Media professor Karl Beckstrand is the bestselling and award-winning
author/illustrator of 25 multicultural/multilingual books and more than 60
ebook titles. His survival thriller, To Swallow the Earth, won a 2016
International Book Award, and his multicultural kids’ books have been lauded by
Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal.
Raised in Silicon Valley, he has lived abroad and worked with people
from all continents (except Antarctica). His work reflects cultural
diversity—not only in protagonists, but in collaborators (his illustrators hail
from Latin America, Europe, and Asia). Beckstrand has a B.A. in journalism from
BYU, an M.A. in international relations from APUS, and a broadcast/film
certificate from Film A. Academy. He teaches media at a state college and,
since 2004, has run Premio Publishing.
Beckstrand has presented to Taiwan’s Global Leadership for Youth, city
and state governments, festivals, and schools. His Y.A. stories, ebook
mysteries, nonfiction, Spanish/bilingual, wordless, career, and STEM books
feature ethnically diverse characters—and usually end with a twist. His work
has appeared via: Amazon, Apple/iBooks, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble,
Costco, Deseret Book, Follett, Ingram, Papercrafts Magazine, Target.com, The
U.S. Congressional Record, Walmart.com, FB, and Twitter.
How long have you been writing? Since
1991—I began writing by
accident. I didn’t used to like to write; but story ideas kept coming to me
(when I should have been doing my homework).
Can you please tell us about your
background? I was raised in
paradise (San Jose/Silicon Valley) —the perfect climate, much like Valparaiso
(Chile, where I lived for two years [LDS mission]). I have a bachelor’s in
journalism (never planned to be a reporter) and a master’s in International
relations. I teach media at a state college in Utah and speak on traditional
vs. digital/self-publishing. I’m an arts/media junkie (music, art, films,
books, theater—oh, and history!)
How did you begin your writing career
and have you primarily focused on children’s stories since then? This was a complete accident because I
hated writing (and reading) as a kid. While I should have been doing homework
in college, I would get ambushed by ideas for kid’s books and write
them—thinking I’d get published when I retired from a “real” job. I joined a
writer’s group and met a gentleman who wanted to publish one of my manuscripts.
Unfortunately, he died the day we were to print. I got a crash course in
publishing/marketing. One other publisher asked me to write a true story about
an immigrant child. I knew about a girl in my family history who arrived here
alone, not knowing English. I found the account—and then got hooked on family
history. So, now I’m writing other true immigration stories. I have ideas for
novels—only one is published so far.
What’s the first thing a writer with an
idea for a children’s story should do (besides write it)? Hire a professional editor (even for
kid’s books). They are affordable and will save you grief! Join a writer’s
group to network and get feedback.
Where do you get your ideas and where
can other writers find inspiration? This is a hot button (for someone who works in perhaps the
most competitive genre). If you’re not constantly hit with ideas, then “I’d
like to write a children’s book” is probably not a justification for entering the
field. My desk is covered with folders and papers filled with ideas that come
at me all the time; things people say, scenarios that explode in my mind, phrases
that have a fun meter...I may never get them all published.
Once you have your book written, how do
you find a publisher? You must be
unafraid to communicate (phone, mail, email, social media, in person) and you
must be unrelenting (but get an editor before you drive agents/publishers
crazy—which you will. The idea is that when they finally look at your stuff,
it’s wonderful). You’ll need an agent with a good track record.
How is the process different with books
for children and families compared to books for adults? I try to write to entertain
adults--regardless of the target age range. They are the ones who are going to
buy the book, and I don’t want them to cringe when a kid asks them to read a
Karl Beckstrand book. I want them to get the humor that the child may not get.
I want the parent/teacher/librarian to stay awake and read my books even when
they are alone. I try to write every day and am both a plotter and
seat-of-the-pantser. I do some illustrating too.
Do you prefer having your books
published by a publishing house or do you prefer self-publishing? What
are the pros and cons of each? After learning so much from publishers
(learning isn’t always a good experience) I realized that I would rather
control content, MARKETING, and revenues. Publishers make lots of promises, but
the author is—really--always the engine for sales, even if a large publisher
promises the moon. I don’t like to spend 50% of my time marketing, but I would
have to do it even with Penguin-Random House. Publishers used to have ideal
distribution; now anyone can.
Once you have your book published, how
do you market it, and does it make a difference whether it’s self-published or
not? No big difference: you post it on social
media; do giveaways on Goodreads, Bookbub, Authorsden, Librarything (give it in
exchange for a sincere online review—these are important); send press
releases—call the media afterwards about being a guest/article subject; if you
self-publish, Amazon’s Createspace.com can get you in with major distributors
(but you must still contact distributors to truly get your work to booksellers.
I don’t usually pursue book signings for two reasons: Bookstores are not the
best place to stand out; and, unless you have a large following in a particular
city (which you might) you won’t sell a lot of books. Presentations to
groups/schools are great.
What are the biggest challenges in the
publishing process? Getting a book
noticed.
