In a fond farewell to 2017 I thought I’d list my achievements:
I worked out how to use CreateSpace [after years of thinking it was too hard] and created print versions of 4/5 of my sci-fi novels, including all four covers for:
- Miira
- The Godsend
- Nabatea
- The Vintage Egg
I used the CreateSpace experience to write, produce the cover and print a non-fiction book called How to Print Your Novel with CreateSpace.
Then I got all ambitious and decided to do one for more complicated books. I am enormously proud to annouce that How to Print Non-Fiction with CreateSpace was uploaded to the CreateSpace website at 9:50pm December 31, 2017. Yep, I just scraped it in. The Non-Fiction book is not available yet as I want to road-test it a bit first, but at least it’s up there. ๐
As for the failures, most were small – like trying to replace the bulb in my rangehood and failing miserably – and some were just plain enfuriating. I mean, I’m a grown woman, right? I eat well, stay fairly healthy, I even do a bit of physical exercise out in the garden…so why can’t I lose weight? I don’t want to lose a lot, just 5 or 6 kilos…grrrrr.
Anyway, let’s not talk about the past. 2017 is DONE. It is over, finished, consigned to the trash heap of history. 2018 is going to be a lot better and for me it’s already started…Ta Dah
You are looking at the ebook version of How To Print Your Novel with CreateSpace!
Remember that poll I ran a short while ago? The one where I asked you which screenshots were easier to see? Well the results were overwhelmingly in favour of the coloured screenshots, but that left me with a terrible problem as I knew the print version would be seriously expensive [around about $25 USD for the longer how-to].
And then I stumbled across a new-ish Kindle app called the Kindle Textbook Creator. Could this be the answer to my problems?
Before I continue I have to send Chris McMullin a huge thank you. Chris is a publishing guru who writes textbooks and wonderful, clear blog posts about all sorts of technical things. One of his posts became my ‘bible’ as I researched the Textbook Creator:
Optimizing Amazon’s Free Kindle Textbook Creator Publishing Tool
If any of you have thought about writing say, a cookbook, but were put off by the tech, I strongly recommend that you read Chris’ post and get to work.
Anyway, I took Chris’ advice, optimised a copy of How to Print Your Novel for the Kindle [Fire only] and went to work. I finished turning it into an e-textbook just about 2 hours ago and uploaded it straight to KDP. It was a breeze!
The Textbook Creator uses PDF files just like CreateSpace, and basically makes each PDF ‘page’ one page for the Kindle. But the thing that really makes it standout is the clean, efficient interface that makes everything intuitive and easy. Amazon definitely got it right with this one.
So there we go, two days into 2018 and I have an e-textbook to my name. ๐
And finally to those resolutions. First up, I’m going to convert the How to Print Non-Fiction book into an e-textbook too. Then I’m going to take the Offspring’s advice and re-visit the cookbook I started a few years back. But mostly, I’m going to focus on the Vokhtah saga. Because I’m turning 65 in 10 days and I can feel my creative clock ticking. I’m a slow writer, and there are still a lot of stories I want to tell.
Oh…and that diet thing? I’m determined to win that battle too!
So, what about you? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you manage to keep any of them? Should I just shut up now? -giggles-
Happy 2018 my friends,
Meeks
January 9th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday! I don’t do resolutions ; all part of my ‘achievable aims and expectations’ principle!!!! ๐
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January 9th, 2018 at 7:54 pm
-giggles- I salute your honesty. And thanks. 3 more days to go before I hit the big 65. ๐
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January 7th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Vokhtah! My favourite. So this is very good news for me as wellโก
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January 7th, 2018 at 10:35 am
lol -hugs- I haven’t forgotten about Vokhtah it’s just that the cover needs a complete revamp and the visual issue is kind of distracting me from the story. You know how something small can niggle?
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January 5th, 2018 at 1:47 am
Congratulations on your achievements. You are an inspiration. For me, nothing too strict this year. Gentle reminders, such as “Eat less, spend less, get out more, write more, walk more.” And practice gratitude, patience, compassion and pride in achievements. I did not write as much as I want to in 2018, finding my way in semi-retirement. And, yes, the last few pounds! I do walk and go to yoga almost every day.
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January 5th, 2018 at 10:23 pm
I’ve been thinking about yoga but so far that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Are you doing it for general well being or for an injury or something?
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January 4th, 2018 at 3:02 am
I never make New Year’s Resolution because I know that I won’t keep them. I make plans and goals then leave everything in God’s hands. Ive been battling health issues for years so I just take one day at a time. If opportunities arrive I run with them. God is in control.
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January 4th, 2018 at 3:46 pm
For me, that would be ‘fate’, but I agree. We can only do what we can do. -hugs-
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January 4th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Thanks. Hugs to you also. ๐ค๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 10:05 am
Thanks for the info on the Kindle Textbook Creator. That’s good to know and who knows… might need that in the future. BTW – finished the first Innerscape book last night. Loved it. Beautiful writing, wonderful science/realism, and great characters. Working on the review, my friend. ๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:16 am
Oh… -stunned- Thank you. I’m gobsmacked. Seriously, /thank you/. -hugs-
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January 3rd, 2018 at 2:05 pm
I sent you an email…
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January 4th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
Received with thanks! And replied to. ๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 4:02 am
I don’t really make resolutions, but I make note of things I would like to improve on. On second thought, maybe that’s the same thing. ๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:17 am
-giggles- Kinda sorta. ๐ I hope yours include a new book.
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:28 am
Thanks. March 27th is the release date. ๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:34 am
OMG…yes! Title?
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:55 am
Itโs called The Bone Curse. Iโll be putting up a blog post on Monday. I have some publisher ARCs to give away. ๐
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January 4th, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Sounds chilling, and very intriguing!
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January 3rd, 2018 at 2:34 am
Happy 2018 and lots of good writing, too!
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:19 am
Thanks, Candy. I hope 2018 has a new Monster in it. ๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 1:18 am
Happy 2018 to you! And congratulations on all of your accomplishments. Your blog should be counted, too. It’s one of the highlights of my week ๐ I’m setting my sights on a more productive 2018–I only produced one book last year–my usual is 2 or 3. But, hey, life happens, right?
Take care, and here’s to a most fabulous year!
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:20 am
-face palm- 2 or 3 books a /year/?? I seriously envy your creativity and energy! Ahem, a new Leine Basso perhaps?
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January 2nd, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Never shut up! Always giggle, smile and laugh! ๐
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January 2nd, 2018 at 6:56 pm
lol – hiya Yorgos! Is 2018 being kind to you so far?
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January 3rd, 2018 at 3:58 am
๐ Hello! Good enough so far. It’s still new and wants to make a good impression, so I’m not letting my guard down. Hope for you to be even kinder than 2017!!! ๐
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January 3rd, 2018 at 11:18 am
lmao – Wise man!
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