Tag: Books

Do you understand the need for an ISBN?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

The link below from Kristen Twardowski is filled with information about the ISBN (International Standard Book Number.)

I’ve always thought of the ISBN like a sort of phone number incorporating the country, area code, full name, etc.

Kristen explains in detail what each part of the number stands for, where to get one and why you need it.

I’ve used the free ones provided by Createspace and I’ve bought Universal numbers through Bowker. Why did I purchase numbers? Because with my own numbers, I can publish through IngramSpark and Createspace which opens up distribution to bookstores and libraries. At least, I hope so.

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Did you know what all the digits stood for?

Where do you get your ISBN?

After you read Kristen’s article, let me know what you think.

Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

ISBN: What It Is and Why a Book Needs One  by  Kristen Twardowski

Book publishing isn’t just about finding great pieces of writing and bringing them out into the world. Sometimes it is about the nitty-gritty. This means that at some point, an author or publ… keep reading

 

How to encourage your kids to dream big

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

And my oh my, it’s that time of year when kids wish for the moon.

Christmas sale ads are popping up everywhere! But games, new gadgets and brightly wrapped packages are not all kids dream about.  christmas-sack-964342_640

Article after article tell us they have great aspirations for their life. They dream and plan to do big things when they grow up. As parents, teachers, grandparents, and writers we need to encourage their dreams.

My books are written to inspire any little boy or girl to reach for the stars.

At long last, A Reluctant Little Prince is available in print!

Give a gift that keeps giving all year-long.

I hope you’ll remember it’s never too early to instill the love of reading to a child.

Give a book for the holidays.

Click on the image and read a sample. They are now available at Amazon.com.

BOGO Kindle Matchbook is free with the purchase of a print copy.

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Age 1-5
Age 1-5

 

Age 6-9

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Kids In 2015 Want To Be When They Grow Up by Susan Adams at Forbes.

Top 15 Kids’ Dream Jobs by  Alison Doyle

Check out this eclectic list from Mommy.me – What do you want to be when you grow up?  

SURVEY SAYS! WHAT MOST KIDS WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP by Buzz Bishop

Thank you to everyone for your encouragement and kind reviews.

Are you giving books this holiday?

Who are you giving books to? Kids or adults?

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

What’s the best way to promote your book?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

My email is filled with Black Friday Ads. 

But what about your book? Can it be a Black Friday special?

If you’re like me, we are always looking for ways to promote our books. But, I’m learning marketing a book is harder than writing the dang things.

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Image source

Some ideas I’m knocking around…

  • Kindle Unlimited
  • KDP Free Promotion
  • Goodreads Giveaway
  • Library reading
  • Craft fairs? Hmm, might be a lot of work. But, maybe.

What about you? Any tips to help with book sells?

Have you had success with any special marketing technique?

Keep reading, I’ve got great links at the bottom!

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

50 SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK by   

From Writing Quietly to Screaming “Buy Me!” — Promoting a Book by Randy Susan Meyers

7 Tips To Help Promote Your First Self-Published Book April 22, 2014 by

You ever feel the need to slow the hell down?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Well, I do, but don’t. Sigh…

I should plaster the phrase “Slow Down” in every room of my house! Slow down road sign

Maybe that would help me avoid a lot of problems.

Three weeks ago, I fell into a dark parking lot. I was rushing and not aware of an obstacle in my path. Result, my front teeth were damaged and I’m gonna be out of a butt-load of money.

Last week I released the e-book for my third children’s picture book, A Reluctant Little Prince. Yay, good so far.

Next, release the print version. I was ready, or so I thought.  Seemed as if it was taking forever. I wanted to get this thing out before the holidays.

I checked the online proof. Looked for glaring issues like typos and margins. What I didn’t catch, all the pictures were in B&W!

Image Source

Thank God I decided to wait for a physical proof to arrive before hitting the final publish button.

Now, I’m waiting on Createspace to let me change the set-up. Ugh! If only I’d been a bit more cautious going through the set-up phase, I wouldn’t have to redo the entire thing. If only I’d been a bit more cautious in that dark parking lot, I wouldn’t be looking at thousands of dollars in dental work.

Patience is not one of my virtues.

Okay, enough bellyaching. Deep breaths and work on a new project while I wait for Createspace to help me fix this mistake.

One thing I know for sure, being an Indie is not for the faint of heart.

I’ll let y’all know when the print versions of A Reluctant Little Prince is available.

Interesting links at the bottom. Keep reading.

What about you? Have you made costly publication mistakes?

Did it cost time or dollars?

Or maybe you’re a very patient writer?

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or

Click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

What’s Your Biggest Challenge as an Indie? Open Thread By Angela Quarles 

11 Mistakes New Self-Published Authors Make at Just Publishing Advice

7 Completely Stupid eBook Publishing Mistakes by Ryan Hanley

Marketing and Publishing Checklists for Writers by  

How To Publish A Book 101  by