How to Get Your Book Published With a Small Press: Author Carol L. Pauer Guest Post and Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have author Carol L. Pauer here with a guest post to share the release of her MG Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost. It involves a mystery, which I always like, and I’m looking forward to reading it. 

Here’s a blurb from Amazon:

 

A campground full of ghosts?

When Rowley Peters goes camping with her family at Black Hawk State Park, she learns it's the site of mummy excavations, ghostly frog behavior, and the legendary lumberjack ghost Chicken McGee. Rowley never liked camping, but when her best friend, Huey, and her family join them she's stuck facing these spooky creatures. With frogs to follow, copper antiquities to learn about, and Chicken McGee's axe to dodge, Rowley and Huey realize there's something more dangerous at the campground than ghosts. Unfortunately, following the clues leads them in different temper-flaring directions. Solving the mystery of Chicken McGee might just be the only way to save their friendship.

 

Now here’s Carol! 

Six Steps I Used to Get My Book Published by Chicken Scratch Books 

“The End,” you write and excitedly dream of signing copies of your book at a filled-to-capacity author event. Wake up. Before your book-signing events, you need to get your work published. Often finding a publisher is more difficult than authoring a book. 

My latest middle-grade novel, Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost, was in the same position about three years ago. I was finished and wondering what to do next. I had indie-published three books and traditionally published two. Indie-publishing was an option but I had success finding two publishers for my other kids’ books, so I took the traditional path. 

Before setting out on my publishing journey, I mapped out a plan, one that I had used for the other two books. Many authors have their own paths to publication, but I’ve met many who don’t. This blog is for them and for anyone curious about how Chicken Scratch Books took on Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost. 

One: Join a professional writing group.

Years ago, an agent I followed on Twitter (X), tweeted that if you want to write for children, join SCBWI. I messaged him and asked what SCBWI meant. He replied, “Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.” I joined and it was what helped me get my first children’s book published. I learned where my original short story – Snoring Beauty – fit into the kidlit world. The story had to be converted into a proper page count for an early middle-grade book. This was something I had no knowledge of prior to joining SCBWI. I changed my 2,000-word short story Snoring Beauty to Isasnora Snores, a 30,000-word book. I also connected with other kitlit authors and figured out how to pitch my book. Writer’s Digest offers a list of professional groups to help get you started. (https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/writing-organizations-for-writers-to-check-out)  

Another benefit to joining SCBWI was their free or low-cost classes. I attended one by Kiri Jorgensen, author and publisher of Chicken Scratch Books. I don’t recall the topic of the class but I liked her and her company. I began taking some courses from Chicken Scratch and learned more about writing middle-grade books. There was no guarantee that Chicken Scratch would publish my books but I learned a lot about middle-grade fiction and middle-grade readers. One thing that has stuck with me is that middle-grade readers are fussy readers. 

Two: Work with beta readers.

When you’re working on a book, beta readers or critique partners are those additional eyes to examine your work. They don’t edit your book but provide insights that may clarify your writing. It’s advisable to find readers in your genre. I once belonged to a local writing group. Most of the writers were poets and they didn’t grasp my fiction writing. It wasn’t helpful. Once I joined SCBWI, I was linked to beta reading groups in the genre I was writing in. Most of the groups offered great ways to improve my manuscripts. 

When working with beta readers, know that they do not have the final word on your book. Sometimes the feedback feels harsh or discouraging. Typically, I set the feedback aside for about a week and then return to it. My rule of thumb is if all the beta readers question something in my book, I need to clarify or remove it. If a beta reader wants you to change everything, you don’t have to do that (unless you think it’s a great idea). 

You may find beta readers through your professional writing group, like I did through SCBWI. You might also find them on Facebook. I have a writing friend who uses Fiverr to find beta readers. I tried that but it didn’t work for me. 

Three: Hire a copy editor.

When you’ve done several rewrites and you feel ready to pitch, hire a copy editor. When you’re searching for an editor, be clear on your requirements. I hired an editor for my first indie-book not realizing she was a developmental editor. She tore the book apart in ways I didn’t really accept. It cost me $1,600. My current copy editor checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. She’ll do two rounds of edits. There’s nothing wrong with a developmental or copy editor – just know the difference and what you require. 

Four: Read submission guidelines carefully.

Every publisher has guidelines on their web pages outlining the procedures they wish authors to follow. They get inundated with queries daily. There have been instances where I submitted something only to get a reply that says, “I only accept…” Awkward. Not only that, but I might also have ruined future chances to pitch that publisher (though it has never stopped me before). You will greatly enhance your chances of securing a publisher if you simply follow the instructions. 

Five: Turn a no into a yes.

When I pitched Rowley to Chicken Scratch Books, I got a "No" with a list of reasons for the rejection. I wanted to say, “Thank you,” and crawl under a rock. Instead, I asked if I made some changes, would she look at it again? She agreed. I resubmitted and she offered me a contract. If it’s a firm no, then I usually move on but I certainly would pitch that publisher with a different book. 

Six: Respect the publisher.

Manners do count in this industry. I’ve been told by agents and publishers horror stories of rude writers. Yes, it’s challenging to find someone to pitch or publish your book, but don’t take your frustrations out on them. 

Also, once you sign with a publisher, work with the company’s revision requests and market your book. The best way to show your gratitude for the publisher taking a risk on your book is to do the revisions and market the book. 

These are the steps I took to get Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost published. They’re not all inclusive but they were the springboards to getting Chicken Scratch Books to offer me a contract. I hope you'll find them helpful in carving out your path to publication.  

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Carol. You can find Carol at: 

Website: www.clpaurauthor.com

Book links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rowley-Peters-Lumberjack-Ghost-Carol/dp/B0DZBGFY1W

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rowley-peters-and-the-lumberjack-ghost-carol-l-paur/1147058847

Chicken Scratch Books: https://chickenscratchbooks.com/product/rowley-peters-and-the-lumberjack-ghost/

Podcast - 

YouTube Talking to Myself: https://youtu.be/9huZsby4oUM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorclp?utm_source=qr&igsh=a3M1a2o0MmV6YTVq 

Giveaway Details 

Carol is generously offering a paperback of Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by May 31st. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Carol on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, May 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Isabel Lineberry and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Wednesday!