E. Jean Simpson's Blog: A & J PEI Treasures/E Jean Simpson, BEd, BA, MA, page 16

The Question being Asked Is Not Always the Question that Needs to be Asked

This blog post will have a bit of life advice and author advice. Generally I try to give some kind of value for your reading pleasure :-)

Did you know that Dec 3, 2020 was International Day of Disabled Persons 2020. There are many lessons we still have not learned. I read an article that was heart breaking. Not just because a young couple split up, that happens every day. Not just because one of the couple had a disability. It was heart breaking because this couple found that the only option that was viable for them was to separate. The Question posed on the post was the wrong question. Rather than, "was this the right thing to do?" type of question, the question actually should have been...why was this the only viable alternative that was there for this young couple? Having a disability would not make the young man a better or worse father. Having a disability would not make him a better or worse husband. It would also not make him more or less capable of a healthy relationship. The separation was due to the fact that they could not obtain the proper supports to live together because his wife was able bodied. Whether or not someone liked that they separated or not was immaterial. Whether what they did was approved of was immaterial. They were still in love as a couple (at least that is what I gathered from the article) and they co-parented the kids. They just couldn't stay together because he got better supports if he wasn't with his wife and she couldn't have her career if she stayed with him. It is a shame, in this day and age, that we should have this be the only viable option for a young couple. A further shame that the question didn't surround why this was the only viable option. This scenario creates children from a broken family. So, when we think about whether or not to leave a spouse, having a disability and not getting proper supports should not be a deciding factor. We need to be more alert to the needs that disabilities can create and have better available resources. We talk about how proud we are of our disabled relative, son, daughter, etc...but for society to move forward, we need to help them succeed to the best of their abilities. With all due respect to the blogger, the question asked was not the question that needed to be asked. The question is Why was this the only viable option to a couple who have to deal with the sudden disability of one of them. They should not be forced to raise their children apart and to be separated. We need to look at why our beliefs in society as a whole, makes the question of whether they did the right thing or not any one's business and focus on why there wasn't an alternative for them.

Now for the author part. We need to recognize that being an author is not just being the high selling author, but to create art. To be respectful in creating that art and being treated with respect while creating the art. Not everyone is going to be a top selling author. Some of us will experiment and find new ways and new methods of getting out the artistic medium and bring out new ideas. Some of us will create whether or not we have huge sales. We create so we can start something that will be seen by someone who will add or change some elements and find a new format. Some still add to the current literature. Much like with disabilities, you can't fit everyone into the same mold. Sometimes the question being asked isn't the question that needs to be asked. Sometimes someone else has to look at it and get the real question to come out of it. Sometimes the Emperor is not wearing any clothes.

So, be realistically unrealistic. If we're going to talk the talk, let's also walk the walk when it comes to people with disabilities. If we are to create an art form, then we need to be ourselves. When you see something that is wrong, stand up and say so. When you see that there is something missing that requires a question, maybe ask that question. Be determined that humankind will be improved by what you have to say. Do not assume that you know the answer to the question, there are experts that can answer the question. Find experts...don't rely on pseudoscience to answer questions. Ask the question. Not everyone will like that you see the question differently, but it's worth checking it out. If you get an answer, check it out. If you don't like the answer, it is not the fault of the answer. People might find that there is a middle ground and a way that will benefit others. Pick your questions. When you find something you are passionate about, and you see a different angle that is being entirely missed, ask questions. With that said, choose your questions carefully. Not every question needs to be asked or answered...but some obviously do.

The world and writing in general is not always what it seems. The questions aren't always answerable, but sometimes asking them helps one to determine whether there is a need to move forward rather than stay with the status quo.

Thanks for reading my blog. Thanks for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!

New Release, Goodies and Lifelong Learning

Good Day!

I am pleased to announce that I have the second in my Series:

The Big Kid's Magical Path to The Alphabet

out and ready! I have redone my "The Big Kid's Magical Path to Numbers" because I wasn't happy with it's look after figuring out how to make it look more reasonable, I just reworked it. Both e-books are available on Amazon and are currently being added to other formats via Draft2Digital. Lots of excitement around this as it is a whole new way for me to do this.

I found many literacy books are made just for young kids....and it doesn't take into account that everyone learns at a different rate. So, my book makes it engaging for children of various ages by using real photographs of real nature on our beautiful Island of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Both books have different pictures. So, they are entirely different books.

