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12 x 12 Featured Author January 2019 – Viviane Elbee

Viviane ElbeeHappy New Year, 12 x 12 Members! We’re are excited to announce that for the third year in a row, our Featured Author posts will come from our 12 x 12 community. We are so proud of the success of our members and love that we get to celebrate with you this way. Remember these posts are here to encourage you. If you don’t have an agent or a book deal yet, that’s where these authors were just a few years ago. It takes time to walk the publishing path and we’re here to help, educate, and encourage you along the way. 

We are particularly happy to bring you this month’s Featured Author. Viviane Elbee was a 2016 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship recipient. During her time as a scholarship member, Viviane signed with her agent and received an offer for her debut picture TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI, which just came out this past November. Today, Viviane shares her journey and what she’s wishes she would have known earlier. Thanks, Viviane!

Yay! It’s a new year! It’s a great time to advance your storytelling career and start learning about book marketing.

A decade ago, I joined an SCBWI critique group, determined to improve my writing skills. Then I joined 12 x 12 and gained so much knowledge about the craft, thanks to excellent webinars, blog posts and community discussions. During all these years, I was working on the craft, but I didn’t pay much attention to marketing. Then, two years ago, shortly after winning a 12 x 12 diversity scholarship, I received an offer for TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI and signed with an agent (Natascha Morris @socalledYAlife). Suddenly I discovered a whole new world– the world of book marketing.

Here are some tips and things I WISH I HAD KNOWN and DONE EARLIER. Hopefully when you get that yes! and your publisher asks you for your marketing plan, you’ll be prepared.

#1 – You can start planning your marketing NOW – even if you don’t have any manuscripts under contract or publications. Some successful self-published authors recommend starting even before your manuscripts are polished!

#2 – Reserve a proper domain name and set up a basic website.

  • Websites should have an: ABOUT ME page, a CONTACT page (usually an email form), and a SOCIAL MEDIA link page. If you have publications, you should have a PUBLICATIONS / BOOKS page(s). If you’re agented, mention your agent.
  • You may also wish to include an EVENTS page.
  • Some authors and illustrators have blogs and newsletters.
  • Email signups can be a great way to build a platform too.
  • It’s important that your website be about YOU. You’re the brand. (Hopefully one day you’ll have LOTS of books listed on your website.)
  • If the “about me” page is tough, read other author and illustrator bios for inspiration. Gather your ideas, rough drafts, and polished manuscripts and look for recurring subjects. A generic idea is: YOUR NAME is a _____ [writer, illustrator…] who loves _____ [giraffes, the great outdoors, food] and is currently working on ____ [a picture book, an art portfolio, a novel…]. (Keep your bio in 3rd person because it’s better for search engine optimization).
  • Taking an author branding course can help. (This is one that I took.) Andrea provides a lot of videos, worksheets and exercises about branding, and there are sections that will help you plan your website.)
  • Having a website makes you look like a serious professional. This cannot be replaced by a Facebook page or Twitter or Instagram.
  • Update your website regularly

#3 – Social Media. Reserve your name on all the major social media platforms even if you don’t intend to use all of them. You don’t want a bot to grab your name and post nonsense. Set aside some time to figure out which social media platforms you like best – you don’t need to be active on all platforms, but after you get a yes, your publisher and agent may ask you to be active online, so it helps to know the basics and which sites you like best.

  • If you feel lost online, reach out to your fellow 12 x 12ers! They’ll gladly friend you in FB and follow you on Twitter and Instagram and Pinterest and Goodreads and more.
  • Join Goodreads. Use a real photo of yourself (a good one that you are proud of) and your bio. Add books you’ve read and want to read to your virtual shelves. Update your book shelves regularly. About 4-6 months from publication, you’ll have the opportunity to register yourself as a Goodreads author and “claim” your book. That will make it easier for book fans to find you and connect. (It’s easy to add published 12 x 12 books to your to-read list – there’s a Goodreads 12×12 Listopia list – https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/122442.12x12_Books).
  • If you find you like Instagram, use the hashtag #bookstagram to find the book lovers.
  • Think before you post– how will this content reflect on you? It’s safe to post pics of baby giraffes in the snow, but complaints about book industry people could hurt your chances with some agents and editors.

