Publishing an early reader book

My author contact at the publisher calls this the "quiet time". I am waiting to see what they think of the book files that I have submitted. While the process up to this point has seemed long to me, it is short by traditional publishing standards. I began this discovery process with an illustrator back in January of 2007 and we sent the files of the book to the publisher just last week. It has only been about 4 months in the making. We have chosen to self-publish our early reader book. I had tried the traditional publisher path and deemed it too long and restrictive.

I am working with a wonderful illustrator whom I met by chance (or fate) that takes my simple text and adds life. I had briefly met Richard at a craft show when I purchased some of his construction machinery art for my son's room. When I was searching for an illustrator back in January, I looked him up on the web. I fired off a hesitant email asking if he had ever illustrated any books. I never thought I would even get a response. But, within days he contacted me and replied that he was most interested in illustrating a book but had never had the opportunity. He wondered if I had any ideas on the subject. We met shortly after and decided to go into this project as partners. He has since become a treasured friend.

Many things happened in these four short months, those items are to be continued......

Stacey