Meet “Kitten” from the “Kitten and Friends” storybook series.
Aviva Gittle Publishing Kitten Love Contest rules:
No purchase necessary.
Void where prohibited.
Purchasing an Aviva Gittle Publishing product does not increase your chances of winning.
Must be age 18 or over to enter.
How to enter: In a comment in the Facebook contest announcement post, fill in the blanks in this sentence: “I named my cat _____________ because ____________” The comment with the most likes by the end of the contest period wins. The comment must be in English.
Must have a US address to win a print book signed by the author.
A winner outside the US will be gifted an eBook through Amazon. A valid email and Amazon account is required.
Contest begins December 19, 2016 at the time the Facebook contest post is made available to the public and ends midnight, Central Standard Time (CST) December 31, 2016.
Winner will be posted in the comments of the contest Facebook post by midnight CST, January 1, 2016.
One print book signed by the author or one eBook will be awarded. (Print book for winner with a mailing address in the US; eBook for outside the US-must provide a valid email address and be able to accept an Amazon gift eBook).
Winner will be posted in a comment in the Facebook Kitten Love Contest post on January 1, 2016. The winner will have until midnight CST January 4, 2016 to email Contest@GittlePublishing.com with the Subject “Kitten Love” to claim their prize. If the winner does not claim their prize, the person with the second highest likes on their comment will be announced in the same way. They will have until midnight CST, January 7, 2016 to claim their prize by sending an email with the Subject line “Kitten Love” to Contest@GittlePublishing.com. If that person does not claim their prize, no prizes will be awarded.
Winner can indicate which Kitten and Friends book they prefer: Kitten & Butterfly, Kitten & Koi, Kitten & Snake, Gatito y Mariposa, or Kitten and Squirrel. The print book may or may not be a “proof” (pre-production) copy of the book. If the winner does not specify in the email which book they want, or if for any reason their preferred book is not available, another Kitten and Friends book will be selected by Aviva Gittle Publishing at their discretion.
Should their be a tie (comments receiving the same number of likes), the earliest entry will be awarded the prize.
The Sponsor of the Campaign is Aviva Gittle Publishing, 330 Rayford Road, 177, Spring, TX 77386, USA.
The Campaign hosted by Aviva Gittle Publishing is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Had you ever gotten an award for any of your other work?It was great to be recognized by Aviva Gittle Publishing. We [also] just won the Newbie Author award from Royal Dragonfly.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing?I used to draw and write poetry on the floor in my bedroom starting at age 4. I also used to make shoebox art utilizing all recycled materials.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? I love the illustrations in the Olivia series by Ian Falconer.
What is your favorite children’s book? The Olivia series by Ian Falconer, I also love Dr. Seuss as well as Mo Williams children’s books. My daughter Olivia’s favorite books are Books: Agatha Christie mysteries and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
What inspires your work? I am most inspired by my daughter, Liv.
Elizabeth Gorcey’s daughter, Olivia, the inspiration for the “LOL” series.
What is your favorite color or color combination? My favorite colors are black and white.
Why did you decide to self-publish? Was it harder or easier than you thought to publish your own book? Self-publishing is hard, especially if you have high standards. I want my Liv On Life Book Series to have a very specific look and feel.
Interior illustration by Kajiah Jacobs
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I prefer to work by hand then get it digitally. I love the feel of paper!
Where did you get the idea for Going to the Park? Liv On Life (LOL) is a series of children’s books, inspired by my daughter, Liv. When my daughter was barely 3 years old I began to record the wisdom and advice that she would spontaneously deliver to anyone who was listening. I dubbed these “Liv-isms” and each book in the LOL Series I based directly on these utterances. For me, the message is crystal clear: In a high tech, past-paced world, kids are still the best teachers.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
I love broccoli it’s my favorite food.
I love my dog and he goes everywhere with me.
I love yoga and do it wherever I am.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Do something that you are passionate about in life.
