Why?

I have announced the release of my book, The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book and I'm sitting on pins and needles hoping that someone, somewhere gets some use out of the darned thing. This is the simple answer to why I wrote it. Let me explain further for those of you that don't understand what the book is about. I'll start with the ToC page...

Section One – Branding Yourself
Choosing an Identity
Creating a Logo (or having one created for you)
Color Scheme Dos and Don’ts
Consistency is Queen – Because Kings are controlled by Queens!

Section Two – Formatting Your Manuscript
Dos and Don’ts when Writing Your Book
Quick Tips for Better Legibility
Building Your Save System
Different Formats for Different Platforms

Section Three – Building a Digital Cover
Size IS Important!
Images
Font Choices – Why does it Matter?
Using Layers

Section Four – Final Checks
Uploading and Proofing

Section Five – Business Considerations
Choosing your distributor(s)
Places to Sell and Market Your Book

Section Six – If Your Book is a Print Version
Your Book’s Guts
Orphans and Widows
Pesky Page Numbers
Running Headers
Cover Considerations
Explaining Bleed and Safety
Conversion to CMYK for print
Math Involved

As you can see, I cover a lot of things in the book related to design and personal branding. Both of these considerations are important, so I give you tips and tricks to put into action that will help you along the way. I use all of my own advice and the print version of The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book is not telling you, but showing you how things look when properly formatted according to the guide.

I had a couple of indie authors look over the ToC and had The Best Boyfriend in the World look over the content (he's not an author and I thought that was best because I wanted someone totally unfamiliar with the whole process). What you see is the result.

I have my own personal brand and am working on a personal logo that I can display here on my blog and on every copyright page for every one of my books. Why? Because consistency is queen. I already use the same font and put my name in the same position on every book, but I need more.

I wrote the book because I saw with my own eyes how many indie authors were struggling with cover design and formatting their print and digital versions. I listened to complaints coming out of the mouths of designers who thought only to criticize the quality of print work emerging from indie authors but not bothering to do anything to help them besides venting on YouTube videos or on blogs.

My personal horn-tooting: I hold a degree in graphic design and graduated at the top of my class (Summa Cum Laude), something that is rarely done in that program. I tutored Graphic Design, English, and Calculus. I won the right to design the commencement cover at my school. The president loved it so much, he used it a second time this year. I got many kudos from my business professors for thinking outside the box and understanding the need for branding. I led creative thinking groups in my composition classes. I taught classes for a number of my professors throughout college when they were absent for one reason or another.

But I'm not so pompous as to put down those that know less than I do about things I went to school for.

I listened to those videos and got angry at the designers spouting their ideals about a utopian society where every indie author has gone to design school and produces a perfect product every time. What do they say? Pay me and I'll help you. But not peanuts or pocket change because they don't want to bother taking the time to put together a guide, they just want to yell at indies for not having $400+ dollars to pay them to do the work. That's part of what drove my price of $2.99.

$2.99 is something the mother who is struggling to write her book and raise her kids alone can afford. $2.99 is what we can find in the cushions of our couch. $2.99 is what the guy with the limited budget and the need for a quality product can afford. $2.99 also says I care about my work and value the information I'm selling to you.

For $2.99 we can change the way indie authors look to the world. We can give the big publishing houses less to criticize us over without breaking the bank or going into hock.

I'd be willing to bet those designers who talk about indie titles sucking eggs in a print version can't write a novel. Most of the designers in my classes could barely write a brief. It's easy to criticize others when you hold a skillset they don't. Just remember, they have skillsets of their own, just in different areas.

Instead of allowing your prejudices to take over and calling out people for not doing things the "proper" way, think of how you might be able to improve the lives of those people. By doing so, you may improve your own life as a bonus. I know the more indie authors that read and follow my book, the more beautiful print versions and beautiful covers I'll have to look at. I will no longer sit and stress wondering how I can help; because I did.

Here's a peek at the cover for my book, The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book

I don't want you to look like the poor lady on the cover there. It lessens productivity when you bang your head or sit slouched in a chair doing nothing but being stressed. Go get the book today and know that I built this book for you and me.

Here are the links:

Kindle version - free for prime users, $2.99 for everyone else. There will be NO free promotions for this one except over on Goodreads, where I'll giveaway two copies of the printed version to two lucky winners.
Paperback version - $6.99. Again, NO free promotions except on Goodreads. Check back here for the link that will appear in the sidebar sometime this week.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Frustrations - Solved

One of my biggest headaches as a writer is the bulk of my laptop and the slim loveliness of my iPad and iPhone. When I'm at my desk at home, I prefer to write on my laptop. When I'm on the go, I prefer my iPhone. When I'm traveling, I prefer my iPad.