Your work is racially diverse with many
of your characters being of colour and/or bilingual. Yes, they’re not really aimed
at a certain audience—they’re not even about racial diversity. They are
exciting/fun stories that just happen to reflect the diversity of the world in
a natural way.
Do you speak Spanish? Yes, my mother spoke broken Spanish to
us as kids; then, living in South America made it my second language. I’m
learning German.
How many books have you written, and
how many of those have been published? I have written about 30 books; 25 have been published (with
translations/ebooks, I have about 130 titles).
Can you tell us about your novel? It’s Young Adult suspense set in the
Nevada silver rush: To Swallow the Earth.
It won a 2016 International Book Award (also a Laramie finalist). I inherited
the manuscript from someone who grew up exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains
on horseback nearly a hundred years ago. My challenge was to develop the
characters while preserving the action and authentic language. It’s about a man
and a woman who clash in a land scheme that leaves both unsure who to trust—and
scrambling to stay alive. In addition to a tough outcast (half-Mexican, raised
by Indians), there’s a gutsy female who’s unintimidated in the worst kinds of
opposition.
What “Made It” moments have you
experienced? To Swallow the
Earth won a 2016 International
Book Award (also a Laramie Award finalist), She Doesn't Want the Worms - Ella
no quiere los gusanos named in top 10 "Best Books" of 2011
– ForeWord Reviews Magazine and featured in School
Library Journal. Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story hit
#2 on Amazon's Hot New Children's Books list.
How can a writer find and work with
illustrators? Should a children’s book be illustrated
when you submit a manuscript? Only get an illustrator if you self-publish
(which I recommend). Otherwise, find a good children’s lit agent and let the
publisher match your work to an artist. I find illustrators through networking
(LinkedIn writer/illustrator’s groups, alumni groups, people whose work I’ve
seen and fallen for—I just persuaded a genius artist I’ve been stalking for
years to do one of my books!). I illustrated Crumbs on the Stairs, Butterfly Blink,
and It Ain’t Flat.
What were the biggest challenges when
you set up Premio Publishing, and how did you overcome them? Having enough titles to get a major
distributor--and financing hardcover printing. I wrote a lot, found artists
that were willing to accept a percentage of profits over an advance, and then
cranked out several books. (Today, with POD this is more doable.)
What is one thing that no one would
usually know about you? No matter how many achievements I have, I struggle with self-doubt,
fears, and (at the same time) pride.
What did the best review you ever had to say about you and your work? Museum-quality art, top 10 best books of 2011 (She Doesn’t Want the Worms – Ella no quiere
los gusanos) – School Library Journal
What has been the best experience you
have ever had in your life? Living abroad for two years as a missionary
What is the strangest thing you have
ever had to do to promote a book? Make a smoothie on television
What are some of the books you have on
your nightstand—or name favourite authors? I love history, so anything by David
McCullough is ideal. Other authors, I love: Tolkien, Harper Lee, C.S. Lewis, Clancy,
Grisham, Shel Silverstein
Who were your early writing influences?
Who or what has inspired you during your career and ignited your imagination? I didn’t like to read as a kid. When I
got measles in the third grade, my grandmother bought me a chapter book: Bicycles North: A Mystery on Wheels by
Rita Ritchie. I learned that books can transport and excite (textbooks still seem
dull). I love Shel Silverstein. Some of his contemporaries captured the same
whimsical feeling in The Golden Book of
Fun and Nonsense by Louis Untermeyer, illustrated by A. and M. Provensen
(Western Publishing, now Random House?). Untermeyer collected some of the
silliest verses from brilliant writers of the previous hundred years. He added
his own wacky lines and the Provensens crafted images to match the mirth.
What is your favourite genre to write? I enjoy putting together biographies
(mostly family stories that have inspired me) and mysteries are always fun.
Can small
publishers make a mark on literature and the book market? How? Technology
has revolutionized book sales. My revenues were low until I started POD and
ebooks. Fortunately, these technologies are available to even small publishers
(and are growing in global reach).
What are some of your other books? Samuel Sailing: The True Story of an Immigrant Boy; Agnes’s Rescue: The
True Story of an Immigrant Girl; Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book; GROW:
How We Get Food from Our Garden; It Came from Under the High Chair: A Mystery;
Great Cape o’ Colors – Capa de colores; The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A
Parable on How to Earn a Living; 4 Spanish-English Books for Kids; 4 Spanish
Books for Kids; Polar Bear Bowler: A Story Without Words; The Dancing Flamingos
of Lake Chimichanga; Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids; Ma MacDonald Flees
the Farm: It’s Not a Pretty Picture…Book; Horse and Dog Adventures in Early
California: Short Stories and Poems; Anna’s Prayer: The True Story of an
Immigrant Girl; Ida’s Witness; No Offense: Communication Guaranteed Not to
Offend; Crumbs on the Stairs - Migas en las escaleras: A Mystery; Bright Star,
Night Star: An Astronomy Story; She Doesn’t Want the Worms: Ella no quiere los
gusanos; Why Juan Can’t Sleep: A Mystery? Sounds in the House! Sonidos en la
casa: A Mystery; Butterfly Blink: A Book Without Words; Arriba Up, Abajo Down
at the Boardwalk; Muffy & Valor: A True Dog Story; To Swallow the Earth; A
Sky So Big; It Ain’t Flat: A Memorizable Book of Countries (Free ebook)
What projects are you working on now,
or planning for the future? I’m working on more multicultural/multilingual children’s books and a
semi-autobiographical self-help book.
