(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
K-9 Kudzu
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
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Write While You Wait
(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
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Illustrations
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Illustrations Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter To see a larger image of K-9 Kudzu, open the pdf link by clicking Kudzu Final Ball As with any major project, the original plan and the finished work can vastly differ. Things evolve. I planned a primer picture book titled B is for Badge: The ABCs of Law Enforcement. Instead, I’m eagerly awaiting the publishing of an illustrated, upper grade-school book, K-9 Kudzu: … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Illustrations
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: Reevaluating Schedule
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Reevaluating Schedule Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter Hello Gina, It's time for me to admit to you that I need a change of schedule on publishing Kudzus' Guide to Law Enforcement. I apologize to you for asking you to fit my book into your busy work schedule and then delaying sending you a final draft so you can begin blocking, etc. I'm working hard at it but when I reread it, I … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Reevaluating Schedule
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