Teach Your Giraffe to Ski by Viviane Elbee#4 – Get to know your local bookstores. Plan regular trips a few times a year. Ask booksellers for their recommendations. If you have a relationship with the booksellers and they recognize you, it’ll be a lot easier to tell them about your book when it comes out and they’ll be more willing to help you set up a launch party. (Yes, buy a book while you’re there. But if you overspend in bookstores, bring cash only.)

#5 – Get to know your libraries and librarians. Some libraries organize wonderful events with authors and illustrators.

#6 – Build connections with people. Even if people don’t buy your book, they may recommend it to others. Networking is important, and SCBWI and 12 x 12 are great ways to connect with others in the KidLit industry. It’s also good to network with people who are not in the book industry – you never know who might buy your book!

#7 – Pay attention to local presses –newspapers, radios and TV. Do you know any of the journalists/freelancers? Can you follow them on social media and build a connection? Your publisher may ask about your press connections in your marketing plan questionnaire. As a new debut author, it can be hard to get an article or interview that’s just about you, but expanding the subject matter may lead to a winning article idea. Here’s an article a local paper ran about my critique group after I suggested the idea to one of the journalists. The press thought it was interesting that there was a large group of local talent in our area, the article helped boost my critique partners’ work, and it mentions TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. (https://www.minthilltimes.com/featured/successful-local-group-of-childrens-authors-illustrators-a-mint-hill-time-exclusive-interview/)

#8 – After you get a book deal, it’s time to update your website. Include the upcoming book, update your social media profiles, and let your personal connections know.

#9 – Once your book appears in Amazon, you’ll want to claim your book and set up your Amazon author profile.

#10 – Joining EPIC 18 was my single most helpful marketing tactic after I got a book deal. This is a debut group of authors and illustrators with books releasing in 2018 (https://epiceighteen.weebly.com/). I found out about EPIC 18 via 12 x 12, and similar groups form regularly. If you have a book scheduled for release, check with 12 x 12 to connect with a similar group. Some author/illustrator groups include previously published authors with a new book releasing that year. Epic 18 was incredibly supportive and educational – everyone shared tips about things like book marketing timelines, how to set up a book launch party, the importance of signing up for an Amazon author central account, how to contact ARC review chains and bloggers, which pens to use for autographs, and the best places to buy book swag such as bookmarks, postcards and stickers. (If any of you would like to share extra marketing tips in the comments, it’d be much appreciated.)

I’m hoping this year will be a great year for all of us. There are always things to learn in the book industry, but I also hope that you’ll explore and discover new ideas and hobbies outside of your writing life. If I hadn’t taken the time to learn to ski a few years ago, I would have never written TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. New activities can enrich your life and may inspire a winning manuscript.

So, like a certain adventurous giraffe, I encourage all of you to enter the new year with a Whoosh! and a Wheee! and bravely seek out new opportunities.

 

Viviane Elbee is a children’s author creating fun books for fond memories. When not writing, Viviane has all kinds of adventures with her family, both at home in the Carolinas and abroad. Her debut picture book, TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI, came out in November 2018 (Albert Whitman and Co.). Her work has also appeared in Highlights High Five magazine.

Viviane is giving away one signed copy of TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI to one lucky 12 x 12 member. Be sure to register!

GOLD membership renewal – January 3-4
SILVER members enter Rafflecopter for 2017 GOLD Level – January 3-4
SILVER members upgrade to GOLD – January 5-7
ALL Returning 12 x 12 members can renew at the SILVER Level – January 8 – February 28

Registration opens for new 12 x 12 members on January 8th. Sign up to be notified on our Membership Page.

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364 Responses

  1. Thanks Viviane, and perfect timing! One of my goals for 2019 is to (finally) create website, and I have been pestering my daughter/social media consultant for help. 🙂 I appreciate your advice and guidelines.

  2. Great post, Viviane! Thank you for giving us a look at marketing (an aspect of writing that few of us understand) and what you did to help promote, Teach Your Giraffe To Ski

  3. Great advice for the new year as we all look positively to our future published PBs. Each of these points is about all the connections we’re making now and can plan ahead for — thanks Viviane!

