Guest Post from Lillie Ammann: Subsidy Publishing? Self-Publishing? It’s All Beginning to Blur

Part I:    Book Publishing: What Are Your Options?

Part II:  Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Publishing

Part III: NY House Versus Small Press 

Part IV: Subsidy Publishing? Self-Publishing? It's All Beginning to Blur

I'm thankful that my friend and fellow blogger, Lillie Ammann, was able to take time out of her busy schedule to contribute the following article - and the last part of my series on publishing.  Her first-hand experience and perspective as a professional editor as well as writer and publisher of her own books, truly shows in the following article.  I hope you enjoy it and find it as useful as I found it to be:

 

Not long ago, authors had three distinct choices in publishing: traditional publishing (either a NY House or a small press as described in Lisa’s earlier post), subsidy publishing (often called vanity publishing), or self-publishing. Today, lines between subsidy (other than vanity) publishing and self-publishing are beginning to blur. In fact, authors who self-publish and authors who publish with a subsidy publisher now call themselves “indie authors.”

In subsidy publishing, authors pay a company to publish their work. Many people call subsidy publishing “vanity publishing” because it appeals to authors’ vanity—to their desire to see their name on the cover of a book. Some say that authors who pay to have their books published “have more money than talent or sense.”

Vanity publishing is always subsidy publishing—because authors pay a company to publish their work. However, not all subsidy publishing is vanity publishing. If the subsidy publisher provides the services authors need with good quality at reasonable prices, subsidy publishing can be a legitimate choice.

Vanity publishing can be very expensive with little return for authors. Everything costs money—editing, cover design, interior layout, printing—either as part of a package price or as individual charges. If authors are able to choose the services provided, many skip editing to save money because they don’t realize that without editing, the quality of the book will end up somewhere between awful and mediocre.

In the days when all printing had to be done on offset presses, authors often paid exorbitant prices to have 1,000 or even 5,000 copies of their books printed by a vanity publisher and shipped to the authors’ homes, only to sit unsold, gathering dust.

Self-publishing used to mean that authors did all the work and paid all the costs to publish their own books rather than paying one company to do it all. The authors still ended up with thousands of copies of books with no way to get them into bookstores—distributors and booksellers wouldn’t even consider self-published books. In addition to being great writers, self-publishers had to be exceptional marketers and find innovative distribution methods if they hoped to become successful.

In the last few years, the advent of print on demand (POD) has changed the publishing landscape. POD publishers can print one copy of a book from a digital file for the same unit cost as they can print 1,000 copies. That cost is generally higher than the unit cost for 1,000 copies of an offset press run, but the advantages of POD can compensate for the slightly higher cost. 

Authors can pay a POD company for the services they want or need, such as editing, custom cover design, and interior layout. They can use cover and interior templates provided by the POD company to design their own cover and interior. Or they can do what self-publishers have always done and contract with different providers for the services they need, using the POD company simply as a printer.

Now the lines between subsidy publishing and self-publishing begin to blur. Authors who hire their own editors and contract with their own interior and cover designers certainly qualify to be called self-published, even if they use a POD company as their printer. On the other hand, authors who simply pay a POD company for a package of services and have no further input into the production of their books might be considered subsidy published.  But what about indie authors who hire freelance editors but create their own covers and interior layout using templates provided by the POD company? Or authors who pay the POD company for editing and interior layout but provide their own book covers? The distinctions are no longer quite so clear. Indie publishing better describes the spectrum of subsidy publishing, self-publishing, and the blurry space in between.

The two most popular POD publishers are CreateSpace (a subsidiary of Amazon.com) and Lightning Source (a subsidiary of the book distributor Ingram). These companies and others like them enable writers to publish their own work much easier than old-fashioned self-publishing using an offset printer.

Lightning Source Inc. (LSI) is used by small, medium, and large publishing companies to print and distribute books. The company charges a setup fee for each title published. Publishers (including self-publishers) can order books in any quantity to sell themselves as well as opt-in to distribution through the Ingram catalog to booksellers (for a fee).

CreateSpace offers a range of services from printing only to full service, including editing, cover design, and interior layout. Printing only is completely free—authors pay only for the books they buy, and they receive royalties for the books CreateSpace sells through its site, Amazon.com, and other retailers. Authors can provide their own ISBNs, making the authors the publishers of record—true self-publishers, or CreateSpace will provide ISBNs, making CreateSpace the publisher of record. Many indie authors find CreateSpace easy to use and cost-effective.

Just a few years ago, all my self-publishing clients did a print run of 1,000 or 2,000 copies with an offset printer. Today, I recommend to most of my clients that they use a POD printer. Typically, I edit and layout the books, and the authors contract with a cover designer. However, for memoirs and family histories that are written primarily for family and friends, my clients may generate covers from the POD company’s templates. Everyone has been pleased with the results.

