There are so many reasons why people have simply stopped spending money right now; businesses and households are suffering nationwide and we are all in a holding pattern of sorts as we take stock of what we need to do in order to survive the crisis. Businesses have had to be creative in their thinking in terms of protecting their assets and still getting their message out to prospective customers who can grow their business. And the more companies can do to offer value to potential new clients the more successful they will ultimately be at weathering this current storm.

Book publishing has long been thought of as a process only engaged in by serious fiction and nonfiction writers that have made their livelihood exploring particular topics. But who’s to say that, as a member of your own industry of business, you are not poised to deliver information on a particular topic as well? And in delivering that information you could perhaps offer added value to potential clients who will now consider you an expert in your field.

This is a tact taken by many business professionals who want to impart particular information about their corner of the business market and – at the same time – reach their target audience in a new and exciting way; through self publishing writers of said materials can do just that – forgoing the traditional book publishing process and printing their own work so it is in line with their own needs.

Consider the added value for customers who visit your website where they cannot only see information about your company but also link to an informative book written by one of your company principles and order the book for free or even a small delivery charge. There are so many ways to market a good book that delivers high quality, valuable information; through self publishing companies can find another marketing vehicle they may have never before considered.

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Writers come in all shapes and sizes; they are not just the glossy pictures of well-known authors with lists of titles to their name; they are the tried and true enthusiasts that have writing in their blood but have never been published or the weekend poets who put pen to paper when they have a few moments of time. Being published does not make someone a writer; writing makes someone a writer. But there are far too many of us who think that in order to be successful we need be published by some big and fancy book publisher; anything other than that is an unequivocal failure.

Self publishing has changed the tune of many a writer, however. For those for whom the thought of packing up their manuscript and sending it vulnerable and naked to the book publishing houses in the nearest city makes them want to pass out, there are other options that are more controllable and certainly more predictable.

Self publishing – often available online where they make the process of learning how to publish a book, even if it’s your book, most convenient and easy – simplify the publishing process and make it accessible to whoever wants to take advantage of the service. Writers in all stages of their career, in all genres, with an idea for marketing hundreds of copies, or the desire to only print one, can find solace in self publishing efforts that will take them step by step through the process.

At the end of self publishing, it is most important to note, you will have your finished book – often just within days – with the cover you have chosen, the binding you have chosen, and the quantities you have chosen. And, for those who have waited so long to see it, their name listed as author.

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Writers come in all shapes and sizes and at all stages of life; we write poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and all host of other genres. We make our living writing and we make our living at something else and write to make our own hearts sing. No matter what kind of writer we are, however, if we have a true love for the craft, we can never stop doing what makes us happy. So it may come to pass that we want to publish some of our work – as a compilation piece that includes many of the things that we have written over the years; and unable or unwilling to seek the approval of book publishers we may instead choose self publishing.

I reached this place three months ago when I wanted to see my blog on paper. I had found an online outlet for my musings and considered it my haven – my home away from home where I could write about those things that were most important to me and what was going on in my life. I loved doing it and it was well received by those who read it and followed it. I felt like a real writer. And eventually I wanted to really capture this experience in a real book that I could have for posterity.

It was actually a really cathartic experience. I compiled all of my blogs in one central location and then uploaded them to a self publishing website that I found online – one that came highly recommended by past customers. I was able to specify how I wanted my finished book to look and order the number of copies that I wanted.

In the end I had the memento that I wanted – all of my blogs in one place with a cover that was my own creation. Now I’m really a writer!

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Here we are in the heart of winter and for many people around the country that has meant record low temperatures and more than their share of snow. Typically about this time – with the holidays behind us – we begin to long for the milder temperatures of spring; a time during which we are able to plug back into our lives and sort of get moving again. For many people, in fact, this is the time of year in which they are able to accomplish the most, as they feel reenergized and ready to put plans in place to reach their goals and get organized.

Those who are in the market to publish a book may be planning to hit the rounds of traditional book publishing houses in the coming months. After all, having written a book that one deems worthy of publishing is accomplishment enough; but to actually be able to witness it in print is like nothing we could ever imagine.

