Here's another of my passions folks. Zines. I am a fully fledged zine maker. A zinester, to use the technical term. What is it about making zines I love? Well, it is the whole process. But the main main thing is that it is DIY publishing which means you only answer to yourself. You write, draw, play, create whatever it is that you want to. Totally and utterly authentic. Nobody else has any say, influence or sway over what you want to produce. What can be better than that? Well, making money out of it would be nice. But, that's never the starting point. You'd be sorely disappointed if it was. They are a labour of love. No, the starting point is 'I'm going to make this because I want/need to'.
It does, however, mean that sometimes we have to flog our creations. So, here's
a bundle of my five current zines. Each has a run of 1000. No more no less. And, I've put a SALE on. Normally $50 but I've knocked 20% off so until the end of the week they're just $40.
This is the perfect inspiration kit for anyone who loves drawing or just loves to look at drawings.
Molezine 2
A collection of some of the drawings from my travel themed Moleskine sketchbook. Limited stock.
How To Draw Like a Loon
Created with nothing but a four colour ballpoint. This zine is all about drawing and handwriting. Filled with lots of exercise for you to try. Including how to make a zine! Very limited stock.
An Idle Daydream
A zine that reviews my favourite (and not so favourite) pens. Also includes some of my favourite blog images from the last eight years.
How to Draw Like a Barmpot
Another tutorial zine. This one focuses on drawing with your imaginations. Includes lots of little exercises to get your imagination working.
The Daily Tamp
A tiny cut-out-and-make newspaper full of stories, film reviews, classified ads and all the usual features of a big full sized newspaper but just tiny.
If you'd like to purchase, or read more about this zine bundle you can do so
HERE. You will be supporting an artist to create more publications that you won't find on the supermarket shelves.
Many thanks for listening.
Are you a librarian or parent working to create a diverse book collection in your home or school? Don’t miss Lee and Low’s inventory and list of resources to help you along the way.
Be certain to read The Brown Bookshelf’s feature from Carole Bostone Weatherford on why she entered the print on demand and ebook market.
There is a market, and need for, more multicultural books and ebooks. The number of multicultural children’s books being released each year has plateaued at fewer than 100 titles a year. This at a time when the U.S. population is increasingly diverse.
Several days ago, Zetta Elliott’s post about #weneeddiversebooks discussed the need for those who want more diversity in YA to support self published authors.
I’ve been discussing the barriers faced by writers of color and my colleagues had several ideas, including a collective of indie authors. I think the big review outlets—Kirkus, School Library 
Journal, Horn Book—ought to devote a column to indie authors so that they can shine a spotlight on the very best self-published books instead of using blanket policies to shut out those truly talented writers who have already been turned away by publishers. But if members of the children’s literature community refuse to change and instead opt to wait on the publishers themselves to do better, nothing will ever change…
I’d had a similar discussion with Amy Cheney just the week before. Amy says that without self published authors, there would be even less for her students to read. She specifically mentioned L. Divine who self published to continue her Drama High series and No Matter What by Jeff Rivera.
I still, still hesitate with self published works even though I know Zetta Elliott, B. A. Binns, Neesha Meminger, L. Divine and Jeff Rivera do good work. These authors know the process and don’t rush a first draft to press. Not everyone has that dedication.
And then there are small presses. While some can rush works through, the majority whose work I’ve read, spend time with writers of color who wouldn’t get a chance with a larger press. They don’t necessarily have the resources for a lot of marketing, but the larger houses that do have the marketing departments don’t necessarily use them on newer writers.
And, we can’t assume anything because a book comes from a major publisher. Biases are still there, editing can be sloppy and research on historic events, cultures or places can be incorrect.
By these standards, we should be willing to give independent authors and smaller publishers a try, but when you consider that these large publishers so seldom give writers of color a try, perhaps we need to really reconsider where our money is going. In Econ class we called it the ‘dollar vote’. Be selective where you spend your money and make it count. Look at the reviews and consider how well Native American culture is being portrayed. They won’t get it right until our dollars vote for the right books.
I really do try to make this easy for you. I have a nice list of authors of color who have published with smaller companies, and I even have information on some of the smaller publishers who have been flying under the #seneeddiversebooks radar. While many publishers such as those listed below are on my Resource Page, the ones I’m presenting today are not.
Pinata Books
RoadRunner Press
Saffron Press
Shen’s Books
Starbright Books
Tara Books
Tiny Satchel Press
Tulika Books
Tuttle Publishing
7th Generation Press
Black Sheep YA is an imprint of Akashic Books.