Subsidy publishing with a POD publisher may be most appropriate when some or all of the following conditions apply:

• The author has no desire to get involved in any aspect of publishing
• The target audience is a small group, such as family and friends of a memoir write
• The author doesn’t expect to write additional books

Self-publishing with a POD publisher may be most appropriate when some or all of the following conditions apply:

• The author wants control of all aspects of publishing, including the cover and interior design 
• The target audience is the general public
• The author plans to write additional books and wants to build readership for future titles

And then there’s the vast blurry middle—in which authors pick and choose what they do and what the subsidy publisher does, making indie authors truly independent.

There is no one best way to publish. As Lisa has pointed out in earlier posts in this series, each type of publishing has advantages and disadvantages. Authors must weigh the pros and cons, evaluate their goals, and determine which publishing method is best for them and their work.

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Lillie Ammann is a writer, editor, and book midwife. She is the author of three romance novels, including the romantic mystery Dream or Destiny, and several how-to e-books. She edits manuscripts and works with self-publishing authors to deliver their bouncing baby books. Lillie blogs about writing, publishing, books, and more at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye.

NY House Publishing Versus Small Press

Part I:    Book Publishing: What Are Your Options?

Part II:   Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Publishing

Part III:  NY House Versus Small Press

Picture this.  After a satisfying dinner out, you and your spouse decide to while away the rest of your evening at Barnes and Nobles.  You walk in the door and there, conveniently located by the registers is the loveliest piece of reinforced cardboard you’ve ever seen.  It’s the book display designated for your very first published number one bestseller.  Oh what a feeling!  

What writer doesn’t dream of becoming a household name?  Exactly how does that happen anyway?  Well, there are a lot of contributing factors, but certainly the odds of achieving this status are much greater if you go with NY House Publishing.  As I said in the first part of my publishing series, NY House is any one of a number of publishers located in NYC.  Popular names include Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and many others.  

The advantages of having your book published through NY House are numerous.  They are:

•   Larger cash advances

• The publisher helps market and sell the book - resulting in bigger sales. 

• Your book ends up in bookstores and supermarkets everywhere.  This is really a part of what the publisher does to market and sell your book, but it's significant.  Greater exposure helps sell your book and even make your name familiar among readers of your genre.

• Greater royalties from your book.

As with most things writing, publishing with NY House isn’t easy and there are drawbacks to this method as well.  

The problem is NY House publishers tend to be very unapproachable for new writers.  Many times they won't even deal with a writer without an agent.  Plus, it's uncommon for them to accept unsolicited manuscripts.  Even after a manuscript has been accepted, it can take up to two years before it actually hits the shelves.  That's a long time.  

Other drawbacks include the fact that there's little control over the outcome of your book, and you relinquish all rights to your book.

In light of the fact that traveling the publishing road to NY House is so difficult, many authors choose to go with small press.  Not a bad choice at all.   There is an estimated 50,000+ small or independent presses in the US, making them a much more viable option for new writers.  And even though they may not pay the huge advances that the major publishing companies pay, there are certainly great advantages to going this route.

One of the biggest benefits is that since small press publishers usually only publish ten books or fewer a year, their schedules aren't cluttered with meetings, deadlines, and other time constraints.  For you, that means more one-on-one time, more input on details like what your cover will look like, and a faster turnaround for your book.  Furthermore, they are far more likely to take a risk on new authors or books that are considered "out-of-the box."

The cons are that it's harder to have a huge success when going with small print.  They are much more limited in finances and what they can do for you in terms of marketing.  Here are a couple more disadvantages. 

 

•  Due to the huge expense of printing, it isn't uncommon for publishers to print fewer than a couple thousand books at a time.  Consequently, if few books are printed, it’s harder to get distributors to purchase them. 

• Smaller and shorter print runs also make it harder (albeit not impossible) to hit the bestseller list.  
• Smaller advances – if any at all, and lower royalties.

So there’s a brief breakdown of the pros and cons of NY House v. Small press.  Both paths are difficult, yet with hard work and diligence, and of course, a great book the potential for amazing results is great. 

Be sure to be watching for the final post in this series when my friend and fellow writer Lillie Ammann from A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye contributes the last post in this series on subsidy/self-publishing. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Publishing

Thanks to Lillie Ammann at A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye, I know that March 6-12, 2011 is officially Read An E-Book Week.   In light of that fact, I thought it would be ideal to continue my series on publishing on the advantages and disadvantages of publishing "e-books," or in other words "e-Publishing."

Perhaps one of the most surprising facts about "e-books" is that they are celebrating their 40th birthday this year.  Michael S. Hart created the first "e-book" as part of Project Gutenberg back in the early '70's, before the internet had really taken hold.  Initially, he manually typed the text of the Bible, Shakespeare and many other classics in an attempt to encourage literacy and give as many e-books to the public as possible. 

