Breaking Barriers in KidLit: How Michele McAvoy and The Little Press Empower Emerging Voices

Episode Summary

In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa sit down with award-winning children's book author, publisher, and attorney Michele McAvoy, the powerhouse behind The Little Press. Michele shares her journey from self-published author to small press publisher, offering insights into the challenges of breaking into the industry and how The Little Press is dedicated to amplifying fresh voices in children's literature.

Guest Bio: Michele McAvoy

Michele McAvoy is a multi-award-winning children’s book author, publisher, attorney, and educator from New Jersey. She is the founder of The Little Press, a small independent publisher focused on bringing diverse and debut voices into children’s literature. Her books, including Willow the Werewolf, The Gorilla Picked Me, and My Superhero Grandpa, have received industry recognition from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal. Michele is represented by Daniel Kramer at Page Turner Literary Agency.

Find Michele at michelemcavoy.com and The Little Press at littlepresspublishing.com.

Key Discussion Points

From Author to Publisher: The Birth of The Little Press

• Michele started as a self-published author before transitioning into traditional publishing with small presses.
• During the 2020 pandemic, she transformed The Little Press from a vehicle for self-publishing into a full-fledged independent publishing house.
• The mission of The Little Press is to discover and support new talent, particularly debut authors and illustrators.

Why Small Presses Matter in Publishing

• Many talented authors struggle to break into traditional publishing due to the industry's high barriers.
• Michele emphasizes that small presses can provide opportunities for authors who might not get a chance with bigger publishers.
• Readers—especially kids—don’t care about a book’s publisher; they care about great stories.

Challenges of Running an Independent Press

• The biggest struggle is the financial margin in publishing, as small presses don’t have the same resources as larger companies.
• Michele shares how she had to learn the business side of publishing, including working with distributors like Ingram, KPP, Baker & Taylor, and IPG.
• Building trust with authors was essential, as Michele needed writers to take a chance on her press in its early days.

The Reality of Juggling Multiple Roles

• Michele works full-time as a legal editor, runs The Little Press, and is still actively writing.
• She shares how she manages her time, often working on book projects at night and on weekends.
• Her biggest advice to writers: be flexible with your writing process—whether it’s dictating chapters on a walk or writing drafts in Google Docs at the beach.

How to Get Published with The Little Press

• The Little Press does not accept open submissions year-round but participates in pitch events and industry conferences.
• Upcoming opportunity: The TLP Pitch Twitter Event on March 20, where writers can pitch their manuscripts directly to The Little Press team.
• Writers should keep an eye on The Little Press’s website and social media for future submission windows.

Conclusion & Takeaways

Michele McAvoy’s story is an inspiring look at how persistence, adaptability, and a passion for storytelling can lead to incredible opportunities in publishing. She emphasizes that small presses play a vital role in the industry, helping emerging authors find a platform for their work. For writers looking to get published, Michele’s advice is clear: keep writing, be open to different publishing paths, and take chances when opportunities arise.

📌 Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Michele McAvoy’s Website
• The Little Press
• TLP Birthday Pitch Event Info