August 20, 2012

Oh Susanna - Is There A Difference Between Scholastic And Regular Editions Of Picture Books?

Happy Monday Everyone!

Where to start today?  Well, how about with the winner of the July Pitch Pick?

I really enjoyed the new format for the pitch pick.  I thought it was great to see how much everyone improved their pitches... although it did make it even harder to choose! :)  However, the votes have been cast and the winner is...

dunh duhn duhn duhn...

DANA!!!!! with her pitch for CJ's Tiger!

Congratulations, Dana!  Your pitch has been sent to editor Erin Molta for comments, and we will all be excited to see what she says :)

Wow!  That was a lot of excitement for first thing Monday morning.  If you're feeling a little peaked, feel free to take a short break for a sustaining snack.  I'm offering homemade banana bread this morning, but I'm not even going to try drawing that!

OK.  All refreshed?  Let's move on to two questions:

#1  A few people have mentioned they're having trouble commenting on my blog the past few days.  I'm not sure what's going on, but I tried updating to the new disqus and I'm hoping that will fix the problem.  Will you all kindly let me know if the problem is fixed or if you are still encountering difficulty?  I really want it to be as easy as possible for you to comment - I highly value everything you have to say - and I like disqus because it allows me to reply directly back to you so you know I've read your comments and they matter to me.  But if it continues to cause trouble I will axe it!  Thanks in advance for your help with this conundrum :)

#2  A few other people (who shall remain nameless but you know who you are! :)) have been plotting behind my back in hopes of getting Short & Sweets to continue past summer's end.  I am thrilled if it has been fun and helpful to anyone, and I would be happy to continue it in some form if there is sufficient interest.  The idea was to alternate Monday posts - Oh Susanna one week, Short & Sweets the next.  I would be grateful for anyone to leave their thoughts on this matter in the comments so I can get a sense of where people stand on this.  My blog is here for you.  I want to do whatever you most enjoy and find most helpful.  So speak now :)  Just be forewarned, I'm not sure I can continue coming up with fun new things you'll like... I may end up recycling with new twists to some degree...! :)

Alrighty!  Last but not least we have an Oh Susanna question for today.  The lovely Stacy says

I picked up some picture books at a weekend yard sale. Several were Scholastic editions. Is there a difference between a Scholastic edition and a regular edition? I'm wondering both as a parent/reader and a writer.

Great question, Stacy!  And one I can luckily answer from my own experience.  Scholastic editions, to my knowledge, have no change to original interior art or text.  The cover may be different from the original and so may the title.  As examples, Punxsutawney Phyllis was sold through Scholastic as Wake Up, Groundhog with a different cover illustration.
original Holiday House version
Scholastic version
Scholastic did a focus group and determined that "Punxsutawney" was a difficult and therefore potentially off-putting word, so they chose to go with an alternate.  Likewise, April Fool, Phyllis was sold through Scholastic as The April Fools' Treasure Hunt.
original Holiday House version
Scholastic version
There was discussion of changing the background color on the cover to blue, but in the end it stayed pink.  In both cases, however, all the interior illustrations are the same as in the original versions and there is no change to the text.  The only other difference is in the quality of paper and binding used.  Scholastic versions, in an effort to be affordable to as many kids as possible, are mostly (if not completely) produced in paperback and may sometimes be a little less sturdy.

If you're on a budget but still want to increase your library, Scholastic is a wonderful option!

I hope that answers your question, Stacy!  Please feel free to ask for clarification if you have further queries :)

And I will look forward to hearing from you all about whether the comments are working better/properly and what your thoughts are on attempting to continue Short & Sweets!

Have a lovely day :)

41 comments:

  1. Renee LaTulippeAugust 20, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    *AHEM* Yes, er, well....I guess you know my feelings on the Short & Sweets! I was thinking...do you have a book of writing prompts for kids? If so, you could put your own twist on those to adapt them to the PB-writing crowd. I say this because I have such a book, and perhaps I could help behind the scenes...if I can unearth it from the depths of storage. :) And I'm all for recycling - I got some good stuff out of the first seven exercises!


    Thanks for today's explanation - I had often wondered that myself.


    Phyllis looks good in a nightcap!

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  2. Renee LaTulippeAugust 20, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    And this comment seems to have worked fine...

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  3. Renee LaTulippeAugust 20, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Let's see if Disqus can handle formatting:


    Roses are red
    Violets are blue
    Honey is sweet
    And so are you.

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  4. Renee LaTulippeAugust 20, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Looks
    like
    you
    solved
    the
    problem!


