Book Promotion and Marketing 
In previous posts, From Author to Self-Publisher to Publishing Business and Choosing a POD for Your Book Publishing, I discussed with Kathleen Walls the process in developing a home based publishing business from her Florida home and how to choose a printer or POD.  Today, Katy will share some of her experiences in promoting and marketing her books and those of her authors.
Katy founded Global Authors Publications (GAP) to publish her books and soon expanded to publish others.  Previously we discussed how Katy became involved in self-publishing and founding GAP.
Mary Emma – Once an author’s book is published, …read more

In a previous post, From Author to Self-Publisher to Publishing Business, I discussed with Kathleen Walls the process in developing a home based publishing business, Global Authors Publications (GAP) from her Florida home.  Today, Katy will expand upon choosing and working with a POD publisher and getting one’s books distributed.
Katy founded (GAP) for publishing her books and soon expanded to publish others.  Previously we discussed how Katy became involved in self-publishing and founding GAP.
Mary Emma – How did you choose a POD (Print on Demand) publisher?  In other words, what should an author look for whether they are publishing their own books and/or …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Enrolling in online classes and teaching them have greater appeal than ever as we encounter higher gas prices.  (Even though gas prices have dropped somewhat in recent days, the cost of transportation still adds up considerably.)  In addition, there is convenience and time savings with online classes.
If you’re an instructor in a specialized field, you may want to expand your expertise by offering classes, either on your own, or through a group or school.
I’ve enjoyed teaching online classes in Column Writing, Researching & Writing Your Family History, Self-Publishing, and Travel Writing.  This is a way to expand my writing business, develop …read more

HomeBizNotes.com

This past week, over at the b5media Lifestyles Channel  we paid a tribute to grandparents, in recognition of Grandparents Day. 
The b5media Lifestyles Channel pays tribute to their own grandparents with memories, recipes and values handed down from generation to generation, said Channel Editor Gayla McCord.
At Quilting and Patchwork, where I also blog, I wrote a tribute to my grandmother for my quilting heritage and for introducing me to this art.  As a result of this, I operated a home quilting business for many years.  Now this enjoyment of quilting has translated into writing about it as part of my writing …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
I’ve been writing travel articles for years and once was editor of a regional travel publication.  Currently I write a travel column, Vagabond Traveler, for American Roads Travel Magazine.
I decided to expand upon this and write The “Green” Vagabond Traveler as a blog and see where it goes.  Although the blog features traveling and what I encounter in my travels, it also touches upon “green” as it affects various aspects of our lives.
Even though I sometimes feel “green” is concentrated on almost too much in our lives, our work, our travel, our recreation, our clothing, and interior decorating, it seems …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Recently I held giveaways on three of my blogs.  In case I didn’t post the winners for all of them, I’ll do so now;
Home Biz Notes – Dan Smith was the winner of Harry Potter, the Story of a Global Business Phenomenon by Susan Gunelius.
Quilting and Patchwork – Cindi  received a copy of Heartwarmers of the Spirit, edited by Azriela Jaffe.  I had a story in this, “My Ray of Sunshine on Dancing Tiptoe,” about my granddaughter who inspired me when I was in a body cast with a broken back. ( Giveaway details here.)
Alzheimer’s Notes – Kristen was the winner …read more

HomeBizNotes.com 

Author/illustrator, Tasha Tudor, was a very gracious lady who gave me, an aspiring children’s writer, (as well as parents and aunt) an afternoon of her busy life many years ago.  I’m sure this wasn’t with the idea of promoting herself and her books when she invited us to tea at her farmhouse home.  However, her kindness has resulted in my spreading my delight with her. 
*I’ve written reminiscenses about this visit in print and online media.  As a result many of my readers have responded and said this added to their enjoyment of Tasha Tudor.
*My daughter and I have purchased, not only her …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
We have a winner of the book giveaway, Tales of Adventure and Discovery. 
Sarah B’s name was selected in the random drawing at random.org.  Congratulations, Sarah !
This giveaway was run in conjunction with the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival.  There were so many who entered the giveaway, left comments and shared with us about reading to their children, grandchildren, neices and nephews and other children.  It is great to see so many who are encouraging youngsters to read and take an interest in books.
(Tales of Adventure and Discovery was offered as the giveaway prize because I’d been discussing my experiences in self-publishing it for …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Yesterday, I related how I self-published my children’s anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery. This covered why and how. Today, I’ll discuss illustrations for the book and choosing a cover.
Illustrations
I also realized I needed some illustrations for the book. I do some sketching and painting. I’ve actually sold paintings, posters and greeting cards. But I don’t consider myself predominately an artist.
However, when I looked into the cost of hiring an illustrator or finding a print program that allowed me to use the work for a book, I decided to do the illustrations myself. If I’d had more time, I …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
When I mentioned, in a previous post, that I’ve been involved in self-publishing, Anne Wayman, of A Golden Pencil, asked me to share my experiences about MEA Productiions.
Here is a brief overview and I’ll go into detail about each in future posts.
Manuals – My first self-publishing venture consisted of manuals to accompany (or purchase separately) the writing workshops I taught at conferences and the local university. I made outline hand-outs of my 3-hour workshops (which later I turned into online classes), but soon found students wanted something more extensive and would pay for them.
So I printed …read more