And Then This Happened

Last night, Rebekah and I attended a presentation on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) at the Joliet Public Library.

We're not new to KDP or self-publishing overall. We've been self-publishing books since 2011, and we have used a couple different companies.

However, we ARE much more familiar with Createspace and have encountered some issues with a few titles (mostly the Bertrand the Mouse picture books) that Amazon migrated from Createspace to KDP, necessitating a few phone calls.

So, since the presentation was free, we attended, hoping for a deep exploration of KDP. Instead, the presenter walked participants through the basic steps, which was a good introduction for people who are new to self-publishing.

I should mention here that Rebekah is not always on board in the moment about helping me out with some of the technical aspects (at which she excels). And when I mentioned about attending this program, she didn't exactly balk, but she didn't do handsprings either.

Ordinarily, she would still be at work when it started. But she had some professional development that day and knew she'd be home early. So we signed up.

Now on many nights, we go walking in the evening. And last night was a perfect night for it. So we were mildly disappointed at missing it. During the break, Rebekah bought M and Ms (which she shared with me) and a cold bottle of water for me.

We had a brief discussion at leaving and then decided to stay. We had, after all, just bought the M and Ms.

During the section of the talk on KDP's cover creator, and how some of the templates won't let you continue without an author cover on the back (which is a no-no for me), Rebekah shared with me how she bypassed it on two of my recent books. The result is at the very bottom of this post.

Afterwards, I talked to one of the participants who had a few questions. And I provided her with information about WriteOn Joliet.

While I was talking to her, the library did a drawing for a Kindle Fire. And suddenly, Rebekah was very happy she had attended.

Finally, the "author photo" does appear on the last two Bertrand the Mouse books. And here it is!

I'm going to leave it as an "editorial decision" on Rebekah's part. No objection from Bertrand!

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 15 through July 20

Just a handful of "original" works ran in features this week - it's been a whole lot of catching up since I returned. I have't even cracked open the manuscript, not for a single peek.

And doing so this weekend will be challenging, too. But I will.

I have a self-publishing information talk/seminar/workshop tomorrow from 9 to 11 at Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet (would love to see you, just $10 if you're not a member of WriteOn Joliet), followed by a wedding at noon (not mine, of course, but still...)

And speaking of WriteOn Joliet, it's recent growth is amazing me. We have new people at nearly every meeting, and they are staying. Three new people attended last night, one the week before that, and three the week before that.

Several of us will be participating in "Writers 15 Minutes of Fame" at 7 p.m. July 26 at the Plainfield Library, 15025 S. Illinois St. in downtown Plainfield. If you're available that night and would like to hear a mix of works read aloud by their authors, come on out!

And now:

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

 One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down.  Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events: 

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts

For an expanded version: http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2018/07/some-upcoming-events.html

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. And for those who came out to WriteOn Joliet's open mic night last night. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Mystery Diner: Volar in Plainfield — comida auténtica indeed

Next came the queso fundido a Volar, a twist on classic queso. The cheese dip was mainly chorizo, which was something we were all quite excited about. It was not too spicy and definitely filling.

But we managed to save room for the main course, of course.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/07/16/a9d5d2bee87a44ee93cf5210fc190be6/index.xml

Morris businesses offering hope to those in need

Event to benefit New Beginnings Thrift Store and Women's Help Center

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/07/18/d40f38727c5d4cf694b631f9d2fbab31/index.xml?page=1

LocalLit author spotlight: Diane Maciejewski of Elgin

"It’s not a matter of “like to write”, rather whatever demands to be written. An idea for a story will pop into my head and will refuse to go away until I write it."

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/12/locallit-author-spotlight-diane-maciejewski-of-elgin/ap4qf2p/

And two columns:

Lots of coffee and a little miracle

The night I saw stars...

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/08/lots-of-coffee-and-a-little-miracle/ah3udt2/

Baran-Unland: Newsletters provide more A&E via email

Events and short stories, just for you

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/19/baran-unland-newsletters-provide-more-ae-via-email/au6saj4/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

These Two Authors Did It; You Can, too

I'm talking about self-publishing, and I'm not talking about me.

Terri Ellinger and Ken McGee are two local authors. Each had written quite a number of books and weren't sure how to get them published. They wanted to self-publish but heard it was expensive.

I showed both of them how to publish for free (or nearly free). When I say "nearly free," I mean that. For instance, WriteOn Joliet is publishing its second anthology this year. The cost for publication is $25, the same as last year's anthology.

I got Ken started right around the holidays last year and Terri came to my self-publishing chat inn February.

And my editor, Colleen Robbins, just received the proof to her first book, which she published using my information.

Here are links to Terri and Ken's books:

Terri Ellinger: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&text=Terri+Ellinger&search-alias=books&field-author=Terri+Ellinger&sort=relevancerank

Ken McGee: https://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Lee-McGee/e/B07D7DGPGG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1531825764&sr=1-1-fkmr0


Ken is still releasing titles and will his books for you to check out (as will I) from 9 to 11 a.m. July 21 at the Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

The event is free for members of WriteOn Joliet or $10 for nonmembers (with the money going back to WriteOn Joliet to provide even more resources for its members).

Of course, you're free to buy a book, too. But this is not the purpose of the event.

The purpose is to show anyone interested in publishing a book (a physical print book, as well as an eBook) without spending thousands of dollars per book.