This creates a huge problem for me: synchronization. I write something on my laptop only to have to e-mail it to myself in a document that I can only read on my other devices. Or, I write something on my iPad and have to copy/paste it and send it as an e-mail to be opened on my laptop. As you can imagine, this hinders my workflow and slows me down. Even if I had a document reader on my other devices that was harmonious, I'd still have to either e-mail or sync whatever I'm working on.

If you haven't heard of Evernote, I'm about to blow your mind. This application is FREE and will absolutely change the way you write and take notes forever. It works on almost every device known.

But what does it do, Jo?

That's the sweetest part of all! Evernote allows you to capture photos, take notes, write, outline, or do anything related to writing. Then, it allows you to access and update your document from ANY of the devices you have it installed on. You can even keyword your notes so you can find them with a simple search! Do you have six WIPs? Keyword them with the name and pull up all related notes with a snap. As a bonus, they give you a specialized e-mail address so you can send things to yourself from other computers or devices and have them stored instantly on your Evernote! HOLY MOLY, BATMAN!

I am blown away. I've been looking for an app just like Evernote since I started college. Now that I'm writing full-time, it gives me unlimited ability to work whenever, wherever. What are you waiting for? Go get one!

I have another little tidbit that I'm going to throw in here: I published my book The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book over the weekend and I'm selling it on Amazon for just $2.99. If you read my blog, you'll know that I hold a degree in Graphic Design. Section Six of the book walks you through making your printed book look like it was done by a professional. All previous sections discuss things like branding yourself, getting a logo, and how to use color.

No more head-banging or tearing out your hair! Talk about a post full of things to make your life as a writer easier. I know, I am too kind *grin*

I'm now going to give you a few examples of book covers I have designed using the suggestions and guidelines found in my book. Enjoy!

Please note that Crystal Lee's name appears in the same font and in the same place on both covers. Also note that only two fonts were used on each cover.
Canopy is currently available in digital and paperback formats. Crystal's book on Organic Gardening will be available soon.

Ms. Chelsea Black's book also uses only two fonts and the colors are harmonious and beautiful. If you'd like to delve into her book, you can purchase it digitally.

All of these design lessons and more can be learned in my book. I give you a ton of references and a ton of information in under 15k words.

Don't forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway for your chance at a copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two. Two signed copies are available!!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

The F-Word

Today's post is brought to you by the letter F. F is one of those letters that dwells at the beginning of some of the most vulgar and some of the nicest words. Let's take a tour of F-words, shall we?

Fun. We all love to have fun. Fields of flowers are brought to mind when I think of having fun. Frolicking through them, flying through on a four-wheeler, and feeling perfectly at ease are all resons behind me loving that particular setting.

Did you see what I did there? Moving on...

Fancy. When we put on our fabulous frocks, we feel fancy (and look fantastic, too). I'm reminded of friends and foes gathered together at feasts I attended. Furthermore, I'm reminded of fur wraps and fedoras when I think of the word fancy.

Flippant. Freaking full of themselves is what flippant people are. Fiery flashes of force are flung from their mouths before they realize they are fighting futilely.

Friendly. Of all the F-words, I like friendly the most. When we're feeling forlorn, we can strike up a feud with a well known friend and engage in fulfilling conversation. Our friends don't fight back, they fill our hearts with banter that leaves us feeling empowered and understanding that our future is in good hands.

Okay, that was a lot of F-words. But you can see just how wide the range is. I left off one four letter F-word because you all know it and the extent of its vulgarity. No need to hash it out here (though that might be interesting one day). I hope you all begin to take note of F-words and realize that not all of them are dreaded.

Another little note for all you fiends out there. Oh my... I can't stop, can I?

The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two is FREE at Amazon tomorrow and Sunday. If you want a good read for the weekend, go get a copy. If you haven't read book one, there are a couple of ways to get one of those as well: Buy one at Amazon (just $1.99!) or purchase Yassa at Smashwords (there's a code in the back for a free copy!).

I'm also launching the giveaway on Goodreads on Monday. Come back here for the linky!

Now, I'd like to hear from all of you! What's your favorite F-word? Remember the rules of my blog now and keep it clean and friendly!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

The Indie Author's Guide

Yesterday I wrote almost five thousand words. Drivel, unimaginative, lonely words. Why? Because I'm writing a non-fiction book. It's title is: The Indie Author's Guide to Building a Great E-Book.

