Tag Archives: self-publishing

Aug8

Guest Post: 5 Tips to Help You Write Awesome Children’s Characters

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Savannah Cordorva is a writer with the website, Reedsy.com.

Good characters are the key to any novel’s connection with its readers, and this is no different in children’s books; if anything, it’s truer. Think of iconic children’s books like Harry Potter, Matilda, or The Hunger Games —what do they have in common? Their characters are relatable, driven, and memorable.

Indeed, even the most fantastical books rely on human themes to resonate with readers. After all, it’s usually the way that characters interact with elements in the book that makes it interesting, rather than the elements themselves!

This is why, no matter what sort of children’s book you’re writing, it’s crucial to develop strong characters that will stay in your young readers’ hearts for generations. Master these tips and you’ll be well on your way.

1. Establish your character’s age and relevancy

Many popular children’s books are remembered for their cherished protagonists. However, there are a couple of elements that set the best apart from the rest: age and relevancy.

Specifically, the ideal formula for long-lasting characters is that they should be both a few years older than the target readers and experiencing similar real-life issues. Children love reading stories that they can relate and aspire to!

For example, Percy Jackson is twelve years old in Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief, and attracts readers around ten years old. Of course, while Percy’s young fans won’t be discovering their mythical powers, they are growing up and will soon be entering new environments and making new friends — just like him.

As long as you explore human themes, feel free to give your characters the most fantastical plotlines you can think of. And if you want total control of your characters, consider self-publishing your children’s book! Linking your protagonist’s story to a real-life lesson is the bread and butter of character writing, but if this lesson is somewhat unconventional, the self-pub route could be your best shot at conveying it without compromise.

2. Build their drive and motivations

You’ve established your character’s age and relevancy. Great! The next step is to make sure your protagonist’s main goal — the essence of your story — is clear. Whether you’re writing a short story or a novel, it’s crucial to get this right. A story’s narrative arc will fizzle without motivation to propel things forward. And with children’s relatively short attention spans, they certainly won’t be giving precious attention to a lackluster plot.

This means another huge part of well-written children’s characters is that what they want or need drives the plot. Imagine how boring a story like Treasure Island would be if Jim Hawkins didn’t want to find Captain Flint’s treasure. And Watership Down wouldn’t be nearly as memorable without Hazel’s need to escape from the warren’s destruction. Once your character’s key motivation is established, the rest of their story should unfold with ease!

3. Put thought into their appearance

While a character’s internal thoughts are very important, that doesn’t mean their external characteristics deserve none of your time. Though personality is Priority One in terms of story, physical characteristics are often what make a first impression, in books and reality.

So while your protagonist’s appearance might not directly affect the plot, it can impact how supporting characters respond to them. And of course, if you’re writing a picture book, how the characters look will be a major part of the reader’s experience — and will likely contain visual clues about their personalities, emotions, and so on.

This is why, regardless of your artistic abilities, it’s worth sketching out your characters, from their hair color to their type of shoes. It doesn’t have to be Van Gogh-worthy, but having a concrete reference for your character’s appearance will make it easier to imagine — and therefore write out — more realistic scenes in your story.

This may be particularly helpful when it comes to dialogue. Another useful thing to consider is your character’s voice: What do they sound like? How do they interact differently with one character vs. another? Does their voice match their physicality, or present a comical contrast?

(If this sounds like a lot of details to organize — or if you’re looking to go even more in-depth — try checking out some character profile templates to help, or perhaps just a few character-building questions to get the ball rolling.)

4. Choose meaningful, memorable names

Well-named characters are sure to stick in readers’ heads. It sounds simple, but giving a character a name that reflects their key traits will tie everything together — and tell readers what to expect!

A classic example of this is Harry Potter’s Remus Lupin: “Remus” nods to the Roman myth about the twins Romulus and Remus who were raised by a wolf, while Lupin is derived from the Latin for “wolf”. So — spoiler alert — it’s no surprise that Remus Lupin turned out to be a werewolf, with a name meaning “Wolf Wolf”. Another perfect example of this is the much-loved Miss Honey in Roald Dahl’s Matilda, who is adored for her sweetness.

