I’m visiting with debut author Gail Gritts today. Her children’s book, Messy Hair Game, released this month. Gail’s situation is a bit different than most authors. She lives in England, serving in missionary work with her husband, and has published here in America.
With all that, she is gaining success in marketing her book in England.
Let’s dive in.
Where did you get the idea for your book?
I started out writing a set of devotions. I am still working on those, but through the process of learning to improve the voice in my writing, I experimented with recording the stories I had been telling my granddaughters about adventures my sister and I got up to growing up on the farm. One thing led to another, and those stories are now a set of ten with the first one released this month.
Do you have a writing schedule?
Not exactly, but I have created an activity chart that helps me stay on track with writing, learning about marketing, blogging, social media posts, and the general to-do of writing and publishing.
Since I am working on two projects at the same time, I have the work of blogging, marketing and publishing with Reba and Katherine on True Story Keepsake, and the writing, editing, and blogging of my devotions, which are posted weekly on Beside The Well, a blog from England.
What did you know going into the publishing process?
I knew nothing. So I broke open the books, searched the Internet, talked to others, and finally met up with Sharon from Paperback Press in Springfield, Missouri. She took me by the hand and is now leading me through the process.
I found the Internet most valuable. Your blog has so many informative links to follow. They have been a great resource.
Since my book is a children’s book, I searched and found several other children’s writers who have videos and advice that help. One that stands out is Katie Davis at KatieDavis.com. Her site is full of information, and she offers lessons and free stuff.
As far as books go, I found Don Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual a go-to resource for when I have questions. I used it initially to get me started thinking about what was ahead of me. Ideas from his book help keep me on track. One such idea was to create a binder for keeping information together. My desk was looking like a hurricane had blown through, but with his binder idea I can find things and keep it all in one place. My desk now looks like I know what I am doing.
Do you step outside your comfort zone when marketing?
With social media, it is so easy to create a platform for others to join you in your journey to market your book. I can see how with a bit of skill in using Facebook and the web one might never leave their computer station. But there is something to be said for face-to-face contact that makes the book and your work so much more rewarding.
So, yes, I am stepping out of my office to promote my book and meet with other people in the business. It is a new sphere for me and I’m learning a whole new language.
One marketing avenue that has opened up for me is the local schools. In December I will be teaching an assembly in our local primary school speaking to the children on how to write and publish a book. And hopefully, creating interest in purchasing my book.
Next week I am meeting with a lady who is in charge of books being introduced into the school libraries, and the following week I meet another lady who is in charge of introducing books to the local community libraries. That is definitely way out of my comfort zone, but I am going through every open door.
I am also attending a local writer’s group and learning to talk about my book to other writers. This requires me to examine my strengths and weaknesses in speaking, confidence, and communication as I prepare for marketing and learn to be comfortable in a new field.
All said, I am enjoying the journey.
ABOUT GAIL GRITTS
Gail Gritts is a children’s author and devotional writer. She and her husband, Tom, have spent the past 34 years in England doing missionary work. Timeworn with telling repeated fairy tales to her grandchildren, she reached into her past and pulled up the antics of Reba and Katherine that delighted her hearers. You can connect with Gail on Facebook or visit her webpage TrueStoryKeepsake.com
ABOUT MESSY HAIR DAY
Reba and Katherine are tired of waiting on Grandma, so they invent their own game to pass the time. Maybe they have made a poor choice?
Children’s author Lorri Cardwell-Casey describes the story as “in the same spirit as the Little House books, it’s a story about fun and family—and a wee bit of mischief.”
Javier Duarte, a Uruguayan artist with over ten years of experience in children’s illustrations, creates the captivating artwork that brings Reba and Katherine to life.
Available for purchase at Amazon in paperback or as a coloring book.