Barbara Leary, an Alexandria resident and author, has established Finch & Squirrel, a literary mentorship studio aimed at supporting writers through self-publishing. The studio recently marked the publication of debut children's books by three local authors: Buzz McClain's “When There Are More Than Two,” Lynn Hays' “Jack’s Journey: One Kitty, Three Cities,” and Sherry Harowitz's “Would a Kitten Do That?”
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Leary, who has written children's books inspired by her three grandchildren, teaches corporate communications as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. With over thirty years of experience in communications, writing, editing, and publishing, she is well-equipped to guide new authors.
Initially introduced to publishing early in her career while working with a D.C. agency, Leary later shifted her focus to corporate communications. After a stint in the corporate world, she returned to writing and publishing, motivated by personal experiences, including her diagnosis and treatment for a brain tumor.
Leary self-published her own children’s books after facing lengthy traditional publishing processes. This led her to assist others in their publishing journeys, ultimately resulting in the creation of Finch & Squirrel about a year ago.
The studio offers a variety of services to authors, including manuscript review, story development coaching, collaboration with illustrators, and guidance on technical aspects of publishing, such as obtaining ISBN numbers and utilizing print-on-demand platforms. Leary emphasizes her hands-on approach, helping authors understand the intricacies of the publishing process.
She notes that while there are three primary publishing routes—traditional, hybrid, and independent publishing—her approach leans toward independent publishing. This allows authors to retain all royalties and manage their accounts, with Leary providing essential support throughout.
Children's books, she explains, are among the most competitive genres, contributing to a rise in independent publishing, which has seen growth of approximately 25% to 30%. Leary cautions aspiring authors to research extensively, especially in the hybrid sector, where scams can be prevalent.
For those looking to enter the publishing world, Leary recommends using resources available on her website, Finchandsquirrel.com, and encourages authors to familiarize themselves with the genre they wish to publish. She also highlights Janefriedman.com as a critical resource for understanding different publishing options.
Leary remains open to consulting with potential authors and providing insights into navigating their publishing journeys.