Though a name might seem a small feature, plenty of creativity goes into naming popular children’s characters! Whether your characters’ names are obscure linguistic references or common synonyms, make sure they’re fun to learn and impossible to forget.

5. Make character conversations believable

Going back to dialogue for our final point, many children’s writers are tempted to write their dialogue as they think children speak. But unless you’re a preschool teacher or a parent, try to avoid presuming anything!

Indeed, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with your target audience to facilitate more believable conversations. Good ways to research might be volunteering at your local school or working at a library. Bonus points if you have friends and family with children that you can ask to proofread your book. Their endorsement is a major signifier that you’re on the way to helping your target audience feel understood and represented.

Of course, every child is different, with their own personalities, opinions, mannerisms, and quirks. Keep in mind that your characters should progress and change, but dispositions — for example, a sharp sense of humor or joyful attitude — aren’t usually as fluid. A good rule of thumb is to figure out the essential traits your character has and stick with them. With this in mind, your characters are sure to instill readers with plenty of intrigue and love.

Savannah Cordova is a writer with Reedsy, a marketplace that connects self-publishing authors with the world’s best editors, designers, and marketers. In her spare time, Savannah enjoys reading fiction (especially YA fantasy, and picture books to her niece and nephew!) and writing short stories.

Tiffany Turner was the editor on this post.

Jun11

Tiffany Turner Presenting at Clockwork Alchemy From the Aether 2021

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Tiffany Turner will be presenting twice at the Clockwork Alchemy from the Aether Virtual Con this weekend, June 12-13, 2021.

I’m excited to announce my appearances at a virtual event this weekend. Clockwork Alchemy is a steampunk con that has gone virtual this year due to the pandemic. I have been scheduled to give two presentations this year. One on self-publishing and one on ghost hunting basics. The great thing about all of this is that the virtual event is FREE. YES, FREE!

Here is the event info:

  • Clockwork Alchemy from the Aether (Virtual Steampunk Conference)
  • June 12-13, 2021
  • Two presentations:
  • Self-Publishing Presentation will be Sat. at 4pm – 5pm.
  • Ghost Hunting Basics will be on Sun. at 3pm – 4pm.

Here is the link to register for Clockwork Alchemy 2021.

Here is the link for the schedule of Clockwork Alchemy 2021.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic weekend of reconnecting with fellow authors, makers, creatives and steampunks. Hope you can make it!

For more information, visit the Clockwork Alchemy website.

-Tiffany

Feb16

Follow-Up to “Reflections on Anne Frank, Hiding and the Corona Virus Pandemic”

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The last time I wrote a blog post about the lockdown and the pandemic, it was April 8th, 2020 in a blog post called “Reflections on Anne Frank, Hiding and the Corona Virus Pandemic”. I was starting to realize that this lockdown was going to be longer than what the officials were telling us. It was eventually extended, making our “hiding” in place into the summer, about 3 1/2 months. From Mid-March to mid-June, I isolated in my San Jose condo. I didn’t fathom truly how it was going to affect us all except it could be as wide reaching as WWII. I could see it was going to shake up society, disrupt living, and likely change the world forever. I just didn’t know how it was going to do it, and how I’d survive it.

Half Dome taken from Yosemite Valley on a trip in 2020.

But I have to say, the hiding has worked out better for me than it did for Anne Frank. I guess that could be my Gen X cynical side speaking. Maybe because 2020 turned into a worse year than anyone could imagine for the last few generations. Maybe, it just takes a pandemic to really put things in perspective, just like a world war or other global event. This is my first global crisis of such proportions of a world war that I can understand some of what the Great Generation might have gone through now.

