Bored with school and humdrum days

Zeph dreams of all the faraways

Are Yétis real? Could they exist?

Now here’s a question Zeph can’t resist

Grabbing his gear and broadly brimmed hat

No passport or plans, just map and a cat

With perils a plenty, Zeph better beware

So come for the journey, read on if you dare!!!

I would like to publish a children book in verse, illustrated by me.

The story opens with Zeph, a boy who bides his time dreaming of heroic adventures that will take him far away from his dull existence as an average schoolboy.  Soon the ambitious goal of finding the Yeti - the abominable snowman inhabiting the Himalaya- occurs to him and he wastes no time for unnecessary things such as planning or consulting his parents, as he enthusiastically embarks upon his audacious quest.  Zeph's daring and often hilarious adventures take him over high waves, green jungles and snowy mountain tops, where he often finds himself in deep trouble.  But will Zeph find out the true nature of this terrible other?

Forty South Publishing has agreed to publish 'Zeph and the Yeti' under their imprint.

Their editor completed an assessment of the book.  His comments were:

'Kim Ladiges’ “Zeph and the Yeti” has enormous potential. The rhyme and meter are excellent, the story is exciting and the text as a whole is compelling. The writing is tight and consistent, and occasionally lights up with literary sparkle. The illustrations appear an ideal accompaniment, making this a very publishable work. When one adds the writer’s background, and the extra promotional possibilities that represents, I think Kim has created a winner. “Zeph and the Yeti” is a high-quality book with considerable commercial potential. It has international market possibility. We would be delighted to publish it under the Forty South imprint.'

Forty South Publishing

Magazine + Book production

Date: 14 November 2018

Attention: Kim Ladiges

Production quote: Zeph & the Yeti

Quantity: 1000 | Extent: 48pp + cover | Size: 250mm (h) x 210mm (w) | Print: Full colour

Cover: Hardback |Binding: Section sewn |Print in Taiwan

Copies 1000

Design/Prepress $850.00

Cover $420.00

Project management fees $805.30

Printing/printer's proofs $4400.00

Freight/Insurance: printer to Hobart $1389.00

ISBN/Barcode $50.00

TOTAL (incl. GST) $7,914.30

Unit Cost $7.91

The book was started in 2011.  I have spent more than 250 hours on this book plus $500 on materials.