  4. I have a website set up but not published yet. You’ve given me lots to think about. Looking forward to reading your book too!

  5. Wow. This is chock full of good advice. Thanks for sharing. And I had to chuckle when I thought about my instructor who was helping me learn to ski at age 60. He must have felt like he was teaching a giraffe to ski! Such a cute, kid-friendly book cover!

  6. Thanks Viviane for this advice…social media platforms do make me nervous so I only have a few…I know I need to do more with them.

  7. Viviane, this is gold! My first pb is coming out later this year, and I’m hungry for all knowledge about marketing. Thank you thank you!

  8. Thank you, Viviane, This info is terrific. I always wonder, though, what’s the actual content–Home Page, etc–for an unpublished writer? Or are we simply in the Ready, Set, Get Ready mode until that day comes…? 🙂

  9. Thanks so much, Viviane. This is all the stuff I really don’t like to think about, but it’s so important. Congratulations on your new book!

  10. Great advice, Viviane! Now I need to go back and work on my website some more. Congrats on your book!!

  11. This was a great post, Viviane! At least I’ve done several of these things already and “when” I get my first book deal I’ll have a resource suggesting what else I can do to market my book! Thanks.

  12. Thank you for sharing so much valuable knowledge and information! And congratulations on your book and 12×12 success story. You are an inspiration. 🙂

  13. Wow! This is such great advice. I am building my website this year and now I feel like I have a plan. Congratulations and continued success Viviane!

  14. Such a great–and useful–post! Thank you. It makes sense to start thinking about marketing early. What great advice. Congratulations on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI! It is adorable.

  15. Wow! A valuable post! “… which pens to sign autographs with”??! Didn’t know there WAS such a thing (and why). I need to print this out & make a checklist… Thank you, Viviane!

  16. Loved TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE HOW TO SKI! In fact, I read it to my grandkids before we went skiing during Christmas vacation!
    Thanks for the branding and social media tips, Viviane…building our presence is important when we have book news to spread…but the connections are just plain fun.

  17. Thank you for the wonderful post, Viviane! I appreciated all the practical advice. In fact, I copied and saved the entire post to use as a resource. 🙂

  18. WOW! My head is spinning with all of this great information! Clearly, I have a lot of work to do in 2019! Thanks for the great post! 🙂

  19. Great post, VIviane! I didn’t think of reserving on platforms I wouldn’t use (I’m ever the optimist about things and should be more street smart!)

  20. Thank you everybody, for all your kind comments! I’m happy to see my post is helpful. Polly Renner – it’s ok to only be active on 1 or 2 social media sites, not all of them. I just wanted to point out that it’s good practice to reserve your name everywhere so bots don’t get your name. (Also, you may feel less nervous with Goodreads – you mark books you want to read, rate/review books you’ve read, or like other book reviews. It’s one of my favorites.) Joyce Schriebman, unpublished writers could put a nice image on their homepage and one sentence about themselves (the sentence might be repeated in the “about me” section.) It can take some time to think about what you want on your website and how to set it up, which provider to use etc… so might as well get a head start before your book deal comes along.

  21. Excellent advice, Viviane! And perfect for beginning a new year. Many of these things are on my Goals list.

  22. Really excited about your book, Viviane! Natascha Morris used it as an example for a workshop I attended last year. Great to see your well-deserved success! Good luck!

  23. Viviane! Congratulations and Happy New Year! Thank you for your book. I think we all sometimes feel like a giraffe learning how to ski 🙂 Thank you for the impressive amount of information you shared about the business side of books — marketing. I always wince a little when I have to skip over the ‘website’ box when posting a comment like this. You have inspired me to make an author website and get started on the other medias, as well. I’ll be re-reading your post often. Thank you!

  24. Thank you, Viviane! Excellent advice. I’m glad I’m part way there with your suggestions. Now I have more to do. Congrats on your book…I love giraffes, so I’m eager to get it!

  25. Excellent post, Viviane! I thought of your narrator’s advice as I was skiing yesterday! 🙂 It’s been SO MUCH FUN watching your book come to life! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  26. Wonderful info! Thanks, Viviane!! And congratulations on your sweet looking book! Can’t wait to check it out. 🙂

  27. Congratulations on your book, Viviane! I really enjoyed your advice, even though I’m only in the “working on the craft years” at this point. But who knows? Maybe 2019 will have to be a marketing year for me as well. ; )

  28. An excellent list of ways to prepare for marketing success, Viviane. Congratulations on your new book. It looks adorable.

