Miller to speak at FPA conference, prepares to release new publication
Award-winning children’s book author and owner of the Sanibel-based Jungle House Publications, Kyle Miller, will present at the Florida Publishers Association 2010 Publishing Ed-U-Conference on Oct. 9 in Sarasota.
During her presentation, Miller plans to share her experience as an Independent Book Publishers Association scholarship winner and all the information she learned while attending the two-day publishing event, Book Expo America in New York City, including publicity, promotion, retail and how to build online visibility.
“I’m honored and extremely excited to be speaking at this conference. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences from the IBPA publishers university in New York City with some of the best known publishers in Florida,” Miller said. “John Kramer, who is one of the premier book marketing gurus in the publishing business will be the keynote speaker. To be on the same schedule as John is just a thrill for me.”
Miller launched Jungle House Publications in 2005 to bring her first book (with illustrations by island artist Randon Eddy), “Dillo — A Baby Armadillo’s Adventure on Sanibel Island,” to young readers.
“My whole writing career started with a baby armadillo with a permanent smile. I never dreamed I would build a career out of it. I not only wanted to teach my grandkids about the wildlife on the islands, but also other children who might be visiting from other parts of the country,” Miller said, noting that some copies of “Dillo” have even made it onto bookshelves overseas. “It’s very gratifying for me. I’ve gotten letters from many teachers and students who have read the book in the classroom. We have also produced teachers’ guides with accelerated reading questions for schools.”
But for Miller, “Dillo” was only the beginning.
“I have written and Randon has illustrated a new book entitled ‘Snowy Pea and the Ghost Crab.’ It’s thirteen chapters and aimed at elementary-age readers — though I’m finding that a lot of grandmas and grandpas are interested in the story too,” Miller said.
“Snowy Pea and the Ghost Crab” — due for release in mid-October at many island retailers — is a 64-page, fully illustrated children’s book that centers around a snowy plover who, with the help of 12 other beach residents and a maverick ghost crab, is ultimately able to defend her Sanibel Island nest from many attacks.
In addition to lots of laughs, drama and suspense, Miller provides readers young and old with many important facts about Florida shore birds and, most importantly, brings the plight of the endangered snowy plover to light.
“I’m very proud and excited about this new book,” Miller said. “The watercolor illustrations by Randon Eddy truly bring the book to life.”
To learn more about the Oct. 9 FPA conference, go to www.flbookpub.org. Anyone with an interest in writing books or publishing is invited to attend the conference and join the organization.