(To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.) Author Talk Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter When a friend invited me to be a speaker at an upcoming AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) meeting, he suggested I talk about my law enforcement career. I preferred to talk about my writing. We agreed that I’d discuss my transition from being a deputy sheriff to a published author and how writing offense reports was instrumental in my literary … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Author Talk
Cop in the Classroom
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Being in the Moment
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Being in the Moment Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter Reintroduction Here’s a quick review about this series of weekly blog posts on publishing my color-illustrated children’s book in six months. It’s a progress report. From my first post in January 2023, I’ve shared my goal: publish K-9 Kudzu’s Guide to Law Enforcement by June 1st. If I make this deadline, I’ll complete the series during the month of … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Being in the Moment
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Choosing a Title Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter Your book is copyrighted, your title is not. Did you know that upon writing your book, it’s copyrighted, but its title is never protected? Other authors can use it again and again. I enjoy brainstorming titles for my books. I’m big on alliteration and I often use subtitles to help describe the book. While writing a draft of a book, an author … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction
(To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.) (To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.) Introduction Copyright 2023 by Jim Potter It’s a new year, and I’m excited to be on a path to my first children’s book. I expect it to be printed in June 2023. Six months to go and every day is busy. Editing. Meeting with illustrators. Getting a range of cost estimates for printing even though I’m unsure of the book’s size. Looking for grants or … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction
Author Jim Potter interviewed by Author Bill Bush
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Author Jim Potter Interviewed by Author Bill Bush Author Bill Bush, prolific writer, interviewed me in August for his website. He posted it on September 1, 2022. The post was so well-received, I asked Bill if I could add it to my website. He agreed. Bill and I have been friends ever since I attended one of his book signings in Newton, Kansas. He's friendly, helpful, open, and talented.</p If you like … [Read more...] about Author Jim Potter interviewed by Author Bill Bush
Book Marketing “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish”
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Book Marketing Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish (a novella) Published authors will tell you that writing their book was the beginning, not the end of the journey. That’s certainly true for me. I still have a lot to learn about book marketing. I was so naive in 2007 when I published my first book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told. It’s an exaggeration to say that I was expecting … [Read more...] about Book Marketing “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish”
Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Preface * Books don’t just happen. While growing up, I heard stories that triggered my imagination. Stories are seeds to an author. When planted and nourished, they can become a bountiful harvest. In my case, there are several reasons why I wanted to research and write about the sheriffs of Reno County, Kansas. When I was growing up, I regularly watched weekly westerns on television. My … [Read more...] about Sheriffs of Reno County: 1872-2022
Memories in Motion
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · Lessons Learned Make the Memoir · If you write anything, you’re likely to connect with and use your memories. On a daily basis we are reminded of yesterday. The radio is playing a song from our past. The TV or social media announces an anniversary of a special event. We remember from our life, not a history book. We see a faded photograph of us or our family. We look in the mirror and remember a younger … [Read more...] about Memories in Motion
Writing Memoir Workshop
The Honking Tree If you live or have lived west of Wichita, Kansas, then you might recognize this tree that grows on the south side of K96, a couple of miles west of the Maize exit. Some locals refer to it as the "Honking Tree." Others remember late nights of drinking beer when a pit stop was required in order to empty full bladders. They called it the "Peeing Tree." Still others recall it as "The Ten-Mile Tree," and "The Kissing Tree." I'm a writer and author who is currently … [Read more...] about Writing Memoir Workshop
Writing Experience: When Did You Start Writing?
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) · When Did You Start Writing? · Think back for a moment at your desire to write or to be published. Do you recall the first book that moved you? Did an author, parent, or teacher encourage you? Think of all the experience you've already had writing, living, and learning. Maybe you've traveled a lot or have had job experiences that are worth writing about. Maybe you've fought battles, internal or … [Read more...] about Writing Experience: When Did You Start Writing?