  29. Thanks for the great post and advice, Viviane!!! Marketing a book is one of those things that feels so daunting at times, but these tips make me feel more prepared! 🙂

  30. Viviane, you have provided us all with some wonderful tips and advice for marketing books. Thank you and congrats on your success!

  31. Hi, Viviane! Love giraffes and can’t wait to read your book. Great cover and great tips on marketing.

  32. Terrific information- it’s a bit overwhelming but I’m trying for some small steps. Thanks for sharing! And congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski- I loved it!

  33. This is helpful information and I’m putting the book on hold at the library. I’ve vowed to make much better use of 12×12 this year ~ so in that vein, how do I register for a copy of Teach Your Giraffe to Ski?

  34. Viviane,

    This is fantastic marketing advice! Thanks for kicking off 2019 with a bang! I’m blown away by all you offered on the blog. Hope we can work together in the future. Would love to get you up in Concord to present a marketing workshop one day or have you give a presentation on writing/literacy.

    I use K.S. Image Solutions in Harrisburg, NC for all of my promotional products. Krystal and her family are great to work with. They do a lot with fire departments, hospitals, etc.

    My favorite marketing product is the temporary tattoo. Children love them mad they last much monger than a sticker. Bookmarks are always a hit, too.

  35. Thank you, Viviane! That’s good advice. I actually started a website , but I’m sheepish about announcing it as I am an emerging writer. Time to revisit it!

  36. Vivane, thank you for such an informative post. I will change my “About” page on my web/blogsite to third person asap. I will also register for Goodreads. Thank you!! And Congratulations!

  37. Thank you for spelling it out or leaving a guide for things to remember to do before and after
    you send out your work or queries and receive an offer. This is a marketing plan, I needed to
    have now.

  38. Really Interesting post. Thanks for this advice Viviane! And congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski!

  39. What a gold mine of information! Thank you so much, Viviane. I can’t wait to read your book. It’s on the list for my next trip to the library!

  40. Hi, Viviane! I’m getting a late start and just read your post. Thank you so much for this information. I started to create a website but didn’t get far. Now I’m ready to act! Congratulations on your picture book. I can’t wait to read it.

  41. Viviane, such a useful post, on a topic (I have to admit) I would happily ignore. But obviously, that’s not a good idea. Will start small and try to branch out as I go along 🙂 Good reads sounds like a perfect starting place.
    Congrats on your book, too. Haven’t read it yet, but LOVE the title. Have it on my list of mentor texts.

  42. Thanks, Viviane for the helpful tips. I’m bookmarking this post for the future! Can’t wait to read your book!

  43. What a mine of useful information on a topic I know little about. I know I’m going to keep referring back to this one! Thanks for the tips and best of luck for your book this year.

  44. Viviane, this post is wonderful! It’s so informative and great to know before being published. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read your book.

  45. Excellent information on marketing, Viviane! Thank you! It is an area that gets overlooked, but is so important to promoting books. Congratulations on your book! Can’t wait to read it!

  46. Vivianne,
    My grandchildren love to ski so I’m definitely getting this book. I resist all things marketing but now you’ve made me reconsider. I’ll start on this to do list one thing at a time. I had a yoga studio and marketing took up HUGE amounts of time. So it goes. I’d rather write.

  47. Great advice! I always forget the book marketing aspect of publishing, so this has been super helpful. Congrats on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI! I love the how-to format/helpful and funny instructions, clever and fun characters, and beautiful illustrations. The giraffe reminds me of my 6-foot-3 brother who lives in Denver and is always skiing down the Colorado slopes! 🙂

    –Alison

  48. I’m so glad to have joined this group. This book looks like it will be fun to read. I’ve just checked it out at the local library. It isn’t even in their circulation pool yet, but my name is first on the list when they get it, 02/01/19.

  49. Thanks for the advice and tips. It is one side of the writing cycle to write and revise, but the selling portion is a subject unto itself. You put the needed information in a way that is well done.

