I’m so excited to share that my books are now available in Colorado Springs at Pikes Perk on N. Academy!
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My books are in a store!
Posted in New Notes
Tagged colorado, notes from the margins, pikes perk, publishing, writing
Still Writing Notes from the Margins
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!
Posted in New Notes
Tagged grief, journaling, joy, lessons, pondering life, writing
Starting a new book
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?!
More about Self Publishing
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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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
Posted in New Notes
Tagged self publishing, Self Pub, ISBN number, marketing a book, Amazon
What I’m Learning about Publishing
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- In fact, you should always have some books on hand to sell.
- 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.
Posted in New Notes
Tagged book, branding, memoir, notes from the margins, novel, self publishing, writing
An Excerpt from Notes…
…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
Posted in New Notes
Tagged death, depression, grief, loss, miscarraige, motherhood, pregnancy
A Note from the Book
I was rereading my manuscript today making sure there were no errors as we print our second batch, and I was honestly amazed at some of the truths God spoke in those pages. Believe me, it couldn’t have been me! Some of it is way too deep!
Faith is trusting that God is right; that what he says is true and what he does is righteous. I have mentioned before that at times I stopped trusting in God’s character and faithfulness. I still relied on him for my eternal salvation, but I stopped trusting that he was doing the right thing with me. Lies from the deceiver took over my thoughts and I began to doubt God’s righteousness. I was so hurt by my circumstances that I began to lose my faith (because it was conditional). Instead of burning with anger towards me, God used my weakness as an opportunity to purify my faith. He used it to prove to me that he cares about my life, not just my salvation. (page 153)
I think its easy to forget how much God cares about our day-to-day life; our joys and our pain, our education and our questions. He wants us to grow in him, which is why life isn’t easy. If life was always easy, we’d forget how much we need him!
How have you learned that God cares about you and your life? I’d love to hear!
