From Blogs to Books by Shelley Row

This is a guest blog from my client Shelley Row. Shelley and her husband Mike managed to live a dream … a visit for ten months in a small village in France, and a total of a year of travel experiences in all. Their adventures produced three books, “Living Like a Local: Stories of Our Life in France,” “Traveling Around the World: Our Tales of Delights and Disasters,” and “Exploring Europe: Our Experiences While Living Abroad.” Shelley leads workshops on how to make your dreams come true. To learn more, go to: http://www.shelleyrow.com/.

Below is advice from Shelley (someone who has been there) on how to convert your blogs into great books. Enjoy! Robin, The Book Coach

Perhaps it’s just me. I think “blog” is an unattractive word. It sprawls on the page devoid of artistic flair. Consequently, I never aspired to be a “blogger.” Imagine my surprise to find that I loved blogging. And now I have three published books from blogs. Here are tips I learned to convert blogs to books.

First, you need to develop a blog and it must have ample content. With the blog-to-book process, your book is written little-by-little over time. My blog started when my husband Mike and I left our home in Maryland and moved to a village in France for ten months. My blogs were a way to communicate with my 80-year-old mother while we lived abroad. As I wrote, magic happened. I discovered that other people read and enjoyed my blogs. Then I discovered that I loved to write. Blogging made me a keen observer. I returned from France with 90 blogs and encouragement to publish them. So take a fresh look at your blogs. They could be a book!

Next, you need a common theme and common voice. If you write regularly on a specific topic, the theme may emerge naturally. If not, pick through your blogs to select those with commonality. Seek to maintain a similar voice – tense, tone, style – across the blogs. If you blog frequently, your style is more likely to be consistent. My writing style evolved over time; consequently, my blogs benefited from a good editor (Robin Quinn of www.writingandediting.biz) who smoothed out inconsistencies.

You will need an Introduction. The Introduction provides context for the blogs: what they are, why you wrote them, and who you are.

Read the book with fresh eyes. Do the blogs make sense as standalone chapters? Do they flow from one chapter to the next? If there are gaps in the storyline, add transitions between the blogs. Also, I suggest replacing the word “blog” with “story” or “tale.” In my opinion, most people prefer a collection of short stories over a collection of blogs.

Now consider the closing. If you write an ongoing blog, you’ll need to create a closing chapter. The closing may summarize your experiences, lessons learned, or key points. The book reader needs a satisfying ending.

The beauty of creating a book from a blog is that you already have content. Yes, you will do additional writing to make the blogs work for a book reader, but the modifications are minor. With a book made from blogs, you’ll have more energy to tackle publication details.

For you bloggers, I hope you take advantage of your material and create a book! It’s fun, personally satisfying, and worth the effort. You will become an “author” instead of a “blogger.” Now doesn’t that sound nice?

BOOK EDITING: Don’t Pass on Editing Your Ebook

This article was recently featured in Dan Poynter's newsletter Publishing Poynters.

The buzz is that one of the major missteps ebook authors are making is avoiding professional editing. I noticed that Mark Coker, Founder of the ebook publisher Smashwords, is among those pointing this out. In a recent article on author mistakes, Coker notes, “Many indie authors rush their books to market before the book has been properly edited or proofread… Every book benefits from the unforgiving eye of an independent editor and proofreader.”

Think again if you believe that readers are more accepting of errors and sloppy writing in ebooks. On Amazon, readers are complaining about such frustrations in Kindle ebooks, and some are even demanding refunds. Readers say that grammatical mistakes, punctuation errors, and other blunders are annoying, take away from the writer’s credibility, and can make them stop reading the book. Some are becoming jaded about ebooks altogether, and choosing to stay away.

The eyes of a professional editor are trained to see the mistakes your eyes overlook. For instance, I recently did an edit of a novel that the author believed to be ready for publishing. In the subsequent edit, I was able to eliminate his redundancies, point out unclear sections, correct inconsistencies, spot embarrassing misspellings in his field of expertise, and fix or query questionable “facts.” This was in addition to addressing basics, like punctuation, grammar and typos.

Beyond a lack of editorial attention, one way errors slip into ebooks is in the production process. To avoid issues during the conversion to multiple formats, keep the formatting of your ebook manuscript minimal. Unless you’ll only be producing PDFs, it can be helpful to avoid tables and charts (or insert them as static graphics inline [no wrapping of text] in the .gif or .png format), avoid columns, and stick with plain text and a couple header levels. Times Roman is the perfect font for epublishing. I recommend working with designers with experience in laying out ebooks, as well as dealing with the various ebook outlets. Also, Bookbaby, Smashwords and the newer Folium are popular services that help get your books in the various ebook formats.

