Publisher Profile: Free Spirit Publishing

What interested you in ReadHowYouWant?

First, I thought the whole concept was extremely innovative. Why wouldn’t we want to meet readers’ needs by offering our books in a variety of format options? I was very excited to partner with RHYW because it wasn’t realistic for Free Spirit to offer these formats on our own, and working with RHYW was the classic win/win/win. The most important “win,” from our perspective, being that young people and those who care about them can benefit from our resources in spite of having unique reading challenges.

How long has Free Spirit Publishing been around, and what types of books do you publish?

I founded Free Spirit Publishing in 1983, and we specialize in learning tools that support young people’s social and emotional health. We cover age ranges from toddlers through teens, and we also produce resources for educators, youth workers, and parents.

To what do you attribute the success of your title Fighting Invisible Tigers, which has sold over 200,000 copies?

Fighting Invisible Tigers: Stress Management for Teens, is in its third edition. The genesis of this title occurred when I was teaching part-time and was also in graduate school studying guidance and counseling. I’d invited Earl Hipp, who specialized in life skills development, to do a workshop with students on stress management. The kids responded so positively that one of the first authors I sought out in Free Spirit’s early years was Earl. Stress is an ever-present concern, so the topic has remained timely. Beyond that, a hallmark of what we do here is create relevant, real-life content for young people. We design our books in ways that are visually appealing, encouraging, and helpful. All of these factors have contributed to the longevity of Fighting Invisible Tigers.

How do you think teachers and parents of visually-impaired children will benefit from the availability of your titles in accessible formats?

Children and teens with visual impairments have the same social and emotional needs that all kids do.  They experience conflicts, stress, and other challenges at school, at home, and with peers. And like all kids, they benefit from encouragement, sound information, and solid advice on the best ways to navigate their lives and make good decisions. Teachers and parents benefit from knowing of our resources and getting them into the hands of young people who need them the most. In addition, many adults tell us that by reading our resources for young people they better understand where kids are coming from. When you’re able to meet kids where they are, rather than where you wish they’d be, you’re in a better position to teach and parent effectively and with empathy.

What do you think is one of the largest challenges facing young readers today? And how are Free Spirit's titles helping to ease it?

I think one of the biggest challenges is, paradoxically, one of the greatest opportunities. Kids today have many things competing for their time, including all the technological devices they use. If we want kids to spend time with books, the books need to be of high interest, contemporary, and addressing their needs—including needs for quick and accessible information.
   At Free Spirit, one of the ways we address this is to create titles that don’t necessarily have to be read front to back. In many of our books you can open to any page and find something of interest. It might be a graphic, a sidebar, or a quote from a kid that readers can relate to. We’re also looking to increase the number of alternative format offerings we have through partners, including RHYW. That way kids can get the information they need in formats that work for them.

What major trends do you see upcoming in regards to publishing books for children, teens, and all others in between?

I think we’ll continue to see more and more content offered in multiple platforms to accommodate readers’ strengths and preferences. Another trend that relates to the challenging economy we’re in is that publishers will be more selective than ever in deciding what they’ll produce. This, I hope, will result in higher-quality offerings. Currently there’s just too much out there that isn’t very good. And there’s nothing more discouraging to a reader of any age than to get a book that sorely disappoints because of poor writing or meager content.

Are there one or two titles that you are particularly excited to see in accessible formats from ReadHowYouWant?

I’m looking forward to two in particular. Speak Up and Get Along! by Scott Cooper is a terrific title for kids ages 8–12 that offers 21 strategies kids can use to express themselves, build relationships, halt bullying, and beat unhappy feelings. For readers who have special challenges learning and reading, and who may be teased about being different, this is a fun and effective resource. Another title, When Nothing Matters Anymore (now in its second edition), has become a book teens turn to and educators and counselors trust. For teens who feel sad, alone, or hopeless, author Bev Cobain, R.N.,C., offers a light in the darkness.