Then there are others who wish to navigate away from the traditional world of book publishing – choosing instead to go the way of self publishing where they can work online to upload their book and make choices that will be revealed in the final printing; choices such as binding, size, and quantity.

This is not an either/or thing; there are some who may choose to do self publishing in the beginning stages and still shop their book to traditional book publishers who may – if they like it and want to support it – reprint another run to their own specifications. And there are those who may be perfectly content with self publishing and marketing their book on their own if that is what they choose to do.

But in preparation for the coming spring months, why not check out self publishing online? There you will find the most affordable and organized methods of book publishing ready and waiting for you to realize your dream.

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I have a friend who has been a writer since we were old enough to say the word writer. It is what he has always wanted to do and talent – along with a significant helping of self-fulfilling prophecy, no doubt – propelled him into his career as a published author of over a dozen books of fiction. Looking from the outside in it surely looks as though he just decided one day to do what he does for a living, sat down and wrote until he was done, picked up the phone and called all the area book publishers at which time he said, “I’ve finished! When do you want to pick it up?”

This, of course, is not the way that it went; and while he never had any doubt about what he wanted to do and never strayed from his objective of making it his career he still hit roadblocks just like everyone else. In fact, his first job out of school was at a newspaper where he was relegated to writing small blurbs of ad copy, which of course did not thrill him in the slightest; and during this time he began his first book. It took him two years to write it and when he was done he was absolutely clueless about what to do next. He had some ins in the book publishing world considering his job but most book publishers were not inclined to talk to him considering that he had not been able to as of yet acquire a literary agent.

After about a year of the drama of trying to find a literary agent who would represent an unpublished author or a book publisher that would publish an unrepresented author my friend finally turned to self publishing methods through which he was able to print his first book. The book got so much buzz that before long one of the larger book publishers offered to buy the rights and reprint it at much larger quantities. The rest is history.

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In the last post we talked about the often impossible position of loving to do something particular but not being able to rely on it for a steady enough income flow to support ourselves and our families. This is an age old dilemma and one that many of us wrestle with throughout our lifetime. Writers, while they would hope to be able to make enough money to sustain themselves through the practice of their craft, often find themselves in a position of having to get a “day job” to support their living expenses while carrying on their writing in a more part time fashion. While this is certainly not ideal, this situation does provide a writer with both the ability to pay their bills and feed their creative hunger.

Part time writing should not be pushed aside as being anything less significant than the work produced by full time writers however. Many a great work has been written piece meal, in between the many other activities and responsibilities that take place in the course of a writer’s day. And writing part time does not in any way minimize the desire of a writer to see their work in print. Unfortunately, however, traditional book publishing is often a tough nut to crack and something that may dissuade writers from even pursuing the dream in the first place.

Self publishing, however, allows writers part time or full time to essentially control their own destiny. Work that is completed on a writer’s own schedule can be published on their schedule as well. Self publishing sites offer options for choosing every conceivable component of a finished book product and allow writers to see their dream come to fruition.

And who knows? Maybe this dalliance into self publishing will be a first step towards a full time, income-producing writing career!

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The world has come to a place where there are many of us who are not only working one full time job but several part time jobs on top of that; we know we need to be as diversified as possible in order to make ends meet, especially now in this economy. And sometimes the reality is that we cannot make the money that we need doing something that we may very much love to do. Take writing for instance; a noble professional pursued by many and that which may bring personal satisfaction but often does not produce an income stream that is suitable for paying the bills. There are, of course, writers who make a living doing what they love but they have hit the jackpot in terms of being able to combine passion with income earning ability and for most of us this is a union we will chase for a lifetime.

That being said, there is no rule that says you can’t have a career that pays the bills and a gig as a part time writer whether it’s for pay or not. Those of us who love to write have to write and we will pursue this in whatever capacity is most convenient at the time. So if your job pays the bills but still leaves you the time you need to write that novel or shop around those magazine articles, then more power to you; you are well on your way to a balanced professional and personal life!

Part time writers who are making a go of it may not have the time or resources behind them to venture seriously into the world of book publishing. They may instead choose to pursue self publishing in which they can approach the process at their own pace. More in the next post…

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Embarking on any new path in life – be it professional or personal – is no small undertaking, especially later on in life when we have gotten used to the groove of our regular routine – no matter how unsatisfying it may be to us personally. The expression “it’s never too late” applies to just these situations; and it couldn’t be truer as there is never a wrong time to change direction and start to explore something that makes you happy rather than just pays the bills.

