LONG WINTERS CREATE SHORT STORIES - Idaho Publishing Company Produces Four Books in One Year

Mill Park Publishing was created as a hobby so Michael and Elaine Romano could survive the long winters in the Idaho mountain town of McCall. In 2003 with six feet of snow on the ground and months until spring, they set a goal to publish and market a childrens book. Just one year later, the company has produced four books and sold over 2,400 copies. And, the books and orders keep coming.

McCall, ID (PRWEB) May 29, 2004 --Mill Park Publishing was created as a hobby so Michael and Elaine Romano could survive the long winters in the Idaho mountain town of McCall. In 2003 with six feet of snow on the ground and months until spring, they set a goal to publish and market a childrens book. Just one year later, the company has produced four books and sold over 2,400 copies. And, the books and orders keep coming.
   
We had no idea how to start a publishing company," says Michael Romano, publisher. We bought books on the subject and hit the ground running."
   
Elaine Romano had been writing short stories since her childhood days on a farm in southern Idaho and continues to write freelance articles and a column for various magazines. Last year she wrote a childrens book titled Gators & Taters: A Week of Bedtime Stories. The 60-page book features eight stories designed to be read aloud to children.
   
After publishing the book, we secured two national distributors, but we soon learned that book distributors can take up to 70 percent of the profit," says Michael. We placed a few books in Barnes & Noble and then sold books the old-fashioned way: by shoe leather."
   
The couple visited independent books stores and gift shops around the state, participated in community bazaars, read at elementary schools, and organized book signings in four states. Elaine, a public speaker, prepared a presentation on childrens literacy that she gives to groups throughout the state. She brings along a box of books to sell after the speech.
   
Were surviving the long winters while we promote literacy," says Elaine. Its a rewarding experience."
   
The first big sales came last July after they met with representatives from Idaho Public Television and the State of Idaho. Officials approved of the book and were impressed that the books author, publisher, illustrator and printer were all from Idaho.
   
Idaho Public TV bought 150 copies for distribution to low-income homes," says Michael. Then the State bought 100 copies for the summer reading program. We were excited to be included in these worthy projects."
   
The Internet provided an important resource and tool for the company after setting up the web site, www.MillParkPublishing.com. Gators & Taters was named Best Childrens Book of 2003" by Farmers Market On-line. The book was placed on two summer reading lists and received positive reviews, including written accolades from a child development Ph.D. at the University of Idaho and from Writers Digest International.
   
Three books in four months. Last fall, the company produced The Idaho Color, Fun and Fact Book. This 32-page book features mazes, characters to color, fun facts about Idaho, and includes free crayons. The activity book was a hit at the holiday bazaars. The winter of 2004 brought six more feet of snow. Elaine and Michael got to work on two more books.
   
In March the company introduced The Magic Potato -- La Papa Mágica, a 20-page story and coloring book in English and Spanish. Over 100 copies were sold to the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Idaho State Department of Education. Idaho First Lady Patricia Kempthorne endorsed the book at the Governors Roundtable for Families and Children.
   
Later in March, the company released its fourth book. The Red Tease: A Womans Adventure in Golf describes Elaines humorous attempts to golf with dignity. As the keynote speaker, Elaine introduced the book in Seattle at the spring conference of the Executive Womens Golf Association. Enthusiastic response from women golfers and golf courses pushed sales to over 400 copies during the first two months. One course in Payette ordered 100 copies.
   
The Romanos biggest challenge is to coordinate efforts on all four books. Their jobs include writing, typesetting on the computer, keeping track of expenses, organizing layout and printing, tracking inventory, monitoring promotion and coordinating distribution. Their former jobs at Hewlett Packard and Boise Cascade provided needed business acumen.
   
To focus on their all-Idaho product, they joined Buy Idaho, Inc. and will participate in the organizations shows this summer at various wineries. At each winery, Elaine intends to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere to continue writing her next book. And there wont be any snow!
   
For more information about Mill Park Publishing, contact www.MillParkPublishing.com