Spinsational Publishing

When you look at the numbers, it’s clear that the New York publishing scene is a tough nut to crack. The reality is that with 83% of Americans wanting to write a book, the competition for a publisher’s attention is steep. So what’s an author to do? Well, if your attempts for finding a traditional publisher aren’t bringing any results, maybe it’s time to think like a publisher, instead of an author.

Writing a book is the easy part, and while New York publishers look at writing style and voice, there’s a whole lot more that goes into a successful book than just how well it’s written. When it comes to success, a publisher looks at this much differently than an author does. Truth be told, a publisher gauges a book’s potential success largely by the author.

Now don’t misunderstand me, there’s market consideration as well, but the author’s “salability” is looked at very closely. What we refer to as a “platform” is something all authors need to have, regardless of their target market. A platform is not who you know, but who knows you. It’s your area of influence. A platform can be any of the following:

• Your business
• Your fan base
• Speaking gigs you have coming up
• Your email list of potential buyers (i.e. fans)
• Your website (if your site is drawing traffic and capturing email addresses)
• How well you’re known in your market

If you’re new to the book world (meaning this is your first book) you may not have a single item on the above list in your vault of marketing tools. That’s okay. Now’s the time to build them.

The next piece of this is to write for a market. Over the years I’ve seen countless authors write a book on something for which there is no market. They believe their book will create the market. This won’t happen. Ever. First, if you’re self-publishing a book you probably don’t have the funds available to you to “create” a market even if you wanted to. You may respond to this by saying, “Yeah, but new markets are created every day.” And yes, this is true; what’s also true is that while it may seem that these are “new” markets, they were in fact already existing but, perhaps, untapped. Finding these markets can cost you a fortune in consumer research, advertising, product/book placement, etc.

When a company like Coca-Cola decides to put out a brand new product, you can bet that millions of dollars has gone into this prior to the launch. When authors come to me and say, “I have a great idea and it’s never been done before,” I suspect there’s a reason why, a publisher will too. Now, let’s say that you’ve done the research, you’ve spent years working in this arena and you know there are readers out there. Millions of them. If this is the case then I’d suggest you show up armed with your (current) research and data.

The ability to self-publish your book has (thankfully) brought a number of books to the attention of a traditional publisher that might have otherwise gone overlooked. Why? Because publishers like what other people like. If you have a book that you’ve self-published and it’s done well, a publisher might consider this for commercial access as well. By “commercial” I mean consumer, trade paperback, mass market. The key is to keep a close eye on the track record of the book and document your success. This form of documentation will later become the resume you use to entice a publisher into considering your book.

I was talking to an author the other day who had a great idea. He had a hard time getting a traditional publisher interested in his book, so he self-published with the intent of getting a major house to publish him. With that he mind he solicited referral letters from bookstores. Why bookstores? Because if you can get a bookstore excited about your book and tell publishers it “flew off the shelves,” you’ll be a step closer to piquing a publisher’s interest. Why? Well many (if not all) publishers will solicit advice from booksellers on the sales potential of a book they’re considering. They do this because they know that the bookseller is front and center with the consumer every day. They see what sells and what doesn’t. Having a bookstore (preferably several) in your corner could be a tremendous thing for your future and the future of your book.

And finally, let’s be realistic. With 500 books published each day in the U.S., the competition is fierce for gaining the buyer’s attention. Your book is your resume and because of this, it needs to be letter perfect. You should never wait for a traditional publisher to come along and “polish” your book, it should be gleaming with perfection. Yes, there are always things you’ll want to change after it’s published, but having a book that’s edited with a cover that sparkles will not only get you noticed by a publisher, but by your reader as well. And in the end, it’s the reader we must reach. Once you do, the world will beat a path to your door.

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I am very excited to announce that Lunchpail Books has just launched. So, you have no idea what Lunchpail Books is all about; so let’s start with our mission:

Lunchpail Books provides high-quality early-reader books that encourage and nurture a life-long love and mastery of reading. We specialize in books that are designed with beginning reader in mind with carefully selected age appropriate vocabulary. Additionally, our books have compelling illustrations, a fun storyline and always an uplifting message– stories children will want to read!

We are starting small with just three books and expect to add more soon—some by Lunchpail and the rest by aspiring fresh authors. For now, Lunchpail Books will stick with early reader (for children 4-8 years old). Each book is and will be carefully edited for early reader appropriateness.

“These books use the same controlled vocabulary that the late great Dr. Seuss used to bring such joy to early readers. While there are many delightful children’s books available, most do not utilize an appropriate reading level vocabulary.” says founder Johnnie Lunchpail. (from press release)

In other words, they use words too big for readers just starting out. Pass on the legacy of the love of reading by selecting books that children will want to read. This is what defines an early or easy reader.

Easy Readers are relatively new. They really started in 1957 with The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel). Before then, illustrated books were mostly read aloud, and those stories designed to be read to children by adults or perhaps older children. The Cat in the Hat was written with a controlled vocabulary limited to the 220 word Dolch vocabulary list.

This was ideal for the beginner reader. This is what made Dr. Seuss so special and fun to read. A trip to the bookstore or anywhere that is selling children’s books, you will still find a plethora of titles by the late author. Very few other books offer such compelling story telling with such a controlled vocabulary.

Lunchpail Books “Peep Peep” series has already created a following of mostly teachers. Take it from Judy Wedel, a 20 year elementary special education teacher, who says the “The Peep Peep stories have simply adorable pictures with all of the components to encourage beginning readers. I love the endings because they highlight the basic needs of love and care, which are such a comfort to all children.”

To make the books more cherished as lasting gifts, Lunchpail Books offers a personalization option that allows book purchasers to include a personal note or dedication to the special reader in their life.
Currently Lunchpail Books is offering 3 titles with plans of introducing more in the near future.

“Peep Peep Comes Home”
“Peep Peep Takes a Walk”
“Peep Peep Finds a Friend”

Each book provides humor and anticipation with a comforting message within each.

Learn more at www.lunchpailbooks.com.

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