Let's Start Fresh

Fresh Words with a New Imagination Harboring Seeds of Creativity

Our opening thought of the New Year is… Celebrate the celebrity of being!

That’s kind of the word for 2023 and the theme of the publishing industry as a whole. Celebrate who you are and work toward being better.

Strange as it may seem, I think that’s the eternal composition of we. Work on being better. And as a thought (especially on publishing) we need to work on telling better stories, with better editing – all in all producing better works. It seems that’s the new word of 2023. Better!

So celebrate the celebrity of being better!

As we close the door on one year and open the door to another, let’s begin with less compromise and more investment in the promise. I mean the promise of printing, publishing; sharing the great works that are within us. Delivering them with solid expertise and worthwhile, read that, worthy content for the public dollar.

It seems or at least I’ve noticed. It’s a race to copy rather than improve. Especially in the low content market. It’s a race to put out rather than put out good.  And that has filtered over to the medium and high content category in that no one wants to write but everyone wants to be published. I’m not berating Fiverr workers (I myself have labored in that particular marketplace). But the amount of low quality products people are buying and distributing is sabotaging the industry. But that bad news, we’re celebrating the new year – new ideas.

New concepts and creations as a result of a partnership with Life in Print and other publishing partners.

We’re changing things up a bit and solidifying our ability to help you develop as writers, producers; publishers of content with a thought of bettering ourselves and the people who receive our offerings. 

A Book journey is focusing on the consumer aspect of publishing and marketing. The people aspect of publishing and distributing with a goal of putting out and helping others to put out better material that actually betters the world. Whether fiction or nonfiction; high or low content books. 

A Book Journey is changing and we begin today, celebrating the change.

Have a blessed and Happy New Year!

We look forward to helping you be and become.

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Trip From the Land of Obscurity

Notable milestones may seem few and far in between for young authors. Whether we're talking your first novel or a simple blog post as is the case here, writing is an action which requires action - being an author necessarily does not. To be fair I enjoy being an author, however writing at times seems so tedious when it doesn’t bear an immediate fruit to view.

I mean an author or someone had to write the material being published, but once it's written it can be embraced or discarded on the simple whims of readers (publishers, agents, book buyers). A career as a writer or author can seem filled with discouraging news and yet on this journey I for one refuse to accept…

Today, to this point, I celebrate - continuity!

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Building Expansions offers Space to Explore

I mentioned before, every author, to be successful, needs a catalog. (Here's A Quick Reminder)

As a new author, on the journey to success and wealth in being published, you want the most from every effort you put toward being published or gaining notoriety. This is especially true if writing has moved past the hobby interest stage to you. It's become a serious passion and drive to be successful, not simply published. In order to accomplish this, you need words.
Whether in print or electronic media, we've discussed establishing a library. However, have you ever thought a truly great library/ catalog isn't about a number of books? An expanded library doesn't have to offer but one book. And I don't mean necessarily a series title.

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The Audience is Listening

As a writer and speaker, if only in print, your words have value both to you and your audience. This doesn’t mean they’ll catch every word you throw. There may be some hiccups in understanding some things. Yet being heard in a traditional sense of publishing is no longer as huge a gain as gaining distribution and the ability to reach the reader personally, on a personal level. In fact there are various forums and platforms to distribute your work to the reader. Many authors search and identify these routes t be published. Yet few ever consider where is my audience listening ?

I don’t mean the brand names or traditional houses. Where does my reader hangout and find books to read? While grateful platforms like Createspace and Amazon, Blurb and Smashwords as well as LuLu exist, their having made writing and publishing easier and more profitable does nothing, for an author if you don’t know. How or where to market your book? Where is your audience listening?

This is an important step in the process of being heard and publishing printed works. You need to be in the place or places people are hearing what you have to say. Or to be heard you should be where they will most likely listen to you for a full sales minute.

Not simply to promote your book, but promote you as a serious addition to the discussion. They’re there listening you can join the conversation, becoming known, and build a loyal listening audience for the next book or series to come.

It may seem obvious, yet reality is. Writers write. Some may read. Some may edit. Most will critique endlessly. A few will buy books , as entertainment, or education in most cases. But to be heard, to be a successful writer publisher, the independent author needs to find the platform his/ her audience enjoys and maximize it. Stay tuned to your audience and they will stay tuned to your writings.

#profit margins #amwriting #publishing #writers #readers

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A One of a Kind Gift - Blurb

People love getting really creative, one-of-a-kind books for Christmas. Books that elicit a “where did you find this?” response. As the leading indie- and self-publishing platform, Blurb has an entire online bookstore full of unique books by an incredible array of undiscovered, self-published authors, artists, and photographers. And while these books probably aren't in your recipient’s bookshelf, many of them should be. 
So, if you’re thinking of giving unique gifts this year, consider these titles. Each costs around $40 USD or less:

Cookie Cravings by Maria Lichty and Heidi LarsenWe all have cookie cravings. Popular food blogger Maria Lichter decided to put them into something deliciously original: A baking book featuring 30 recipes you won’t find anywhere else.


Dog by My Side by Adam SchnitzerThis charming collection of original, vintage photos shows us that as long as there have been cameras, we’ve wanted to photograph our canine best friends. As a special bonus, there’s a glossary of the early photographic methods used in the original images. 


Around the World with a Toy Camera by Giorgio GiussaniPerfect for the photography or graffiti-art fan on your list. This book is an explosion of gritty color that explores the wonders of street art and analog photography. 


Food Stories by Elena ScottA short, wonderfully illustrated collection of recipes (and food stories) that will inspire you to pick up the knife and spatula—or just pen and paper. 