Writers often find themselves in this position, having pursued something that was more stable and seemingly financially lucrative in their professional life. But if you are writer then you always have the bug to write. Of course, putting pen to paper or fingers to computer keys is only half the battle in terms of making a career of writing. There is also the process of book publishing; the very process that often deters new writers from taking the leap into this new way of life for fear of being stopped in their path before they even begin.

Book publishing, however, is not just one thing anymore; not represented only by those large book publishers that occupy those big city buildings. There are, in fact, other options for book publishing that can allow writers to see their work in print at their own demand. Self publishing allows for just this scenario – giving new as well as established writers the opportunity to finish the process of their work.

Through self publishing services – many of which can now be found online, making the process more convenient than ever – writers can upload their work and make the choices that will allow them to print the quantity of books they choose and in the aesthetic manner in which they choose.

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In the last post we talked about how so much of what we do is for the benefit – financial and otherwise – of people other than ourselves. We work hard to accomplish goals that will ultimately earn someone else money, earn others recognition, and achieve the objectives of companies that are not our own. Some things we simply have to do in the name of earning a living. But when it comes to working hard to achieve something that is a culmination of our own personal dreams, it becomes difficult indeed to turn the reigns over to someone else.

Writing a book is a good example of this, as writers who pour their hearts and soul into crafting a story, creating characters, and essentially living and breathing this alternate world, are often called upon to give up control when they turn the finished piece over to book publishers.

Traditional book publishing companies will then turn a finished manuscript into something that is marketable – whether or not these changes are in keeping with what the author originally had in mind for the story or the characters. And money earned on the book – while the author will receive a percentage of profits – will largely go to the book publishing house.

But self publishing allows for an alternative for writers who want to see their book through to the end of the road. Through self publishing options writers can learn how to publish a book for themselves – choosing the final version of the story that will ultimately see the light of day in book form and printing the book according to their specifications. With self publishing websites, writers can weigh in on everything from cover art to quantities of books printed; and in the end they will have the pride of knowing that they never sacrificed anything in their quest for publication.

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One of the most difficult challenges during the holiday season is finding the perfect gift for someone who already has everything they truly need. If you think hard enough about the person’s interests you may be able to find the perfect gift, although it may not be easily found in the nearest shopping mall.

One of my closest and dearest family members, who is very successful in the financial world, has always wanted to step out of her New York City high rise office building to explore her cooking passion, not only for a learning experience, but as a way to explore the possibility of a career change.

Fortunately, more and more schools and local businesses are offering educational experiences geared for non-traditional students or non-professionals looking to learn more about one of their lifelong hobbies or passions. The classes offered throughout these institutions provide a learning vacation, an opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted time participating in a lifelong hobby, and a chance to spend time with others who enjoy the same types of hobbies. Various learning vacations include quilting retreats, fitness and weight loss retreats offered at various spas, painting retreats, wood working retreats, and culinary vacations.

For example the Culinary Institute of America offers a culinary boot camp for food enthusiasts. Individuals who enjoy cooking can spend the day learning to cook with professional master chefs. The institute provides cookware, bake ware, cutlery, and culinary tools as well as large, professional kitchens to provide authentic cooking experiences.

The institute publishes a manual for their for their many cooking getaways for their continuing education department in Hyde Park, New York. The manual is given to each student that attends the course and outlines the specific course information. When my family member attended the institute, after receiving a gift certificate to attend their culinary boot camp, she was given a manual that provided information on food politics, information on preserving fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as detailed information on specialty items such as cheese, meat, poultry, and fish.

Education institutions such as the Institute utilize book publishers, or decide to learn how to publish a book through self publishing. Book publishing is important for institutions needing to make educational texts and materials available to their students. Some institutions that provide continuing education classes publish and copyright their educational documents strictly for their students. After a long day of learning about the ins and outs of the culinary world, my family member not only walked away with a wonderful memory of her experience, but a manual documenting the entire day; a truly magnificent gift.

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