The Nicholberry Dispatch
Traditional v. self-publishing, and what dogs are teaching us about aging
BOOK NEWS
Recently, a lot of people have been asking me about publishing and how I found my publisher. Thus, a primer on publishing (and I’ll keep it very basic, as the Dispatch is short form communication). This will be part one. Next week we’ll talk about self-publishing.
My book was published traditionally, which means I have an agent who submitted the proposal to “editors” (think “buyers”) at publishing houses. Traditional publishing houses have divisions that are called “imprints.” Those imprints each have their own distinct personality and focus. A very loose analogy would be the restaurant industry. Yum Brands owns KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Same corporate parent with each offspring focusing on a different customer and type of food.
My book was bought by Celadon Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers. I entered into a contract with them that required me to furnish a manuscript within a set period of time, after which we worked together through various rounds of edits and design selection. As a traditional publisher, they market the book, set up media engagements, and interface with booksellers in order to get Puppy Brain into stores like Barnes and Noble.
Next Puppy Brain Book Club: Wednesday October 9th 12pm PST
If you haven’t yet added your name to my mailing list, please do so here. I will send the registration link on Monday. I am not posting the recordings, so hopefully you can make it!
And whether you can make it or not, please ask whatever questions you have from Chapters 0 to 8 here and I will put some of my answers in future newsletters.
SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO
What dogs are teaching us about aging
I recognize that I may have a different tolerance for and interest in all things dog, but I dare you to listen to this and not be fascinated. Professor Daniel Promislow co-directs The Dog Aging Project, a massive study initially funded by the NIH that’s tracking more than 50,000 dogs. But this episode discusses not only how dogs age and whether we can help them live longer, but how our understanding of their aging process provides insight into our own.
SOMETHING TO WATCH
If the trailer for this documentary is this good, I can only imagine how good the film itself is going to be. And if you don’t know who he is, think Jaws, ET, and Star Wars. John Williams is both a genius and a legend. Mark your calendars for November 1st, as this is one you won’t want to miss!
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou
SOMETHING TO LOVE
What a gifted human being John Williams is!!Thank you for the heads up about November 1 documentary! And the podcast about aging in dogs and humans was so interesting! Thank you so much Kerry!
Thank you. Loved the articles.