Things I Love by Carol Nehls and Jessica RoseIllustrated and written many years apart by a mother and daughter, this sweet rhyming story told by a fox is pure joy for all ages.


Patent Pending by Jordan NatyshenChicken goggles, air-conditioned rocking chairs, monkey jockeys for greyhounds… humankind has invented and sought to patent some amazing and crazy things. Illustrator Jordan Natyshen illustrates some of the strangest in this history of odd inventions. 


Tiny Horses are Everywhere by Thea LuxThe perfect stocking-stuffer for fans of off-beat humor, this undeniably nutty book is based on a Tumblr blog and combines simple photo collages of small horses in human environments with incredibly funny captions.

Rouleaux by Anastassia EliasWhat can you do with an empty roll of toilet paper? If you’re French artist Anastassia Elias, you create tiny dioramas inside of the discarded tubes. Inspired by art and movies, these pieces are beautifully crafted, fun, and unbelievably detailed. 


Low Fidelity by Bobby GrossmanIf you, or someone you love, listened to New York punk and new wave in the 70s, chances are your favorite artist can be found in this book. Bobby Grossman photographed Iggy Pop, David Byrne, The Ramones, Debbie Harry, Andy Warhol and many more. This book is a time capsule of—and a love letter to—a legendary time, place, and sound.


Take a second and head over to Blurb to see if you can end your search for that perfect gift this season! 

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Making an "About Me" Author Page

Many author’s pen there own biography page. Especially new and independent authors, the reason they give being, it’s more cost effective. However let me present why it’s probably not the best idea.

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Make an Emotional Connection to Your Readers

Emotions equate to sales:

The writing profession has had many lives. But today almost exclusively the fastest way to earn money as a writer is based on the ability to elicit an emotional response from readers. 

What some would equate to going viral. Your words can spread quickly and earnings rise quickly with a massive audience. This can even set the stage for future earnings. If, that is you’re able to make or paint an emotional connection for your reader.

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Build a Library, Build Your Audience

It is popularly quoted, there is no I in team. And many consider team building an essential to creating lasting success.

Let me however provide, two places there is an I. Library and Audience. Two places that exist to fill a need every author, writer, speaker has. 

Two places, also, you need to be if you hope to find success in writing/ publishing. It's not a misspelling, these two places have the eyes you need to improve your chance at success.

That's the point of you putting work into your writing; building an audience. But first you need to build a library.

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Exploding Your Freelance Income

Here are two ways to boost your income as a freelance writer.

From the Article: How to Explode Your Freelance Writing Income with Copywriting and Copyblogging By Halina Zakowicz Available at Writers Weekly

Copywriting and copyblogging are two highly lucrative writing fields yet too many freelance writers continue to "grind it out" at small-time blogs, "mom-and-pop" businesses and non-profits. In some cases, these freelance writers assume that they don't have the right credentials to land a corporate gig. In other cases, they are intimidated by the corporate world and its profit-centric terminology such as ROI, KPI, sales copy, landing page, marketing collateral, etc.

However, aside from being prefaced by the word "copy," copywriting and copyblogging still involve writing well for an audience. 

enjoy the complete article and accompanying earning guide at

Writers Weekly Articles

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Writing to Be Heard

There is a voice in everyone that yearns to be heard. Whether expressed creatively, or informatively, the words that seed our thoughts look for an outlet beyond simply speaking. We want to be heard to be understood. In essence we seek to set ourselves apart as a resource. Available and reliable as a tool to assist others, therein providing a valuable service to them as well as a lucrative benefit to us - the working writer.

The question is how do you do this?

How do you share your voice, and ensure its likelihood of being heard?

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A Journey of Inspiration: Learning to Write Publish and Sell Your Book

Every author imagines themselves being published and eventually becoming a bestseller. Most, outside of writing time, dream of gaining the notoriety and fame that comes with having your book in print and read - received well; by a large audience. However, this occurs for few authors. 

Most will over time decide to pursue a small market strategy of publication. For many of these authors the process can seem tedious and burdensome because of the varying elements necessary in operating an independent press.  The most extensive of these can often, and has left many, feeling discouraged. For them being a small press and book distributor that has to market and sell what he/she has written - is too much of a process to every seem to pay what is put in it.

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Growing into Your Audience Share

It's one thing to speak. Words spoken as an authority or as a layman attempting to be heard, your voice IS your power to go forward.

If you're unwilling to speak, you can't be heard. And if you're unable to speak, you will never be heard the way you desire. That is unless someone is willing to say something on your behalf. 

Saying something to assert your claim to authority or expertise. Unless there is one who is willing to vocalize on your behalf you are missing our most powerful ally. 

You gain an important surrogate to share your message to the world when there is one voice one person saying.Here is a voice you should listen to.Here is a song worth hearing.

This writer has something to say

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Building on the Success of You (part 1)

To truly be successful in writing, producing, cooking, whatever field you choose to employ, there will come a choice you have to make. A decision you alone will have to consider. There will come a point where you have to decide do I (you) believe and will I (you) invest in me (you). Or will I (you) abandon the dream and surrender my (your) possibility of ever coming into the dream?

Do you believe you, that is I, have what it takes and are you willing to pursue it regardless of any adverse circumstances. It may seem fraught with difficulties but yes I’m willing to try to get to it (success).

Do you know that only you can believe in you and advance your voice; better than anyone you could ever employ. Only you know the truth of your capability; that is if you believe in you

Conversely if you don’t believe in you, it’s likely you’ll convince others not to believe in you as well. And you’ll almost certainly falter as badly as you imagine you would due to this truth.

If you don’t think you can do it

YOU can’t

And most likely will never try to again.

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