Never Too Young to Publish

by Miles and William Rabun
(Wake Forest, NC)

Print on Demand by Xlibris

Miles Rabun and William Rabun, the 9 and 7-year-old young authors of the children's picture book, My Grandma's Backyard, are two young brothers who took their fate in their own hands to publish a remarkable book that was only the beginning of a rewarding experience.

How it All Started

Miles and William's maternal grandmother challenged the prodigious students, when they were 7 and 5, to write a book after learning of their good school grades in reading and writing. Since Miles and William wanted to write about the fun times they have with their grandmother, My Grandma's Backyard explores the many favorite things that Miles and William enjoy doing in their grandmother's backyard - like skipping rocks, identifying plants, and reciting poems, or making up skits. This fun-filled tale reflects the authors' real adventures during summers with their grandmother who is a natural-born lover of the great outdoors.

The Publishing Experience

Publishing My Grandma's Backyard with Xlibris Corporation was a great learning experience for Miles and William since they were involved first hand in the process of reviewing and editing galleys, managing the layout of the book and approving the final copy that was published. Xlibris also offered materials about their services that were straightforward and easy to understand by Miles and William.

The biggest selling point for Miles and William and their family in choosing Xlibris was that Xlibris offered publishing packages that were affordable for Miles and William to use their own monies earned from other entrepreneurial efforts to pay for the book. Miles and William also were thrilled about the prospect of controlling their work from beginning to end. If mistakes were found in galleys, it cost the young authors time and money; this proved to be a great lesson for Miles and William and reinforced the importance of paying close attention to details and making wise choices.

Promoting My Grandma's Backyard

For any self-publishing effort, it is important to have a plan and timeline not only for writing your book but also for publishing your book. Marketing and Distribution plans for self-publishing are also as important as the writing and publishing of your book. Miles and William were strongly encouraged to write with details and to focus their time and money on specific marketing/distribution efforts like a a good press release, a website and business cards. Miles and William also worked with their parents on the best places (like local bookstores/fun places for kids/magazines kids read) that could help promote the sell of My Grandma's Backyard. The children's' instinct proved to be quite invaluable.

Success with The Publishing Experience and My Grandma's Backyard

My Grandma's Backyard has had an overwhelming response from teachers, librarians, students, parents, grandparents and young readers. Shortly after publication, Miles and William received proclamations from the Cities of Raleigh, NC - Atlanta, Georgia and East Point, Georgia naming Young Authors' Day on their behalf! My Grandma's Backyard also received favorable reviews from parent magazines and is now on several public library shelves.

Miles and William have also successfully promoted My Grandma's Backyard with large and independent booksellers, partnered with literacy groups to promote reading (and writing) and have participated in several public reading and writing programs. The Young Authors travel throughout the United States and most recently traveled internationally to the British West Indies to promote My Grandma's Backyard with a full program that is designed to educate and elevate young readers and writers.

Miles and William's entertaining presentations actively promote an appreciation for nature and fun in an outdoor setting. It includes reading comprehension and rhythm in writing exercises and reinforces that kids are never too young to write! The program includes an exciting reading of the book, the publishing process, fun songs, dancing and djembe drumming. Some shows even include kid performers. More information is available at www.mygrandmasbackyard.com

In the end, it is very important to start early on your marketing efforts for a self-published work and maintain a weekly contact and follow-up list. Miles and William not only had the benefit of planned marketing efforts, but many new contacts came as a result of a word of mouth campaign that had a life of its own. It is also very important to identify a target audience for your book and understand what they want to read, why your story is worth their attention and how they will respond to your work.

William and Miles invite you to visit their Grandma's Backyard.