Even Pugs think Mondays are ruff!

Good Morning!

My very first thought this morning while watching my Pug slowly wake up.....Monday mornings can be ruff!

Check back for my next entry as I will offer some tips on finding the right printer for your book.

And don't forget to--Write, Write, Write!

JACI

Finding the right illustrator

Hi!

Even though I have chosen to focus this entry on finding the right illustrator, the following tips and thoughts can be applied to adding almost anyone to your "team".  As your needs grow your team will need to grow.  So, understanding an efficient way in which to augment your team will prove to be useful, and hopefully shorten your learning curve and lead time.

For example, I worked with 3 different illustrators before finding one that was a great fit for my children's book and for me.  I worked with 3 very different types of artists and people.  My first illustrator is a very dear friends of mine and very talented painter specializing in oils.  The thought of us working on a project together showcasing our talents and passions sounded awesome to both of us!  A little bit into the project we realized that her style of painting was not the best fit for the kind of children's book we were trying to make.

The second person with whom I tried to work was recommended by an acquaintance and had published a children's book of his own.  We had, what I thought, was a nice meeting and then two weeks went by and I never heard anything back from him...still haven't :)

I couldn't afford to keep waiting so, I went looking on-line.  I found my third candidate for the illustrator position.  Someone in another state, but a published children's book illustrator and mother.  I thought...this is great.  She checked out, her samples were cute, and she was happy to meet my deadlines and work within my budget.  Sadly, after sending a 50% deposit out of state in the hopes she was everything she promised; I was let down time and time again, with missed deadlines and mediocre work.  I did get most of the deposit back when we parted ways, but fell almost 2 months behind on the book's completion schedule.  Be very sure about anyone to whom you will be sending money!  I got lucky!

I started thinking about all the things I wasn't getting with the people I had chosen or hoped to work with, and based on that I made a list of my needs:

• Someone who specializes in children's books illustrations and has a skill set that would match up with the type of medium and style for which I was looking.  
• A person that is communicative and sensitive to the fact that I am only one person trying to build a business and manage several different things at the same time.  Essentially, someone who would return my calls or emails, and let me know that my business matters to them.
• Someone who is eager to work on a fun project with limited initial capital, but also has something to gain such as: experience, more info for their portfolio, making networking contacts, or reaping other potential intangibles.
• Someone who is local and I could meet, get to know, and sit down with to go over concepts, expectations, revisions etc.  In doing this you will have a chance to read the person you will be so closely working with and to whom you will be writing checks. You will also cut down on repetitive communications and lead time.  Hopefully you find someone who you can sit down with over a cup of coffee and brainstorm about the book or project---don't forget, this is your team, and will ultimately serve as a reflection on you and your book.
• Someone who has strong recommendations from a credible source means you know what you are getting.  Not unlike when we want to find a new doctor, vet or mechanic etc.  It is often times best to work off of a referral.  Or, read a couple on-line reviews and check references to know what to expect. Then you can better decide if that person is a good fit for you.  

I reviewed my list and finally got the idea to contact all the art colleges in the Greater Chicago Area.  I thought, surely a student at one of these schools would be able to meet the above requirements.  Just do a Google search to find schools near you and their contact information.  Go to each school's website and search for a job board on which you can post your project, call the head of the art department, or email them if you like.  I prefer to make contact via phone, the first time especially to: ensure I convey my message and needs properly, quickly get answers to my questions, find out everything I need to know for my post, and learn about any necessary paperwork to complete.

After about two weeks of filling out forms for schools, sifting through resumes, checking references, conducting phone interviews and looking at portfolios, I found the perfect illustrator for me and my book!  She met all of my needs and we were able to agree on expectations such as: payment, time lines, style, and communication type and frequency.  In fact, we had coffee this morning to review the project and brainstorm.  

