Stranger Dangers

Get Notified About the Latest Posts!

Stranger Dangers

by Hedley Griffin
(Laxfield, Suffolk)

DangerSpot Books

DangerSpot books are children's picture books with safety stickers helping to prevent accidents within the home and elsewhere.

There are seven titles published so far and each story includes at least 4 major incidents, which teach 3 - 7 year old children about dangers. The last page is a more serious advice sheet for parents and teachers with six DangerSpot stickers, (except for "Stranger Dangers"), which the parents, teachers and children are invited to place around the home or school to identify dangers.

Self-publishing is a challenge to anyone but far more rewarding. You have control on what you are doing the the success or failure is only down to your efforts.

My books have been criticised for being directed at adults as well as children, but this purpose is important. It is very often an adult's negligence or unthinking behaviour that causes children to get hurt. It is a parent who leaves a hot drink on the side of a table where a child might knock it over, or leaves a kettle flex to be caught by a child. Falls are the most common serious injuries around the home and can often be prevented. Designed as storytelling books parents and teachers learn about child safety as well as the children.

Visit DangerSpot Books.

Comments for
Stranger Dangers

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 01, 2008
Rating

Congrats.! & thanks for website info!
by: Julie W. B.

CONGRATS to you, Hedley for publishing all those children's books, and good luck! Also thanks for the "building a website" info. I'm on Self-Publishing: Julie W. Buscher, author of children's book "Homer the Helicopter Grand Canyon Adventures." I'll admit marketing has been and still is my toughest challenge!

Go girl, go!

Jul 01, 2008
Rating

Thanks for filling in the blanks!
by: Steve B.

Hedley, thanks for stopping back in. That's a LOT of good information.

What an irony you point to: that so many indie authors go to the trouble of learning the whole publishing business in order to get their books out there, then leave half their fate in the hands of some web designer because they haven't the foggiest idea how to update their site. It's crazy, but the technophobe in me can relate.

I put off creating a website for ages. Having to learn "code" terrified me. I'd practically flunked Spanish in school and at least that looked like English!

I got lucky. I stumbled upon a co. that not only shows you how to do everything, they simplify it. (This on top of being your webhost.) Lucky me! I mean, check this out: it's essentially the simple (but long) instructions on how to build a website with them.

Learning code, no thanks. But follow instructions? Sign me up!

Jul 01, 2008
Rating

reply to the question of self-publishing
by: Hedley Griffin

I believe that a good website is the backbone to modern marketing. It is your shop-front and I was fortunate enough to have a few months free when I learnt how to construct and design my own site. I did not take to learning the code very easily but after many hours of frustrating confusion I finally achieved my aims. The importance of this as with self publishing is taking control of your own property. I can daily update my site as I wish without having to ask another to do something I did not understand and had no control over.

Email marketing is direct, free and spreads the word, far more cost effective than advertising.

My books are sold mostly to government departments, libraries, schools, etc but not so much in the book trade generally. Also, I lack the knowledge and expertise to sell internationally, but that might change in the future.

Coming from a film background, working for 30 years as an animation director, I now run animation workshops in schools whilst also promoting my books.The work does not opay as well as commercial production but is far more rewarding.

I have had books published in the past by other publishers, but they do not have the same incentives for persuing the success of the book. If it does not succeed immediately a publisher then goes on to his/her next project leaving your book behind in the stock room.

It is also vital to publish something which is unique or fits into a niche market. Why should the public buy your book just because you think it's great? Like all forms of communication, it is the quiet word that is heard. Only when the word has any value will others start to listen.

If you are creative find yourself a hero. Study what you admire in your hero and try to emulate their skills, thereby learning from what they have learnt.You can then develop your own style in your own time, but first, build your foundation on other people's wisdom.

X Close Editor

Jul 01, 2008
Rating

Submitted by: Hedley Griffin

Title

Comment
I believe that a good website is the backbone to modern marketing. It is your shop-front and I was fortunate enough to have a few months free when I learnt how to construct and design my own site. I did not take to learning the code very easily but after many hours of frustrating confusion I finally achieved my aims. The importance of this as with self publishing is taking control of your own property. I can daily update my site as I wish without having to ask another to do something I did not understand and had no control over. Email marketing is direct, free and spreads the word, far more cost effective than advertising. My books are sold mostly to government departments, libraries, schools, etc but not so much in the book trade generally. Also, I lack the knowledge and expertise to sell internationally, but that might change in the future. Coming from a film background, working for 30 years as an animation director, I now run animation workshops in schools whilst also promoting my books.The work does not opay as well as commercial production but is far more rewarding. I have had books published in the past by other publishers, but they do not have the same incentives for persuing the success of the book. If it does not succeed immediately a publisher then goes on to his/her next project leaving your book behind in the stock room. It is also vital to publish something which is unique or fits into a niche market. Why should the public buy your book just because you think it's great? Like all forms of communication, it is the quiet word that is heard. Only when the word has any value will others start to listen. If you are creative find yourself a hero. Study what you admire in your hero and try to emulate their skills, thereby learning from what they have learnt.You can then develop your own style in your own time, but first, build your foundation on other people's wisdom.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Jun 30, 2008
Rating

Great Topic!
by: Anonymous

I say kudos to you. If adults/parents are offended, then they are obviously feeling guilty. At least that's how my friends and I react to things that hit home too closely.

Your topic is great and all adults need to be more diligent. None of us is without blame on this issue!!!

Jun 30, 2008
Rating

So much more you could tell us!
by: Steve B.

Hedley, you tell us that success in self publishing comes down to the author's efforts, but you don't tell us anything about yours!

How do you get the word out about your books? How big a role does your website play? Do you do readings? Do you market internationally?

Your website looks extensive. It's easy to tell there's a great deal you do in support of your books. How about telling us more?

Reply by commenting

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Children's Books and Picture Books

Stranger Dangers

Comments for Stranger Dangers

Comments for
Stranger Dangers