    Yes, that should be one word per line.

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  5. Rosalind AdamAugust 20, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    The ability to comment is such an issue. I'm thinking of changing the format of my comment box but I'm worried I'll have a similar problem. I do find it confusing when publishers put books out with different covers. I can understand them wanting to change the wording for sales overseas but sometimes they change things for the sake of changing.

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  6. delores @ thefeatherednestAugust 20, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    I have been really enjoying the Short and Sweets...would love to see it continued in some form.

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  7. Kim MurrayAugust 20, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    Congratulations, Dana!

    As for Short & Sweets, yes, do please continue :)

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  8. coleen patrickAugust 20, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    Interesting about Scholastic! Scholastic will forever mean that awesome book flyer that I practically memorized and then counted up my change to order from!

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  9. Angela BrownAugust 20, 2012 at 7:48 AM

    Three Cheers Dana and wishing you the best.


    Okay, here's the thing about the short and sweets. I actually enjoyed them more than I realized, especially since the aim is more toward MG/PB level. It helped me get in tough with that inner MG writer that has been tapping me on the shoulder to writer an MG book for a while now. So the short and sweets have been helpful as well as enjoyable. So if you can work it schedule-wise, that would be great.


    Interesting what you mention about Scholastic books. I hadn't realized much of the difference since I've order quite a few books through Scholastic's catalog sent home through the school but never really sought the same book elsewhere. Very interesting.

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  10. Stacy JensenAugust 20, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    Thanks for answering that. I scored big that weekend with some scholastic and non-scholastic editions. :) Your examples are great (and wonderful that scholastic sold them).

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  11. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    Glad if it was helpful, Stacy! I'm just sorry it took so long to get to the question you asked back in June! :)

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  12. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    I'm so glad you've enjoyed S&S, Angela! I think the exercises can be helpful no matter what level you write, which is nice, and I'm so glad to have some MG and YA writers joining in too!

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  13. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    I know - me too! I LOVED getting book orders. I remember getting Two On An Island and Two In The Wilderness - they were my favorite books for some time!!! :) Lots of others too but those are the ones that stick out in my mind :)

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  14. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    Thanks Kim! :) I'll see what I can do... :)

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  15. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    I'm so glad you've been enjoying them Delores! The challenge is on - will I be able to keep it up? We shall see.... :)

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  16. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    Yes, I don't know quite what to do about the comments... I'm afraid if I cancel disqus I'll lose all my comments. And there are some things I really like about disqus... but I'm wondering if there isn't some way to achieve the same thing through blogger... I'm just not savvy enough. And yes, in my case Scholastic had good reason for changing, but you're right - it's disconcerting when publishers change just to change!

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  17. pennyklostermannAugust 20, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    Congrats, Dana!


    Short and Sweets! Yes!!! I have learned a lot and have been challenged by them. I don't want to lose Oh Susanna! because I sure learn from it, also. Alternating sounds like a good idea. Speaking of Oh Susanna!, I had no idea about the Scholastic thing! How fun to have your books in a flyer :-)

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  18. Robyn CampbellAugust 20, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    Yay! I finally got it to let me comment. I am thinking it thinks I gab on too much.

    Congrads Dana!!!! Yippee for you.

    And thanks to Stacy for that question. I wondered about that myself.

    Now on to the business at hand. (I've always wanted to say that.) I love S&S, even though I am not good at instantaneous prompts. *sigh* I have learned some stuff though. I am trying to get better from this sickness so I can do some book reviews and posts for my blog. Plus, homeschool starts in two weeks. And of course, Mr. Ed. He's right out my window. He knows I have apples. ;-) But I would love more S&S. Oh Susanna is near and dear to my heart. So we have to keep it too. So much to do. I want you to write also. That comes first. Never forget that. Back to bed. I might call about a doctors appt. But I don't like going where the sick folks are. ;-)

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  19. ShannonAugust 20, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Yes. Please continue Shorts and Sweets!!

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  20. Leigh CovingtonAugust 20, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Congratulations to Dana!!
    And that is good information to know about the difference between Scholastic versions and regular versions. I never knew! :)

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  21. Joanna MarpleAugust 20, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    Congratulations to Dana! Yes to S&S! I didn't even know there were two versions, so I learnt something today!

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  22. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    Yes, well, I guess it boils down to there isn't much difference :) Thanks for stopping by, Leigh!