I also have a giveaway going on from my Facebook page. If you want the A & J PEI Treasures 2021 Calendar, go there and follow the link to my sign up. The Calendar should come to you in 24-48 hours depending on demand. https://www.facebook.com/AandJPEITrea... It is both an entry for my newsletter and my thank you to the people who are interested in our page and my work.

It's been a busy time. I have been working on the series, working on renovations to a room (I mostly do the painting of the walls). I still hope to add to the series as well.

Be Realistically Unrealistic. If you are sidelined...like right now with COVID, we're more or less sheltering, then find something you can do. If you think of it as a choice you are making to stay away from public, to keep yourself and others safe, then it feels less like being stuck. Improve on yourself and whatever craft or work or hobby you like to do. Learn more about it. I've learned a lot about Calibre while working on my books. I've learned a lot about how I want my work to look. Being an author isn't just static...it is dynamic and ever changing. Life sometimes throws curve balls and you need to find ways to survive and come out better, happier and stronger.

If you think about it, there are a lot more resources now than there were in previous centuries. We have online abilities and online courses and online publishing. We are never cut off. There is always something to help us move forward and improve on ourselves and our projects. We just need to find it. I hope that people will use their time wisely. If they do not use time wisely, they only find themselves in trouble and doing things that are not good to do. If you are concerned with what everyone else can or will do, then you can't spend time being the best you can be.

Always work on yourself...and you will find that you are a happier, stronger, more improved person. Being out of the public eye during COVID need not devastate your life. You can make it a time of challenge, growth and courage.

You can't measure your progress against that of someone else. Everyone works at a different rate and learns differently. Being realistically unrealistic can become a part of life and you can roll with the punches so to speak.

Thanks for reading my blog and for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!

Life, Renovations and Soon to follow New Release

It's been an eventful couple of weeks.

After getting feedback on my covers from an organization, I have redone a lot of my book covers. Most comments surrounded the print being too small. It's an easy fix, but could improve things.

Then we discovered that our renovations were a little more involved than we had first thought. We discovered there was a mouse hole. We've fixed that and had to deal with the damage. So, finally, all things are fixed and ready to paint. We're painting the room a lighter color. It was the last room that we hadn't touched as we had other renovations to do. So that is coming along.

I've been working on some projects...which will be released in due course. One is a children's book (addition to my Series). Another is a calendar which I will make free to anyone who wants a copy. It has lovely pictures from our Island Home. I will let you know when they are available.

This blog post kind of jumps around...because I have several things in my head at once. Renovations, evolution of the e-book and my evolution as an author. Quite a head full of intrigue isn't it?

The one thing I find somewhat disconcerting is a number of e-books tending to treat the e-book as though it is just about the money or ways to sell things. What I mean is that they tend to write about how you need to research a topic and make sure you fit some kind of mold so that you'll sell. It takes a lot of the passion away from authorship in my opinion. You see, if you have something that you think is important. In my case, doing work that people who have trouble with reading are able to enjoy. I also make it so that anyone can enjoy them. I do work that can be enjoyed on a variety of levels (oh yes, they tell you that is hideous don't do it), then that is your genre. They don't have a specific genre for this. There is lots of talk about how to help people with disabilities, but it seems that there are very few who take on the effort to do something about it for people who have cognitive disabilities as well as being enjoyed by the whole family and by people without disabilities. Will I ever be rich off my art form? Who knows though I am working against odds...but that's nothing new to me either. I will continue to work on my craft and improve it all I can. We need to put our heart back into writing and e-books are another form of art work. It isn't just a method to sell people on something or write something that everyone already has read, in different words of course, but they like it so don't want to think outside the box. Like they figure people just want more of the same. If we write only to impress and sell people who already read the book but with different words, then how will things change or move forward or how will new vistas be opened? I say we need more people to be who they are and write what they love. Who knows, maybe the next great art form will be born in the form of e-books.

In the meantime, be realistically unrealistic. If you need to make changes based on professional advice, then make them. Do whatever you can to make your work of art more visible. My catch phrase, be realistically unrealistic doesn't just come out of the air. I have to be realistic and understand that an Indie Author with no budget, but having a dream may never make it in the publishing world. At the same time, I have to be unrealistic and believe in myself and that I can become the author I'm meant to be. This is the true aim of Authorship; at least the true aim of Authorship for me.

