Story Catcher Publishing Expansion: Chapter Book & Novel Submissions

Last week I announced the BIG NEWS that Story Catcher Publishing will open its doors to submissions in the Fall of 2023. But I also said SCP would be offering a different way of supporting indie writers than what other small press publishing houses currently do.

How, you ask?

One way is to publish books WITHOUT future profits in mind. SCP profits, that is. Let me explain…

Indie authors currently have three ways to publish their books:

  1. Traditional publishers, which usually are closed to anyone not represented by an agent and THOSE creatures are almost as elusive to connect with as running into a leprechaun!
  2. Self-publish through retailers like Amazon’s KDP. While this doesn’t usually cost much, if anything, to create a book, the entire burden of proofreading, editing, formatting, production set up and marketing is left up to new authors who may not have the training or knowledge to set up their author platform correctly. Amazon also likes exclusivity which can limit an indie writer’s choices of markets or selling opportunities.
  3. Hybrid-publishers who will publish your book (usually for a hefty price to cover all services needed) but still won’t necessarily have YOUR interests in mind.

This is where Story Catcher Publishing will be different. I have spent the past four years fine tuning and streamlining the publishing processes so that I can release quality picture books, chapter books, and novels at bare bones costs.

I have dreamed for years of giving back to the KidLit community for all the love and support everyone has shown me. Beginning this Fall, each chapter book or novel selected for publishing under the SCP umbrella will reap the following benefits:

  1. A publishing package for chapter books and novels up to 60,000 words will cost only $550 TOTAL! This covers proofreading, ISBN, cover design, formatting, and production set up for both ebook and paperback titles. This will initially be offered to the first 50 titles accepted by Story Catcher Publishing so we can make sure this pricing covers basic industry costs before rolling it out to the general public. After prior cost analysis, it appears this pricing should be viable but this model needs to be tested in real world applications.
  2. Ebook distribution will be through Amazon KDP. Paperback will be through IngramSpark to ensure availability to 80,000+ online retailers including B&N, Books A Million, Walmart and others.
  3. Payments (via Paypal) will be divided into three installments of $150 due with signed contract, $250 due with completion of cover design, and balance of $150 due with completion of paperback production files. (The industry average for these services ranges anywhere from $1,350 to $6,100 or more depending on who you hire to help you.)
  4. SCP authors will retain 100% royalties to their paperback titles.
  5. SCP authors will also receive FREE access to support covering websites, author platforms, marketing, sales sheets, blogging, author events, etc.
  6. SCP authors will receive FREE promotion through our website, blog, online store, and any SCP events including festivals, contests and giveaways.
  7. If a SCP author should sign with a major literary agency, or a medium to large traditional publishing house where the agent or publisher is interested in re-releasing their existing SCP title, we will amend OUR existing contract and remove the paperback title from our inventory upon proof of a signed contract.

It has always been my hope and dream to support other indie writers on THEIR journey to publication. To me, that means not standing in the way of their future, wherever it may take them.

Well, there you have it. The basics of what Story Catcher Publishing will offer chapter book and novel writers starting this Fall. Next week I’ll share what we will be able to offer writers and writer/illustrators of picture books.

I hope you are as excited about the future of Story Catcher Publishing as I am. Any questions, just drop them in the comments below or send me a private message. I want this to be as transparent as possible.

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Jack is afraid of the THING in the closet. Monty is afraid of the LUMP in the bed. One day boy and monster both decide they no longer want to fear what hides in the dark. Both have a plan, but will be surprised by what they discover after A BUMP IN THE NIGHT.

Hybrid published author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of flash fiction, children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna offers occasional BOOK NOOK REVIEWS of great children’s books and offers WRITERLY WISDOM to new and established writers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Alliance of Independent Authors, and Children’s Book Insider. Donna loves dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.

Want to connect?

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/donasdays

Twitter: www.twitter.com/donasdays

LinkedIn: Donna L Martin/Story Catcher Publishing

Goodreads: Donna L Martin

Mail: Donna L Martin

c/o Story Catcher Publishing

P O Box 27788

Knoxville, Tn 37927

WHERE DID AMELIA GO? Getting To Know All About You…

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Some of you have already met the mascot of the HISTORY’S MYSTERIES series. Some of you have no idea what I’m talking about. Meet Amelia Earmouse…

 

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My incredibly talented illustrator, Estella Hickman (www.estellahickman.com), first introduced me to the idea of a mouse mascot for my historical fiction chapter book series. Estella knew me better than I knew myself and she knew her sassy, time-traveling, globe-trotting rodent would be just what I needed to introduce each new title in the series. 

But I didn’t think having a fabulous illustration alone would be enough to help launch my new series. I thought I could use a little more tangible prop to help children connect with each story. That’s when I came up with Amelia Earmouse version 2.0…

 

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I shared the original illustration with my critique group, and  my friend, Rinda Beach (www.rindabeach.com), came up with the perfect name…Amelia Earmouse…in honor of the sassy, adventure-seeking historical icon, Amelia Earhart. 

That’s when things got a little strange. Amelia seemed to take on a life of her own and pretty soon it felt like we were almost twins…

 

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Oh, the adventures we went on in search of little known historical events and even a touch of mystery! Who knew a little mouse would know so much about history? The only problem? Amelia’s favorite game is hide and seek, so the minute my back was turned, off she went! 

