I Don’t Hear You!

People don’t hear what they don’t want to hear.

I’ll admit that I’m no different.

I just sent out a new query to an independent, family-owned publisher that specializes in K-12 teaching resources.

I sent this publisher sample chapters of our children’s book with its “discussion aid” supplemental materials for teachers and parents.  Our book (which is the first of a planned series) focuses on developing children’s confidence, self-awareness, and social consciousness — key elements to combat insecurities and bullying.

Although our book can be purchased and enjoyed by young readers and parents without the discussion aid, this companion book helps teachers, parents, and young readers gain insight into the characters and issues they’ve encountered in the story.

Through these interactive discussions, parents and teachers can work together to instill core principles, practice decision-making techniques, and  build self-confidence in their children at an early age — which will increase their  ability to adapt to their ever-changing and challenging environment.   

Of course, I thought that this was really a great concept and something teachers and parents could use to help their children experience various situations and emotions in the safety of their imagination.  With the guidance of their parents and teachers, children will be given the opportunity to discuss emotions and develop and practice decision-making techniques.  They will also have the ability to see and feel the consequences that come from both good and bad decisions.

I was — and still am — excited about this concept.  So, with great hopes, I sent off my query and proposal to this independent, family-owned publisher that specializes in K-12 teaching resources.

The publisher’s response:  “Thank you for submitting your book idea to us. Unfortunately, we do not publish in this area.”

WOW!  “…we do not publish in this area.”

Telling me something like that is like waving a red cape in front of a mad bull!

Why do we have parents, teachers, and children struggling with insecurities and bullying issues in our school system on a daily basis?  Could it be that, unfortunately, publishers do not publish in this area?

I can’t stop shaking my head, simply because I don’t want to believe this.   The publisher must not have understood the concept, because how could an independent “family-owned” publisher specializing in K-12 teaching resources not be interested in this concept?

No.  I don’t want to believe this, so I emailed the publisher back and asked if they aren’t interested in this concept… within their professional network, would they know who I can turn to, in the publishing industry, who would be interested in a series of books that would help develop children's confidence, self-awareness, and social consciousness?

I doubt that I will get a response from them, because...

People don’t hear what they don’t want to hear. 

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