How in the world do you write, design, publish and sell an eBook?
I have two words for you: Aaron Pogue.
Back when I first got into this writing game (which was when I discovered reading and the fact that I had command over the alphabet…say age 5), I assumed that I would be writing books. A novelist! was my first thought.
But then it turned out it wasn’t so easy. Random House didn’t want In Fairy Land, my first bound attempt, see photo to the left. (I also designed this book – the binding and the lettering are made from old school first-aid tape. I was so resourceful! Though I was also the ultimate tomboy, so I have no idea why this thing is pink and flowery. Literally, no idea. And, by the way, Random House missed out – the story is fabulous.)
So I walked away from my publishing dreams a bit, but I never gave up the writing.
Enter blogging.
No, it’s not the same (I have a wildly vivid imagination, but I’m not delusional) as publishing a hardcover, New York Times Bestseller. But, still there’s something to it – the writing, the publishing, the readers…similar elements, no? It works for me – as you know – I simply love it here in the blogosphere.
Enter e-Books.
Turns out there’s a way to meld the writing and the blogging and the publishing (and still not have to wait around for Random House!). It’s called the e-Book. Yes, we all know this – but not many of us actually do it. Do you know why? Because it seems daunting – and we don’t know how.
I’m not ashamed to say that I like to have my hand held every now and again. It’s delightful to have someone wiser, stronger and more able than you showing you the way. And, I learned a while ago that asking for help is a brilliant way to…um, err, well, you know…GET HELP when you need it.
Now my current e-Book is fairly casual. For one reason, and one reason only – I didn’t know Aaron when I wrote, published or pushed it. I’ve just become privy to his new eBook: How to Build an e-Book – The Complete Guide (affiliate link). From the writing to the design and formatting to the publication, launch, marketing, affiliate tools (which Chris Brogan sang mightily about today) – you name it – he’s got it covered.
His book represents a tremendous effort (and he is a tremendous writer and person) – and I just couldn’t sit idly by and not shout WOOHOO AARON! from the rooftops, nor deny any of you from knowing about this incredible resource.
So GO! Buy his e-Book…and then turn your blog or your essays or your poems or your whatever it is that you write into a BOOK.
And sell it.
And be proud.
p.s. Maybe we should set up a webinar/storytime. You can lay down on your desks, and I can read you In Fairy Land. It really is Pulitzer material. It begins like this:
Filed under How To, Marketing, News, The Business, Writing | Tags: Aaron Pogue, ebook, ebook pdf, ebook publication, ebook writing, How To | Comments (8)It was Friday in the Summer of 3056. A little girl named Jill was waiting for her friend Ann. Her pretty gold curls shown in the sun…
Free eBook – Finding Your Voice in a Crowded World: Personal Branding, Social Media and You
So excited about my new ebook that I wrote with Ron Miller for our Soc Media 101 site (tips & how-to’s for beginners). Actually, the idea for the book came first and the blog formed around it…
Finding Your Voice in a Crowded World: Personal Branding, Social Media and You takes a look at how you can make yourself stand out when everyone’s hopping on the social media train. And you get two perspectives: my marketing/creative writing perspective and Ron’s technology/journalism perspective.
Read it, Enjoy it, Pass it on…(and thanks for being such wonderful blog readers and commenters!)
Click the book, get your free download!
This Shack is Hoppin’
Things are hopping around the old Writing Roads shack, and this post is a little news update.
Blog beautiful
If you’ll take a look over to your right, you’ll notice that I have had the AMAZING Shauna Callaghan hard at work on my sidebars. Notice the gray dividing lines, the orderliness, the new Twitter button, the defining widget headers that let you know where you are and what you’re looking at! (And how much nicer things are for advertising.)
New FREE eBook
You also might notice a lovely banner over there that features my new, FREE eBook: How to Be a Successful CopyWriter. I’m thrilled to let you all know that it is here and live. So if you, or anyone you know, is considering starting a new life as a copywriter or jump-starting a rather dull one, share this eBook with them. Hopefully, it will do for you and them, what I was searching for and didn’t find when I got started. Click on that link above and you’ll get more details about what’s inside…
I had a little fun with the eBook’s download page. Of course, the eBook is free for the taking – but I thought I’d give you the option, as I say on the landing page, to throw a little change in my proverbial guitar case. Cut to me blogging on a street corner…
Please know that I can’t see you if you take the eBook for free – I have no way of knowing – so I couldn’t judge you even if I wanted to – and really, I want you to have the eBook and to share it, no matter how you get it.
Guest Blog
And, finally – a very exciting thing happened to me over the weekend. I described it to a non-blog/social media person like this: ‘Imagine I’m a food blogger and Martha Stewart has me guest blog my latest epicurean creation on her incredible blog.’ Now, translate that to the blog/social media sphere, and you have me extraordinarily honored to guest post on Chris Brogan’s blog this past Saturday.
The only sad piece, and believe me, the rest was ecstatic – was that I couldn’t publish that post here on this blog that I love. If you’d like to read it, you can find Things that keep me from falling down on Chris’ blog.
…and thanks for being here. If it weren’t for you, I actually might be on that street corner.
Filed under Blogging, News, Social Media, The Business | Tags: blog, ebook, guest post, how to become a successful copywriter, how to write, Julie Roads, Writing Roads | Comments (4)The LOVE ebook: love creations and real support for those hit by the recession
Image by Swamibu
The LOVE ebook: love creations and real support for those hit by the recession
WHAT IS THE LOVE EBOOK?
In an effort to focus on the good stuff – and help out in tough times – The LOVE ebook for charity is filled with LOVE poems, photos and artwork and it’s hitting the ‘net just in time for Valentine’s day. The beautiful composition, designed by Kyle Lacy and his crew at Brandswag, will be posted here for download from February 11th through the 14th – (would make an awesome Valentine’s gift, eh?)
Is it Free?
The LOVE ebook will be available for free, but we are also offering you the option to make a donation for your download – could be for $1 or $1000 – that’s entirely up to you.
Where will the money go?
All of the money raised will be donated to Career Gear (for men and their families) – a national non-profit organization that helps people find, get and keep jobs through career skills training, interview training, proper attire, etc… Times are tough, and I wanted to pick an organization that worked hard and compassionately to help our country’s workforce. (and Career Gear has been so wonderful to work with!!!)
How will you spread the word?
Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m obsessed with Twitter. We will certainly Twitterize the heck out of this thing. We’re also looking to all of you – whether you participate as an artist, writer, donor or reader to spread the word. I’ll use Pitch Engine for PR. We would love it if you would post something on your blog just link back to us here. Please tell all your peeps across every network you’ve got.
The Launch
The LOVE ebook will be available for download here, on the Writing Roads blog from February 11th through the 14th. We’ll do all we can to spread the word and raise some money for good and we hope you will too!
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND HELPING IN EVERY WAY YOU CAN!
We just know this is going to be a blast.
Filed under How To, Networking, News | Tags: art, artists, career gear, charity, donations, dress for success, ebook, job finding, love, photography, poems, poetry, recession, recession help, writers | Comments (16)