Director, producer and actor Elizabeth Gorcey has expanded her repertoire to book publishing with the Live on Life (”LOL”) children’s book series. The six-book series is written from the endearing perspective of Elizabeth’s daughter, Olivia, who shares her insights and observations on modern-day life. The message is clear: In a high tech and fast-paced world, kids are still the best teachers to remind adults of the simple joys in life. After a successful career acting in such films as Footloose, Teen Wolf, and TV series such as Highway to Heaven, Beauty & The Beast, and Max Headroom, Elizabeth dove into work behind the camera. She is currently working on a documentary she directed and produced call How Old is Old? with Tony Curtis, Doris Roberts, Judge Judy and Tony Bennett. Elizabeth currently lives in LA with her family. When not making films or publishing books, she works diligently on her non-profit art program for terminally ill children called the Caring Stroke Arts Program.
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runsThe Gittle Listcontest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
The first board book to win a spot on The Gittle List
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? While I have won awards for my work as a medical illustrator, Amos Likes to Jumpwas my first published picture book. It was immensely gratifying to be recognized for the hard work that collectively went into this book. As a first-time author and illustrator team, we are thrilled to have placed on the Gittle List. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our second book in the Amos series.
Interior illustration by Ellen Davis
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? I love the whimsy of Shel Silverstein’s work. The starkness of his illustrations in The Giving Tree lend themselves so beautifully to the emotions in the text.
What is your favorite children’s book? My favorite children’s book of all time is The Lorax. I love the illustrations of the candy-like other world filled with truffala trees and the way Dr. Suess plays with light and darkness to evoke the changing mood in the book. I read it so often to my cousin’s child a few summers ago that I almost know every word by heart, and yet I never tired of it. To me, that is the mark of a lasting book.
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? Currently, one of my favorite children’s book illustrators is Will Terry. The use of light and color in his work really inspires me. He uses light very purposefully in order to set the mood of his illustrations, and his attention to detail is truly respectable.
What is your favorite color or color combination? I like using varying shades of blue and turquoise in my work. It’s a very calming color and I use it in most all of my work, children’s book and otherwise.
Interior illustration by Ellen Davis
Why did you decide to self-publish? Because the Amos books are about a real dog, [the author] Margaret Lowder really wanted to ensure that our books are true to the spirit of Amos himself. I did not anticipate the sometimes condescending attitude towards self-published books, but have been glad to see some recognition that authors are now choosing this route willingly over traditional methods.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I prefer to combine traditional and digital methods in my work. I create my sketches in 2B pencil and apply color digitally. There is something about hand-wrought work that I think will always be appealing to readers.
Tell us about your latest project. I am currently working on final illustrations for the second book in the series of Amos Tales, entitled Amos Bounces Back: A Tale of Too Much TV. This book is due for release in the Summer of 2016. In order to reach an older audience, this book will be a large picture book (not a board book like Amos Likes to Jump).
Interior illustration by Ellen Davis
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? I had a professor in graduate school for Medical Illustration who passed away as I was working on this children’s book. Professor Mascaro taught that you should draw, draw, draw, and draw some more. He [also] told me that besides drawing, the best thing I could do was to really understand color.
What do you do to market your books? Aside from setting up readings and signings in shops, libraries, and schools, we have an active social media presence on facebook and instagram. We have a blog on amosthedog.com where we share dog treat recipes on #TreatYourselfTuesdays, and we promote the book through blogs and magazines. Ellen is a science lover turned artist who found her niche as a medical illustrator. With a BFA in Scientific Illustration and a master’s degree in Medical Illustration, Ellen is well versed in color and design. Whether painting Amos or anatomy, she brings dynamic color and energy to her work. Ellen’s specialties include children’s book illustration, medical illustration and animation, veterinary illustration, and pet portraiture. When not creating art, she can be found cooking and spending time with her chocolate lab, Nala.
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runsThe Gittle Listcontest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Julianne DiBlasi Black earned the #8 spot on The Gittle List for Sleep Sweet, a book she wrote and illustrated. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was thrilled to be included in The Gittle List, I’ve won several other awards for my artwork and writing, but this was my first as a combined piece showcasing my art and text together. It has also been great learning about the other authors/illustrators that made the list and connecting with them through social media.
