Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations

14. Self-Publishing Children's Books: From Idea to Success with Award-Winning Author Darcy Pattison

Listen Later

Ready to take control of your children's book publishing journey? Join host Kirsten Larson as she interviews self-publishing expert Darcy Pattison, who has successfully published 70+ children's books through her own publishing house, Mim's House Books.

What You'll Learn:

  • When self-publishing is the right choice vs. traditional publishing
  • How to develop your art directing skills for picture books
  • Essential business skills every indie author needs
  • Marketing strategies that actually work for children's books
  • How to get your books into schools and libraries
  • The truth about making money in self-publishing
  • Using Kickstarter for book launches and pre-orders

    • Key Takeaways:

    • Why self-publishing is about "abundance vs. scarcity"
    • The importance of building a backlist for long-term success
    • How to find and work with illustrators (contracts included!)
    • Metadata that boost discoverability
    • Why one book won't make you rich (and what will)

      • đź“– About Darcy Pattison: Award-winning children's author with 8 traditionally published books and 70+ self-published titles. Founder of Mim's House Books and creator of the upcoming guide "Publish: Find Surprising Success Self-Publishing Your Children's Book."

      đź”— Resources Mentioned:

      • Mim's House Books: mimshousebooks.com
      • Indie Kids Books blog: indiekidsbooks.com
      • Darcy's Kickstarter (launches Sept 15): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darcypattison/publish?ref=profile_created&category_id=48

        • Timestamps:

        0:00 – Welcome & Introducing Darcy Pattison

        01:48 – Darcy’s Publishing Journey

        05:00 – Betting on Yourself as a Creator

        08:03 – Why Self-Publishing? Speed, Profit & Control

        11:30 – The Power of Series and Backlist

        14:45 – Misconceptions About Self-Publishing

        18:12 – Becoming Your Own Art Director

        22:30 – Ensuring Quality for Schools and Libraries

        26:48 – Distribution, Metadata & Marketing Strategy

        32:55 – Kickstarter for Children’s Books


        Perfect for: Children's book authors, illustrators, indie publishers, picture book creators, nonfiction writers, anyone considering self-publishing

         

         

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store
        Nonfiction Kidlit Craft ConversationsBy Kirsten W. Larson
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5

        5

        4 ratings

        More shows like Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations

        View all
        Fresh Air by NPR

        Fresh Air

        38,499 Listeners

        The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

        The New Yorker Radio Hour

        6,748 Listeners

        Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

        Hidden Brain

        43,732 Listeners

        Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

        Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

        38,676 Listeners

        The Children's Book Podcast by Matthew C. Winner

        The Children's Book Podcast

        338 Listeners

        The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra, The Lazy Genius

        The Lazy Genius Podcast

        6,639 Listeners

        The Daily by The New York Times

        The Daily

        112,734 Listeners

        Book Friends Forever Podcast by Alvina and Grace

        Book Friends Forever Podcast

        231 Listeners

        You May Contribute A Verse by Josh Monken and Brenna Jeanneret

        You May Contribute A Verse

        33 Listeners

        The Illustration Department Podcast by Giuseppe Castellano

        The Illustration Department Podcast

        315 Listeners

        Home Cooking by Samin Nosrat & Hrishikesh Hirway

        Home Cooking

        4,857 Listeners

        Picture Book Summit Podcast by Picture Book Summit

        Picture Book Summit Podcast

        27 Listeners

        The Good Ship Illustration by The Good Ship Illustration

        The Good Ship Illustration

        57 Listeners

        New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce by Wondery

        New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

        18,079 Listeners

        Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book, Middle Grade and YA Authors by Stephanie Affinito: Bookologist, Restorative Reading and Writing Coach

        Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book, Middle Grade and YA Authors

        8 Listeners