Thanks for reading my blog post and for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!

Life doesn't come with a manual

I'm currently on a little break from writing actively. We have one room in the house we had been storing things in until we could finish off the interior. So, that time has come. We're working on getting everything out of the room so we can renovate it. There's a place for everything and everything is all over the place.

My latest book is likely to suffer from it for the time being. The second in series is on hold while we get the mess sorted.

We discovered a mouse had made entry and there is a lot of cleaning. We didn't notice the hole for it to come in...and come in it did. Though in our defense, we were getting help to move stuff and we had been busy renovating the rest of the property since so didn't look to see if there was something big that needed to be addressed before choosing to use it for storage. So, we're now cleaning up the additional mess and then renovating.

I can suggest for the DIY'ers out there, don't use electric tape to cover a hole that a mouse has used. That's what we discovered and can say it won't work. It might work for five minutes, but thereafter, it will be all bets off. We knew that and we didn't install it.

No one plans for the extra work that sometimes comes with renovating...nor the unexpected and unwanted guests that you weren't prepared for. Sometimes life happens between the other work.

It is a lesson that works for writing as well as in life. You have to deal with what is, not what is theoretically perfect. It's always a good idea to review things and act accordingly. Things don't always work out perfectly.

Another thing that I sometimes find is that there are so many books out there telling you how to write your book, how to get your book out, how to advertise, etc. Some of the ideas are good. Some of them are good if you aren't on a limited budget. Some of them seem to be made to discourage someone with a low budget from even trying when they list all the things that you 'should have.

Remember those with a larger budget can do things that lower budgets aren't able to do. Don't let anything stop you from going further. You are limited only when you let others tell you that you can't. Don't toss out the baby with the bath water. Check out things. You might find something that will work for you or give you some ideas. At worst, you can rule out things that just won't work for you. Everyone moves at a different speed. As long as you are moving, even slowly is still moving.

Be realistically unrealistic and make sure that you can deal with the unexpected detours that can come up in life and in your writing. Don't let paying attention to what everyone else is doing discourage you from doing what you can do. It doesn't do any good to become discombobulated when things don't go as expected. Just work with what you have and try to move forward. Be willing to check new information, learn from it, but know what will and won't work for you. Don't give up. If you are determined, you'll get a lot further than if you never try at all.

Part of my work with writing is opening new ideas and new vistas for both myself and for others. So, with this in mind, I keep working at my craft and try to be better and better still. It's a long road and some learning curve involved, but it is rewarding to find that you can improve over time. Just because you aren't the latest big thing doesn't mean that your work isn't worth doing well. When you determine who you are as an author and you work at improving your craft, there is a chance of being who you're meant to be.

Thanks for reading my blog and for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!

Book Dreams

“I said “Somebody should do something about that. Then I realized I am somebody.”

― Lily Tomlin

I know, weird way to start a blog, but thought it was time I explained the book dream I have. My intended niche is everyone…to be inclusive as possible for everyone including people who have a great deal of difficulty reading. We talk the talk about inclusivity and I’m attempting to walk the walk as well.

Many years ago now, I was in a Good Will store in the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I saw a young man sitting in a chair with a book in his hand. He had Down’s Syndrome. I remember smiling seeing a young man enjoying a book. Then I remember hearing comments to whether or not he could read and the book was being held upside down. Perhaps he had watched and noticed that when someone has a book and appears to be reading, they can sit and watch the world and be left in peace. Or perhaps he was reading and preferred to read upside down. Some people with disabilities actually do read this way. Perhaps a million things none of which is the goal of this story. I remember thinking that it is a shame that more books are not made for people who have challenges with reading. It’s almost as though society expects them to change dramatically as they get older. Many people are unable to read adequately. I always wondered why no one did anything about that and make more readable and enjoyable books for people who aren’t strong readers. I know there are audio books and graphic novels, but sometimes it is nice to sit and take your time to actually look at and/or read. Generally people with different disabilities want to be able to do everything everyone else does. They want to be treated normally.

So, with that in my head and time on my hands, I decided that someone should do something about that. Then I realized that I was someone (to put my quote into context). Thus my first books were born. Born of a love of photography, beautiful places and minimal writing to be read. To make books that EVERYONE could enjoy. I knew they could be enjoyed on a variety of levels for every type of person. My apologies, it is not a great format for people with visual disabilities; however my guilt is somewhat mollified by the fact that audio books are an ever growing source of reading for the visually impaired.