  50. Thanks so much for your insight into marketing. I have already made a website, but now I know how to really make it shine! Thanks again!

  51. Thank you Viviane. Very helpful to the newby. I’m sure I will be referring back to the repeatedly as I set up my web page. Congrats on your wonderful TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE HOW TO SKI!

  52. Thanks Viviane, for all of this golden advice! This is one of those posts that I want to print out and hang up somewhere prominent, so I can check things off as I complete them!

    Congratulations on your hard work and delightful book!

  53. Thanks for getting me thinking about marketing. I would not have thought to go down this path quite yet!

  54. Thank you, Viviane! This is timely advice since I’ve been re-visiting Twitter (I’m actually enjoying the info) and working on my website, which is still in early stages. New year, new tasks! Congratulations on Teaching Your Giraffe to Ski. Here’s to many more successes! Thank you for sharing!

  55. What great information to kick off the year! I can’t wait to check out the marketing course you recommended. I have a website, but it’s not under my name. I’m wondering if I should try to start over.

  56. Excellent post that gives me a lot to think about and look into. Thanks for sharing such great resources!

  57. I really like that you began by giving tips for BEFORE you sell your first book. There’s lots of useful information here for everyone.

  58. So much great advice. So glad I have stayed friends with my library friends and have local school contacts. Now all I need is to get a book published. LOL. All in good time.

  59. This was very helpful. Some of the things I’ve done, but I can see where I could be more complete. I am going to print this and follow through on several things. Thank you so much!

  60. Great post, thank you so much! I’m bookmarking it and filing it in my WHAT TO DO WHEN I FINALLY GET A DEAL folder! These were all the things we need to know but most people don’t think to tell us. Appreciate all these suggestions!

  61. Great post to start a new year. Your title and book cover looks so fun and appealing-one that kids will want to grab off the shelves and take home. Congratulations!

  62. Thank you for the fantastic advice and congrats on your success, Viviane! So many things we can get a jump start on so we’re ready when the good news arrives! Much appreciated. Can’t wait to read your book!

  63. This has great advice! Thank you for your insight. I checked your book out of the library a couple of weeks ago, what a coincidence! I really enjoyed it, congrats!

  64. Viviane, what an amazingly interesting and extremely helpful post. I’m not published…yet…but this is all great to know as we all journey forward! Thank you.

  65. This is such great advice! I have a website and most of what you recommend is on there. I started with a blog and it’s the most active part of my website but now that my debut is weeks away, the events page is also heating up! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

  66. Wow! I am printing this post and pinning it to my wall. Writing seems like the easy part compared to this list.

  67. This is such a generous post with so much useful information! Thank you for sharing all this.
    (Recently saw Teach Your Giraffe to Ski at our favorite ski resort…talk about great marketing! My small skiers loved it 🙂

  68. Viviane –

    Thank you so much for all the time you took to write this article. It will be a great resource tool that I will keep. It is so comprehensive. Thank you again.

  69. Being published in short romance and mystery fiction, all good advise. You don’t want to wait on having a website and gathering an email list of those interested in your work. Love the concept of Teach Your Giraffe to Ski. Humorous PBs are my favorite.

  70. Thank you for a wealth of practical and accessible marketing techniques.

    Having yet to publish a picture book, what do people think about blending adult publications in one website intended also to promote future children’s publications?

  71. Thank you for such a detailed list of tips! I worked in marketing for 7 years, but when it comes to promoting my personal writing it’s the marketing part that feels the most overwhelming! Having a detailed plan though always helps, because that way we can approach the to-do list one-by-one. Also, appreciate the link to the training!

  72. Thank you for such a detailed list of tips! I worked in marketing for 7 years, but when it comes to promoting my personal writing it’s the marketing part that feels the most overwhelming! Having a detailed plan though always helps, because that way we can approach the to-do list one-by-one.
    Also, appreciate the link to the training!

  73. Thank you Vivian for such a detailed list of tips! Even thinking about the marketing aspect can be overwhelming, not talking about doing all that while also working on your craft. But having a detailed plan always helps! Also, thank you for the link to the tutorial!

