(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) The Order and the Towel By Jim Potter When I was a young teen growing up in Skokie, Illinois, I had a friend, Jim Heinsimer, who had a paper route. I was curious what it was like. One day after school, at his house, I helped him roll up the newspapers, secure each one with a rubber band, and then I accompanied him on his home deliveries. While we bicycled around the residential neighborhood, we visited, but I was … [Read more...] about I Didn’t Have a Bicycle, but I Had a Paper Route
K-9 Kudzu
Book Reviews: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Book Reviews: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I’ll never be hired to write professional book reviews. I only review books I enjoy. My mantra is this: If I can’t say anything nice, I won’t say anything at all. Most published authors crave book reviews, not just for their ego, but because they believe that more book reviews will lead to more sales. Amazon.com is always advising authors to … [Read more...] about Book Reviews: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Gratitude
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Gratitude Now that we’ve published K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play and we've had our first book signing with steady sales, I want to thank everyone who has helped me. Some of you are mentioned on the acknowledgement page of K-9 Kudzu and others are promoted on my blog posts, but you’re all important. Thank you! I’ve often said that only a published author knows what it feels like to … [Read more...] about Gratitude
The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu
(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
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Printed and Published
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Printed and Published We picked up 250 copies of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at POD Print in Wichita. The long wait was over. K-9 Kudzu is printed and published. For the special event, we wore our colorful, promotional, K-9 Kudzu T-shirts. Examining the boxes of books was a joy Alex and I will always remember, but we asked John Kush to take our photo to … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Printed and Published
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: Progress and Publicity
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Progress and Publicity We’ve received our first proof of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. It’s fantastic! We’ll make a few minor changes before sending it off for a second proof. It’s so important that we have it printed as perfectly as possible since our first high-quality print order will be for 250 books, rather than one at a time with print-on-demand. For those who read … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Progress and Publicity
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
