THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT SERIES post #6
Eileen Robinson |
__________
Do
or Don’t Do. There is no in-between. Isn’t that what Yoda said? You either go
for it or you dream. And I recognize it all starts with a dream, with a
passion, an itch you can’t seem to get rid of. But at some point, you have to
leap if the dream will ever become reality. Whatever your passion, you must
take that first step.
I’ve
been starting up things since I was a kid, but I never planned to be an
entrepreneur, and though I loved to read (the New York Public library was like
my second home), I never thought I would land in book publishing much less
forge ahead with my own company. I was just a young, avid reader who spent
summers hunched over Judy Blume’s books, secretly and defiantly, under the
watchful eye of the passing librarian. At home I read Young Miss magazine, my Childcraft encyclopedia set (that I forced my brother to
read with me on Saturdays), Reader’s Digest, my beloved
dictionary, and later, when I joined my first book club, my closet became home
to books instead of clothes. I loved magazines and pursued magazine writing,
getting my first article published in Better Homes and Gardens. In
college, I tried to start a magazine but little did I know the world of books
was where I was meant to be, though I had no idea entrepreneurship was in my
future, much less my first love, becoming an editor.
I’d
like to say something savvy, that I came up with some great idea, something
different, something that would change the face of publishing, but I just have
a passion to make books, shape stories, be a part of the process. I want to
help children see themselves in books, be changed by them, and find confidence
and solace in reading, giving them an experience that might inspire them or
help them inspire others. That’s it.
So I did. So I am.
But taking the leap to be an entrepreneur in publishing—the financial responsibility, distribution and sales, marketing and publicity, illustration and design, manufacturing, establishing the brand Move Books to sit among the publishing giants and alongside established small publishers—is another path entirely. Was I going to let my passion and drive override my fear?
Back
to Yoda, it’s Do or Don’t Do.
So
I did.
And my son, now thirteen, is the reason. With stacks of books in every corner of my house, and unable to eat at the dinner table because of the piles, it dismayed me that he, at six-years-old, was a struggling reader and then became a reluctant reader as he progressed through elementary school. When he was seven, he told me picture books were no longer acceptable to take from the library. Wow. What would the educational system think of all the adults who love picture books? Later on, a teacher took a book out of his hands, telling him it wasn’t on his reading level. Though I understood there must be compliance with reading standards and expectations in the classroom, he was discouraged. What did I do? I purchased two copies of the book and read along with him. Why read along with him? Because I felt the book he wanted to read, Hunger Games, had important emotional, moral, and ethical issues that might emerge for him and I wanted to have these discussions with him. It was unimaginable to me that he—along with his friends, my nephews, and the other children I’ve met while presenting throughout the school and library system—didn’t love books as much as I did. They saw books as vehicles for information to be used in school, but not for pleasure. Of course, I also met many children who were avid readers but I worried about those who might never enjoy reading, and I wanted to contribute.
After much thought and driving my colleagues crazy, I decided to launch a publishing venture called Move Books. Why? Because I wanted to move boys to read.
So what
is it to be an entrepreneur? Team, Trust, Sharing, Embracing are some
words that come to mind.
Your
team.
Entrepreneurship is a team effort. And no business can get off the
ground or survive without people who believe in what you are trying to do.
Everybody counts—even your babysitter!
Trust
is key.
Support can come in many ways but the key is you must trust those you
work with, respecting their ideas and experience.
Share information. You must share information where you can to ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.
Accept change. It’s an everyday occurrence. Embrace it. Get used to having a plan A and plan B should things go in a different direction.
Entrepreneurship
has been a daily transformation for me, and it all began after leaving
Scholastic in 2003. I became an editorial consultant and created F1rstPages to help writers work on their craft and provide insight into the publishing
world. About a year later, editorial consultant Harold Underdown (The Purple Crayon,
and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books) and
I began Kid’s Book Revisions which further
built on the premise of helping writers hone their work through revision and
understanding the market. But I felt like something was missing. I missed that
feeling of shepherding a manuscript through the process to bound book. So in
2011, with colleagues, friends, and family rooting for me, I jumped in with
both feet and launched Move Books!