Maybe you have a story to share with friends and family.

Maybe you'd like to write your memoir.

Maybe you have a business and would like to have a book to sell at talks.

Maybe you have expertise in a niche topic.

Maybe you'd like to distribute your creative writing.

Maybe you'd like to archive family recipes (or favorite family photos) into a book.

Maybe you have ideas/reasons not listed here.

If one of these is the case, maybe self-publishing is for you.

"How to Self-Publish a Book for (Nearly) Free is Not a Formal Event." We're going to sit 'round a table, drink some great coffee (or tea, both available for purchase at the cafe) and go over my handout line by line, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions, etc.

Can't stay? Stop by anyway.

If you're a member of WriteOn Joliet, I'll give you the handout.

If you're not a member of WriteOn Joliet, bring $10, and you can have the handout.

In all cases, I'm available for support (for free) if you get stuck in the process. And if I can't help you, someone else from WriteOn Joliet can.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

What Happened to Community News? (and two event reminders)

It returns this evening.

Between getting ready for our family Christmas and keeping up with deadlines, the first ounce of free time came too late at night to post it.

As I transition back into the regular routine over the next couple weeks, I'll be catching up on stuff I let go during the holiday weeks.

This includes sorting out stories by priority of timeliness, catching up on getting more community news in print and online, starting two NEW projects for The Herald News (I hope you're curious and excited to know what these are), getting back in the fiction groove (Before the Blood has languished for attention lately), finish a book I started in September, posting weekly recipes again, and hosting two events.

One event is coming up this week. Another happens in February. Information is below.

Have a great Monday, vampire fans! :)

How to Self-Publish a Book for (Nearly) Free

When: 6 p.m. Jan. 11, 2018

Where: Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road, Joliet

​Etc: WriteOn Joliet co-founder and author of the self-published BryonySeries will give a concise step-by-step presentation on how to self-publish a book for no to minimal cost. Opportunity for Q&A and to purchase books from WriteOn Joliet authors. $10. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet programs.

Contact: Visit www.writeonjoliet.com or email bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Calkins Day Book Signing

​When: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13, 2018

Where: Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road, Joliet

​Etc: Meet BryonySeries' real Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara and first (and only) Irish vampire on Calkins Day. Buy signed copies of his yet untitled or released book about author Denise M. Baran-Unland's "Irish" genealogy. Refreshments and great coffee for sale. The evening will celebrate Ed's birthday, limericks, Celtic lore, and all things fun and creative. Irish garb (Irish apparel, dressing as leprechauns and other Celtic mythological characters) encouraged.

​Contact: bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter

Come to "How to Self-Publish a Book for (Nearly) Free" on Jan. 11

Self-publishing has changed a lot since I wrote my first book in 2008 and began to research publishing.

Back then, authors had two choices: submit to traditional publishers (with the need to find an agent first for many of those submissions) or a lot of money (thousands of dollars in many cases) to use a pay-to-print service.

One company had a free service, and that was Lulu. Today, authors have other free options with Amazon's Createspace being one of the most popular. Amazon also has fee-paying services.

Now I don't claim to be an expert on all facets of self-publishing, but I've learned a few things along the way. (I've since published nine books so far, eight of mine and one group project). And one thing I've learned is how to create a book with spending little money. In fact, it really irks me when I see writers paying huge setup fees for work when its unnecessary.

Cover design, ISBN assignment. online book distribution (including Amazon and Barnes and Noble), copyright registration, and formatting: these are not as daunting as they sound, and they are tasks authors can handle themselves. (If I can handle them, anyone can).

So if publishing a book is one of your goals for 2018, but you've held off because of the costs involved, come join me for coffee and conversation at 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road, in Joliet.

I'll define the differences between traditional, vanity, hybrid, pay-to-print, and self publishing. I'll explain mysterious terms like ISBN, Ingram, and extended distribution.

Then, with a handout you'll keep,  I'll walk you through a lean, step-by-step process on how to self-publish a print book through Createspace. I'll explain where you should put any money you choose to spend and where you should not put it.

This low-key workshop will not include sales, marketing, social media tips, etc. It also won't include writing and editing tips. Those are conversations for another day. This workshop is only to show you how to create the product for little to no money.

And no, I'm not selling any "services." I don't have the time to offer them anyway. I'm simply showing you how to create a book.

Of course, one may ask questions at any time during the presentation.

The cost is $10, which goes into the WriteOn Joliet kitty (yes, I co-lead the group) to help fund more resources for writers. WriteOn Joliet, a dues-paying critique group (we rent a room twice a month at the Joliet Public Library) published its first anthology this year (total cost to publish $25 and that was my cost), and we're exploring marketing this year.

We've hosted gust speakers, open mic nights, and annual holiday parties along with the critiquing and the fun. We also have a Facebook group, which, of course, is free. You don't need to join WriteOn Joliet to be a part of this group, and members are available to answer questions on the page about the writing, editing, and publishing process.

Information about WriteOn Joliet will be available at the workshop, along with copies of some of our self-published books so you can see the physical results (Heck, if you want to buy one or two, we won't object).

There's no advanced registration. Just show up that night, buy a cup of some really great coffee from the cafe (and maybe a snack or two), and we'll chat.

Questions? Message me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.