(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu Art Hughes, a friend of mine, recommended I use videos to help promote my children's book, K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. He also suggested using OpenShot Video Editor to create the videos. So, I wrote a song titled The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu. Here it is: The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu Lyrics by Jim Potter Chorus: K-9, K-9 Kudzu, a working dog who loves to … [Read more...] about The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu
Gina Laiso
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sales Technology
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Sales Technology When it comes to technology, I might as well be Amish. I’ve never used an ATM machine, owned a debit card, or scanned a QR code. Like the Amish, I’m not against technology, I’m just slow to adapt to it. People change for a reason. Sometimes circumstances require it. Fifteen years ago, I purchased my first smart phone when I realized I was supervising younger people who used the technology to … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sales Technology
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Final Proof Approved
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Final Proof Approved Finally! We’ve approved Proof #2 of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. Now, the children’s book is in line for printing at POD Print. We’re hoping to have copies in hand within two weeks. Creating this book has been like a five-act play. If Act 1 was writing the book, and Act 2 was editing the book, then Act 3 was the process of developing the color illustrations with … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Final Proof Approved
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Direct Selling
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Direct Selling When K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play is published, I’m going to do an experiment with direct sales. I’m not going to share my print files with Amazon.com or Ingram Spark. Instead, I’m going to do my own thing. Why should I give away the keys to the printing room, the keys to my newest creative work, so that Amazon can undercut my price and make more profit than me on my … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Direct Selling
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Cover Reveal
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Cover Reveal Today’s the day to reveal the cover of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. We’re really pleased with the layout, including the title, illustrations of Kudzu and Deputy Tom Jennings, Kudzu’s introduction of the book, and the endorsements. Once Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, developed K-9 Kudzu’s branding image, we knew it would be displayed prominently on the cover. … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Cover Reveal
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Designer’s Proof
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Designer's Proof We’re getting closer to a published book. It’s an exciting and anxious time with restless nights, but we can see light at the end of the tunnel and I’m positive it’s not another train. This blog series about publishing my children’s book, K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play, began the first week of January, so we’re five months in with one month, or so, to go. … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Designer’s Proof
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sequel
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Sequel Last week I met several friendly members of the Hutchinson Kennel Club (HKC) and their well-behaved canine companions. We gathered at the Reno County Museum during Third Thursday activities. The club volunteers shared with the public a great deal of educational information about dog care and training. They even had a dog breed parade! It was an enjoyable time. Alex and I set up our vendor table and … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sequel
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Promotion
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Promotion I’m chomping at the bit to get K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play, published, but all good things take time. Here’s my bad news: It’s tough watching so many great opportunities to sell my children’s book pass by because the book’s not ready for publication yet. Here’s the good news: For the sake of my sanity, I choose to believe that most of my sales opportunities aren’t … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Promotion
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Collaboration
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Collaboration Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter I call myself a cave dweller. My computer cave room is where I, alone, write blogs and books. But, at some point, I do collaborate. While writing my books, I read my new chapters to Alex—my wife—and she regularly encourages me and improves my work. Currently, I’m collaborating with Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, as she creates colorful illustrations for my first … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Collaboration
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Creative and Colorful Illustrations
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Creative and Colorful Illustrations Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter Everyone’s heard the expression about how something is so special it’s “icing on a cake.” The icing is an extra step. It makes something that’s already excellent, even better. When I complete a draft of a book, I print it out and assemble the pages in a three-ring binder so I can hold the work in my hands. I also make sure that I have the … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Creative and Colorful Illustrations