As I look back on my optimistic words from the beginning of April 2020, it was that hope that did get me through the year. With the political unrest in the US amid the pandemic, it just seemed like nothing was going right and everything was descending into chaos. But, the goal my husband and I had been working on for a few years, buying a house, seemed like it could still happen. I’d been wanting a house for a few decades, and my husband and I had been talking and doing some planning. Than, I got very sick, actually dying and was hospitalized. I pulled through that, and house buying had to be put off while I got better.

Mrs. Turner standing in Yosemite Valley, August 2020.

Finally, summer 2020 was going to be it, the time to buy a house. Then, the pandemic hit. But among all the goals that had to fall by the wayside, that one was still possible. Goals had to be literally and completely rethought through in the new world order that the pandemic created. House buying was one of the few industries left open during lockdown, because it was considered essential. People need shelter to isolate in.

So, buying a house seemed like a plausible way forward, especially if there was as resurge of virus in the winter and maybe living in a crowded city wouldn’t be the best. I had moved mostly to virtual teaching and freelance writing. My husband’s company had also moved to virtual working. So, we decided on the move. July we bid on a house, and after it was accepted, went through the escrow process.

In the middle of this, we managed a trip to Yosemite, just to get out and away from being locked down for months. With reservations made in April, we were able to enjoy a stay at the Awanhee’s cottages in the Yosemite Valley. Just being out on a trip seemed a victory after being in hiding from mid-March to June. The state of California seemed to emerge for the summer to enjoy some kind of living, masked, and at least more outdoors. RVs and Campers became the travel vehicle for the new “apocalypse” though I was a bit sad that there weren’t real “zombies”.

Small things became a little triumph. Biking around Yosemite Valley seemed monumental. Hiking along the trails were a new adventure, even though it was my fourth visit to Yosemite. When a mountain lion crossed the trail near by us, I was marveling at how close it was, but still keeping tabs on when it went by. It was exciting, but still, I was more afraid of the non-masked humans than the mountain lion in the end. But a trip out in nature, because outside and space from people was safe, was the new frontier.

It was exciting to get our new keys to our house Labor Day weekend. We started fixing up the house, and moving some of our things in. Each weekend, we moved our items ourselves because it was less exposure to people. Packing boxes and moving up to the house became a routine for a few weeks. Then, on a Sunday run up to our new house, a fire broke out around the area. Strong winds blew that night, with our internet being knocked out. It was the night I met my new neighbors, at a distance due to the pandemic, talking loud over strong winds about the emergency alert messages and whether to evacuate. Luckily, I found out from them that the town would sound sirens if we needed to evacuate, like what had been done in 2017. Falling asleep, I was awoken some hours later by the sirens. I evacuated hoping my new house would survive the Glass Fire.

The Glass Fire surrounded my new town, and my husband and I were evacuated for a week. We prayed and avoided the news as much as would could, afraid to see pictures of burning buildings that could be our house. We followed the CalFire map, watching the movement of the fire, having all our friends and family pray our new house would be okay. Luckily, the town was saved and our house. I had survived one of my worst weeks of 2020.

Evacuating during the Glass Fire, 2020. Note, taken while driving through town to evacuate.

We finished with repairs and updating items in the house, and moved in beginning of November. By December, the SF Bay Area locked down again, and for 2 months, I isolated and stayed hiding again for a second lockdown. At least this time, I knew how to deal with it. It was a little trickier in a new house and town, but if anything, 2020 was an advanced course in adaptation and self reliance. I’d already realized that this was a historical time to live through, and I was so thankful for my new house and that it had survived. By the time I raised my champaign glass on New Year’s Eve, I was glad to see the year end.

I’d survived. 2020 was the strangest year I’ve ever lived through. It was an emotional roller coaster. The politics, protests, the election. The personal stories of COVID I saw and heard from friends. Friends had lost family members to COVID. I had family members that got sick with COVID, but luckily, survived. Of the other people I knew that had COVID, some were having long hauler symptoms. There are all these new terms now. But the biggest news as we entered 2021 has been about the vaccine. Everyone is waiting for their turn to get the jab.

Tiffany Turner is the author of this new self publishing guide.