The other great thing about my books is that they can be enjoyed by the whole family. They could even do book club type activities of what was their favourite parts or least favourite parts.

There are very few adults with reading disabilities that would appreciate having to read children’s books because they are mostly pictorials. But, they aren’t very sophisticated nor are they very adult looking, so this leaves them feeling left out. My books fills that niche and allows for people who have great difficulty with reading, but want to have actual adult books.

My children’s books are also more adult in their approach so if your youngster is learning the alphabet a little later (teaser for next book in the series), they can appreciate the format and pictures that are of real places and things. Some children learn slower than others, so let’s make them part of the reading world by providing them the tools necessary to read and to enjoy books. Even adults can enjoy the pictures that go with my books for children, so could appeal to the whole family.

Reading should be made for everyone. We talk inclusion, we talk about having dyslexia, we talk about disabilities, so it’s time the reading world joins the rest of the world in helping spread inclusion. I want to make books that anyone could read if they wished.

This blog is written in memory of Mr. Joey Moss who brought the Edmonton Oilers and Hockey into the current century and held a steady career with them until his retirement. RIP Mr. Moss.

Thank you for reading my blog and for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures and your support for Inclusion!

New Discoveries/New release

I have discovered, over time, that my books tend to have different requirements due to their nature(part photography and part writing). This has been working out mostly well with Amazon, but other formats aren't as easy. So, I've experimented with various things and then hit upon the idea of constructing my own EPUB. This has had varying levels of success. I think I'm finally figuring out the program. Before this, it created stress for me and the other book publishers that I use. So, now working with EPUB for other formats may be the answer to everyone's stress.

This is an exciting and difficult field. When you are on a limited budget, you get to wear a lot of different hats. I have also gotten some feedback on book covers and going forward have some interesting changes to make. My latest book is exploratory and revolutionary in that it takes positive realism into children's literature.

I find that even when you follow all the 'rules' for particular formats (even the EPUB), they don't tend to do exactly what you want. There are methods to get it to do what you want and you have to search high and low for them. So, my newest book is both initial foray into something new and into a new method of delivery, for me at least.

I still have to get the other formats up, but at this point, Amazon has my latest release which is: The Big Kid’s Magical Path to Numbers . I have a series in mind. I've already started the second in the series. I expect it to be better than the first. I'm learning along the way. Things that work and don't work. I may redo some stuff in the older books as I find out some things I was doing in error. This includes even this book as I find my way through the EPUB forest.

Self-publishing (and I use that word loosely because I use publishing companies), I do all the work myself from the covers, to the documents, and now adding my own EPUB. I plan to be in it for the long term and since I am constructing different projects, it's about time I take responsibility for the finished product as well.

Be realistically unrealistic and be all that you can be while making sure that your work of art shows in the way you want it to. If you have different requirements than average, you will have work to do. Remember, you are the artist, you are the author, you are the creator of your art. If you are on a limited budget, then you are the owner, operator and creative driving force behind your own work. Be proud of the work you do and treat it like it is worth the work. If you can afford someone else to do the work for you, you can get things done appropriately, and then you're further ahead. If not, and you have to do it all yourself, then prepare to have to learn a lot of new things and do a lot of difficult work. It doesn't just end with writing your manuscript.

If people wonder why not everyone becomes an author, it's because it is hard work. No one gets a free pass. You have to do the creative writing work and your work become a part of who you are. After the creative stage, either you wear a lot of hats or you hire someone to do the rest. I'm sure hiring out is less stress overall.

Having to do it all myself gives me a greater appreciation of the amount and types of work that are necessary to publish a book. I respect the work that is done. Most books are straight forward. Mine have specific requirements and if I want them met, then I have to do the extra work included.

Thanks for reading my blog post. Thank you for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures

Life's little mysteries in authorship

I had hoped by this time to be releasing my latest project. However, things don't always run according to our projected self imposed deadlines. One of the reasons I tend to wait until the project is up to get adverts and stuff up. I did have one time where the adverts and release caused a great deal of stress for myself as both coincided, but it appeared I might not get things released as I thought. So, I do wait until the book is up to start anything. It's not the way most authors do it. But it's the way I do it. I am an outside the box type of person. Things get done, just not always the way other people do them.

