As you all know, the publishing industry works at a snail’s pace. Maybe slower. It takes time to find the right publisher and go through all the steps necessary to publish a book. Writers must be perseverant and patient.
But the actual writing process also takes time. This was the case with my new picture book NO BEARS ALLOWED. Here’s a quick timeline for how things went down, from concept to publication:
2012
Yay! An idea was born. Believe it or not, this book started with an inside joke (but don’t ask me to explain it to you, it makes no sense!). Yet somehow, the phrase “No Bears Allowed” stuck with me. I saw humor in it, and I knew that one day, it would become a children’s book. I tucked it away in my inspiration folder, where it would remain for 3 years.
2015
I was leafing through my ideas one day, and I stumbled across the phrase that I had once fallen in love with. That’s the moment I committed to developing this story. I wrote the first draft, and the second, and so on, so on. I kept getting stuck on the ending, so it took about 8 months to write. Then I swiftly sent it off to my critiques partners, who helped me bring the text to the next level. By the end of the year, I had a polished book. Now, I just needed to sell it.
2016
This was a milestone year. I got my first agent! I did my happy dance for days. In my naiveté, I thought I would soon be swimming in contracts from the Big Five. NO BEARS ALLOWED would surely find its home in a few months, right?!
Nope. That’s not how the cookie crumbled. My then-agent did submit it to various publishers, but never followed up because we had decided to part ways. So there I was, agent-less, contract-less, and feeling utterly and completely dejected.
2017
But wait, suddenly there was hope on the horizon! After receiving 3 offers, I landed a new agent at a reputable firm. My dreams were back on track. Except—this agent didn’t want to submit NO BEARS ALLOWED because they felt it was a “quiet” story.
I decided to take matters into my own hands, and with that agent’s blessing, I subbed it on my own. A few months later, I received an R & R (revise & resubmit) request from Alayne Christian, editor at Blue Whale Press. I revised the text, and they acquired it. It went through several rounds of rigorous editing, but it was smooth sailing after that. We found a talented illustrator, Tara J. Hannon, who not only produced quality work, but did so quickly.
2019
Victory! By May of 2019, I was holding the ARC in my own hands. It was definitely worth the wait. I’m ecstatic that my story made its way into the world. Its themes touch on overcoming one’s fears and resisting the urge to judge others and make preliminary assumptions. If everyone could follow this advice, we would be living in a very different world!
NO BEARS ALLOWED will be officially released July 1. It’s now available for pre-sale.
About the book:
Rabbit is afraid of many things, but most of all he’s afraid of gigantic, monstery, BEARS! The very nervous Rabbit is soon confronted by his worst fear who appears to be far more interested in making new friends than causing Rabbit any real harm. Despite his apprehension, Rabbit agrees to join his jovial new acquaintance for dinner, but wait a minute . . . is Bear planning to “have” Rabbit for dinner? In this tender story about a very nervous rabbit and a lovable bear, Rabbit discovers that things aren’t always as scary as they seem, and sometimes you may just have more in common with others than you think.
Lydia Lukidis is a children’s author with a multi-disciplinary background that spans the fields of literature, science and theater. So far, she has over 40 books and eBooks published, as well as a dozen educational books. Her latest STEM books include The Broken Bees’ Nest and The Space Rock Mystery.
Lydia is also passionate about spreading the love of literacy. She regularly gives writing workshops in elementary schools across Quebec through the Culture in the Schools Program. Her aim is to help children cultivate their imagination, sharpen their writing skills and develop self-confidence. Visit her at lydialukidis.com.
56 comments
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June 6, 2019 at 10:15 am
Jacqueline Adams
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your book’s journey from idea to publication! I always enjoy the insights that come from reading the story behind the story.
June 6, 2019 at 10:15 am
Dea Brayden
Thanks for sharing this path to publication, Lydia. It’s helpful and hopeful to those like me who are relatively new in all of this. Congratulations! I look forward to reading your book. Glad you persisted.
June 6, 2019 at 10:19 am
Anita Banks
Congrats to a successful journey, with preserverance.
June 6, 2019 at 10:21 am
Angie
Oh, fun! Three cheers for QUIET books. 🙂 Congratulations! Love the story of your journey.