“Akashic Books is a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers.”
Black Sheep YA is meant to appeal to reluctant readers and those looking for something not found in traditional publishing. 2014 Titles include Changers Book 1: Drew by T. Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper and Game World by C.J. Farely.
Jacqueline Guest’s books are published by Lorimer. From her webpage:
Jacqueline is a Metis writer who lives in a log cabin nestled in the pinewoods of the Rocky Mountain foothills 
of Alberta .
Her award winning books are unique in that many of the main characters come from different ethnic backgrounds including First Nations, Inuit or Metis. Her well-drawn characters face issues common to every child such as bullying, blended families and physical challenges and are strong role models for today’s youth. Jacqueline’s historical novels for young readers’ present Canada ’s vibrant past as an exciting read every child will enjoy. Her young adult mysteries address teenage problems in a sensitive way while still providing a great page-turner.
Her recent books include Free Throw, Triple Threat and Hat Trick.
Na’ima B. Roberts? Too awesome!! Check her out on Wikipedia!
If you’re more visual, She Wore Red Trainers is her current UK release.
It’s love at first glance when Ali meets Amirah, red trainers and all. Ali is still getting over the loss of mother, and trying to come to terms with his identity as a Muslim who likes basketball, motorbikes and wants a gap year in Mexico. Amirah, the gifted artist, has sworn never to get married. But falling in love isn’t simple when trying to remain true to the deen, the spiritual path of Islam.
Watch the trailer and then read the first chapter!
Into steampunk steamfunk? You have to know about Balogun Ojetade, author of the Chronicles of Harriet series, self published by Roaring Lions Produections. Come back sometime. I just bought a copy and plan to review soon. Much more to follow on this author.
Natasha Hanover
I also just purchased Edge of Truth by Natasha Hanova. Hanova writes YAParanormal, is published by Sapphire Star Publishing and is a blogger extraordinaire!
Paul Ferrante publishes with Fire and Ice, an imprint of Melange Books. Melange is a “royalty-paying company publishing ebooks and print books. We pay authors 40% net royalties on ditital formats and 10% on print.” Self publishing that isn’t 
completely DIY. Ferrante writes the T.J. Jackson mystery series nad has currently released the third in the series, Roberto’s Return.
Something’s Wrong in the Birthplace of Baseball
In life, he was one of the all-time greats, a trailblazing icon who played the game with unmatched passion and style. In death, his mystique only grew, the circumstances of his demise shrouded in controversy and myth. When he passed into legend it was believed his like would never be seen again. But now he’s come back. And it’s up to T.J., LouAnne and Bortnicker to solve the riddle of Roberto’s Return.
Medeia Sharif released Snip, Snip Revenge this April from Evernight Press.
Beautiful, confident Tabby Karim has plans for the winter: nab a role in her school’s dramatic production, make the new boy Michael hers, and keep bigoted Heather—with her relentless Ay-rab comments—at bay. When a teacher’s lie and her father’s hastiness rob her of her beautiful hair, her dreams are dashed. The fastest barber in Miami Beach has made her look practically bald. With all her pretty hair gone, Tabby doesn’t believe she fits the feminine role she’s auditioning for. Michael is still interested in her, but he’s playing it cool. Heather has taken to bullying her online, which is easier to do with Tabby’s ugly haircut. Tabby spearheads Operation Revenge, which proves satisfying until all of her problems deepen. After messing up, she sets to make things right.
Filed under:
Diversity Issues,
publisher,
Resources Tagged:
diversity,
self published,
small presses 
And, on the first day, the Book World was created. The Great American Writers flocked to the new world and endlessly wrote to express themselves. The Prolific Readers soon came in droves to read and decipher what the Great American Writers had to say, and before long, the Guardian Agents arrived too and sold the Great American Writers profound works en masse to the Prodigious Publishers. In due course, everyone in this strange new world flourished.
Then on the second day, the Aspiring Writer honed his craft and sought to be accepted in the new world too, so that his own literary work would be read and relished by many. But, legions of these new Aspiring American Writers were turned away and were left standing rejected at the walls of the Book World, denounced by the Guardian Agents, who also left some of them wounded and discarded in a pile of slush.
