My collection of short stories, titled Ezra and Other Stories, is almost ready to be put on Kindle thanks to my grandson, Daniel.
He wanted to learn how to turn a manuscript into an e book and here was his chance. I told him if he did it for me I would pay him for his endeavors. Perhaps not quite as much as I paid the company that I used for my first book, Vada Faith, but I'd make it worth his time. Thus we entered into a non contract called money changing hands between a grandma and a grandson. Understood but un uttered was the fact that if he failed I would not hold him to it and would pay him anyway for his time. It's a grandma thing. His smile could warm any heart, particularly mine, this first born grandchild!
So I edited and read and edited and read and kissed the stories good bye and turned them over into his twenty year old hands.
With the stories went half of the payment which we had earlier agreed upon. He needed the money a bit ahead of time because he was traveling on tour with a band to document their concerts and earning college credit. I was proud to help in his endeavor.
Last week when Daniel sent me the e book to proof, I panicked. I coudn't open it on my Kindle. Woe is me --- I'd forgotten to tell him one important thing. For those of you who do not know there are two kinds of e books. Mobi which is the one Kindle uses, and epub which is the one Nook (Barnes and Noble) uses as well as all the other readers out there. I knew this but neglected to tell Daniel. The fact had gotten buried inside my head which is filled mostly with useless tidbits of information.
At that point, I quickly scanned the internet - I had heard panic in his voice when we spoke - and found a website with instructions for turning an epub book into a mobi. I called Dan with the site and he did the transfer in a matter of seconds, sent it back to me and I opened it with ease.
It looked great. I noted a few mistakes, most of them mine, so now he is busy putting on the corrections between his classes and his long commute to school.
He's going to get credit in my book for creating my e book and he's hoping to get a bit of business to help with his college expenses.
I can't wait to get the e book back and get it on Kindle. I'm so proud of Daniel. He took on this job not knowing exactly what I was asking of him. Now I know he's as smart as HE thinks he is. Did I say that? Well I know he's smart. My mother used to say the apple does not fall far from the tree!
Dan is studying film and documentaries and I figured this publishing business wasn't too far off from what he's doing anyway. So we helped each other.
Now, if you know anyone who is looking to turn a manuscript into an e book, I know just the man.
Dan is the man.
That's what I've been doing the last week or so.
Quick report on Vada Faith. I gave away over 8,700 copies between Sat. and Sun. which were both free days. Sales have started to pick up a bit thanks to all the advertising Kindle does for its free books and those free days. Thanks Amazon!!!
What are you into? Not much? Oh come on. Tell me what you are doing!
Love hearing from you. Blessings!
He wanted to learn how to turn a manuscript into an e book and here was his chance. I told him if he did it for me I would pay him for his endeavors. Perhaps not quite as much as I paid the company that I used for my first book, Vada Faith, but I'd make it worth his time. Thus we entered into a non contract called money changing hands between a grandma and a grandson. Understood but un uttered was the fact that if he failed I would not hold him to it and would pay him anyway for his time. It's a grandma thing. His smile could warm any heart, particularly mine, this first born grandchild!
So I edited and read and edited and read and kissed the stories good bye and turned them over into his twenty year old hands.
With the stories went half of the payment which we had earlier agreed upon. He needed the money a bit ahead of time because he was traveling on tour with a band to document their concerts and earning college credit. I was proud to help in his endeavor.
Last week when Daniel sent me the e book to proof, I panicked. I coudn't open it on my Kindle. Woe is me --- I'd forgotten to tell him one important thing. For those of you who do not know there are two kinds of e books. Mobi which is the one Kindle uses, and epub which is the one Nook (Barnes and Noble) uses as well as all the other readers out there. I knew this but neglected to tell Daniel. The fact had gotten buried inside my head which is filled mostly with useless tidbits of information.
At that point, I quickly scanned the internet - I had heard panic in his voice when we spoke - and found a website with instructions for turning an epub book into a mobi. I called Dan with the site and he did the transfer in a matter of seconds, sent it back to me and I opened it with ease.
It looked great. I noted a few mistakes, most of them mine, so now he is busy putting on the corrections between his classes and his long commute to school.
He's going to get credit in my book for creating my e book and he's hoping to get a bit of business to help with his college expenses.
I can't wait to get the e book back and get it on Kindle. I'm so proud of Daniel. He took on this job not knowing exactly what I was asking of him. Now I know he's as smart as HE thinks he is. Did I say that? Well I know he's smart. My mother used to say the apple does not fall far from the tree!
Dan is studying film and documentaries and I figured this publishing business wasn't too far off from what he's doing anyway. So we helped each other.
Now, if you know anyone who is looking to turn a manuscript into an e book, I know just the man.
Dan is the man.
That's what I've been doing the last week or so.
Quick report on Vada Faith. I gave away over 8,700 copies between Sat. and Sun. which were both free days. Sales have started to pick up a bit thanks to all the advertising Kindle does for its free books and those free days. Thanks Amazon!!!
What are you into? Not much? Oh come on. Tell me what you are doing!
Love hearing from you. Blessings!
Wow! Good for you. (And your grandson.) I bought your book a while back, but I'm ashamed to say, I still haven't read it. I have quite a few books on there that are still unread, but I WILL read them. Eventually. Honest.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep that in mind if I ever venture into self-publishing!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, it sure is good to have a family member who knows how to do stuff like that. My youngest son, who still lives at home, knows his computers. It is so good to be able to get his help when I need it. I wish I was good at writing short stories, maybe you could put some tips on your blog for us want-a-be short story writers.
ReplyDelete