Why am I writing this book? Because I've realized there's a huge need for it. Can you find a lot of the information online and in textbooks? Possibly. But I give you links for that. Consider it a book that brings all you need to create a dynamite e-book together in one place.

So, why would someone buy this book? Because of section six. I am a graphic designer and if you want to know how to create a print version of your book, I walk you through step by step. I also teach you how to avoid common pitfalls in the publishing process.

Okay, but I have no desire to create a printed version of my book, Jo! Maybe not today, but possibly tomorrow. I give you advice on how to build your book cover today so you won't be sorry tomorrow.

I give you some great marketing and branding ideas, and a collection of useful links with a number of reviews on each publishing platform. You've seen a taste of what kind of information you'll get in the book here on my blog. If you missed those posts, click here, here, here, or here to pay them a visit.

It's going to take me a few weeks to finish the book but it will be a wealth of information for any indie author. Even the most inexperienced of people will be able to build a fantastic e-book by following along with me.

Keep your eyes here for news on release dates and those great Abigale giveaways!

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Fetters for the Fourth

Today, I am chained to my desk. Tonight, I am chained to my desk. I will prepare my non-fiction book for publication and write one volume of the Mystic series by the end of this month. My fetters grow ever heavier.

Some people take the 4th of July off, but a writer's work is never done. Some days I wish my book sales would pick up and give me a reason to keep writing. But then I remember, I don't write to make money (that would be an exercise in futility). I write because I have stories to tell and I want people to read them.

When someone says my book had a strong impact on them, I have been paid. I'm the richest person in the world when I make someone else smile or stop and think. That is why I write and it keeps me going every day. Well, that and The Best Boyfriend in the World.

I'm honestly the luckiest person on the planet. I have him, five great kids, a great mom, a wonderful little dog, and my virtual besties. I'm able to do what I love every day. I couldn't ask for more.

But I do sometimes. I admit it. I wish I could think my books into existence, I wish I didn't wear my heart on my sleeve, and I wish for peace in my soul. But, I think if any of those things truly changed, I would not be able to write. I type and think about what happens next, feel very deeply everything that is said to me, and have chaos in my soul (making me a tortured artist). Escape in my words is all that keeps me sane.

You writers know how I feel.

Happy 4th of July, everyone.

Don't forget to watch my blog for the announcement of the first couple of FREE days for The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two. I won't post it anywhere else. Let's see how many of you are excited about it.

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Published and an Award!

As you all are aware, The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two published today. WOOHOO!

I will give you all a synopsis meow :)

Twelve-year-old Abigale Fontenot is struggling to figure out whether her adventures are real or imagined. After an adventure with Amazonion women in book one, Abigale and Emmett have formed a bond through mutual trust and secrets, but Kristy has turned against Abigale because of it. Now, Abigale again finds herself in a precarious situation with a city full of talking cats. Emmett is once more by her side as she faces down a vicious cat queen in an attempt to avoid certain death and restore the leadership of the city to its rightful owner. Will they succeed, or will they be roasted alive? What will happen when Kristy overhears the discussions about the adventures with Ada?

You can purchase the digital copy here:

Amazon.com

Exciting news: My book will be available for free on select days. You must visit my blog daily to find out when the free promotion begins and ends. It won't be posted anywhere else.

Yes, that's an evil laugh you hear.

Don't forget to watch my blog for the Goodreads giveaway badge you all know is coming. I may do three signed copies this time. You gotta enter to win!

I have had a lengthy discussion with my daughter about book three. I have written this synopsis based on the idea. I hope you enjoy it.

The Abigale Chronicles - Book Three

Abigale Fontenot is turning thirteen. Just when she thinks her birthday couldn't possibly get any worse, a new adventure takes hold. Abigale and Emmett are whisked away to a world of fantasy where knights, dragons, and princesses are the order of the day. Abigale is kidnapped by an evil prince in a nearby kingdom, and it's up to Emmett to rescue her. But Abigale finds that escape is not the most important thing; restoring the evil prince's kindness that has been locked away in a magical book by a wicked sorceress must come first. While Emmett is trying to rescue Abigale, she is trying to free the prince from his curse. Will she succeed in her quest before the evil prince kills Emmett, or will she fail and lose her new best friend? Will death matter if the whole thing is a dream, or are the adventures real and truly dangerous?

Now for the award!

Ms. Moonduster over at Imagine! Create! Write! gave me the one lovely blog award.

