Skratch Publishing: Chapter the Firste

July 1st, 2009

Once upon a time there was a tiny little company. It would wake up every morning and go to bed every night and say the same thing. “When I grow up I’ll make children’s books! I’ll write them and draw them and print them and bring them to all of the children in the world who want to read!”

But the tiny little company thought upon this and dreamed a little and then conducted well structured market analysis. The little company felt that it needed advice.

Who do tiny little companies go to for advice? Why great big grand companies of course! The little company travelled far and wide, and spoke to companies who made books too. Many did not notice the little company at all, but others did and took the time to explain the world of books to the tiny dreaming venture.

“Books are hard to make and sell,” said the great big companies. “Be careful! People don’t read as much as they used to, and kids read less too. Why sell books if people don’t read?”

The little company thanked the great big grand companies for their time and went back home and thought upon books and dreamed and conducted more marketing research.

Then one special night, when the moon was full and the warming Spring air swept through the budding trees, our little company sat bolt upright in bed! It cried out:

“Why sell books if people don’t read? Book companies shouldn’t put books first! It should be reading first, books later!”

The little company hopped out of bed and splashed cold water on its face and looked itself in the mirror. It was a young company, and so its features were indistinct and hazy. But it had an idea.

“Reading first, books later” whispered the little company.

Hello everyone. If you're reading this, then you're off to a great start!

We've started this blog as our temporary home while we get our main website online. We're a new publishing business, we're small and we have big plans. Since this blog is about reading and learning, we thought a good start would be to talk about our experience in starting our business from the ground up.

We hope you find the story we're telling to be an interesting one. While you're here, please take a look at our articles about kids' reading, links to important educational resources, and other activities we will be adding in the near future.

And as always, thanks for reading!