Preston Publishers

Preston Publishers is a PTA sponsored student author program that helps young authors publish their very own creative works for the campus library. Something special happens when kids go to the library and see their name on a book they wrote. Pride in ownership of something they’ve solely created is undeniable!

 

Participating in a writing program can teach your child many essential skills like:

  • Project Management – When do I start? When do I finish? How do I break up the rest of the jobs in between?
  • Creative Thinking – What do I write about?
  • Critical Thinking – How do I best present my ideas in words? What part will pictures play in moving my story forward?
  • Exploration and Research – What all can I include in my book?

As a parent, you can see your child’s progression in the books they create each year. You will see them grow as writers, as critical thinkers, and as project managers. All this while still exploring their creativity!

 

Check back in September for a link to the publishers kit.

 

How does this program work?

  • Parents can purchase Preston Publishers kit from the Open Forms page starting October 22, 2024. 

  • Registered students will be given a Manuscript Kit. Each kit includes a cover page, inner cover, lined sheets for writing, blank sheets for illustrations, and an author page. The kit contains detailed instructions about the usage of the different types of pages. 

  • The deadline to order a kit is Nov. 15, 2024.

  • All completed manuscripts need to be turned in by Jan. 9, 2025. Mrs. Armentrout will have a station to collect the manuscripts in the Preston library.

  • Volunteers review the completed manuscripts to check if all pages are completed and are ready for publishing. Please note that volunteers do not correct manuscripts for content, grammar, or typos.

  • Manuscripts are sent to a publishing house in January to be printed and bound.

  • Printed books are received, checked against the original manuscript, and readied for display in March.

  • A PTA hosted Authors’ Reception to honor our student writers will be held on April 10, 2025 at 5:30pm. Published books will be placed in the school library and will become a part of the permanent collection at the PES library. 

How do I volunteer?

Login to your Preston PTA account and update your PTA Volunteer Opportunities for the current school year to indicate your willingness to help with Student Book Publishing (Preston Publishers). We will reach out to you to help us with:

  • Designing and creating the Author's Bulletin Board at Preston
  • Collating the completed manuscripts
  • Checking the printed copies and readying them for display
  • Organizing the Authors’ Reception

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a copy of my child's book to keep?

Your child's book will be a part of the permanent collection of the library at Preston Elementary. You may order an extra copy if you would like to have a copy at home.

 

How do I order extra copies of my child's book?

Instructions on how to order extra copies will be included in the publishers kit that is sent home. For the 2024-2025 school year, softcover copies will be $25.95 and hardcover copies will be $30.95. Ordering through the Student Treasures website offers a $1 discount. Additional copies will be distributed at the Authors' Reception in April.

 

What grade levels can participate?

From Kindergarteners to 6th graders, all kids have ideas to communicate, and each one of them can participate. Starting a practice of writing a book a year is a tradition that pays off richly in the long run.

 

What if my child can’t write fiction?

That’s not a problem at all, all fiction and non-fiction are acceptable. Your child can write a book of poems, a comic strip, or a collection of photos from a favorite holiday destination. They can create a recipe book with Nana’s favorite recipes or write about themselves. The possibilities are as wide as their imaginations.

 

Questions?? 

Contact us at publishers@prestonpta.org.