post. Then I’m okay.
And maybe I’m a better source when it comes to giving advice to on-a-whim-don’t-wanna-do-this-for-a-living writers. Here’s a conversation I tend to have once a week:
“You know, I wrote a little story like Goodnight Moon last year. Now I need to find an agent, right?”
“Oh, that’s great, but I’m going to be completely and brutally honest with you here: it’s not something you’ll want to do unless your heart is set on it as a career.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really. It takes years to land an agent. And then, sometimes, years to find a publisher, if you even find one at all.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Well, I just wanted to have a hard copy for the kids. Maybe I should try Snapfish?”
“Yes, absolutely. Snapfish is wonderful.”
P.S. I also recommend Storybird, Bueller.
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
27 comments
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September 16, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Teresa Robeson
Did you put padding on your walls from having to bash your head so much when you read your emails? 😉
September 16, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Tara Lazar
One of the reasons for writing this post. So many people ask and I never have a good answer. Others do.
September 16, 2015 at 5:54 pm
Teresa Robeson
Well, it’s an excellent post and I hope you won’t have to head-desk again. LOL!
September 16, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Susan Halko
Just ordered I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK. Can’t wait!
September 16, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Tara Lazar
Tee hee. Thanks!
September 16, 2015 at 5:05 pm
hethfeth
Tara, great article. I say thank goodness for the gate keepers. As a parent and as a reader of picture books, I want to see quality products on the shelves. As a writer, I hope the gatekeepers keep me locked out until I produce something really amazing and worthy of publication.
September 16, 2015 at 5:06 pm
terrycpierce
Awesome, Tara. THANK YOU!
September 16, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Anne Bromley
Thank you, Tara, for telling it like it is. I do so appreciate your generous honesty and your dedication to quality. Hard as it is, I think the traditional route is the best one for me.
September 16, 2015 at 6:56 pm
Michelle R. Eastman
Excellent post! I think publishing is much like childbirth and motherhood, no one truly understands until they have experienced it! Ha!
September 17, 2015 at 7:06 am
Ali Pfautz
Oh yes, Michelle!! 🙂
September 16, 2015 at 7:14 pm
Deb Lund
Thank you! I’m sending all my questioners to you from now on! JK I value your friendship too much for that. ; ) And Michelle, I always say it’s like giving birth (or building a house). Somethings are better when you don’t know all the details before you begin. It’s a hard but good life…
September 16, 2015 at 7:48 pm
melinkee
I think assisted publishing sounds better than self publishing. Either way Tara I love your sense of humor. There are reasons to head bang with both! UGH!
September 17, 2015 at 8:32 am
Tara Lazar
Or wouldn’t you rather be called a “publisher”? Because that’s what you are if you self-publish. It’s a far better term and reflects all the work that goes into producing a book.
September 16, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Nice post, Tara. This is what needs to be said and what many need to hear. Thanks for the post.
September 16, 2015 at 8:14 pm
elainekielykearns
Wiser or truer words have never been spoken! Thanks for the shout out, Tara!
September 16, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Peter Taylor
Although I’ve had 5 non-fiction books for adults and older children published over the years, since starting to write children’s stories, it took me 14 years for my first traditionally published picture book to be released. It was worth the wait. OK, I may be a slow learner, but I’ve also written allegorical and ‘pourquoi’ stories when they are not in vogue (when they next become popular, I’ll have something ready in my bottom drawer).
I will consider self-publishing for some niche subjects. However, no truly professional or acclaimed illustrator is going to illustrate a self-published picture book as ‘a promotional opportunity’ or for a percentage of sales that may not happen. I’m greedy and have always wanted the best.
Perfect picture books are not ‘my book’, but ‘our book’. Every author imagines certain pictures while writing. Self-publishers almost always insist on instructing the illustrator. BIG mistake. The author’s vision should be irrelevant. Traditional publishers keep author and illustrator apart for good reason, and choose illustrators to create ‘….what no one else could possibly imagine from the text’ (Art Director from Charlesbridge). On receiving the text from the publisher, a very famous illustrator immediately deletes all illustration suggestions by a multi-award-wining author, and another will not work on a text that includes even one suggestion.
As an author self-publisher, you are allowed to be a control freak in choosing the paper stock and book size – though even that may be best controlled by a specialist Book Designer. If you want the best book possible that will compare favourably with a traditionally published book, you must play by the same rules as their publishers. And surely you want the best book – it will be an advertisement for you? The text has to be professionally edited. And even the most famous and highly acclaimed illustrators value and want advice from an Art Director. A traditional publisher’s Book Designer will also work for hours on the choice and kerning of the type, and also fret about type size, layout, space between lines of type, space between words (all adjustable in ‘In Design’) …and they’ll work on maybe 30 options for the cover and consider enhancements like embossing or debossing the cover design, adding foiled lettering…
And then there’s the low wholesale price of the finished traditional product, marketing and distribution in place…
September 16, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Carrie Charley Brown
Now we can all just offer this link whenever questions pop up! 🙂
September 16, 2015 at 9:50 pm
lindamartinandersen
Ditto what Carrie Charley Brown said! Tara, you have so much to offer. I can understand why writers would ask you for tips on many writing topics. Maybe you need a gatekeeper too! Sorry I don’t know anything willing to do it for free. 😉
September 16, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Minuscule Moments
Good Stuff! I want to go the traditional road and if I ever land a publishing deal at least I know my work is of its highest quality. Im in for the long road, thanks for your honesty.
September 16, 2015 at 10:33 pm
Tienny The Storyteller
Thanks for this.
>
September 17, 2015 at 5:15 am
Jo Hart
It’s funny you just posted this, as I did a post on self-publishing today, too. I wrote about the reasons why I’ve decided to self-publish. Which http://johartauthor.com/2015/09/17/why-i-decided-to-self-publish-prize-winners-announced/ Which isn’t to say I won’t still be pursuing traditional publishing, especially in regards to PBs.
September 17, 2015 at 7:05 am
Ali Pfautz
Great post, Tara! I follow you for your wonderful humor and your honesty! I’m one of those that went down the indie path because I have a marketing platform that is strong right now, my storytelling business. The bulk of my books are sold when I’m visiting schools or performing in the community. I’m not getting any younger, and I knew the timing was right! I set out with the goal of making my work the best it could be through critique groups, editors, and beta readers. I’m not an artist, (can’t even draw stick figures-ha!) so I’ve sought out illustrators who believe in my work and want to get their work out there, too. But here’s the truth… I still have that little twinge in me that says “you need an agent.” I have a few stories that need more “production value” than I can manage/afford. So, I do still submit, hoping something will happen… but in the meantime, I’m also making things happen… and it works for me.
September 17, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Jenifer Heidorn
You’ve captured the why and why not perfectly! As an scbwi regional advisor, I often receive this question from people new to the industry. I’m definitely going to refer others to your spot-on, straight-forward wisdom. Thank you.
September 17, 2015 at 8:30 pm
Moderator
Reblogged this on Young People's Pavilion.
September 21, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
I always appreciate and love your honesty. And it’s pretty sweet that you also make me laugh! L’shana tova to you and yours.
October 2, 2015 at 6:57 am
ajflowers
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
In my humble opinion I think self-publishing is slowly gaining popularity and means to filter between poor and high quality publications. One being websites that rate self-published books, have a spot light and overall give a bag of goodies that readers will enjoy. I hope this trend continues!
October 21, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Kristen Steele
Your fourth reason to pursue self-publishing is a really good one. If you have an established audience on social media, an email list, blog, etc., then self-publishing could be a great idea since your market is already established.