Where can people find you/your work? Titles available via Amazon/Kindle, Baker & Taylor, Barnes
& Noble.com/Nook, Brodart, EBSCO, Flipkart, Follett, Gardners, iBooks, Ingram, Inktera,
Kobo, Library Direct, Mackin, OverDrive, Quality, SCRIBD, Walmart.com,
Target.com.
http://PremioBooks.com
What kind of advice/tips do you have
for someone who wants to write and get published? Write every day. Write from your
heart—from what you know first-hand. Don’t try to write about something that
you think is popular (unless that’s what you know). You don’t have to have an
agent or publisher. Have several people critique your work—people who won’t
gloss over glitches. These people can help you be your best.
What do you do when you are not
writing? Marketing,
studying, volleyball, socializing and making music
How do you publicize your books? Press releases, email, TV/radio appearances, social media, websites,
blogs, personal appearances/presentations—anyway I can!
Do your books have a teaching
objective? Yes. I write mostly to save families from the “I’m bored” disease. But yes, my stories teach language, counting, courage,
friendship, sharing, faith, cooking, astronomy, geography, zoology, and
entomology.
What trends in the book world do you
see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I think ebooks are becoming more
interactive—even animated (I worry that this will be a disincentive for
reading).
Is there always an editor assigned to
the author? Publishers should
have in-house editors (don’t rely on these alone). Have as many as 20 people review,
critique, and edit your work.
Is there a marketing budget for new
authors? It is never enough
(most publishers don’t do very well in this department). There are lots of free
ways to market too.
What should an author know about her/his
publisher’s distributors? LOTS. Sometimes, getting your book in certain venues is up to you (be
careful not to jar publisher egos/rules in the process—though increased
distribution should please them).
Can books usually be purchased from the
publisher? Some publishers
give advanced copies. All should offer
wholesale rates to the author and others.
Do all publishers assist the author in
exploiting their subsidiary rights? Not always.
What considerations should be given to a
book’s cover art? Some publishers
want total control. If you know what is right and will work, be assertive. The
cover is key. Don’t skimp.
What should an author know about
royalties? They are low (5 –
12%. Which is why I recommend self-publishing)
Should sample books be distributed to
various reviewers, newspapers, bookstore owners, retailers, and radio stations?
Absolutely. Be
choosey about who gets a review copy—this can get expensive. Try sending an
ebook.
Do most publishers provide posters?
Shelf talkers? Bookmarks? They do if they think the book will do very well. Bookstores are not
where most book sales take place. Most sales take place in unusual venues,
associated venues (e.g.: Crate & Barrel for cookbooks) and online.
How long does it
take a publishing house to make a name in the industry? I think
establishing one’s reputation is an ongoing process. It’s nice to have enough
titles to get distributors’ attention. It’s awesome to have more than one
bestseller.
How much of your personality and life
experiences are in your writing? My books are my life laid out in colour (my food obsession
has found its way into most of my works).
Are the names of your characters
important to you? Almost never
How did you choose a title for your
book? Sometimes the
title is the first thing to come to mind, other times I have to stew about it
(I keep a file of potential titles too)
Have you ever wished that you could be
or do anything else instead of writing, and if so what? A rock star (really)
Do you think there is any elitism
attached to the different genres of books, both in the fiction and non-fiction
worlds? Absolutely. I
have an unfinished scholarly manuscript that I finally shelved thinking it
wouldn’t stand up to what’s out there already.
What was the most important thing you
learned at school? How to research
and learn
Have you had to learn new skills or
attempted impossible feats in order to get a book finished? I had to learn Nevada geography for my
novel. I’ve had to learn to account for my business.
You
can find Karl and Karl’s books on the following online platforms:
Premiobooks
WordPress
Goodreads
YouTube
Facebook
Facebook
Amazon
LinkedIn
Twitter
Karl is also available for Interviews,
Speaking and Consultation: Karl@PremioBooks.com 801-953-3793
Speaking topics:
"Getting Your Book to
the World - Traditional vs. Digital publishing"
"Entrepreneurship:
Bless Lives, Earn with Your Gifts"
"Artistic Education -
How the Humanities Enrich Us"
"Writing Scripts for
Shows, Film, Ads & the Web"
"Writing for Media:
News Stories & Press Releases that Get Attention"
"How Diversity
Enriches Everyone"
"Making Habit Work
for You - Replace the Bad with Milestones"
Reviews by Kirkus,
Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Horn Book, ForeWord Reviews
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