Today, electronic publishing, or e-Publishing is growing like wildfire.  It is defined as the digital publication of e-books and other reads like short stories or collections via the internet.  Files may be viewed online, loaded onto CDs and electronic readers, or even emailed directly to your computer.  There are an amazing number of advantages to e-Publishing.  Here are a few:

• From a financial standpoint, it is often a great option.  Because there are fewer overheads for the publisher, as in printing and distribution costs, the writer can often make out better with royalties - sometimes making as much as 70%.  Also, due to lower overheads, a publisher will many times be more willing to take a risk on an unpublished author or even a book or character idea that might be a little dicey.
• The actual time it takes for a book to get published is much faster than in traditional publication.  Where going the "old-fashioned" way might take up to two years, e-publishing can be as quick as three weeks to only a few months after acceptance. 
• Storage in itself is a great advantage to this form of publishing.  Unlimited space on the internet makes it easy for everyone to maintain files.  Plus, since most e-publications are sent via PDF files, or compatible word processing docs, it's even quick and easy to go in and make changes to a publication.  Traditional publishers are often unwilling to make changes to a manuscript because it involves so much extra work.  
• Where paper publishers usually try to obtain as many rights a possible, the e-Publisher usually retains none.  That means the writer keeps the rights to his work and even has the option to take it to a paper publisher at a later date.  
• It's a great way for a new writer to build a platform or create a following before going to paper.  
• e-Published docs can be sent all over the world in a matter of seconds.  This is a huge advantage to both the writer and to the reader who does not like to wait. 

As with anything, there are also disadvantages to e-Publishing. 

• There is a lot more responsibility resting on the writer to market his own work.  With paper publishing people can visit libraries, bookstores or even see a book in a storefront window and make the purchase.  Not so with this method.  
• Even though royalties can be better, there is no advance in the beginning.
• It's true that the overheads are lower for the publisher, but that doesn't mean the cost of the book itself is less.  An expensive e-book might not always seem appealing to potential buyers.
• Some might argue that the quality in writing of an e-published book doesn't compare to that of a paper book. 
• Sales for e-books are not as great as they are for paper.  In the e-book industry, a writer is considered successful if his e-book sales hit 500.    
• Online publications may review e-books, but newspaper and magazine reviewers tend to stick with paper.  This is just one more reason why the writer must work harder at promoting himself. 

Despite the disadvantages of e-Publishing, it's certainly a worthwhile consideration for new writers, or for those who've been published and are looking for additional ways to build on their platform and get their name out there.  Oh!  And if you haven't had the experience to read an e-book yourself or you'd like a chance to win your own reading device, be sure to check out the Read An E-Book Week link!  

Book Publishing: What Are Your Options?

 Writer’s Digest recently ran an interview with one of my favorite authors, Anne Lamott.  In it she touched upon the positive and negative changes she’s seen in the publishing industry over the years.  She felt that an ever growing online community has had an incredibly positive impact for writers or anyone looking to share their lives or histories on the internet.  There’s no disputing that.  There’s quite literally an online community for every person with every plausible interest out there.

On the negative side though, Lamott notes how the publishing industry has grown the “big time” publishers to the point that the numbers of small-press-run books are beginning to decline.  Her comment made me think about publishing companies.  Most people know that if a book is bound and set to print, a company somewhere must have published it.  Come to find out, there are several kinds of book publishers, each serving a different need or purpose.

Vanity or Subsidy Press:  A vanity press/subsidy press is a publisher or publishing house that puts out books at the total expense of the author. Most often the author has no say on details like paper color or binding style, but he retains all rights to his work.  These companies do little to no editing or promoting and often inflate all of the costs for what minute amount they do.  Vanity or subsidy presses are usually not taken very seriously and should never be mentioned as a source of credibility in the writing world. 

Self-publishing:  Self-publishing is when an author essentially becomes his own publishing company and takes on the responsibility of proofreading, editing, promoting, and all other activities that go along with publishing a book for sale.  It is done entirely at his own expense and often done with print-on-demand technology.  It’s especially ideal for niche markets like regional cookbooks or histories, how-to and other books of the sort.  There is certainly something to be said for the hard work and perseverance that go into making a self-published book a success.  

E-Publishing:   E-publishing is relatively new and certainly one of the most up-and-coming methods of having a book published.  E-publishers offer their books in several different formats including those that can be downloaded to computers, phones, readers and other devices.  Some also use digital technology to make books available in print.  This is an ideal option for anyone who seeks to promote themselves, their business, or even to keep a book circulating that is no longer sold in print. 

Small Press Publishing:  Small press publishers, also known as “indie publishers” or “independent press” usually print a limited number of bound books and have annual sales below a certain level – in the US it’s $50 million.  Many times they do not publish more than ten titles per year and they usually cater to a niche market like library market, nonfiction, or mystery.

Small press publishers don’t pay very high advances, but are more enthusiastic about promoting their authors’ works than larger companies, have more flexible schedules, and are well-informed in the area of social media marketing – which can help a lot with promotion. 

NY House:  Anybody who knows anything at all about book publishers has heard of Random House, Penguin, Simon & Schuster and several other big names like these, including some independents like Dorchester.  They are located in New York City (hence the term “NY House” or simply “New York”) and they are the crème de la crème of the industry.

NY publishers can pay million dollar advances and get an author’s book in every bookstore, library, or supermarket imaginable.  Of course, going with NY House doesn’t necessarily mean that this will happen. 

In the following weeks I will write a series of posts, each one breaking down the advantages and disadvantages of going with each approach to publishing.  Until then keep in mind that all of these methods (except Vanity or Subsidy Press) are credible ways to get a book out there and available to the public.  Excellent writing, hard work, perseverance and impressive promotion are sure to get it on the best-sellers list.

