Amazon has a new print-on-demand (POD) option called CreateSpace.  It is similar to Lulu in that you can upload your interior and cover files, approve the project, and have a book in your hot little hand within a week.  The distribution options are similar to other PODs, and most titles are listed on all the popular online book websites as well as the booklists, such as Baker & Taylor.  It is a much less expensive option than going through typical POD publishers.  Something I thought was unique: you can publish music, audio/audiobooks, and video.

Posted July 21, 2008; 9:05pm EDT

Words that come to mind right now: procrastination, lack of follow-through, avoidance.  Okay, this sums up my blog over the last year.  I've let it go somewhat, but intend to continue writing (after much encouragement from my close friends who love to continually nag nag nag me to do their will!). 

Over the last year or so, I've finalized a very nasty divorce, landed a wonderful job doing that I love, and have been working on a fiction manuscript which will be in print in a few weeks.  I've also been helping several friends format their POD's for Kindle.

Aside from these things, my kids are blossoming into intelligent, fun loving, well-behaved little beings.  Geesh, I musta done something right.  This weekend, I am taking them fishing.  I took them over Memorial Day weekend this year, and they loved it and have been dogging me to do it again.  We live close to a lake, so it's not a big deal to pack a picnic, the gear (borrowed) and some towels and toys.  Afterwards, we can take a dip and be relieved of this oppressive humidity we've been having in New England.  This afternoon, driving home from errand running, I got caught in a hail storm.  You never know what to expect around here in the summer. 

All in all, I am beginning to enjoy being here on the East Coast.  I have shelved all plans to move back to the West Coast, although I think about it fondly from time to time.  I just can't see deconstructing my life and the kids' lives yet again -- to pursue a "place" on the map, even though I miss the culture/weather/friends, etc.  I've made a lot of very cool friends here, and I hope to continue building my social network back up to the way it used to be.

So what's next, my friends ask?  Who knows.  I am enjoying my single life, full of friends when I want them, my fulfilling job, hobbies, and my kids.  Maybe someday, I'll have the honor of welcoming true love into my life, and merging my life with someone else's; until then, I await patiently for that special man, all the while, enjoying my own good company.

On another note, have you read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Eat, Pray, Love"?  Awesome book. She writes about her divorce and moving on, traveling, and new romance, with much wit and sagacity.  Lucky woman, great read.

Posted July 18, 2008; 12:05pm EDT

Have you seen the new Amazon Kindle yet? It's their wireless reading device, which has become quite popular.  They've lowered the price and offer thousands of books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs, which are all formatted and readable by this new device.

If you're an author of a print-on-demand book, you'll want to take advantage of this new technology.  Currently, the royalty on a Kindle book is 35%, and you retain the copyright. 

If you need help formatting your POD book for inclusion into the Kindle market, read more [here].

Posted July 12, 2008; 1:35pm EDT

Here's an interesting website with some valuable advice about the traditional publishing industry:

Ian Irvine:  Truth About Publishing, 2nd Edition

Scroll down about 1/3 of the page. The link is listed within the left-side navigation panel.  Excellent article, although depressing for those who seek to be published in the traditional way.

Posted July 5, 2008; 12:05pm EDT