Tips To Turn Up Book Promotions That Reach Teachers and Librarians with Alice Faye Duncan

 

Alice Faye Duncan is a National Board Educator, who writes books for young learners. Her latest titles include This Train is Bound for Glory, Coretta's Journey, Traveling Shoes, and Yellow Dog Blues--a 2022 NYT/NYPL Best Illustrated Children's Book. You can find out more info about Alice at AliceFayeDuncan.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Alice says that there are fewer book reviews being published these days, but she said there are other ways to introduce books to teachers and librarians.

If you want a successful kidlit creator career, it's in our best interests to find ways to connect with educators and librarians. Alice says it makes a big difference.

Just a few of Alice's suggestions:

Join state and local school library associations. Alice suggests picking three states near you or your state and two states tied to your book in some way. She suggested researching the AASL.

If you're a member, you'll have more opportunities to let other members know about your upcoming books, possibly resulting in speaker invitations. 

Join state and local literacy associations. Alice gave an example of the International Literacy Association. As a result, Alice was invited to speak and promote upcoming books.

 Join Facebook Groups where teachers, librarians, and parents amplify children's books. Post helpful resources tied to your book and include your website link in your posts. "Always do more giving than taking."

IG Live: Follow Instagram influencers who are teachers, librarians and home school leaders. After connecting with them, organize IG Live Events. "Instagrammers are always looking for great content."

Contact school districts and make them aware of school visit opportunities. Prepare a set program and have a price set.'

Don't be afraid of contacting your publisher for "marketing collateral": teacher guides, bookmarks, ARCs for book and library influencers, conference sponsorships. Your publisher may not offer, so Alice encourages us to be proactive and ask. "They might say no...but they night say YES."

"Be bold, brave, and benevolent," encourages Alice, calling these the Be-Attitudes.

Full of energy and enthusiasm, Alice shared so many fantastic examples of ways that children's book creators can connect with educators and librarians in authentic ways. Thank you, Alice!

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If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference, register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/summer-conference-2023. Replays of the conferences will be available until September 10th, 2023.

Editors and Agents Panel: Deeba Zargarpur

Deeba Zargarpur enthusiastically joined Simon & Schuster in March 2020 and is now a Senior Editor at its Books for Young Readers and Salaam Reads imprints. Deeba began her editorial career at Disney-Hyperion and Freeform where she worked on both middle grade and young adult titles. She's also spent time working in book packaging where she created and edited a wide range of children’s and adult literature. Her aim is to acquire commercial books that empower young people from diverse backgrounds. Follow Deeba on Twitter and Instagram at @deebazargarpur.

While Deeba loves and acquires picture books, she notes Salaam Reads is also looking to expand into older, longer fictions portraying Muslim main characters. She acquires PB, MG, YA and graphic novels and her list spans about 45 books; see publisher's websites for submission details.

When asked about the barrage of book bans that have been happening lately and whether that's impacting submissions or acquisitions, Deeba says no, that book bans have been happening forever so it continues to not impact the sorts of stories she acquires. Instead her answer focuses on the importance of libraries as not only a safe space for discovering new books, but as perhaps the only place people of different socioeconomic backgrounds can afford to find and explore a variety of titles.

The best career advice Deeba's received was from her mentor and editorial director Kendra Levin: 

"It can always wait until tomorrow." 

Deeba is a bit of a perfectionist and it's easy to get burned out in the deadline-heavy world of publishing. Take care of yourself first before you take care of your job. Deeba says this advice applies to authors and illustrators, too, the world of publishing isn't going anywhere!