Not old news

This morning I see Roger Sutton at The Horn Book has written an editorial.  You can read it here: http://www.hbook.com/2014/10/opinion/editorials/editorial-self-service/#comment-290974, and my response:

Hi Roger,

   Having initiated this with my original letter to you, I must take this opportunity to bring my intention to the discussion once again.  The exasperation I have felt just trying to get the book read by unbiased reviewers was the springboard.  Over the four months since releasing the book (old news already, eh?) I have been entering competitions (I'm out of luck with your "golden ticket" timeline, and was 2 weeks too late for entering this/next year's HB awards), not qualifying for reviews within exclusionary submission guidelines; writing letters to the likes of you, urging readers to review on amazon,  blogging and tweeting and twiddling and facebooking, and spending so much of my creative energy on these things, I'm jaded and weary—but I still believe in my book.

   That said, I can see how those in the industry see a single-handed writer/illustrator/publisher/publicist as way too close to the work to be objective, but we are not all like that.  As you said, self-publishing authors are now employing editors and collaborating with others to get those much-needed objective eyes to move the work into the best form possible.  I am lucky to have such sharp-eyed friends and the willingness to utilize criticism.

   Based on the input of readers, I believe in my work now more than ever. I’ve sold a few hundred, and have had nothing but positive feedback. It is being considered for a few One Book One School programs, a professor of science education has made it required reading for his science ed majors, and no matter how long it takes, it will find its way into schools, because yes, it’s that important, timeless, and good.  But I am only one person, now engaging as many people as possible to read Nelson Telson – The Story of a True Blue Blood.

   During our initial exchanges, since your parameters excluded my book from any possibility of review, I offered to send you a copy, no strings, just for your enjoyment.  You ask, "How can we make them part of the family?”  My offer still stands.

Sheesh, I feel like such a kid.

Kindle Book!

After much moaning and groaning and gnashing of teeth, I finally have a kindle version that looks great!  #nelsontelson #kidlit #horseshoecrab Check it out: Nelson Telson Kindle Book
Flying high :-)

Banned in Boston

So, how’s an independently published author supposed to go about garnering a few reviews in her home city?  My family has been in the Boston area since 1633.  I went to school in Boston.  I even consulted on the Boston in a Box board game, and appear in the credits.  But when it comes to getting the Boston Globe and Horn Book to take a look at the work of a home girl, all bets appear to be off.

            The email I sent Nicole Lamy, Books Editor at the Boston Globe, and a fellow Emersonian no less, has been ignored.  I’m guessing the media packet I sent her is moldering in the slush pile.

            After stirring up Roger Sutton at The Horn Book, and even getting him to admit that not all self-published books are terrible, I still can’t get a review!

            These so-called gatekeepers have everything locked up so tightly. They’ve secured the realm of publishing with the barbed wire of old-school rules and timeframes to keep out the independent riffraff at the expense of readers everywhere.  It is ironic that those whose job is to bring good books and the love of reading to the public are refusing to acknowledge some really good books that are as much a benefit to humanity as “traditionally” published works.

            If you’ve read Nelson Telson, and wish to recommend it to Roger, feel free to respond to this thread: http://www.hbook.com/2014/10/blogs/read-roger/challenge-self-publishers/.

            If you’d like to see the response to the letter in my last blog post, you can read it here: http://www.hbook.com/2014/09/blogs/read-roger/open-letter-self-published-author-feeling-dissed/

#hornbook #bglobebooks #nelsontelson  Flip me over.

My rant which just became a Letter to the Editors:

I find it hard to believe that, here we are in the age of communications, and publications such as the Boston Globe Horn Book are still stuck in the old industrial paradigm, serving only established publishing concerns when there are so many great independently published books out there, including my middle grade novel Nelson Telson – The Story of a True Blue Blood.  Google it.

When I read submission guidelines: “Books produced by publishers that are not listed in Literary Market Place are not considered,” it just breaks my heart to see that literary people whose job is to bring good books and the love of reading to the public are actually suppressing information and thereby robbing the very reading public they are supposed to serve.  Freedom of speech itself is wrapped up in this highfalutin reactionary, exclusive brotherhood between reviewers, agents, and publishing houses.  If you haven’t noticed, we entered the Information Age three decades ago; we’re riding the Third Wave now, and that includes independently published works of exceptional quality.  Hop onboard!

Yours truly,

Heidi Mayo

P.S. Were my book eligible in your exclusive domain, you would have received the following letter with my submission. 

Dear Reader,

I have enclosed my middle grade novel, NELSON TELSON – The Story of a True Blue Blood and supporting materials for your consideration.   For the sake of brevity, please find the synopsis on the back cover and brochure.

