Staying on Top of Things

If you’re like me, hardly a week goes by without something unexpected popping up that demands your full attention. What helps me is that as much as possible, I try to work ahead, so that when these things occur, I am not also frantically scrambling to finish a project on top of everything.

I like to keep things organized on printable calendars (make your own by searching “free printable calendar”), which I keep next to my computer. This way, I can have a picture in front of me showing when different things are due. I write projects on my calendars with a pencil, but some of the templates on the computer let you write on each day what is due before you print them.

It’s good to stay flexible with your work schedule if possible. I prefer to work in the mornings, but if there’s nothing going on some nights, I like to get a jump-start on the next day’s work. I also use the occasional evening to work on things that don’t have a due date, but are still important, such as filing papers.

Keep a list of things you’re working on, or would like to work on, and skim through it on a regular basis so you don’t forget what’s important. It’s easy in your day-to-day life to forget the big picture, and reminding yourself of your goals can keep you on track.

Do you have any tips for staying on top of things? If so, I’d love to hear them! Please let me know below.

Self-Published Author Interview Series – Angeline Boyer

Today, we have the pleasure of discovering about the self-publishing experience from Angeline Boyer, author of a series of self-published books called the “Missing Peace.” Here’s what Angeline had to say:

Tell us about your self-published book.

I have created a series called the Missing Peace, which includes over 10 different books that help improve lives through yoga techniques. These books are targeted to a variety of different audiences with topics ranging from Yoga Techniques to Help You Sleep Better to Improve Your Golf With Yoga Techniques. They are all available on Amazon.com and by special order in all major bookstores. I have self-published all of these books through my publishing company, Princeton Design Group, Inc.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

Many authors are reluctant to go through the process of “traditional” publishing as it takes a significant amount of time to send query letters to publishing houses in the hopes that the book is right for the house.

On the contrary, my primary concern was that I wanted to remain in complete control on the creative, publishing, and marketing aspects of my book. I had a specific goal for each of my books, and I did not want the publishing house to decide what needs to be changed in regards to the content of the books. I have a passion to convey certain messages to the readers and I wanted to maintain that.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your books?

Self-publishing a book involves a significant investment in time and money. It is important to stay focused and maintain the willpower to keep going as a self-publisher and overcome the hurdles that come your way. In spite of my initial inexperience and difficulties in the industry, I kept my determination to face the challenges.

How did you overcome these challenges?

I was able to overcome these challenges through patience, hard work, and perseverance. The success I experienced as each of my books were published motivated me to continue.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your books?

The best part is my sense of accomplishment I experienced after publishing my first book. I have used my previous experience to perfect the process, and it has ultimately created the opportunity for me to be able to publish more material at anytime in the future.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their books?

As an author, it is important to conduct a thorough and careful review of your objectives before you begin the self-publishing process. Fully research your publishable materials, chalk out a publishing plan and be flexible enough to tweak it as you go along. Do not be driven by simply the success of completion. Take it step by step. Fulfill your passion of writing and publishing and your success shall follow.

Is there anything else?

Please visit www.amazon.com or my web site (http://thevitalbreath.com/) for more information.

Thanks for your insights Angeline, and we wish you all the best with your future book sales!

How about you? Do need assistance marketing and selling your self-published book online? Check out the free marketing we offer self-published authors at www.jexbo.com or send me a note. I can help!

Thanks!

The Goddess Biker, Jennifer Bair, Tells Us About Her Self-Published Book

Have you ever talked to a Goddess Biker before?

Well, as part of our self-published interview series, today I’m talking to Jennifer Bair. Jennifer is an author, musician/vocalist, and spiritual consultant.

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

“Open Road: A Goddess- Biker Guidebook” gives you a touchstone for your own journey inside. This book will provide a set of tools for choosing the right bike, getting on the road on your own terms and helping others do the same. It’s a metaphor. Even if you don't intend to ever ride a motorcycle, it gives you a simple process for navigating your life's purpose and inner road toward happiness.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

After a long year of queries to potential literary agents and small, Indie publishers, a multitude of workshops given and taken, college-level writing courses and many sleepless nights worrying over whether this message would ever have a voice, I decided to bite the bullet and self-publish.

