Farewell 2011

With a brand new year at hand, I'm lining up my business projects along with personal goals. One of the most important skills any self-employed, including writers and artists (I'm doing a little of that now) can do is to learn to prioritize.


At the end of the year, a time I really enjoy, I think back upon the past year and what I've learned. Now that's a priority. What's important, and what isn't. Revamping some of the covers shown at the side was a must.


With respect to indy publishing my backlist, the building blocks of learning this whole thing were huge. I thought I'd share a little:


1. Software programs are moving right along/improving and easier to use with this new publishing development. Currently, I'm using the ever present Word to clean my scanned oldies. Then switching to OpenOffice/freeware to set Chapter Headings. That's easier for me. Also, OO has an Add-in, Write2Epub which creates easy .epub files.


Epub files are essential. Take them to Calibre, also freeware, to neaten up. (Almost everything you need is freeware.) And then check with a purchased program,  Jutoh, to see if .epub specs are met. Some home formatters are using Jutoh entirely. (It's a how-I learned when I started deal.:))


Typically, to start cleaning a Word file from a scanned book, it's best to do what you can, using the Find option in Word. I place a * at the beginning and at the end of an italics. This is important, because the cleanest file comes from copying the Word file and pasting and saving it in Notepad. (Again, that's how I learned to do it, much more intense than using Word's option.)


That cleaned file needs to be copied and then pasted back into Word, using the Special Paste option/Save.


If you're publishing to SmashWords, their guide to formatting is essential.

Keep in mind that there are professional services for the above. There's more, but that's the end of that segment.

Flashback 2. Ad work is essential. I haven't done enough of that and my goal in 2012 is to do more. This year, it was just enough to get started and understand different facets. Contests are ever popular and I put up a Contest page at my blog. Discovering which options work the best is a new project, along with an upcoming new one, Sleepless in Montana, a light romantic suspense.

Romantic suspense. The range of this subgenre is extensive, from light to dark. Sleepless in Montana, which I'm "dressing" for epublication now, is very light.

3. Reviews are essential. This comes under the goals list. My early books do not have Internet reviews, and I'll be out there looking for reviewers in 2012. If you are a reviewer, please let me know.

4. Buddy-Up. Find a group you like and work with it. You'll learn from others. I've joined a few, liked some, didn't fit into others, so it's a what you like. But they can help you. For instance, one writer, Elizabeth S. Craig posted a really helpful spreadsheet of Cover Designers, Editors, Formatters, etc.  I think Elizabeth may be one of the more interesting people I've E-Met in 2011. Do check out her site. Elizabeth keeps up her ad pressure in a style I admire. Which brings me to Google+, which is on my 2012 goal list.


I'm on 2 super E-Loops right now, chock full of information and support. Love those guys. I also rejoined Ninc this year, a group of all pros, who share and help.

5. As for Agents and Legacy/Paper Publishing: This evolution is changing the face of what they were, into what they are becoming. Ereaders, Fire, iPad2, etc. are changing the works. Some writers are placing their own works into paper, using CreateSpace, Lulu and others.

When Night Falls





My Goals for 2012, aside from the ever-present return-to-yoga, diet, painting: (In case you haven't experienced this, it is difficult to balance writing and painting. Projects hold you emotionally/mentally, ideas set in and are difficult to shift. I'm doing better, tho. :))

1. Learn more about Ad Work, the different touch points.
2. Get more reviewers on board.
3. Join Google+
4. Reassess Facebook. (I'm more of a Tweeter. :))
5. Finish another Jemma Kowalski mystery. (Short stories are difficult for me. I only did one because I was prodded by a friend. :))
6. Finish my new romantic suspense.
7. Publish my first Women's Fiction, now completed.
8. Close off what doesn't/didn't work in 2011, cleaning the clog.

In Review:
2011 was my Learning Year.
2012 continues the process, but with a step-up from learner.


I love this end of the year-time, setting goals for the new year, and prioritizing ongoing projects. I hope you're enjoying this time of year, too.


Happy New Year, Everyone!