Harry Wong Interview

Harry Wong's book reaches sales record (EduQuery, August 7, 1999)

The book is called The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher, and it is approaching the one million sales mark. Recently, EduQuery caught up with author Harry Wong by e-mail and conducted an electronic interview.

EQ: Could you give us some background on how you and Rosemary came to write The First Days of School?

Harry Wong: I have been on the lecture circuit for well over 20 years and in the process accumulated volumes of materials, stories, and classroom strategies based on my own teaching experience and the items shared with me by people in the audience. During that same time I authored a rather successful science textbook series for Prentice-Hall specializing in science for the at-risk students, where I learned the process of publishing. Because of the constant requests by people who came to hear me for my message, first on tape and then in print, Rosemary and I decided to publish our own book. This meant an original expenditure of $80,000 but we were willing to take the risk and so we started like so many Silicon Valley start-ups in the garage. It really went from storing books in a spare shower stall, to the garage, to a friend's warehouse, and then to a rented office. Rosemary ran the publishing company, and still does, while I remained on the lecture circuit.

Why did we publish our own book rather than give it to a publisher is a common question. Ignoring the question of an initial financial start-up, we wanted to publish our own book because we wanted to bring dignity to the profession in the materials that teachers use. Right from the start we contracted for a high quality graphic design, high quality imported paper (it's from Germany), high quality ink (it's from France or Japan), and now we have the book printed by two printers, one who does almost nothing but print coffee table art books for international museum stores and the other who prints security documents for governments. Because so many people were keeping and using the book over and over, we had the spine of the book thread sewn to keep the papers intact. We wanted to give the teachers the best quality they deserved. It's a delight to watch teachers run their hands over the paper, like feeling fine fabric, and smile at the user-friendly design and massive use of illustrations.

EQ: Are you still on the lecture circuit? What have you been up to lately? Are other books in the works?

Harry Wong: I am still on the circuit and am probably the most sought-after speaker in education, according to my two booking agencies, and will be leaving this week for Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia. We have several books in the mill and will announce them when the time is appropriate.

EQ: Currently your book ranks 45th on Amazon.com. When you wrote The First Days, book selling on the Internet was nonexistent. Has your online success surprised you?

Harry Wong: Our internet success continues to amaze us. Amazon.com is now buying books directly from us rather than going through their wholesaler, as does Barnes and Noble. Two days ago it hit 36 on Amazon.com (it's 44 this morning). I've just accessed Amazon.com's Paperback Nonfiction Bestseller list and it is #20 this week - and that's competing against all books.

What's even more amazing is that if you will access Ingram.com, and Ingram is the largest book wholesaler in the world, and click on to "The Big Kahoona," under education the book, The First Days of School, is typically #1 year after year, but click on to their Trade Paper Book list and we are #6 this week - again competing against all books. And this is done with no advertising, book signings, going on Ophra, and special promotions. Why does the book sell? It works.

EQ: Anything else you'd like to share with our audience?

Harry Wong: Rosemary and I want to thank the many, many people who write to us and share their successes with us. We are very grateful we have been able to help, especially the many brand new teachers entering the profession.

EduQuery
		Harry Wong's book reaches sales record (EduQuery, August 7, 1999) The book is called The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher, and it is approaching the one million sales mark. Recently, EduQuery caught up with author Harry Wong by e-mail and conducted an electronic interview. EQ: Could you give us some background on how you and Rosemary came to write The First Days of School? Harry Wong: I have been on the lecture circuit for well over 20 years and in the process accumulated volumes of materials, stories, and classroom strategies based on my own teaching experience and the items shared with me by people in the audience. During that same time I authored a rather successful science textbook series for Prentice-Hall specializing in science for the at-risk students, where I learned the process of publishing. Because of the constant requests by people who came to hear me for my message, first on tape and then in print, Rosemary and I decided to publish our own book. This meant an original expenditure of $80,000 but we were willing to take the risk and so we started like so many Silicon Valley start-ups in the garage. It really went from storing books in a spare shower stall, to the garage, to a friend's warehouse, and then to a rented office. Rosemary ran the publishing company, and still does, while I remained on the lecture circuit. Why did we publish our own book rather than give it to a publisher is a common question. Ignoring the question of an initial financial start-up, we wanted to publish our own book because we wanted to bring dignity to the profession in the materials that teachers use. Right from the start we contracted for a high quality graphic design, high quality imported paper (it's from Germany), high quality ink (it's from France or Japan), and now we have the book printed by two printers, one who does almost nothing but print coffee table art books for international museum stores and the other who prints security documents for governments. Because so many people were keeping and using the book over and over, we had the spine of the book thread sewn to keep the papers intact. We wanted to give the teachers the best quality they deserved. It's a delight to watch teachers run their hands over the paper, like feeling fine fabric, and smile at the user-friendly design and massive use of illustrations. EQ: Are you still on the lecture circuit? What have you been up to lately? Are other books in the works? Harry Wong: I am still on the circuit and am probably the most sought-after speaker in education, according to my two booking agencies, and will be leaving this week for Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia. We have several books in the mill and will announce them when the time is appropriate. EQ: Currently your book ranks 45th on Amazon.com. When you wrote The First Days, book selling on the Internet was nonexistent. Has your online success surprised you? Harry Wong: Our internet success continues to amaze us. Amazon.com is now buying books directly from us rather than going through their wholesaler, as does Barnes and Noble. Two days ago it hit 36 on Amazon.com (it's 44 this morning). I've just accessed Amazon.com's Paperback Nonfiction Bestseller list and it is #20 this week - and that's competing against all books. What's even more amazing is that if you will access Ingram.com, and Ingram is the largest book wholesaler in the world, and click on to "The Big Kahoona," under education the book, The First Days of School, is typically #1 year after year, but click on to their Trade Paper Book list and we are #6 this week - again competing against all books. And this is done with no advertising, book signings, going on Ophra, and special promotions. Why does the book sell? It works. EQ: Anything else you'd like to share with our audience? Harry Wong: Rosemary and I want to thank the many, many people who write to us and share their successes with us. We are very grateful we have been able to help, especially the many brand new teachers entering the profession. [ Home ]