What to Expect After Signing a Publishing Contract? Part One.

Your publishing quest does not end with the signing of a contract.

So, you’ve finally got the call and signed a publishing contract for your children’s book.

CONGRATS! Well done.

Now what?

Ha, ha, ha! You thought, great, now I can finish my other manuscript and relax. NOPE.

Don’t get me wrong; do continue working on your other projects, while you wait, and wait, and wait.

Usually, the main topic of my  blog is not about publishing and writing. I’ll make an exeption this time.

I like to blog about whatever I feel is important to share with you. But now  that I’ve signed a contract for a children’s book nearly two years ago, I can tell you there’s a lot of work to be done before that book is released.

This is my story.

I followed an illustration course with The Children’s Book Academy run by Dr. Mira Reisberg. I had an idea for a picture book and illustrated the book dummy. My drawings we’re realistic with dinosaurs snorting and a very scared rat.

After the course and many critiques from my critique partners, Dr. Mira Reisberg (Art Director of CFP-Spork Imprint) wrote to me,

‘I love the story, but would you consider someone else illustrating it?’

Well, guess what? I didn’t think twice. I was euphoric when I received the news and said,

‘Yes, of course, go ahead.’

I’m glad I did, because the illustrator John Seckman beautifully illustrated the book. See why?

I was on cloud nine, and I surely wouldn’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

Here comes the fun part.

Consider that most publishers need at least 16 to 20 months to publish your book. Some longer, all depending on which illustrator they choose and the time he/she has to illustrate it and turn in the last proofs.

Rule #1 – You do not give your opinion or speak with the illustrator. Let him/her create the best work possible by not butting in.

So, while you‘re impatiently waiting to hear from the publisher to see how the illustrations are coming along, you eat your nails, pace up and down the hall and can’t stay focused on your writing. Don’t do that.

Forget about your soon to be published book for a while. Keep writing and overall start thinking about social media if you haven’t already. Start slowly. Facebook if you’re comfortable with it, then Instagram or Twitter. Your future audience/readers want to get to know you.

I’ve probably lost you by now. We are all very busy people.

Part Two coming soon.