By the third day, the Bureau of Labor Statics reported the median income for The Great American Writer in the Book World was $55,420 per year or $26.64 per hour. When the Aspiring Writer read this report, he fell to his knees and cried, because he had dreamt of fame and fortune, and the hopes of staking a claim in this strange, new world where so many early settlers were striking it rich. But still, the Aspiring Writer continued to write because it had become his life’s aspiration to be accepted into the Book World, for after all, writing was all he ever wanted to do–even if it meant he would be scantily paid once he got there.
By the fourth day, the Aspiring Writer rolled up his sleeves and searched high and low for a Guardian Agent to represent his work to The Prodigious Publishers that roamed the Book World. At the entrance gate, the Guardian Agents stopped him from entering and formally denounced and rejected the Aspiring Writer, while others from his literary community were left wounded and discarded in a pile of slush, never to be heard from again. Dejected and denounced, the Aspiring Writer fell to his knees again and cried in hopelessness and desperation. Everything became meaningless outside the Book World where the land was dark and bleak and without form and meaning.
On the fifth day, the Aspiring Writers revolted and decided to publish their own books, while the notable Great American Writers with their Guardian Agents and Prodigious Publishers laughed at them and called the self-published authors “Vain.”
By the sixth day the Prolific Readers began to find what the Aspiring Writers wrote, and the Guardian Agents and the Prodigious Publishers fell to their knees and cried.
And on the seventh day, the God of Books, a great force in all the Earth called, Amazon, spoke to the Aspiring Writers and said, “Take Control with Independent Publishing. With Amazon’s independent publishing services you can reach millions of readers worldwide and keep control of your work. It’s fast and easy to publish your print book with CreateSpace, your digital book with Kindle Direct Publishing and create an audiobook with ACX. “And, a whole new world was created.
Tonia Allen Gould is a soon-to-be published author. Her children’s picture book, Samuel T. Moore of Corte Magore releases on iTunes on 7/1/13. Tonia’s animated book with professional voice and an original musical score is being published by Skies America Publishing Company. While her book is not self-published, and Tonia is grateful she didn’t have to go it alone, the journey to publication wasn’t easy, and you’ll oftentimes find Tonia talking a bit about that.
3 Stars Autobiography of a Duck John Arnold 36 Pages Ages: 7 and up …………. Autobiography of a Duck is just that, the life of one Pekin Duck, not a chick, as told by the duck. Duck hatched and then lived with his siblings and his mother on a farm. Then one day, some humans [...]
I have just published a new kindle book, a companion volume to
Happy Animals,
Sleepy Animals is a bedtime book with simple rhyming text. As you say Goodnight to each animal and turn the page the animal goes to sleep and the stars come out in the sky. On some devices this can have the effect of a simple animation, which adds to the charm.
Here are some pictures of the Sleepy Animals!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW SAMPLE ON AMAZON.COMCLICK HERE TO VIEW SAMPLE ON AMAZON.CO.UK
One of the most beautiful self published books I have seen has arrived in our store. I Hear Two Birds is a counting book and a work of art written and illustrated by Brisbane local Kathy Panton.
Kathy has a Bachelor of Visual Art, and has recently given up her job as a special education teacher to be a fulltime artist. She told us … ‘I really believe in following your passion and that is why I am an artist.’
‘I can’t say I have any specific influences, but I have long studied the work of other artists that illustrate children’s books. A lot of people say my work is like Eric Carles, and that is a great compliment, as I think he was a real innovator in children’s book illustration.’
Kathy actually paints first and then cuts up her work which she uses in a collage technique to make her exquisit pictures. We are so lucky to have these photos of Kathy’s studio to share…
You can see here where she keeps her cut up paintings for use in her pictures…
I believe that Kathy has really captured the essence of what all the great, classic children’s books have. I Hear Two Birds works on so many different levels, it has beautiful flowing, rhythmic text, counting, recognition of colour, shape and everyday objects including animals and nature. It truly is a stunning book and we are very proud to have it.
Kathy also sells her beautiful prints, that are perfect art for a child’s room, from her Etsy store here.
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Thank you so much for mentioning my latest release.
Wonderful post. I’ve had a good experience with SNIP, SNIP REVENGE and the publishing team. I hope diverse books expand in both small and big press.
Thank you for this valuable roundup. I’m especially pleased to hear about Medeia’s new book because I loved the last one I read, which Flux published. I’m also glad to hear about Akashic’s new YA imprint because I’ve been a fan of their adult books for a long time and know they’ll challenge the status quo in the YA world as well.