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The Constraints of Publishing Business

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The Constraints of Publishing Business

The blank page is not really blank

Adam Ming
Oct 26, 2022
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The Constraints of Publishing Business

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When working with a kids book publisher, you’re never really starting with a blank page.

You’re starting with a set of constraints.

For example:

  • What kids of books will many people want to buy when your art is ready?

  • Will your cover look good on an amazon thumbnail and stand out on the supermarket shelf.

  • What can you bring something that’s incrementally different from what’s already available.

  • Work in a style that can be completed within a fixed deadline taking into account editing

  • The ability to both be creatively independent and a team player.

  • Can you be push the boundaries of a well established category?

  • Can you be a subject matter expert on this narrow subject?

I’m very comfortable working within these constraints. I don’t thing they stifle my creativity if anything, my creativity thrives in constraints.

How do you feel about creative constraints?

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The Constraints of Publishing Business

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Kate
Oct 26, 2022

I love constraints - I get overwhelmed without them!

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