Your Gift will Make Room for the Outrageously Self-Published Author

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Betty Slade

Debra Moore and Judy Waples, Women's Bible StudyKathy Koy, and Jeanie Rose

I teach a women’s Bible Study every week.

Carolyn Johnson

The scripture the Lord lead me to yesterday, was from Proverbs 18 – “A man’s gift will make room for him and will lead him to great men.”

Debra and Cheryl poising for the Bible Study Photo

We talked about walking in our gift. It is more than to find a place where you can operate in your gift, it is the Holy Spirit operating in you within the gift to take you to wherever you need to be.

As the new shoot is already in the stem, we move forward in that gift (the Holy Spirit) and we will be moved to the next place. I believe all these years I was looking for a place or room where my gift was appreciated. Today, I understand, if I do what I need to do, be prepared, pray, show up, hone my gift, then the Holy Spirit will move me to that next place where I can serve the Lord.

The book, as I have said so many times, is not about the book. It is about the fruit that will come from that book. Therefore, it has a life of its own. It will be the Holy Spirit that will carry out of my bosom the witness of God’s glory through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, great men. The greatest one who I care to bring it to is Jesus, Himself. If He approves it, then it is accepted

The Acid Test for this Outrageously Self-Published Book

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Betty Slade

I am in front of Sun News, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I just picked up the preview and looked to see my article, The Artist's Lane

Have you heard someone talk about their boyfriend. They go on and on, and you never meet him. You wonder if there is a boyfriend.

When I ran into the editor of the Sun News, Karl Isberg, I said, “The book is almost there. Just a couple more weeks.” He gave a little teehee, chuckled, rolled his eyes and nodded like “Sure.” Then I wondered, maybe he thinks there isn’t a book.

The Sun, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, I have a weekly column, The Artist's Lane.

My Sweet Al says about the book, “When you get through with this book, it is going to make War and Peace look like a Sunday School Quarterly. You won’t be able to pick it up, they will have to buy it in volumes.”

I’ve told everyone, the book is coming. Now I wonder if anyone believes me. I’ve told everyone that I’m going to sell 2500 books, I’ve even made a website with that title, “How I sold my first 2500 books”, I’ve even documented how I am going to do it. Does any one believe me?

Why is it taking so long? That’s what My Sweet Al is asking. When a writer is going through editing, she is having to change chapters and move words. She goes back to the first chapters to see if she set up the scene and is always trimming the fat. She changes names because there is a better name for that character, She goes back and research out things, like, “How to pick a melon”, or is this really a Jewish tradition, when did it come into their history. All that and more moves the editing along about 6 or 7 pages a day.

Al thinks I’m writing more, but I’m writing less. It started with 110,000 words, it is now down to 79,000 words and will probably be 60,000 words when it is finished. I will have said more in half the words, brought the characters to life, made the scenes more believable, and made me fall in love with each character. If all of this does this to me, the writer, it’s got to do something for the reader.

This time spent has got be the acid test. If it didn’t have the power I know it has, people would just wrap it up, put it on the shelf, and get discouraged. Nothing like that is happening to this book. In fact, Lin, my editor and I marvel how much we are enjoying doing it, and how life giving this whole process is.

I reminded her, she offered. She tells me, she has enjoyed every minute. She is not tired meeting three days a week for the past seven months. I am not tired driving 50 minutes each way to her home. The closer we get, the more this work is proving what we know it is to be. When the Lord is in it, it is not grievous, it is worthy of every minute we have put in it. I believe it has the power to be a best seller. (There I go again – making another prediction.) BUT, I believe in this work, to the point, it doesn’t matter what other’s think.

My poor, Market Coach, Mikey, is also wondering if there is a boyfriend or not. Believe me, this book is better than a boyfriend. It’s going to comfort the soul, break the heart, make the reader dream about it at night. It will tuck her in bed and sing to her soul, it will make her glad to be a women. If it doesn’t, she is all dried up and needs a good dose of prune juice.

That’s part of the acid test.

I'm reading my favorite article, The Artist's Lane, by Betty Slade.

Time has been on our side. In meeting with Karl, the Sun Editor, I asked him if he would endorse it. He said, “Yes, but let me read it first.” That’s big. He’s Jewish – I’m writing about his culture, He’s a writer – He knows how to write, He’s an editor – He knows if it has reader appeal. He will be the final test. I know, because I know Karl, if it isn’t worthy of his endorsement, he won’t endorse it.

This is where all this time has been on my side, I’m confident that he will find it a good read. It’s a woman’s book, so he might not go bonkers, but he will tell me the truth. If it is something I can fix, I’ll do it. If it doesn’t blow off his jockey shorts, then he is not my targeted audience.

So, believe me, when it is finished, you are going to want to read this book, Spirit of the Red Candle, journal of Mary Magdalene.

