eBook update and Cover Art for Feeding Malachi
Friday, August 12, 2011 at 12:10AM 2 Comments So, I have this 6,000-word children's chapter-picture book called Feeding Malachi which I almost sold to Arthur Levine ye these many moons ago (2007/2008). It was the closest I ever came to selling a book to a traditional publisher. The editor manifested nothing but interest from query letter to partial to full, and then...nothing. I found out later that the editor had moved to another job. I sent several requests for updates, but the new editor did not even give me the courtesy of a form rejection. I just never heard from them again. That was one of several experiences that ended my querying days.
Now, here we are in the brave new world of self-publishing, but children's picture books are still a tough sell as a self-pub. Early-reader chapter books are always kind of an awkward pitch. After kicking around ideas for several years, I finally had Rah illustrate Malachi with adorable ink drawings that I think will look good on a Kindle. I have no idea how this will go over with buyers. Poorly, I suspect, at least at first. But I believe the hour of the children's eBook is coming.
The illustrations have been finished for months, but I've been waiting on a cover. She finally got it done. Yay! So shiny. :) Now, it just needs to be lettered.
I'll post a real teaser when I have a real buy-link, but here's the cover art for those who are interested. Click to enlarge:
;)
Also, for those who are curious, here are my stats of Books sold:
- Dec: 36
- Jan: 31
- Feb: 88
- March: 271
- April: 180
- May: 352
- June: 359
- July: 363
Total is about 1,700 if you count books sold this month.
Reader Comments (2)
I love the dragon and the mouse, but their intense color and texture juxtaposes poorly with the ill-defined browns of the left side (relflection? window?).
I love the artwork! (I rather think the intense colors in the dragon makes him "pop" and seem not of this world compared to all the other muted colors. Just my opinion.) And after hearing "A Suitable Pet" on Cast of Wonders, I'm curious to read this one now. Mini dragons!!!!
Congrats on your steadily increasing sales too! Very cool.