Barnes & Noble Morgantown WV to Stock The Chaparral Murders
iUniverse has advised me that my book will be stocked at their Morgantown, WV store 3000 University Town Center Dr. beginning February 26, 2008. This is one big advantage of choosing iUniverse over other self-publishing houses. Their alliance with Barnes & Noble (Chapters in Canada) puts books that meet certain qualifications on the shelves.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Revised Book Now Available
iUniverse has now completed the revisions to The Chaparral Murders and it is available on their website, http://www.iuniverse.com/
With that done, I have begun sending out press releases. First to the WV Gazette in Charleston, WV and The Intermountain in Elkins, WV. I will also send press releases to my local media in Ottawa, ON.
John Kremer's book 1001 Ways To Market Your Books is my reference and guidebook. I highly recommend it to anyone self-publishing for the first time.
Lots more work to do now to get the word out to those who may be interested in this story.
iUniverse has now completed the revisions to The Chaparral Murders and it is available on their website, http://www.iuniverse.com/
With that done, I have begun sending out press releases. First to the WV Gazette in Charleston, WV and The Intermountain in Elkins, WV. I will also send press releases to my local media in Ottawa, ON.
John Kremer's book 1001 Ways To Market Your Books is my reference and guidebook. I highly recommend it to anyone self-publishing for the first time.
Lots more work to do now to get the word out to those who may be interested in this story.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Website Online
My website is now live at www.mmstoddart.com
I will be adding content to The Chaparral Murders pages to help readers follow the events of this incredible story as they took place and continue to unfold today.
Thank you Cheryl.
My website is now live at www.mmstoddart.com
I will be adding content to The Chaparral Murders pages to help readers follow the events of this incredible story as they took place and continue to unfold today.
Thank you Cheryl.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Bubble-ogs
How many blogs can a blogger blogg before blowing up?
Billowing Blogs, bubbleogs, blogs within blogs, beautiful bountiful bloggers are we.
Just when I think I have discovered an internet tool to simplify a task, it takes over my spare time. ( That's a lie, I never have spare time. I just refuse to attend from time to time.)
I am the tool. The blogs own me and are chasing me as they proliferate and promulgate and expect me to pontificate on their behalf.
Marketing my book requires that I create a presence so others know it exists should they wish to read it. Creating a presence for maximum exposure seems to entail being in MySpace, Facebook, Web Pages, discussion groups and all the associated and affiliated blogs. Each virtual space wants to know about me and requires me to learn to navigate their particular space in order to make it work for me. I can't remember anymore what I said in what place. I guess it will settle down as I learn where I am comfortable and in which space I have an audience.
Blogging and social web sites are kind of like being at the bar and talking to the bartender or being at the hairdresser. Journaling on line can be psycho-therapy. If we don't go psycho, we get therapy.
How many blogs can a blogger blogg before blowing up?
Billowing Blogs, bubbleogs, blogs within blogs, beautiful bountiful bloggers are we.
Just when I think I have discovered an internet tool to simplify a task, it takes over my spare time. ( That's a lie, I never have spare time. I just refuse to attend from time to time.)
I am the tool. The blogs own me and are chasing me as they proliferate and promulgate and expect me to pontificate on their behalf.
Marketing my book requires that I create a presence so others know it exists should they wish to read it. Creating a presence for maximum exposure seems to entail being in MySpace, Facebook, Web Pages, discussion groups and all the associated and affiliated blogs. Each virtual space wants to know about me and requires me to learn to navigate their particular space in order to make it work for me. I can't remember anymore what I said in what place. I guess it will settle down as I learn where I am comfortable and in which space I have an audience.
Blogging and social web sites are kind of like being at the bar and talking to the bartender or being at the hairdresser. Journaling on line can be psycho-therapy. If we don't go psycho, we get therapy.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Goodby to Sir Edmund Hillary
A great New Zealander and a great human being.
He considered himself an ordinary man.
We are all ordinary, living ordinary lives, until we select a purpose. Once selected, by putting all of ourselves into that purpose, we become extraordinary and capable of extraordinary things.
