Comments on: How we got our HOW TO DRAW Art Book Published

By: HOW TO DRAW Book for kids and “Walter’s Wave” Painting | Drew Brophy - Surf Lifestyle Artist

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:49:10 +0000

[...] If you’re interested at all in the story of how we got this book deal in the first place, go to the blog on mariabrophy.com article titled HOW WE GOT OUR ART BOOK PUBLISHED. [...]

By: Dennis T Panzik

Dennis T Panzik — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:56:27 +0000

That’s right, I had got an invite. I won’t be attending to set up but I may come out.
How’s it work; cuz when I was in the Orlando surf expo, they say it’s not open to the public, yet friends of friends came in? Is there a fee. I think they got in for free by saying they had a friend set up inside.

By: Daina Scarola

Daina Scarola — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:01:04 +0000

Maria and Drew, I have a thing for great kids’ books with nice stories and cool art. I find myself collecting ‘keepers’ for when my nieces and friends’ kids come visit since we like to read and do crafts together. But this book is awesome and makes me think of two of the coolest kids ever- Lief and Kane. At ages 6 and 4, they can downhill ski, surf, skateboard like nobody’s business. They’re younger than the age group you’re thinking of, but this is the book for them. I’ll be looking for it. Thanks so much!!

By: Maria Brophy

Maria Brophy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:42:29 +0000

Hey Donna, thanks for the comment. To answer your questions: The first run that Walter Foster had printed was 5,000. Then they will re-print when necessary, depending on sales. The book just arrived this week from the printer, and sales are humming.

There were no up front costs to us – we were paid an advance of royalty by the publisher. The photographers allowed us to use their photos without a fee, and we attribute them in the book.

Self-Publishing: Sounds like a lot of work to me. Using a publishing company means I got paid up front; the company has done this a million times so they took care of all the details of graphic design, layout, etc.; and they would sell to their existing accounts.

Walter Foster already sells to thousands of retailers. I don’t have relationships with book retailers. So using their distribution channels is what I call working smarter, not harder! (I can sell about 250 books through my website, they can sell 25,000 through their channels….huge difference in volume.)

By: Donna R.

Donna R. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:21:07 +0000

How many books were published, how many sold?
What was the deal for payment you arranged?

What were your costs in creating the book; e.g for photographers, artist, etc.?

Did you consider self publishing with print-on-demand?

By: Maria Brophy

Maria Brophy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:04:56 +0000

Hey Dennis! There’s a BOARDS N WAVES EXPO in Cocoa, FLA on April 17 & 18. We’ll have a booth there and a book signing. Drew will be giving board painting demos, too. Come on down – would love to see you!

By: Dennis T Panzik

Dennis T Panzik — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:41:31 +0000

That’s awsome, Congrats!

What’s going on in Cocoa, Florida on April 17 & 18?
Maybe I’ll cruise down. Surf event maybe?

By: Maria Brophy

Maria Brophy — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:17:06 +0000

Wow, Deni, that’s the nicest thing you could say! Thank you!