I’m not selling it, there isn’t a visible book ready to sell. You’ve just got to trust me. I’m sold on it.

Outrageously off-balanced “Pitfalls for Self-Published Authors”

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Betty Slade

Mexican food and a 16 year old. My Grandson, Creede Wylie's 16th birthday. Celebrated it

Mikey reminded me, “Take time for you and family.”

I don’t have time. I am on a deadline. I have 5 more chapters to edit, a movie trailer to finish, two Bible lessons to have ready by the end of the week, and a newspaper column. It takes all week to get it all done.

“Take time.”

I wouldn't have missed it for even a "book"

So I did.

Two daughters, at Creede's 16 year old birthday party

It’s in front of your eyes, just look around and be outrageously Self-Published

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Betty Slade

Lin's front door. I drive to that door 3 times a week for the book

Mikey says, You’re doing it right. You’re right on the money.

And how is that?

“You have plenty of photos

You’re entertaining

You’re posts are short

You’re visiting like old friends.

You are actually becoming interesting.”

Lin, at her computer. She has saved my bacon

Wow! It’s only taken me six months to become a social media junkie. I still don’t know my targeted market.

Mikey said, “I do. It is obvious.”

Lin Harris' home, Chimney Rock, Co. Where great things are happening for Spirit of Red Candle, journal of Mary Magdalene

Obvious to you, but I don’t see it.

“Your readers will be women. That book Spirit of the Red Candle is written for women and you are attracting women through Pinterest. You’re postings are bringing in Linkedin comments.”

I didn’t know I was doing that. I posted what I enjoyed. Beautiful things for the home, art and crafts, garden scenes and painted furniture. As far as Linkedin, I’ve joined a Christian Leadership group.

Mikey said, “To be a good marketer, you have to be perceptive with everything around you. When I see a bunch of cars parked in front of an event or business, I always stop and look around to see what is drawing the people. That’s how you have to be.”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing. You’re on target.”

Because I said So! Outrageously Self-Published

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Betty Slade

When you are moving in unchartered lands, it’s important to have a guide. I have two of them, one for the content of this book, the other for distribing the book. These guides seem to know where the mine fields are. They have been blown up a few times, and have lost a leg or an arm. So when they tell me, do it this way, because I say so. I know to listen.

So, that is what I am doing. Mikey says, “Jump”, I jump.

Lin says, “Edit”, I edit.

Al says, “Take time for the family”, I argue.

Mikey said, “You haven’t been working on your social media this week. I haven’t seen you on Facebook. These guides have eyes in the back of their heads. Maybe, they are following me too closely. But if he notices my absence, others well.

I committed to Mikey that I would do social media postings for 7 hours a week. That’s one hour a day. This week I tried something else. I answered every Pinterest that came through my e-mail. These were people who were pinning my ideas. I found myself in the social media arena everyday and I know I put in at least 15 hours this week. What is all this doing? I don’t know, but Mikey says do it because I said so.

On Linkedin, I joined a Christian Leadership group and entered into their discussion. I’ve made my view very clear. What is this going to do for the integrity of the book? Hopefully, they will trust my view and will read the book.

Lin is enjoying her daughter this week. I had a breather. I didn’t have to go to Chimney Rock. I will be going this Thursday and she will expect me to do what she told me to do. I did, she wanted three images of my characters, I did it. We will be working on the next chapters. I have done 3.

They are all trying to help me make this book exceptional. When they tell me to do something, I do it, I don’t argue. If they say it, I know it is important. They both have invested hours and more hours to make this book the best ever and get it into the market place.

Listen to your guides. They’ve been there. They want to get us there, all in one piece.

My movie trailer is in the hands of Randall Hansen. He’s doing the editing. We’ve done all the filming. I’ve got to give him room to create. I’ll call him at the end of the week.

All this moves us forward. The deadline is May 1st. We are getting close, 2 weeks to go.

Mikey is working on new website for Spirit of the Red Candle, the journal of Mary Magdalene.

Outrageously Self-Published – Close to Home – Life is more than a BOOK!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Betty Slade

One thing when you are writing a book, you stay close to home. Little things become big.

Saturday, we woke up to snow.

Al had a fire in the fireplace.

Snow on ground - fire in our hearts this day Saturday April 14, 2012

Snow off the porch of the Wylie's - Snow in April, why are we surprised.

Snow on April 14th in Pages Springs

Turkey Day - Not Thanksgiving - Slade Wylie gets a big one

My Grandsons are blessed – They live in a home that has three sides of National Forrest. He got this turkey close to home.

Sweet Al - Eat your heart out - your grandson got his turkey

So, what does this have to do with self-publishing a book?

It’s taking time for the small things which are usually big to someone else.

Everyone keeps reminding me, there is more than a BOOK. I didn’t know it. I haven’t looked up from the computer for awhile.

Taking Time from this Outrageously Self-Published Book

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Betty Slade

Our daughter called. Slade (our grandson) is playing ball today. Drop everything and come.

