In 2013, I was asked to review several children’s stories by self-publishers. There were two books that I could not stop thinking about it. I enjoyed them as much as the classics from “legitimate” publishers. Yet, self-published books have a horrid reputation. Unfortunately, there’s good reason for it. (Read Birth of a Children’s Book series for more on that.)
Those two books were the reason I started The Gittle List: Top 10 Self-published Children’s Picture Books of 2013. (Submission guidelines.) They are on the list, but neither took the top spot. It was a last minute change. #1 is a book that I went back to re-read — and realized that I had not read it in the first place. (When you get 61 submissions via snail mail and email, that can happen.) I was instantly captivated.
There is no scientific approach to my selection process. I’ve been a writer since childhood. I’m just another self-published author (of 6 books with 8 more coming soon), a mother who read all of her childhood favorites to her son, and now a grandmother. I’m a prospective buyer of your book. Keep that in mind when you read my reviews.
(Real interesting, Aviva. Where’s the list?) ###
Would you be interested in reviewing books that come with plush dolls?
Mary, I feel terrible! I never saw your comment come in. At the end of the day, as long as the book is a book and meets the submission guidelines, you can enter it. Things are changing a bit for The Gittle List 2015. Sign up for the newsletter (if you haven’t already) to stay up to date with the contest!