More Work In The World

Our Galaxy’s Publishing’s multi-author collection, Venus Rising: Musings and Lore From Women Writers was released in paperback and ebook on March 16 of this year and features two of my short stories: “My Last Husband” and “The Barely There Bear.”

If you’re interested in seeing more samples of my fiction, you can check out the reasonably priced ebook (only $3.99). To learn more about our Galaxy Publishing you can go to their website or check them out on Instagram @ourgalaxypublishing.

I’ve been busy with work and travel lately that I haven’t been able to post about this, but I’m super excited to have more stories to share with you!

Book Launch

I am so excited to say my book is now available for purchase! You can check it out on Amazon or barnesandnoble.com by searching my name and the book title Word Bath. If you’re looking for some light poetry, please give it a read. You can see more details on the menu of my blog here, check out the page labeled WORD BATH (easy peasy).

(featured image in this post is by Nick Fewings via Unsplash)

Friends & Family Orders

UPDATE: I found a couple typos so it looks like I’ll be going into revision. This is why it’s always good to order a single copy before you go whole hog. So glad I did!

I’m making my book available to family and friends before its official release on Feb. 1 where it should be available on online platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Now that I have a physical copy in hand (and it’s not backward!) I can place personal orders through IngramSpark. Those who know me personally can check my Instagram stories @dukeofwords or my Facebook for more details later tonight!

The Backwards Book

I’m currently waiting on the first print version of my book to arrive so I can check it for errors. I received a notification that it has been shipped, so I lie in wait.

My major worry… that the whole thing is backward. The digital proof I was sent looked that way, but I thought: “Maybe it’s going to look different once it’s printed. How could they possibly have flipped my entire file? Especially when I worked with the typesetter who knew what she was doing?”

Revisions would cost extra and delay my release. So fingers are majorly crossed!

IngrrrramSpark

I’m stuck in processing limbo with IngramSpark in regards to my eBook. I ordered a print version so I can look it over and make sure all is well in a physical copy, but I swore the eBook would take less time.

Mama always taught me not to swear…

I’m finding IngramSpark’s support team a hit or a miss. I’m not sure where they’re based out of, but first, they locked me out of my original account, I made a new one – asked to have my password reset for the original account… and they reset it for my recovery account instead. Fine, ok moved forward. I upload my book and, after about a week or so, I’m still seeing this:

I reached out to the support team after looking through the FAQs to find out what this might mean and got this answer:

When I asked what she meant by “print” in regards to an eBook I did not receive a reply. And I still haven’t received an email detailing what issues they’re having with the files… that I uploaded on January 9th…

Guess I jumped the gun on thinking this would be happening soon! Anyone else ever used this platform to self-publish??

Printing Delay

Bit of a delay with the print release of my book. Looks like it’ll be closer to Feb. 1, 2021. Hopefully, the eBook will be ready soon!

!!!POETRY!!!

I added a new page to the menu at the top of my homepage for information on my book of poetry Word Bath. I’ll be updating that page as I get closer to my publication date of January 15, 2022! I’ll also be posting updates on my Instagram @dukeofverse.

Self-publishing. Respect.

Back when I graduated from university in 2008 with my BA in Creative Writing & Literature there was a bit of a stigma to self-publishing and it’s amazing to see how it’s changed over the years. I spent a brief period of time as a bookseller at Barnes & Noble when I came back from completing my MA in the UK and often customers had no idea they were requesting a POD (Print-on-Demand) self-published title. Those authors have major traction now. It’s become fairly popular for Instapoets to get their words on the page as well. I’m in the middle of self-publishing a book of poetry myself and I have more respect than ever for this entire process.

Not sure why I didn’t consider doing this sooner. I much prefer doing things my own way. Not going to lie, writing contests have never held a huge appeal for me. I’ve tried my luck at a handful but never kept pursuing it. I prefer to do my art my own way and let the audience make of it what they will. The one major downside is you have to get your art in front of people all on your own, but oh how nice it is to be doing it all for you and completely your own way.

I’m not going to go into the entire process since there are already some amazing resources out there, but I can share some of the ones that I am using. I work with graphic designers on a daily basis at my job so thankfully, a friend/coworker did my cover design (I paid her). I found a great typesetter/interior designer thorough Reedsy who I am working with now and in the final stages of proofing. The publishing platform I’m using is IngramSpark which, to be honest, I’m still learning how to use… but they have a lot of helpful articles for us newbs to this whole self-publishing process.

I can’t say I’m a guru just yet, but the next book should be SO much easier! Although maybe not cheaper… Oh, and I don’t update it as often as I should, but you can find me @dukeofverse on Instagram.

Revision Is Your BFF

One of the hardest things for me to grasp is that writing, in my experience, is not seen as a viable talent or a gift which needs refining. You see it in the creative world and you see it in the professional/corporate world. Everywhere. And I’ve dabbled in just about all of it: technical writing, poetry, dialogue, most recently copywriting.

One of the saddest moments I had in my experience as a technical writer was spending many hours rewriting an online training manual. I took a lot of the language which was fairly conversational and translated it into more palatable verbiage for the reader and a person new to an unknown process. I left the job and came back a year later to find that my manual had been edited, by many, with no checks. Inconsistencies in phrasing and wording abounded and I just looked away. Anyone can do it, right?

For an example of good vs. bad technical writing, just think about every piece of furniture you’ve tried to assemble on your own. How difficult was it? Did the instructions help or hinder you? Technical writing is important. Not everyone can do it well or effectively. But if it’s not seen as a viable skill, anyone can do it, right? And that’s when the confusion begins.

The same goes for creative writing. Someone doesn’t just come out the gate a Hemingway or a Ishiguro. Not even Hemingway or Ishiguro. It takes years of honing and practicing and (almost always) relying on the advice of others to better your craft. Molly McCowan of Inkbot Editing has a great post where she talks about the importance of an editor in writing and relying on the advice of others. There seems to be a common misconception that great writing just is. It springs up out of nowhere, BAM. New York Times Bestseller and long-lasting masterpiece.

My favorite part of the process has always been revision. To me, the first draft is that lumpy pile of clay and I don’t even know where to start or what shape it really is by the time I’ve written it. In revision, however, I start to see the true form and I feel most inspired. That’s what editors are here for, to feed you that inspiration and cut out that shape you’re trying to find, Mold your treasured words before you put them out into the world.

(featured image by Aaron Burden)

Editor For Hire

If you look at the top righthand corner of the page you’ll see a new tab marked EDITORIAL SERVICES. If you’re a budding writer or someone who’s been writing for a while and needs some editing… I can help!

Lucky for you, that happens to be my specialty. I can assist in making sure your grammar is top-notch, your story has flow, and even help you learn how to format a script properly. Please, visit my services page if you’re interested in learning more. Cost will vary depending on the project, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking to put out the best possible product in a competitive market.

Happy writing!