Think about your needs, and your book's needs.  Seek your team members out according to that.  Make sure you lay all relevant party's expectations on the table at the very beginning to eliminate potential  "surprises" that might arise throughout the duration of the project. Utilize networking platforms, ask around your circle for recommendations, or go-online, but don't forget to follow up with your own research when looking for a team member.  Graduate and post graduate students and programs, communities, social networks, and inner circles can often provide just the team member for whom you are looking!  

Don't forget to--Write! Write! Write!

JACI

My pets hi jacked my sample book!

Hi!

So, my thought for today.....don't leave your sample book, or any part of your book for that matter, alone in the company of a crazy cat and a goofy Pug!

I just came home after meeting with my merchandise contact to find my sample book being held hostage by my pets.  Literally, the book was in the middle of the floor, and it was as if their biggest show down was about to ensue.

In one corner....Oscar the cat Dela Hoya-- In the other corner....Sampson the scrap eating Pug.

Oscar: Hmmmmm, what's this on her desk?  Ahhhh, it looks important.  Wait, this face looks all too familiar.  I must have it!  If I jump on the desk and nudge it off with the side of my face I can ensure it hits the ground, allowing me to make it my newest toy!  Muahh haha Muahh haha!
Sampson: Oh boy (tail curls up), what does Oscar have?  Is it food? Is it a treat?  I'll go over and see!  Dumpt de dumpt.
Oscar: I finally achieve my goal for the morning and here he comes to stifle my plan.  I can't get any alone time in this house!
Sampson: Nope, not food (tail straightens out).  Hey, that toy has my face on it.  Dumpt de dumpt.
Oscar:  This toy represents the fruits of my labor.  Back off funny man!
Sampson:   Funny man? I am funny---funny looking.  You shouldn't take yourself so seriously my dear brother.  That toy looks like me anyway.  It's my turn to play.
Oscar: Bring it on!
Sampson: I'm trying to bring it, I just don't move as quickly as you do.  Dumpt de dumpt.

It was right about then I walked in to find this hilarious situation taking place over the book cover. Maybe it was the picture of Chloey the Pug on the cover that appealed to them, or maybe this is just what happens when we leave the house.  I was able to re-cover the book safely, and now both boys are napping in their respective corners :)

Don't forget to Write, Write, Write!

JACI

Your storyline: See the end from the beginning!

Hello!

So, since an earlier blog I have been asked by friends to elaborate on my ideas about developing your storyline and characters.  I want to dedicate this entry to developing your storyline.  I do apologize if my information was too vague.

Let's re-visit developing your storyline: See the end from the beginning.  In other words, know what the endgame is for your book. You can then essentially "back in" the story as opposed to the reverse; hitting it head-on and running the risk of it being inconsistent upon it's completion.  Kind of like even though a building begins on it's foundation, the architects have completed blueprints long before ground breaks so as not to compromise their endgame.  For me, I decided that I wanted the main character in my first children's book to ultimately adapt to her new surroundings and overcome adversity as a way to help teach children how to achieve the same experience. This set the stage for my storyline, even though I hadn't started writing yet.  I knew where the storyline was headed and where my characters would stand at the end.

Think about your storyline having three major points of contact.  A gripping beginning, a climactic middle, and a satisfying ending that still leaves the reader wanting more. Each third should propel the reader to the next.  Introduce the back story and capture the reader with a gripping beginning upon which you can build. Think again of the building and how each layer must build on the following one until the project is complete.

Your spy novel might begin by introducing the main character who is a robber that pulls off a bank heist. This will help the reader connect to the main character quickly, and give you the gripping beginning you need.  Your climactic middle might include something like; the robber falls for the woman who opened the bank vault, but she never saw his face even though he saw hers.  Since you have previously decided that your storyline ends with a bank robber who gets caught by a spy agency, you now have all three major points of contact.  Bank gets robbed, robber falls in love with teller, robber gets caught.  However, don't forget to write a satisfying ending to your book, and still leave the reader wanting more. Even though the robber is caught, raise a question and leave it on the table.  Was she in on it with him?  Does he find a way to escape jail?  Does he actually work for the spy agency?