So You Think You're A Writer?

Many times in my life I have wondered if I could legitimately call myself a writer.  I've always struggled with the belief that you have to do something "grand" like write a book in order to accept that title.  I don't feel that way anymore.  Time and a little bit of wisdom have transformed those beliefs, and now I know that writing comes in many shapes and sizes.  Here are just a few thoughts I have that might help you realize if you are a writer or not.

• If you have a burning desire in your heart to string words together in order to create a written piece of work you might just be a writer.  This work can be anything from a resume, to a press release, to a book.  These are all creative expressions and are thoughtful and artistic in their own way - they are created by writers.

• If you find yourself reading articles, books, or anything else of that nature, and you are suddenly stricken with an idea to write then you might just be a writer.  These ideas don't always come while reading though.  Sometimes it's while you are doing the mundane tasks of every day living like washing the dishes. 

• If you often find yourself running for a scrap of paper, a napkin, or something that you can write an idea down on before you forget it, then you are quite possibly a writer.  Of course, then finding these scraps in all locations around your house is also a good indication.  

• You might especially be a writer if you are one who has ideas, but forgets them before you get a chance to write them down.  It is so frustrating when this happens. Of course, it's always those ideas that would have been your best story yet - maybe even your Pulitzer Prize winner!

• If you sit down to write, but then become immobilized by your fear of what might or might not happen - like failure, success, or the fear that someone might actually read it - and instead you do a load of laundry, then you might be a writer.

• If you find yourself reading blogs, books and magazines on writing all the time, then you better get on it because a writer is surely living inside of your heart. 

• If you write anything, even if it's only journaling, and what you write is coming from your heart, then you are a writer!

These are only a few examples that popped into my head - things that I often experience or feel.  It's different for everyone.  For many it's a very private and personal thing, and for others there's nothing quite like seeing their own creations in print.  What defines being a writer in your eyes?   

Readers, Readers Everywhere

This week's Sunday paper had an article in it about Borders' financial woes.  This popular book store has been in business for over 40 years and at one point was booming above all others in the book business.  In fact, according to the article, they were even leaders in book sales for a short time because of the great deals they offered their patrons.  Now like so many other businesses today, they are facing bankruptcy and maybe even closure because of an apparent inability to keep up with the times.

For Borders and even smaller book stores, competition is undeniably rough right now.  The options for reading enthusiasts out there are endless.  Not only do you have websites like Amazon.com, who sell books at great prices, but every day new technologies are popping up that make book buying and reading simple, inexpensive, and extremely convenient.

Popular reading devices like Amazon's Kindle or even Barnes and Nobles Nook enable people to purchase great reads right from the comfort of their own home.  Many downloads are free, and online competition  for book sales allow customers to find prices suitable to their budgets.

Of course, on the spot downloads are not the only advantage to owning one of these great little pieces of equipment.  Many come with all sorts of neat features.  For example, for those who enjoy the learning curve of reading, words with unclear meanings can be highlighted, clicked and then instantly defined - never even having to leave your seat to grab a dictionary.

I have to admit, I don't have a Kindle or a Nook, but I do have a Sony Reader.  My sweet husband bought it for me for Christmas.  It doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles of the aforementioned devices, but it is awesome.  I love it and as much as I enjoy the feel of a new book in my hands, or the smell of an antiquated classic, I certainly enjoy the convenience of being able to get a new book the second I finish one.  Let's face it, with four children, simply hopping in my car to go to the bookstore or library is not always an option for me.

Of course, these reading devices are only a drop in the bucket of new technologies in the reading world.  There are now downloads for iPods and MP3 players, the fancy new Apple iPad e-readers, and of course, who could forget e-books?  Without a doubt there's something as simple or as fancy as any individual's preferences out there.  

For loyal Borders customers, there's good news.  Most of their stores will remain open for a while.  Hopefully, they can jump in on the technology bandwagon and boost up enough sales to make it through these tough economic times.   And of course, for those who love to read, the sky is the limit!

Three Ways to Become a Better Writer

For some people, like my husband for example, the act of writing is about as enjoyable as cleaning the bathroom toilet, yet for others it exhilarates - it's the very breath of their life.  Ever present thoughts of writing invade their head at convenient and inconvenient times alike.  But the question is, how do great writers do it?  How do they become successful?  Do they possess a secret that's only revealed to a chosen few, or are they simply born with the talent?  Over the years, I have learned a few pointers that have helped me improve my craft.

The first thing is to remember, especially for those who are just starting out, that writing doesn't always come easy.  It's a common misconception to think that the great writers of our time, and even those of our past, simply put pen to paper and wrote great pieces of literature.  This isn't so.

Yes, occasionally ideas will pop into your head and it all flows from there.  More often an idea will come, but finding the right words is done with great difficulty.  Yet at other times you find yourself staring at a blank screen or piece of paper with no ideas or anything. 

Good writing takes time, practice and hard work - sometimes many hours of hard work.  You can guarantee that a nicely crafted article or book has spent its fair share of time in the revision bin.   

