AMA with Author Diana Urban: Spring 2025

Diving into printing swag, advice for folks trying to break into publishing, why kidlit sales are down, what changed in Under the Surface edits, and what happens to Julien!

Welcome to this AMA, and thanks to everyone who sent in these fantastic questions! For those who are new, I run periodic AMAs in which paid subscribers can ask me anything about my books, publishing journey, writing process, what I’m watching/reading/playing, or whatever you’re curious about. I’ll choose 1-2 questions to answer publicly, and the rest will be exclusive to paid subscribers, who will also be able to ask a question for the next AMA.

Here’s a summary of the questions we’ll cover today!

1. Who do you recommend for making bookmarks and book plates?

2. You took your book about Paris to Paris???

3. If you were trying to break into publishing today, what genre would you choose based on sales and market saturation?

4. Why do you think kidlit sales are down?

5. What did you change or cut from early versions of Under the Surface? *spoilers*

6. What happens to Julien at the end of Under the Surface? *HUGE spoilers*

The last four are ESSAYS that could have been their own posts lmao but let’s dive in!

(Quick note: I scheduled this to send on Tuesday, June 10 while traveling and mostly offline, so if you have any questions or comments, I’ll reply when I return.)

1. Who do you recommend for making bookmarks and bookplates? I’m launching my book in September and having a hard time finding someone.

Congrats on your upcoming launch! So far I’ve designed all my own bookmarks and book plates using Photoshop—I have graphic design experience from my past jobs in marketing. I either use artwork from my covers my publisher provided to me or character art I’ve commissioned (Lying in the Deep: Chinthaka Pradeep; These Deadly Games: Mars Lauderbaugh).

For printing, I use GotPrint. Lately I’ve been obsessed with their 18 pt. Premium Pearl paper option, which gives the bookmarks a sparkly sheen. Full transparency, the quality is a mixed bag, and I’ve had issues with customer support—they don’t always take accountability for printing errors on their end. One rep in particular was pretty rude. But they have the best pricing I’ve been able to find, and since I self-fund all my own printing, I’ve dealt with it.

2. You were in freakin’ Paris? With your freakin’ book? Wait, were there croissants?

Yes, yes, and yes! Sadly, I didn’t think to take a photo of my book WITH a croissant, but here’s me in freakin’ Paris with my freakin’ book about freakin’ Paris.

And, separately, here’s a pain au chocolat I had on the steps of Basilique du Sacré-Cœur during my 2019 research trip.