Shocking Email

I was shocked and saddened when I received an email this past week.  The opening paragraph read:

"Good Morning, Rita,

It is with great sadness we announce that CrossBooks will cease publishing and distributing its titles, effective May 1, 2015.  We know you place a great deal of trust in CrossBooks when you decided to publish with us and we recognize there will be many questions that we will do our best to answer for you."

I spoke immediately with my marketing specialist at CrossBooks who was equally saddened as I was. (I'm scrambling to keep two of my books and my website live, but he's scrambling for his job!)  He spoke in a gentle tone as he informed me that not only would all books for all authors published with CrossBooks (division of LifeWay Books) cease to be published and distributed, but our websites/blogs will also go down effective April 15.  Authors do have the option of transferring our files to West Bow Press or to have their files returned to authors.  He added my name to the list to transfer to West Bow and we will work out details from there.

I had just completed another book when all this came to light, so I decided to explore another option.  I would print and publish my book - self publish in the truest sense of the word.  I discovered a book printing place called The Book Patch.  That's what The Book Patch does - prints POD books.

My daughter LaDawn, and I set out on this venture with fear and trepidation, and yet, with an excitement and curiosity to see if we could actually do this.  We were able to follow their explicit step-by-step directions.  First, I changed my files to PDF and uploaded them.  

Next, we worked on the cover.  We downloaded their free template, inserted our photo and did the layout for title and author name.  Next, came the spine which was also done with a template.  The back cover fell into place again using the book printers' free template.  We inserted the price, an ISBN number and bar code.  When I was satisfied that all was exactly as I wanted it, we uploaded it to The Book Patch.  

There was only one minor drawback and that was that the templates are limiting as far as being able to move things around on the covers, but we were able to easily adapt our cover ideas to fit the templates.  My book, Cancer - a Journey through the Valley, is revised from an earlier book I wrote in 2011.  In my new book, I added an epilogue and several important changes and additions to the interior as well as a new cover design.

The best part?  There is absolutely NO cost to the author!  And, authors retain 100% of their rights.  The book is listed in the bookstore of The Book Patch "where books grow" - which appears on their fb and Twitter sites.  Of course, authors still have to do marketing and get the word out as is also the case with indi-publishing and traditional publishing.  

The consumer purchases the book and pays for shipping.  The Book Patch ships all orders, deducts the printing cost, sends an invoice to the author, and a check (after a set amount is reached) for the difference between the printing cost and the price of the book.  I was able to lower the price of my book considerably to make it more affordable for consumers and still have profit.

Time will tell if this was a good way to go or not, but so far, I feel very accomplished, and I have great expectations that this was the right decision.  See what you think.  The name of my book is Cancer  A Journey through the Vally  and it is available at TheBookPatch.com.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but innovation is key to publication.

Rita Kroon

Taking Care of Authors

Taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
I've been taking care of business (it's all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime

The words from Bachman-Turner Overdrive say it so well.  In our fast-paced world, we all feel pressure to be productive; to take care of business: athletes train to compete; business people strive for success; blue-collar workers work to survive; medical professionals study to be informed; innovators create to make life more convenient; and authors write to inform, inspire, entertain, teach, encourage, and more.  Just like the words say, "Taking care of business," we also need to heed the words, "Taking care of   authors."

Here's a list of ten suggestions by ten authors that every writer should put into practice in order to maintain good physical, mental, and spiritual balance.

*  Take time to let the subconscious 'play with the story' and do something creative.  Robin Carroll - mystery/suspense author of "Fear No Evil."  Painting, gardening, scrap-booking, cleaning cupboards, or whatever suits your fancy provides a great release from your story.

*  Every author needs to exercise regularly.  Lynette Eason, suspense author of "No One to trust", "Nowhere to Turn," & "When a Heart Stops," and Becky Wade - Christian romance author of "Meant to be Mine."  Work it so it becomes a part of your regular routine.  Use a pedometer to make sure to get your steps in each day.

*  Foster relationships with other writers - especially after a long stint of isolated writing.  Kellie Gilbert - fiction author of "A Woman of Fortune."  Nurturing relationships with other writers is essential to cultivating fresh ideas and to inspire creativity.

*  Get away from the computer and spend time with real live people.  Katie Ganshert - contemporary romance/romantic suspense author of "Wildflowers."  Talk with hubby.  Call a friend.  Go shopping and have a conversation with the person standing in the check-out line.

