(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Write While You Wait Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter It may not seem like it, but my children’s book, K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play, is progressing. Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, is very close to sending us a draft copy of the entire book with color illustrations. Once that occurs, we’ll start tweaking the images. While publishing a book, it’s normal for authors to have time to begin … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Write While You Wait
Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: More Research
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) More Research Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter While my children’s book illustrator, Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, is closer to sending me a draft of the book with color illustrations, I continue historical research on the Amish in preparation for my sequel to Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish. Looking for Old Order Amish, finding Mennonites Last week I learned of an Amish Mennonite cemetery ten miles from our … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: More Research
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Research
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter Research Now that my children’s book is in the hands of illustrator Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, I’m refocusing for a few days by doing some historical research in preparation for my sequel to Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish. A Buggy Ride to Visit Christian C. Miller (1855-1931) Today was a special day for me. I had an Amish horse and buggy ride. Harry “Historian” W. … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Research
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Author Talk
(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
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Avoidance
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Avoidance Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter Last week I was calmly promoting and selling my Amish novella, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish. I was marketing and editing my book-in-progress, K-9 Kudzu’s Guide to Law Enforcement. All was fine, normal, until I had a restless night. It was 3 a.m. when an awe-inspiring literary idea materialized. Sleep deprived, I asked myself a few questions. How could I be so … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Avoidance
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Be Prepared
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) (To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) "Be Prepared" Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter My weekly blog is like a journal. I’m sharing in real time what I’m working on with the expectation that it will be of benefit to authors who are anticipating publishing. Some authors aren’t sure what to do prior to their final draft. Like I’ve said before, there’s an unlimited number of … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Be Prepared
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: Multitasking
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Multitasking Copyright 2023 by Jim Potter We live in the country. We have a pond—sometimes with water—but my life as an author isn’t even close to Henry David Thoreau’s at Walden Pond. I’m not on a writer’s retreat with minimal interruptions; I’m on the internet and have a phone. I’m pretty much a cave dweller except for trips to town to mail books from the PO and to pick up groceries. Being retired, you’d … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Multitasking
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking
(To listen to the audio of this blog, use the purple play button.) Networking Copyright 2023 by Jim Potter Preparing to publish my book requires a lot of multi-tasking and networking. It’s a process and I can’t do it alone. I’ll bet you’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In publishing—whether traditional or indie—it takes a network to birth a book. At its most basic level, networking is when a group of people support and encourage one another to … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking