I’ve mentioned before that I was writing and illustrating a book for children. I haven’t forgotten about it, the book is finally taking shape!
After trying a lot of techniques, I settled for mixed media: collage, water colors, acrylics & pastels. I still have a long way to go to decide how and if I’m going to make a printed version or only a digital version, though.
The thing about printing is that it can be very expensive to do it on your own and it’s hard to find a publisher. Nowadays there are many sites that offer publishing services, like Blurb or Lulu, but a quality book will turn out quite expensive and I don’t think people will be interested in buying it; maybe something to print on demand. I’m getting more and more inclined to make a Kindle version, or even an iPod/iPad app.
I know that a picture book is more suitable for traditional printing, but…
As I said before, the book is aimed to Ethiopian children living abroad and I wanted to create something simple highlighting the positive aspects of the country. It’s not a book about adoption, but about Ethiopian culture and about feeling proud of it.
I’m not from Ethiopia but I’m learning to appreciate the beauty of that country and I wanted to have something to share with my Ethiopian children.
I really need to mention a wonderful couple who has been helping me to finish the text in Amharic.
I wrote the Spanish/English version but had no way of writing the Amharic version. Here is where these two angels came to help. They are Maribel and Hamu, from Spain/Ethiopia who were kind enough to translate the text for me when I asked them.
If you don’t know them already, they are the founders of Ethioespanoles.org, a group dedicated to bring together the culture of Ethiopia and Spain.
They are already offering Amharic classes in the city of Santander and their project is to build a community of people who shares their passion for Ethiopia and its culture.
I have to specially thank Hamu for the Amharic version of the book, THANK YOU!
I still have to decide how to arrange the three languages. Maybe three different versions of the book? Maybe two bilingual books: English/Amharic and Spanish/Amharic? A trilingual book?
I’m so excited!! But I’m also a bit scared…
And I wish I had more time!
A teeny, tiny sneak peek. A detail of one of the illustrations:
AliciA
4 users commented in " Book Update "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackGracias Alicia por tus cariñosas palabras!!! Eres un sol! Hamu esta ahora en Etiopia ya que su madre-abuela se ha puesto muy enferma, le envio el link para que lea tu mensaje.
Olvide decirte que lei aquella historia de “redencion”, de verdad daba yuyu, menos mal que tendremos tu bonito libro en breve.
Un beso fuerte de los dos!
maribel
Maribel,
Espero que la madre/abuela de Hamu se mejore pronto. Mis mejores deseos para todos vosotros.
AliciA
Alicia, what wonderful news! I’m sorry that the printed version of the book would be too costly. Have you considered a small, indepedent publishing house? I work for a paper company and know that in Italy there are many independent small publishers that print small runs of books.
I’m one those people who have yet to catch up with technology and don’t have kindle or iphone. My mobile is strictly a phone, can’t take pix or connect to internet…..will just have to wait it out to see what comes up!
BTW, your Ethiopian angel follows me everywhere whenever we give talks about our Ethiopian adoption…it’s a real hit with future ap parents, not only the ones thinking of adopting from Ethiopia, but in general.
Wonderful illustration! I know that I would be interested in purchasing a copy, if the book was printed.
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