Confetti Park

Tag: publishing

  • Steven Scaffidi on why authors should self-publish their books—and advice on how to do it!

    Steven Scaffidi on why authors should self-publish their books—and advice on how to do it!

    In this episode of Confetti Park, we connect with the creative mind of Steven Scaffidi, a veteran of the entertainment industry.

    Steven filming a documentary, The People’s Story, in Central America

    For decades Steven has worked in film and television—writing, directing, and producing. Based out of New Orleans, Steven has deep connections to the industry in South Louisiana, but his work extends nationally as well. From commercials for restaurants, furniture companies, lawyers, etc., to full length feature films, TV shows and gritty documentaries, Steven has a vast amount of experience, connections, and know-how.

    Lately, he has turned this experience and wisdom to a new industry—that of children’s book publishing. And Steven has lots of fearless opinions about how to publish books in 2021.

    Papa Dude, a new children’s book series

    Steven is the author of the Papa Dude series. Papa Dude is a solid and warm guide-type character, kind of an authority on all things as you travel with him on adventures. He’s a likable and solid dude—a Papa Dude! His best friend, Charlie Crab, offers a playful, lighthearted touch to every page, while Papa Dude delivers factual information about all sorts of things. With Papa Dude, young readers can explore the zoo, the continental USA, dog breeds, the history of Santa Claus, outer space, and more. The whole package makes for a supremely educational yet fun series!

    The character of Papa Dude was inspired by Steven’s own dad. It’s a sweet tribute.

    The character of Papa Dude was inspired by Steven’s own dad—what a sweet tribute! However, in this interview, Katy Hobgood talks with Steven not so much about the creative impetus for Papa Dude, but more about the savvy he’s developed when it comes to getting his books out there.

    “I think I’ve cracked the code on getting books made, published and distributed,” says Steven. “The worst thing a writer can do is write, and then it sits on a shelf and nobody ever reads it. If you’re creative and you can tell stories, you can find someone to help you with the art. You can find a printer. You can publish it yourself.”

    Steven also runs creative workshops to people who are looking to learn how to get their art out into the world.

    Learn more about him at https://www.ghostriderpictures.com/ And check out Papa Dude books at https://www.heypapadude.com/

    Thanks, Steven, for sharing your talent and advice with Confetti Park!

  • Interview with Alex Beard, fine artist and children’s author

    Interview with Alex Beard, fine artist and children’s author

    Photo of Alex Beard from http://www.alexbeardstudio.com/
    Photo of Alex Beard from www.alexbeardstudio.com

    Down on Julia Street in New Orleans, fine artist Alex Beard has a gallery where his gorgeous nature-inspired paintings and drawings are on display.

    Elephants, birds of paradise, and flowery fish are among the colorful creatures drawn out by Alex’s hand. Some are portraits, and some are whimsical landscapes of these exotic creatures interacting with the familiar street scenes of New Orleans. Imagine giraffes, tigers and peacocks strutting among streetcars, Mardi Gras floats and French Quarter balconies!

    There are also fine art children’s books and jigsaw puzzles for sale at 608 Julia, geared toward the young and the young at heart, for Alex is an artist with a mission. He wants to educate children about the importance of preserving the Earth’s wilderness and saving endangered wildlife.

    His first children’s book, The Jungle Grapevine, debuted in 2009. (Listen to Alex narrate this story.) It’s a comedic game of telephone between animals in the savannah….. “When Bird mixes up something Turtle says, he accidentally starts a rumor about the watering hole drying up. One misunderstanding leads to another, with animals making their own hilarious assumptions.” There are two more books in the  Watering Hole Trilogy: Monkey See, Monkey Draw, and Crocodile’s Tears.

    In 2012, Alex established The Watering Hole Foundation. The first project of the foundation was centered on protecting the Wild African Elephant in Northern Kenya. Today, the foundation funds conservation efforts locally in Louisiana, nationally, and internationally.

    Enjoy this interview on Confetti Park, where Alex shares the secret of how he first landed a children’s book publishing deal. Other aspiring writers—and anyone with a dream, really—will enjoy his advice.

    “There’s no single path,” admits Alex, “But I try to make it so that whatever meeting I go into, for whatever goal I have, I try to figure out…how do I make it that I have checked every box that they require to get it through the corporate structure? I’m trying to give ammunition to the people who would like to sign me up, so that they can sell it to the people they work with, who will have never met me.”