June 6, 2019 at 10:37 am
Lydia Lukidis
YAY for quiet stories! They, too, have a place in the market.
June 6, 2019 at 10:29 am
Krista Harrington
Lydia, thank you for the reassurance that publication is a slow process.
Your book looks so cute!
June 6, 2019 at 10:30 am
viviankirkfield
I always love hearing the back story behind the story…thanks so much, Tara, for shining the spotlight on Lydia’s journey. And Lydia…I can’t wait to give you a Perfect Picture Book Friday shout out on my blog later this month!
June 6, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Lydia Lukidis
Thank-you Vivian! You are a great light in the world of kidlit.
June 6, 2019 at 10:46 am
Karin Larson
Congratulations, Lydia. I love “quiet” stories. It is always nice to hear stories that reaffirm the notion that persistence pays.
June 6, 2019 at 10:52 am
Suzanne Lewis
Congratulations, Lydia! You’ve really encouraged me to polish and submit (first to CPs!) my quiet story. Thank you!
June 6, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Lydia Lukidis
YES! There is a place for it 🙂
June 6, 2019 at 11:38 am
Dawn Prochovnic
What a great post! Congrats on this upcoming book! The publishing industry timeline is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. The idea for one of my new books coming out this fall revealed itself to me back in 2004 …! This was followed by many revisions and critique, some close calls with acquisitions … lots of waiting…waiting…waiting …. more revisions …. waiting… waiting …. waiting … then some hurrying… followed by more waiting ; 0
June 6, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Lydia Lukidis
I hear you! But you stuck it out, congrats on the upcoming book 🙂
June 6, 2019 at 11:45 am
rindabeach
Thank you for reminding me to persevere on and that sometimes you have to step backwards, to step forwards. Here’s to the bears who are making their debut in your book.
June 6, 2019 at 12:03 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
It’s always reassuring to remember that most journeys to publication take time, lots of time. Thanks for sharing your journey.
June 6, 2019 at 12:15 pm
Linda M.
What A JOURNEY! Many congratulations. I hope you let us celebrate your success and help promo!
June 6, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Carole Calladine
Never Give Up! What a lesson your journey is for all of us. Looking forward to reading, No Bears Allowed.
June 6, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Sara Matson
Thanks for sharing your journey. It looks like a book with a great message–I just asked my library to purchase it. 🙂
June 6, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Lydia Lukidis
OH YAY! Thank-you. That just made my day!
June 6, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Sherry Howard
What a great backstory! Congratulations on your persistence with this one. It paid off!
June 6, 2019 at 2:13 pm
tiffanydickinson
Great story! It’s helpful to be reminded of the necessary perseverance and patience required to birth a book. Thanks for sharing!
June 6, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Jay
Heaps and heaps of congratulations on your new book. I can’t wait to read it.
June 6, 2019 at 3:25 pm
marsha e wright
A BIG BEAR HUG for you, Lydia, to congratulate your new arrival! I look forward to reading it. A “snail’s pace” wrapped with perseverance and persistence is spot on. Thank you for your candor and for your encouragement. During the waiting times when I wonder if an editor has even opened my submission, a nit-picky little voice of doubt starts whispering, “Maybe you’re not ‘good enough’ to be published.” Well, poop! Your journey boosts my spirit and squelches that pesky voice. With gratitude for you and your willingness to share…Sending you continued inspiration…
June 6, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Lydia Lukidis
I love the bear hug! And trust me, there’s nothing worse than your own agent not thinking your work is good enough to sub. I got through it thankfully! But I moved on from that agent. So I”m once again without an agent! And…that’s ok.
June 6, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Sheri Radovich
I am so glad you finally got your book published. It does take a long time and I hope I have the stamina for it. Congratulations.
June 6, 2019 at 4:28 pm
aliciaminor
Wow. As always, hard work, determination and belief in yourself produces good results. You deserve the very best of what’s Bear in store for you. I wish you more…
June 6, 2019 at 4:47 pm
Lydia Lukidis
That was so sweet, thank-you!
June 6, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Alayne Kay Christian
Thank you for featuring Lydia and No Bears Allowed, Tara. I love seeing in the comments how much the post has encouraged writers to keep on keeping on. Nice job sharing your story, Lydia. We are so proud of you and your book!
