The plr programAs per the Public Lending Right’s website, the average payment for eligible authors in 2020-2021 was $4,500. Even if your book is purchased by only one library, consider applying! Registration is due May 1 of each year for results and payout the following February. What is the PLR Program?
 LibraryHow to get your books into the library?
Check your local library's website of call them. I called the Calgary Public Library’s hotline and asked if they would consider adding my book, Spark, to their collection. After the call, the library sent me an email outlining the questions I need to answer in order to be considered. I answered the questions and that was it. I didn’t hear back from the library but when I checked the library’s catalogue a week later, they’ve ordered 2 copies of my book. I was very thrilled and grateful. If you live in Calgary and would like to read my book, Spark, you can borrow it from the Calgary Public Library shortly: Spark | Calgary Public Library | BiblioCommons
0 Comments
After submitting the query to agencies/agents and my manuscript to the publishers, all I could do was to wait for a response. In my last post, I mentioned I didn’t hear back from any of the publishers. Well, I only received a response from one of these agencies/agents. It was a ‘sorry, we’ll pass’ message, but it was so nice to get a response. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back from anyone. If your end goal is to get published, there are different ways to get there. 8 Canadian publishers that I have submitted my YA manuscript to:(1) Annick Press (Toronto, Ontario) Annick Press is an independent children’s publisher in Toronto. Annick Press publishes books for toddlers to young adults. Their YA novels tends to range from 50,000 to 70,000 words. Submission guideline link: Submission Guidelines | Annick Press Submission requirements: First chapter, synopsis and cover letter Consideration timeline: They didn't mention a timeline. They are unable to respond to every submission individually. (2) Dancing Cat Books (Toronto, Ontario) Dancing Cat Books accepts submissions for middle grade fiction and non-fiction, and young adult fiction and non-fiction, and they only publish Canadian authors. Submission guideline link: Submission | DCB (dcbyoungreaders.com) Submission requirements: Complete manuscript with word count indicated, synopsis (no more than 200 words), author bio, full contact information Consideration timeline: If you don’t hear from them within three months of submitting your materials, you can assume that they are not interested in pursuing publication. (3) Douglas & McIntyre (Madeira Park, BC) Douglas & McIntyre has been around for over 50 years, and they published books that have won many national and international awards. They accept manuscripts in many genres, including YA. Submission guideline link: Submission Policy – Douglas & McIntyre (douglas-mcintyre.com) Submission requirements: Cover letter, complete manuscript, book summary Consideration timeline: They didn’t mention a timeline. (4) ECW Press (Toronto, Ontario) ECW stands for Essays on Canadian Writing, and they started in 1974. They publish about 50 new titles each year in every genre of commercial and literary works. Submission guideline link: ECW Press | A Canadian Indie Book Publisher | Publishing Curiously Compelling Books Since 1974 Submission requirements: Cover letter, brief bio, 15-25 pages of the manuscript Consideration timeline: If you don’t hear back from them within two months, you can assume they are not interested in pursuing publication. (5) Red Deer Press (Markham, Ontario) Red Deer Press encourages Canadian talent from across Canada, writers and artists. Red Deer Press is a small Canadian publishers distinguished by its children’s and young adult program, and it publishes children’s picture books, contemporary YA fiction, adult fiction and non-fiction. Submission guideline link: Manuscript Submissions | Red Deer Press Submission requirements: Query letter, 3 sample chapters Consideration timeline: If you don’t hear back from them within six months, you can assume they are not interested in pursuing publication. (6) Tidewater Press (Toronto, Ontario) Tidewater Press publishes both fiction and nonfiction accounts of advocates, pioneers, immigrants and activists. They publishe 4-5 titles per year. Submission guideline link: Submissions | Tidewater Press - Accepting manuscripts from Canadian authors Submission requirements: Meet the criteria of Tidewater Press publishing mandate, 500 words max synopsis, manuscript Consideration timeline: They didn't mention a timeline. They are unable to detailed feedback to authors in their reply. (7) Tundra Books (Toronto, Ontario) Tundra Book Group consist of Tundra, Puffin Canada and Penguin Teen Canada. Penguin Teen Canada is an imprint for YA books. Submission to any of the three publishers is through Tundra Books. Submission guideline link: Submissions - Tundra Book Group (tundrabooks.com) Submission requirements (for YA fiction): Cover letter, complete manuscript Consideration timeline: If you don’t hear from them within six months of submitting your materials, you can assume that they are not interested in pursuing publication. (8) Yellow Dog (Winnipeg, Manitoba) Yellow Dog is an imprint of Great Plains Publications Ltd. and it publishes contemporary and historical fiction for middle grade and teen readers across North America. Submission guideline link: Submit | Great Plains Publications Submission requirements: Cover letter, brief bio, one page synopsis or outline, 2-3 sample chapters for fiction Consideration timeline: If you don’t hear back from them within six months, you can assume they are not interested in pursuing publication.  I didn’t hear back from any of these publishers, unfortunately. But perhaps you will when you do your submission! There are many other Canadian and international publishers out there, so do your own research as well. As Spark is set in Canada, I simply decided to only submit my manuscript to Canadian publishers. I’ve also summitted queries to 6 Canadian literary agencies/agents, and will share those agencies/agents with you in another post.
Here's the link to my interview with Literary Titan (also copied and pasted below). Enjoy! Spark follows a group of young adults that must make a journey inland in order to survive amidst an apocalyptic world that throws obstacles at each turn. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story? I was reading several books in a series and thought I could try to write a series as well. However, it soon became apparent that just writing one book is tough (laugh!). I decided to write my book as a standalone at that point. There are things that I care about, such as global warming and mental health, and I wanted to incorporate these things into the book. As Spark is my first novel, I want to make it straight forward for me to write, so I decided that my characters shall go from point A to point B with challenges that they must face along the way. With so much drama and disasters striking the characters, how did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story? There were as many external obstacles and misfortunes as internal struggles that the main character, Becky experienced. Simply put, as the characters need to go from point A to point B as soon as possible, the story is always moving along. I tried to have characters that are relatable to keep the story grounded. Becky, the mean character, is by no means perfect. Some of her decisions are even questionable, but I think readers can understand her. Tommy, her brother, is a drug addict. He uses sarcasm to cope with his depression and pain. The siblings don’t get along but they are close and care about each other. Their friend, Connor, who tags along with the siblings, is levelheaded and rational. He provides stability amid all the crises. What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book? Some of the themes that are important for me to explore in this book include effects of climate change, survival after disasters, personal growth, dysfunctional families, self-harm, and drug addiction. What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available? Although I mentioned Spark is a standalone book, there is potential for a sequel (laugh!). It’s not the book I’m currently working on though. I’m currently working on another young adult / new adult book that involves the main character being convinced she’s haunted by a ghost. It will explore the themes of science vs. superstition, expectations from others vs. self-fulfillment, and the courage of letting go so change can happen.  Hi everyone! I'm just starting to learn about how to edit my website and blog. Here are some teaser images from my new book, Spark. #Spark #YA #thriller #climatefiction #pandemic fiction #apocalypse |
Categories
All
Archives |
RSS Feed
