Music-loving book publishers?

Subject: Music-loving book publishers?
From: Chris Cotton
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 08:30 AM

Dear Mudcatters,
I am a new member, and have enjoyed this site very much! It is a wonderful digital AND human database. Well, I have another question.

I have written a children's book (for middle reader level, roughly ages 8-13) that incorporates many snippets of old-time folk music into the narrative. There are about sixty or so little quotes, from sources ranging from slave work songs to sea shanties to Appalachian ballads to cowboy songs, etc. etc. It's a sort of fairy tale/adventure/love story/celebration of American folk music. Does that sound like a whopping commercial hit or what?!

I'm hoping there might be some outfit that publishes children's books and also has some sort of connection to folk music. My first choice is Chronicle Books, which does all types of kids books, including "The Glorious American Songbook." But does anyone have any other ideas about possible publishers?

Thanks! Chris

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: black walnut
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 01:36 PM

Another option would be self~publishing.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: sixtieschick
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 02:11 PM

You need to do some research. Children's writing is a very specific genre. You could look through the 2005 edition of "Writer's Market" and see who is looking for children's books. If you want to try for a large publisher you will need an agent. For that, library reference desks have a directory of literary agents. Each agent and agency lists their specialties, and you can see who is interested in representing children's books. To learn how to write a proposal, "The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book" by Susan Page (Broadway Books) is an excellent guide. There are also guides to proposal-writing on he web.

Self-publishing works best when you have a built-in way to sell your books, such as classes that you teach or concerts that you give where you could sell them. Bookstores generally don't carry self-published books. Some people are very successful with self-publishing, and others end up with a garage-full of books that they can't even give away to their friends. So you want to think things through carefully before taking that route.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 03:30 PM

You can self-publish without any upfront costs through CafePress.com I've done that with my book, WindWords of Wyoming, and been pleased with the result...basically they are your printer, plus you get a free "store" with a webpage for each product in your store. sixtieschick is right, though, unless you have an ISBN number most bookstores are not interested, with the exception of small, local ones, maybe. She's also right in that it helps to have events at which you can sell them.

I prefer using the Writer's Market online, to buying the book every year. Online, it is updated constantly AND, best of all, has a great search capability, plus personal pages with submission trackers, etc. You would be able to search for agents and publishers who might be specifically interested in your product. I consider it well worth the $30/year; you can go month-to-month for $3.99, so if it isn't useful or you don't like it, you're not out too much.

Lastly, Welcome to the Mudcat!

kat

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: Azizi
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 08:46 PM

I just wanted to add that your book's concept sounds interesting.

I wish you much success!


Azizi

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: Chris Cotton
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 09:13 PM

Thanks for the comments!

Yes, I'm familiar with all the "Market" books (Children's Writers' Market, etc.). But I wanted to see if anyone on Mudcat, with all its specialized knowledge, knew of some small press or something that had a connection between books and music. It was a long shot, but worth a try.

Thanks especially to Kat for your welcome and to Azizi for your interest!!!!

Chris

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: bbc
Date: 29 Jul 05 - 07:53 AM

Hi, Chris. Welcome to Mudcat! I am a grade 3-5 school librarian. I have a few books in my collection that are picture books based on songs--All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir--Bill Staines, Earthsong--Sally Rogers, & Froggie Went A-Courting--illustrated by Iza Trapani. Two of the three were published by Dutton Children's Books in New York, a subdivision of Penguin Putnam, Inc. The address is 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. The other book was published by Whispering Coyote, a subdivision of Charlesbridge Publishing, 85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472, [phone], www.charlesbridge.com. I realize these books are not just like yours, but it may be worth a try. Like employers, publishers want to know what you can do for them, not what they can do for you, so the trick is to convince them that they *need* your book. Finally, congratulations on conceiving & writing your book. Sounds like it might have elementary curriculum connections w/ the grades I teach. I'd love to see it.

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: Music-loving book publishers?
From: bbc
Date: 31 Jul 05 - 10:34 PM

Chris, if I was unclear, Earthsong is the name of the book--an ecological version of the song "Over in the Meadow." The publisher is Dutton Children's Books.

I'll reply to your PM in the am.

Barbara