June 6, 2019 at 10:37 pm
Lydia Lukidis
Thanks for seeing the magic in this story, Alayne!!
June 6, 2019 at 8:28 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
Fun post. Good reality check for Mom. FYI – She does not allow bears at our house. Also at the park near my house – No DOGS allowed in the children’s playground! #notcool #nobabyswingforme
Good luck with No Bears Allowed. It looks fun!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
June 6, 2019 at 8:42 pm
Diane Tulloch
What a lovely post on persevering. An inspiring story of your books journey. Just what I need right now. Thank you. Congrats on No Bears Allowed.
June 6, 2019 at 8:47 pm
marty
Love hearing about quiet stories and their success. Congrats, Lydia. And thanks, Tara.
June 6, 2019 at 9:21 pm
writersideup
Congrats, Lydia! It’s amazing the road some books follow before they reach their destination. Happy you found the right agent 😀 And thanks for sharing!
June 6, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Erik Ammon
Congratulations, Lydia! That’s a long road and a lot of keep at it attitude by you. I wish you much success!!
June 6, 2019 at 9:48 pm
Arlene Schenker
Great reminder to persist! Can’t wait to read No Bears Allowed!
June 6, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Rita
Congratulations, Lydia! Your belief in yourself (and your book) is inspiring.
June 6, 2019 at 10:04 pm
Karen Lawler
Congrats and thank you for the reality check … It is all sooooo frustrating and it’s good to hear that it takes time for everyone to get published ! 🙂
June 6, 2019 at 10:39 pm
Lydia Lukidis
Yes, Karen, believe me it can frustrating for all authors! There have been many moments when I questioned why I chose this path, but then I get right back up when ready 🙂
June 7, 2019 at 6:49 am
Joan Longstaff
Well done for sticking to your guns with your story – a boost to all of us still waiting to do that happy dance! Best of luck with No Bears Allowed!
June 7, 2019 at 7:00 am
debobrienbookscom
I love Lydia’s comment about how this idea came to her years ago. She tucked it away in her inspiration folder until it was ready to blossom. I also love the reminder that the publishing industry is one of patience and perseverance. Keep writing and submitting.
June 7, 2019 at 11:46 am
Lydia Lukidis
I have a million ideas but the challenge is to develop a few of them them well. And I get stuck, which I often do, I put them aside until the time is right.
June 7, 2019 at 8:24 am
Jennifer Phillips
Thanks so much for sharing your timeline story (with great humor). It is encouraging. Congratulations on your new book!
June 7, 2019 at 8:32 am
nicolesalterbraun
Love your tenacity! I also write down crazy phrases in an idea book. Am working on two right now. Just the title makes me crack up. Thanks for the inspiration
June 7, 2019 at 11:44 am
Lydia Lukidis
Keep plugging away! Chances are, if you think it’s funny, someone else will too 🙂
June 7, 2019 at 10:10 am
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June 7, 2019 at 10:14 am
June Sengpiehl
Helpful text to share with aspiring writers because it shows how slow things
are and how persistence pays
June 7, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Lydia Lukidis
Thank-you all for the beautiful words 🙂
The difficult and sometimes frustrating journey is all worth it, in the end.
June 7, 2019 at 1:47 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
An inspiring story, Lydia. Writing and publishing is not for those who need instant gratification. 🙂
June 7, 2019 at 6:44 pm
kathydoherty1
I love bear books! Thanks, Lydia, for sharing your story.
June 11, 2019 at 9:27 am
Amanda Sincavage
Lydia, thanks you for sharing the backstory of No Bears Allowed. It looks wonderful! Congrats!
June 11, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Lisa Riddiough
Congratulations, Lydia. It is so helpful to hear timelines. Patience and Persistence!
June 14, 2019 at 1:58 am
David McMullin
A wonderful story. Congratulations, and thanks for the inspiration!
June 20, 2019 at 1:37 am
thelittlecockroach
Thank you for sharing. 💛
July 2, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
Congratulations, Lydia! Persistence is so important, and, yes, publishing is glacially slow. Love the great ending to the journey of this book, though!
September 23, 2019 at 3:07 pm
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May 10, 2021 at 7:23 am
Christina Shawb
This is encouraging! Thank you. I can’t wait to read no bears allowed!