Our Mission: Why Focus on Boys? It’s important for me to note here that I am not saying there should be different books for girls and different books for boys, nor am I publishing the “stereotypical” boy books, but I am publishing books to get more boys to reading, and hope that through reading texts and stories they are drawn to, boys will see the value of reading in their own lives and that it can bring enjoyment as an activity. According to the National Center for Education Statistics and The National Assessment of Educational Progress, boys consistently lag behind girls in reading literacy—the latest study in 2012 showed a five point gap between nine-year-old boys and girls which increased to an eight point gap by age thirteen, and this gap remained through age seventeen. Though these gaps differ by country, they are worldwide. The great news is with contemporary authors like J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, and Jon Scieszka, whose Guys Read initiative has long been dedicated to giving boy readers more options, the statistics are likely to get better in the next assessments. Regardless of the statistics, teachers, librarians, and parents know this gap exists, so let’s stop calling it gender bias and contribute to becoming a more literate nation. Like most entrepreneurs, I’d like to help make a difference and hope that I do.
Move Books team: Harold Underdown, Editorial |
What are we publishing and what do we want? In 2016 we are happily continuing with the second book in The Lost Tribes Series, by C. Taylor-Butler (author of Sacred Mountain: Everest and many others)--stay tuned for a cover reveal in January! We are also excited to be considering our first historical fiction project, among other kinds of stories. We would love more submissions with humor but look forward to just reading really good books that challenge the imagination, and those that show the complexity of middle-grade relationships. If a great YA comes along, we may consider it, but right now our niche is middle-grade. These readers (age eight to twelve) are a lot of fun and more importantly, it is where boys begin to lose interest in reading. Submissions are open now until June 2016.
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Cliché but true. For everyone who supports you, there will be those who disagree with you, think your mission is fruitless, think they have all the answers, or that they know your direction better than you do. Like in writing, I believe showing is better than telling, so any of you thinking about becoming any sort of entrepreneur need to do your homework so you can feel confident about what you are doing. Listen to all comments, find the truth in them and use that to help make your business stronger.
Mistakes are part of the process. There
is so much room for error and bad judgement calls. And you will probably make a
lot of them, so see them as stepping stones.
Move Books team: Virginia Pope, Design |
You’ve got
experience? So what! Remember, you
are reinventing yourself. I thought because I’d been at Scholastic and Harcourt
that a distributor for Move Books’ titles would fall in my lap. My
educational/school library background and exposure to trade certainly helped
me, but it still took a lot of work and time to land a major, national
distributor (with a sales force) that would get us a relationship with the
bookstores and wholesalers reaching the school/library and trade markets.
Move Books team:Joe Sita, Manufacturing |
Delegate and trust in others a lot more than you ever
have. It is the experience and ideas of the team
that help bring an author’s vision and words to life, and that also applies to
your company. Never forget, you may be the boss, but you are part of a team. And never underestimate the importance of shielding your team. Don't throw people under the bus. We grow from our mistakes and if you keep that in mind, you will cultivate a team producing ideas that are more adventurous and more creative.
Move Books team:Krista Ehrentraut, Intern |
There is a mentor in everyone. I
believe you can learn something from everyone you meet. I have gathered
emotional and professional support from people who have become long-time
friends in publishing, and outside of publishing (no matter what business you
are in, there is a common bond there). And sometimes getting out of your field
opens you up to different approaches when you are stuck. I have learned from
people who thought I was crazy to launch a publishing company or focus on boys
and reading. Their comments either gave me confirmation or caused me to go back
and rethink some things. It's all useful.
Stay Grounded. Always come back to the “why”.
Why did I start this company in the first place? For my son and to instill
a love of reading.
