My Journey with MS week #2

I have to say this week has been rough... to say the least. I'm back in the full swing of writing, editing, formatting, promoting, blogging, insta-twitter-facebooking (I made that word up! Yes, you can use it and you are welcome, lol), making graphics, networking with other authors, doing the mommy and wife thing, plus getting ready for Christmas. Whoo! I'm tired again just thinking about all I've done! And I've done it all while dealing with this bitch they call MS!!

Everyday is a struggle. I know that I need to rest, but I also don't want to disappoint you guys again. So, my happy medium is to work from bed most of the day, and when I feel a bit stronger I head downstairs (most of the time sliding on my ample bum) to take care of things that need to be done there. I'm quite proud of myself. I refuse to give up. My resolve is an inherited trait from my parents, and I'm embracing it. But I have to say, I'm one of the lucky ones. When I went to see my neurologist for the first time, my husband went with me of course. As I sat in the waiting room trying desperately to hand write legibly all of my medical information on the forms, my phone rang and the waiting room door opened. My dad was calling and Bryce's mom walked in the waiting room... both just wanting me to know that I had their support no matter what. The doctor told me that lots of MS patients don't have the network of family, friends, love, and support that I do. 

That's the moment that I knew, I would make it. It's a hard road to endure and not one that I willingly signed up for, but I'll take on the burden and instead of looking at my glass half empty, I smile to myself and say, "I say, looky there... I have a glass full of love, sunshine, and smiles!" Yeah, I'm gonna make it.

MS is such a debilitating disease, and I haven't told you guys EVERYTHING that it's done to me because it's personal. I've been asked if I would write a book about my journey and struggles. Maybe. I never say never, but right now I'm just happy decorating for Christmas, baking, writing again, talking to friends and family and just flat out living life. I'll be back next week with my weekly update, but until then... I think the graphic below pretty much sums it up!

Tune in next Saturday to see what adventures MS takes us on! LOL!

As always, until next time...

Self-Publishing 101 Episode #5

Welcome to this week's episode of Self-Publishing 101. We're going to be discussing formatting for Print. I'm going to use Createspace as our example, however I am also including links for other print distributors. And, here we go...

Screen shots

#1

This is the screen on Createspace that you will see when you are starting a new title.

#2

This is honestly super simple. Just insert the unique responses that will correspond to your books.

#3

The formatted template is available for download from this page. Please, remember to choose the correct size that you want your book BEFORE you download the template.

#4

Here is where you will upload your completed book document.

#5

Make sure you read, and re-read what you enter for mispellings, missing words, etc.

#6

Here is where you will start uploading your cover or creating one online.

#7

You need to fill each of these in while your files are in review.

#8

This is what the formatted template looks like in your Microsoft Word. See what I mean about easy? You just replace what they have with your books contents.

#9

Remember, what I talked about with the chapters and from chapter 10 on you'll need to page break the chapters.

Print on demand distributors

Createspace

LuLu

Lightning Source

Jennifer Malone Wright

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Website

Amazon

K.B. Miller

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Website

Amazon

Make sure that you join us next week on Jennifer Malone Wright's blog for a lesson in editing. This is one episode that you won't want to miss!

As always, until next time...