I’ve just got to hold on now for the vaccine. I even made it into a doctor’s visit, and I think he summed up what is going on the best right now. I had asked about trying to sign up for the vaccine, and he answered, “Yeah, it’s like the Hunger Games.” He also recommended I continue “hiding” until I get the vaccine. So, it’s nice to be under doctors orders to continue to isolate, continue with this hiding plan. The craziness of trying to get an appointment are my new reality. I’m just too young right now, which is just crazy to hear. But I’ll hold on. I’ve made it through almost a year now. A few months waiting for a vaccine, no problem.

So, I have to report, through the things I lived through in 2020, I’ve kept that hope I saw so much with Anne Frank. You’ve got to keep that. It’s what helped me realize I could still go through the one goal dream of buying a house, and made it come true. I did finish my how to self publish guide too. It’s called “Get Ready to Push the Button: A Beginner’s Guide to Self Publishing”. I also published a picture book called “I Don’t Want to Wear a Mask!”. It’s about a young boy that has to return to school wearing a mask, and how he doesn’t want to do it. But his Mom explains to him why it’s important, and how he can be a hero if he wears a mask.

Written to work on picture book self publishing skills, it has turned into a picture book to help with these strange times.

So, in a way, there was a lot of good that came out of 2020 for me and maybe some other people. Maybe that’s why Anne inspired me. You’ve got to work hard to turn the chaos around you into what you may want or the good that can come out of it. The phrase, “When the world gives you lemons, make lemonade” comes to mind. Boy, was there a lot of lemons to 2020. My lemonade might have been more sore, but I know there was some sugar in it.

All the reading, writing, and self reflection I think has just made me look at everything with a new lens. The world is different now after COVID. Maybe we were living in a bubble. That complacent reality before the “crisis” hits, just like in any movie, and then the world is changed forever. It happened with both World Wars. Now, my generation had the pandemic. And it’s affected all the generations living today. Generations living in the future will wonder what it was like for us. I guess that’s why I’m blogging now. To let them know.

What would I tell them? We watched a lot of Netflix. Learned to knit or other skills from YouTube. Listened to a lot of music. Wrote. Reflected. Did our jobs. And just lived through it the best we could. Just like you might have. And we read books to help us figure it all out. And some of us, even wrote those books to help us figure it all.

There was a lot of chocolate consumed in my house. M&Ms was the chocolate we were easily able to get. Supplies weren’t completely stopped, but some things were harder to get than others. Anne Frank didn’t have Walmart delivery. So, yeah. I’ve been blessed. And Girl Scout cookies went online and you could have them delivered, especially if you’re niece hooked you up. We kept our humor. We knitted slippers for our family because if we couldn’t be there, our knitting would keep them warm like a hug.

Christmas was by Zoom. Thanksgiving was by Zoom. Everything was by Zoom.

The whole time, we just wanted it to be over. The whole irony is as I’m going through it still, I think we haven’t gotten that it will never be over. The world has changed forever. We can’t go back. There’s only going forward now. Who knows what that future will look like until we get there.

I wish for you safety and peace. May you be able to get the vaccine soon, and to always still wear a mask. We’ll get through this together. We’re all going to have all our own COVID pandemic stories after all this. Keep that optimism and hope.

I think Anne Frank would be proud.

Tiffany Turner is a children’s author of the Crystal Keeper Chronicles fantasy adventure series. She is also a romance writer under the pen name, Marilyn Vix. Her books are available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and other online retailers. She is also the head writer and editor for her blog, the Indie Children’s Authors Connection.

Jan11

Interview with Wolf Cub Chlo

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With the first interview and book recommendation of this New Year, I thought all of us could use a good laugh. Not only have I found a book likely to make you smile, but also it will guide you into reading and how to tell jokes to brighten up your family’s day.

Wolf Cub Chlo is the author of the children’s joke book, “Once ‘a pun’ a Time: A Guide to reading and telling jokes”.

