Midvale, Utah, USA., December 12, 2019 -- Small-town Publisher Has International Reach Multicultural Books Offered to A Diverse World.

WHAT: Multicultural publisher Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (648 W. Wasatch St., Midvale, Utah, 84047)
WHO: Diverse authors, illustrators and narrators
WHEN: Since 2004
WHERE: PremioBooks.com, Amazon/Kindle, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Brodart, Follett, Apple/iBooks, Ingram, Walmart.com, Target.com
MORE INFO: Bestselling multicultural children’s book publisher has roughly 80 titles (many award-winning) in 15+ languages sold around the world and found in major book/ebook/audiobook venues nationwide.

STORY IDEA:
How does a tiny local publisher reach readers in the Philippines or Africa? Technology. In past decades, only large publishing houses had the resources to get books to the masses. Today, anyone with Internet access can upload a novel to the connected world.

Still, getting readers to notice and buy is another challenge altogether. The big publishers still have muscle behind their promos, but with 15 years’ experience — and about 130 book products under his belt — publisher Karl Beckstrand has carved out his own multicultural niche. Even big reviewers, like Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly and School Library Journal have voiced approval.

And he’s garnered awards. His 2016 Western book, “To Swallow the Earth” won a 2016 International Book Award. The State of Vermont selected his earning book “The Bridge of the Golden Wood” as business/financial literacy curriculum for grade schoolers. “Polar Bear Bowler: A Story Without Words” was called ‘charming … full of … polish and physical comedy,’ by Publisher’s Weekly. “She Doesn't Want the Worms - Ella no quiere los gusanos” was named in the top 10 ‘Best Books’ of 2011 by ForeWord Reviews magazine and was featured in School Library Journal.

This year alone, Beckstrand has released 17 new products. “Some are bilingual; many are hard cover editions of previous titles,” he said. “I’m especially pleased with the audiobook release of my western novel.”

So how does he get noticed? “I’ve considered bribery,” joked Beckstrand, “but I have some standards.” Really, it’s persistence. After ensuring he had quality products, Beckstrand hounded the major book distributors used by New York publishers — and won signed contracts with large global wholesalers.

Now Beckstrand’s bilingual picture books/e-books with pronunciation guide (consistent best sellers) can be found in India, Australia and Germany. His work is even found on Walmart’s and Target’s web sites. Beckstrand’s publishing company, PremioBooks.com, has also donated hundreds of books to needy kids around the world.

“It’s always work,” said Beckstrand. “Kid’s books are in perhaps the most competitive genre. You always have to find fun ways to stand out — and your target audience is always aging out — so you constantly have to publicize to new readers.” His books have twists and online secrets found at https://premiobooks.com.

Inclusion is actually critical to success. Beckstrand’s diverse children’s books feature black, white, Hispanic, American Indian, Islander and Asian characters. “I grew up in a cosmopolitan part of the country,” said Beckstrand — who speaks Spanish and is learning German. My books simply reflect the world as I know it.” For more details on multicultural books, see https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/23/health/diversity-in-childrens-books/index.html.

“Really, my target audience includes teachers, librarians and parents,” said Beckstrand. “But getting your work in front of those eyes is a never-ending chore.”

It is time well spent. “It’s always a thrill when a library system or school district includes your books,” said Beckstrand. Amazon sales don’t hurt either. Hear the audiobook at https://www.amazon.com/Swallow-Earth-Western-Thriller/dp/B07VGP9DC6.

As a kid, Beckstrand wanted to be a rock star — not a publisher. Before publishing he worked in human resources, hospitality and public policy. His first publisher died the day his book was to print. Even after getting a master’s degree in international relations, Beckstrand feels his most valuable education has come from running a business and living abroad. “I did get to sing professionally — in a wedding band,” he said. So his bucket list is mostly complete.

Premio Publishing & Gozo Books has been delighting readers since 2004. Our award-winning multicultural YA fiction, e-book mysteries, nonfiction/biographies, Spanish language & bilingual picture books (with ESL/ELL pronunciation guide), short stories, wordless books, Up-lit, and activity STEM books (astronomy, zoology, ecology) feature diverse characters in vivid color. Nationally lauded (Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, ForeWord Reviews, Horn Book blog, School Library Journal), our humorous, educational children’s books capture attention and create repeat readers. While not about racial diversity, these stories have contributors of various ethnicities and feature black, white, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indian, and mixed-race characters—with family values like courage, sharing, and loyalty. Find our family friendly/clean books via: Amazon/Kindle, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Biblioboard, Brodart, Brigham Distributing, ChildrensPlusInc, EBSCO, Flipkart, Follett, Gardners, iBooks, Ingram, Inktera, Kobo, Library Direct, Mackin, OverDrive, Permabound, SCRIBD, txtr, Target.com, Walmart, and Premiobooks.com (FREE online books); a gift of laughter, learning & family fun for ages two and up. https://www.facebook.com/PremioBooks, https://Premiobooks.com

Media professor Karl Beckstrand is the bestselling and award-winning author/illustrator of 22 multicultural/multilingual books and more than 60 ebook titles (reviews by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal, The Horn Book’s blog, ForeWord Reviews). Raised in San Jose, CA (he knows the secret to peeling avocados), he has a B.A. in journalism from BYU, an M.A. in international relations from APU, and a broadcast/film certificate from Film A. Academy. Since 2004 he has run Premio Publishing. His survival western, To Swallow the Earth, won a 2016 International Book Award. Beckstrand has presented to Taiwan’s Global Leadership for Youth, city and state governments, festivals, and schools. His nationally lauded Y.A. stories, ebook mysteries, nonfiction, Spanish/bilingual/ESL, wordless, career, and STEM books feature ethnically diverse characters—and usually end with a twist. His work has appeared in: Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Deseret Book, Follett, iBooks, Ingram, Papercrafts Magazine, Target.com, The U.S. Congressional Record, Walmart.com, FB, Twitter, https://KarlBeckstrand.com, https://PremioBooks.com

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW, Speaking & Consultation. Se habla Español
Los libros de Premio Publishing & Gozo han deleitado familias y educadores desde 2004. Nuestros libros de actividades multiculturales (incluso libros en español y bilingües con guía de pronunciación, libros de ingenio ilustrados, libros electrónicos, y libros de cocina para niños) poseen diversos personajes en colores divertidos y vívidamente atrapantes. Nacionalmente elogiado por ForeWord Reviews, el blog Horn Book, School Library Journal y Barnes & Noble) nuestras historias educativas captan la atención y crean lectores recurrentes.

Contact:
Hysen Sisco
Premio Publishing & Gozo Books
648 W. Wasatch St.,
Midvale, UT 84047 USA
801-953-3793
[email protected]
https://www.PremioBooks.com