Jim Potter's Blog, page 6

August 17, 2023

WANTED FOR MURDER – JOE FORNELL – $50 REWARD*

 

WANTED FOR MURDER – JOE FORNELL – $50 REWARD*

By Jim Potter

Today I’m examining a murder that occurred in Ringo, Crawford County, Kansas, the night of March 5, 1921. Unlike a lot of crimes, this one was solved quickly, but it took three months to locate and arrest the fugitive, Joe Fornell.… Read the rest

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Published on August 17, 2023 10:46

August 10, 2023

$50 REWARD for the ARREST of JAMES F. YOUNG

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$50 REWARD for the ARREST of JAMES F. YOUNG

By Jim Potter

To enlarge the REWARD postcard, click on the following link REWARD PC James F. Young, Salina, KS (2)

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Here’s another REWARD or WANTED postcard from my collection.… Read the rest

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Published on August 10, 2023 05:00

August 3, 2023

Book Reviews: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

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Book Reviews:If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

I’ll never be hired to write professional book reviews. I only review books I enjoy.… Read the rest

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Published on August 03, 2023 04:54

July 27, 2023

Gratitude

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Gratitude

Now that we’ve published K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play and we’ve had our first book signing with steady sales, I want to thank everyone who has helped me.… Read the rest

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Published on July 27, 2023 05:10

Gratitude

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Gratitude

Now that we’ve published K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play and we’ve had our first book signing with steady sales, I want to thank everyone who has helped me.… Read the rest

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Published on July 27, 2023 05:00

July 20, 2023

The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu

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The Ballad of K-9 Kudzu

Art Hughes, a friend of mine, recommended I use videos to help promote my children’s book, K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play.… Read the rest

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Published on July 20, 2023 05:00

July 13, 2023

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Printed and Published

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Jim & J. Alex Potter at POD Print, Wichita, KS.Printed and Published

We picked up 250 copies of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at POD Print in Wichita. The long wait was over. K-9 Kudzu is printed and published.

For the special event, we wore our colorful, promotional, K-9 Kudzu T-shirts.

Examining the boxes of books was a joy Alex and I will always remember, but we asked John Kush to take our photo to share with others. He obliged.

We rejoiced and celebrated, understanding that our book was no longer a private document. It was published, meaning it was available to the public for purchase, and we soon started distributing copies in person and packaging them to send via mail to customers.

On Wednesday, as soon as Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, opened, Tara, the bookstore manager, immediately set up a display on the checkout counter. Just published, an educational children’s book with color illustrations introducing law enforcement to young readers, 10-12 years-of-age.

We felt a mixture of relief and excitement. We made the deadline. It was a week prior to our book signing on July 20th from 6-8 p.m.

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Click for full-size image

Until next time, happy writing,

 

Book signing July 20th from 6-8 pm. at Bookends.

Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, is open Wednesady through Saturday. Phone 620-259-7511. Website link http://bookendshutch.com

 

Never miss a weekly blog by Jim Potter at Sandhenge Publications. Sign up by clicking below to receive my weekly blog sent to your email address. http://jimpotterauthor.com/sign-up-for-jim-potters-blog-posts/Better than Amazon with free S/H and no sales tax to you. Purchase one (or more) of my books directly at my website by clicking https://jimpotterauthor.com

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Published on July 13, 2023 05:00

July 6, 2023

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sales Technology

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Sales TechnologySquare branding

When it comes to technology, I might as well be Amish. I’ve never used an ATM machine, owned a debit card, or scanned a QR code. Like the Amish, I’m not against technology, I’m just slow to adapt to it.

People change for a reason. Sometimes circumstances require it. Fifteen years ago, I purchased my first smart phone when I realized I was supervising younger people who used the technology to communicate. That’s when I understood the latest phone was an important tool for success, not a toy or a luxury.

During Covid I jumped on the technology of Zoom so our Kansas Authors Club district could continue to meet monthly. Meeting electronically, not in person, was an eye-opener. Sure, some people got tired of it, but it served a purpose.

I benefited from becoming comfortable with Zoom. While Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, was developing the color illustrations for K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play, Alex and I met with her on Zoom to collaborate.

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K-9 Kudzu branding

K-9 Kudzu, my first children’s book, will be printed next week. To increase sales, I’m upgrading my technology beyond my website and other social media platforms. The focus is on sales technology.

