SPS 079: Educator’s Guide To Writing An Award Winning Children’s Book (Merideth Tullous Interview)

TL;DR

Meredith Tullis, an award-winning children's book author, shares her experience and insights on self-publishing and marketing her book.

Transcript

hey chandler bowl here and joining me today is meredith tullis uh so meredith uh is an award-winning winning uh children's book author of her book a gift to remember she's also a self-publishing school student uh and so in this interview we're going to talk about so uh hopefully you've already checked out the interview with marcy uh one of our chil... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 Personal recommendations and referrals are valuable for finding resources like self-publishing school and illustrators.
• 🏛️ Building a solid foundation for a book through awareness, reviews, and relationships is essential.
• 💁 Formatting a book can be challenging for authors and may require the help of a professional.
• 📔 Focusing on the unique aspects of a book's message and audience can enhance marketing efforts.
• 📖 Submitting a book for awards can provide recognition and credibility, as well as open up marketing opportunities.
• 🏛️ Building relationships with local communities, magazines, and podcasts can help authors gain exposure and expand their audience.
• 🥡 Enjoying the process and taking one step at a time is crucial for a successful and fulfilling publishing journey.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Meredith find out about self-publishing school?

Meredith heard about self-publishing school through a friend who was already a successful author and had positive experiences with the program. This personal recommendation led her to reach out and learn more.

Q: What was the tipping point for Meredith to join self-publishing school?

After completing her manuscript and finding an illustrator, Meredith realized she needed guidance and education on the publishing process to ensure her book was of high quality. She wanted to produce something she could be proud of and show her son the impact his letter had made.

Q: Why did Meredith choose to publish a Christmas book in June/July?

Meredith wanted to lay a solid foundation for her book before the holiday season. By releasing the book in June/July, she had time to build awareness and garner reviews. This approach also allowed her to differentiate herself from other Christmas-themed books and establish credibility as an author.

Q: How did Meredith find an illustrator for her book?

Initially, Meredith searched through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find an illustrator. However, after joining self-publishing school, she realized the value of referrals and utilized the resources provided by the program to find a suitable illustrator.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Meredith found out about self-publishing school through a friend who was a successful author and had great things to say about the program.

• She joined self-publishing school when she had already completed the manuscript and found an illustrator she liked. The program helped her with editing, formatting, and marketing strategies.

• The toughest part of the process for Meredith was formatting, which she initially tried to do herself but ended up hiring a professional formatter.

• Meredith focused on building a foundation for her book through guest articles and podcast interviews before intensifying her marketing efforts leading up to the holidays.