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How important is it to stay connected?

Published on December 16, 2015December 15, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

I heard a very successful writer and blogger say that he attributed his success to staying connected.

Well, isn’t that a lightning flash revelation? Not.

Staying connected can be fun, informative, but also a time suck. I often use it as an excuse I can ignore the house, the dog and my characters. After all the Queen isn’t showing up for a white glove inspection this week and my characters haven’t been very cooperative as of late, so I might as well play on the world-wide web. Right?

I mean laughing at the latest Meme on Facebook, or reading a cool short story post, is a lot more fun than cleaning toilets or arguing with a stubborn protagonist.

Sigh… Now don’t go sounding like a mom. I know, I know. Company is coming – Santa is near so I and there are presents to buy and packages to wrap, not to mention a character to kill. So little time and so much to do.

What is that old Nike commercial? Something like for the love of God just do it! No that doesn’t sound quite right.

But you get the idea. Sorry for the gripe post. Sometimes it helps. LOL

Okay, time for me to get busy and find where my characters are hiding. Olie, olie, oxen free….

Ever overwhelmed? How do you deal?

Got any tips for me?

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PS:

I was actually pretty productive this week. This is me patting myself on the back.

Not for the faint of heart

Published on December 10, 2015December 9, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Navigating the self-publishing maze, that is.

Createspace, Amazon’s self publishing platform to be the easiest. I did run into a few snags. Especially when I wanted to make changes. But I don’t want to get into that now.

However, Ingram Sparks is all together another matter. I so understand why there is a market for professional who will do the work for the writers. After 6, yes 6 tries I finally submitted my small manuscript successfully. Or so I thought, keep reading.

I cannot imagine what it would’ve been like if my manuscript had been 300 pages. Lord help me, I might’ve ended up bald.

Of course, maybe I just made it harder than it actually was.

Upside to Createspace is it’s free and everyone knows Amazon.

The upside to Ingram Sparks is libraries and bookstores order through them.

The down side to Ingram Sparks is it’s not as user-friendly as Createspace and it’s not free.

You must buy an ISBN (Createspace provides it free) plus a cost for the catalog. I did get a special title set up for free, apparently there is usually a charge for that too.

So while Ingram Sparks can cost a little to get started, that is not what bothered me. The cover template was a bear to work with. I was so frustrated trying again and again to get it right, I almost gave up.

But, I did get it done! Whoo hoo!

Unfortunately, the proof arrived today and it is all in black, white and shades of gray!

Give me a freaking break!!!

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Oh well, back to the drawing board, I mean back to the Ingram Sparks website. Sigh….

I agree with Debbie Young in her article – Opinion: Is it Time to Drop the S Word?

I didn’t want to use my name as the publisher. Having a publishing house name seems to give more weight to the book.

What do you think? Any tips to help a girl out?

Do you think it’s time to do away with the self-publishing label?

Want to avoid some mistakes? Check out this video.

The easiest thing I’ve done to date was setting up my DBA and publishing company logo. Funny, I thought that would be difficult, but it wasn’t. Go figure.

If you want to find my books, click on the logo below.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

It’s the happiest time of the year!

Published on December 4, 2015December 3, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Are you busy buying gifts yet?

Bet many of you will get busy with a long list this weekend.

If you’re searching for ideas for your writer friends, check out the following links. I mean, who would’ve thought about a way to capture those thoughts in the shower!

22 Gifts for Writers That Are Way Better Than a Boring Old Notebook By Betsy Mikel

The Top 20 Most Original Gift Ideas for That Fucking Writer You Know

Popular items for gifts for writers

Another great gift for your writer friends is to buy their book.

If you’ve already bought it, write a review for Amazon or Goodreads. That would be a terrific gift! This kills 2 birds with one stone.

Buy the book (gift to the writer) give the book away to kids, teachers (teachers are always in need of more books) or friends who love to read.

Happy shopping!

I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Are you Timid, Nervous or Couragous?

Published on November 20, 2015November 19, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

I’ll admit, I fall somewhere between Timid Tammy and Nervous Nell.

For a positive, happy person, blowing my own horn is not easy. I don’t like to ask for help or favors. I’m a terrible salesperson. I believe in me, but the idea that others might find value in what I’ve accomplished sounds a bit far-fetched.

Hiding behind a computer screen is a lot easier than speaking face-to-face with a group of strangers. I fumble with “the ask.”

I even found it difficult to help my daughter sell her Girl Scout Cookies. Now that’s just plain pitiful. I mean, who can’t sell GS cookies. Everyone loves them. But I ended up buying more than we sold. Of course loving the Peanutbutter patties helped.