Unfortunately, as an indie author I’ve learned how to spend money faster than I make it. My latest expense is a smart phone. I didn’t mind it being old when it served my needs, but when the email stopped working, I knew it was time. The phone is a personal expense, but it’s integral to today’s selling.

I decided on a Samsung Galaxy since my last phone was an android. It took me a minute to figure out how to turn on the Galaxy and to locate the text icon, but it’s going well for an old guy. I’m even learning the value of apps.

The phone has an amazing camera that could be useful as a telescope. Maybe I’ll take more photos at book signings and author talks and post them online. When I visit schools, I’ll check on the rules about taking photos of children, especially if I want to post them. I want to respect a person’s privacy.

For a long time, my website has been set up for online book sales, but now I’m preparing for more in-person purchases. I’ve just signed up with Square so I can process sales via my phone or a credit card reader.

I’m trying to adapt to the business world where people are less likely to purchase items with cash or a check and are more likely to use a debit card to swipe, tap, dip, or for contactless sales. As a former Boy Scout, I want to be prepared. Who wants to miss a sale?

I like that Square and other companies charge a percentage of each sale rather than a monthly fee. That way they only make money when I make money.

Rosemary Miller, “The Tech Chic,” is my excellent website designer.

I’m also signing up with Venmo. Younger people I know love their Venmo account. I wonder, Will I love it? This whole adventure makes me realize; I’m sure going to learn a lot in the coming months.

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Meanwhile, Rosemary Miller, “The Tech Chic,” is updating my website so that K-9 Kudzu will also be available for online purchase. See jimpotterauthor.com.

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Alex and I aren’t against using old advertising techniques. We’ve ordered two mobile billboards. The T-shirts should arrive in time for our book signing on July 20th at Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas.

Click for full-size image

Until next time, happy writing,

 

Book signing July 20th from 6-8 pm. at Bookends.

Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, is open Wednesady through Saturday. Phone 620-259-7511. Website link http://bookendshutch.com

 

Never miss a weekly blog by Jim Potter at Sandhenge Publications. Sign up by clicking below to receive my weekly blog sent to your email address. http://jimpotterauthor.com/sign-up-for-jim-potters-blog-posts/Better than Amazon with free S/H and no sales tax to you. Purchase one (or more) of my books directly at my website by clicking https://jimpotterauthor.com

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Published on July 06, 2023 05:00

June 29, 2023

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Final Proof Approved

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POD Print, 2012 E. Northern St., Wichita, KS, podprint.com, 1-800-767.6066Final Proof Approved

Finally! We’ve approved Proof #2 of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. Now, the children’s book is in line for printing at POD Print. We’re hoping to have copies in hand within two weeks.

Creating this book has been like a five-act play. If Act 1 was writing the book, and Act 2 was editing the book, then Act 3 was the process of developing the color illustrations with Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. Whether an intermission or a brief Act 4, sending files for a proof copy and examining the results was a milestone.

Once we receive the boxes of freshly printed books, I’ll be ready for the final act—marketing and selling K-9 Kudzu.

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It’s been a long six months for Alex and me as we continually improved K-9 Kudzu. We’re both worn out and elated. Relief and disbelief have hit me. I’ve been running on gas fumes. I’d like a quick breather before the final act commences, but there’s an opportunity to submit an essay to 105 Meadowlark Reader if I can complete my story in time. If I don’t make the deadline or if it isn’t accepted, I’ll use it as a blog post.

Recently, I’ve contacted the Hutchinson Public Library and ESSDACK (Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas) about book promotion, and I’m constantly viewing photos on Facebook of K-9s and their police handlers. These law enforcement agencies are all potential customers to purchase K-9 Kudzu.

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Yesterday, Alex asked me, “Who will be the first person you’re going to send K-9 Kudzu to?”