*  Pace yourself.  Be focused and disciplined with your time.  When you meet your goals for the day or the week, stop.  Give yourself time off.  Rachel Hauck - fiction author of "Once Upon a Prince."  Or give yourself a time-out and go to your room.  If you can't shut off your thoughts, jot down a few notes, then set it and forget it.  For a time.  Set reasonable goals.

* Preserve "you" in your writing career.  Learn to say "no" to ancillary commitments.  Strike a balance between necessary productive time and time-consuming unproductivity.   Ronie Kendig - rapid-fire fiction author of "Raptor 6."  Do not become a slave to writing so that it becomes drudgery.  Smile at yourself in the mirror to make sure you are still you.

*  Eliminate physical clutter in your work zone.  It does wonders for productivity.  Carla Laureano - inspirational/fantasy author of "Five Days in Skye" and "Oath of the Brotherhood."  One day this past week, my very-organized daughter, LaDawn, came to help me with a writing project.  She sat down at my computer, looked over the disarray, and said, "The first thing we need to do is to de-clutter your desk!"  I had to admit that even though I knew where everything was in each of the fashionably messy piles, I operated much more efficiently once we made space on my desk.

*  Get up every hour and move for ten minutes - not just to exercise, but to give your body movement.  Dani Pettrey - mystery/suspense romance author of "Sabotaged."  Go outside.  Breathe.  Walk.  Sing and dance to your favorite music.

*  Eat healthy and exercise.  Keep your mind and body in good condition.  Cindy Woodsmall - Amish author of "A Love Undone."  Healthy eating and exercise go hand-in-hand like love and marriage.  'Can't have one without the other.

*  Pray regularly - before, during, and after writing sessions.  Christian authors know the immeasurable worth of close communication with the Lord - not just asking that the writing be blessed when all is said and done, but during the process.  After all, His ways, His thoughts,  are much higher than ours.  Consider the timeless Book He wrote.  Rita Kroon - author of "Kiss Your Mommy Goodbye."

The Procrastinating Little Author

The term deadline can strike dread, even fear, in a writer's soul like April 15th tax deadline may strike dread or fear. Or, a writer may meet the challenge with anticipation - like meeting a close friend for lunch.  Are you motivated or do you procrastinate? 

Do you remember the children's story "The Poky Little Puppy?"  My adult version is called "The Procrastinating Little Author."

There were five little authors who went to a writers' conference - through the traffic and to the airport they traveled.  When they got inside the big, big room, they counted themselves, one, two, three, four.  One little author was not there.  Where in the world is that procrastinating little author, they wondered.

While the four little authors met other writers and

started a network, the procrastinating little author strolled by store windows gazing at all the lovely merchandise.

The four little authors returned to their hotel so happy.  It was like eating rice pudding for dessert.

By the time the procrastinating little author arrived at the conference, everyone had gone.

The next day, the five little authors went to the conference.  When they got inside, they counted themselves, one, two, three, four.  One little author was not there.  Where in the world is that procrastinating little author, they wondered.

While the four little authors with their manuscripts in hand met agents and publishers, the procrastinating little author stared at a beautiful bracelet.  When I get my book published, I will buy that bracelet, she thought.  The four little authors returned to their hotel very pleased.  It was like eating chocolate custard for dessert.

By the time the procrastinating little author arrived at the conference, the lights were turned off.

The next day, the five little authors went to the conference.  When they got inside they counted themselves, one, two, three, four.  One little author was not there.  Where in the world is that procrastinating little author, they wondered.

While the four little authors signed contracts, the procrastinating little author looked for an outfit to wear with the bracelet she would buy.  The four little authors returned to their hotel, delighted.  It was like eating strawberry shortcake for dessert.

By the time the procrastinating little author arrived at the conference, the door was locked, and she had to return to the hotel with nothing in her hand.

 

To some authors, deadlines are a necessary evil.  For others, a deadline can be your worst enemy, but, if you look at it like a favorite friend who has your best interests at heart, you will learn to meet each deadline with anticipation and a smile in order to git R done.

The reward of meeting a deadline is better than rice pudding, greater than chocolate custard and surpasses strawberry shortcake.  It is feeling the satisfaction of getting a job done well.  Or, maybe even a signed contract!

So, what does a deadline mean to you?  A friend or foe? 

Rita Kroon