Episode #296: Independent Publishing with Janet Bruins!
Grace and Alvina welcome special guest Janet Bruins, who has started her own independent publishing company, Picnic Heist. They talk about how she decided to start her pubilshing company and what steps she took to make that happen, including her mission for the company. They also discuss the reasons one might decide to publish with an independent publisher vs a larger one.
For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about what they've been reading lately, and of course they end with sharing what they're all grateful for.
Janet introduces herself and her new book that was just published: Expecting It All: More Time, Money, Energy, and Space for Mothers.
THE GATE, THE GIRL AND THE DRAGON, pre-order now:
Grace has a new middle grade novel! THE GATE, THE GIRL AND THE DRAGON comes out in May 2025. The first printing (and only the first printing) of this book will have sprayed edges (see a video preview HERE). So pre-order now! You can pre-order from any bookstore, but Grace is working with her three local indies to offer autographed books and gifts! If you pre-order from one of them you can have your choice of gifts of an enamel pin, a free virtual visit (order by April 11) or exclusive stickers (while supplies last)!
Enamel pin (from Porter Square Books)
How have you been?
Grace attended a Hands Off march in her area. Hazel got her braces off so that’s been an exciting time! Grace started sharing her “Quick Culture” videos about content in her new upcoming novel, The Girl, The Gate, and The Dragon! Alvina went to see a Broadway matinee “Maybe Happy Ending” with Stephen and is training her half-marathon. Janet has been busy lately trying to publish ten books a year with her one-woman-show business! Janet lives outside of D.C.
Picnic Heist Publishing
Janet talks about her business, Picnic Heist Publishing. They first discuss the differences between hybrid publishing vs. traditional self-publishing.Two titles are coming this fall: Milo’s Moonlight Mission by Kathleen Blasi and illustrated by Petronela Dostalova from Yeehoo Press and Monkey’s Sweet Surprise by Patricia Tanumihardja and illustrated by Bonnie Lui.
Janet talks about how she gets her books published, marketed, and distributed. “How did you start your publishing company?” Sometimes book authors run into a quota on the type of books that they want to write. Picnic Heist publishing works to make sure the authors participate in the whole publishing and illustration process. Janet has a background in engineering and finance and went on to get her MBA in construction engineering. The Book Friends discuss how the tariffs will effect printing overseas.
Fortune Cookie Segment: What have you been reading?
Grace has been reading The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen by Yuta Takahashi and illustrated by Cat Anderson. She loved it! Grace has also been reading The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall.
Janet has just finished reading Red Side Story by Jasper Fforde.
Alvina is reading Caucasia by Danzy Senna
Gratefuls
Janet is grateful for her husband and being able to talk to him about everything. Alvina is grateful that her 2nd Shingles shot went well and that the vaccine exists. Grace is grateful that her taxes were all done and paid off!
THANK YOU!
Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)
You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on Blue Sky.
You can find Janet @picnicheist on Instagram
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