The Mitten: Cardinal Rule Press

Friday, December 6, 2019

Michigan Publishers: Cardinal Rule Press

The Mitten Blog is exploring local publishing options right here in Michigan. If you missed our first entry, go HERE to learn about Fifth Avenue Press, a program through the Ann Arbor District Library.

Today, we have an interview with Maria Dismondy, founder of Cardinal Rule Press, a small, traditional publishing company in southeast Michigan.

Tell us about Cardinal Rule Press. What distinguishes it from other small publishers?

At Cardinal Rule Press we are really dedicated to supporting our authors from the time they sign their contract through the life of their book. Our mentorship program lasts six weeks and works with authors in small groups, educating them on topics like brand development, social media and creative marketing. We also have customized marketing campaigns that we deliver six months prior to the books release that allow authors to have a clear plan of what our team does month-by-month leading up to a launch and it also supplies them with a suggested timeline on what they can be doing from their end.

Coming Spring 2020 from Cardinal Rule Press

What are you looking for in submissions?

We are looking for books with a strong moral focus. At the time, we are only accepting realistic fiction. Our backlist sells very well and we believe part of this is because the messages are timeless, not trending.

What is the Cardinal Press team looking forward to in 2020 and beyond?

We continue to grow each year, both in sales, acquisitions and in our team. We would like to be mindful of this growth and make sure that we remain focused to our ultimate mission as a publisher: to create books that make a difference.

Your career has evolved from teacher to author to publisher and more. Plus you’re a busy mom with three kids! How do you find time to wear all of these hats?

I get super creative with my time. I am up before the kids to set the tone for the day, getting in a workout, a cup of coffee and a chat with my husband before the rest of the house wakes up. I don't try to do it all. I have found team members that are skilled in their areas of work and I get to do what I enjoy and excel at. Last, I don't compare this path with the journey of others. It's easy to go down a rabbit hole when you begin to compare and lose sight of your focus.

Thank you, Maria! To learn more about Cardinal Rule Press, go here:
https://cardinalrulepress.com/

Please note their submission window is only open from Nov. 1, 2019 - Feb. 1, 2020. Submissions are not read outside of this time period.

Maria has shared her expertise on our Mitten blog several times before. Read her other posts here:

Coming up on the Mitten Blog:

A Writer Spotlight, Diversity Dialogue, and another round of Hugs and Hurrahs! We want to trumpet your success! Please email your writing and illustrating news to Sarah LoCascio by December 16th.

Celebrate Nonfiction!

Once again, SCBWI-Michigan is here to help you with your New Year’s Resolutions. You know
that great idea you’ve had for a nonfiction book? Make 2020 the year to write that nonfiction
picture book or to develop that nonfiction book proposal.

On March 7, 2020, SCBWI-MI is having a nonfiction conference. Details are coming. Until
then, save the date.

SCBWI-MI is also holding two nonfiction mentorships.

The nonfiction MG/YA mentorship will be with mentor Stephanie Bearce.

The nonfiction PB mentorship will be with mentor Patricia Newman.

These mentorships are open to all SCBWI members who live in Michigan.
The registration fee is $20, nonrefundable.
The submission windows open on May 5, 2020 and close on May 26, 2020 or when we get 30
applicants, whichever comes first.

Details are available at: https://michigan.scbwi.org/2019/10/23/non-fiction-mentorship-2020/
Click the links (in green at the bottom of the page) to download submission instructions.

We’ll have interviews with Stephanie and Patricia here on the Mitten Blog in March.

For questions about the mentorships, email Ann Finkelstein.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Get Noticed, Gain Business, Be Awesome! 5 Tips for Mastering a Magical 2018 Marketing Plan by Maria Dismondy

While the first snowflake has yet to fall (at least in Michigan!), there’s no doubt the New Year is just around the corner. If you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to hit the ground running in 2018. Here are my top 5 tips for making your marketing efforts really count.

1. Begin with TWO
Have 100 ideas in your head? Before you get overwhelmed, just pick two 2018 goals for your business and start there.