What is your favorite children’s book? My favorites growing up are still very much my favorites now- anything by Dr Seuss,Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson and A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. Passing them down to my daughter and getting to enjoy them through her eyes makes them all new again.
Interior illustration by Julianne DiBlasi Black
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? I’m influenced greatly by the dreamy worlds of creative giants like Mike Mignola, Tim Burton and Jim & Brian Henson. The hyper-realistic details of the incredibly imaginative leave me in absolute awe.
What is your favorite color or color combination? It changes. Right now I’m really into Southwestern color combinations; crimson, rust, turquoise and bright copper.
Tell us about your latest project. I’m juggling several new projects right now that are already making my 2016 quite full! Sleep Sweet is coming out as an Augmented Reality virtual pop-up book, I have two new children’s books coming out this spring that I am finishing up the illustrations for, I’m continuing the editing on the two adult novels I wrote during 2015, and I have a solo exhibit at the Maturango Museum featuring my fine art work scheduled for November!
Interior illustration by Julianne DiBlasi Black
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
Hmm. I once spent the night in a sleeping bag on the Kalahari Desert.
I’ve done most of my own tattoos.
I would be perfectly happy eating only sushi and drinking green tea for the rest of my life.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?Attributed to Walt Disney is the phrase “Keep moving forward”. So many times I’ve hit dead ends on projects and had to remind myself to just keep moving forward. No matter how slow you go, you’ll soon gain momentum and be back on your feet. Works every time.
Illustration by Julianne DiBlasi Black
Julianne DiBlasi Black is an artist, poet and author influenced greatly by the dreamy worlds of creative giants like Mike Mignola, Tim Burton and Jim & Brian Henson. Blending life experiences and day-dreams through text and image, she draws in children of all ages with her whimsical story lines and mixed-media illustrations. Between writing and creating art, raising her three year old daughter Madison, and writing her popular mommy-blog, she also works as a freelance graphic designer. You may have already seen her work on international commercial packaging, national ad campaigns (Sears, Mitsubishi +) or political branding. Raised in Andover, MA she considers the world her playground and continues to re-locate and travel extensively, adding to her collection of environmental and social experiences. She currently lives out in the Mojave Desert.
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runsThe Gittle Listcontest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Simone Wolowiec earned the #4 spot on The Gittle List for You Talk Funny Too, a book she illustrated for indie author Lee Coulter. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? It’s always a positive experience to be given recognition. You Talk Funny Too, was my first children’s book collaboration as an illustrator. To be awarded the #4 spot on the Gittle List makes makes me very proud and certainly has encouraged me to illustrate more books! This is my first time I’ve ever received an award for creative work, and I love that there is a book competition for self publishers such as The Gittle List Contest which is so accessible.
Which artists most influenced or inspired your work? There are several artist which have inspired and influenced my work. San Diego artist Grant Pecoff encouraged me to pursue my passion for art and to simply paint what I love, not what people want! Grant’s ability to capture light and vibrancy in his art makes you feel so alive! Vladimir Kush (surrealist artist) inspires my surreal mind, to think out of the box and challenge my creativity. American pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein inspire an element of simplicity, vibrancy and precision to my work. (Cool Kid’s Board Book based on Warhol art.)
Interior illustration by Simone Wolowiec
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? My favorite book of illustrations is Where The Wild Things Are, written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. His illustrations are detailed beautiful artworks, so timeless and atmospheric. His use of line drawings in his art is unique! He captures so well the transforming power of imagination, the imagination of a little boy Max who transforms his bedroom into another world.
What is your favorite color or color combination? I love red! It’s vibrant and for me it really represents adventure, and passion. It always makes me feel good. Color combinations are fascinating to me. I really go by the visual feelings the colors give me. I like to find a balance between the use of warm and cool colors. I love using red/pink and blue together.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both?I prefer working with my hands. At this point in my career I’m definitely embracing the love for painting and drawing with my hands, constantly learning and pushing my techniques as an artist. However I am impressed by the artistic effects digital work can add to a piece and would like to combine both hand and digital art in the near future.