At a recent ebook panel, Smashword’s Jim Azevedo said that the place where authors are making money with ebooks is on Amazon. One way to get your ebooks on Amazon is through its Kindle Direct Publishing program. Be aware that this is an exclusive distribution program for your ebook.

If you have any questions about editing or ebooks, feel free to contact me. Bottom line: Take pride in your book, hire a good editor, and give yourself and your book the best chances for success.

To your publishing success!

Robin
Quinn’s Word for Word
310-838-7098 / www.writingandediting.biz / quinnrobin@aol.com /
Book Editing, Ghostwriting, Copywriting & Book Coaching

VIDEO: The Why, What & How

According to the Digital Buzz Video Blog, YouTube is serving a billion videos a day! The average Internet user watches 182 videos a month. Join us this Tuesday for a free program on using VIDEO IN YOUR MARKETING.
HAPPY 2012! Robin Quinn www.writingandediting.biz



JANUARY JOINT MEETING
of Author’s Corner & Made in the Valley
THIS TUESDAY'S PROGRAM IS ON USING VIDEO IN YOUR MARKETING

Host: GAIL LARA

Location: VEDC, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., 3rd floor conference room, Van Nuys, CA 91403. Park under the building or on the street (No parking at Burger King; they tow!)

When: Tuesday, January 17th

Time: Networking begins at 6:30 pm. Program runs from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Need to get up to speed with video? Come to this panel to learn why video is becoming so popular. We’ll discuss what video to create and how to use it as a marketing tool. Program includes sample videos.

Moderator/Producer: ROBIN QUINN, Book Coach/Editor/Writer, www.WritingandEditing.Biz

PANELISTS:

RICHARD ALLEN, Videographer, Partner of the digital production company, Hit Me with Your Best Shot
ANITA REINSMA, Producer, Partner of the digital production company, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Author of Stop Waiting for Prince Charming
RUTH FRECHMAN, Registered Dietitian, Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Author of the new book The Food Is My Friend Diet
JUDITH CASSIS, “Bounce Back” Coach, Writing Instructor, and Publisher of Tidbits of Santa Clarita Valley

To RSVP, call Made in the Valley at 818-359-2692
or email lara.unlimitedllc@verizon.net.

ADMISSION IS FREE!

Getting Out There!

It's a busy time of year, with lots of events before we hit the holidays.

Recently saw client Julie Newmar on a Panel, "From Actress to Author," at the West Hollywood Book Fair. I loved watching how animated Julie is when she presents and talks about her new book, "The Conscious Catwoman Explains Life on Earth."

Here I am (a little sunburned) with Julie after the book-signing at the WEHO Fair.



Julie appears at Vroman's in Pasadena next Saturday at 5 PM. Her event received excellent advance coverage today in the Star News. Visit http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_19258433 to learn more about this famous Catwoman and her book.

Two of my clients (Anita Reinsma / "Stop Waiting for Prince Charming, He's Already Married to Bob") and Lauren Gale ("Confessions of a Recovering Drama Queen") received Irwin Awards on October 20th. In the picture below, I am posing with the two authors like a proud mama just before the Book Publicists of S. California dinner and awards ceremony.



Yesterday, up in Camarillo, I made the rounds at the Ventura County Book & Authors Fair. Met many interesting authors, including Mickey Jones, who wrote "That Would Be Me," his memoir of life on the road as a drummer. Mickey shared with me that when he performed with Trini Lopez, both the then-unknown groups the Beatles and the Rolling Stones acted as warm-up bands for Trini. Author Anita Reinsma spoke at the Fair Saturday on promoting your book, chatting a bit her videos on YouTube. Here she is at her booth with her niece, who's in the state visiting from the Netherlands.



As they say, a rolling stone gathers no moss! If you've got a book, get out there and promote!

Til next time,

Robin Quinn
Editor/Writer/Book Coach
www.writingandediting.biz

March 15th Panel - The Ebook Option

When: Tuesday, March 15th 2011
Networking begins at 6:30pm.
Program: 7:00-9:00 pm
Cost: FREE

THE E-BOOK OPTION
This is a joint meeting of Author’s Corner & Made in the Valley!

