Title: Frazier: The Very Special Cat
Genre: Children’s Books
Publisher: Writer’s Coffee Bar Press
Website: www.fayerapoportdespres.com
Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published. Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?
Faye: I have been writing since I was a child, and I used my writing skills to build a career in journalism and public relations for environmental organizations and businesses. At some point I felt as if it was “now or never” to get back to creative writing, so I pursued a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree with the goal of publishing my first book.
Is this your first book?
Faye: Frazier: The Very Special Cat is actually my fourth book. My first book is a memoir-in-essays titled Message From a Blue Jay, and many of the personal essays in that book were first crafted during my MFA program. Since publishing the essay collection, I have written and published three children’s books.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Faye: This book was published by what many people would consider a “hybrid” publisher. The publisher is a professional who chose to publish my children’s books, makes some of the high-level editorial decisions, and handles the editing, illustration approval, layout, design, file creation and production for a flat fee. In return I receive 100% of the royalties.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey? The pros and cons?
Faye: With my first book, I had an agent. Our agreement was unusual, however, in that my agent was a long-time colleague who had her own publishing company at one time and is an author herself. She agented a select number of other authors’ works part-time. I paid her up-front so that she would be compensated regardless of whether or not she landed a publisher for my book, which is not the usual way agents work. In the end she got two offers, but it took time and a lot of initial submissions to presses that ended up saying “no.” The two offers she got were great, but I ended up choosing a third publisher, a small independent press called Buddhapuss Ink. I happened to interact with the owner of the press on Twitter, and she asked to see the manuscript. Then she made the offer to publish it.
Like many writers, I initially dreamed of working with a major publisher or a university press, but I was happy with the professional way Buddhapuss Ink handled my book. They put a lot of care and effort into getting it out into the world, and their passion for the project made me feel good about the book.
After that, Buddhapuss Ink was interested in my children’s book ideas. Over time, unfortunately, the owner of the company — long-time publishing pro MaryChris Bradley — decided close up shop due to the financial challenges faced by independent, traditional publishers (although Buddhapuss Ink books are still in print and available). She has since moved forward with a different financial model for publishing future books under the imprint Writer’s Coffee Bar Press. Because MaryChris is such a pro and I was so happy with the way Buddhapuss Ink published my first book, we mutually decided to move forward with my children’s books under the Writer’s Coffee Bar Press imprint.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Faye: The publishing industry — especially when it comes to the major houses — is a “tough nut to crack.” There is so much competition, and publishers understandably have to make decisions based on the perceived marketability of a project and how it fits with their goals and lists. It is hard if you are not a well-known author or personality to break through, though of course writers do. It takes persistence and a thick skin in the face of a lot of rejection. Sometimes it takes having or making the right connections. Sometimes you can work hard at it for months (or even years) and not get any offers. It can be discouraging.
For me, it made sense to find ways to make things happen that weren’t happening the traditional way or the way I’d initially dreamed they’d happen. My agreement with my agent for the first book is an example. I don’t know of anyone else who has worked that way with an agent (I don’t even know if any other agents would consider it). The decision to go with a small, independent press for Message From a Blue Jay was another example. Then, with my children’s books, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable self-publishing the books because I wanted the stamp of approval - and skills and experience - of a professional publisher behind the books. But I was willing to switch things up financially. Sometimes you have to find creative ways to make publishing happen, just as you find creative ways to tell stories.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Faye: Yes. Actually, it depends. If getting your work out into the world with a professional publisher is a priority and you can handle the publishing costs, absolutely. But for some writers it makes more sense to go the traditional route, and for others it makes more sense to self-publish. I think it’s different for every writer and project, depending on many factors.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Faye: Focus first on the writing. Work at it, study it, practice it, and produce a manuscript you feel good about. Leave the worry about publishing until you have a manuscript ready to go. Then, explore your options and get your thick skin on. For some authors that will mean contacting agents, for some it will mean seeking out a small press without an agent, for some it will mean self-publishing. But no matter how you do or don’t publish, try not to let rejection by agents, publishers, or readers affect how you feel about yourself or your work. Believe in yourself and your own voice.
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Frazier: The Very Special Cat is the third book in the Stray Cat Stories children’s book series. It tells the heartwarming story of a big orange tom cat who needed help and the humans who came to his rescue. The book, which is based on a true story and features colorful, charming illustrations by Laurel McKinstry Petersen, teaches children about compassion for stray animals and ways they can help. It also includes a message about being different and still being happy and loved. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of books in the Stray Cat Stories Series is donated to non-profit animal rescue organizations. Find out more on Amazon.
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