Ask an Editor: Advice for Selling at Tables

06 Wednesday Aug 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, Amanda Davis, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jocelyn Rish, Keila V. Dawson, marketing, Micky O'Brady, Moni Ritchie Hadley, publicity, publishing, R.S. Mellette, Tina Athaide, Tracy Gold, websites

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I’m selling my book for the first time at an event. What tips can you share? I’m looking for things that have worked well for sales and that were cost-effective.

– Ellie, Pasadena

Hello Ellie – You’ll have fun! That’s one of the great things about being a kidlit author.

Authors who have been there and done that share their tips:

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Ask an Editor: When to Announce?

14 Wednesday May 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, marketing, publicity, publishing, websites

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – My book deal has been announced on Publisher’s Weekly but I don’t have an ISBN, exact publication date, or a cover image yet. When should I announce it myself?

– Carrie, Los Angeles

Hello Carrie – Congratulations! It’s exciting seeing the PW announcement—now the world knows! You don’t need to wait for an ISBN or the book cover. In fact, even if you have the book cover, you can use that at a later date as a “book-cover reveal” announcement.

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Ask an Editor: Should I Self-Publish?

15 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, indie-publishing, publishing, self-publishing, websites, writing

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I’ve been trying to land an agent for four years, but have had no success. Should I self-publish my book?

– Hana, Culver City

Hello Hana – It typically takes 3–5 years from when a manuscript is polished and querying begins until an author lands an agent or publisher, and there is no guarantee a manuscript will get picked up. I understand that’s a long time to wait on a chance.

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Ask an Editor: How Much Should I Share on My Website?

30 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by Judy Y Faulkner in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, authors, business, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, publishing, websites

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – Should I post all or part of my manuscript on my website? I’m pre-published and seeking an agent.

—Stan, Los Angeles

Hello Stan – I realize it seems simpler to have your work on your website and have others come there to view it, but that goes against the expectations of our industry and increases your chances that your ideas or content may be used in ways that do not benefit you.

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