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Librarian Turned Publisher
by Spring Lea Ellorien HenryIn November 2005, I thought my relationship with libraries was, sadly, coming to an end. After 11 years, health reasons forced me to quit working in a public library. That next year of recovery was one of sorrow and fear as I lamented the MLS degree (not even paid off yet!) I would no longer use, the loss of all those years of networking with other professionals, and most of all, giving up my work as a teen advocate.
Towards the end of that year, I thought I would try something my health would let me do: be a stay-at-home publisher with my husband as a business partner. Even more brilliantly, I decided to make my company goal to become the premier place for publishing teen-created art and writing. After only eight months in business, we have a name (The Grumpy Dragon), a slogan (Dream big! We'll help.), one book already in print, and about a dozen projects in the works. I was surprised at how quickly this all came about. But the bigger surprise to me was how well my career as a librarian prepared me to be a publisher and how intensely my relationship with libraries would continue in this new incarnation.
Library Experience, Publishing Success
My library work began in technical services. At that small branch, I pretty much was the whole department, with only one assistant to help me process books. Being an acquisitions manager helped me to understand the publishing industry from a buyer's perspective. I learned about how reviews can boost book sales, what kind of marketing gets people's attention, how distribution works, and how important clean cataloging is so that folks can find what they are looking for. I learned about the value of an ISBN, what a typical book of a certain size costs, and which types of bindings hold up better over time -- and learned how important it is to make the book look interesting at first glance.
This was all gained through my daily experiences ordering, processing, and cataloging books, as well as checking them out to patrons. While earning my master's degree during this time, I had the opportunity to tour a distribution warehouse and see firsthand what occurs before a book lands in the hands of a buyer. This knowledge is invaluable to me as a publisher because I can make informed decisions when it comes to things like binding, marketing, and distributing a new title.
In my next position, I worked as a youth librarian with an emphasis on services to teens. These experiences helped me to find my passion in helping teens develop into successful adults. I liked my job best when I was actively interacting with the teens, especially when helping them express themselves. I started a Young Writers Guild and nurtured it to the point where we published two art and literature magazines, one of which was a highlight of a branch grand opening.
During this same time, I also served as editor for the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) quarterly newsletter. All those editing experiences really honed my layout skills and taught what it takes to get a project ready to go to press. Because I handled all the go-between with the printer, I learned how to make sure my electronic file had all the necessary components to create a polished hard copy.
Continuing to Connect With Teens
But, more than the editing and technical skills, I learned how to connect with teens. This is something I still incorporate with The Grumpy Dragon. Not only are we actively seeking teen art and writing to publish, as evidenced by our recently announced nationwide contest, but I also teach teen creative writing workshops in libraries around Colorado. My summer docket was full of appointments, and I am so excited about having touched all those lives. I'm looking forward to Teen Read Week when I expect to have a few more workshops. And recently, one library even contacted me about coming once a month to run a Young Writers Guild for them!
In leaving my old post at the library, I have not abandoned teens, but rather made myself accessible to even more of them by now being able to go to multiple libraries.
My professional network still holds a place for me as well. I recently attended a C'YAAL meeting (Colorado Young Adult Advocates in Libraries) where I gave a presentation on how to run role-playing games in the library. I plan on continuing a relationship with these folks so that I can remain aware of ongoing projects they are doing and come up with ways The Grumpy Dragon can help. If we eventually get to the point where our profits are high enough, I would also like to be a sponsor for some C'YAAL projects.
Being an editor and publisher feeds my soul more deeply than any other job I have held, but being able to connect with teens and help them grow is a big part of that satisfaction. I would not have been able to start this business or make it a success without my experiences in and continued relationship with libraries.
Spring Lea Ellorien Henry works as partner, editor, presenter, and business partner for The Grumpy Dragon, a publishing company she started with her husband. This move comes after 11 years in libraries, first at Southern Peaks Public Library then at Philip S. Miller Public Library. It was in libraries she learned her passion for teen services, and now, in publishing, she's working to help teens in her own unique way. Visit Spring Lea at http://www.GrumpyDragon.com, where the company slogan is: Dream big! We'll help.