Self Published Author Stephen Holmes Lands Airline Deal

Xlibris Publishing shares some recent news about a self-published author who has a landed a deal with an airline for 2,000 copies of his book.

Stephen Holmes, a father working in data management, self-published a children’s book called The Great Hot Air Balloon Adventure. The book originated as a story he would tell his children. But as his daughters grew older, they requested he put the old bedtime story into writing. And so a tale of two children adventuring on a magical balloon ride was self-published. Originally Stephen Holmes ordered a print run of only a 1,000 books, with the expectation that after friends and family bought copies, he would sell the rest at local fairs.

After half the printed order had been sold, Mr. Holmes decided to take a shot in the dark and send a copy to Virgin Atlantic. The airline loved it and ordered 2,000 copies. The airline plans to give away copies of the book to children and their families traveling on night flights.

The story itself follows Tom and Jessica (as named by Holmes’ daughters) as they are taken on a magical balloon ride by a “very well spoken” rabbit. The two children enjoy hot chocolate, bouncing on clouds, and meeting an amicable owl who brings the children home.

A Virgin Atlantic employee, Matt Webster, said they were instantly charmed by the book. In addition he said they found the book endearing and realized it would be a hit. Should this initiative prove popular, then Holmes will see larger requests for orders to be distributed throughout the larger airline fleet.

In response to his current success and the possibility for more, Stephen Holmes shared his plans. His original plan of making some extra money for his daughters has not changed, merely expanded. Holmes also now plans on making donations to the Make A Wish foundation, for every copy sold. Ultimately he hopes for the book to continue on as a legacy for his daughters.

To learn more, click here for the original Guardian article.

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