Maybe it’s to sell 10,000 copies of your latest release or to increase brand visibility by gaining social media followers. Whatever your top two goals may be, check them against the SMART Goal Formula to ensure they are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound.

2. Make it MINI
Now that you have your goals, write them down and hang them somewhere you’ll see them everyday. That’ll help keep the big picture clear in your mind.

But if you look too far ahead you can easily get overwhelmed. That’s why my next tip is to make mini goals. These are things you can do each day to move closer to the big picture end result.

For example, let’s pretend you chose “gain social media followers” as one of your two main goals. A mini goal for the day could be to post old blog posts on Facebook – so simple!

3. Stick with It
You can’t reach your goals with a “set it and forget it” mentality. A great way to stay on track is to ask a colleague or friend to be your Accountability Partner. This is the person who will call you out, build you up and help you bounce back from business ups and downs.

Another great tool is to turn to planners to stay organized. Below are a few of my favorites. You’ll notice they’re all physical planners, not digital apps. That’s because I believe you have to think, feel and see your way toward what you want. (That, and I like to keep it old school!)

• The Day Designer – I love that this brand offers space for daily gratitude. I put a mini version in my purse for on-the-go ideas.

• Powersheets – So great for seeing the big picture and easily breaking it down into smaller tasks.

• The Passion Planner – This one helps you stay on track while reminding you to find joy in your work. Love that!

4. Lean on your team or hire a team member in 2018!
I fought having a team for years because I thought I could do it all, but once I gave in and started hiring people on a freelance/contractual basis, my business took off! Moral of the story? Delegate, delegate, delegate!

Communication is key to delegating successfully. My team uses the Asana workflow system. From one home-base platform I’m able to assign work, set deadlines, store communications and generate deadline reminders.

I also use a phone app called Voxer to check in with a few key team members. It works just like a walkie-talkie and allows me to quickly shoot over a message without planning formal meetings – talk about simple!

5. Grow, stretch, THRIVE
Growing means stretching and trying new things. And when it comes to professional development, the sky’s the limit!

Consider attending a local conference or virtual summit, listening to a podcast, planning a networking event with other local authors, attending an SCBWI Shop Talk in your area, hiring a business coach, joining a mastermind, reading or listening to audio books on branding and marketing or opting into a group coaching session – phew! There’s so much available to us (and I thought that sentence would never end)! Commit to what sounds fun to you and give it a try.

INSIDER BONUS! Which marketing strategies REALLY worked for me in 2017? Check out my top 10 picks.

1. Video – Facebook live
2. Podcast interviews
3. Guest writing
4. Speaking at schools and conferences
5. Conducting social media contests
6. Participating in local networking events
7. Attending conferences focused on the business side of writing
8. Appearing on the local news
9. Email newsletters
10. Writing and sharing content consistently on my blog

Award-winning author and founder of the publishing company, Cardinal Rule Press, Maria Dismondy inspires and educates others in the book industry. Her background in early education and research enables her to touch lives the world over while touring as a public speaker in schools, community forums, and at national conferences. When Maria isn’t working, she can be found embarking on adventures throughout southeast Michigan and beyond, where she lives with her husband and three book-loving children. Find out more about Maria’s coaching services: maria@mariadismondy.com.

Coming up on the Mitten blog: An artistic evolution - how a picture book concept turned into a traveling art exhibit, all about the MRA's GLGBs award (yes, we'll tell you what all those letters stand for), and then a two week HOLIDAY VACATION!

SCBWI-MI is already looking ahead to the new year. Attention novelists:

In 2018, SCBWI-MI is offering two novel mentorships. One is open to non-PAL members, and the other is open to PAL members.

Our non-PAL mentor is Kelly Barson, and our PAL-mentor is Leslie Connor.

You can find more information on the SCBWI-MI website.

For questions, please email SCBWI-MI mentorship coordinator, Ann Finkelstein.

See you next Friday!
Kristin Lenz