About Dancing Duck LLC
Over the past few years there has been an explosion in the self-publishing industry. eBooks and Print On Demand (POD) services are just a couple of factors that have contributed to the immeasurable growth in the industry. As with any growth, there are positive and negative aspects of which to be aware.
I started Dancing Duck Publishing LLC in February of 2020 primarily to publish my own books. I soon realized that there are many aspiring authors, like myself, who could use some help and guidance, as I did, navigating the new publishing landscape.
The mission of Dancing Duck Publishing is to produce positive messages that reflect issues of young people and to offer support and help guide new authors through the publishing process.
I started Dancing Duck Publishing LLC in February of 2020 primarily to publish my own books. I soon realized that there are many aspiring authors, like myself, who could use some help and guidance, as I did, navigating the new publishing landscape.
The mission of Dancing Duck Publishing is to produce positive messages that reflect issues of young people and to offer support and help guide new authors through the publishing process.
If you look like a duck, swim like a duck, and quack like a duck, . . . YOU CAN STILL SOAR WITH THE EAGLES!
About the Founder
Isai Gutierrez’ most proud accomplishment is his family. He was born and raised in Houston, Texas and is married and the father of four sons. Professionally, he has spent the majority of his career as an educator in both the public and private sectors; but Isai’s true passion has always been art and creative thinking.
Miguel Goes to Eagle School, is Isai’s first children’s book. His writing exemplifies love of family and teaching life lessons.
"As an educator I have always seen students struggling with some pretty complex issues. Racism, bullying, fear, intolerance, prejudice, racial and social justice, belonging, resilience, determination, persistence, kindness, and so many other issues overwhelm young people. I wanted to write a story that takes non-traditional characters to express complex themes in a way that is relatable to young people. I believe what I have created is a timeless story to be enjoyed by people of all ages."
Isai Gutierrez
Miguel Goes to Eagle School, is Isai’s first children’s book. His writing exemplifies love of family and teaching life lessons.
"As an educator I have always seen students struggling with some pretty complex issues. Racism, bullying, fear, intolerance, prejudice, racial and social justice, belonging, resilience, determination, persistence, kindness, and so many other issues overwhelm young people. I wanted to write a story that takes non-traditional characters to express complex themes in a way that is relatable to young people. I believe what I have created is a timeless story to be enjoyed by people of all ages."
Isai Gutierrez
Publishing 101
Publishing considerations
Start with the end in mind.
If your goal is to sell your books in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, then your approach is different than if you simply want to sell eBooks on Amazon.
Is your goal to print a few books to give away to family and friends?
Is your goal to make the New York Times Best Seller list?
Are you trying to make a career out of writing?
How do you intend on distributing your books?
There are many questions to consider which will have an impact on your final product. The more you understand how to get to your desired outcome, the better positioned you will be to achieve your goals.
If your goal is to sell your books in a brick-and-mortar bookstore, then your approach is different than if you simply want to sell eBooks on Amazon.
Is your goal to print a few books to give away to family and friends?
Is your goal to make the New York Times Best Seller list?
Are you trying to make a career out of writing?
How do you intend on distributing your books?
There are many questions to consider which will have an impact on your final product. The more you understand how to get to your desired outcome, the better positioned you will be to achieve your goals.
Publishing Options
There are a few different ways to publish
1. Traditional publishing
This is perhaps the most time-consuming route. Agents submit your work to publisher to try and get them to accept your work. If your work is accepted, publishers will negotiate a compensation contract and your book will get published. At some point you may be relinquishing some of the control of your book to the publishing company.
2. Service like Shutterfly or Vistaprint
These services are great if you want to print a limited number of books. However, these services are not cost effective if your goal is to sell your books.
3. Vanity Publishing
There are many companies waiting to take your money to “publish” your book. As always, this is a buyer beware situation. Many vanity publishing companies disguise themselves as hybrid publishing companies. I recommend you understand exactly what services that you will receive under the contract that you sign. I have found that many of the services they claim to provide are services that you can do on your own. The best example is that they will “format” your book to be an eBook, this is something that can be done by anyone, at no cost!
4. Self-publishing
Self-publishing requires that you make all the decisions on your own. This option gives you total control over your product. The more that you can do on your own, the less expensive it is to publish your book.
5. Hybrid publishing
There is no set understanding of hybrid publishing, though it is an understanding that there is some middle ground between traditional publishing and self-publishing. Perhaps one of the best examples I can give is inkitt.com. This is a service that allows you to post and promote your book online. If your book reaches a certain level of popularity, then there is an option to have your book printed to sell.
New authors should be aware that there are many companies that promote themselves as publishers or hybrid publishing companies. These companies are not in business for the success of authors, they are in business to make money off of hopeful, aspiring writers who want to be published.
