As a picture book creator do you need to do school visits and book shop promotion?

neilpriceart

Hi, I was wondering when an author/illustrator creates a picture book, do the publishers send you around marketing the book, like schools and book shops that you need to perform in? I couldn't think of anything more terrifying.
Thanks!

miranda-hoover

Hello! As someone who has never published a book, I can't say for sure. But I'm pretty sure they talk about it in this 3 Point Perspective podcast episode: https://www.svslearn.com/3pointperspectiveblog/2019/4/11/how-to-become-a-better-childrens-book-artist

Hope this helps!

Dan Tavis

I'm in the same boat as you, nothing terrifies me more than public speaking! I have 2 books published so far (1 illustrated and 1 written + illustrated), and 2 more books coming out this year 1 with a big publisher and 1 with a smaller publisher I've worked with in the past. For me I haven't been invited to speak at any schools, book stores, or events because the pandemic hit right when I had both my books published and no one is doing those events at the moment. It is something I am very worried about but based on what i've read and watched from other artists doing school visits and book shop promotions don't tend to elevate the book sales very much.
I don't remember if they talked about this on their podcast but Will Terry did a video on his channel with Jake Parker and they talked about the exact question you have (asked by a very worried reader check it out here

In the end, nothing is going to stop me from doing what I love which is illustrating, and I'm sure some kind of public speaking events will come up in the future which I will probably have to attend. BUT if I had to choose having a career in illustration + having to do public speaking some day vs not having an illustration career and no public speaking ever, I'd choose the 1st option all day. Nothing beats being an artist, you got this

Hit me up if you have any other questions now or in the future, just know you're not alone

neilpriceart

Thank you so, so much for your replies. It's really helped. As someone who suffers so much from anxiety having to do this is very difficult, and the fact that it doesn't increase sales that much makes me think if it is worth it at all.

Thanks again.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@neilpriceart you’re not required but if you want to, or if you want to have a bigger royalty, or maybe become a bestseller or something, then you can.