  74. Thank you for your great advice! I’m looking forward to purchasing and sharing your book. I used to feed and rake the stall of a sweet and friendly giraffe at the zoo. Brutus-the-giraffe would lean over the dutch-door of his stall while I was working and lick my hair out of my pony-tail. Giraffes hold a sweet spot in my heart!

  75. Thank you Viviane. This is an excellent resource list for what needs to be done re: marketing. So helpful.

  76. Thank you, Viviane! This is great information to keep in my back pocket and use when I get published! Congratulations on your book! It looks very fun!!

  77. Thanks, Vivianne! Lots of great information here. Must admit, marketing is not up my alley. I’m saving your post and will start taking some of your valuable advice, even though I’m pre-published. Best of luck to you and your WIP’s!

  78. I’ve been a 12×12 member for 5 years now (I think) and this is the first time I’ve ever taken a full page of notes from your tips. Excellent advice as I feel I’m at the edge of a book deal. Fingers crossed. My favorite tip was to write your bio in 3rd person. Who knew? Thanks again!!!

  79. There is SO much goodness here! Thanks for putting it all in a checklist format – it really helps it feel attainable!

  80. Marketing and connecting with young readers can be the most rewarding part of writing. Thanks for putting together this thoughtful post!

  81. Viviane, congratulations on your PB! I remember feeling AND probably LOOKING like the giraffe when I first started learning to “snowplow” and stop on the slopes. What fun! You’ve capsulized marketing strategies into clear, detailed information. Thank you! Marketing our books is another world beyond writing books. When I participated in two webinars (“Children’s Book Marketing” by Kirstin Cappy and “What Is an Author Platform Anyway?” by Elaine Kiely Kearns and Sylvia Liu, I was overwhelmed by how much we, as authors, needed to do to promote our books. Yet, reading your post, I understand the need for authors and illustrators to be involved. After all, we’re “in love” with our books and want to spread the word. Motivated by what I learned in the webinars, I (with the help of my techie neighbor) designed a professional website where I challenge myself to write essay “banter.” I haven’t signed on to Twitter yet, but you’ve given me solid reasons to make my presence known on social media. Again, I’m grateful for your time and thought behind this post. Wishing you continued “joy in writing” (Tara Lazar).

  82. Congratulations on your fantastic book! As an adult just learning to ski, and only because my little ones are leaning, I related so much! As did my little ones! Thank you for all of your advice for writers, as well.

  83. Thank you so much Vivian, for such a thorough “getting set-up” post! I was just thinking about getting my web site started and now I have this bookmarked to use as a check list. Congratulations on your skiing giraffe!!

    Best,
    Erin

  84. Great tips! It can be tough to think about marketing in the early stages, but it’s obviously so important to lay that groundwork right away.

  85. Thanks for this helpful post, Viviane. I definitely need to come back and read it again once I sell a book. I knew a lot of these steps, but you added some new ones and it’s so helpful to have all the info together in one post. I wonder if there’s some way Julie can keep marketing tips like this easily searchable so members can find them when needed the most.

    Congrats on your debut picture book! It looks adorable, and I can’t wait to read it.

  86. Thank you for your advice and insight, I am excited to be part of the 12×12 and finishing a book in 2019.

  87. I thought I had posted a comment. But I can’t find it.
    Viviane, thank you for the reminder to secure your “name” on all social media. Especially if your name isn’t highly unique. Made me take the leap onto Instagram. 🙂

  88. Great info all around! Have so much to learn and had no idea about the new 18 thing and so many other points on here. Thanks!!

  89. Congratulations on your picture book! Thanks for sharing these ideas of what to start even before an offer.

  90. Viviane speaks the truth. This is a great list to refer to when you find yourself marching toward publication. Starting the New In Nineteen group was one of my best decisions. It has been such a wonderful marketing tool, as well as a great source of support and sharing.

  91. Thank you for the great information. It makes me feel good to know I am on the right track.
    Can’t wait to read your book.😊Congratulations!

  92. Thank you for the helpful information! I have the “Branding for Writers and Authors” page open in another tab right now. I can’t wait to check it out. Congratulations on your debut. What a fun cover and title!

  93. Great advice… I’ve already dug into some of this, but definitely found some helpful nuggets here that I need to jump on. Thanks for such a thorough rundown!