Fiction or Nonfiction? It’s
all reading! As you know, I worried that my son would never enjoy books like I
do. But not too long ago I realized all the books he chose were nonfiction. It
was fiction he tried to steer clear of, though historical fiction seemed to
capture his interest. I wanted him to be compelled to read, not because he had
to…and that’s exactly what he was doing.
Entrepreneurship is like flying a kite. So do you choose “Do or Don’t Do”? There are many variables, some of which are out of your control. Some of us contribute to make others successes. Some of us are successes ourselves. Both are great accomplishments. But is one separate from the other? Can we be both? I don’t know. But it’s worth the risk. “Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.”—singer, Jackson Browne
Entrepreneurship is like flying a kite. So do you choose “Do or Don’t Do”? There are many variables, some of which are out of your control. Some of us contribute to make others successes. Some of us are successes ourselves. Both are great accomplishments. But is one separate from the other? Can we be both? I don’t know. But it’s worth the risk. “Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.”—singer, Jackson Browne
Thanks for sharing your story, Eileen. I wish you great success!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane!
DeleteThank you so much for reading! This was so much fun and I had a blast working with Emma. She brought out the best in my story. I just hope, like any writer, I have inspired others to do what they love. Sometimes easier said than done, yes, but it feels good and I don't think I'll every regret trying.
Eileen
I knew some of your story, but never realized all of the ins and outs of it. I'm so proud of you for recognizing your passion and following your dream. There are even more great things to come your way.
ReplyDeleteHi Gwen!
DeleteThank you so much! Says the author of the fantastic book on Vivien Thomas. I am equally proud of you. You are following your dreams too. I think great things are in store for all of us, as we continue to help each other reach our dreams.
Eileen
Inspiring post and great advice. Thanks, Eileen and Emma!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda!
DeleteI enjoyed writing this and I am so happy you found it inspiring. I'm not sure one ever finds one's own journey or life inspiring so thank you. Looking forward to a great year in 2016!
Eileen
RESPECT! I didn't know your story. Thank you for sharing your catalyst, values and team! Brava!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma, for another inspirational post in this series.
Thank you! Joanna, I'm so glad you found value in it. Thank you so much for reading and to Emma for helping and coaxing me share my voice!
DeleteMy dearest cousin, you are such an inspiration to ke. Words cannot express how very proud I am of you. I absolutely adore the raw honesty of this post. It truly helps to put things in proper perspective. Thank you and keep reaching for the stars.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, thank you for your support and watching you develop as a writer and business person has been quite an honor. Thank you for reading and keep going!
DeleteHi Eileen. I have three boys, so I know what you are talking about. They never liked reading 'regular' books, but loved Discover magazine, National Geographic and even encyclopedias. Our oldest, when he was 4 years old, would go to sleep with an encyclopedia in his hands and remembered everything he read. (My boys are now 35, 33 and 26) By the way, like your son, I love historical fiction. Good luck with your publishing company, I know you will succeed. It is hard work, whether we are trying to start a publishing company or trying to get published (as I am). Hang your dreams on a star and you'll go far.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
DeleteThank you for sharing this! My son sounds like your oldest, only he loved astronomy. We all play a part in how children see education and reading, and I think it begins at home. Instead of thinking in terms of "boys don't like to read" we should ask "what do they like to read?" And how can we find ways to engage them and foster a love of reading from an early age? How can we compliment what their teachers are doing and use the resources that libraries have to keep them excited? I admire some of the books other publishers are publishing and I'd like to make a more focused contribution through Move Books. I hope I do succeed! Thanks so much Janet!!
Eileen, I took your online writing course about writing children's books a few years back and learned a ton from you. Plus, you were so supportive of my efforts and provided valuable feedback. i still have your notes and refer to them as I start my third book for beginning readers. Lovely to bump into your sparkle again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insight Eileen. I'll always be grateful to you for providing your expert touch as the editor of my children's novel Taneesha Never Disparaging.
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
ReplyDelete