Ebooks are hot! Last July, Amazon announced that its ebook sales for its Kindle ereader had surpassed its hardcover sales for the 1st time ever! Authors and professionals are realizing that producing an ebook is a painless way to create an additional revenue stream. Learn the whys, hows, whats and wheres of ebooks at our March meeting. Topics include what is new at Barnes & Noble on the ebook front. This panel is too valuable to miss!

Note: Barnes & Noble’s Nook will be on display and for sale at this event.

Moderator: Robin Quinn, Book Coach/Editor/BookWriter, www.WritingandEditing.Biz

Panelists

Ellen Violette, The eBook Coach, www.TheEbookCoach.com

Alex Zabala, Merchandise Manager and Digital Sales Specialist, Barnes & Noble

Linnaea Mallette, Author – Read My Lips Tips for Success, Radio Show Host, Professional Speaker, http://ReadMyLipsTips.com/

Helaine Z. Harris, MA, MFT, Therapist, Teacher, Author – Are You In Love with a Vampire? Healing the Relationship Drain Game, plus The Feminine Warrior: A Guide to Balancing Love and Power, http://www.hzharris.com/

Zoë Archer, Award-winning Romance Author – The Blades of the Rose series, plus new sci-fi romance novel Collision Course (start of new series) to be released this April by Carina Press, the e-only imprint of Harlequin, http://www.zoearcherbooks.com/

RSVP for this event today and invite a friend:
@ info@madeinthevalley.net

Location: Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC)
5121 Van Nuys Blvd
3rd Floor Conference Room
Van Nuys
CA, 91403

** Park under the building or on the street but not in Burger King; they tow! **

July 27th - Options in Book Publishing

Authors’ Corner* July Program
sponsored by Made in the Valley

Options in Book Publishing:
If you’re thinking about becoming an author,
this program is for you!
Tuesday, July 27, 6 pm to 8 pm.
Cost: FREE! Just show up!

Have you ever thought about becoming an author or are you finishing your manuscript now? A lot has changed in the book publishing world, giving you more options than ever. Come hear a panel of authors discuss the publishing routes they chose and why. We’ll discuss traditional book publishing and the many alternatives for self-published authors, from printing with an offset printer, Print-on-Demand, Internet publishing companies such as Lulu, and eBooks. Today, there is definitely more than one way!

Our panelists will include:
Marilyn Anderson, author of Never Kiss a Frog
Susan Moss, author of Keep Your Breasts! and Survive Cancer!
Marianne Emma Jeff, author of 100 Days of 100%

Book coach/editor Robin Quinn (www.writingandediting.biz), a veteran who has worked in book publishing for over 20 years, will moderate.

Location: The Valley Economic Development Center, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., 3rd floor conference room,
Van Nuys, CA 91403. Parking under building and on street.

*Authors’ Corner is a new ongoing series of panels on book publishing!

More info: Write to quinnrobin@aol.com.

Thinking of Trying the Raw Foods Lifestyle? Figure Skating Star Debbie Merrill Leads the Way in Revised Edition of Her New Book

by Robin Quinn

Note: This is the first of a series of blogs on New & Noteworthy books.

Merrillism: “Raw living food is extraordinarily ordinary.”
~ Debbie Merrill

Vibrant and joyful … These are words that truly captured the energy of skating fitness expert Debbie Merrill, as I watched her mingle. The event was a recent book-signing/fundraiser at the 5th Street Whole Foods in Santa Monica. Years ago, I interviewed Debbie about her work in training celebrities to skate on screen (think Steve Martin gliding through MOCA in L.A. Story). Now I learned that Debbie was just releasing a revised edition of her August 2009 book on raw foods, The Raw Truth to the Fountain of Youth. I also discovered that she had hosted a TV show on the raw foods lifestyle for two years since we had last met, featuring guests in the forefront of raw living such as David Wolfe (The Sunfood Diet Success System), Gabriel Cousens, MD (Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine), and Juliano (of Juliana’s Raw Restaurant). Cousens wrote her Foreword, and the other two gave her endorsements. Other book blurbs come from Martin, Melanie Griffith, Patricia Bragg (apple cider vinegar proponent), and newswoman Jane Velez-Mitchell.

