The Dangers of Self-Publishing for Children's Authors

How to have Incredible School Visits as a Children's Author - Top 10 Tips

Summary In this episode of the Children's Author Show, host Andy Coats shares his Top 10 tips for children's authors on how to effectively conduct school visits. He emphasizes the importance of customizing presentations, building on past experiences, and focusing on one school at a time. Coats also discusses the significance of having a compelling sales pitch, making intentional contact with schools, simplifying contracts, and the necessity of charging for visits. He highlights the need for a dynamic presentation and providing takeaways for students, as well as supporting schools with promotional resources. Takeaways School visits are a great way to connect with kids. Customize your presentation to reflect your unique style. You can learn from other authors' experiences. Start with one school at a time to refine your approach. Craft a compelling sales pitch to engage schools. Be proactive in reaching out to schools for visits. Keep contracts simple to avoid overwhelming schools. Charging for visits is essential for sustainability. Establish clear and consistent pricing for your services. Provide students with take-home materials to promote your work. You can find Andy’s book, THE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR TOOLBOX at:  https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz [https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz] Check us out on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ] Follow us on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow [https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow]

How To Do Children's Author EVENTS like a PRO!

Summary In this episode of The Children's Author Show, Andy Coats discusses the significance of participating in author events such as fairs and festivals. He emphasizes that these events are not primarily about making money, but about building connections, branding, and establishing a local presence. Andy shares practical insights on setting realistic expectations, networking with other authors and readers, and creating an engaging booth setup to attract attendees. He highlights the importance of being present in the community and the energizing experience of interacting with readers and fellow authors. In this conversation, Andy Coats shares his insights on engaging young readers through effective resource creation and event strategies. He emphasizes the importance of having a variety of books for different age groups, utilizing engaging hooks like candy and stickers to draw in attendees, and creating opportunities for meaningful connections with parents and educators. He also discusses the significance of focusing on exposure rather than immediate sales, encouraging authors to take action and participate in events to build their brand and connect with their audience. You can find Andy’s book, THE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR TOOLBOX at:  https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz [https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz] Check us out on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ] Follow us on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow [https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow]

Expanding Your Children's Author Brand with Audiobooks - featuring The Audiobook Wizard

Summary In this conversation, Richard Rieman, an expert in children's audiobooks known as The Audiobook Wizard, discusses the importance of making literature accessible to all children, including those with visual impairments. He shares his journey from being a radio news reporter to becoming a wizard in audiobook production, emphasizing the need for audio descriptions in illustrated books. Richard highlights the impact of his nonprofit, Imagination Storybooks, which aims to provide accessible audiobooks and videos for blind and deaf children. The discussion also covers the challenges and successes in the audiobook industry, including collaborations with various authors and organizations to create inclusive content. Takeaways Braille is a dying art due to a lack of teachers. Audiobooks provide a richer experience for children. All children, regardless of ability, can enjoy audiobooks. Richard transitioned from radio to audiobooks in his 50s. Audiobooks can help sell physical copies of books. Audio description enhances the storytelling experience. The nonprofit Imagination Storybooks focuses on accessibility. Recognition from peers validates the importance of the work. Innovative projects are essential for reaching diverse audiences. The future of audiobooks lies in inclusivity and accessibility All of Richard’s contact information: richard@theaudiobookwizard.com [richard@theaudiobookwizard.com] www.audiobookwizard.shop [http://www.audiobookwizard.shop] www.dcmp.org [http://www.dcmp.org] You can find Andy’s book, THE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR TOOLBOX at:  https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz [https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz] Check us out on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ] Follow us on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow [https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow]

The Dangers of Self-Publishing for Children's Authors

Summary In this episode of the Children's Author Show, award-winning children’s author Andy Coats discusses the significant dangers associated with self-publishing, particularly for aspiring children's authors. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the self-publishing landscape, identifying vanity and hybrid publishers, and the risks of books not reaching their audience. Andy provides practical advice on how to navigate the self-publishing process safely, including building a support team, creating a budget, and retaining rights to one's work. The episode serves as a resource for authors to avoid common pitfalls and succeed in their publishing journey. Takeaways Self-publishing offers freedom but requires responsibility. Lack of support can stall your publishing project. Vanity publishers profit from authors, not book sales. Hybrid publishers can be disguised as real publishers. A good launch plan is crucial for book success. Building an audience before publishing is essential. Invest in professional editing and design services. Retain ownership of your ISBN and rights. Marketing strategies should begin before publication. Avoid scams by doing thorough research. You can find Andy’s book, THE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR TOOLBOX at:  https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz [https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz] Check us out on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ] Follow us on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow [https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow]

Breaking Stereotypes and Having Representation in Kid's Books - with Jon Marshall

In this episode, Andy Coats interviews Jon Marshall, an author and entrepreneur, who shares his journey into children's literature. Jonathan discusses the importance of representation, particularly in black fatherhood, and how his personal experiences shaped his storytelling. He emphasizes the need for diverse narratives in children's books and the impact of community support on an author's success. The conversation also touches on the challenges of self-doubt, the significance of school visits, and the importance of intentionality in building an author brand. Jon's latest book, 'My Dragon's Not Laughing,' is highlighted as a product of inspiration from his interactions with children. Takeaways: - Jon Marshall's journey into children's literature began as a way to connect with his sons. - Representation in children's books is crucial for children to see themselves in stories. - The importance of family dynamics and community in storytelling. - Jon's background in education and social work informs his writing. - Creating stories for children can help challenge stereotypes and inspire young readers. - School visits provide valuable feedback and inspiration for new stories. - Authors must invest time and effort into marketing their books after publication. - Self-doubt and imposter syndrome are common challenges for authors. - Building a supportive community is essential for success in the publishing industry. - Every story has the potential to impact at least one reader positively. #childrensauthor #becomeanauthor #childrensauthorshow #childrensliterature  #representationmatters  #authorimpact You can find Jon’s books and connect with him on his website: www.wrotebyjon.com Follow Jon on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/wrotebyjon/ You can find Andy’s book, THE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR TOOLBOX at:  https://a.co/d/2jfCcxz Check us out on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuuiMy0EjnbUF8oKMSNREQ Follow us on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensauthorshow