Business & Tech

Children's Book Publisher Puts Dreams to Paper

Susan Pace-Koch founded the Concord-based "Get Out Books" and is currently working on her fifth children's title.

You never know when inspiration might whisper in your ear — nor how silly it will sound.

But for Susan Pace-Koch, the sillier the idea the better. After all, she's publishing children's books, and is currently working on her fifth title at the helm of her own publishing company, "Get Out Books," based right here in Concord.

Her first book began as a waking dream when the words "Get Out of My Head, I Should Go to Bed" popped into Pace-Koch's mind and she envisioned a picture book about all the wild imaginings that keep children awake at night. The idea wouldn't leave, and so she decided to pursue it.

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Pace-Koch spent the first few years of her mission just doing research, and soon found out that working with the big publishing companies meant relinquishing control of the illustrations. Since the books Pace-Koch wanted to create would be "concept books," driven by images rather than text to capture and evoke ideas, she decided stay small and in control of how her own thoughts would come to fruition.

"That's the fun part for me — working with the illustrators and seeing the ideas evolve," said Pace-Koch. "I like artists and I have a good eye for art."

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So she posted an ad on Craiglist for an illustrator and found Jeremy Kwan of Vallejo, who had a talent for rich, colorful drawings. The two worked on the book for a couple of years, going back and forth with changes until it suited Pace-Koch's meticulous eye. 

"Get Out of My Head, I Should Go to Bed" was published in January of 2011, and won the 2012 "Best Book" award from the Bay Area Independent Publisher's Association. A second book, "In One Ear and Out the Other," was published in July this year, and three other books are in the works. The publishing company is only a part time job for Pace-Koch, who also works as an officer manager for her husband's accounting business.

The books are sold online and at select retailers along the west coast, including Concord's Berkshire Books. Pace-Koch also donates copies to non-profit organizations like the Bay Area Crisis NurseryBlue Star Moms, and The Gabriel Project, and will also be sending books to children affected by Hurricane Sandy. She says she isn't making any money and doesn't plan to for at least a few years.

"The end point for me isn't making money — I like the creative process," said Pace-Koch. "I'd like not to lose any money," she added. 

Professional book publishing takes an investment of time, energy and money, according to Pace-Koch, spanning the creative process as well as the networking and marketing. The most difficult part about being an independent publisher is getting the books into distribution, she explained. Large book-store chains want versatile and productive authors who have published multiple books in succession. 

So, is there an easier way to create a children's book? Pace-Koch says it depends on your goal.

"If you'd like to produce books for your kids and their friends, there are so many inexpensive ways to do that," said Pace-Koch, adding that CreateSpace.com offers independent self-publishing with on-demand printing.

Her own kids are all grown up, but Pace-Koch dedicates each of her books to them in a very special way — by hiding their initials somewhere among the pictures, where only the keen eye of an imaginative child could find them.

Titles from Get Out Books are available for purchase online and can be found at Berkshire Books in Concord. Visit Pace-Koch's profile on GoodReads.com for a list of her favorite children's books.

Have you ever thought about publishing a children's book? Share your dreams in the comments below.


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