Another way to improve your writing may almost seem too good to be true - if you like reading that is.  With the fast-paced life that many of us live, it may be hard to carve out extra time for reading, but if you can neither you nor your writing skills will regret it.

Reading goes beyond the obvious learning that you obtain from studying the latest self-help book.  What happens is an interesting transformation that can be likened to moving to a new region.  When a Northerner moves down South, he takes his own accent and dialect with him.  After living down there for a while he begins to take on the Southerner's drawl - without even realizing it. 

Reading books helps you absorb styles, ideas that you might not have thought of prior to, and even vocabulary in much the same way as the Northerner absorbs his changes in speech. 

In her book Bird By Bird, Anne Lammott says of reading, "What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die."

It's these very worlds that she speaks of that broaden our horizons, that give us new insights and perspectives - new understandings to the human emotion, and even ideas for our own stories.  Just consider it grist for the  mill.  

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, one of the best pieces of advice I could give is to write, write, and write some more.  The most productive times in my life as a writer have always been when I was writing a lot.  Ideas actually were popping into my head out of nowhere.  Articles were coming together and writing felt as though it was coming from my heart, not just something I had to do. 

The more you write, the better you get, the more passionate you feel.  The more passionate you feel, the more you want to write.  It's a cycle that breeds not only productivity, but also the kind of practice that makes an excellent writer.  

Writing can be many good things to many people.  But remember, it is hard work, there's always more to learn, and practice does make perfect.  Keep those points in mind and if writing is the desire of your heart, you are sure to be destined for greatness!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 What better day to start blogging again than on Valentine's Day!

This last year has been very busy for me.  On May 19th I gave birth to our fourth (and final) child, Giana Rose.  The name Giana means God is Gracious, and let me tell you, He really is!  She is the light of our lives - just like our other girls - but such a pleasant nature has she!  I always say her name fits her because God knew that a nice disposition for a fourth child would serve me well on many days! 

With a 15-year-old and an almost three-year-old, our house always has plenty of tantrums and drama to spare, yet it's also never lacking in fun, humor, and most of all LOVE.  Life is interesting.  Life is busy.  Life is good.

Having all these babies has definitely changed the trajectory of my writing career.  I have kept up with my freelancing...to a degree.  I have done whatever writing that my full-time commitment to raising my girlies and my sometimes lacking energy levels have allowed. 

Of course, I would like to say that I have been very productive with my writing, but that would be a flat-out lie, and even a tad-bit unrealistic.  I know that now is the time for me to enjoy my family.  Having a 15-year-old, I know all too well how quickly children grow.  This period in my life is fleeting and my first and most important priority and obligation is to them.   

Until life slows down a bit, I will continue to give writing whatever remains of my time and energy - like posting here, even if it is just occasional - and keeping up with my writer friends who are always an inspiration to me. 

As for Valentine's Day, remember that having someone special doesn't have to be a spouse or a significant other.  Our lives are filled with friends and family who are there for us during the good and bad times in our lives.  We should remember them daily and count our blessings for them, but since they make a special "love day" take a few moments to tell them how much you care - and a few moments to remember how much you are loved too!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!   

A Little Goes a Long Way

I can't believe it's been over a week already since my last post. I've been busy writing and doing other things as well. Here's my latest press release: Greenpeace Urges President Obama to earn prize.

I really enjoyed writing it and think that Greenpeace has some legitimate concerns. Maybe it’s because I’m a parent, but over the last several years, I’ve realized how important issues like climate change and conserving our resources really are. They’re truly global concerns. As a general rule, we are a very wasteful society and it’s going to have serious implications for the next generation and beyond if we do not get our act together.

The good news is that if everyone does their small part, a huge difference could be made. A few small changes would go a very long way in protecting what we have.

Just imagine if everyone stopped running the water while brushing their teeth – we would save a lot of water! Or if everyone actually turned off their computers when not in use, how much less energy would be wasted - or money when it comes time to pay the bill. Remember, the payoff for conserving is for everyone, including your own pocketbooks - but most importantly for your children and grandchildren!

Well, enough of my rambling. Other than writing my press release today, I’ve been enjoying the snow that has suddenly decided to fall. We’ve received about six inches since morning and temperatures have dropped dramatically. Today it was 16 degrees with a wind chill of zero! Yikes that’s cold! I wonder if Greenpeace has any plans in the future for controlling severe weather like that. Seriously though, up until the last couple days, we have been blessed with very mild weather. A little snow helps us to better get in the Christmas spirit, right?

I hope everyone is warm and enjoying fun and interesting writing or winter projects. Take care!

The Latest Update

Once again I’ve been gone for a while. I was very excited about achieving all those goals I set back in August. I planned on going full force into freelancing again, blogging regularly, networking, and even working on my website. Right away I managed to land a couple writing jobs – both from previous connections. As often happens in life though, everything did not go exactly as planned. Yes, I did get those wonderful jobs for which I am very thankful, but I also got something I wasn’t exactly bargaining for –I got pregnant too!

