Busy with book and writing projects

Dear Reader,

Since I last posted, I've had a busy weekend spilling over into this week with book and writing related projects!

I tidied-up and word-smithed and second-guessed myself but I managed to get my 10 page manuscript (and synopsis) into the mail for critique at the Fall Philly SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). Hopefully I made it in time before all of the slots filled up!

I also tidied-up and word-smithed and second-guessed myself but managed to submit a Harry Potter fan fiction to Checkmated.com. Still waiting for it to be picked up by a Beta for review but I hope it will be available soon. (It's a missing moment between Ron and Hermione. My user name there is Mom4Stories if you ever want to check it out.)

I also tidied-up and word-smithed and second-guessed myself but managed to get some revisions to my artist, Kecia, for my book. I can't wait to see the next pdfs!

Then, after having done enough tidying-up and word-smithing and second-guessing, I spent some time on the CreateSpace site, reading forum discussions and getting my feet wet by starting to participate in one on Middle Grade Fantasy books.

I can't do much right now in terms of setting up my author's page or e-store until I upload my books but I'm making notes and picking up some great information about marketing and distribution. (My user name there is StoryMom.)

I'm trying to figure out how to connect this blog to my account there. I suspect I can't do it just yet -- I may have to wait until my books activate my presence there. I'm also trying to figure out the best strategy for linking this blog, my 2 other blogs and www.goodmannerskidsstuff.com site, the Amazon site and my www.goodmannerskidsstuffpress.com site (which is under construction, too) as part of my grand master plan.

So, while I've accomplished a lot, there's still much more to do.
I'm hoping to have just as productive a time next week (and the week after that, and so on -- you get the picture).

Oh, before I forget, here are a couple of little ISBN number tidbits before I leave you:

Apparently there was some sort of snafu recently with those authors who used the CreateSpace ISBN numbers (remember I mentioned in an earlier post that using the free CreateSpace ISBN number makes CreateSpace the publisher in addition to being the printer while using your own number makes you the publisher and gives you more control) -- there was something printed in their books about self-publishing (advertising the Breakthrough Novel Award) that upset some members because they didn't want it obvious on their books that they were self-published. I believe it has now been removed.

Then, it seems that some authors with their own isbn numbers publish on both CreateSpace to get into Amazon and Target.com and then use the identical ISBN number and book at another POD (print on demand) such as Lightning Source, which gives you access to Barnes & Noble and other distributors. Having control of the number as the owner/publisher lets you take it anywhere. CreateSpace is more affordable, so they see if their book has "legs" there and then take it elsewhere to expand its reach across the industry.


That's it for now. Happy Reading and Writing until I post again.

Leslie
www.goodmannerskidsstuff.com
www.goodsportbadsport.blogspot.com
www.goodmannersmom.blogspot.com