Young Authors Open House Event

Now that everyone has gotten back into the rhythm of school, Ann and I are excited to present an Open House of the Young* Writer's Workshop on September 16, from 5-7 at the Ann Peden Jewelry and Artist Marketplace in Watkinsville.

Come see work by authors age six (and a half), ten, sixteen, and maybe a little older than sixteen who make Georgia their home. Order copies of their books and maybe get their autographs.

Available on Amazon

Available on Amazon

Coming Soon!!

Available on Amazon

Learn more about the Young Writer Workshop, where both young and young at heart can find their voice(s) and make stories that can become real live books.

See the work done in Arkansas by young authors when I was living and working there. Ask me about special discounts, or pick up a list of their books which can be purchased on Amazon.

Play some writing and storytelling games -- Flash Fiction After Dark and the Four Favorites Game are my most popular.

And of course, while you are there, check out ALL the art and jewelry and unique gift items that Ann Peden's has to offer. For example, Ann made this owl bookmark right in front of my eyes!!

 People that come out to see me at First Friday on Main in Watkinsville on September 2nd have an opportunity to snag a coupon for a free bookmark like this one (with purchase of one of my books).

So again, please join us!
Open House of the Young* Writer's Workshop
September 16, from 5-7
Ann Peden Jewelry and Artist Marketplace

Ann Peden Jewelry

1431 Capital Ave
Suite 109
Watkinsville, GA 30677
706-769-2656
store@annpedenjewelry.com

*Young and Young at Heart; Ages 5 and up welcome and encouraged!!

Dates and a Guest Blog Post Link

OK. Here are some dates:
Saturday, July 23 -- 11AM West Broad Farmer's Market
 I'll be doing storytime, handing out blank books for people to stop and make a book with, and all that jazz. Athens, GA!!

Tuesday, July 26 -- 1-4PM Ann Peden - Jewelry and Artist Marketplace
I'll be holding the PENULTIMATE Make A Book Summer Workshop for 2016.
Watkinsville, GA!!

And the AWA allowed me to guest post on their blog again. I really appreciate being part of this fantastic group. This is a guide to formatting in MSWord for CreateSpace.

https://athenswritersassociation.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/formatting-a-book-manuscript-with-ms-word/

(Kudos and thanks to Katherine for the beach scenes!!)

I am getting better about formatting and teaching myself better practices for formatting books for Kindle as well as POD. I'd love to help you see yourself in print -- contact me!!

Comments are always welcome, whether here or on my FB page. Same goes for LIKES, SHARES, and offers of canned Dr. Pepper (though we may have to do that in person).

New Time for Workshop and Two "Save the Dates"

Hey -- just letting everyone know that the Watkinsville Make a Book Workshop has a new time. As always, your group of three or more can call Ann and set up your own time if you like -- perfect for your club, organization, scout troup, or summer-camp/pre-school boredom buster! Call 706-769-2656 for details!

And then "Save the Date"

Back by popular demand August 23 and 30!!  

I’m Not Writing A Book Today — a story by Phyl Campbell

I’ve got a great idea for a story.

It’s funny.

It makes me laugh.

One day, I will put it in a book and show you.

But not today.

Today I want to read someone else’s story.

Later, I will go swimming.

Then, I have to feed the dog.

Sorry, I simply cannot write today.

 

  

The story in my mind is getting stronger.

There’s this person, see?

And this person has to go…

And do…

But I must go and do also.

I must go to school.

I must do my homework.

Seven times two is not thirteen!

My story will just have to wait.

 

  

The person in my story made me cry today.

No, I cannot tell you why.

You have to wait until I’ve written it down.

And today I don’t want to write.

It’s a beautiful day and I want to play outside.

Or it’s a horrible day and I just want to play video games.

I absolutely cannot write today.

 

  

I know what the person in my story needs!

My person needs a — !

Oh, wait.

It’s a secret.

Shh!

The moon is full and the fireflies are out.

Or the wind is cold and I want to snuggle under the blankets.

The person in my story needs something, too.

And that person must wait for me to be ready.

 

  

Me?

What am I doing today?

I’m writing.

Can’t you tell?

I put off my story until I no longer could,

But now it is almost done.

 

  

When I’m finished, would you like me to share it with you?

You would?

That’s great!

Thank you!

Hot Off the Presses!!