Tomorrow I will be 16 weeks pregnant and unfortunately it hasn’t been my best pregnancy ever. I have been low on energy and sick a good portion of the time. Finally, the last week or so I have been feeling better and I am so thankful for that. Other than that, I have been busy trying to figure out how to balance parenting three girls, homemaking, and writing at the same time.

So I didn’t exactly accomplish all those goals a couple months ago, but the best part about goals is that just because you don’t reach them right away doesn’t mean all is lost. I am hoping to spend this next trimester accomplishing all those goals I originally set out to do. Hopefully, it will be a very productive time for me and more importantly for those I am working with and for.

For now I am happy to be able to contribute a quick post to my blog, and hope to be able to do so more regularly. I hope everyone is having a blessed holiday season, and I will try to be back soon!

Reaching Higher

Today is September 1, and that can only mean one thing for me. It's time for me to update you on how I did with the goals I set for myself in a recent post.

So here is what I accomplished:

(1) Educate myself every day to refresh my mind and skills. This was the easy part. Unfortunately, I could read books and articles on writing all day long. This is not a bad thing, but when you do too much reading, that means less writing. I didn't get too carried away with this goal though.

(2) Search daily for jobs. I can't honestly say I've stuck with this one. I have been so busy with other things, I have pushed it aside.

(3) Contact former customers and let them know I am writing again. I have contacted almost all of my former customers and this reaped great results!

(4) Blog twice a week. This was way more difficult than I planned it to be. Obviously, I did not meet this goal.

(5)Work on my writing website. This also did not happen.

(6) Acquire at least two paying jobs. I'm so excited to say I made this one happen. I got two long term positions, and landed an article! Yippee!!!

It was difficult for me to reach all of my goals this time. There have been things going on in my personal life that have made it challenging. One of the biggest problems was that I had to share my PC with my daughter who attends school online. Her computer was down for a couple weeks and she had dealines to meet. That was the priority, so my blogging and website goals had to wait.

I've also been busy getting Chloe ready for kindergarten. I can't believe my baby is ready to start school. I am going to miss her so much, as she has been a huge part of my life over the past five years. This is a new page for her and for me, but it's a part of growing up...a part of life, and it's all good.

Other less important, but very rewarding things I have been busy with are the typical baking and kitchen things that consume a great chunk of my day. In fact, I have been busy canning and enjoying the fruits of the harvest season...pickles, peaches, and peppers...and there's still more to come. Canning is a lot of work, but such a treat to feed my family foods prepared by my own two hands. We are so blessed.

So I didn't meet all of my goals, but I did the best that I could, and still ended up with good results. I am so happy to have gotten some work, but plan to continue setting my goals and striving to reach them every month - always remembering to reach a little higher with each new set!

I hope your week has started out as a great one, and that you, too, are setting goals and achieving all that's important in your lives! Have an awesome day!

New Reading Material

A couple months ago, a very thoughtful lady gave me a $50 gift card to Barnes and Nobles. I was completely flattered by her gesture, but didn't run right out and spend it. It was fun to know that I had it, and could treat myself whenever I was ready.

Last week, I finally went ahead and used my card. I bought the 2010 Writer's Market, and a subscription to Writer's Digest. I thought they would be excellent tools to keep me motivated toward my writing goals. I believe strongly in keeping the fire fueled.

Since, I had a migraine headache on Monday night, I spent most of yesterday on the couch relaxing with my new Writer's Market. It was so much fun! Who would have thought I'd ever be thankful to have had a migraine? Well, crazy at is sounds, I was thankful...it got me a few steps ahead and ready to do some serious writing!

I hope everyone's having a wonderful and productive week!

Setting Goals

Back in March of this year, I began setting goals in my life. The first set was for my Avon business. I've sold for over five years, but never really considered it a business, so naturally I never accomplished anything with it. When I changed my mindset, set a few goals and reached for them, it made all the difference in the world.

The results of goal setting have been amazing—for both my business and personal growth. These accomplished goals have shown me what I am capable of (and this applies to everyone) I can do anything if I set my mind to it!

Since setting goals worked so well with my Avon business, I need to do the same for my writing career. So here we are, right smack dab in the middle of August! There’s plenty of time to set some goals for this month. In order to hold myself more accountable, I am going to list my writing goals right here for all of you to see!

• Educate myself - every day I will spend an hour of my time reading to
improve my craft. After a long break, I know I need to refresh my mind and
sharpen my skills.

• Search daily for jobs

• Contact former clients to let them know I am writing again (Thanks for this
one, Kathy!).

• Blog twice a week

• Work on writing website daily

• Acquire two paying jobs


So there we are. Now I have some goals to work toward. I will give you an update in September to let you know how I did! Wish me luck!

Have a blessed day!

New Beginnings!

This summer I watched my husband, Nick, use all the strength he had to accomplish something that many people, including myself, could never even fathom. At the last minute, his uncle asked him to go down to VA and participate in an adventure run. The run included mountain biking, canoeing, and running for over 24 hours. It was the most grueling race he had ever participated in.