Being an outside the box type of person, I made the conscious decision to work in the e-book medium. This is not always easy, though to be fair, no publishing method is easy, but I have confidence in the medium and the art form. This is imperative for your choices in life. Make sure you are confident that what you are doing is the right thing to do. Doing the right thing isn't always easy to figure out, but doing the right thing should result in better outcomes overall.

I've learned, in life, that things aren't always what you see. I think because I have a 'hidden' disability, I tend to know that sometimes I will have bad days. I can become ill for no apparent reason. So, knowing that I can't always count on my body to cooperate, I don't get too much ahead of myself in plans. This can be frustrating to the 'normal' world.

So, be realistically unrealistic and be flexible so that changes in your schedule don't cause utter chaos. It's something that the 'normal' healthy person doesn't have to take into consideration as much.

Not everyone lives in the exact same world. We construct our own reality and sometimes that reality is not what everyone sees. However, if you live your own reality authentically, flexibly, honestly and realistically unrealistically, you could benefit yourself and potentially others.

Thanks for reading my blog post. Thanks for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures.

Boundaries and New Horizons

Hello and welcome to my weekly blog post!

Today I am pleased to announce that there will soon be an addition to my publications. With this one, I test boundaries...my own that is, as well as test a new audience. My newest addition fills a need that few seem to think of, yet everyone acknowledges the reader craves. It is revolutionary in that it takes reality and fantasy and makes them one and introduces a whole new generation of readers to something new and magical that will continue to be a part of their lives. I see some that do similar and close to, but this does it in a way that makes the reader part the grown up community. So, that is the teaser for my blog post.

Generally people have something they do well. They find their niche. But, what about when you are newer and still looking to find your niche? If you've found your niche and are growing complacent, then this will help you to think about testing your own limits.
If you are happy with your niche, that is awesome and I congratulate you.

When you are newer and want to test your wings, though, it might be a good time for experimentation. Sometimes it takes time to find where you fit in your chosen profession and sticking with safe isn't always productive. So, always understand that it is fine to try something new. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to your niche.

I do consider being an author of e-books a profession. Why, because it is a forum for putting forth your ideas and getting knowledge to readers. It gives readers a chance to experience new things in an affordable price range. It is something that is open to almost everyone. Some of my books are in our local library which opens up this world to even the lower income levels where the library allows online access or borrowing of readers.

So, be unrealistically realistic and find your niche, but be open to new horizons.

Thanks for reading my blog and your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!

Author's Horror Story

This morning, I wasn't even sure what I would be doing for a blog post. I was extremely discouraged after spending weeks trying to get my book covers off of posts that used them to advertise sites I was not connected with. Some of the sites (changed over time), I looked up and came with big warning articles to avoid them. That was all the information I could find on them. It was heart breaking in ways only an author could understand.

Then things can change quickly and last night, I got notification that a post that looked like my book, but also looked like a print out of the cover was finally taken down for copyright infringement after having been reported by me. Now the link goes to my actual site. The other site, I was less lucky and actually had to report it to the RCMP Fraud Division. They now have an online form to fill out. The saddest thing about that is that the RCMP actually need a website to report these things (Fraud of various types) because enough of it exists online. So, today I'm relieved but pretty exhausted from the whole ordeal. So, I think this might qualify as a horror story in the writer's community.

Some things I learned from this. If you put up a request to remove the post, be ready that it may be ignored. Don't keep asking and waiting for the forum or the person to do the right thing. Be ready to make a detailed report to the forum. Some forums are better than others in dealing with this. I won't name forums.

Be ready to monitor your material thereafter. One of the forums, it immediately disappeared, but was back up later the same day. I literally had to join one forum to report it and even that didn't seem to get it removed.

If it is continuing, don't let it. If you have to fill out an actual RCMP Fraud division report, then do it. Letting the poster know you've done this can be useful. The agency that you report it to might differ in different countries.

Remember: your books, your brand, your reputation are what is at stake. If you are just starting out like me, this can mean life or death where people judge based on affiliation and on reviews. If you already have your books and no reviews, you don't need this added disadvantage.

For the forums, you need to take this very seriously. The misuse of author's material is something that can cost us all. First, in terms of sales, you aren't going to be able to sell books if they are associated with spam or what people could consider spam. Secondly, if it is spam, and you aren't dealing with it, you are allowing people to be harmed. This was one of the worst parts to me. People might have been parting with money they could ill afford when the books aren't that hard to find on Amazon and a dozen other places I authorized to sell. Thirdly, could it affect who carries your work?