Tell us about your latest project. I am currently in collaboration again and sketching characters and illustrations for a new children’s book to be self published later this year. I am also working on my painting collection (oil on canvas) for my 2016 art show.
Interior illustration by Simone Wolowiec
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best advice I’ve been given is quite simple, but very powerful. “If you don’t believe in what you are doing, why would anyone else.”
What do you do to market your books? We’ve marketed extensively to social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn with enormous support. Local community marketing has, however, been a key to our success. This has included book launch celebrations, art show events, music events and the support of local art/gift shops who stock our book. Marketing to teachers and schools by offering class book reading days have also been a great way to share our book, and fun too!
Simone is an artist and illustrator who currently lives in Cardiff, CA. She has been working in this field for several years part time and has recently made art her full time occupation. She has completed a number of original paintings in her preferred medium, oil on canvas, including several commissions for local art-lovers in Southern California. Her works hang in Encinitas, California and Melbourne, Australia where Simone was born and lived until 2008. Simone’s artistic philosophy is that her art should “simply make you smile”. Her inspiration is drawn from creativity all around her including art, design and the beauty of nature. (In photo on right clockwise- Indie author Lee Coulter, Artist Simone Wolowiec.)
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Bonnie Ferrante earned the #3 spot on The Gittle List for The Amida Tree, a book she wrote and illustrated. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Had you ever gotten an award for any of your other work? It’s always lovely to have someone recognize your work as worthwhile. I have won several writing contests and been awarded three Ontario arts Council grants for novels in progress.
What’s your earliest memory of drawing or writing? I can’t remember writing my first story but I can remember creating it. I was a puppet fanatic and used to entertain other neighborhood children with my shows on the back step. Thirty years later I met one of my previous audience members and the first thing she mentioned was how much she had loved those little plays.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? There are far too many wonderful illustrated books to pick just one: Zen Shorts, The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, Peppe the Lamplighter, Grandfathers Journey, The Eleventh Hour and more.
What is your favorite children’s book? This changes constantly as I become aware of new books. I do have a soft spot for The Jolly Postman or Other Peoples Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
The Amida Tree interior illustration by Bonnie Ferrante.
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? Eric Carle, Graeme Base, Beatrix Potter, Dick Bruna, Ezra Jack Keats, Maurice Sendak, C. S. Lewis, E. B. White, Bill Martin Jr., Arnold Lobel, A. A. Milne, and many, many more.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I started late in life, trying to get published after I retired. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough healthy time left to wait while a manuscript circulates through publishing houses for months or even years.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both?I used to work in acrylic and pencil crayon but since developing Parkinson’s disease, I now work digitally. It is a huge learning curve. As my tremor increases, that is also becoming more difficult. So now I’m trying out photography (which is always been a passion), in my books.
Tell us about your latest project. I have several things on the go. I switch back and forth between projects, letting them lie for a while in order to come back with fresh eyes. My newest publication is Tell Me Where: Animals and Babies. It is a collection of humorously modified photographs that teach children spatial concepts.
The Amida Tree interior illustration by Bonnie Ferrante.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. Not much pressure there! I am a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Lay Leader. I’m a seventh generation Canadian. I love doing all needle arts and am continuing to sew and stitch in spite of my tremor.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Make time to do what you love.
What do you do to market your books? I’m not very good about this. I am on word press, twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media. I do presentations at schools, libraries, and public venues.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? Get it vetted by someone who is a tough critic and won’t spare your feelings before you publish. Pay someone if you have to.
Bonnie loves living in Northern Ontario, Canada even though she spends most of the long winter indoors writing. She chants, bikes, gardens, reads, stitches, volunteers, studies the Dharma, draws, photographs, plays/works on the computer, attends live theatre, enjoys being trounced in Scrabble by her husband, Fred, and is presently tackling decorating her new home. Her granddaughters keep her young. Once upon a time, she was a public grade school teacher.
