More reviews for the book!

Posted on October 20, 2009 | Leave a comment

Christine Farley Ely writes: I just finished your book, Alane. WOW. It’s beautiful, intimate, and so inspiring. I think my favorite part (one of many) was your bold prayer on page 128 and God’s answer. When we depend on Him and are open to His will (whatever it may be), …it is amazing how He will prepare us for it and bring it to pass quickly. It speaks to the faith we can have in His character, ways, and compassionate plan for our lives. When we TRULY trust what He says in Romans 8:28, we can be overwhelmed with hope and settled in peace, no matter the circumstances. Thank you for your brave testimony. I know God will continue to use it.

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What Laryngitis is Teaching Me

Posted on October 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

I have been quite sick for the three and a half weeks; it started in my head, then moved into my chest and now I have laryngitis. This is a challenge considering we are in the middle of organizing a move and I’m trying to finish some projects before we leave. I can’t really talk on the phone or to anyone for that matter.

I figure I should try to learn something through this challenge, so I’ve been taking mental notes of some interesting phenomenons since I lost my voice on Sunday. Here they are:

  • When I whisper to people, they whisper back! This is fun to watch–it is such an automatic response. It makes me wonder if our world is just too loud and maybe sometimes we should just be more quiet.
  • I can’t use the drive through–my life has slowed down a bit because I can’t use the drive through. I have to go in, look at people and quietly place my order….people contact is good
  • I can’t yell from another room–this makes me seek out the person I need, make eye contact and try to communicate; not a bad lesson in our fast-paced world. Connection–human connection–is good. So is eye contact in our internet-driven world.
  • I haven’t been able to have deep conversations with my husband–and I miss this. We spend so much time apart that we rely on conversation to keep us connected. This is good….but even though he’s home now, I miss him because we aren’t talking as much.
  • My son hears me better when I whisper than when I yell. When I have my voice, my son tunes me out. Now that I have only a whisper, he HAS to listen. This is good.

All that being said, I am so DONE with being sick! I want my voice, my energy and my life back!!!!

Here’s to your health!

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Another great review/endorsement of the book!

Posted on October 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

“Notes from the Margins is hands-down one of the most moving, powerful and personal accounts of pain and healing I have ever read. Alane takes her readers on a journey through loss, grief, and ultimately, the spiritual wholeness …that can only come through God and His Word. A life-changing, life-giving book.” ~Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives.

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It’s hard to be a writer if you don’t write!

Posted on September 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

Whew! That felt good. I have gotten so busy with the ‘business’ of writing that I haven’t actually been writing. It’s hard to be a writer if you don’t write! Today I wrote. I took the piles from my desk and put them behind me and I wrote! Once I started I couldn’t stop–I wrote blog posts for Faith Deployed where I will be a guest blogger, I worked on my next book, I wrote to friends. It was wonderful!

So here is what I learned: If you want to be a writer, write! Right?!

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My books are in a store!

Posted on August 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

I’m so excited to share that my books are now available in Colorado Springs at Pikes Perk on N. Academy!DSCN1696

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Still Writing Notes from the Margins

Posted on August 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

It’s occurred to me that I’m still writing Notes in the Margins–literally! I am, every day, still taking notes on life and marveling over what God is doing with the book, my family, my work and my ministry. These notes have been praises mixed with humble awe; not of loss, grief and pain like in the book. Still, there is potential to learn about God and life. Keep taking notes on YOUR life and see God’s hand at work!

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Starting a new book

Posted on August 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

I am doing too much, and because I am so so much, I am not writing on my next book. Oh, I want to. I desire to. The ideas are all in my head pounding to get out. But by the time I meet work deadlines, work on starting my ministry for military spouses, put out “fires”, take care of the house, husband, child and dog, and breathe, there is just no more time left.

What do you do to make the time to write? What works best?

Maybe you all can hold me accountable. I really think I can write for a few hours during the week and a few more over the weekend. Maybe I just need to stay off facebook for a while and use that time to write?!

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More about Self Publishing

Posted on July 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Last time I posted on surrounding yourself with people who know the business and always having books with you. This week I’m sharing more about successfully self publishing. I don’t know if I’m an expert, but I jumped in knowing nothing and now I know enough to help my friends get self published in an economical way.

  1. Listing on Amazon is fine (using CreateSpace you can publish a book with Amazon for $39 and get about 20% in royalties); but it isn’t enough. I have gone the digital printing route. The benefits are tremendous–you get a book that looks professionally printed (sometimes the binding and glue on the Amazon books looks thrown together), but you can order 100 or 400 at at time. I am plumb out of my first run (I’ve sold 150 books in a month and financed a second printing)! I’ve ordered a second printing to use for marketing (sending them to influential people and asking for promotion/recommendations) and to put in local book stores. Not a bad deal. I am making almost $3 for every book I sell (after expenses).
  2. Be creative with your placements. I just talked with a coffee shop owner who has shelves full of items for sale. None of them are books, which is good for me. We are meeting next week to discuss the details of putting my books in the shop under consignment. I am also talking to churches with bookstores and other shops that sell specialty items. Since it’s so hard to get shelf space in the big bookstores when you don’t have the money to print big runs, these are viable routes to gain traction and market share.
  3. Remember, though; even though you’ve self published, if you have an ISBN number (very reasonable to buy) your readers can still ask the big bookstores to order a copy of your book. It’s almost like being in the book stores and being sold out!

That’s all for now. I’d love to hear some feedback about whether or not this information is helpful.

Next time I’ll talk about using social media to create awareness.

Blessings!

Alane Pearce

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What I’m Learning about Publishing

Posted on July 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

When I set out to write my book, Notes from the Margins, three years ago, I had no idea how it would all turn out. But I’ve met people along the way who have introduced me to others who have all helped with this endeavor! Here’s what I’ve learned on the large scale about self-publishing. In future posts I’ll write about what I’m learning on a deeper level.

  1. Get good people on your team. If you are an author, your expertise is writing. Find people who know how to brand, market and package books. Find an artist who knows how to design a good cover. Spend the money on these things because without a good product or a marketing plan, you are no different than Grandma Sue who put her poorly written memoir on Amazon and is still waiting for it to sell.
  2. Share what you are doing with key people. Your friends will always want to help you with your book, but you need to break out of your friend circle to sell more than a couple hundred books. Ask your friends who can send copies to influential people they may know and ask them to talk about your book.
  3. Talk about it! Call service clubs, community meetings, networking groups, and present yourself as an expert about your subject matter. Talk about the book you have published and be sure to have some on hand to sell.  There are many venues where you can let people know about your book.
  4. In fact, you should always have some books on hand to sell.
  5. Take the time to talk to and help other people; whether it is a reader, a fan, or a fellow author, take the time to help someone. This is good “karma” and it will always come back to help you.

That’s it for now because I know you have other articles tabbed in your browser that you also want to read; I’ll continue this thread in coming days.

Until then, here are links to three people who helped me package and promote my book.

JPEDConsulting
Heinlein Publishing Services
Design Corps

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An Excerpt from Notes…

Posted on July 20, 2009 | 2 Comments

…I needed to remember that it was God who would give me strength to walk and not be faint. My emotional burden, grief and depression would weigh me down so heavily I thought I would never be able to stand up under it. I was trying to exercise and take care of myself, but most days if I was out jogging, I would nearly fall over with the weight of my grief. My thoughts would always come around to the fact that there I was, trying to get rid of pregnancy weight, and I had nothing to show for it. It was maddening! Page 64

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