Write2Ignite

Thirteen years ago, I decided to put all my energies into Mims House, my publishing company, and bring my books to market. I wanted to put my books into the hands of the right kids.

I didn’t know that the journey would turn me into a patient, persistent problem solver. When you independently publish books, there are many moving parts. Each step means you follow a process that leads to the next step. Yet, at each step, multiple things can go wrong.

Writing

When you write a story, it must be appropriate for your audience, fit the genre and expected publication format. Often, I do many drafts of a story, reaching for a version that will go past ordinary toward extraordinary. It must be clear, concise, and yet sing. Writing for kids is all about problem solving.

Editing

I cannot do copy editing. I do not see mistakes. Instead, I need to hire a copyeditor. But even here, there can be problems. In the early years, I didn’t understand how a copyeditor marks up a manuscript. It took me a couple stories before I realized I had to use a strict comment-by-comment process to make sure the editing actually made it to the finished copy. This is the step when my problem solving skills are sorely tested.

Illustration

I usually start with an idea of what a story should look like and then search for an illustrator who can work within my budget. But—I’ve paid too much, charmed by an illustrator’s skills. I’ve signed a contract with an illustrator, and then in the process realized the art wasn’t working for the story and fired them. I’ve fired illustrators who disappeared somewhere in the process. Read more about working with illustrators here.

Layout and Design

I use Adobe’s InDesign program for layout and design. The first time, I cried—literally—and it took me a month to get the book right. Fortunately, problem solving for InDesign just means searching the internet for answers. The program has a strong community who write, blog, and record videos about minute details of using the program. Today—after years of problem solving—I can lay out a story in just a day or so. No tears.

Uploading

Here’s the thing about uploading to the various platforms: you must have the right files. I use files with added bleed (the extra around the pages’ edges to allow for slight misalignments of the printer), and inevitably, I forget to click the box to include the bleed when exporting. When I do have the right files, the process goes smoothly.

Marketing

How do you put your book into the hands of the right reader? Every day, I try something, and every day, I make mistakes. Small things: misspelling, wrong size image, wrong format, wrong timing. But my problem-solving skills step in and make corrections. I will never be perfect on any marketing task, but I keep trying.

If you begin this journey of self-publishing, be ready. You will make mistakes. So what? Correct the mistake and move on. In the end, that’s the only thing that will move your book forward, correcting mistakes and finding ways to put the book into the hands of the right reader. You’re in control, and you can do this! One problem at a time.

I’m going to talk more about these topics at the upcoming Master Class. Make sure you register here if you haven’t already!

Children’s book author and indie publisher DARCY PATTISON has written over seventy award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Five books have received starred PW, Kirkus, or BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, five Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book (CA Reading Assn.), two Junior Library Guild selections, two CLA Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a Best STEM Book, an Arkansiana Award, and the Susannah DeBlack Arkansas Children’s History Book award. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature. Her books have been translated into eleven languages.

Always active, before her tenth birthday, she (almost) climbed the Continental Divide, turning back at the last twenty yards because it was too steep and great climbing shoes hadn’t been invented yet. She once rode a bicycle down a volcano in Bali, Indonesia and has often hiked the Rockies. She’s hiked New Zealand’s backcountry for a taste of Kiwi life and then strolled the beaches of Australia. Recently, she (finally) climbed the 14,043-foot Mt. Sherman in Colorado—hurrah for great hiking shoes. On her bucket list is kayaking the Nā Pali Coast of Hawaii and eating curry in Mumbai.

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