Also, it is important to note that having your book published and selling your book are VERY different! "If you publish it", does not necessarily translate to, "it will sell". In today's environment, it is easier than ever before to have a book published. But the ease of publishing has brought with it a flood of books. Each new author is vying for their spot in the market.
As the publishing industry is drastically changing, the book selling industry has yet to respond in a meaningful way. There remain very few book distributers that keep a stranglehold on the market. So many independent and self-published authors struggle to sell their books. Understanding how book distributers work and how they affect book sales may be difficult for independent and self-published authors to understand. It is a system dominated by insiders and their is little incentive for them to change. So independent and self-published authors looking to have their books displayed in large chain brick and mortar book stores have an uphill battle.
1. Traditional publishing
This is perhaps the most time-consuming route. Agents submit your work to publisher to try and get them to accept your work. If your work is accepted, publishers will negotiate a compensation contract and your book will get published. At some point you may be relinquishing some of the control of your book to the publishing company.
2. Service like Shutterfly or Vistaprint
These services are great if you want to print a limited number of books. However, these services are not cost effective if your goal is to sell your books.
3. Vanity Publishing
There are many companies waiting to take your money to “publish” your book. As always, this is a buyer beware situation. Many vanity publishing companies disguise themselves as hybrid publishing companies. I recommend you understand exactly what services that you will receive under the contract that you sign. I have found that many of the services they claim to provide are services that you can do on your own. The best example is that they will “format” your book to be an eBook, this is something that can be done by anyone, at no cost!
4. Self-publishing
Self-publishing requires that you make all the decisions on your own. This option gives you total control over your product. The more that you can do on your own, the less expensive it is to publish your book.
5. Hybrid publishing
There is no set understanding of hybrid publishing, though it is an understanding that there is some middle ground between traditional publishing and self-publishing. Perhaps one of the best examples I can give is inkitt.com. This is a service that allows you to post and promote your book online. If your book reaches a certain level of popularity, then there is an option to have your book printed to sell.
New authors should be aware that there are many companies that promote themselves as publishers or hybrid publishing companies. These companies are not in business for the success of authors, they are in business to make money off of hopeful, aspiring writers who want to be published.
Also, it is important to note that having your book published and selling your book are VERY different! "If you publish it", does not necessarily translate to, "it will sell". In today's environment, it is easier than ever before to have a book published. But the ease of publishing has brought with it a flood of books. Each new author is vying for their spot in the market.
As the publishing industry is drastically changing, the book selling industry has yet to respond in a meaningful way. There remain very few book distributers that keep a stranglehold on the market. So many independent and self-published authors struggle to sell their books. Understanding how book distributers work and how they affect book sales may be difficult for independent and self-published authors to understand. It is a system dominated by insiders and their is little incentive for them to change. So independent and self-published authors looking to have their books displayed in large chain brick and mortar book stores have an uphill battle.
Publishing Checklist
Self-Publishing Checklist
___ Write your book
___ Have your book edited. There are two types of editing to be aware of:
___ *Obtain Copyright: copyright.gov
___ Select book trim size (5x8, 6x9, 8.5x11, etc.), and hardcover, paperback, or both.
___ Illustrations (for children’s books)
___ **Obtain ISBN numbers and barcode: MyIdentifiers.com
___ Select three BISAC codes (book categories): bisg.org/page/bisacedition.
___ Obtain rights/releases for images and other contributed content.
___ Cover Design
___ Layout/design/electronic file
___ Choose a printer and/or distributor
___ Upload to service that you are using
*There is a school of thought that obtaining a copyright is not necessary.
** Depending on your goals of publishing, it may not be necessary to purchase an ISBN. On the other hand, you may need to purchase several ISBN’s, in which case you should strongly consider buying them in bulk.
For any questions regarding this checklist, please feel free to contact Dancing Duck Publishing LLC at dancingduckpublishing.gmail.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST
___ Write your book
___ Have your book edited. There are two types of editing to be aware of:
- Grammar
- Content
___ *Obtain Copyright: copyright.gov
___ Select book trim size (5x8, 6x9, 8.5x11, etc.), and hardcover, paperback, or both.
___ Illustrations (for children’s books)
___ **Obtain ISBN numbers and barcode: MyIdentifiers.com
___ Select three BISAC codes (book categories): bisg.org/page/bisacedition.
___ Obtain rights/releases for images and other contributed content.
___ Cover Design
___ Layout/design/electronic file
___ Choose a printer and/or distributor
___ Upload to service that you are using
*There is a school of thought that obtaining a copyright is not necessary.
** Depending on your goals of publishing, it may not be necessary to purchase an ISBN. On the other hand, you may need to purchase several ISBN’s, in which case you should strongly consider buying them in bulk.
For any questions regarding this checklist, please feel free to contact Dancing Duck Publishing LLC at dancingduckpublishing.gmail.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST
Dancing Duck Publishing LLC is a Latino owned publishing company that strives to produce positive messages that reflect issues of young people.
