(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Scams Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter As an indie author, I take financial risks on purpose. But I’m always trying to avoid scams. A half-century ago, when my grandmother walked out to the mailbox, she regularly returned with what she called “want-me” letters. They were letters from organizations wanting her money. Grandma would read the hard luck stories and respond by sending them a dollar or whatever she could … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Scams
Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Technology
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Technology Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter I remember in my youth, hitchhiking from Illinois to Central America. The unknown didn’t scare me. It was an adventure. I only knew a little Spanish (Por favor, dónde es la baño?), but I dived into a foreign culture. Now I get anxious when a computer file won’t open, or when I can’t figure out why my weekly blog entry isn’t being forwarded to my Facebook page. And I’m … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Technology
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
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: Editing is Listening
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Editing is Listening Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter There’s editing while writing a personal draft copy of your book and there’s editing after you’ve shared your early literary work with others. I’ve limited showing my full book’s draft copy to three people: J. Alex Potter, my first reader; Gina Laiso, the book’s illustrator; and Joelle René, a writer-artist friend. But I’ve discussed the book with … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Editing is Listening
Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Draft Status
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.) Draft Status Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter This is my update, a progress report, the nuts and bolts of the draft copy of my children’s book. Another blog may cover the importance of an author taking time between edits, giving the manuscript time to breath, and the writer an opportunity for rest, reflection, perspective, and fun. There’re a few holes that I need to fill to improve K-9 Kudzu’s Guide … [Read more...] about Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Draft Status
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