Learn how to make your books more discoverable with children’s book author and illustrator Betsy Franco-Feeney and Mary Carlomagno, Director of Sales and Business Development at Bowker. In this informative session, you will learn about current publishing trends and best practices for getting your book noticed. Be sure to prepare your questions in advance, as we will have time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers!

After publishing several children’s books with traditional publishers, illustrator and author Betsy Franco-Feeney created Puddle Jump Press. Among her self-published books are two collaborations with singer/songwriter Christine Lavin. Their first book, Amoeba Hop, garnered a “Best Books” Award from SBF/AAAS (Science Books and Films/American Association for the Advancement of Science). The second book, Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, earned this review:  “If the fate of the planet is in the hands of our children, reading them books like this one might be a wise idea" (Kirkus Reviews). Her most recent book is Jewels of the Sea: The Hunt for Floating Treasure.

Mary Carlomagno is a publishing veteran with experience on all sides of the business including marketing positions at Barnes & Noble and Random House. She is a nationally recognized organizing expert whose books have appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Program, The Today Show and CBS News. She is currently the Director of Sales and Business Development for Bowker, bringing their wealth of services to the traditional publisher market.

The Writing Life events in 2023 are generously underwritten by Jenny Lawrence.