Preparing for launch

Will you join me in my quest to help moms with chronic health issues? We can get the word out, both about “The Sick Mom’s Guide to Having Fun Again,” so moms can learn to enjoy their lives, and let the world know that there are millions of moms with chronic illnesses that need their support and understanding. Who: YOU! What: Thunderclap Campaign: http://thndr.me/DyvWXV When: Now Where: Right there, on your computer, wherever you are.  Just click here: http://thndr.me/DyvWXV Why: to help chronically ill mamas What is Thunderclap?  According to their website: “If a tweet falls in the forest… Social media is an easy way to sayRead More →

What is Createspace? Createspace.com is place for a self-published author to upload a manuscript so that it can be printed by major book publishers.  Amazon (who now sells 70% of books), Barnes & Noble and others all will have access to “The Sick Mom’s Guide®” on our publication date! Getting it done isn’t as easy as it sounds though!  The book was beautiful!  Once uploaded though, it took on a life of its own!  Six new pages magically appeared, distorting the images and formatting that had been done.  Lesson to remember: you can upload a Word doc, but don’t!  Uploading a PDF saves hours of work, trustRead More →

What is Bowker, you ask?  It is the only place for independent publishers to buy ISBNs in the United States.  Yes, here we must purchase our ISBNs, and they can be quite costly.  $199. for one or $299. for ten.  You need a different number for each type of book, such as paperback, e-book, and audiobook.  Since “The Sick Mom’s Guide®” is going to be sold in each of those three types, I purchased ten.  That way, I’m also prepared for Book 2 in the series, which is already halfway written, and will be released in 2018. Each version of the book must be meticulouslyRead More →

Things are going at breakneck speed over here at The Sick Mom’s Guide®!  This week, Jen’s been a guest on two podcasts, and went live in a summit on Facebook.  The book, in its entirety, will be sent to the launch team this weekend, and in the Kindle store awaiting its approval for pre-order too! It’s such a whirlwind.  Did you know that after a book is written, it needs to be in totally different format, and order for the e-book and the paperback?  We won’t even start talking audiobook yet, the recording doesn’t start until June. Speaking of June, have you heard what’s coming?  TheRead More →

Setting up a book for pre-order in the Kindle Direct store is neither quick nor easy!  I thought that having a title, ISBN, and book cover would be enough, BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE! What about a 4,000 character description of the book?  Should that be the same as the back cover? Or different?  Should it be the full 4,000 characters?  Is that too much for someone to get through?  Does less look unprofessional?  How much is enough? AND THEN… What about categories?  I get to choose two, but I have to be very careful.  There isn’t a “help Moms be more positive” section.  Is it inRead More →

The entire launch team has been chosen!   This is such an exciting day for us!! The contributions of the first 25 launch team members have been AMAZING & we’re looking forward to seeing what everyone else has to say.   We are on track to publish June 23, 2017, with pre-orders available as soon as the cover is finalized.   GUESS WHAT ELSE?? A proof of the cover came in late last night and it looks FABULOUS! Not quite ready to share it because there are a few changes that need to happen first. As soon as it’s ready, you’ll see it here…on theRead More →

OH, the cover! I’d toyed with the idea of designing it myself, and have some ideas. (the one on the home page is NOT the cover–just a mock up to get something on the site) The cover is the first thing people see on the shelf. Whether it’s in a bookstore or on a virtual shelf, if someone isn’t immediately drawn to it, they move on and they never look at the details. That’s why having a great book cover that pops is extremely important! That’s why I’ve decided to go all in, and have it done professionally. I have found the PERFECT designer, andRead More →

So, I am meeting with my editor this weekend!  So far, things are looking great, and we’re still ahead of schedule.  The launch team is growing, and we are working on the cover art. I can’t WAIT to share the book with you! And guess what?  Book 2 is already in the works!  There will be 3 altogether in the series of “The Sick Mom’s Guide®!”  But for now, we’re going to keep the topics of the other two under wraps. Keep watching for more info…a sneak peek is coming soon! –JenRead More →

I am headed out of town (solo!!!) and taking my own advice and having some much needed FUN!!  I’ll be in lovely Washington D.C. that I have only seen days after 9/11, when it was completely empty and everything was closed!  This will be such a difference!  I’m looking forward to seeing some sights, and taking a bit of a break from the 14 hour days that have been happening this past month.  My body and soul need to be free! We are ahead of schedule with the book, a fact which I find very exciting!  Now, as I wait patiently for my sweet editor,Read More →