  94. Great advice, Viviane! I’ve been putting off creating a webpage, but I think you have given me the inspiration to try to do it.

  95. I thought I’d already commented on this, but I think it’s because I said something on Twitter. Viviane – this is amazing advice and I’ll be taking it. Thank you so much. And I love TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. My whole family does.

  96. Thank you for the post Viviane. There is so much to learn in the beginning. Posts like this definitely help! We’re all about skiing in our house right now so my kids love your book!

  97. Such amazing information that you’ve shared with us. Thank you! I’ve implemented a few things but now realize there is much to do. Congrats Viviane, adding Teach Your Giraffe to Ski to my reading list.

  98. Viviane, thank you so much for all the wonderful tips and marketing advice! You shared a wealth of information towards helping us become successful authors, and it is much appreciated. Congrats on your cute book! 🙂

  99. Hi Viviane! Congratulations on your fun-filled book! Because of your post, I purchased a domain and signed up for Twitter. I appreciate your helpful strategies on marketing! You are clearly an insightful blessing to the whole KidLit community!

  100. Congrats on the book (it sounds wonderful). And great advice (it’s never too early to start building your brand).

  101. Thanks for all these great tips! My critique group meets monthly at our local bookstore – Turn of the Corkscrew in Rockville Centre, NY. I love it because it gets me in to support a local business every month, I ALWAYS leave with a book for my sons, and I’ve made a great connection with the two bookstore owners. They give me great recommendations when they know I am working on a project and have even listened to me brainstorm ideas a few times! 🙂

  102. This is great advice! If anyone is looking for an affordable place to buy a domain, I get all of mine from NameCheap. They have great prices and you don’t have to get your domain at the same place you get your web hosting.

  103. What an informative and uplifting post, not to mention a great reminder that we’re never to old to try new things. Thanks for sharing!

  104. Such great advice. Never too early to be prepared. My website has been a mess for years. Need to move it up the priority list.

  105. Wow! A lot of good information here. I have some homework to do. Thanks for sharing your experrience with us. I’m going to print this out and start working on those areas I need to.

  106. I loved reading your post, V! So thrilled for you and your success. I ran up to Salt Lake City for the day yesterday to ski and channelled my inner giraffe all afternoon! <3

  107. Viviane, this is such a wonderful and positive (and correct) post. I agree with everything you said. 🙂 And, it’s been so wonderful sharing this debut year with you in Epic 18. Congratulations to you on a great book and a great year — and here’s to more of the same in the future.

  108. Wow, this is such good advice! I have really hesitated to set up a website without being published, but I’m feeling moved to go for it. Thank you for this very useful post.

  109. Great guidance on the social media aspects! Even without a book, it’s good to get started… Our 12×12 family has been awesome on Twitter!

  110. Thanks so much for all these great tips Viviane. Looking over your top ten list, I realize I need to build relationships, and make more connections. You’ve given me a couple of ideas. Thanks again and congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe To Ski.

  111. Congrats on the book and thanks for sharing your tips. I feel like the marketing side is such a mystery to most of us writers. I had never even heard of EPIC 18. Wishing you an amazing 2019.

  112. Great post to begin 2019. Thank you for sharing your marketing & social media tips Viviane. Your tips will lure me out of my shell this year.

  113. Thanks, Viviane, for the tip on reserving your domain name. I thought I would do it if I got a book deal, didn’t think of starting early. Thanks again and congratulations on your book.

  114. Viviane, you’ve given us a lot to think about. I love connecting on social media, but lack many computer skills to create a website. I hunger for bookstore visits and library visits, but struggle with the idea of marketing skills, and will need to research EPIC 18. You have inspired me to keep on keeping on. So much to learn. Thank you. P.S. I’ve finally involved myself in a critique group, thankfully.

  115. What a wonderful post Viviane! It’s good to have lots of information before your book is published. Marketing can be so hard! Websites are so important I’m so glad I’m lucky enough to be in your critique group. I love my copy of your book (nope, not even pretending it’s my kid’s book anymore). Can’t wait to read your next book!

  116. I am not ready for much of this advice, but I can see how very helpful this is. How kind of you to share your thinking.

  117. Thank you for such a detailed list of suggestions – I’m printing out your post. And a big congratulations on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI!