So, a huge shout out of THANKS to her! The rules of the nomination are thus:
I have to tell you seven things about myself and I have to nominate six to ten other bloggers to receive the award and then let them know they got it.

Here goes:

1. I have five children.
2. I read 300+ books in my third grade year alone.
3. I know fairy tales that no one has ever heard of.
4. I'm 5'7" tall.
5. I took 5 years to get a 2 year degree because I wanted to study everything.
6. I have a nearly photographic memory.
7. I have strict philosophies on life and living that I plan to introduce to my blog at some point.

Now you know: I'm a serious book nerd who remembers everything she has ever read.

And the award is passed on to:

Judith Cassis

Laura Orsini (a.k.a. Marcie Brock)

Lisa Cherry

Liberty Montano

Tia Bach

Merlene Fawdry

Rachel Thomas

And that's all of em!! Ladies, feel free to use that beautiful badge up top and do eet!!

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Interview with Crystal Lee Author of Canopy

Today, I bring you author Crystal Lee; the lady behind Canopy.

Author of historical fiction, romance, and her science fiction series, Canopy. Also working on some non-fiction works on organic gardening in Arizona and an informative book on breastfeeding after breast cancer. All coming soon...

1.) Tell us a little about yourself. How did you start writing? 

I grew up with a dad that wrote screenplays constantly on an old clunky typewriter. I never, ever wanted to be a writer even though I was pretty good at it. But about 2 years ago I was struggling with some personal problems I couldn’t talk to a lot of people about, and I found writing cathartic. It started out as Twilight Fan Fiction, and after I entered The Writer’s Coffee Shop original romance contest in September of 2011 and won with what is now my 2^nd story in my Canopy series, I started taking my writing seriously. It was time to publish…

2.) Do you have any other interests? 

Yes, a ton. I am an avid organic gardener and in Phoenix, Arizona that’s kind of unique since our climate is soooo hostile. I teach classes on organic gardening locally at Honeyville Farms. I’m publishing my first book on organic gardening basics next month and plan to write 2 more on the same subject geared toward our short seasons. I’m also a registered International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and have been a La Leche League leader for over a decade. I plan to write on the subject of breastfeeding after breast cancer down the road as well. I also used to be a Bradley natural childbirth instructor (also for almost a decade) and plan to write about unassisted birthing at home. A lot of my passions bleed over into my writing whether I want them to or not. They’re ingrained in me. I love helping mothers succeed with having the kind of labor, birth, and breastfeeding experience they want to have.

I also love to read and cook. Although since I started writing we’ve been having much less preparation-wise time consuming meals on the table. :D

3.) On your blog, you have a post about your Christianity. Does your religion have any bearing on your writing? 

Yes, it does. It’s not done on purpose. I actually try to keep religion out of my writing along with my convictions on childbirthing and breastfeeding but they just won’t stay out of every story. Some of them it’s easier than others, but it happens. It’s part of my passion once again, finds its way in there. I never intended Canopy to involve religion at all, but it took root and wouldn’t let up. As writers, we write about what we know. Only I like to tweak what I know and ask thought provoking questions and then present an entirely unique perspective on an answer or possibly on another question (sometimes it gets me in trouble). I, however, do not share what my religion is because I don’t think it has any bearing. I want my work to speak to anybody that reads it regardless of religious beliefs or even with an atheistic view point. I respect all opinions on religion. That’s one of the things I love about science fiction—it breaches those gaps and speaks to people on a basic level.

4.) Your Canopy books are romance novels that are based in science fiction. Do you have worries that some people will be put off by the sci-fi aspect? 

No, not really because the science fiction is in the background, the white noise behind the plot. It has an impact on the characters and the plot, but it’s not the main focus. I was writing a romance story and thought of the science fiction as the backdrop or setting. They could have been on a boat about to be devoured by a massive shark, and I still would have been writing a romance, not an action/adventure or science fiction story. But I classify it as science fiction because there are times that romances get a bad rap and get thrown in with harlequins. I have no problem with harlequin romance, but that’s not what I write. I like to think of it like the Oscars where the comedies get snubbed and aren’t taken seriously. I want this story to be taken seriously, so I put it under the category of science fiction instead of romance. I think it also gives it a little more definition so people know what to expect.

5.) I have to ask! Where did the idea of inhaling BUGS come from?

