How I published with Smashwords!

Wow!  I finally did it!  Although I have previously published my first two books through a standard publisher, I decided it was time to try out e-book publishing and was steered towards Smashwords.com.  It astounded me that they were a service that I could afford (FREE is my cup of tea!) that reaches so many different e-book formats.  They also provided a FREE ISBN number for my book, which is a huge help in getting it out there. 

So, I downloaded their FREE e-book explaining exactly how to format my Word manuscript and printed it out.  (I like to have something I can take with me on my travels ferrying Max around during soccer season, etc. since I don’t have a smart phone or e-book reader.)  Then, I read the entire booklet before touching my manuscript, giving me a chance to see if I could really do it myself.  The guide seemed to be amazingly simple, except for one thing:  I am a WordPerfect writer, having worked in WordPerfect since I first started on computers back in the70’s.  Word is still alien to me.

I managed to re-save my manuscript in Word and then put it through Notepad to really clean it up, as they suggested.  Since I’m only faintly familiar with Word, finding the proper settings was the biggest challenge for me.  Believe it or not, my biggest problem was finding how to to a page-down to skip to a new page, as I never use it.  (I had to travel back through my memory when I was a legal secretary back in the ‘80’s to remember how to:  control-enter.)  I have to say, though, that in spite of my Word non-expertise, I made it through the manual in approximately 3 days. 

Due to my ignorance concerning Word settings, I ended up having to put my manuscript through the publishing process 5 times before finally being accepted.  It was entirely my fault for not properly setting up my paragraphs.  But I stuck to it and was successful in finally being accepted by Smashwords before my Saturday deadline:  I wanted to have it done in time for the Annual Bluegrass Festival where we Lake County Authors have a booth, so I could advertise my new e-book!

Be sure you visit my new page at:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87374

Weekend Fun!

Because Sean was home for a visit during the Labor Day Weekend, Max, Steve, Sean and I ventured out for some Sunday afternoon fun at the refurbished Putt-putt golf place.  Tatonka Land bought up the old Jules Mini-golf place that has lain deserted since before we moved here in 2000.  Every time I walk by it, I think how cool it would be if it were still there.  Most of the old statues have disappeared over the years, but the new owners managed to retrieve some of them.  They’ve brought it back in style!  Just be careful where you walk!

I was fascinated by the nifty course and all the cool statues. We had a blast trying to shoot straight or around corners. Some of the easy holes ended up being the hardest! 

We ended up within 6 shots of each other at the end and went away laughing and happy!  What a bundle of fun for $5 a game! We did the whole course in about 1-1/2 hours!  And you can bet we’ll go back for more in the future!  (You can see more of the park on FB at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tatonka-Land/229087533800853)

TRIP TO THE BEACH!

Sunday we went to the beach.  Actually we were planning on going to Muir Woods, but took a wrong turn and ended up at Stinson Beach.  Because of the heavy fog (we call it Marine Layer), there weren’t many beach-goers out. In fact, it was pretty deserted except for the gulls, the sandpipers and various sets of wildlife footprints ---mostly deer, we think.  There was a guy fishing from a rock and another small group of guys practicing rock climbing, but mostly just us. Max brought his guitar (which has been his normal companion lately) and propped up in various locations to serenade us.   

Then, after a tasty brunch at the nearby cafe, we headed back towards Muir Woods.  Unfortunately it was so crowded, we would have had to walk several MILES from where we could park just to get to the entrance of the woods.  So, we bagged that (hoping to make it back earlier next time) and wound our way up and down Mt. Tamapais on our way back to the coast, where we landed at Muir Beach.  Although there were more people there, we only spent a short time at this short stretch of beach. The fog was still in place, although a lot less.

On our way along Hwy 1, we saw signs for Pt. Reyes Light Station and decided to check it out.  After a LONG stretch of road, we finally hit the parking lot---and had to walk .4 miles to get to the station.    What a quaint little Lighthouse set down on the side of the rocky cliff.  There were 318 steps down to it (along with several stretches of slanting sections) and back up to the top.  It didn’t seem that bad getting down.  The station had the original Fresnel lens and foghorn along with fascinating historical buildings and knowledgeable Keeper. They actually have a few small apartments beside the lighthouse where the keepers live---with no TV or phone reception and no internet.  Talk about a quiet life.  They do carry large mobile phones to keep in touch with local rangers. 

On our way back along the stretch to Hwy 1, Max spotted a small stand of trees (Eucalyptus) and wanted to stop at this “magical forest,” which happened to be next to a Coast Guard Station.   Lo and behold it was a burial ground and a wonderful find! So quiet and peaceful and green with cool tangled trees.     The markers were old and sparse, with lots of room left for others. How cool!

What a great day!     

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP ;)

Our little world here at Lehmanville seems to be brighter these days…no, I’m not talking about the blazing sun outside:

The pool is quite inviting these warm summer days with it’s crystal clear warm water and new pool toys.  Just lazing in the still water is relaxing and cleansing to the soul. However, that whole scene can be broken if Gypsy happens to be outside.  She LOVES the pool.  Given the chance, she jumps right in and swims frantically, biting at the water that surges around her. She looks so stressed when she does this that one can easily think she is drowning and try to pull her to safety.  But when she is pushed onto the ladder, she jumps to the ground, then races around to the stairs and leaps right back in!  We are forced to block ourselves in the pool by sliding our child safety gate across the entrance just to keep her out.  Then, she whines and cries and runs around the outside of the pool, lunging up the sides, trying to find a way in!  So much for peace and quiet…

The “girls” are doing well these days, laying between 4 and 6 eggs a day.  They seem contented without Charlie and are always thrilled to see us when we come in to feed and commune with them.  Spot is getting fatter and a few of the others are having skin problems, but all in all, they are doing well.  I’m selling a few dozen here and there to help with their feed.

Max is keeping busy this summer with his new braces, his clarinet and bass playing, his summer required reading and, of course, FaceBook.  A local singer/songwriter guy, Tom X, has asked him to accompany him at a performance at a local theatre on August 14th, so they are practicing some together, preparing for that.   Max is also playing background accompaniment at a local radio station once a month for a cowboy music show.  He prefers to remain anonymous as that type of music is not his first choice.  It’s good experience for him, though, and he gets to stretch his musical abilities some. 

Probably the most exciting thing to come down the pike this summer is that Hubby finally got a call from the Union to go back to work.  Although the drive is longer than he likes, it IS work and he’s thrilled to be back at it again.  YEAH!  My piano business has been good, I’m kept busy with that and tennis (3 times a week).  Max comes to play tennis with our little group and is becoming a better player than I!  (I knew this day would come, but it’s still not easy to take…)

So, have a great summer and keep smiling! (Makes one wonder what you’re up to!)