So many of us have so much to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gratitude
Design
Self-Publishing Children’s Books 101 – Oct.2023
Self-publishing one’s own children’s book has great appeal, but it’s not quite as simple as it seems. A most important question — what is your purpose in self-publishing?
If you wish to have a lovely book to read to the kids, grandkids, or your students, the journey may be fairly simple, and not terribly expensive. But if your goal is to compete with traditionally published books, and you truly want your book to sell, then your investment in both time and money may be more than you suspect.
I cover all this in my upcoming in-person workshop – Self-Publishing Children’s Books 101 – at the Stewartsville Public Library on Wednesday, October 18, 6-7:30 pm. Registration opens October 4.
I’ll be covering:
* Why publish?
* Your idea – coming up with what will sell
* Your story
* Dummy
* Illustration
* Book design
* Traditional vs. Self-Publishing
* Q and A
If you’re in the neighborhood, please come and learn about self-publishing! For more information about how I help people self-publish, please visit me at Jeanne Balsam Graphics.
Seeing vs. Looking
Looking is what we do all the time. It’s how we negotiate our world. But seeing … that’s something special.
Sitting out on my back porch recently, I suddenly saw these incredible shadows made by the hydrangeas and porch railings. I saw a parrot, a rabbit, maybe a dragon, an acorn. Because instead of just looking with my eyes, I saw with my mind, my wider perception.
Not long ago, I’d taken a photo of my kitchen counter, because I became aware of the color of the shadow on the Thermos and the mug – so blue!
I love this photo of the hydrangeas because the shadows are so very soft and blue-grey, but also because it seemed to me that the leaf was in love with the hydrangea flower. Yes, my imagination, but when we really look at things, we see more deeply.
If we stop, we might see patterns all about us, lines and shapes that we casually pass by every day, until one day, we really see them.
I guess what I’m saying here is that our world is so much richer than we know or acknowledge. And all it takes to open that richness is to be in the present moment and see what’s around us.
Christmas in July
Trying something new with my Etsy shop – a Christmas in July sale to reach some French Bulldog lovers with my Christmas/holiday cards, and possibly some “everyday” ones as well.
I have some wonderful ideas for a whole new avenue for my art, maybe requiring a second shop due to shipping/mailing challenges. I’m envisioning prints! How about prints! But before anyone in business gets too crazy about expanding, they need to have a good/better understanding of how to attract customers.
And that’s what I’m doing now … research. How to more effectively use social media, Pinterest, Etsy itself, and Google. It seems so simple, but every avenue of promotion is a field of knowledge in itself.
So if you would like to contribute to my research (of course, I’m smiling!), please stop by my Christmas in July sale on Etsy, on the dates above, and take advantage of a 35% off storewide discount! Or send a friend. Or two. I am appreciative of all support!
Perseverance
That’s what it takes. Once you have done the groundwork, the research, the introspection, etc., etc., then the real work begins. You have thought about this idea, this dream, this possibility, at great length, done the endless worrying and questioning if it would be worth it, and decided `yes.’
Now the real work begins.
It’s time to put the pedal to the metal, shoulder to the grindstone, and all that. In other words, let’s get going and be ready for whatever may pop up in the road ahead while you work to fulfill a dream.
If you’ve been there, you know the journey. I’ve been on this road, and am starting out at a newer and higher point. The view is great, and I’m doing it. I shall persevere.
For you (and me, too!), I have pulled together a bunch of quotes on the subject for Instagram (@jeannebalsam), but two of my favorites are here. You are the person you’ve been waiting for. Let’s forge on together.
Still A Dreamer 