Hello fellow authors and writers!
I'd
like to share some interesting experiences I've had publishing my stories in less
traditional formats.
Audiomagazine
The editor
at Smarty Pants Magazine told me she was surprised my story hadn’t been
snatched up by a publisher, and if Smarty Pants published it, they needed exclusivity
for one year (after which I’m free to publish it in print or audiobook
elsewhere). So, I thought about submitting to publishers, but got caught up
writing MG books. Finally, seven months later, I decided to publish my story in
Smarty Pants.
Smarty
Pants Magazine brought my
work to life in an audiobook with fun illustrations, putting the whole thing
together about a month after I agreed to publish with them. They chose the illustrator
and voice actor and made a crossword puzzle based on facts I provided. I think
their model of a combination of ebook and audiobook is very savvy.
Audiobook
Speaking of audiobooks, in 2020, I made one through Amazon audible for my book, No Fish for Charles (Warren, 2019). My contract with Warren allowed me to make my own audiobook (other publishers may have different agreements with their authors/illustrators). It was very affordable, and I got to interview voice actors for the project. The fun part was listening to all the interpretations of my characters/story. I chose a mother/daughter team, with the daughter reading Charles’ words.
App
Back in 2019, an exciting new family video-calling app, Caribu, which integrates children’s books and activities, contacted me out of the blue. They said they were acquiring new books for their library and ran across my book, No Fish for Charles, a few months after I had published with Warren. I signed a contract with them, and guess what? I get paid every time someone reads my book (paid quarterly). 😍
I
think using different and fun formats for publishing our books, like apps or
audiobooks/magazines, is just another way to reach new audiences, enabling readers
to fall in love with our stories.
Tracy Detz is an award-winning children’s book author and therapeutic riding instructor, owner of Forever Free, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities learn to ride and overcome obstacles through the way of the marvelous horse. Tracy’s first picture book, No Fish for Charles, debuted in April 2019 from Warren Publishing, along with her second book, Valor & Victor and The Zombies from Earth September 2021. Her third book, Icky Berg: An Iceberg Tale launched as an audiobook published by Smarty Pants Magazine For Kids in February 2022. Tracy’s focus is on the well-being of every child, to help, inspire, and encourage them to bloom with all the unique gifts they have to offer the world. You can subscribe to her monthly newsletter "Notable News" and join a community of storytellers, teachers, librarians, artists, parents, and children. If you sign up you'll receive her audiobook Icky Berg, An Iceberg Tale! complete with a game and a simple science experiment!
Visit Tracy online at:
https://twitter.com/Tforeverfree
https://Facebook.com/TracyDetzAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/hookedonbooks123/