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was elated! I thought it was quite brilliant to announce them one at a time this year. I know, I, and I’m sure many others, anxiously awaited each new day, and each time another book was announced, I thought, ‘Wow, that book sounds so great!’ Then of course I worried that mine might not make the list. I’m enormously grateful to Aviva Gittle for putting in the time and effort it takes to showcase and help all of us indie writers.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? My earliest and best memory of drawing and painting is in Ms Moscerelli’s 6th grade classroom. Teachers, please know that all the wonderful things you do have a lasting effect on your students. Ms Moscerelli loved art so her class started with an art project every morning. When it was time to put that project away and open our math books, she’d say, “everyone open your books to page ….. ; then she’d say, “Bev, you can continue with your art.” Now, I may not be great at math as a result, but she certainly made me feel very special and helped to start me on my art journey.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? There are so many talented illustrators out there and so many illustrations I love. The Lion And The Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney has to be one of my recent favorites and one purchase I made from last year’s Gittle List, The Kings Dream, written by Harris Tobias and illustrated by Cathy Reene, has some beautiful illustrations.
What is your favorite color or color combination? I love blue hues. I usually work with a pretty small palette. Some people say they can recognize my art by the colors I use.
Why did you decide to self-publish? You know, I find self publishing very easy and a perfect fit for me. I’m very happy with the whole process because it allows me to illustrate my own stories and put out as many books as I’d like. The thought of self publishing is a little scary at first — just like anything unknown — but I’ve been publishing with Createspace for about 3 years now and they’ve made it a great experience so far.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I illustrate all of my stories with watercolors on watercolor paper.
Tell us about your latest project. I always have several projects in the works. Right now I’m illustrating a children’s book I wrote called, Rumbly Grumbly, that I’m very excited about and I’m also working on a project, an anthology, which will be illustrated by my son, Calvin. That’s very special to me. He’s a great artist and a soon to be wonderful doctor. Both books should be out by Spring or early summer. All of the profits made from those books and any others go to benefit children.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?The best piece of advice I was ever given was when my daughter and son were born and friends told me to ignore all the little things that really don’t matter and spend all that precious time with my babies. That wasn’t hard to do at all! Now I can apply that to things around the house that I don’t want to do so that I can spend my time writing and illustrating instead. That works, right?
What do you do to market your books? Well….Hmmmm, I have to admit I’m not very good about marketing my books. I think I’m getting better but I have to be honest, if I could just write them and illustrate them and not worry about marketing, I’d be happy. Actually, the best thing I’ve done, is to enter my books in the The Gittle List contest. In her prompting to get the word out for all indie writers, she’s led me in directions I wouldn’t have otherwise gone, Twitter, for example. You can follow me @Bevstone13. Thanks Aviva Gittle! Also, Melissa Crane, who is in charge of media at the gallery where I show my paintings, has been amazing at getting the word out locally.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book?All I can say is that it’s been a wonderful experience for me, so if you’re thinking about self publishing, definitely give it a try. I would caution however, have no expectations, accept to enjoy the process and the fact that you actually succeeded in getting that book you’ve been working on in print. Yay!!! Do it. You’ll be glad you did.
Bev Stone is an artist and indie children’s book author. Bev started painting and drawing at an early age and was first introduced to watercolor in elementary school. Today Bev paints in both watercolor and oil and continues to write children’s books while living in the beautiful state of Idaho, overlooking the Snake River. Many of her paintings and book updates can be found on her website, www.artbybevstone.com.
Credits: All illustrations in this interview post are created and owned by Bev Stone and come from her award-wining children’s book The Red and Black Ladybug.
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Nancy O’Neill won the #1 spot on The Gittle List 2015 for “Guess What is in the Ocean?”
Please read the contest rules carefully. 99% of your questions will be answered here. For the other 1%, send an email to GittleSubmissions@gmail.com.
Who can enter: Any self-published children’s picture book author or illustrator in the world. (Artists can submit books on behalf of the authors whose books they illustrated as long as the book meets the guidelines.)
