Your book is your baby, do you trust it in the hands of just anyone? Finding someone to represent it can be just as hard (or harder) than finding a good sitter for your little tyke. So what are your options if you really want to get see your work in print?'

Basically there are two: Keep hitting the pavement and hoping that an agent or publisher will represent you, or represent yourself by self publishing.

Last month I gave a presention on self publishing at the Delta Lake Writer's Gathering. Recently one of my fellow presenters, Diane Estrella, blogged out what I had taught. Here is what she had to say:

"Amy Quonce was another of the presenters at the Writer’s Conference I recently spoke at. She recently self published her first book and gave us all the lo down and the in’s and out’s of using CreateSpace, the self-publishing branch of Amazon. Here are some of her notes. The very best tip is at the end for anyone that may want to order proof books for their beta readers. Amazing!"

Pro’s and Con’s of being your own boss

Self Publishing
•You are in control of pricing and royalties
•Books can be sold at retailers, online, and libraries
•You can publish your book, your way
•Unless you opt for the marketing services, it is up to you to promote your book

 Agent/Publisher
•Royalties depend on your contract
•Books can be sold at retailers, online, and libraries
•Agents/Publisher may want to change your content
•Agents/Publishers have extensive connections to promote your book

Self publishing in 10 easy steps

1. Create an account and choose either a free ISBN assignment or enter one of your own
2. Choose a trim size for your book and decide if you want white or cream colored pages
3. Save your completed (and edited) manuscript as a pdf file (making sure that your pages are already in your chosen trim size)
4. Upload your book’s interior
5. Create a cover. Choose either one of their many designs, upload a photo of your own, or use a professional designed cover
6. Write a blurb for the back cover
7. Upload the book’s cover
8. Preview what your book will look like. (You will get a virtual book to flip through) When satisfied, hit the complete button
9. Files will now be reviewed by the company and within 48 hours (typically 24) you will be able to approve the book or make changes.
10. Once approved you can set up your e-store, write a product description for your book along with an author bio. This will be displayed on your Amazon account. Then choose your distribution options.

Your royalties will vary with each distribution.

Example: 144 page book (trim size 8.5 x 5.5), with a selling price of $11.95
CreateSpace e-store ~~~Royalties earned $6.99
Amazon.com (US) ~~~Royalties earned $4.60
Amazon.com (Europe) ~~~Royalties earned £2.44Retailers
Sold yourself ~~~Royalties earned $9.80

What services does CreateSpace offer?

• Blog (Free)
• E-store (Free)
• ISBN number (Free)
• Library of Congress number
• Design layout
• Editing
• Marketing services
• Kindle conversion

Helpful hint:Even if you chose not to self publish, you can upload your manuscript and order proof books to give to Beta Readers. This is cheaper than making copies at Staples and easier to read than looking at a pdf file. You can always cancel your ISBN number as long as you did not approve the files.

Take some time to Diane at her website "That's What I'm Here For" @ http://dianeestrella.com/self-publishing-with-createspace-is-it-right-for-you/. She has an amazing blog and is always offering book reviews for the

People have been asking me if the next book is out yet and if there is still time to submit a story before it comes out. The good news is that if you have been thinking about writing a story, there is still time to get it into the book!

Is there a person you know who has overcome unbelievable odds? Perhaps their story could inspire someone else going through a similar situation. The best comfort in a person's life is knowing that they are not alone.

Stories can be up to 2,500 words long, and anonymous submissions will be accepted for those who are worried about privacy. Changing names will also allowed allowed for the same reason.

Because I am trying to get as many wonderful stories to this next book as possible, I do not have an exact date set  for publication. However, I do anticipate that it will be within the next year. Any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected], or facebook.com/WindingRoadBook.

Here are a several of the Amazon.Com reviews from Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child:

I was unsure when I first opened this book just what I would  find. But, when I finished it....I said, "This book needs to be sold along with  a box of tissues." Some of the stories will make you cry and others make you  laugh.

The stories are from individuals who live with, or affect by,  children who were born different in various ways. Each story tells how a family  adapt their everyday life to the ordeals which become 'normal' in their  household. And, it spreads beyond that one child born, beyond the parents and  siblings; it affects aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, teachers, clergy, bus  drivers...and beyond.

These children teach us as much as the other way  around.

The one thing that resonates in this book is...love. 

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This book shows the ups and downs both the parents and the children go through  in life with disabilities. One story you would die laughing and the next you'll  be crying your eyes out. Finished this book within a day. Just couldn't put it  down.

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I just read this entire book from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down!  There were times when I wanted to cry, and times I wanted to laugh. It shows how  each family's situation is unique. There is no mold for a special needs person,  and no one right path to take to deal with them.

This book is one that  should be read and then shared with others.

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As a mother of a child with disabilities, I picked up a copy of this book in hopes of relating to other families who are dealing with similiar situations. The stories inside made me instantly feel connected. Some gave me hope, others melted my heart. I laughed, cried, and smiled throughout the entire book. It reminded me of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. A wonderfully easy read for  any busy cargiver who is raising a special needs child.

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Could the title, not be any more perfect?!??!!

I am so proud of Amy and the initiative she took in self-publishing this book. She wanted to find a way to connect her story with others, and this book is going to encourage and bless SO MANY families.

Having any kind of special needs child or family member  can be overwhelming at times. Unless you are physically living in their individual situations, it is so hard to comprehend all of the variances they experience on a daily basis. This book not only brings light to the hardships hese families face but also the triumphs and delights that these unique children bring into their little corners of the world.

This book offers hope, inspiration, and ultimately support, to let you know.... you are never alone. You are not, the only one. There are people that understand and will be there to cheer you on in the best of times, and help you pick up the pieces in the worst. Being an advocate for your child and helping others that also need it, can bring the greatest satisfaction and purpose in your life.

EVERY child is special. Special needs kids don't require extra love, just unconditional love..... just like any other child does.


 

For those of you who have been reading my blog and saw that I was invited to speak at the Delta Lake Writer's Gathering, you may have asked yourself just what is she going to talk about? Well as luck may have it today I am going to share part of my presentation: Is self publishing for you?

Let me first start off by saying that the route to being published is a very personal one. Many have entertained the idea of self pubishing, yet knew very little as to go about it. Others only want an agent/publisher. Only you can decide which option would work best for you and your work. Either way, do your homework!

Just like each agent and publishing house are different, so are your choices for self publishing. There are agents who will charge you a reading fee (be wary!) and there are self publishing houses that will publish your book for you if you pay them upfront (typically in the neighborhood of tens of thousands of dollars!!) If you take the time to research, you will find respectable agents, publishing houses, and self publishing options that can get your work until print.

When I decided to publish Sometimes The Wind Blows Sideways: Our Lives with a Special Needs Child
I went with Amazon.Com's publishing house, CreateSpace. It is geared towards the authors themselves and was extremely easy to use. Did you know that author Amanda Hocking used CreateSpace for several of her books and sold millions before she was swept up by a big publishing house? Self publishing is a great way to start building a platform and test the waters with niche writing.


As with anything in this world, there are pro's and con's to self publishing. Here is a quick glance at some of the things you will need to consider: