Children's stories - marketing self-published books - Brief Article

Black Enterprise, Oct, 2001 by P.M.P.

QA I am the self-published author of two children's novels. The focus of the books are healthy lifestyles for African American youth. I know that there is a wider audience for my product, but 1 am at a loss as to how to tap into it. Please advise.

--N. Mays Chicago

I'd first like to commend you on your entrepreneurial initiative and success. Entering into the world of publishing can be a tricky one, especially if you are tapping into a large publishing house for production and manufacturing. Tony Rose, publisher of Amber Books in Phoenix, Arizona, offers this advice: "First, do your homework and find out who publishes children's books. Then present two copies of the book along with the sales and financial history, as well as where the book was carried (i.e. libraries, bookstores). Direct your summary or treatment to the editor in chief, or the person in charge of acquisition, along with a SASE (self-addressed-stamped-envelope)."

Rose notes three publishers that are excellent places for authors to submit children's books. Scholastic Books, www.scholastic.com; Houghton Mifflin, www.hmco.com: and Little, Brown & Co., www.littlebrown.com.

Mail your small business questions to: Savvy Solutions, BLACK ENTERPRISE, 130 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10011, or send an e-mail to pinderhughesp@blackenterprise.com.