  118. Viviane – thank you so much for sharing your journey and providing us with such wonderful information to help us develop a solid platform. Wishing you all the best with your new book and the rest of the year.

  119. Thank you so much for these very useful and practical tips– so many of them! And congratulations!

  120. This is so helpful! I know I need to start my website and this is a great guide! Pinning this for later! Thank you!

  121. Wow! Great post. Thank you for sharing and giving ideas on how to define a marketing plan. Congratulations on your debut PB!

  122. Congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski and thanks for the thoughtful ideas. Especially love starting now and the branding course.

  123. Congratuations, Viviane, on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. The cover is hysterical! Great tips for marketing and social media–I’m still working on a few of those. Especially looking forward to connecting more to my local library and librarian now that I’m retired and work at the hospital doesn’t conflict with their limited hours of operation.

  124. I love practical advice. Thank you so much for listing everything out in your post. Super helpful! And congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski!

  125. Vivian, thank you for the time you spent preparing such an excellent and informative post. I definitely will be referring back to this one to review your helpful tips and to checkout the resources you provided.
    Your debut book looks adorable! I look forward to reading it and sharing it with my grandsons someday. Congratulations!

  126. Thank you for such a great, thorough post Viviane! There are so many excellent tips in here – many which I have not even thought about doing yet so it has reframed my thinking! Can’t wait to read and support your book! Sounds like so much fun.

  127. Thank you Viviane for such a complete article on your experiences and advice, plus so many resources. I think I am going to print this out to save, it is so rich with ideas and advice. It is very appreciated. And congratulations on your debut book and great writing to you!!

  128. VIviane — thank you for sharing all this amazing information with us all. It was really helpful to see all your experience from getting that contract to publication!

  129. Hi Vivian, and thank you for notes about self-promotion. Having done the groundwork early puts you in the success mindset. The resource links are much appreciated, unfortunately, the link to the branding course is broken. All the best with Teach Your Giraffe to Ski and your future books – that smile says it all.

  130. Thank you for all of your wonderful advice and tips on marketing. I’m new to this whole process and you answered many questions that I didn’t even know to have yet!! Congratulations on you debut picture book!!

  131. Brillant lodestar!! I have absorbed it twice. Having been a Silver then Gold and back to Silver member of 12 x 12, you, Viviane, have re-ignited a fire under my lazy derriere’. I am grateful.

  132. Viviane, thank you for such a wonderful, detailed, thorough post! I have had so many questions about this in the past, and tour post helped me see the bigger picture. I am so grateful!
    Ledys

  133. This was a fantastic post! It made me write down all the answers to these questions, and find out that I actually do have more connections than I thought. Thank you for the Instagram hashtag, that was definitely something I didn’t know before.

  134. Thanks for a comprehensive post – you’ve spurred me into action! I will move “setting up a website” to the top of the list, and revisit the idea of opening a Good Reads account.

  135. Thank you for this comprehensive list of marketing tips. It is so appreciated. p.s. Your book looks adorable – I can’t wait to read it!

  136. Wow! Thanks for all this great information! I’ve definitely added some items to my to do list as a result!

  137. You’re not kidding when you say the 12×12 community will support you on social media. I just joined this group four weeks ago and I quickly gained 300 Twitter followers — many of them fellow 12x12ers!

  138. (Yes, buy a book while you’re there. But if you overspend in bookstores, bring cash only.)
    That was my favorite part. Thanks for that tip and for recognizing our NEED to buy books! Great advice all around. Congratulations on your book!! Woohoo.

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Financial Need Scholarship Guidelines

All applications will be accepted via email only between November 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023 at kelli@juliehedlund.com.

Subject line of the email:

  1. 12 x 12 Financial Need Scholarship
 

Please include the following in the body of the email:

  1. An autobiographical statement and career summary in 250 words or fewer.
  2. A short statement describing the nature of the financial need/circumstances in 250 words or fewer.
  3. A sample query letter for the manuscript you are submitting with your application.
  4. Pitches for two additional completed picture books.
 

 Attached to the email:

  1.  The full text of one picture book manuscript, attached as a Word document named as FIN_YourFirstName_YourLastName_Title_of_Manuscript.doc (or docx).