A great New Zealander and a great human being.
He considered himself an ordinary man.
We are all ordinary, living ordinary lives, until we select a purpose. Once selected, by putting all of ourselves into that purpose, we become extraordinary and capable of extraordinary things.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Revisions, Revisions
Yes, there were typos in my book. Blush.
I sent off the corrections yesterday. I also did a minor reordering of the chapters to improve my message. iUniverse was lightening fast in getting this done. The corrected version should be available in a few days.
I'm anxious to begin the big promotion but want to wait until these last few changes are reflected in the printed copies.
I have a couple of reviews underway. If they have anything noteworthy to report I will include it in my press releases.
I feel like a runner waiting for the starting gun to sound!
Yes, there were typos in my book. Blush.
I sent off the corrections yesterday. I also did a minor reordering of the chapters to improve my message. iUniverse was lightening fast in getting this done. The corrected version should be available in a few days.
I'm anxious to begin the big promotion but want to wait until these last few changes are reflected in the printed copies.
I have a couple of reviews underway. If they have anything noteworthy to report I will include it in my press releases.
I feel like a runner waiting for the starting gun to sound!
Monday, January 7, 2008
My Experience with iUniverse
Why did I publish through iUniverse?
I sent our a few queries to agents and traditional publishers expecting to face months and possible years of rejection. Friends had self-published. I looked at the various companies and iUniverse seemed to offer the best combination of value for money. The fact that they partnered with Barnes and Noble was a big factor.
I have been quite happy with that choice. Sure you're not going to get the same hand-holding that other mainstream publishers provide. I don't have an editor who is gaga over my book. In fact, I don't think anyone at iUniverse other than the person who did my editing have read my book.
So what! It forced me to be humble. I had to learn to read and understand the Chicago Manual of Style. Not easy!
I learned how costly the process is and if I couldn't afford to pay for the services of a third edit or whatever, I'd better darn well read my manuscript through carefully myself for the hundredth time.
To make the publishing process affordable iUniverse has had to segment and systematize the process with templates and form letters. You don't get to chat informally with staff via email. Coddling cost money. I get by without it for the satisfaction of having my book in print.
Questions?
Why did I publish through iUniverse?
I sent our a few queries to agents and traditional publishers expecting to face months and possible years of rejection. Friends had self-published. I looked at the various companies and iUniverse seemed to offer the best combination of value for money. The fact that they partnered with Barnes and Noble was a big factor.
I have been quite happy with that choice. Sure you're not going to get the same hand-holding that other mainstream publishers provide. I don't have an editor who is gaga over my book. In fact, I don't think anyone at iUniverse other than the person who did my editing have read my book.
So what! It forced me to be humble. I had to learn to read and understand the Chicago Manual of Style. Not easy!
I learned how costly the process is and if I couldn't afford to pay for the services of a third edit or whatever, I'd better darn well read my manuscript through carefully myself for the hundredth time.
To make the publishing process affordable iUniverse has had to segment and systematize the process with templates and form letters. You don't get to chat informally with staff via email. Coddling cost money. I get by without it for the satisfaction of having my book in print.
Questions?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
So, how do you deal with cats sitting on your keyboard anyway? I know, throw them off the desk. But they come back over and over again. Can you buy a keyboard that emits a mild electric current? How about a hot key to triger a barking dog from the speaker? Oh well, I guess I should be grateful to have a fan or two.
So...I have read The Rough Guide to Blogging by Jonathan Yang and scanned through Getting Noticed On Google by Ben Norman. I have a somewhat clearer idea what I'm going.
Still thinking, what can I talk about that someone would want to read.
There are so many important issues on the daily plate.
Now that I'm retired and self-employed, how do I choose my agenda for the rest of my life. I am standing in a candy store of choices. It all takes time and money.
Money, that's the other issue of concern to a retired person. There is no end to the advice available on saving for retirement but when you get there how do you spend it so you get to do what you want when you are still able to enjoy it and still keep money for when you are feeble and in need of care?