Wolf Cub Chlo is a child author that loves to tell a good joke. So much, she’s written a book about it. There’s nothing like a child giving insight to something that can make us all feel much better. What a great gift this little cub has given us all in her book, “Once ‘a pun’ a Time: A Guide to reading and telling jokes”. I had a chance to talk with Wolf Cub Chlo about why she writes, what she loves about reading and writing, and what future projects she is planning.

  1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us why you wanted to write your book, “Once ‘a pun’ a Time”?

Wolf Cub Chlo: Hi! My name is Chloé, but I write all my books under the name Wolf Cub Chlo, and I’m 6 years old. I like to think of silly words and create stories around a simple word. But, for my book, I turned those silly words into jokes.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Wolf Cub Chlo: For my next project, I would like to write silly stories using sight words to help other kids learn to read while having fun. I want it to be a series like Bob books. I really love those books too.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Wolf Cub Chlo: To me, writing is a way to relax and bring a smile to my face. Just like coloring.

“Once ‘a pun’ a Time” is a book that is medicine to help you heal others through laughter. Laughter is something people need in their daily lives. Jokes are one way people can support each other during these difficult times during COVID lockdowns. Learn tips and tricks on how to tell and write your own jokes. Share laughter with friends and family through video conferencing and help others heal. Remember, we’ll all get through this together.

“Once ‘a pun’ at Time” is available from Amazon.com as a Kindle edition.

For more information on Wolf Cub Chlo, visit her website here.

Jul16

Interested in Self-Publishing? I Just Wrote the Book On It.

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Tiffany Turner is the self-published author of a children’s fantasy book series and several paranormal romance titles. 

It is now available. All of my self-publishing knowledge over the last thirteen years. I’ve been at this self-publishing thing for awhile now. And I’ve learned a lot. It’s been called a gold rush by some, from about 2009 to 2011, and beyond. I would say that was mostly due to KDP, Kindle Digital Publishing, Amazon’s digital platform. It is now a whole new frontier that I can help you navigate.

From watching and talking to other self published authors on Kindleboards (later Kboards.com) like Hugh Howey, to getting the idea and encouragement to start writing romance after my children’s books, I’ve had quite a journey. I wrote “Get Ready to Push the Button: A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing” to make it easy for anyone to get started. All you need is that finished manuscript, and you can be on your way.

All of my hard earned experience has been written down into my beginner’s guide to self-publishing. So, if you’ve been thinking about it, or even wrote a manuscript during lockdown and don’t know what to do now, I’ve got an answer for you. Self-publish!

I’ve been talking to people about how to self-publish on panels at various local conferences including Fanime, San Francisco Comic Con and the Silicon Valley Comic Con over the last few years. Now, you can get all my expertise in one helpful guide, with links for support in an online FB private group. Plus, I’ve worked with a lot of emerging authors through my Fiverr.com gigs. I’ve gotten experience in so many areas from diving into the self-publishing world, and I keep growing with it. Find out how you can make your writing dreams come true, and become a working writer.

Have a manuscript and don’t know what to do?

Have you considered self-publishing?

Get Ready to push the button (3D)-PromoJoin Tiffany Turner as she explains how to get your manuscript ready to finally push that self-publishing button. This beginner’s guide to self-publishing has been put together with Mrs. Turner’s thirteen years of self-publishing experience in romance and children’s book self-publishing. With easy step by step explanations of how to prepare your manuscript, she’ll walk you through in her humorous banter how to:

-Discovering if this self-publishing path is for you.
-Terms & tips you’ll need to navigate the self-publishing world.
-Preparing your manuscript with an easy to follow list of steps.
-How to find the people to help you self-publish such as beta readers, editors, cover designers, formatters and self-publishing platforms.
-What to set up before you self-publish.
-Launching your book.
-Maintaining your self-publishing empire after your first book.

Discover how to get yourself started onto the self-publishing path.

“Get Ready to Push the Button: A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing” is available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Apple/iBooks, and Rakuten/Kobo.

