Just a quick note for information purposes!

We are just in the process of setting up a trading account with Waterstone’s bookshops. Anyone who has independently published a book and wants it to be stocked in any Waterstone’s branch needs to contact Peter North, Independent Publisher Coordinator. The contact details are- Waterstone’s, Capital Court, Capital Interchange Way, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0EX. Send him a copy of your book and he will send you details regarding opening up an account. You need to be prepared to offer Waterstone’s a 57% discount currently on the cover price of your work. The paperwork to complete is very simple and the books are bought by individual stores via Gardners Books Ltd of Eastbourne. As the publisher/author, you have to contact individual stores to ask them to stock the book via Gardners.

So, after all, there is more about Brentford than nylons and a lower league football team!

Please do share any experiences/ideas you have had regarding getting sales for your work. Patience and determination seem to be required in equal measure. Our own interest is in children’s books, but the same approach appears to apply across the board.

Nicky Morgan, a much-published author, has recently started a very useful blog/website at http://need2bpublished.blogshot.com
Highly recommended reading for unpublished authors and also for illustrators. Please let us know what you think of it. Good luck!

BOOKSHOP VISIT

On Tuesday 10th March Steve and myself visited, Wenlock Bookshop, (www.wenlockbooks.co.uk) in the beautiful Shropshire village of, Much Wenlock. We were invited by Anna, the owner of the bookshop, to meet Hope, Freddie, Rachael, Lydia, Jacob and Oliver from the children’s Poetry Club.

Wenlock Books

Shaz & co

Steve & co

Anna drawing with the children

The children then made up their own poems before creating colourful chalk pastel illustrations to go with them. We all got a bit messy with the chalks but had a fun time.
 

Toad drawing

 

Roman Soldier picture

 

 

Dog in a playground drawing

 

 

'French Class'

 

 

Two headed horse drawing

 

 

Anna's rainbow umbrella

The children then left with a copy of our book – it had been a lovely afternoon.

Shaz

The new Petal Power Publishing website is live. Please feel free to leave comments and let us know your thoughts.