M.E.R's Blog

Inside knowledge to Publishing and Marketing Your Book

Publishing Services The self-publishing company I would recommend is blurb. The link is here: http://www.blurb.com/ Why Blurb?      When I was researching places to self-publish I first sought out local printing companies. The issue I found was the price. For one book it was going to cost me $10 to print! Ridiculous! That would mean I would have to sell for $20 in stores to gain a $2 profit. Who would want to buy a $20, 84 page middle reader book? No one!     So I crossed off local printing

Writing Music

I think it’s fun to learn what inspires authors to write. I thought I would share what inspires me. Gathering and weaving different ideas into a story Meeting someone who reminds me of a character I am writing. I once met someone with mannerisms (facial expression and hand gestures) who reminded me of one my characters. It gave me an urge to sit down in front of my laptop and start typing away.  This next point is an expansion of the previous one. When I watch movies, mostly action, I generate a

Book Two Cover Release!

I’m so excited to share this! I give you the cover for the second book!  

Opening the Vault

A few weeks ago I went through the files I created for the first Buttercup book. I organized, deleted, and weeded through evertying. It's funny how organizing can remind you of just how far you've come. From the conception of the first book to the release date I was able to see the story, illistrations, and characters morph into what they are now. I thought you would enjoy seeing the first batch of illustrations, the first proof of the book, and a few other pictures that lets you inside my world

The End of The Adventures

       Although the sequels are not out, I have finished the Buttercup Adventures. On December 29th I babysat Lucy, the girl who prompted me to write the whole series. If you haven’t heard how the story started, click here to read the post.        When I walked in, Lucy looked up at me with large blue eyes. It was a look only a child can give. It revealed exactly as she was feeling. She was nervous and excited to hear the last story.        We played for a while, bouncing from room to room and

The Highlight of Self-Publishing

        As my book becomes more and more popular on goodreads I find myself interested in those who want to read it. How can any author not be excited to know who wants to read their book? So I admit; I’ve been looking at the goodreads profiles of those who have added my book to their to-read shelf. I’ve learned the majority of potential readers are single mothers, which inspires and thrills me! I can just imagine children preparing for bed and then calling their mothers into their rooms to read

Summer School

                When I was younger I despised reading. It took me twice as long to read one page of a book then most of my classmates. I loved hearing stories. I would brush my teeth, put on pj’s, crawl under my lion king decorated covers, and call my dad into my room. He’d enter with whatever novel we had recently started. I distinctly remember listening to The Chronicles of Narnia. I would cuddle with my stuffed animals, watching my dad rock back and forth in a wooden rocking chair. I’d listen

Missed Opportunities

The other day I was with a family friend watching her daughter perform at a recital. It was in some basement of a school with a couple dozen folding chairs for the three dozen or so spectators. After Claudia and I dropped off her daughter behind stage, we went to find seats. I followed Claudia and she found a friend of hers. We sat down on the metal folding chairs and they begin to talk about their children and recent family happenings. I listen politely. As the babysitter to Claudia’s daughter

Why Am I Writing A Blog?

Self-Publishing is a journey with so many hallways one could take it’s perplexing how we even go down the right one. Then once you are walking down the hallway you realize there are several different doors you could open to get to where you want to be. The question becomes which door is correct? Depending on your project any one of the doors could get you there safely, but the incorrect choice could cause you to target the wrong audience or buy something that doesn’t progress your