· Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions
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Book Designer and Coach
For years Gina Laiso, book designer and coach, has been helping people self-publish books at her company, Integrita Productions, of rural Kansas.
It’s been fulfilling for Gina to guide people through their early inspiration and research phase to the development of a finished, professional book, ready for print. Clearly, she enjoys the process of helping her customers flesh out ideas by offering options for self-publishing.
A few months ago, Gina, a self-publishing author’s consultant, found another way to help writers while also making a huge difference to communities. It started in the midst of a world-wide pandemic when she was exploring a cooking Facebook page called “Quarantine Kitchen.”
One of the 35,000 Quarantine Kitchen members suggested that a recipe book could be published as another way of sharing how members became home chefs during a pandemic. Daniella, Kristina, and Traci Cangiano, administrators of the Facebook page, enthusiastically agreed. Gina stepped forward as the book designer and coach, and guided the process with meticulous cover and layout design.
To top the cake, the Cangianos of New York, decided to make a difference by helping support Covid-19 heroes through the sale of the book.
After the first printing of the collection of recipes, photos, and stories sold out in one week, Gina began to receive inquiries from individuals about designing more recipe books. Some people wanted a cookbook of favorite family dishes, others wanted to fundraise for their community.
Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, is fortunate to have a profession that allows her to work from home and to be in touch with customers across the country. If you are considering publishing a book, she can be reached at gina@integritaproductions.com.
Until next time, happy writing and reading.
Interesting. I keep thinking about compiling some of my blog posts into a book for beginning or ‘wannabe’ writers. When I read about people like this, I get a new lick of inspiration.
Nancy, my goodness yes! With the hundreds (thousands?) of blogs you’ve written, you could publish a 5-volume set! As you would say, “Go for it!” Jim
Hi Nancy! Fun for me to read that you are inspired! If you’d ever like to meet via Zoom or by phone, I would love the opportunity to learn about your blog posts and get to know you. Gina
Hi Gina,
Thanks for the offer, but I think I need a little more inspiration first. Jim Potter is a real cheerleader for me, and I appreciate his support. I will keep your kind offer in mind.
Nancy, you’re smart to know that it’s a long process, sometimes an unpredictable winding road. However, you weren’t born yesterday. With your writing experience, you know the literary basics, bells, & whistles.
I think deciding on which pieces to include in your first (writing tips) book will be of major importance. You can have fun revisiting them and deciding which ones are keepers.
Then, putting them in order is a process. Who knows, you might decide that you need another essay or two to help connect and highlight your message(s). (And they could turn into blogs while you’re assembling your book.)
Editing the final group of winners can help the flow even though each one can be a stand-alone essay. You might enjoy deciding on the visuals, too. For example, if you decide on a printed book, will the art be in color, and if so, how much will that increase the cost of printing?
The biggest thing going for you is you have 80% of the work done. In deciding on whether to start the project, I would recommend you focus more on the 80% that’s done rather than the 20% ahead. Not many “wannabee” authors can say they are already so far along on the literary journey.
You’re already in top shape from your years of blogging so many days a week.
When I decided to start writing my current book, Sheriffs of Reno County, I thought to myself, “I don’t have time to write my weekly blog AND research & write my book.” My answer was to post a completed chapter each week instead of writing a separate blog on a different subject. It has become an important, real deadline for me that keeps me on task and shows concrete results. Each chapter posted gives me more confidence.
Currently, I have 27 of 33 chapters in draft form for the prose part of the book.
Theoretically, if you were to assemble your blogs for Volume 1, what would be your working title? Just asking.
Nancy, in conclusion, unlike many writers, you already have tons of resources. Count me as one.
Remember, the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be done.
Happy writing, Jim
Thanks Nancy! Jim IS the best cheerleader!! Maybe his title should be: Jim Potter, Author/Author Cheerleader… what do you think, Jim? 🙂
Thanks, Gina. Cheerleading is fun and rewarding. However, too much cheerleading isn’t healthy for me. I’m best when I give myself time to be creative & productive on my stuff, and to have time for a nap.
Hi , Jim, Have you used Gina as a resource for your self-published books?
Gina has designed two book covers for me (and even took photos of Alex’s sculptures who were characters in the novel). Our district of the Kansas Authors Club used Gina to design a cover for our anthology, & she designed & formatted the book. She gets the file all set to be printed & will even help you find the best printer. Her work as a book consultant with Mennonite Press, Newton, gives her an insiders comprehension of publishing books. She’s also an author of two books. Her focus is helping people who go the self-publishing route. She’s a people person who is peaceful, not pushy. I highly recommend her. Jim