 

 

 

Jan16

Interview with Brianna Reshae

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BriAnna Reshae Woodard

BriAnna Reshae is the author of “Beautiful Black Butterfly“.

Welcome to a New Year and decade on the Indie Children’s Authors Connection. I’ve been running this blog since I started self-publishing children’s books way back around 2008. So, I’m proud to say I’ve been running this meeting place for authors and readers for over 10 years now. I’m proud to continue this tradition of introducing you to fabulous Indie authors and their books with my first interview of 2020.

BriAnna Reshae is an author that has been following her passion for writing since she was a child and has written a book called Beautiful Black Butterfly. Her books deal with obstacles children face and how they can learn to face and over come them. I had a chance to talk to Brianna about her childhood reading memories, favorite authors, what influences her, and what writing means to her.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

BriAnna Reshae: Being inspired to use my imagination and dream big is my favorite memory as a child.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

BriAnna Reshae: My favorite author was Barbara Park who wrote Junie B. Jones, she influences me by being able to connect to children and still be able to entertain middle grade students as well.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

BriAnna Reshae: I don’t have a particular writing routine, I just write mostly when I’m inspired to do it.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

BriAnna Reshae: I write children’s books aimed towards obstacles that children face but I would like to write stories about obstacles that teenagers and young adults face as well.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

BriAnna Reshae: Creativity.


BlkButterflyCvr Beautiful Black Butterfly is a book about overcoming bullies and excepting who you are. Jai’Da encounters kids that make fun of her. The bullies target her because of the dark color of her skin. But then a black butterfly comes into her life that inspires her to express her natural beauty within and overcome the hatred directed at her. This is a wonderful book to help children understand that differences are actually what make us unique and beautiful, and we can look towards these differences for our own self-confidence and inner beauty.

Beautiful Black Butterfly is available at Amazon.com.

For more information on BriAnna Reshae, visit her social media links here:

Instagram: booksbybree
Facebook: BriAnna Reshae Woodard (booksbybree)
Twitter: books_by_bree

 

 

Aug16

Tiffany Turner Will Be On Self-Publishing & Marketing Panels at Silicon Valley Comic Con 2019

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Just announced! Tiffany Turner will be speaking at this year’s 2019 Silicon Valley Comic Con on the Self-Publishing panels and the Marketing Your Book Panel on Sunday, August 18. The self-publishing panel will be in Rm 111 at 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Come and find out how you can start self publishing. The panel will go over all aspects, platforms, formats, what to write with, how to find editors, cover designers, and basic marketing.

The Marketing For Self-Publishers Panel will be after on the same day at 2:30pm to 3:30pm in Rm 114. We’ll be going more in depth about how to get your book out there and in front of readers. How to put together a newsletter, use free books to funnel readers to your catalog, and do a book launch.

Come enjoy all our free knowledge! Our group of self-publishers want to give you enough knowledge to go out and be publishing the next day.

Link to Silicon Valley’s Schedule of Events:

https://www.svcomiccon.com/schedule/

 

Sep8

Tiffany Turner to Speak on Self-Publishing Panel Today, Sept. 8!

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Join Tiffany Turner today to hear how you can start self publishing. 

Want to get started in self-publishing? Live in or near the Silicon Valley? Well then, you’re invited to a free self-publishing panel event at the San Jose Library at the Martin Luther King Jr. branch in downtown San Jose.

Tiffany Turner will be on this fabulous panel that will go over the steps to self-publishing your book. Avoid the problems and

pitfalls some people may run into all while following a budget. The panel will include a

panel of authors in genres such as non-fiction, dark fantasy, YA, romance, children’s

books, and a freelance editor.

Lost Secret - High Resolution (1)Hear from the award winning author, Tiffany Turner, talk about her new self published release, The Lost Secret of Time. She’ll discuss the steps to get started, finding an editor, hiring others to help you, and formatting.

This event will be on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018at 2 p.m and run for an hour. It will be in the Career & Business Center at the MLKJr. library in downtown San Jose. IT IS FREE!

