children’s books

Perspectives on Publishing. Meaning of Success.

Posted by Barbara Techel

This past Saturday I was on a panel about Self Publishing Children’s Books at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury, MN.  I learned alot and it was enjoyable to share what I’ve learned over the years. I also enjoy when I get the opportunity to encourage other writer’s to share their stories.

There were two other panelists, Marion Dane Bauer who has written 86 children’s books —wow, I was impressed!  Also on the panel was Judy Galbraith who owns Free Spirit Publishing and publishes 20-25 books a year with a staff of twenty two people. Both are from the Minnesota area.

Marion has always had a publisher, in fact more than one as the industry changed, while Judy has worked with countless authors over the years helping launch their books. It was an interesting mix to have on the panel and hear the many sides to publishing from each of our perspectives. One thing we all had in common was our passion and mission to do what we are doing. Another thing we had in common was that none of has gotten rich from our endeavour’s, but it is the heart of our mission’s that drive us.

The bottom line of sharing our experiences with those that attended is that you have to have a passion to be in this field because if you are looking to get rich it likely won’t happen, whether you self publish or have a publisher.  While that may have seemed disheartening for those attending to hear, it was the honest truth. Yes, there are some that have made millions, but those are the exceptions.

I appreciated the honesty from the other two panelists as I heard how hard they have worked, because it is hard work. I think there is often this idea that because you have a publisher, you are guaranteed to make a lot of money and not have to work at promoting your books, which is far from the truth. But I left feeling really good about the choice I made to publish my own books given the many changes to the publishing world, which continue to change. I still stand by my thought that there has never been a more exciting time to publish a book than right now with all the advantages of technology and social media that we have to get our message out there. While I’ve embraced these avenues, it has been a bit more tough going for others that have been in the industry for many years and now must learn to roll with the new changes.

As I thought about the panel discussion the past two days I’m proud of what I have been able to accomplish. I may have not made alot of money from this endeavor, but I know I’ve positively impacted lives. It’s about the friendships and connections I’ve made that feed my soul and keeps me moving forward. And getting away for a mini get-away with John and Joie was just icing on the cake.

Sixth Graders from Longfellow Summer School Program Share their Sympathy for the Loss of Frankie

Posted by Barbara Techel

I have a huge plastic box of thank you cards I’ve gotten over the years from children after they have met Frankie.  So imagine how touched I was today to receive a big envelope with sympathy notes from a group of sixth graders. They had read Frankie’s books recently and then came to learn of Frankie’s passing.

I am at a loss of words to say what my heart was feeling reading their beautiful words. So I thought I’d just share a few of them with you, so you could also feel the love, too.

Sorry for your loss. You will not be alone. Frankie is in your heart. Frankie is a brave dog you will remember her forever. ~Daniel

Your dog Frankie was a great dog. Cute, hugable and lovable.  She was a dog that cared.  She cared about you, kids and other pets.  She was a dog that could handle big things and had a huge recovery.  ~Big Fan of Frankie, Jack

I’m so sorry for your loss.  But always remember that she is looking down from heaven and saying that “she picked me.”  You are a good person.  Thank you for your sweet books!  ~Love, Jodi

I’m very sorry for your loss.  Just remember that Frankie is always going to be looking over you.  She will never forget you or stop loving you.  I read your book like 100 times.  It’s very inspiring.  I’m your biggest fan. Good luck.  ~Love, Brianna

I am one of Frankie’s biggest fans.  I looked up to her.  She is the “walk ‘n roll dog” of my heart forever.  You are brave to go through this.  This is soooo sad.  I’m both mad and sad but mainly sad.  You are sadder than me.  She was your own dog.  Thank you for writing of her or I would not know of her.  ~Alexandria

Sorry for your loss.  Frankie was really brave and strong when she had her wheelie on. Remember her fans will still love her.  I wish she was still here today.  I miss her.  I hoe you can still live a life without Frankie.  ~Kira

 

Remembering Frankie as We Keep on Rolling by Jenny Pavlovic

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve been very fortunate in making some wonderful connections with some amazing women doing amazing work because of my work with Frankie.  Jenny is right up there on my list of being a compassionate, kind, and sincere woman!  Thank you to her for this lovely tribute to Frankie!

 

Frankie (short for Francesca), a Dachshund, injured her back and was diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Her back legs were paralyzed and her people, Barbara Techel and her husband John of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, first thought they would have to put Frankie down. But Frankie’s amazing spirit and will to ‘keep on rolling’ led Barbara to learn about wheelchairs for dogs. Frankie was fitted with her own chair and Barbara learned how to take care of her in her new condition. Barbara learned a lot from Frankie as she discovered that Frankie could still have a wonderful quality of life and had much to teach us.

I learned of Barbara and Frankie a few years ago whentheir first book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog(https://joyfulpaws.com/books/), won the Dog Writers Association of America Merial Human-Animal Bond award. I became pen pal friends with Barbara and watched as Frankie became a therapy dog and Barbara and Frankie reached out to the elderly and to school children. They spread Frankie’s positive messages far and wide, as this differently-abled little dog shared her tremendous spirit and kept on rolling.
Frankie dramatically changed Barbara’s life, gave Barbara a voice and a message that had to be shared, and turned Barbara into an author. In many ways, Barbara’s story with Frankieparalleled my story with 8 State Hurricane Kate. Barbara and I went on the Passions and Possibilities radio show together (listen to our podcast at http://tinyurl.com/passions-and-possibilities) and both contributed our stories to the book Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing and Inspiration by Allen and Linda Anderson (http://www.dogsandthewomenwholovethem.com/).