Write your storyline according to what is popular and selling, but also to what you would want to take away from the book if you had not written it, but simply read it.  In my book, "Chloey's Big Move", the main character moves to Chicago and deals with all things new, faces adversity, and finds resolution that ends with her thinking only of Bark Park, her new friends, and all of their adventures to come.  This was the method to my madness which I hope will be of some help to you!

And don't forget to Write, Write, Write!

JACI

Thinking about your book's layout

Hello!

 I have chosen to share my thoughts on steps towards writing and self publishing a book, in a way I found helpful to me.  If you have experiences or thoughts to contribute please let me know, as it is all about sharing helpful information.

Thinking about your book's layout: After researching layouts of some favorite books among children (my target audience) I was able see patterns. Regarding how many pages I needed, what sizes sold well, and I decided that I wanted illustrations on every page, along with the text.  My target audience seemed very receptive to the bold colors and fun characters they were seeing during reading hour at Barnes and Noble, or at the libraries I frequented.

Cover art and layout are important to research, as well as deciding what you like relative to getting your book made.  For a children's book knowing some of the details I mentioned just above helped guide me in determining my layout, as well as knowing what I liked from a creators stand point.  "A How To" book may require pictures as well as copy because some people learn visually, and it reinforces the copy already on the page.  A novel or biography may also require pictures of the subjects to correlate with the copy.  This will help the reader truly visualize the subject as you intend during certain parts of your book.

So, just a few things to think about when planning your layout, that will also be helpful when you go to your illustrator/designer or the printing press to finalize details.  Sometimes your copy may need to be slightly adjusted based on changes to the layout for cost efficiencies, and for the success of the book's first run.

I am excited in my next blog to share my thoughts with you about how to find an illustrator, designer, or photographer for your book.

And don't forget to Write, Write, Write!

JACI

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

I wanted to do a check in, as I have been nursing a sick dog and tied up all weekend.  However, he and I are feeling much better and rested!

Please check back later tonight, and read some thoughts on thinking about and planning the layout of your book.  Hopefully you have taken some time and decided on your topic, target audience, and begun to develop your characters, I found that working out the details of the book layout was a pretty imperative step in the planning process.

Have a great day!

JACI

Start developing your storyline and characters

Hello!

Now that you have decided on a topic for your book and the message you want to send, it is time to begin developing the storyline and characters.  In choosing your topic you have most likely decided on your target audience.  In other words, who do you want to read and or buy your book?

Developing your storyline:  For example, once I decided that my topic would be teaching life lessons to children (my target audience) I had to choose an age range (4-8).  This dictated the kind of storyline I would write, type of vocabulary to use, amount of dialogue included, and the number of pages.  This took quite a bit of research, but the information is out there for you to find.  By sticking to a model that was suitable for my target audience I could then gain credibility with the parents, who would ultimately be purchasing my book.  My storyline began to flow once I knew my topic, target audience, and the parameters to which I needed to adhere.

Let's say you have decided to write a crime novel.  Research how other successful crime novels are written.  Is your storyline about a who dunnit murder?  Is it about a team of bank robbers that eventually gets caught?  Maybe it is about a singular main character who finds themselves in nefarious situations throughout the novel.  Or, let's say you have decided to write a "How To" book.  Your storyline will include teaching a skill you have and want to share, such as: cooking, being athletic, promoting healing, or how to build something around your home.  Answering these questions after picking your topic and knowing your target audience will aid you in developing your storyline.

Developing characters:  I chose dogs as my main characters because I love them so dearly, but together in a group their characteristics and interactivity was not unlike how a group of children might interact.  I chose the dogs in our family because I knew their personalities and the manner in which they interacted together.  This helped immensely while developing my characters, and really brought them to life!  Think of people you know, people you see on TV, historical figures, people you admire or even dislike. If your book will be non-fiction then make sure you research your characters to portray them adequately.  If your book will be fiction it is ok to embellish and give your characters personalities that you think will fit your storyline within your chosen topic.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I think writing about what you know or have a passion for can be very helpful.  And don't forget to....write, write, write!


JACI