OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
In the last few months I have helped my 9 year old niece Anna with her book ‘The Adventures of Jasper and Chaos' which we have published with Blurb.com. Anna wrote the story, did the illustrations and designed the cover. I helped with editing and project management and her Mum and Dad did the techy side (and all the support along the way!) Anna's school put her book in the library and everyone is very proud. Anna wants to write lots of books and finishing this project has given her a lot of confidence.
In the video, I explain how amazing print on demand technology is for enabling young people to create projects like this.
Print on demand changed my life a few years ago when I held my first book in my hand. Yes, I am now an ebook maniac and passionate Kindle publisher but I really believe this technology can also inspire young people, classes at school and other groups to produce these types of projects. The low cost of print on demand means it is accessible to all and a print book is still a powerful representation of a dream come true.
Has print on demand changed your life? Are there young people you could encourage in this way?
Christopher Wills says
October 12, 2011 at 1:44 amExcellent video and well-timed as a friend was asking about pod only yesterday so I have forwarded this to her. As a former teacher myself I can see the power of this in the classroom; the idea of kids doing a project is a bit old hat and doesn’t always enthuse today, but if the end product is a book they could hold in their hand and show family and friends and, even sell, is amazing. Schools could write whole libraries of material and sell at the school fete each year. With imagination in a school environment or charity group, the possibilities are awesome.
Thanks.
Joanna Penn says
October 13, 2011 at 6:47 amThanks so much for spreading the word, Christopher. I think some kids would definitely be up for it – I was one of those keen bids who would have jumped at the chance. The possibilities really are endless. I was also thinking of the other end of the scale – for old people, although technology also can be difficult there too. We live in a wonderful world!
Crystal Storm says
October 12, 2011 at 12:58 pmWhat an inspiring video Joanna, thank you for sharing! POD can get such bad press at times, it’s awesome to see it displayed for the invaluable tool it is. That old phrase “the possibilities are endless” isn’t just a fancy saying anymore. As if the future wasn’t already exciting enough! 🙂
Joanna Penn says
October 13, 2011 at 6:48 amI haven’t seen any bad press about POD Crystal – I can’t see the downside at all. I guess it’s the whole lack of quality issue but let’s be honest, family will buy my niece’s book – but that’s the whole point really – a personal project, not a commercial one.
I’m so glad to have the ‘cup runneth over’ crowd on my blog 🙂
Fred Gleeck says
October 12, 2011 at 9:24 pmJoanna, I have two step-kids who are developing a video game. One is almost 13 and the other is 11 1/2. When I spoke to an IP attorney, he told me the best way to help them protect their ideas was to put the story into book form. So, I’m encouraging them to do so. Yet another reason to get kids into publishing early!
Joanna Penn says
October 13, 2011 at 6:50 amThanks Fred – that’s invaluable help for others. I think developing a game is a brilliant idea – really a fantastic opportunity – or an app or something. This is all based on the creative surplus that is now happening because people can create online, can make things easier and aren’t being numbed by TV. Fantastic! (check out Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky if you’re interested)
Bridget McKenna says
October 13, 2011 at 10:10 amWhat a great new world it was when a nine-year-old can publish her own book. She’s going to be author 3.0 at least!
Some years ago my daughter and I helped a classroom of kids publish their short story anthology as an ebook, two years in a row. It was immensely satisfying for them and for us, and ebooks were barely a blip on the radar at that point. Now a child can publish a book, make a DVD, design a game–my inner 9-year-old is grinning from ear to ear at Anna’s publishing success.
Joanna Penn says
October 13, 2011 at 10:12 amThanks Bridget – it is exciting to think what the world will be like when these young ones are our age!
Liz Broomfield says
October 13, 2011 at 10:44 amWhat a great example – I am going to use this as a good model for clients who are going down the self-publishing route, as a lot less expensive and space-consuming than paying in advance for millions of copies of expensive books which will sit unsold in their garage. I think POD and Kindle can really help people who want to get their words out there but are at risk of getting their fingers burned (and purses emptied) by some of the unscrupulous companies that can prey on their desire to see their words in print.
Joanna Penn says
October 14, 2011 at 1:44 amThanks Liz – yes, please recommend POD to everyone you can . I am one of those people who spent money on printing and then had to dump in landfill when sales didn’t happen and I discovered POD for the American market. It is one of my missions to make sure people don’t end up making the same mistakes I did!
Karen Inglis says
October 17, 2011 at 3:23 amA great post, Joanna – I’ll be passing the link on to my non-twitter friends with children who want to write their own book! I’ve known teenagers do it using blurb… but for younger kids, what a great idea!
Oliver Dahl says
January 11, 2012 at 6:31 pmThis is really great! I myself have a similar story. I have self-published Print-on-Demand and am only 14. POD Definitely opens up wonderful oppurtunities. Inspiring!
Abraham says
December 12, 2015 at 4:45 pmHi Joanna,
It’s fantastic to see your old posts reach out to me. The comments are great.
I’m so happy that your niece published a book. How is she now? Probably with dozens of books.
Print on Demand is such a brilliant idea. I’m going to take your two cent and use the service.
Abraham.