Nick, who is an avid biker and runner, was not adequately trained for a race of this nature, and never realized how difficult it would be. In the beginning he wanted to quit more than anything else in the world, but he refused to let his team down. Instead, he readjusted his attitude and did the best he could. It took their team about 26 hours to complete the race.

I didn’t go to VA with him. I stayed home and literally prayed the entire weekend he was gone. I worried about his physical safety…mountain biking, canoeing, mixed in with rain and thunderstorms can be dangerous. But after it was all over, I was able to sit back and reflect on what he had really accomplished…his body was more than capable of doing what he did, but most impressive to me was that he overcame the biggest mental mountain in his life!

It made me wonder what kind of stuff I am made of. Introspective questions began surfacing in my mind. For example, how would I cope if tragedy struck my life, or am I capable of actually setting realistic goals and really sticking with them?

Inspired by my husband, I decided that though I am physically capable, I need to do some inner strength training! I have challenged myself to try and overcome some of the mental challenges in my life in order to be a more successful individual. I have two main goals for my life right now. I will do something physically good for my body every day, because for me that’s a mental thing. My body can easily run three to five miles a day, or do Pilates, or ride a bike. It’s my brain that tells me not to!

My other goal is to really focus on my writing career again. It’s a challenge for me, not because of overcoming mental stuff, but because I have to learn how to balance my life better. A 14-year-old, a five-year-old, and a toddler can really take a toll on one’s ability to organize and structure life. But it’s not impossible. In fact, moms and dads all over have found great success with their freelancing careers. It’s all about how much they want it, and what they are willing to do to accomplish it.

I suppose this is about self-esteem in a sense. Not that mine is unhealthy, but isn’t it great to know what you’re made of? Nick does. What he did amazes me! I will probably never participate in a race like that, but it’s the daily race of life that we all participate in! Shouldn’t we strive to be the best we can be?

An Irresistible Story!

Have you ever read a book and began to mourn its ending because you were almost done reading it? The kind where there are no sequels, so it's as though you have to say goodbye to the new friends you've made...special friends that you became very attached to in a short period of time. When you read that last page you know it's over, and you grieve the loss of interesting, fun, and exciting people.

I just finished reading "In Her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner, and that's exactly how I felt when I closed the book for good. I picked it up at a garage sale for a quarter thinking it would be nice to read books by authors unfamiliar to me. For only a quarter I figured I couldn't go wrong. Wow! And believe me, I didn't.

"In Her Shoes" was not an intellectual read I suppose, but in it Weiner packed it full of human emotion, real life tragedies, and issues like body image concerns that affect women and people every day.

The book has three main characters. The first two that we meet are sisters, Rose and Maggie, who lost their mother at a very young age. They appear to be completely opposite in every way, but as the story progresses we learn that they have a lot more in common than originally thought.

The third main character is Ella who had been estranged from her grandaughter's lives for many years. She is a gentle soul, who like Rose and Maggie did not live her life without pain and adversity.

The plot emphasizes life's troubles... troubled families, relationships, and the personal challenges everyone has to overcome. Life is not picture perfect. But when it comes right down to it families, troubled though they may be, tend to stick together through all the imperfections.

What I enjoyed the most about this book was the way Weiner was able to bring her characters to life, with their flaws and shortcomings, and she makes us fall in love with them. In "in Her Shoes" Jennifer Weiner creates realistic characters that people can relate to in one way or another - those who are hard to say goodbye to, and the kind of book that's hard to close for good! If you are looking for a fun summer read, be sure to check it out!

Free Software You've GOT to Try!

Usually, the conversion from the harsh cold months of winter to the much awaited warmer spring weather seems to happen suddenly - sometimes even over night. But this year, I really kept my eyes on things! I payed attention to the grass as it turned from dingy to the most lush shade of green that can only exist in the early weeks of spring. I have watched closely as trees have begun to bud and as the flowers have popped up in the cool, moist earth! I love it! When people ask me what my favorite season is, how can I tell them when I'm really not sure myself! Every season holds a special charm. Right now, my favorite season is Spring!

I've been doing a lot of rambling just to get to my point. With spring finally here, I've been doing some major spring cleaning, and I have to say that I am very thankful to a friend of mine. Mig from eWritings - Online Public Relations contacted me via email asking me to try out some awesome software that one of her clients recently developed. I've known Mig for a few years now and trust her explicitly. Her desire to keep children safe on the internet has been an ongoing crusade of hers for years. And honestly, it's a desire I share with her. Of course, I downloaded the software.

It's FREE and it's called KIDO'Z and believe me, it's a lifesaver, maybe even literally! It allows your children to play on the computer without having to worry that they might see or get into something that is inappropriate. Everything is parent filtered and it's ads-free, too! I can't tell you how many times one of my girls clicked on ads before using KIDO'Z, thinking it was something legitimate only to find out it wasn't.

I LOVE KIDO'Z and my children do too! Let me tell you one more thing. Several months ago, our family had a very scary incident involving my oldest daughter and a potential predator. Since that time, I have restricted all of their activity online. My oldest daughter still needs it for school, but I restricted my five-year-old completely. I simply didn't want to risk something horrible happening to them. Now, I don't have to worry. KIDO'Z is safe. My children can play all the games they enjoy and I don't have to worry - and I can do all the spring cleaning I want!