The petite, attractive blonde athlete has been “eating and living” the vegan way for 27 years, she told me, the last 17 years as 100% pure raw vegan. She described herself as a “person who transitioned to live foods and the fountain of youth one inch at a time.” Her 450+ page book offers Debbie’s knowledge and wisdom, along with the tools that work for her. In addition, as Cousens explains in the Foreword, we get Debbie’s life story which she “so elegantly shares as a narrative for her teachings.” Cousens also notes that Debbie encourages you to “live a full joyful, loving, healthy life with every bite,” but you don’t feel forced.

The book’s sections are cleverly laid out like a meal, starting with “Section 1. Appetizers: Awakening” and ending with “Section 5: Final Course” (the nuts and bolts of her program, including 40 “rawkin’ raw recipes” which Cousens calls “excellent”). Debbie has delivered 40 chapters, and here are some highlights:

Ch. 1, Create Your Own Treasure Map: Before embarking on an exploration of raw foods, Debbie asks you to become aware of what you want to get out of life. Her tools are a “Treasure Map” (similar to a vision board) and a “Treasure Box” (where you put your written goals). “What you can visualize, vocalize and physicalize, you can manifest in your life,” she tells us.

Ch. 3, Peeling the Onion: Here Debbie quotes Mae West: “Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.” She offers the insight that success comes from mastering one part of your goal, and then moving on. The author promotes moving forward one small step at a time toward our goals for a healthy lifestyle, and insists that bad habits will then become easier and easier to shed.

Ch. 5, Move It or Lose It: Of course, a professional figure skater who has performed around the globe will share her wisdom about exercise. “Health should be a verb,” Debbie writes. “… health is action.” The reader is asked to sign a contract with themselves to commit to get moving.

Ch. 8, The Road to Raw: Here Debbie admits that she went to raw foods because years ago she saw that she was “falling apart” and “eating more crap than vegetables” as a vegetarian. She reveals the changes she made and the benefits she gained. “This is not about deprivation,” she notes, “this is about moderation, rejuvenation, inspiration and innovation.”

Ch. 12, Paralysis of Perfectionism: Debbie jokes that perfectionism seems in some ways to be part of her DNA. This has helped her as an athlete, but also hurt when she saw an error as a personal defect. She’s learned along the way that sometimes it’s better to do something imperfectly than to wait til you can do it flawlessly.

Ch. 16, The Carrot and the Rabbit: Chapter 16 highlights the reasons for giving up being a meat eater. The author urges the reader to become informed with such films as Eating, Diet for a New America, and Super Size Me, and/or to even visit a slaughterhouse. (That visit did it for her, she said.) To Debbie, the most compelling reason came down to one word, compassion (for the animals).

Ch. 36, The Essential Raw Kitchen: Debbie learned to love cooking from her mother, who was a fabulous Italian cook. Here the author provides tips on the practical side to preparing to “raw-mble” in your own kitchen. She recommends a Vita-Mix blender, a food processor, a dehydrator, a juicer/wheatgrass juicer, and more. And, of course, a ready supply of fresh veggies and fruit.

Ch. 38, The Raw Truth to the Fountain of Youth Food-for-Life Plan: Here you’ll find Debbie’s food plan. She writes that you can do it in its entirety, or slowly move toward 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% raw foods. You’ll find lists of foods for fruit, veggies, protein, fats, and grains, along with recommended daily amounts. Her “Additional Suggestions” include this reminder: “What you don’t eat is as important as what you do.”

Ch. 39, Rawsome Recipes: During our interview, Debbie told me that she has included simple raw recipes, as well as those that more die-hard raw foodists would enjoy. Ones that caught my eye include “Debbie’s Raw Pizza Pizzazz” (made with raw crackers, homemade tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes, black olives, nuts, plus), raw enchiladas, “Debbie’s Sprouted Lentil Salad” (gets raves at holiday pot luck parties, she said proudly), mango smoothie, “Nano Banana on a Stick” (named after her dad, and includes banana, nuts, carob powder, and more), and raw cracker recipes. “Mother Earth is the best chef in the Universe,” she notes.

“I’ve lived through every type of diet that there is,” Debbie writes in her book. “I’ve gone from red meat to chicken to fish, from vegetarian to macrobiotics to lacto-ovo to vegan to raw vegan, and it is certainly not for me to say where you should end up … [but] if there is the slightest twinge in your soul that you are not where you want to be, then I invite you to take this wonderful journey with me.”

The Raw Truth to the Fountain of Youth is available at
www.debbiemerrillshow.com.

Debbie Merrill’s Instructor to the Stars website is www.skategreat.com.