This was something Katie Davis and I chatted about this week, when she invited me to be a guest on her terrific podcast series, Brain Burps About Books. (You can listen to the interview here: http://katiedavis.com/emma-walton-hamilton). Katie and I had a great time talking about various aspects of writing for kids, and she was enormously generous in putting the word out about my various creative efforts, such as The Children Book Hub, my Just Write for Kids online course in writing picture books and the Southampton Childrens Literature Conference. In return, I offered her listeners a special introductory rate to join the Hub (you’ll have to listen to the interview to access it!) and invited her to be an Expert Interviewee on the Childrens Book Hub in March. I’m really looking forward to that, since Katie has just published a fabulous resource for childrens book authors and illustrators, How to Promote Your Childrens Book. It’s chock full of invaluable information, and a thoroughly enjoyable read, being written (and illustrated!) in Katie’s fun, accessible style. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I am also touched and honored to be “In the Spotlight” this week on Beth Stilborn’s excellent blog, By Word of Beth.  I have had the pleasure of working with Beth editorially on several different projects (she’s a terrific writer  with a shared commitment to the arts and literacy), and we now collaborate as co-administrators of the Childrens Book Hub Facebook page (check it out – it’s not limited to members of the Hub, but welcomes all children’s authors, illustrators and editors, whether published or aspiring). I’ve watched Beth’s passion for children’s literature grow into a thriving platform that now serves the industry in numerous wonderful ways. Beth is giving away two copies of my book Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment this week – to be eligible for the draw, go here: http://www.bethstilborn.com/wednesday-worthy-emma-walton-hamilton/

As I watch our politicians (among others) take one pot shot after another at each other, I continue to be grateful to be a member of this warm and supportive community.

Question: How can you turn one book into multiple sources of income, and continue to promote the original book at the same time?

Answer: Re-purpose it!

Re-purposing means converting the content from your book(s) into as many other formats as you can. Could your book make an audio book? An E-book? A web game?  Is there a possibility for a sequel? Can you turn it into a series? Can you make a picture book or graphic novel version of your novel? Can you re-purpose the same story for a younger audience, or an older audience? Can you adapt it into a song? Can you turn it into a play, or a musical? Can you create a workshop or build speaking engagements around the subject?  Can you offer teleseminars or webinars? What about a teacher’s guide? Articles for magazines or e-zines?  Is there a toy, a board game or another activity you could create? Can you make it the basis for a blog?

How many ways can you re-purpose one product?  In this way, you get paid anew for material you have already created, you offer your audiences greater value and opportunities to discover your message, and you gain more opportunities to promote the original work  – all at the same time.

Here are just some of the ways in which we have re-purposed our own books (and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface.) I hope this list might spark your own ideas as to how your story could be re-purposed as well:

The Dumpy the Dump Truck Series:

• Currently under consideration for a TV series
• Pajamas packaged with books for “Books to Bed”
• Fire safety and awareness package created for Dumpy and the Firefighters

Simeon’s Gift:

• Webgame based on the story (at www.julieandrewscollection.com)
• Teacher’s Guide
• Adapted into a musical for family audiences
• Further adapted into a symphonic performance

The Great American Mousical

• Webgame (www.julieandrewscollection.com)
• Song (“The Show Must Go On”)
• Teacher’s Guide
• Currently being adapted into a stage musical for family audiences

Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment

• Blog
• Workshops and speaking engagements
• Articles for e-zines and literacy websites
• E-book

By the way, this principle doesn’t just apply to books. Never lead a workshop or give a presentation without recording it – then get the recording transcribed. You’ve now got the material for blogposts, articles, workshops and more. Always be on the lookout for the ways in which you can parlay your existing materials into new sources of income, and new ways to reach your audience with your idea.

“How can I get my child to turn off the Gameboy (TV, computer etc.) and pick up a book?!”

This is the question that Emma Walton Hamilton, the best-selling children’s book author, educator, and Editorial Director of the Julie Andrews Collection publishing imprint, hears the most often.

Whether on a book tour with her mother and co-author, the legendary actress Julie Andrews, at speaking engagements in schools, libraries and other public arenas, or in casual conversation, this question surfaces again and again, with increasing urgency, from parents, grandparents, educators, librarians and caregivers across the country.

In fact, eighty-two percent of parents wish their kids read more, according to Scholastic’s annual “Kids and Family Reading” report. Parents overwhelmingly view reading as the most important skill a child needs to develop, which should come as nor surprise, since it is a well-documented fact that children who read well do better in all aspects of school and beyond.

Reading skills correspond directly to one’s ability to:

• Be a confident, informed citizen
• Communicate effectively
• Succeed in one’s chosen career, and
• Achieve personal fulfillment.

But… a recent survey by the National Endowment for the Arts based on two decades of census reports states that, for the first time in modern history, less than half the adult population now reads literature for pleasure.

The disturbing facts are that one third of high school graduates and forty-two percent of college graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. This decline in reading literature occurs across all ages, sexes and races. It is most pronounced among the young.

Building on the premise that an appreciation for reading stems from an kinesthetic connection between books and pleasure, Raising Bookworms offers over 150 powerfully effective yet simple strategies to engage even the most reluctant reader, and to build, maintain or restore a love of reading for every age range.

“Raising Bookworms” does something rare—it recognizes that to get a kid reading means lighting an internal fire, not just applying an external push. This book shows you how to make reading a habit they’ll want to form all on their own.” – James Patterson, Bestselling author

Readers will discover…

• Why reading is so essential for success in school and in life
• How to build – or restore – the critical connection between reading and pleasure
• The value of, and techniques for, reading aloud to children of all ages
• How to find the best books for young readers
• Answers to frequently asked questions about developmental issues, the impact of television and the internet, and engaging older children and reluctant readers
• Hundreds of activities, resources, recommendations and tools for building the foundation for a life-long love of reading

“The message of this lovingly written book – packed with recommended reading and activities for parents and children – is simple: children can learn to love reading books. Caring attentive adults can make the difference, and that difference changes lives.” – Leonard Kniffel, Editor in Chief, American Libraries

For BULK ORDERS: Phone: 1-800-BookLog Fax: 1-419-281-6883
E-mail: orders@AtlasBooks.com or visit www.atlasbooksdistribution.com

Click here to download a pdf order form.

Notes:

• 12/08/08 in the category of “Books > Reference > Words & Language > Literacy
• Category: Parenting Activities. See the “News & Events” page for details and press release