Industry Panel: Beyond Big Publishing: Alternative Paths to a Thriving Children's Book Career - Angela Engel and Michele McAvoy

Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Angela Engel now calls Oakland, CA, home. With extensive experience in sales and marketing for renowned publishing leaders like Chronicle Books, Ten Speed Press, Cameron + Company, Dwell Studio, and Moleskine, she has cultivated a deep understanding of the industry. As the CEO and Publisher of The Collective Book Studio, Angela is dedicated to empowering authors, offering comprehensive support to bring their books to life from concept to completion. 

Hybrid Publish:

Angela has taken her many years of experience working in traditional publishing to a hybrid model as CEO and Publisher of The Collective Books Studio. Angela partners with authors in new ways, contracting with books creators, working with them based on their goals. She's able to help them gain access to things (like reviews) they wouldn't otherwise have access to. 

There is still a submission process. The Collective Book Studio only accepts about 5% of the children's books submitted. A big part of that reason is because publishing a children's book is very expensive. 

In this hybrid format, book creators pay for the service, and The Collective Book Studio handles publishing, marketing, and distribution services. 

If you're a business or a brand, Angela might be a good avenue for you. 

Parting words: Look at your contract, look at your term. You should be getting a contract. Be open to new business models. Her model isn't perfect, or right for just anyone. Remember it's your business and your journey. Know you should not have to pay for a submission. 

Michele McAvoy is a multi-award-winning children's book author, publisher, attorney, and educator from New Jersey. While Michele wears many hats, they all point towards a single goal, bring entertaining and meaningful stories to kids. Michele is the owner and publisher of The Little Press. Michele's published titles include Willa the Werewolf, Buckingham Gets A New Shell, Cookie & Milk, and (forthcoming) Toby Undone. www.michelemcavoy.com

Small Presses (with some notes on self-publishing):

Michele started by self-published a tittle in 2014. 

She notes self-publishing can be a place to springboard your career, allowing you to learn the process and the business. 

If you're self-publishing, Michele recommends finding illustrators on Instagram. You might find illustrators just starting their career, open to illustrating a self-published book 

The Little Press is a small press. It is a traditional publisher. Many people want the big book deal, but that's extremely hard. So a small press might offer the option to get out there and become a published writer or illustrator. 

When you're looking at a small press, know there are a lot out there. Print-on-demand (a book prints once the sale has happened) has made it much easier for small presses, because print runs are very expensive. If you're looking at a small press, Michele recommends taking a close look at what they publish. Order one of their books. Look at it. Do you like it? You need to like. You also want to be sure to ask any questions you have. 

Parting words: In terms of working with a small press, don't exclude them. Ask questions. Respect their boundaries, like being closed to submission. Don't be afraid to revise and rework your manuscripts. It's a good thing, it's part of the process.