After J. Alex Potter receives her copy for being my confidante, first reader, and color illustration consultant, here’s my list:

Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. She created the color illustrations, designed the book cover, and designed and formatted the interior of the book.Marilyn Bolton, forever English teacher, is my grammar guru. When Marilyn’s not traveling or reading a book, she enjoys line editing.Melody Cole, author of Sentiments of a Survivor (sold by Time-Honored Productions, and Bookends bookstore), has an eagle eye for catching typos. She’s also available to hire for line editing.Gwen Bartlett, retired elementary school librarian and co-owner of Bookends bookstore in Hutchinson, KS, was an early reader of K-9 Kudzu. She recommended an important structural change. Gwen wrote an endorsement for the back cover.Isaiah St. Pierre is going into 5th grade this school year. He enjoys reading and loves dogs. He wrote a “blurb” for the back cover.Judy Gray, Isaiah’s grandmother, mentor to many, was our supportive contact person with Isaiah.Randy Henderson, former Reno County (KS) sheriff and current Executive Director of Kansas Association of Police, also wrote an endorsement for the back cover.Joelle Rene, creative artist, and friend, she encouraged me to have narrator K-9 Kudzu tell more stories while he introduced police vocabulary words to the reader. Click for full-size image

Until next time, happy writing,

 

Book signing July 20th from 6-8 pm. at Bookends.

Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, is open Wednesady through Saturday. Phone 620-259-7511. Website link http://bookendshutch.com

 

Never miss a weekly blog by Jim Potter at Sandhenge Publications. Sign up by clicking below to receive my weekly blog sent to your email address. http://jimpotterauthor.com/sign-up-for-jim-potters-blog-posts/Better than Amazon with free S/H and no sales tax to you. Purchase one (or more) of my books directly at my website by clicking https://jimpotterauthor.com

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Published on June 29, 2023 05:00

June 22, 2023

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Progress and Publicity

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Progress and Publicity

We’ve received our first proof of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. It’s fantastic! We’ll make a few minor changes before sending it off for a second proof. It’s so important that we have it printed as perfectly as possible since our first high-quality print order will be for 250 books, rather than one at a time with print-on-demand.

For those who read this weekly blog post, you may recall that one of the back cover endorsements is by Gwen Bartlett, co-owner of Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS. Gwen’s “blurb” is especially meaningful given that she was an elementary school librarian.

Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Bookends, an independent bookstore, has invited me to do a book signing the evening of July 20th from 6-8 p.m. This is during Hutchinson’s Third Thursday celebration that has a July theme of “Arts and Eats.” Gwen supports local authors by purchasing their books to sell, not just on consignment. In fact, there are plans for me to be interviewed again by local radio station KWBW. Please note, this is really special, a local, independent bookstore investing their money to promote a local author while also advertising their business.

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For right now, I’m not going to name organizations I’m working with that may help promote K-9 Kudzu. One organization offers summer camp sessions for children. We’re discussing having me introduce K-9 Kudzu to the young campers because it’s an educational and entertaining book about law enforcement. My future presentations will include reading excerpts from the book, but I’ll include some audience participation from prior teacher-approved participants. I’ll also share some of the book’s dynamic color illustrations either as enlarged posters or in a PowerPoint.

Click for full-size image Click for full-size image

I‘ll ask interactive questions located at the end of each chapter, and I may introduce the vocabulary word list. The final part of my presentation will be Q&A time if any attendees are interested in the process I used in writing and publishing K-9 Kudzu, my first children’s book.

I’m hoping a county-wide organization will help sponsor future school presentations. Ideally, I’d be paid to schedule and present K-9 Kudzu at elementary and middle schools. This would allow me a better opportunity to help recoup my publishing expenses and give me the ideal platform to market K-9 Kudzu and my other books. I’ll need to have a flyer available for students to take home since I don’t expect any young readers to pull out a credit card to make a purchase.

New marketing ideas are ever-present, and my list is growing, not shrinking. I’m beyond excited!

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While I’m in Hutch today, I’ll talk with a children’s book librarian at the public library about opportunities to promote K-9 Kudzu and I’ll mail my novella, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish, to “Amish Country” in three different states with Amish/Mennonite communities. The books were purchased the old fashioned way. Two were bought via snail mail with a check enclosed and one was purchased via phone. I’m sending one to Salem, Indiana; Deford, Michigan; and Cub Run, Kentucky.

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Until next time, happy writing,

 

Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, is open Wednesady through Saturday. Phone 620-259-7511 and website link http://bookendshutch.comNever miss a weekly blog by Jim Potter at Sandhenge Publications. Sign up by clicking below to receive my weekly blog sent to your email address. http://jimpotterauthor.com/sign-up-for-jim-potters-blog-posts/Better than Amazon with free S/H and no sales tax to you. Purchase one (or more) of my books directly at my website by clicking https://jimpotterauthor.com

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Published on June 22, 2023 05:00