I have a pension that gives me a modest monthly income and some savings. I have written a book in the first six years of retirement that could earn some money but -- promoting it will create expenses that may wipe out my savings. What to do?
Wallace D. Wattles has written several books, The Science of Getting Rich, The Science of Being Well, The Science of Being Great. I highly recommend these. Do a google search or look on Amazon for them. I found mine at Costco. These books have changed my thinking and banished mid-life doubt and depression.
In a nutshell, he says to go ahead and spend what you need to and trust that the universe, the universal mind, will replenish your resources as long as your motives are for the good of all.
Isn't that the what blogging and internet based information exchange can do? Anyone with access to a computer can have a voice. We all get richer by helping each other. Linking and promoting each others works. Putting aside competition. Forgetting the concept of climbing above another and adopting the philisophy of helping each other over the hurdles. If we profit at the expense of another the human race stands still. If we profit while helping others to better their circumstances, we all benefit.
Time to make dinner. Back to this later.
Still thinking, what can I talk about that someone would want to read.
There are so many important issues on the daily plate.
Now that I'm retired and self-employed, how do I choose my agenda for the rest of my life. I am standing in a candy store of choices. It all takes time and money.
Money, that's the other issue of concern to a retired person. There is no end to the advice available on saving for retirement but when you get there how do you spend it so you get to do what you want when you are still able to enjoy it and still keep money for when you are feeble and in need of care?
I have a pension that gives me a modest monthly income and some savings. I have written a book in the first six years of retirement that could earn some money but -- promoting it will create expenses that may wipe out my savings. What to do?
Wallace D. Wattles has written several books, The Science of Getting Rich, The Science of Being Well, The Science of Being Great. I highly recommend these. Do a google search or look on Amazon for them. I found mine at Costco. These books have changed my thinking and banished mid-life doubt and depression.
In a nutshell, he says to go ahead and spend what you need to and trust that the universe, the universal mind, will replenish your resources as long as your motives are for the good of all.
Isn't that the what blogging and internet based information exchange can do? Anyone with access to a computer can have a voice. We all get richer by helping each other. Linking and promoting each others works. Putting aside competition. Forgetting the concept of climbing above another and adopting the philisophy of helping each other over the hurdles. If we profit at the expense of another the human race stands still. If we profit while helping others to better their circumstances, we all benefit.
Time to make dinner. Back to this later.
I have now been a blogger for six hours. Not so hard but lots to consider. Still a long way from DOS based dial-up discussion forums.
Picked up The Rough Guide to Blogging by Jonathan Yang at Chapters today. It's a very good intro for the novice blogger like me, a boomer, rusty geek, scrambling to catch up.
Google and Amazon have lots of tools. Its about connecting to like-minded people and forming virtual communities in multi-dimentional ways. Tres cool.
Could revolutionize community activism and political awareness. Who can disagree that our systems of government are out of touch with the people , perhaps governments like it that way. Be nice to get their attention again. Blogging can be a clotting agent for popular opinion. I like it already.
Picked up The Rough Guide to Blogging by Jonathan Yang at Chapters today. It's a very good intro for the novice blogger like me, a boomer, rusty geek, scrambling to catch up.
Google and Amazon have lots of tools. Its about connecting to like-minded people and forming virtual communities in multi-dimentional ways. Tres cool.
Could revolutionize community activism and political awareness. Who can disagree that our systems of government are out of touch with the people , perhaps governments like it that way. Be nice to get their attention again. Blogging can be a clotting agent for popular opinion. I like it already.
The Chaparral Murders: Dollar Store Justice
Well, I finally finished it. My first book. Six years in the making.
Self-publishing was my choice to get it out fast. Lots learned. Lots more to learn. I used iUniverse.
Now a new wave of work to promote it begins. I seem to spend my life at the computer.
Two reviews underway. Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Self-publishing was my choice to get it out fast. Lots learned. Lots more to learn. I used iUniverse.
Now a new wave of work to promote it begins. I seem to spend my life at the computer.
Two reviews underway. Waiting, waiting, waiting.
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