 Ha! I have a warped mind, and I’m always asking ‘what if’ questions. In the summers here in Phoenix it’s very hot (a lot of days at 110° or higher) and when it’s that blazing bake-your-skin-off hot, the only bugs besides wasps you see are usually clouds of white gnats floating along in your backyard. I remember one day looking out my back window and thinking, “if I walked right into them out in the sunlight I wouldn’t see them and could possibly breathe them in.” It grossed me out, but it also intrigued me to think about what could happen if they survived that. Would they latch onto my lungs for survival? And if they did, what would happen to me? Would I change? And the process went on and on and on and on. Then it turned into the vision of a mother dying in a hospital room and releasing those gnats into the air. Would the daughter breathe them in for her mother if she had rejected inhaling them all along based on her own principals? Would she do it to win her mother’s respect or love if that’s what all of society was doing and her mother wanted her to? The ending of book 2 was born. And I was a little more twisted than before. That was 19 years ago, and it hasn’t stopped. :P

6.) What have been the biggest challenges you've faced thus far in your writing career? 

Family opposing me. I showed one of my family members the first chapter to book 4 (the steamiest of all my books in that series) and they were appalled at what I wrote. We exchanged some heated emails and finally I gave up with them, realizing they were never going to like what I write so I stopped worrying about it.

Other issues have been gaining weight from writing so much and being too stationary. I’m normally a fairly active person but I get obsessive with my writing and have trouble stopping at times. I also struggle with having a messy house. I’m a fairly neat person.

The biggest issue though is worrying about possible backlash from the people I associate with the most that have no idea how I really think. They will be surprised at how passionate and steamy my stuff is. The people that know me best have always known I’m a very intense individual but there are some that might reject me. I’m okay with it now, but for awhile it kept me from wanting to publish. I’ve been ostracized before merely because of my childbirthing, breastfeeding and parenting choices. I survived that and can survive this too.

7.) Do you have any advice for a new author who wants to go the indie route

  Do your homework like mad. Don’t rush in. I’ve seen people do that; they go ahead and publish and have no idea how to market it or how to get an audience. You can publish any time you are ready, so why not do it right from the start? Also, develop a thick skin. People are going to love your stuff, but there will also be those that either don’t get it or hate it with a passion. That’s okay. I always think to myself that I want a reaction and the stronger the better. It means I hit a nerve somewhere, and when a nerve is hit it can mean there is truth to what I’ve said. Some people don’t want to hear the truth, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop telling it or pushing. My goal as a writer is to have an impact on the reader’s emotions. If I did that, then I succeeded (and hopefully they will love it rather than come after me with pitch forks).

8.) Do you have any other books in the works? 

Oh, you’re gonna be sorry you asked that. Here’s what I’ve got and will be publishing for the next 3 years (most of these are halfway done):

• 2 gardening books (1 for summer and 1 for winter)
• Currently writing the 6^th book in the Canopy series (should be the final book)
• Breastfeeding after Breast Cancer
• Birth Your Way (this is a 6 week class I developed and taught myself. I’m turning it into a how-to manual)
• A romance series called Swim, Tadpole, Swim (with a much older woman and younger man)
• Scrapping Tin (a science fiction romance story involving robots and genetic manipulations)
• Slick as Ides (a science fiction romance)
• Shroag 50 (a time travel science fiction romance, may turn into a short series)
• Hart Coursing: a series on Henry VIII (already wrote the 1^st book and plan to write 2 more. Told entirely in POV and we get to see how he was actually a victim in a lot of what happened in his reign. I have a very unique perspective on him.)
• Time of Salt (a science fiction apocalypse story of hidden identities and cults)
• And right now I’ve been completely absorbed and obsessed with a very steamy series I’m writing for myself alone. I’ll never publish it because frankly, it’s too darn erotic and nobody I know would ever be able to read it. Call it my own little self indulgence. 

 You can find Canopy at all major e-book sellers today!

Summary:

As Earth’s pollution problems increase in the year 2042, Jash Lepitt has decisions to make. Does he take the responsible route, fusing by inhaling DOOGS: specialized alien species of gnats that will genetically enhance him? Or does he remain flawed; be discriminated against by a society rewarding fused people? Desperate to win over Lissy Darrish, he questions it because she’s a Danat—a purist opposed to changing the body. In addition to her convictions, she’s also falling in love with a Danat, Tryst Navar. Devoting his time to protecting her from Tryst is harder than it seems for Jash. Tryst witnessed a friend of his being attacked by aggressive DOOGS while on the job building houses in the treetops. What will happen when all three of them become involved in the secrecy of the canopy’s DOOGS? And will Lissy risk being with Jash when being intimate can possibly contaminate her? 

Don't forget, The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two releases tomorrow in print and for Kindle! If you haven't read book one, go get your copy today!

Well, that's it for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON! 


Jo