You must be able to pay the contest fee through PayPal. No other forms of payment will be accepted. (Learn about PayPal.)
The book must be written in English.
Contest is only for children’s picture books for children age 10 and under. (Up to about a 5th grade reading level. You can test this here.)
The eBook or print book must be published and available for purchase. eBooks must be available for download from at least one major outlet such as Apple iBooks, Amazon, B&N, etc. Print books sold through a website with an obvious way to pay online (like PayPal) is acceptable.
The book must be self-published either by you or through a publishing company you own, or a self-publishing service. Self-publishing services like CreateSpace, where they pay you royalties, but you own the rights is an example. As long as you own the rights, you are eligible.
Not more than 1600 words. (Just the story; don’t include front / back matter in the word count.) If you’re not sure; email me.
No word minimum. So picture-only and low word count books are fine.
At least 8 interior illustrations / photos.
Stories, books of poems/rhymes, educational (including ABC and counting books), and interactive books are all acceptable. As long as the target audience is 10 years old or under.
New! You can enter TWO books per author or author team. Subsequent entries will be disqualified. You will need to submit each book separately and pay an entry fee for each submission.
It can be published in any year (it does not have to have a publishing date in 2016) New books do not get more consideration. If it’s a great book, I don’t care if you self-published it 20 years ago.
Digital or print books accepted. (mobi, epub, PDF, iTunes download for interactive books, but you must provide a way for me to download it for free).
A PDF proof copy of the print book is fine. If the digital file is greater than 5MB, please use a service such as DropBox.com or Box.com to send it to GittleSubmissions@gmail.com. However, it is preferred that you compress or reduce the file size. Lower resolution PDFs are acceptable.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to email GittleSubmissions@gmail.com so I know the print book is on its way. See below for information to include in the email. PRINT BOOKS WILL NOT BE RETURNED!
Print submissions must be postmarked by November 15, 2016 and received by November 20, 2016. Digital submissions must be received by midnight Central Time (US) November 15, 2016. Add a day if you are outside of the USA.
The contest is sponsored and judged by Aviva Gittle, owner of Aviva Gittle Publishing. Her decisions on the top 10 winners are final.
Mail print books to: Aviva Gittle Publishing, 330 Rayford Road, #177, Spring, TX 77386
Whether submitting a digital or print book, be sure to send an email with the subject “Gittle List 2016” to GittleSubmissions@gmail.com. Include the following information.
Title of book
# of words (don’t include front / back matter in word count, this includes things like a glossary, list of characters, and the like. Just count the actual story.)
# of interior illustrations
Author’s name & email address.
Your Twitter handle (e.g., @AvivaGittle)
Link to your Facebook page (Go to the page and copy the link)
Optionally, name of your personal publishing company.
Illustrator’s name and email address
Link to buy book (Important! proves the book is published.)
Link to author’s website or bio page (such as Amazon’s author page)
Optionally, link to illustrator’s website or bio page
Please attach a good quality jpg or png of your book’s front cover and your publicity photo. (At least 400 x 600 pixels.)
The Gittle List is exclusively for self-published authors of children’s picture books. See 2015 Winners here.
Remember that The Gittle List is different from other contests. It’s really about indie authors supporting each other through cross-marketing. That’s why I ask that you like the Aviva Gittle Publishing Facebook page and sign up for the Aviva Gittle Newsletter. Following me on Twitter, @AvivaGittle is greatly appreciated. Really show me some love and post a link to this page on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and any other social media you can think of! I will follow you back on Twitter, like your Facebook author page, and connect with you on LinkedIn (just send a connection request to Aviva Gittle).
Remember: The earlier you enter the more opportunities to earn FREE book promotion!
eBooks must be received at GittleSubmissions@gmail.com by midnight CST, November 15, 2017. Print submissions must be postmarked November 15, 2017 and received by November 22, 2017.
All the stories in the Kitten and Friends series include a coloring book. For the Goodreads Book Giveaway, in addition to an autographed copy of Kitten & Butterfly, the winner will receive a set of note cards based on characters from the Kitten and Friends series.