Picture Day

     One of the things I will need for my book is an author photograph.  I never really thought aout it before, but my picture is going to be in the house’s of people I may not know … wow! I asked my facebook friends if anyone knew a good photographer to take my picture and that photographer would get photo credit in my book.  I received a few responses, the one that stood out most was from my ex-neighbor who moved to Utah who said they would love to do the picture. So the wheels were in motion, and today Dave showed up to my house to do a photo shoot.

     At nearly four pm my livingroom was transformed into a professional studio.  We took three dozen pictures then picked out the best one: no spare chin, no gray hairs, and no shiny cheeks (those were my only rules).  He did a bang up job, so now I have the photo for the back of my book.  We then browsed his other pictures, which he is amazing at taking, and came upon the pierfect picture for my cover.  It is amazing too, because I have spent three days browsing royalty free pictures, nearly a thousand of them, but the one I loved most was on David’s computer. 

    David is going to change some colors, make some enhancements, and email me th finished product.  I am giddy with excitement at this point.  I feel like everything is coming together.  All I have to do is finish my rewrite of the lost chapters.

     By the way, included with my package is a cover copy polish, where my book cover will be edited to look  professional.  I get softcover and hardcover books, so now I have to write my tag line and summary as well as a bio.  I hate bio’s.

Bought a publishing package

     Looking through the Iunivers website is amazing.  They offer so much from small packages to large packages, and their add-ons are innumerous.  This month they had a special where you can buy a package and upgrade to the next higher one, plus ifyou got in early there were special add on bonuses.  I sent in for more information and received an email within the hour and then a follow up phone up call.  I explained what I wanted and she pointed out thebest package for me.

     Okay, now i’ve worked in sales and worked to earn commission, and thing I could honestly say is, I never sold a big product simply for the money.  I sold what people needed in hopes that they would tll their friends and be repeatcustomers.  THIS WORKED.  I am pleased that the woman I spoke with did the very same thing.  She said if I was only looking to make a top end book for some family and friends to go with the small package, but if I was looking to sell to bookstores and get my name out there then something in the middle would work.  The higher the package the more add-ons theres are to it, but the important, standard stuff starts in the middle.  After much deliberation, looking at my credit cards, paying bills, projecting a new budget for 2012, seeing where I could save some pennies, I decided to get the second largest package (remember the free upgrade), which also came with a media publsihing announcement.  I was stoked.

     My next step is to finish the book, and because my hard drive will not be recovered, I must rewrite eleven chapters.  I thoughtI would send this in by end of November, but that is not likely.  The good thing about this rewrite, is that I get to go back and focus on elemnts I had been missing.  It’s better the second time around.

     Okay, my first interaction with Iuniverse has been great.  I hope they can keep up the momentum.