Author and illustrator Paridhi P Apte was longlisted in the picture book category for the inaugural DANZ (Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) Children’s Book Award for Maharaja’s Quest. Apte spoke to Independent Publishing about the importance of recognition, her publishing process, and her approach to marketing, among other topics.
Congratulations on being longlisted for a DANZ award for Maharaja’s Quest. Can you tell us a bit about your book?
Thank you very much. It was a pleasant surprise to be longlisted for the DANZ awards. They received a total of 120 titles as nominations, out of which 26 were longlisted, which included Maharaja’s Quest. I am very much drawn to picture books because of the unique stories and wonderful illustrations that accompany them. I come from a land of colours (Bharat, India), and I have many stories to share from Bharat. Maharaja’s Quest is one of those stories, emerging from ancient Bharat, where kings ruled and life was simple. There is a saying in Bharat that goes: ‘Straightforwardness with the straightforward, crookedness with the crooked.’ Sage Dhruva was a wise sage who had to trick the Maharaja to restore balance in his kingdom. I hope to enchant children with mesmerising colours and a unique story that unfolds within its pages.
What does it mean to you to be recognised in an award for your self-published work?
The award shows that self-published, unique, and heartfelt stories can find and touch an audience. It motivates me to keep creating and sharing stories, knowing they inspire readers. Ultimately, this recognition fuels my dedication to enchanting children and adults with the magic of storytelling with illustrations. Additionally, the hard work that goes into self-publishing is often underrated, as it’s no easy task for a single creator to complete a book from script to final product. Being recognised with an award for my self-published work, Maharaja’s Quest, means a lot to me. It validates the effort and passion I put into creating picture books. This recognition honours my storytelling and illustrations while celebrating the culture and wisdom of ancient Bharat.
Can you walk us through your process of self-publishing? Which services did you use to get your book printed and why?
As difficult as it may sound to self-publish a book, it is the passion that drives creators to achieve their desires. A lot of research in the initial stages and never giving up are the keys to success. I love that with self-publishing, you have complete control over your project, from the script to the timelines and release dates.
Once I finalise the script, I send it to my editor. After receiving the edited version, I create storyboards for the book. I share these storyboards with my author friends, who are amazing at reviewing and providing feedback. Incorporating their suggestions, I proceed to the final colouring stage. Then, I prepare the files for printing. I use Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, as they excel at printing and distributing books.
How did you approach the marketing and publicity process for Maharaja’s Quest?
Marketing can indeed be challenging for self-published authors. I mainly focused on applying for book awards to gain recognition. Currently, I haven’t placed a significant emphasis on marketing, but I have engaged in online marketing by placing ads with Amazon, which has been effective. I was also focused a lot on local markets last year, which made great sales and served as a good opportunity to meet people and have a great time.
With each new book, I’m expanding my illustration portfolio and gaining valuable insights. Right now, my goal is to continue learning and evolving. Having a backup income stream is beneficial as it allows me to invest some of that money into marketing. My primary income comes from illustration work for other clients, which in turn supports my marketing efforts.
Are your books stocked in bricks-and-mortar bookshops? If so, how did you go about getting them stocked?
No, my books are not stocked in bricks-and-mortar stores, unfortunately. I’ve tried but found it challenging to work with bookstores. I’ve had difficult and disheartening experiences, including instances where independent bookstores refused to carry independent authors’ books in their ‘independent shop’. However, I would encourage others not to lose hope; if your book is good, it will find its readers. I’ve found that online marketing is the most effective way to reach the market.
What are the biggest lessons or tips you would give to others looking to self-publish?
My advice to aspiring self-publishers is to pursue your passion and give it a try. While traditional publishing may seem like the ideal route, there are numerous alternative ways to share your work with the world. Every book represents a positive step toward achieving your goals. With the wide range of options available to self-publishers today, the world is full of opportunities. Many successful self-published authors are thriving in the industry, and numerous self-publishing conferences offer valuable insights for aspiring authors.
What are you working on at the moment?
As someone who cares deeply about the betterment of our planet for future generations, I have just released my latest picture book, Plastic Free, which focuses on reducing plastic use in our everyday lives. Another picture book, Truly Magical, is in the works and will be released next year. This book aims to provide readers with a glimpse of the magic that surrounds us in everyday life through the eyes of nature. I am also illustrating an eight–picture book series called My Money Lessons for author Jaleesa Paine, which is due to be completed by the end of this year.
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