Heights Press, A New Imprint from OverDrive (A Conversation with Alexis Petric-Black)
Today, we're joined by Alexis Petric-Black, VP of Content at OverDrive, a digital reading platform that provides ebooks and audiobooks to libraries and schools worldwide. While OverDrive has long been known as a distributor of digital reading materials, they're now branching into publishing with the creation of a new children's imprint. We're delighted to discuss this new venture.
Welcometo Smack Dab in the Middle, Alexis! We're a middle grade blog where authors(and often librarians and teachers, and occasionally agents and editors) allcome together to discuss the MG world: books releasing, writing for the agegroup, etc. We're excited to learn more about Heights Press. What inspired thecreation of the press at OverDrive? How does it fit in with OverDrive's broaderpublishing strategy?
Thecreation of Heights Press at OverDrive was inspired by our long-standingcommitment to promoting literacy and supporting libraries. Over the past twodecades, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of reading and the vitalrole that libraries play in fostering lifelong learning. This experiencenaturally led us to explore new ways to engage young readers and supportliteracy initiatives, culminating in the launch of Heights Press.
HeightsPress fits seamlessly into OverDrive’s broader publishing strategy by expandingour content offerings and enhancing our ability to serve diverse communities.By producing original content, we can provide libraries with unique,high-quality materials that cater to the varied interests and needs of theirpatrons. This initiative aligns with our mission to make reading accessible andenjoyable for everyone, reinforcing our dedication to literacy and education ona global scale.
Yourfirst release is Hickory Hollow, a middle grade series. Tell us moreabout it. Will the focus always be on middle grade literature? Fiction ratherthan non-fiction?
Ourdebut series, Hickory Hollow, is an exciting middle grade series thatfollows the young residents of a fictional town by the same name. Each book inthe series features a unique and interesting character, offering a diverse setof perspectives and backgrounds. These narratives are designed to entertain andinspire, encouraging more kids to develop a love for reading.
We willbe launching the Hickory Hollow series in additional languages, Spanish,Chinese, Vietnamese, German, and Korean, in the coming months. A multi-lingualapproach allows readers from diverse backgrounds to experience the samecaptivating stories simultaneously, fostering a sense of global community andinclusivity. By making our content accessible in multiple languages, we aim tobridge cultural gaps and ensure that more children can enjoy and benefit fromour engaging narratives, no matter their linguistic background.
Whileour initial focus is on middle grade literature, we are open to exploring avariety of genres and age groups in the future. Our primary goal is to providecompelling stories that resonate with young readers, whether through fiction ornon-fiction. We believe in the power of storytelling to foster a lifelongpassion for reading, and we are excited to see where this journey takes us.
Ourreaders at Smack Dab are primarily librarians and authors themselves. For theauthors: What's the submission process like for Heights Press? Are you open tounagented or unsolicited submissions? What will your editorial process entail?
We areexcited to engage with a diverse range of voices and stories. For authorsinterested in submitting their work, we have a straightforward submissionprocess. We are open to both agented and unagented submissions, welcomingpitches and queries from passionate writers.
Tosubmit your work, please visit our contact page [Contact Heights Press]for detailed guidelines and submission instructions. While we look forward todiscovering new talent and bringing fresh, compelling stories to our readersplease note that our current focus is on finishing and launching the remaininglanguages and audiobooks for the Hickory Hollow series. As a result, ourresponse times may be slower than usual. We appreciate patience andunderstanding during this busy period.
For ourlibrarians: What digital tools will Heights Press be using to enhance thereading experience?
Audiobookseditions are coming soon! These are a fantastic addition to our catalog andprovide an alternative way for children to enjoy stories, especially for thosewho may have reading difficulties or prefer listening. Audiobooks also allowkids to immerse themselves in stories during various activities, such ascommuting or relaxing at home, ensuring that the joy of reading is alwayswithin reach.
Inaddition to audiobooks, we offer a series of short videos available on theKanopy Kids platform, providing a visual experience for the series. Thesevideos complement our audiobooks, allowing children to engage with the storiesin multiple formats. This multi-platform approach ensures that our content isaccessible and enjoyable for all children, regardless of their preferred way ofexperiencing stories.
How willHeights Press build on OverDrive's established library relationships to createnew opportunities for both authors and educational institutions?
Bytapping into this well-established infrastructure, we can ensure that ouroriginal content reaches a wide audience of young readers through librariesworldwide. This not only provides authors with a significant platform toshowcase their work but also enhances the variety and quality of materialsavailable to students and library patrons. One title will be available for freewith unlimited checkouts for schools and libraries that already use OverDrive,making it even easier for these institutions to access our content.
Foreducational institutions, our TeachingBooks program offers a wealth ofresources that can be integrated into curricula and literacy programs. Thediverse range of stories, available in multiple languages and formats, supportsinclusive education and helps meet the needs of students from variousbackgrounds.
How willHeights Press champion diverse voices and narratives?
HeightsPress is committed to championing diverse voices and narratives by activelyseeking out and publishing stories from a wide range of authors andperspectives. Our debut series, Hickory Hollow, exemplifies thiscommitment by featuring a diverse set of characters, each crafted by authorswho bring their unique backgrounds and experiences to the table. This approachensures that our stories are authentic and resonate with readers from various culturaland social backgrounds.
Whatemerging digital reading trends are you most interested in exploring at HeightsPress?
Engagingreaders where they are is a cornerstone of our approach at Heights Press. Byoffering content across multiple platforms, including e-books, audiobooks, andshort videos on Kanopy Kids, we ensure that children can access our stories inthe format that suits them best. This flexibility not only makes reading moreconvenient but also meets the diverse needs and preferences of young readers,whether they enjoy reading on a tablet, listening to stories during a car ride,or watching engaging videos at home.
Supportingliteracy through a multi-lingual and multi-platform strategy helps us reach awider audience and encourages a love for reading in various contexts. By makingour content accessible in multiple languages and formats, we break downbarriers to literacy, allowing children from different backgrounds and withdifferent learning styles to enjoy and benefit from our stories. This inclusiveapproach fosters a lifelong passion for reading and learning, helping to builda more literate and connected community.
Whatexcites you most about this new venture?
Whatexcites me most about this new venture is the incredible opportunity to connectwith young readers in innovative and meaningful ways. By offering our contentacross multiple platforms and in various languages, we can reach a diverseaudience and make reading accessible to more children than ever before. It’sthrilling to think about the impact we can have on fostering a love for readingand storytelling in kids from all backgrounds.
Additionally,the chance to champion diverse voices and narratives through our publicationsis truly inspiring. Each story we share has the potential to resonate withreaders on a personal level, reflecting their own experiences and broadeningtheir horizons. This venture allows us to not only entertain but also educateand empower the next generation of readers, which is incredibly rewarding.
Lookingahead five years from now, what would make you consider Heights Press asuccess?
Ultimately,our number one goal is to grow lifelong readers. If we can contributemeaningfully to the global literacy landscape, then Heights Press will havetruly succeeded.
