Welcome to our latest guest on Soundtrack Of My Life. It's the founder of Daisy Lane Publishing, Jennifer Sharp. For those who follow the Kidlit International Inspiration series, you will recognise Jennifer, as she organises a merry band of authors from around the world to discuss all things publishing with an extra focus on illustrated children's books. If you haven't seen any of the video chats yet, pop over to YouTube by clicking the link below. It's incredibly interesting and informative stuff.
How did you get into publishing? What inspired you to found your own publisher?
Books have been my life. Every Sunday, as a family we would visit my grandparents house for the obligatory Sunday dinner. Grandad was always there waiting for me with open arms and books on the table. He would read to me story after story after story before and after the meal. All I can remember is how his voice sounded when he read to me – it was very lyrical, like he almost sang the words. I was very young when he passed but this memory will always remain with me.
I was one of those kids who hid in libraries whether it was the school library or the local council one. I always found solace in books and they got me through some really tough times.
From here I went into primary school specializing in the early years of learning and children with disabilities and learning difficulties. I would read to these children each day as much as I could. I simply wanted these kids to know that when in my classroom they were cared for, and listened to, and accepted for who they were just like how I felt when I was with my grandad.
After many years of teaching, I decided to leave the profession and found my own publishing house. I had been dabbling for a few years as a freelancer in editing, proofing, designing and many other aspects of bringing a book together, so why not? What I hadn’t learnt, I knew I could learn along the way. Daisies were my grandmothers favorite flower so, as a tribute to both grandma and grandad, Daisy Lane Publishing was born.
I also have a second publishing company, Soul Essence International, where I publish books for leaders in their industry. This publishing house was born during covid when so many wanted to tell their story. The women’s movement was strong amongst other things, especially on social media, and collaborative books became really popular. I was really lucky that I found a formula, when covid was over, where I publish a collaborative book each year in combination with a leadership retreat.
Many authors find the publishing process complex and frightening. Can you give us a simpler description of the process and how do you help authors navigate the time from writing their book to publication and beyond?
I think its really important that authors know their WHY before they write, and WHAT they want to get out of it. This often keeps the clarity there whilst they are doing the writing. I step my clients through the process from the writing of their story followed by the editing to the formatting and layout of the internal pages to the cover design. It literally is a step by step process and this takes the angst out of it for them. We often talk through the promotions and marketing of their story, offering different avenues they can take in the process.
And, they don’t really have to be a writer. Many who want to write their stories don’t see themselves as “writers” and often think they have to have the “perfect” manuscript. In fact, it’s the opposite. All they need is an idea. If you think you’re not a writer talk your story out – when your in the car, walking the dogs, talk it. I have a specialized team of ghostwriters who can then take your spoken words and turn them into the written word.
If you have an idea, that’s all you need to begin with. So, no excuses!
If you had one piece of advice to help authors as they start their journey, what would it be?
Only one? I had to think about this for a while. There is so much new writers need to learn. For me, my one piece of advice would be to write from the heart. What is your soul telling you? Don’t follow trends. What is a trend today won’t be tomorrow. If you write from your heart this will shine through and people can see that. Writing from the heart is timeless.
You work closely with illustrators too. How do you choose the people you work with?
Illustrators are gold! I love working with them. Their depth of creativity always astounds me. This may not make sense to everyone, but I choose illustrators really carefully and this can take months. When the right one comes along I just “know” they are the one. If the illustrator doesn’t 100% resonate with the story, they are not the one. They may be able to visualize the story beautifully, but their heart won’t be in it. The illustrator must “feel” the story just as I have that “knowing.” When we get the formula right, the outcome is gold.
With the growth in self-publishing, how do you see the future of the publishing industry?
The publishing industry is undergoing rapid changes and has been for a while. What is today, may not be tomorrow. Self-publishing was once frowned upon, but over the last 10 years, more specifically the last 5, this has changed, and more and more are looking to self-publish or to assisted publishing to help them with the process.
Traditional publishing is still strong, but many authors don’t want to wait to share their stories. From the signing of a contract to actual publication it can take 3-5 years, if it happens at all. Some are prepared to wait for this, others aren’t. The other downside of traditional publishing is it’s a really low royalty rate for the author whereas with self-publishing, the author receives nearly 100%.
Self-publishing is growing stronger. More and more publishing houses are offering both traditional and self-publishing routes for authors which is a win-win for all.
There are plenty of ways to follow all of Jennifer's activities. here are the links:
Websites:
Facebook:
Instagram:
YouTube:
LinkedIn:
You can also find Jennifer's playlist on Spotify
Bat Out Of Hell by MeatLoaf
A favourite in the teenage years. I used to dance all night to MeatLoaf.
Dance Of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker
This was my first ever live theater adventure when I was 12. Watching Ballet - The Nutcracker at Newcastle Civic Theatre. I was totally mesmerized by it all!
Memory from Cats
The most famous musical of all time, first exploded onto the West End stage in 1981. Once again I was mesmerized with live theatre at 16 years old. It makes me realise how much you don't want to hear me sing!
Waterloo by ABBA
(Jennifer said to us, "absolutely anything by ABBA." It's impossible to disagree. As such I chose the big breakthrough from the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974.)
A fan of all their music. If it wasn't Meatloaf, it was ABBA. I used to hang out each Sunday waiting for the music show Countdown shown on ABC at 6pm in the 80's so I could watch them.
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
The theme song from the movie Twilight. What can I say, I'm a romantic who doesn't mind a touch of drama!
Walking On Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves
What more can I say? My daily ritual - don't watch me dance to it though!
May It Be by Enya
Whenever I feel anxious, fearful, when the day isn't going so well for whatever reason, I find Enya's music calms my soul. Then I can Walk On Sunshine again.
The Monkey Dance by The Wiggles
Both of my children loved The Wiggles growing up. The Monkey dance was one of the first songs The Wiggles sang and danced to when I took them to a live performance. Everytime I hear this song I recall the delight and happiness and carefreeness of children.
Only Time by Enya
I love the lyrics of this song. "Who can say where the road goes...Why your heart sighs...Who can say when the roads meet... It's only time, right? What is time in this world?"
A World To Believe In by Celine Dion
This is a song about believing in love but it is also a song that we can listen to because it can also bring hope to this world - "And yet through this darkness there's always a light that shines through and that light is love and something we desperately need in this world of ours on so many levels."
Don't forget you can find a wealth of information by watching the Daisy Lane Publishing/ Kidlit International Inspire series on YouTube by clicking the image below.
Until next time. TTFN.
MaxS and The Stray Army
Write from the heart - YES!
I hear so many 'gurus' urging authors to write to market
I always think they will be found out. Readers can spot the inauthentic a mile off.
Another great soundtrack, and now I'm back in the UK with a generous internet allowance, I'm looking forward to checking out the YouTube channel!