Llama Lu received an Honorable Mention for the Picture Books 5 & Younger category! Thank you, Story Monsters LLC, for sponsoring the contest. Llama Lu is one of our most popular books. I like to think it is because we all root for kindness in our lives. The main character is a llama who is facing an extraordinary challenge. Animals from the sanctuary pull together to help and, in doing so, inadvertently helped themselves. Thank you for those who choose to read our story, and we hope you laugh and enjoy this book.
New Picture Book Project!
Coming April, 2019
Llama Lu, as everyone in the Sanctuary liked to call her, was born with no wool. How can a llama have no wool? With winter at their doorsteps, the surprised and confused animals work together to find a way to help Llama Lu.
A bit of chaos, goodwill, and being bad at math may just be what they need to figure things out.
Pitch Party on Twitter
If you never heard of a Pitch Party and you are a self-published author you may want to check this out.
During a pitch party, which happen within a scheduled timeframe, writers pitch their manuscript on Twitter with a hashtag to make them searchable. Agents and editors read them, and if they want to see more of your work they will "like" or "heart" your tweet. If that happens, it means you have received an invitation to submit your query or manuscript to the agent! Exciting! Pitch parties is a quick and easy way to connect with people in the industry.
Before I share with you a list of popular Twitter pitch parties, let us review a few things that will make a difference in your experience.
THE PITCH
The pitch is like the first one to two sentences of your query letter. It needs to get the agent's attention. What is the most exciting thing you can say about your story? Is it unique? Agents who participate scan through hundreds of tweets, there needs to be something that will grab their attention. The best way to go about it is to practice writing your pitch and when you think it's ready, read it to people that will tell you the truth.
YOUR TWITTER PRESENCE
Your picture and profile are important. How you present yourself to the industry as a whole is also being evaluated by the agent. Not just your pitch.
THE RULES
Each party has their own rules. Follow them carefully. Be sure to check out their website for their guidelines. For example, pitch parties start and end at specific times. They also may limit the number of times you can post your pitch within that time frame.
Also, make sure you do not like or heart someone else's pitch, that is for the agent to do. And once they do, be prepared to do the research. Each agent has his submission process. Go to their website and again, follow the rules.
THE PARTIES
Here is a list of popular Twitter pitch parties I know of. There may be more popping up since this has been an accessible and convenient way for agents to connect with writers. If you know of others, let us know, we would love to share it too. Thanks for reading and good luck with your Twitter parties!
#PBPitch , http://www.pbpitch.com/pbpitch-twitter-event.html
Is exclusive for Picture Books. Next event will be, Thursday, June 20th, 2019 (8am to 8pm EST).
#PitMad, https://pitchwars.org/pitmad/
According to their website, every unagented writer is welcome to pitch. All genres/categories are welcomed. Events occurs quarterly. June 6, 2019 (8am - 8pm EST), September 5, 2019 (8am - 8pm EST), December 5, 2019 (8am - 8pm EST).
#DVPit, http://dvpit.com/
Their website states it is for the marginalized authors & illustrators only. April 23, 2019 (8am - 8pm EST) for Children's & Teen Fiction/Nonfiction. April 24, 2019 (8am - 8pm EST) for Adult Fiction/Nonfiction.
#SFFPit, http://dankoboldt.com/sffpit/
For fantasy or science fiction stories. Twice a year party, for all age categories (PB, MG, YA, NA, and adult). Visit their site for more information.
10 Awards for the Self-Published Children's Book Author
As a self-published author, one of the ways to seek recognition and credibility is through competitions. A contest can help bring attention to your book. However, it is not easy going through the long list of awards available. Not all of them will accept submissions from self-published authors. That is why it is essential to read through their awards guidelines to make sure you are eligible.
Over the years I’ve compiled a list of award competitions that will accept self-published work. Some of them I’ve submitted to and others I haven’t. One of the resources I’ve used for my research is the Children’s Writers & Illustrator’s Market book.
The list below is in no particular order. If you have any comments or suggestions, let me know. Maybe you’ve participated in a competition not listed below and would like to share it with us. That would be great! Thanks for reading and good luck!
1. Next Generation Indie Book Awards®: http://www.indiebookawards.com/
Entries are now being accepted for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Deadline: received by February 14, 2020
Eligibility: Open to all indie book authors and publishers including:
· Independent publishers
· University presses
· Self-published authors
· e-book authors
· Seasoned authors
· First time authors
Books must have a copyright date of 2018, 2019, or 2020
How to Enter: http://www.indiebookawards.com/enter/howto
Entry fees: $75 per title for the first category entered, and $60 for each additional category entered.