When I decided to self-publish, I embarked upon a very successful Kickstarter campaign that was funded 415% and covered all costs while pre-selling nearly 200 copies.  Based on the input of readers, I have come to understand the vast and outstanding value of this book to children, adults, and educators. 

Recently, I was excited to learn that the University of North Dakota’s Professor Lars Helgeson, Ph.D. has required Nelson Telson for his Primary and Secondary Ed. majors.  Additionally, a handful of middle school English Language Arts Coordinators have been happy to accept the book for inclusion in their libraries and English, Science, and Critical Reading classes.  This book will be adopted into core curriculums nationally as, along with its engaging story of fantasy and real-life characters and situations, it offers countless important learning opportunities about ecology, global interdependence, history, philosophy, relativity theory, and how perspective impacts reality, to name a few.  Enjoyed by readers of all ages, it’s a middle grade novel that grows up before your very eyes.

The enclosed book is of a special edition printed by Powder Horn Press (ISBN 978-0692234785) as rewards for my Kickstarter backers.  On page 199 there is a color feature not found in the books distributed online by CreateSpace Independent Publishing and Amazon (ISBN 978-1499538441).  A Kindle version will be available soon.

In the media packet you will find:

*   business card

*   marketing brochure

*   author Q and A

*   author bios

*   2 press releases

*   sampling of Amazon reviews

Links to video interviews and forthcoming articles can be found at www.heidimayo.com on my media packet page.

Thank you so much for your time and kind consideration. Enjoy the book!

AUTHOR’S BOOK-SIGNING EVENT at PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Heidi Mayo

heidi@heidimayo.com

www.heidimayo.com

AUTHOR’S BOOK-SIGNING EVENT at PLYMOUTH FARMERS’ MARKET

PLYMOUTH, MA, September 8, 2014 – Local author, artist and teacher Heidi Mayo will be at the Plymouth Farmers’ Market at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA on Thursday, September 18 from 2:30 to 6:00 for a special book-signing event.  Heidi will be available to answer questions and share her experiences about her just-published book, NELSON TELSON – The Story of a True Blue Blood, a story that takes place in Duxbury and Plymouth, MA.  Visit www.heidimayo.com for more information about this very special middle grade novel enjoyed by readers of all ages. Part of the proceeds will benefit Plimoth Plantation.

NELSON TELSON is available locally at Westwinds Bookshop in Duxbury, Plimoth Plantation Museum Shop, and online at amazon.com. 

The author loves presenting Nelson Telson to the public, media, groups, and schools.  To book an interview, appearance, or book signing, please contact heidi@heidimayo.com.

BUY BOOKS LOCALLY

NELSON TELSON - The Story of a True Blue Blood signed special Powder Horn Press Edition books available at Westwinds Bookshop and Plimoth Plantation Museum Shop.

Book signing event at Plymouth Farmers Market, Plimoth Planataion, Sept 18, 2:30-6:00

#nelsontelson #horseshoecrab #westwindsbookshop #plimouthplantation

LESSONS FROM A HORSESHOE CRAB – BOOK SIGNING EVENT

PLYMOUTH, MA, August 29, 2014— Local author Heidi Mayo’s book NELSON TELSON – The Story of a True Blue Blood is a middle grade novel with many lessons for young and old alike. Readers take away concepts such as the interdependence of all living things, the need to sustain our environment, and the importance of selfless giving.  In that spirit, Mayo, with help from Powder Horn Press, has donated numerous copies of her book to Plymouth Intermediate Schools, Rising Tide Charter Public School, Duxbury Middle School, Duxbury Bay Maritime School, and South Shore Charter School.

When shy and lonely Mariah Miller finds a magic spearhead on the beach that enables her to talk to a wise old horseshoe crab, she travels through time and space and learns many lessons.  Nelson the horseshoe crab shares the wisdom of the ages, and along the way we learn just how important horseshoe crabs are to the survival of many species including our own. Horseshoe crabs thrived on this planet for over 455 million years without human interference. Now they need our protection. Mayo’s work supports the Ecological Research and Development Group of Dover, Delaware whose sole purpose is to stabilize global horseshoe crab populations. The author encourages people to shop through smile.amazon.com choosing Ecological Research and Development Group as their charity, so proceeds with benefit this important work.

MEET THE AUTHOR—Among Mariah’s many adventures on the shores of Duxbury and Plymouth, she visits the first Thanksgiving and learns much about the People of the First Light – the Wampanoag. You can meet the author right there at the Plymouth Farmers Market at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA on Thursday, September 18 from 2:30 to 6:00 for a special book-signing event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Plimoth Plantation.

NELSON TELSON is available locally at Westwinds Bookshop in Duxbury, Plimoth Plantation Museum Shop, and online at amazon.com. 

The author loves presenting Nelson Telson to the public, media, groups, and schools.  To book an interview, appearance, or book signing, please contact heidi@heidimayo.com.