I’m working on this book and I don’t want to quit.

“Stop for a minute and be a part of the family,” she said.

This is my biggest challenge. Staying balanced. I love creating, but I want to honor the family. It’s all part of being outrageously self-published.

Slade Wylie, our grandson, catcher for Pagosa Pirates

Slade Wylie playing baseball for Pagosa Pirates.

Outrageously Creative – Freedom with Self-Published – Sketches for Book – A Must

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Betty Slade

I didn’t think about it until I was almost finished with the book.

Sketches in book - Spirit of Red Candle, journal of Mary Magdalene

It all started when I painted a watercolor of Mikey. From there, I thought, why not, I’ll paint a painting of Mary Magdalene to put in book. From there it has turned into 38 sketches of all the characters.

This is all honoring the process. I wouldn’t have thought about my art if I would have gone to press 5 months before.

Look at my work station. Wow! I’ve got to clean house when this book is sent off to print.

sketches for Mary Magdalene book, Spirit of the Red Candle

Sketches and my workstation for book Spirit of the Red Candle, journal of Mary Magdalene

Outrageously Self-Published – Keeping Sweet Al Busy, so I can write

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Betty Slade

The mud is over – Sweet Al washed the car. I’ve got to keep Sweet Al busy so I can get this book out. Killing two birds with one stone. A clean car and time to write. Life is sweet.

Sweet Al washed the Mud off the Car

I wished I would have taken a picture before he washed it. Check out the article on BettySlade.com – “They will know us by the Mud on our Cars

Sweet Al is putting floor mats in Toyota

Self-published Authors have to wear all hats. It’s you Babe, all the way from start to finish. Unless, of course, you have the sweetest husband in the world who will do all the domestic jobs for you.

If I could put a dust rag in Al’s hand, Life would be even sweeter.

Outrageously Self-Published – On the Same Page, in a Different Book

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Betty Slade

Sweet Al on his brown throne

“I’ll be glad when you’re through with this book,” my Sweet Al said. “You have spent a fortune going back and forth from here to Chimney Rock three times a week. How are you going to get back all the money you spent on gas from that book?”

Good question. I dodged the bullet and went on. It will be finished May 1st, then it will go to press and be ready to buy on May 15th.

Al was still calculating how many trips it took to Chimney Rock from September, 2011 until now. He was calculating how to feed 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves. He was on the right page, but different book. So, I decided to drop the bombshell. I’m not, in fact I am making this book a sacrificial lamb. I’m selling it for the price it costs me to have it printed. If I could afford it, I’d give it away.

Sweet Al was sitting in his big brown leather chair, he grabbed the over stuffed arms on his throne, he stiffened up, set his jaw, and his eyes went wild. “What? You’ve spent two years on this book, you’ve been gone ten hours a day, now you are going to give it away. You are consumed.

When you are here, you are upstairs typing on that book. You can’t talk about anything but that book.” I got spiritual on Al and he didn’t buy it. Al, you don’t understand, this is an anointed work,that’s why I’ve driven through snow and sleet all winter to get it edited. It will be the finest work I’ve ever done to date.

Al pulled out the RV - He's ready to go Camping

“I want to go camping. When are you going to sweep the floor? I’ve been doing all the housework so you could finish the book.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell Al when the book is finished, the work will just begin. I’ve been setting up my website ready to market this book. I will be spending hours getting it out to the public.

Mikey, my Market Coach, called. “How’s everything going? How’s the book going? Are you on target?”

Everything is good, but Al is feeling slighted. He just plays with his new puppy. Mikey whipped back a comment. “When the dog is a better friend than you are to Sweet Al, you’ve got a problem. I don’t want to be morbid, but what if something happens to Al and you are alone. How important is the book then?”

You’ve got a point, BUT–

“You need to take care of Sweet Al.” In the same conversation he began telling me all the things I needed to do on my website. You need more photos, take more pictures, you’ve got to spend more time on Facebook. I know you don’t want to do that stuff, but you’ve got to.”

I hear you. OK. I’ll stop at 6pm every night to be with Al. Sweet Al isn’t smiling right now.

Sweet Al with his new puppy, "Whiskey River"

“Now Betty, don’t look at it that way. Be glad to run to your Sweet Al. He is the most important person in your life.”

OK, BUT, I just got a new IMAC, I’m trying to learn all this stuff. We found a place on Echo Lake that is the perfect place to make the movie trailer. It looks like the Sea of Galilee and I have people who have committed to me to do the shooting.

It’s all in the life of an outrageously self-published writer.

Final Brushstroke! Your finest moment might not be someone else’s finest moment. It’s one thing to have a book offered on the alter, another thing to sacrifice your marriage for a great book.

How I Sold My First 2500 Books

My Diary: How I am doing it!

Monthly Archives: April 2012