This summer, I've not written much lately -- but I've been busy helping young people publish. That's right. Five young people have gotten their first (and one young lady her first and second) novels off the ground, published, and made available on Amazon. Please show your support and check them out!
In order of publication:
Cadence Moore's Doggie Dilemma
Bella Bond's A Lemur's Life: The Power Within
Nicole Abram's Megan's Great Fear
Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light
Bella Bond's A Lemur's Life: The Royal Family
Ari Ford's The Mystery of Death Bridge


         

How to Monday: Quick and Dirty Book Publishing Guide

My way is not the only way to publish an Indie book. These steps are my best advice for creating a print book (paperback) that can be made available on Amazon or purchased wholesale by the author for resale at book buying events.

1. Create a manuscript using a word processor.

• Use sections (Page Break, Section Break) for each chapter or section
• Use Headers and Footers to create page numbers and to write your book title and author name on each page (I keep another published book in front of me as a guide)
• Create the front matter (title, copyright page, dedication). Again, use a previously published book to see the industry standard.
• Create the back matter (acknowledgments, author note, about the author, preview of next book)
• Front matter and back matter should not have page numbers, headers, or footers. I use section breaks to do this, but my brother recommends applying white text boxes where text should be hidden.
• Use Styles to establish one font and font size for chapter headers and a different font and font size for basic text. You can also use it to select indents, spacing between lines and other text features. It’s tricky to learn, but will save any many steps.
• In my word processing tool bar, there is a paragraph mark symbol. Select it to see all hidden formatting symbols like spaces and hard/soft returns.
• Learn how to use Find and Replace. Especially MORE/FORMAT
• Save document (OFTEN!)

2. Create an account for or log into CreateSpace (www.CreateSpace.com)

• Under the My Account tab, select Add New Title
• Follow the instructions to select book size, paper, and other attributes
• Skip the step of adding an interior file
• Create a Cover (Create and upload the PDF, or use their template and images – I do a combination)

3. Go back to your word processor document.

• Adjust paper size or margins to fit the selected book size.
• Add the CreateSpace assigned ISBNs to the copyright page
• Export to PDF (sometimes this is “print to PDF” or “save to PDF”)
• Open the PDF file to check for correct placement of headers, footers, and page numbers. Select “view two page” with “separate title page” (2 boxes to check)
• Without a PDF editor, make changes to the PDF by making the changes in Word and repeating the Export to PDF/Print to PDF/Save as PDF option.

4. Go back to CreateSpace

• Go to the Title created in Step 2.
• Go to the step of uploading an Interior File.
• It is possible to upload files from a word processor without the PDF step. I don’t think the files come across as cleanly --- some formatting is lost (fonts, margins, page breaks). This has been my experience.
• Choose sales channels and set book price(s)
• Submit files for review

5. The file review check takes 24-48 hours. It will determine whether all the content from the submitted file fits within the margins of the selected layout.

• Make changes to the review file until CreateSpace (and you) are satisfied, either by making changes to the CreateSpace review file (when applicable), changing book attributes in CreateSpace, or making changes to the PDF/ word document.
• Repeat the file review steps each time changes are made.
• When the review comes back without errors, and the book is acceptable to you, select Publish.

Published titles are available immediately on CreateSpace, and within 1-5 days on Amazon (if Amazon was selected) or other channels.

6. My way is not the only way to publish an Indie book. Some people buy their own ISBNs (See LightningSource instead of CreateSpace), hire out cover artists and layout designers, formatters, editors, etc.  Some people only publish to Kindle. These steps are my best advice for creating a print book that can be made available on Amazon or purchased wholesale by the author for resale at book buying events.

7. Timeline. On average, creating the manuscript takes me a year. Preparing a cover takes me two weeks (over a month with reader input). Formatting the interior (for me) is a two-week job minimum. I try to format as I go, but best laid plans sometimes go awry, and I have to undo formatting to add pages, delete pages, or fiddle with margins. Can someone else do it faster and better? Undoubtedly. I encourage people with tips or tricks to share their knowledge.

Mother Confessor Book One

Mother Confessor Book Two

Mother Confessor 2 in 1 Edition

The Carley Patrol

Martha's Chickens & the Pirates

Confessions of a Grammar Enthusiast

Coming Soon: #25 Reasons Why Charlie Should Never Read Jane's Books to Jane


Also Coming Soon: A Muse Meant