2. Purple Dragonfly Book Award (sponsored by Story Monsters LLC)
Entries are now being accepted for the 2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.
Deadline: May 1, 2020
Eligibility: Open to children’s book, eBooks, and marketing collateral including:
· Traditionally published
· Partnership published
· Self-published books (must be available for purchased and are printed in English)
It does not matter what year or in which country a book is published to be eligible
How to Enter: https://www.dragonflybookawards.com/purple-dragonfly
Entry fees: On or before March 2, 2020 $60 per category
After March 2, 2020 $65 per category
3. Royal Dragonfly Book Award (sponsored by Story Monsters LLC)
Deadline: October 1, 2019
Eligibility: Open to children’s book, eBooks, and marketing collateral including:
· Traditionally published
· Partnership published
· Self-published books (must be available for purchased and are printed in English)
It does not matter what year or in which country a book is published to be eligible
How to Enter: https://www.dragonflybookawards.com/royal-dragonfly/
Entry fees: On or before August 1, 2019 $60 per category
After August 1, 2019 $65 per category
4. SCBWI Spark Award is an annual award that recognizes excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route.
Deadline: Spark 2019 opens November 15, 2019. Deadline is December 19, 2019.
You may only submit one title each award period.
Eligibility: Authors/Illustrators must be a current SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) member through April of the following year to apply.
Entry: No cost
For the complete list of guidelines click here: https://www.scbwi.org/awards/spark-award/
5. Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards http://www.moonbeamawards.com/
Deadline “early-bird”: March 23, 2019
Eligibility: The contest is open to authors, illustrators, publishers and self-publishers of children’s books written in English or Spanish for the North American market. Books that are published with a 2018 or 2019 copyright or that were released since October 1, 2017 are eligible.
How to Enter: http://www.moonbeamawards.com/38/guidelines
Entry Fees: $85 per entry
6. National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA)
Deadline: Open on August 1st, 2019. Deadline is postmarked by March 31st, 2020.
Eligibility: Open to all English language printed books available for sale, including:
· Small presses
· Mid-size independent publishers
· University presses
· Self-published authors
2018, 2019, and 2020 publication dates are eligible.
Award rules click here: https://www.indieexcellence.com/rules-guidelines
Entry fees: $75 per entry/per Category
7. The International Rubery Book Award is based in the UK for independent and self-published books. Entries are accepted form all over the world. As of 2018, they request both Ebook and Book format.
Deadline: Closing date March 31st, 2019
Entry Information, click here: http://www.ruberybookaward.com/enter.html
Entry Checklist, click here: http://www.ruberybookaward.com/checklist.html
Entry Fees: $60
8. 2019 New York Book Festival celebrates books that deserve greater recognition.
Deadline: May 25 , 2019 (must be received)
Entry Information: Open to published, self-published and independent publishers.
Entry can be in English, Spanish, French or Italian and must be published on or after January 1, 2016.
More information, click here: http://newyorkbookfest.brinkster.net/portal/content.asp?ContentId=656
Entry Fees: $50
9. Self-Published Book Awards, by Writer’s Digest (competition now closed)
http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards
Deadline and Fees for the Self-Published Book Awards category:
April 1, 2019 (Early-Bird Deadline)– May 1, 2019 (Deadline)
Early-Bird Entry Fees: $99 (first entry), $85 (additional entry)
Deadline Fees: $125 (first entry), $95 (additional entry)
For a complete list of prices and deadlines click here: http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-competitions-pricing-and-deadlines
10. Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) is seeking submissions that incorporate their award’s mission statement:
“To encourage the development of high-quality children’s picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experiences, that in some manner draw from the rich cultural experiences of this country—whether they manifest in character, theme, setting, plot, or are derived simply from the artist’s own experience of identity. Diversity includes literal or metaphorical inclusion of characters of underrepresented ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, class, mental or physical disability, or any other nondominant populations.”
Deadline: SUBMISSION PERIOD (between February 15, 2019 and June 7th, 2019).
Eligibility: The following may submit:
· Legal residents, who are at least 18 years of age.
· Self-published
Note: “Professional children’s book illustrators or authors, individuals represented by book publishing agents, or individuals whose works have been previously published by any book publisher are NOT eligible to enter.”
For their Official Rules click here: http://lbartistaward.com/rules
Back To School
To celebrate the beginning of the school year we will be offering our latest book, What's An A.C.O.R.N.? for a one-week free download! Starting August 1st through August 8th, you will be able to download this cute story about a curious robot who finds himself different from the rest. We hope you enjoy it and tell us what you think.
Visit our homepage and subscribe to get your Free Copy Today!