Stop by, receive a handout, and ask questions to get you started on the road to self-publishing. It is a FREE event sponsored by the Career & Business Center at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Hope to see you there.

 

For more information, here is the link to the event’s website listing. 

Aug28

Createspace Closing: Merges into KDP Print

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This is a three cookie day. It’s a chocolate day. I’m trying to remain calm. But when I saw that email in my inbox this morning, I knew it had happened. Createspace was closing. Most of us in the Indie/Self-Publishing community knew it was going to happen. But the timing is not the best. I had just pushed the button to self-publish the print edition of The Lost Secret of Time last night. I’d received my proof, and everything looked good. Everything seemed set, right?

But I forgot Murphy’s Law. I look over the emails and start to follow the instructions for the merge of my books from Createspace to KDP Print. I figure it will be easier than having it automatically moved over later by the Zon. But no. Even that doesn’t go well. In fact, it’s been horrific. Even though I’ve read on a couple writing boards and blogs that some people have had a seamless move, mine has had a series of bumps and rolls that have pretty much brought my new release to a stop.

I’M TRYING TO REMAIN CALM!

**It’s important to take deep breaths in self-publishing.*

Basically when I transferred my books, it only showed my print books from Createspace. It didn’t join them as one account with my ebooks. So, I had to log out and try again. This time I logged in and went into my ebooks. After awhile, I realized I had wisely different passwords for my KDP account and my Createspace account. So, it looked like the merge created two accounts, each one tied to the password. Now, that makes sense, but really isn’t going to be seamless for others. I’m not sure if that is the thing going on, but I can’t see my ebooks and print books at the same time. It is VERY WEIRD!

Also, my Createspace covers are disappearing off of the print books. When it first moved over, there was one missing. Later when I checked there were two missing. Now when I checked there are 5 covers missing. At first I thought it was the website just not loading the thumbnail, but I checked with other authors on the Createspace Merge thread on Kboards.com, and they mentioned that KDP Print MIGHT have different specs than Createspace.

So, maybe I jumped the gun and trusted Amazon too much to have this merge go right. Maybe I should have checked out that the covers would match or gone over everything with a fine tooth comb before hitting the merge button. But no. I trusted Amazon and KDP. I went back to try to get into my Createspace account to see what I could do, and all the books were gone, moved already, and supposedly on KDP Print.

So somewhere in the ether of the internet, five covers have been lost, and I can’t get into any of the details of my books. I am locked out. I have emailed support twice already and all I hear is crickets. So, maybe I should have known better. I knew Murphy would do something with my book launch. Or I should look at the glass half full. My books ended up somewhere.

Yes, I’m sure it will eventually all get sorted out. But there is a lesson maybe in all of this. Self-publishing has never been easy, and things will come up that throw you for a loop. You just have to keep going. Hope that customer support will slog through your request with the onslaught of other authors moving at this time.

I just need another cookie. And some more chocolate.

***Tiffany Turner has been a self-published author for 10 years. Her fourth children’s book, The Lost Secret of Time, will be releasing on September 10 both in ebook and print (I’m still keeping the faith).

 

 

Mar23

Author Appearance for Tiffany Turner at Clockwork Alchemy March 23

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Tiffany Turner will be one of four authors on the “Get Started Self Publishing” panel at the Clockwork Alchemy conference in Burlingame, CA this weekend. She will be talking about her experiences self-publishing her three children’s fantasy books and romance novels and shorts. This is a steampunk conference to the extreme, so she’ll be dressed in her best steampunk outfit. If you haven’t attended before, registration begins on Friday at 8am. If you already have your pass, you rock!

Here is the information you need to know:speakingpic

  • Get Started Self Publishing
  • Friday March 23
  • 6-7pm
  • In the Sandpebble C room

-Come listen to the experience of four self-published authors, receive a handout with all the facts and links needed to get started, and even meet Tiffany Turner (also Marilyn Vix)!

For more information on Clockwork Alchemy,

LINK HERE!