Chantelle, Graphic Design Artist

Chantelle

Field(s) of Interest: Graphic Design

Genre preference (fiction or poetry): Any

I am a Graphic & Web Designer. My business is making your business look good. I specialize in brand design, creating tangible marketing materials, and ebook/publication design.

Websites/Blogs: www.xclddesigns.com

Contact Info: 3057077525 ; xclddesigns@gmail.com

Tyrone A. Acker (T.A. Acker) - Editor

Tyrone A. Acker (T. A. Acker)

Services Offered

Proofreading, Page Formatting, Editing

Genre

Poetry, Non-Fiction

"From 2008-2013, I have written 4 poetry books. The last 3 books were done via Createspace, which meant that although they produced and distributed the book itself, all of the page display - margins, layout, fonts, book descriptions, proofreading, revision, etc. was done solely by me. This last month, I wrote my first nonfiction book on relationships, called "Why Men No Longer Chase" and used Createspace as well. This was the first time that my business was named as publisher also."

Website

www.poetryandsense.com 

Follow Poetry & Sense, LLC on F45acebook, Twitter and Instagram); www. taacker.com (blog and other info)

Contact Info

poetryandsense@hotmail.com, taacker@hotmail.com or any of the social media pages

You've Written a Book, Now What?

I have met some people who have written books and done nothing with them.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have officially turned your idea into a manuscript! It may have taken you months or years to get it done but finally, your brain child is complete! One of the greatest feelings in the world is to have completed a book. I commend you!

So, your book is written, now what?

You don’t want to feel stuck. You want to keep the momentum going. So, to keep you motivated, I have detailed a check list of things to do to get your book published. Make sure your writing is typed and ready to go!

1.       Copyright your work.

According to copyright laws, your work is copyrighted the moment that it is created. You can also apply here.

2.       Go to Google and research the types of publishing.

Although I am an advocate for self publishing, I encourage writers to familiarize themselves with the various publishing options. There are many ranging from electronic books to trade books. No matter what, it is essential to know what route to publishing you will take, so that you will know how to take the next step.

3.       After selecting the type of publishing you want, follow directions.

Now that you have selected the type of publishing you want, follow the necessary steps to get started. For example, if you want to publish an e-book, or electronic book, you will need to research how to create an electronic book. Websites will pop up within your search results so read carefully and make the best selection. Select a company or publisher that best meets your needs.

4.       Find an editor.

Whether you have a relative or friend who excels in proofreading/editing or are looking for a professional, contact someone to read over your manuscript. Be sure that this is someone you trust. Payment may be required for this step, so make sure you have the funds to pay for proofreading/editing services.

5.       Establish a timeline to debut book.

Whether you create a deadline and communicate it with your editor or work with the timeline of the publisher, you need to know your book publication date. After you have established a date, wait patiently, as your book is being edited or reviewed.

6.       Stay motivated and stay busy!

The waiting process can be unnerving. Stay busy and remain upbeat. Your book is being perfected and will soon reach the hands of countless readers. Start practicing your autographs because you will be signing books soon!

For more literary tips and suggestions, read the next post, My Book Is Published, Now What?

Different types of Book Publishers:

http://publishing.about.com/od/BookAuthorBasics/a/Book-Publishers-Different-Types-Of-Book-Publishers.htm

Copyright Basics:

http://copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf

Register for Copyright Online:

http://www.copyright.gov/

You've Got a Book Idea: Now What?

It's very easy to sit on a book for years. Life gets in the way and routine tends to cover up ideas. Soon enough, if the idea isn't jotted down, one can forget what it was. So, here are a few tips to keep your literary inventions fresh without worrying about them getting lost or buried.

1. Write your idea(s) down. 

Before you get too busy, jot your idea(s) on a sheet of paper or notebook. I usually like to get a fancy [and cheap] notebook from Ross, Marshall's, Walmart, DD's, or a dollar store to keep all my ideas together. To make myself feel extra writer-ish, I use legal pads.

2. Share with a close friend or relative. 

Some people don't like to share their ideas with anyone. I do! I see nothing wrong with sharing with someone who I know will support me rather than steal from me. I am open to opinion when I share as well because when writing a book, it is all about the reader. 

3. Draft an outline for your book.

Most times, people already know what their book will be about. They know what the plot, or summary of the book, will be and what chapters will be included. Outline your book however you want—just get something written down. Whether you are only writing the plot or writing what each chapter will entail, this is where you flesh out the book in its entirety.

4. Read!

I always say that readers write and writers read. To keep your mind refreshed about your book, after you have done one or all the above steps, read books related to the genre, or category, for your future bestseller.

5. Just write and keep writing!

The benefits of writing an outline are that they can stop you from getting writer’s block. You won’t feel stuck. Map out how you want your book to flow and get started with writing! Don’t worry about the order or whether or not chapters make sense. Simply, write. Don’t lag. A writer once said, “A book won’t write itself.”

Self Publishing My First Book in 2009

All Writers Need to Know This

More aspiring authors need more tools to show them how to become effective writers. Before self publishing my first book in 2009, I craved to know the steps toward publication. It seemed like a big secret. I didn't know any authors and simply didn't know where to start in getting my name on the front cover of a book. I had a massive writing collection, but was unsure about whether or not it was good enough to publish. I didn't have an editor. I didn't have a writing coach. I literally only had myself and Jesus Christ. My family was more than supportive, however, but no one could tell me exactly how to get published. That all changed the day that one of my favorite writers, Shellie R. Warren, author of Inside of Me: Lessons of Love, Lust, and Redemption , sent me a Facebook message.

Shellie suggested that I self publish.

I'd seen self published books before and most of them were unimpressive. The covers designed were pixelated and the words were either too narrow, bulky, or junky. Nothing about the idea of self published books convinced me that I should go that route. In a way, I was grateful for her suggestion, but I was also turned off. Self published books were ugly and I'd made a vow not to go that route. I simply said thank you and continued to sulk. I wanted to be accepted by a major publishing house.

Nonetheless, I now had a sense of direction. I researched self publishing like a research expert. As a library science graduate student, I had been trained to search the Internet like a true information guru. I knew how to put specific words in the search to get information that I needed. I couldn't get enough of the hyperlinks and pages that were filled with steps of how to get self published, various routes to publication, and writers who were self published. Thanks to Shellie, my entire outlook about self publication changed.

After compiling my chapters together, I found a company, Lulu Publishing, followed the steps required, and self published my first book. I later discovered CreateSpace, and have not gone back to Lulu since.