It was with a jaded sense of failure and was overwhelmed at the disheveled literary community and publishing industry as a whole that prompted me to buck the system and do it myself. I felt like an outlaw, on the fringe; a mole rat toward the goal of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel someone else had dug eons ago. And it felt good to let go of the old paradigm and forge something from the new well.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

I am going through the process just to get the book out there and then I’ll try to find a foothold in the publishing world by reaching as many people as possible with the message and passion of my work. It is all a mirror for the evolution of humanity. We will survive with conscious, communal commitment or well all go down to the pavement.

How did you overcome that challenge?

Challenges are just debris in the road. You have to get into the lean and divert around it before it brings you down. I mean all the way to the pavement. This book publishing experience has been like the ultimate slide on a curve. The challenge of staying on top of another systematized, automated machine of the self-publishing companies making; no personal contact, a lot of automated step-by-step emails that promise and don’t deliver. You have to let go of any deadlines. The process is achingly slow.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The sunny side of all this is the fact that I can recognize my own growth as I navigate through this maze. It’s been a steep learning curve. One that I have not honored perhaps as well as I could have. However, it makes me think in new ways, which translates to higher consciousness around the business of writing for the masses.

Of course, if you ask me what I’m trying to accomplish with this book/CD, it would have to be validation for the ideas that have had an impact on so many people already. It is a compilation of my skills, talents and shared dreams. It is the silver lining to an otherwise string of chaotic, feral, mindful ideas that I live and breathe. I am grateful for the passage on this rocky journey. It’s (self-publishing) gonna get me where I need to go.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

My advice to other writers on this path is to take a giant breath and relax into the jaws of the monster as your precious gift is being churned into printed/digitized matter.

Thanks for your insights Jennifer. This is quite interesting!

And for those of you who would like to find out more about Jennifer’s book, it is available at all major retailers such as Borders Books, Barnes & Noble, Indie booksellers, online retailers such as Amazon and through Authorhouse.com and jenniferbairpresents.com.

There is a also a companion audio-workbook and an original music CD available through these venues titled, “The Goddess Sings - An Audio Workbook and Music.”

How about you?

Do you need help getting the word out about your self-published book? Send your questions to me, and check out the free information at http://www.jexbo.com/. Thanks, and check back for another interview soon!

Self Publish Author Series – Interview with Dorothy Pitsch

For today’s self-published author series, we talk to Michigan author Dorothy Pitch. Dorothy wrote “When the Raven Knocks…Comforting Those Who Mourn,” available at http://www.jexbo.com/items/68. Here are Dorothy’s insights:

Tell us about your self-published book and where we can find it on jexbo.


My self-published book titled, “When the Raven Knocks . . . Comforting Those Who Mourn,” was written for everyone who has ever lost a loved one or knows someone that has. It is filled with first-person stories, suggestions, prayers, poems, and advice from those who have been there. You can find it on jexbo listed under “Religious Books.”

Why did you decide to self-publish?


I decided to self-publish because I knew this would be the fastest way to get my message out to people in need of compassion, understanding and help.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?


The biggest challenge that I had to overcome in self-publishing this book was the nightmare of my publisher closing down in the middle of the night and going bankrupt on seventy of us self-publishing authors. This was worse than a nightmare because it was reality!

The publication company was a member of the Better Business Bureau. I met with him several times before signing a contract; including upfront payments. He seemed honest and legitimate. What more could I have done?

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?


The best part about self-publishing my book was the fact that I got to meet so many wonderful people during book-signings, and promotional events. I was able to help so many people who were going through terrible tragedies in their lives. The word of my book spread far and wide.

The most memorable “thank you” came from an Amish grandmother who was gifted a copy of my book when her grand-daughter was killed in the horrid Amish school shooting in Pennsylvania. She felt like my book stood out above all the rest that she had received during the tragedy.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?


The advice that I would like to share with other writers and self-publishing authors is to never stop writing. Even while reading other articles or books consider it to be a writing-observation lesson. Write what comes from your heart putting your compassion into written words.

Gather as much information as you possibly can in choosing a publisher. Hopefully, you will never run into the scenario that I did with the publishing company going bankrupt.

Is there anything else you would like to add?


Writing and self-publishing a book is much like preparing for a new child in the family. You nourish it for many months, your thoughts are on it continuously, you dream about it, share your excitement with others, and wait in expectation for the great event of a beautiful newly delivered gift. Seeing your name on the cover and reading through the finished product for the very first time is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Thanks for your great tips and inspiration Dorothy. To discover more about Dorothy’s book, visit http://www.jexbo.com/items/68. And if you have questions about self-publishing and selling your books online, please write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I’m happy to help.