Friday, June 20, 2008

kj's Writing Career: Chapter 2

Well, I'm doing it.
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The story of Lily and Alex has been finished, polished and proofed three times.
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JB read it in one sitting and said she cried at the end.
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I've found and hired an Editor who will improve and tie it all together.
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I've decided to publish it myself, which also means I've decided to develop my own (small) publishing company. Heck, I've been self employed for most of my career. I've developed resource directories, counseling programs, workshops, a restaurant, a movie theatre, an artisan cooperative, and real estate. So why not a publishing press?
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I've reviewed the size, font, layout, paper, cover, page set-up, and net cost per book with a local printing company, and it's all doable.
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I've started to think about how I will market: book signings, radio interviews, independent and specialty book stores, flyers, my blog.
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I would lack the confidence and the determination if it weren't for the special people who visit my blog, share theirs with me, and have provided encouragement and kind feedback through every chapter. Thank you thank you.
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There are a couple of areas where perplexity reigns. If you have suggestions, ideas, comments, opinions, observations--anything--would you please share them with me?
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# 1 TITLE: What shall I call the story of Alex and Lily?
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# 2 SYNOPSIS: What should I say, in one paragraph that would appear on the book flap, to explain what the book is about?
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# 3 ADVICE: I'll appreciate anything.
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thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou

27 comments:

  1. Definitely not The Bacalhau Sisters. Okay, I am being fascetious but I have to go to a dinner party and just wanted to be the first to comment. Ta ta! I'll think of something while eating. I think better that way.

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  2. you may think better when eating but you think best when drawing.

    ta ta and xo!

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  3. The Story of Alex an Lily? OK I'm not imaginative today...hehhehe... No advice! But wishing you the best for that publication! :)

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  4. I like the original title...hammering my way to the queen city ball. or was it prom? I'm not sure the title is 100% appropriate, but it reminds me of the prompt and I think something like it would be very fitting.

    yay!

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  5. I like your blog. I have to read about Alex and Lily to know more.

    Tammy

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  6. merlinprincesse, always nice to see you here. i could name it 'the fish and the princess'...

    nicole, always nice to see you here too. i'm fond of that title too--but i wonder if it's because of where and why that title came to be...

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  7. i would call it 'intricacies' or 'the intricacies of life' somehow intricacies comes to mind, something with intricacies in it. congrats and 'you go girl!'

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  8. Woohoo! Exciting! How about "Honey Girl" ... I'll think about a synopsis and email you ... Happy weekend!

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  9. First of all a big Congrats at getting to this stage. Second, I will have to come back to read chapter 42 so as to give it justice (no time at present ... well .. actually it's 3.15am!!! ...) and to give the title some thought too.

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  10. I'm lousy at that sort of thing, so I'll keep my mouth shut. But I'll buy it regardles sof the title.

    And cool that you are going to do this on your own.

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  11. OMG, you have me there.
    I haven't been reading the long chapters here on your blog, I fall asleep when I have to read too long texts on a screen. I prefer the printed word.
    I'm afraid I cannot really help you out here.
    I hope you get some good answers!

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  12. I have only read a few chapters, so I can't offer you a title suggestions. But - WOW! You go! Your self reliant power is an awesome thing! You know i would love to read the printed manuscript when you have it and then give you some feedback.. but off the top of my head... if the story of Liy and Alex were a poem, what would the first or last line be? If you had to sum up their story with a metaphorical phrase, what would it be? Good luck!!!

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  13. tammy, thanks for stopping by. and thanks for your kind words about my blog.

    forever young, intracacies for sure! and isn't that the truth just about every day in one way or another?!

    melissa, what a helpful suggestion! i'm pondering it with a smile on my face. :)

    chief, there are few people whose feedback would mean more to me than yours.

    cs, can imagine the look on my face as i am packaging a copy of my book to send to you? or better yet, you walk into a bookstore and tell me you've found it there!

    pieterbie, maybe someday you will hold one of my books in your hands. i like the thought of that..

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  14. carla, read the printed manuscript? say the word and it will find its way to you.... :)

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  15. OOOH yes, self publishing is the way to go but what's MOST important that way for your book's success is marketing!

    Having read the whole book on your blog, I like Melissa's suggestion of 'Honey Girl' as the title!

    For a synopsis, ask your writing retreat friends to do the same, then collect your favourite 'parts' from each to make a whole ;)

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  16. anon, i wish i could have a cup of coffee with you....

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  17. What about hot chocolate? I'm drinking one of those now :)

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  18. ok, hot chocolate. that's fine. will you have to arrive incognito?

    :)

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  19. YOU AMAZE AND INSPIRE ME!!!! :)

    Sorry, I had to write that in all CAPS...but it's TRUE!!!
    :)

    I should hire you as my agent. ;)

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  20. jessie, YOU AMAZE AND INSPIRE ME!

    so that' a good exchange, huh?!

    :)

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  21. Hiya Lady! :) Im having trouble catching up, so will only comment thusly: I think self publishing is the WAY TO GO - fabbo idea and has its own possibilities....will be cheering you on!

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  22. Congrats on publishing your book yourself. You'll have total control over its future--hurray!

    In the fall and spring, I run a reading series at The Book Rack bookstore in Arlington called New and Emerging Writers Series (NEWS). When you're ready to give public readings, send me a note and we'll have you read with a few other writers. No money, just a place to read your work.

    So my advice: get involved in your local writing community. Go to readings, find out who is running series, read your work wherever you can, and get involved in a book club. All of these things will help your grassroots effort to market your book.

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  23. I've been back three times because I haven't thought of a title yet....but I'm working on it. The book is more than a love conquers all story-it's about making choices and then dealing with the results and letting others have the same space. The cancer is the catalyst.

    Ok, I have it. Choice Bits....cause you are taking the highlights from that section of everyone's lives to tell the story.

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  24. lavender, it is GREAT to see your comment here! welcome back!

    january, thank you for your visit and offer. i have followed your poetry path with pleasure. arlington is not so reachable for me anymore, but in the future i will not forget your offer to read.

    debra kay, "making choices, dealing with the results,and letting others have their space". you nailed it debra kay. :)

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  25. KJ,
    I'm so proud of all you've accomplished and would like to purchase a copy when you are done.

    HUGS

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  26. Oh dear, I haven't read it, of course. How about: "The Story of Alex and Lilly"?
    Sorry if I'm not being any help.
    I think you are great!
    I admire your drive.
    Go for it!

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  27. I am not sure why but the word "Pieces" came to me. Like pieces from a quilt. The people each have a piece in the big ol' quilt of life. I hope you don't think that's dumb... Congratulations!

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