I just about did it, too. After submitting a request to a subsidy publisher for the second book in my picture book series, I spoke to the consultant on numerous occasions. I excitedly shared my series and marketing plan. He called back later in the day to tell me that the cost for me was reduced by 40%. I broke out my phone calculator. Tempting. He was a very nice, energetic, creative person and I really enjoyed speaking with him on the numerous occasions that we communicated.

Not really wanting to subsidy publish my books again after the first bad experience--I learn and am not one to get burned twice--at the last minute, uncontrollable circumstances led me to change my mind. Did I lose another opportunity with a big publisher again, or did I save the initial investment and most of the royalty income when I know I am onto something with this series? I'll never know, but I began to think it's not a publisher I need, but a PR person. Anyway, during my uncontrollable day of events...

My indecision led me to visit Barnes and Noble. I haven't been there in a few years, actually. It was nice, being in a bookstore. The difference in using this subsidy publishing company was the possibility of having my book professionally illustrated. I don't consider myself an artist, but I am. I am overly critical of myself, as my daughter frequently reminds me. I wanted to see if my illustrations and book compared to those on the market. Could I see Sally Travels Parade Style sitting there among those picture books? Tempted as I was to turn down aisles and find a good read, I stayed on the straight path to the back of the store.

As I passed, a woman was laughing it up with the sales clerks at the sales desk in the back, her two young children roaming anxiously, ready to leave. I headed straight for the display of picture books in front of the children's section and who should appear beside me but the woman--who had been on her way out--and her two ready-to-go-kiddos. "I want this book," she said as her two children played and whined about leaving. "I want this book about the states," she said as I picked up another book and thumbed through the pages. Though she appeared to be speaking to her children, who couldn't care less what she was saying, she was watching my every move. "I want this book," she repeated a little more forcefully. I almost replied, "Well, stop whining and buy it!" Being the non confrontational person that I am, I moved away from her. She left, her children bouncing along behind her out the store.

How strange, I thought as I smiled at the elephant in the room, or should I say in the book. It came to me pretty quickly that the "states" book must be hers. She was trying to get me interested in her book. 

Kudos! She tried, but she reminded me of the used car salesmen I dodge when I want to test drive cars--transparent. I guess when you have two children bouncing around and ready to leave, it makes selling your book difficult. Funny, I wasn't even curious about her book after she left.

There are a couple of necessary steps to not being a transparent author in a bookstore.

The first step is to read the customer's face. You have to read people to sell to people. I was on a mission, thumbing through book after book. I had too much interest to buy. She should have known that after her first demand. I wasn't even reading the books. I never looked at a price. I do understand, however, that every customer in your book's section is a potential buyer.

Second, open with a question like, "Have you read this book? It's really good (or cute, or whatever)," and don't be holding your book. Lead into your book. She might have saved her poor children some jumping time if she had done that. We might have connected and she might have discovered that she was not the only author in the store. Being sneaky and transparent isn't the way to sell books. Just because you've written a children's book doesn't mean the searching children's book customer is a moron. Be yourself. Tell customers you wrote a book. Let them get to know you. 

After much searching, I did discover that I am a comparable illustrator. I know my character better than anyone else could. Still, I hesitated to take my books into the subsidy publishing world, no matter which big name publisher is attached to it. I have a non transparent marketing plan. I'm turning it loose today, so I must be off. Marketing is part of being an author, after all. Marketing yourself and your book takes honesty and hard work, not whining... not transparency. I think my money might be better invested in PR.

Be yourself in your writing.

Be yourself in your marketing, but above all, be honest.