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  23. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    Yes, well, I guess it boils down to there isn't much difference :) Thanks for stopping by, Leigh! :)

    Message body

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  24. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    Thanks, Joanna! And that just proves it's true - you learn something new every day :)

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  25. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Thank you for your enthusiasm, Shannon! I didn't even know you were doing S&S - I don't have your name on my list. Have I missed you somehow???

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  26. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Did you have to try many times to comment? And do you use internet explorer? I am trying to determine common denominators (that is a math term I don't really understand but it sounds good :)) I'm so glad you're enjoying S&S but sorry that you are still sick! Get better, woman! I am sending Dr. Sue's Sure-Fire Remedy For Health Restoration: hubby and children do all the cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring and laundry while you settle in with one cup steaming raspberry tea, a long, relaxing lavender bath, favorite pjs, favorite movie (may I suggest Shakespeare In Love, My Cousin Vinny, or, if you want bittersweet and poignant, Sommersby?), early bedtime, and plenty of hugs from Mr. Ed as well as hugs from all of us ((((((HUGS))))))) Subject: [susannaleonardhillblog] Re: Susanna Leonard Hill: Oh Susanna - Is There A Difference Between Scholastic And Regular Editions Of Picture Books?

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  27. Kirsten LarsonAugust 20, 2012 at 3:53 PM

    What a great question! I often wondered what the difference was between Scholastic and trade editions. Susanna, is there any difference for the author? Is it a royalty arrangement when Scholastic picks up your book?

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  28. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    In my case, Scholastic bought audio rights and I get a small royalty (3.5% I think, although honestly I'd have to check my contract... it might be 5 or 6% because the books sell for so much less thru Scholastic.) So I got a one time fee for the audio rights and since the paperback and CD sell together I get a royalty based on the package. If that makes sense... :)

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  29. Vivian KirkfieldAugust 20, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    Congrats, Dana! You have an awesome story there. :)
    Susanna...I've loved the Summer Short and Sweets...and know that I need that type of creative writing exercises...so I would vote for alternating it on Mondays...and I certainly wouldn't mind you recycling ideas for us to work on.
    Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up about Marty Banks' new book, The Adventures of Tempest and Serena"...I saw her yesterday at our local SCBWI meeting and I'll be reviewing her book on my blog, probably Wednesday...she is going to be offering a free download on Kindle this coming weekend. I LOVED the book...couldn't put it down...a chapter book for ages 7 and up.

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  30. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    So glad you've enjoyed S&S, Vivian, and thanks for the heads up on Marty's book - if you loved it that much it must be worth the read! :)

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  31. Kimberley Gorelik MoranAugust 20, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Congrats Dana! So exciting. I missed last week because I was on vacation without internet, so I need to go back and check it out.


    I love your site Susanna. It's like a friend to me some days. I make sure to check in and see how people are doing. I can't wait for Perfect Picture Book Friday again and I look forward to some writing challenges this year. Thank you for creating such an amazing community on here and elsewhere.

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  32. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 20, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    Thanks, Penny! I'm so glad you enjoy both features :) And yes, it is very fun to have the books in Scholastic :)

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  33. Pamela CourtneyAugust 20, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Big Congratulations to you, Dana! Your story is a fun one.

    This was a good discussion about Scholastic, including your insight on royalties. I think a lot of us never knew about how this Co. does their thing. Good stuff.

    Now, whew! I'm glad I can come out hiding since it seems everyone wants to continue your wonderful S & S series. I hope you are able to continue and not get TOO overwhelmed.

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  34. Heather NewmanAugust 21, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    Congratulations, Dana!


    I have always wondered why the scholastic version looks different from the original, Susanna. Thank you for explaining it!

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  35. Patricia TiltonAugust 21, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    Congratulations Dana!

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  36. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 21, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    Thank you so much for all your kind words, Kimberley. I truly appreciate them. The way you describe feeling about my blog is exactly the way I hope people will feel - it's all about the supportive, fun community and you bring a lot to that. Thanks for taking time to visit and participate so frequently! :)

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  37. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 21, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    PAT! Does this mean you can comment???!!!

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  38. sharonkmayhewAugust 21, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    Congratulations to Dana. What a great opportunity!


    Wonderful explanation about scholastic books. :)

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  39. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 22, 2012 at 5:55 AM

    Thanks, Sharon! Glad if the explanation was helpful :)

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  40. Susanna Leonard HillAugust 24, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    You're welcome! And I think it depends on the book. A lot of them keep their original covers, I think.

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  41. Heather NewmanFebruary 21, 2013 at 6:12 PM

    Congratulations, Dana!


    I have always wondered why the scholastic version looks different from the original, Susanna. Thank you for explaining it!

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