Now, I’M the one on the trail in search of my HISTORY’S MYSTERIES’ mascot, and all I can say is WHERE DID AMELIA GO? The last time I caught up with her, she was chilling out in the basement children’s department of the downtown library…

 

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I took a quick picture, but before I could grab her, Amelia was on the move again. Maybe I’ll catch her next week! If you see her somewhere and attempt to grab her, be careful… you know how quick mice can scatter…

 

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Donna's Books

 

Looking for a way to spend that Christmas cash? Gift cards burning a hole in your pocket? Books always make a great gift! There’s everything from inspirational essay journals to picture books…young adult fantasy novels to historical fiction chapter books. Something for everyone on sale now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other retailers. HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: Ship of Dreams can also be found at the Titanic Museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri.

 

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donna

 

Best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest chapter book series is called HISTORY’S MYSTERIES. Book One, Ship of Dreams, is available in eBook and print form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other online retailers. Also, coming to the Titanic Museums in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Book Two, A Chocolate Train Wreck, was released in November.

 

Flash Fiction Tuesday: Ship of Dreams


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Check out the sneak peek at Ship of Dreams…coming October 14th, 2019. Want to know more?

 

Chapter One

The Journal

 

 

Wednesday, March 20th, 1912

Dear Journal,

This is my first time writing in you. I got you for my birthday today from Aunt Alberta. Momma says every young lady should keep a journal of her most private thoughts. I asked her what kind of thoughts a ten-year-old girl would have that was important enough to write down. Momma told me not to be so saucy. There’s just no talking to Momma when she scrunches up her eyebrows and her smile turns upside down, so here I am, scribbling on this blank page just to be able to tell her I wrote my thoughts today.

Well, there is one thing I can tell you DIDN’T happen today, Journal, and that’s the maiden voyage of the White Star Line’s newest ship. They call the ship Titanic and I hear it’s the biggest one ever built! Momma and I were supposed to meet Papa down at the docks to say goodbye to all those folks traveling to faraway places like America. It was going to be kind of special, it being my birthday and all. I must remember to ask Papa at dinner tonight what happened. Papa sure is lucky to be one of White Star Line’s tally men. He might oversee loading things onto the ships, but he hears all the latest gossip down on the docks as well. That means Momma and I do too…

 

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Amelia Earmouse

 

Amelia Earmouse travels back through time to uncover little known secrets. You may THINK you know your history, but wait until you see what Amelia uncovers in this volume of HISTORY’S MYSTERIES!

In Book One, Ship of Dreams, ten-year-old Margaret can hardly wait to see the largest ship ever built visit Southampton! Life is already hard for her family in the spring of 1912, but the coal workers’ strike could turn a bad situation into a deadly one. Margaret hopes to see the great Titanic leave on its maiden voyage, but will the strike prevent it from happening?

 

Tell your friends to mark their calendar!!

 

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donna - Copy

 

Best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest book, HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: Ship of Dreams, will be available in eBook and print form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other online retailers on October 1th, 2019.

BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Rinda Beach

 

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Title: Neil Armstrong’s Wind Tunnel Dream
Author: Rinda Beach
Illustrator: Cole Roberts
Publisher: Beach Girl Press
Ages: 8-12

Synopsis:

 

Most people know that Neil Alden Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon, but very few know how it all started . . . with a dream to build his own wind tunnel.

Read how Neil’s love of planes took him from the Cleveland air races at age two to the Wright Brothers’ wind tunnel at age sixteen. Discover how Neil made his wind tunnel dream come true.

 

Why you should read it:

 

I remember Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. I remember the awe I felt watching him march into history with each step he took on the moon’s surface. But what I didn’t know is what drove this man to venture into the unknown.

Until now.

Rinda Beach’s debut chapter book, Neil Armstrong’s Wind Tunnel Dream, gives her readers a chance to go back in time following the Wright Brothers history making flight, and one young boy’s dream to replicate their wind tunnel experiment.

Engaging and entertaining, Rinda’s story takes us on a journey from two year old Neil’s first glimpse of a flying machine, all the way to a high school senior’s quest to build his own wind tunnel, and all the challenges in between to make that dream happen.

A nice addition to any home or school library.

Like-O-Meter Rating:  4 out of 5…think about it!

**Rating scale**
5 out of 5…grab it! 
4 out of 5…think about it. 
3 out of 5…take or leave it.
2 out of 5…maybe not for you.
1 out of 5…forget about it!

BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Jane Yolen

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Title: A Plague of Unicorns

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrators: Jody Langley, John Rowe, Tom McGrath, Matthew Van Zomeren

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Ages: 9-11

 

Synopsis:

 

Monks, unicorns, and a duke’s son come together in an epic battle over delicious apples. James, who is almost nine years old, has more questions than his family can handle so he is shipped off to the local Abby. Abbot Aelian has more unicorns in his golden apple orchards that he would like, and needs help to save the Abby from ruin. Will the Abby fall or will a local hero come to save the day?

 

Why you should read it:

 

Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Anderson by Newsweek or the Aesop of the Twentieth Century by the New York Times. After I read this book I could understand why. It’s not so much that Ms. Yolen tells a great story appealing to readers young and old. More the way she weaves an enchanting web of sights and sounds to draw her readers back in time to a simpler place where unicorns still exist. It’s this suspension of disbelief which allows me to entertain the possibility unicorns are real and heroes can come in all shapes and sizes.

 
Like-o-meter Rating: 5 out of 5…grab it!

 

**Rating scale**
5 out of 5…grab it!
4 out of 5…think about it.
3 out of 5…take or leave it.
2 out of 5…maybe not for you.
1 out of 5…forget about it!