Free Online Workshop: Cracking the Code of Distribution – How to Get Your Children’s Book Stocked in Shops & Schools - Logged on the calendar!!! - https://www.skool.com/bwup-childrens-book-community-4707/calendar?eid=865533aacf404aa086f7086f9daaeba0 Have you ever wondered how retailers like Waterstones, indie bookshops, or even schools decide which children’s books to stock—and why some titles make it onto shelves while others don’t? In collaboration with Bear With Us Productions, this 1-hour workshop, hosted by Magic Moon Publishing, will dive deeper into the world of distribution, providing you with clear, insider knowledge on how to position your book for success. You’ll discover: - What distributors and retailers really look for when considering children’s books - How to prepare your book so it’s “retail-ready” (from ISBNs to metadata and design) - The role of wholesalers, reps, and catalogues in getting your book noticed - Why school visits and educational outreach matter to distribution decisions - Magic Moon’s retail reach and insights into how authors can align with opportunities Additionally, we’ll share practical next steps to help you confidently put your book in front of buyers, schools, and bookstores. Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—the recording will be available afterwards. Attendees will also have the opportunity to book a complimentary 1:1 session with the Commissioning Editor of Magic Moon Publishing for personalised distribution advice tailored to their book. This is your opportunity to unlock the mysteries of book distribution and give your children’s story the best chance of reaching bookshelves, classrooms, and young readers nationwide.

This is a background character illustration process from the second book about the amazing dog named Coco. It shows how simple shapes come alive through shading—kept soft and subtle so the character has form without stealing focus from the main story.

It’s been a while since I attended a school assembly ( left school in the late 80’s!!) but I have been asked by a primary school to present an assembly as an author and help inspire children to write and discover their imagination . It is a really great feeling when a school loves your books and invites you to attend however it can be a tad nerve wracking. Any tips or advice most welcome 🙏 Children are our greatest audience but also our harshest judges ! One of my books that goes down a storm in schools is Help! There’s a raccoon in my room and I know it’s going to be my ‘comfy pair of slippers’ on this occasion . It is without doubt my go to book for getting children involved and participating. Even though the Tilda series are the ones I drive commercially, my go to book is the reason I said yes to a full on assembly debut ! Andri do you remember this one ? 😁 Just wanted to say this creation has brought such joy to many people and continues to do so ( plus it enables me to put on my brave pants and say yes to standing on that stage very soon 🙏)

When it comes to self-publishing, two names always come up: Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Both can get your book into the world, but they work in slightly different ways. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide: ✅ Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) - Free to upload – no upfront fees. - Huge reach on Amazon (print + Kindle ebook). - Author copies at cost – great for events and promos. - Simple setup – user-friendly platform. - Downside: Distribution is mainly Amazon (not widely available in bookstores). ✅ IngramSpark - Paid setup - Global distribution network – bookshops, libraries, schools, and wholesalers. - Print quality options – more trim sizes, hardcover choices, and paper options. - Author credibility – bookshops prefer ordering from Ingram rather than Amazon. - Downside: Less beginner-friendly, smaller royalties per book. 📝 So which is best? - If your main goal is Amazon sales + ebooks, start with KDP. - If you want to see your book in bookshops, libraries, or schools, or want hardcover options, go with IngramSpark (sometimes alongside KDP). Many authors actually use both – KDP for Amazon sales and IngramSpark for wide distribution. 💬 What about you? Have you tried KDP, IngramSpark, or both? Which worked best for your goals?

This is a fun little animated video that we actually made some years ago for the first release of Monsters' Brawl, when it was self-published on KDP. Now, it's been picked up by our publishing team and will be on the shelves of some major book stores here in the UK in time for Halloween. I just wanted to say that a fun animated trailer can work wonders for your books and is an important part of your marketing plans.