No one considers, when they misuse your book covers or other book material that you have spent hours, days, months and in some cases with my earlier books years of work getting the photography done, putting it together, making the book, getting it published. This is years of my life that may have been harmed to the point that no one will want to read my books or see my work.

So, be realistically unrealistic and monitor your name, brand and reputation to make sure that you are not being harmed by the actions of someone who doesn't know or care how much work, time, effort and pure love you have put into your work. It is a work of art and needs to be respected and treated like it. Put in the work to put out a work of art. Make sure it is a work of art. Don't let spelling and grammatical errors sully your hard work. Don't let it be misused. If you find mistakes, then correct them. You have to always remember, your work is the face that you show the world and if it is treated like rubbish, then people will start to believe it is. If you treat it like it is worth something, then you have given it respect.

If you want to support me, as a low budget author, then please buy my book, if you like it leave a review.

Thanks for reading my blog! Thanks for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!

Respect your Art Form So Others Will Too!

5 years ago, I would not have had to write these particular blogs. Self-Publishing is amazing in that it opens up new doors to potential authors. At the same time, it comes at a cost. At one time, free e-books were just as polished in their grammar and spelling as the conventional publishers. However, I am finding lately that when I get a free book, it generally could use a bit of polishing. The effects of publishing without spell check, grammar check or different eyes reading the book before putting it up need to be expressed. It is a problem that will cause the demise of the self-published author if left unchecked. We need to do all we can to protect our art form!

First, if you have published an e-book without it being proofread, and people see errors in grammar, spelling, etc., people tend to wonder if you really are knowledgeable about the field. It isn't the fault of the reader. If you notice mistakes in a scholarly article, then you begin to question the level of professional knowledge since simple grammar and spelling is not addressed; is the research professional quality? So, be sure to get it read before you put it up. Even for free, it is not the job of the reader to proof read. Most of the books I read, I do make an offer to pass along my notes. I would not charge for this, it's just my notes and most suggest what the issue is. Did I mention that in University, I have a BEd (English and History), A BA (English, History and Psychology) and a MA (Psychology)? I tend to downplay this as it can be intimidating to some...so I bypass that info. Back to my topic at hand. I can tell you how many authors accept the offer to pass on my notes....
...as of publishing this article...a grand total of ....*drum roll please* ....
....ZERO (0)

Secondly, if you have published an e-book, and it has spelling and grammatical errors in it, people will review it a bit more poorly than they would a book that does not contain these errors. You might be brilliant, but if you produce books that have errors, people will not take the book as seriously. As I stated in an earlier blog post, I've seen people leave reviews that are one star or no stars at all. When it happens the reason given in the comment is that it was so riddled with errors that they could not read it. I can't blame them. It's frustrating to see a potential work of art that is unreadable. It feels like seeing someone painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa.

Thirdly, the effect it has on all self-published authors is that it undervalues our efforts to put out well rounded or experimental format literature because we already are seeing books that are putting people off. People start to think that new e-books are rubbish and stop looking for them or at them. This puts new authors in danger of being ignored due to the fact that they have limited budget and can't afford to get all the bells and whistles that are available to conventional publishing. It's bad enough that often formatting makes issues for the book. Extra issues on top is not an enticement.

So, not only are the effects of poorly written books, blog posts, etc. of great consequence to the self-published author, but it also shows a lack of respect for the art form. It would seem to me that you are trying to convince everyone an e-book is a good value for the money...even free e-books cost people time to read. Respect your audience and your art form!

For the sake of the whole format and the whole variety of genres out there, if you are going to do an e-book treat it with as much respect, reverence and hard work as any other work of art. You are the face of a new format and a new method of getting ideas released. You don't want to be just another flash in the pan because no one takes the format seriously due to poor grammar or spelling errors. Be realistically unrealistic and work toward having e-books by new self-publishers and new authors just as respectable as works by better known authors and just as polished. Being an e-book author doesn't mean that you don't have to try as hard...it means you have to try twice as hard as you're breaking new ground. If we're to stay the new Gutenberg of our age, then we have to respect our work and ourselves. E-books and authors are not just money making opportunities to get likes or follows or whatever the more popular thing is. It is a form of art and needs us to treat it with respect just as much as any other art form.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post and your interest in A & J PEI Treasures!