The BookBind: Here’s What to Expect (and a PTA Insight You Need to Know)

Bridging the gap between schools, PTAs, and publishing—with strategies I’ve used and seen firsthand.

Hi there,

I’m so excited to welcome you to The BookBind! This is where publishing, schools, and family engagement meet—a space for authors, educators, publishers, and literacy advocates who care about getting the right books into the right hands.

What You’ll Get as a Subscriber

✅ FREE SUBSCRIBERS get:

• All written articles—insights, strategies, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns on how I’ve seen books move through schools, PTAs, and families.

• Access to my core findings and reflections—what I’m learning from the field.

• Invitations to occasional community discussions.

🚀 PAID SUBSCRIBERS get:

• Deeper access—occasional behind-the-scenes notes, reports, or industry takeaways.

• The ability to join the conversation—comments, Q&A, and select discussion spaces.

• Discounts on sponsorship opportunities and select offerings through my work with families at Reading To Connect.

I’m keeping this simple. I want The BookBind to be useful, not overwhelming. I won’t fill your inbox with fluff—just what matters.

Why I Created The BookBind

I’ve worked at the intersection of publishing, schools, and family engagement for years—not just as an observer, but as someone who has been inside the rooms where decisions get made. I’ve served on the PTA, worked with librarians and school leaders to bring authors into classrooms, built community literacy initiatives, partnered with publishers, and helped books find their way into both homes and schools.

And through it all, one thing became clear:

Authors, educators, and parents aren’t always having the right conversations—the ones that actually lead to action.

• Schools want authors, but they don’t always know how to find, vet, or book them.

• Authors want their books in schools, but they often don’t understand how these decisions get made—or who is really making them.

• Parents know books are important, but they’re rarely given the tools to engage deeply or advocate effectively.

That’s why The BookBind exists—to bridge the gap and offer something new.

I’m sharing different ways to think about getting books into schools and homes—approaches that work beyond the traditional submission and review process. I’ve seen firsthand how books actually make their way into schools, and it’s not always through the channels people expect.

A Quick Insight—Why You Should Pay Attention to PTA Calendars

Most school programs are funded by PTAs, and many PTAs are looking for fresh ideas every year. But here’s the thing:

• Events often run on autopilot—same theme, same structure, year after year.

• Planning happens last-minute more often than you’d think.

• Schools may not even realize they need you—until you present the right fit.

💡 Here’s how I learned this firsthand:

Every year, our school runs a Superhero Science Night with the Perot Museum of Science and Nature, a big name here in Dallas. It’s a hands-on, experiment-heavy event.

But this year, everything changed. Our school expanded—we added Pre-K-3 and Pre-K-4. That meant planning needed to shift. How could we make an event designed for older kids feel just as engaging and accessible for the youngest members of our school community?

I found the answer in storytelling.

I brought in a storyteller who shared a series of superhero stories, exploring what being a superhero means across different cultures and perspectives. I scheduled a slot for her, announced it to parents, and emphasized that we were expanding the event this year to ensure every child and family felt included.

The takeaway? You never know what type of event you can find space in. And you never know where your expertise might be exactly what’s needed—if you’re paying attention.

So, find your local PTA calendar. Look for event themes. Even if a program doesn’t seem book-related at first, there may be a perfect way to integrate storytelling, literacy, or engagement. Schools need fresh ideas—they just don’t always know where to find them.

Coming Up Next

📌 In the next issue, I’ll break down what schools and PTAs actually look for when booking authors—and how you can position yourself effectively.

If you’re excited about this work, stay subscribed. If you want full access to discussions and deeper insights, upgrade to a paid subscription.

Excited to dig into this work with you.

All my best,
Quinn 📚💕

P.S. Here’s What’s Coming Soon…

I’ve been sitting on some topics for a long time, and now feels like the right time to bring them to the table. Some upcoming deep dives include:

• Why parents (and educators) hesitate to trust self-published books

• What self-published authors can do to stand out (a conversation many aren’t having)

• The hidden ways books are chosen from schools, libraries, and homes

I’d love to hear from you—what are you most interested in? Hit reply and let me know!