When you click on this link, you will find the illustration and text that are the first appearance of Canute, a Viking boy, in a new children’s picture book being published next year by Lee Cuesta Enterprises and Associates: Page 5 (Text © Copyright 2015 by Lee Cuesta; Illustration © Copyright 2015 by Mia Hocking; Dan Klimke/DK77.com; Photography.)
It’s a book for parents and grandparents who love to cozy up with their child and read through a book that you both will love due to the luscious illustrations and the captivating stories.
As a writer and a grandparent myself, I wanted to produce a children’s book to help them learn the names of the days, along with their correct sequence. Then a good friend and colleague at the time mentioned that the names of our days have Norse origins … and it clicked in my mind! I composed the text, and teamed up with Mia Hocking, whose unique artwork brings authenticity to the ancient Scandinavian mythology.
Now the book is done, copyrighted, and its official publication date is October 24, 2015.
That is:
10.24.15
Precisely twelve months from now. One author and book publicist says we should begin the marketing plan one year before publication: “For best results, start your plan a full year before your publication.” So we are right on schedule: the countdown begins to 10.24.15 !!
Mia and I agreed to not show Canute’s face in any of the illustrations. Now, because the face of Canute, the Viking boy, never appears in our new book, we want you to show us what it is. We are “Looking For Canute.” It’s a contest that will culminate at the book’s launch party on Saturday, 10.24.15. I’ll give you more details about the Launch Party as the publication date approaches. In the meantime, each month I will post another illustration from the book showing Canute … maybe along with other samples of Mia’s tantalizing illustrations.
As you look at these views of Canute, how do you imagine his face? We want you to send us either photos or drawings, whichever you prefer. Send your entries to sevenvikingdays@gmail.com. Lee Cuesta Enterprises and Associates will award one prize in all three categories:
1. Photos
2. Drawing (by ages 14 and younger)
3. Drawing (by ages 15 and older)
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Family members of either Lee Cuesta or Mia Hocking are not eligible.
The title of our new book is not – I repeat, is not – “Looking For Canute.” I will reveal the book’s title in a future post.
As you may know, I had one book published previously, a novel based on the religious persecution in Chiapas, and the autonomy movement in the American Southwest. I learned from that experience that a book needs to be publicized, reviewed and endorsed before its publication date, not after. The publicist I cited above also stated: “Once a book has been published, it is difficult to start a publicity campaign.” So that’s why we are starting our marketing plan right now.
First of all, we are setting up the new website for the book. The domain name is already registered, but I will announce it in a future post. It will include our “Looking For Canute” contest, the 10.24.15 Launch Party details, and the Media Kit, among other important items.
In addition, we will conduct a fundraiser at razoo.com immediately. This is very significant in order to raise the funds we need for the book’s printing and publishing set-up cost; advance readers copies (ARC’s), or galleys, for book reviews; the Launch Party, including venue, refreshments, T-shirts, officially published books ready to sell, and three prizes for the “Looking For Canute” winners. Also, we need to produce a short video for the fundraiser, which may include reading through the book, like LeVar Burton or Mister Rogers, with sound effects. So the video will be initially at razoo.com, and eventually at YouTube. In next month’s post, Mia and I will give you all the details about the book’s fundraiser. Please join with us!!
Then comes social networking: Facebook; Twitter; my websites; Mia’s website; the new website; press releases; mom’s groups; grandparents’ groups; Nordic affinity groups; librarians’ groups; Baby Boomer tabloids; etc., etc. We will market and distribute the book worldwide, focusing especially on the USA, Canada, the UK and India.
After the fundraiser come the endorsements and book reviews. And finally the Launch Party on Saturday, 10.24.15. Hope to see you there!!
Lee Cuesta
Footnote:
Jacqueline Deval is the author and book publicist that I cited above.