Self Publishing and Life

By Colin Dunbar

Writing and self publishing with a 9 to 5 job, and a family can be challenging, but it is possible. Sometimes, when life's priorities come your way, writing usually takes a back seat (or, more accurately, dealines). The thing to remember is not to give up. That's what happened with my posting to my self publishing diary. Although I missed my weekly scheduled posting, I am able to post now.

On the plus side, work on my books didn't slip by the way side. The past 2 weeks I was still able to work on my books, and the new web project my son and I are busy with.

On to what I did...

Writing and Reading

FBIW. The next post at formatbookinword.com went up on time.

Invest in Yourself. Apart from formatbookinword.com, this is where most of my time was spent. I was able to write a few hundred words on this book.

Web project. This is progressing well, and we have received the first WIP version of the application. Soon we'll be getting the first draft and my son and I will be able to start testing.

I didn't do anything on TCRW, but that wasn't a problem as this book is low on my priority list at present.

I made a start on a free report that will be available at formatbookinword.com, and I will post about it here as well.

As I said in my last post, I can now share the title of the book I'm presently reading: Training Your Brain for Dummies. If you're interested in learning the basics of how the brain functions, this is a good book. I'm not that far yet, but there are also exercises to help keep the brain alert, and to help improve memory.

I also had the privilege of reviewing this e-course: Pick up Your Memoir Again... And Finish it! If you're writing your memoir, but haven't worked on it in a while, this e-course may be just the thing you need to get going again, and actually finish it (the link for the e-course is below).

Cyber Surfing

Children Say The Best Things in Bookshops
http://jen-campbell.blogspot.com/2014/04/children-say-best-things-in-bookshops.html

New AAP Stats Show that the US eBook Market Saw Excellent Growth in 2013
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDigitalReader/~3/i3vyZC_WKWY/

Pick Up Your Memoir Again…and Finish It!
http://thememoirnetwork.com/shop/pick-up-your-memoir-again/

This is from a newsletter I received a while ago... I thought it was really neat.

What Do You See?

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
What my kids see are flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
What my kids see is someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune, so I sit self-consciously and listen.
What my kids hear is the beat and move to it. They sing the words and if they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
What my kids feel is they close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
What my kids pray is "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
What my kids see are dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?

~ Author Unknown ~

Remember, have a great writing week, and ALWAYS believe in yourself.

You CAN Self Publish Your Book

By Colin Dunbar

Greetings!

Sunday morning. The weather is overcast, with small patches of blue sky here and there. It's still a great day to be alive, and there's a lot to be grateful for.

I received a mail from someone last week, and he said he didn't think I should include personal things here, like snippets about friend's babies. He suggested I keep the focus on self publishing and writing, as this is what this blog is about. What do you think? Should I follow his advice?

It's awesome that I've crushed writer's block - ever since my writing about it here, a few weeks ago. I've had absolutely no problem writing, and am actually writing more than I've done in a long time. I hope to share my successes with you, and in so doing, encourage you to write more and self publish your own material.

I did finish the second draft of my client's ebook, and I'm now waiting for her feedback. Then it'll be the final copy and the project will be wrapped up.

My focus now is going to be on the following, and these are what I'll be reporting on in my self publishing diary...

Writing and Reading

FBIW. This is my blogged book at www.formatbookinword.com, and it's priority #1. So far I've kept to my schedule of posting every week. The next post goes up on Monday again, and the one following that is already written.

SPD. This self publishing diary is priority #2, and also, since starting to write again, I have no problem writing these posts. Every Sunday morning I sit outside, with a cup of tea, and I'm able to write these. Life is great!

IIY2. Some months ago, I briefly mentioned this book, but I didn't give a lot of detail. If you're considering writing a memoir, this section may be of interest to you.

In 2004 I wrote and self published my memoir, Invest In Yourself, which is the story of my home business endeavors (both successes and failures). As it's 10 years later, I decided to update this to the 2nd edition, and again share what I did over the past decade. Geez, it's amazing how time flies when you're having fun. This book is my third priority.

TCRW. This is a book I've been threatening to write for the past 5 or so years. I have now eventually put ito n my priority list, and actually made a start.

TCRW is also a memoir (although would say it should be a autobiography), and is the story of my 35 years in the technical writing field. It is a challenge going back so many years, but by doing it systematically and step-by-step, I'm able to piece together the history. I can tell you, sometimes I chuckle when I think back on how we did things before computers were so common, especially in the technical writing field.

This project is priority #4, and is a book that will not get my full attention all the time.

And there you have my writing priorities. I hope by sharing my progress with these, I'll be able to offer you some encouragement with your writing efforts. Nothing would please me more than helping you to write and self publish your own book. I can assure you, having that published book in your hands is an awesome feeling! And it is possible, even if you have a 9-to-5 job, and between life's other responsibilities.

I finished reading Writing Fiction for Dummies, and again, I can only say this book is one of the best investments I've made. If you're interested in writing fiction, this is a great book to get.

I've started reading my next book, but I want to get a little further into it before I say anything about it.

Cyber Surfing

As usual I also did a lot of reading on the web, and would like to share some interesting links with you.

Press Release: Ebook Development Training And Certification for All Skill Levels, An Industry First
http://www.bookbusinessmag.com/article/ebook-development-training-and-certification-all-skill-levels-an-industry-first/1

The Guardian Announces Self-Publishing Award
http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2014/04/the-guardian-announces-self-publishing-award/

Just Look Around
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/just-look-around/

And here is something to laugh about...

What does a style of writing LOOK like?
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/03/styles-of-writing-an-illustration/

That's it for another week. Remember, have a great writing week, and ALWAYS believe in yourself.

Writing and reading... and other news

By Colin Dunbar

It's Sunday morning, and it's a beautiful day sunny day. The blue sky has bundles of white puffy clouds. A great day to be alive and to be grateful for.

Writing was minimal last week, as I was busy with my one client's ebook. I should be able to wrap it up next week and then my writing will take center stage again. I did manage to do a bit of work on the 2nd edition of my memoir, and wrote my daughter a letter. We're looking forward to her coming home for a holiday the end of April. And I also finished the next post for my blog book at formatbookinword.com.

The new web project is progressing and Bronson has been busy with the coding. Our planned launch for this is July.

There was a load of interesting material that landed in my inbox, and I should finish Fiction Writing for Dummies next week.

My long time friend shared the news that their baby son has started eating solid foods, and they're excited about that. He must enjoy every minute of his son, because before he knows it, that baby's going to be going to school, and then the years zip by.

Something else I've been looking at, although at this stage it's low on my priority list: the redesign and restructure of my personal site (www.colindunbar.com); I want to change this into my author site.

Going through my archives I found a few things that may be of interest to you... Hope you enjoy.

Not Selling Books? Did you do the Math?
http://theworldsgreatestbook.com/selling-books/

Publishing Scams and How they Work
http://theworldsgreatestbook.com/self-publishing-scams/

Indie Ebook Author Community to Earn More than Traditional Ebook Authors
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Smashwords/~3/UW07Owt4DmE/indie-ebook-author-community-to-earn.html

9 Reasons Why I’m Choosing to Self-Publish
http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2014/03/9-reasons-why-im-choosing-to-self-publish/

Self-Publishing Has Arrived: Now What?
http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2014/01/self-publishing-has-arrived-now-what/

I hope you have a great week, keep writing, and ALWAYS believe in yourself.