A young author who self-published a book on bullying has had her work picked up by publishers.
Ajia Mayrock self-published The Survival Guide to Bullying as an e-book to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in the US, feeling that she didn't want to wait the minimum of 18 months for a publisher to publish her book.
However, The Survival Guide to Bullying, filled with “roems” (rap poems), quizzes, and strategies on how to combat common teenage issues such as anxiety and cyber-bullying, not only attracted the attention of kids across America, but of publishers as well.
On the back of media interviews and visits to libraries and schools to promote the book, Mayrock got herself an agent just in case. She then sent the book directly to Scholastic.
The revised e-book was published on 30 June along with a paperback edition, newly vetted by an expert on bullying. The new book contains most of the original poems and anti-bullying quotes – but also new elements such as an epilogue and Q&As relating to the questions Mayrock received in schools.
Speaking to Publishers Weekly, Mayrock said: “It’s been a weird, exciting, busy and wonderful few months. Quite the journey!”
Ajia Mayrock self-published The Survival Guide to Bullying as an e-book to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in the US, feeling that she didn't want to wait the minimum of 18 months for a publisher to publish her book.
However, The Survival Guide to Bullying, filled with “roems” (rap poems), quizzes, and strategies on how to combat common teenage issues such as anxiety and cyber-bullying, not only attracted the attention of kids across America, but of publishers as well.
On the back of media interviews and visits to libraries and schools to promote the book, Mayrock got herself an agent just in case. She then sent the book directly to Scholastic.
The revised e-book was published on 30 June along with a paperback edition, newly vetted by an expert on bullying. The new book contains most of the original poems and anti-bullying quotes – but also new elements such as an epilogue and Q&As relating to the questions Mayrock received in schools.
Speaking to Publishers Weekly, Mayrock said: “It’s been a weird, exciting, busy and wonderful few months. Quite the journey!”