If you have children you should truly consider downloading KIDO'Z and give it a try! It was developed by a father - a loving parent, just like you, just like me - who wanted to keep his children safe on the internet. Spread the word and let all of your friends who have children know all about KIDO'Z. Let's keep our own "Kiddos" safe while they get to enjoy plaing games that enhance learning on the internet!

Download KIDO'Z for FREE here: http://kidoz.net/

Let the Creative Juices Flow!

A lot has happened since my last post - back in March! I have enjoyed this last year of just being a mom, wife, and homemaker. But now it's time to move on to other things. Oh I still have every intention of being a stay-at-home mama, but I'm ready to move into the "Work At Home Mama" role. I am ready to write again, and I'm also dabbling into the home business category, as well.

Some of you already know that I sell Avon. In fact, some of you have even shopped at my online Avon store - thank you so much for your business! I've actually been an Avon Independent Sales Representative for over five years, but it's really been just a hobby. Now that my children are older I am treating it as it really is: my business.

One month ago, I set the goal to become a Unit Leader and double my sales. I've already met those goals, and plan to keep forging ahead, looking for customers who are interested in great products at affordable prices, or for those who are interested in learning more about becoming a representative themselves. Please let me know if you might fit into either category, or take a moment to visit my store and see for yourself the great bargains you can find! There's even a men's line!

As I said earlier, I plan on writing again. It's a part of my life that I can't stay away from forever. It's difficult to find the time with three children, but you are all such great inspirations to me! Many of you have children of your own and blog on a very regular basis. I will work on being more efficient and productive with my time and I will keep you posted on that journey!

As for beauty blogging, don't worry, I will not be doing that here! This blog was created in order to be "A blog of encouragement, learning, and inpspiration for writers of all genres." That will not change, but I will be creating a blog especially for my Avon business. So if you are interested, there will be more information coming up on that soon!

I truly hope that you are all doing well! I have missed you and all of your wonderful comments! You have been as much if not more so of an encouragement to me than I could ever be to you - I thank you for that! Take care, and I will be back soon!

Housework Rules!

Here is just a quick update of what I am doing! As you all know, I haven't been doing too much writing lately...Well, ok, I haven't been doing any writing lately...Sorry. I promise more some day, but I have just been so busy in other creative avenues.

I have been scrapbooking, reading, reading, reading, raising three lovely girls, growing closer to the Lord, and working on home improvement projects. The pictures above are of the stenciling I have been doing on my kitchen. It's a time consuming project because I have a very large kitchen and the details take time, but it will be so worth it in the long run! I can't wait to see the finished product! But here is a peek at what I've done thus far!

Hope everyone is well! I miss you all! I truly do!

Oh Blessed and Bountiful Life!

I am a mother, wife, writer, knitter, singer, homemaker, exerciser and user of the creative gifts God has given me. I am healthy. I am not bored. I am greatly blessed and reveling in the good and bountiful life He has given me. I had to tell you this.

My very best friend and life partner!

Two of three pumpkins of my own!

The little gal who keeps me young at heart!

I love this one more than words can say! Isn't she sooo precious!

"Honestly, Mama, do you have to take a picture?"

Canning peaches is so rewarding!

Using and enjoying the fruit God gives us is a blessing unto itself!



What I have posted here is a mere drop in the bucket of the rich life I am experiencing right now. For those of you who have inquired as to my absence, all is well. All is better than well. Life and circumstances can change overnight. That's a reality that I am aware of, so I have simply been enjoying the abundent life I have been blessed with. You all are a part of that life and I truly hope and pray with all my heart that your lives are as full and blessed as mine.

Invigorate Your Writing - the Figurative Way!

Yesterday, over at Middle Zone Musings, Robert Hruzek announced the August What I Learned From... group writing project. He gives us a definition of a simile and metaphor, and offers great examples of each one. After taking care of that important matter, he tells us that this month he wants us to write about what life is to us in metaphor form.

Robert's writing prompt got me to thinking about how important using figurative language can be to your writing. Why should you use it and what purpose does it serve? Using figurative language, a simile or metaphor, has the potential to make abstract, general, or unfamiliar ideas easier to grasp. It breathes new life, meaning, and depth into a dying sentence.

What is a simile?

A simile is figurative language in which the writer says that two things are like each other - usually using the words like or as.

His eyes were as cold and stony as a piece of granite.

Her heart felt light like a feather.

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is the use of figurative language in which the writer says or implies that one thing actually is another. The element of comparison that is present in a simile is not there in a metaphor.

My daughter is a real pistol when she is angry!

After running three miles, my body begged me to stop and rest.

You probably already know that my daughter is not literally a pistol, or that my body does not beg me to do or not do anything. Metaphors and similes give the reader something that you don't get by simply saying, "My daughter can get real angry," or "I was so tired I wanted to stop running." You get a real visual, a more intense and interesting feeling and a much better read.

Give it a whirl. Practice with your figurative language and watch it spice up your writing!

Until next time, have a blessed day!