The Book Designer

The Journal, Tuesday, October 15

In today’s Journal * I caught my breath * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers I caught my breath when “Intellectual Property: The Big Picture for Authors” popped into my inbox this morning. (First item in “Of Interest” below.) Could this be a post about (gasp) licensing? And one that’s not from Kris Rusch or Dean Smith? It is. Not only that, it’s posted on Jane Friedman’s site and was written by literary agent Ethan Ellenberg. What? Yeah, I could hardly believe it either. But it’s a great overview, entry-level article. If you read nothing else today, read this … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, October 10

In today’s Journal * Nothing * Of Interest * The Numbers Nothing today other than the “Of Interest” section below. It’s the only reason I posted today. (grin) I’ll be out much of the day, then watch the baseball game in the early evening. Talk with you again soon. Of Interest See “Some Things Made Clear” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/some-things-made-clear/. See “Publishing Your Book Is Changing on IngramSpark” at https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2019/10/publishing-your-book-is-changing-on-ingramspark/. See “Favorite MS Word Keyboard Shortcuts” at https://www.thepassivevoice.com/ms-word-keyboard-shortcuts/. See “Business Musings: Creating Content, Using Licenses, Making Something New (Rethinking The Writing Business Part 13)” at https://kriswrites.com/2019/10/09/business-musings-creating-content-using-licenses-making-something-new-rethinking-the-writing-business-part-13/. The Numbers Fiction words today…………………… 0 … Read more

The Journal, Thursday, October 3

In today’s Journal * Yesterday * Of Interest * The Numbers Yesterday, our lady cat Hannah passed at around 9:30 a.m. Mona was at work. Hannah was her special girl, so I spent the balance of the day washing and putting away things, clearing the house of unnecessary reminders. Later, when my little girl cat began to roam around the house looking for Hannah, I sat down with her and explained that Hannah wouldn’t be around anymore. I know, many believe all she heard is “blah, blah, blah.” But I believe she understands every word I say. Thing is, if … Read more

The Journal, Sunday, September 29

In today’s Journal * I was certain * Topic: Preparation (Learning) Breeds Confidence * Thanks for your concerns * On the personal writing front * Of Interest * The numbers I was certain earlier this month that I’d be finished with the novel before the month was out. Looks like it’ll be October. Unless I can write another 30,000 words or so today and tomorrow. (grin) Still, it’s just not a big deal. It comes as it comes and I have a lot of other stuff I’m doing. (See the update in “On the personal writing front” below.) Here’s the … Read more

The Journal, Friday, September 27

In today’s Journal * Topic: On Licensing * Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow * The numbers Topic: On Licensing Yesterday, I talked with my wife about separating our professional income from licensing my IP from our personal income from a variety of sources (my social security, my USMC retirement, her day job, and so on). In any business, this is necessary. She mentioned that we currently have two registered LLCs: StoneThreadPublishing.com (hereafter referred to as STP) and HarveyStanbrough.com (hereafter referred to as HS.com). And she argued that income derived from STP is professional income, but income derived from HS.com (mentoring, teaching, … Read more

The Daily Journal, Monday, August 19

In today’s Journal * Slow start today * Topic: Some Basic Tenets of Cover Design * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Slow start today as I’m still worn out from the wonderful trek Dan and I had around southeast Arizona yesterday. Weird. We didn’t do a lot. Mostly we were driving, stopping now and then to take photos. But I could easily spend today doing nothing at all. I had hoped to find some new cover-pics, but no luck there. However, I did find a whole town full of cover-pic opportunities (Douglas, Arizona). I will revisit that … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, August 15

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A Note on Dreams and Goals * Topic: Writing Setting and Scene Descriptions * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Quotes of the Day “One advantage of being prolific is it reduces the importance of any one book.” Isaac Asimov Invaluable, that. Write it, publish it, write the next one. It’s all practice, and practice makes better. “Quantity and quality aren’t enemies.” Ryan J. Pelton A Note on Dreams and Goals Dreams are just that. Dreams. They’re things you would like to achieve or attain that are completely out … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, August 8

In today’s Journal * As some of you look to me * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers As some of you look to me for writing advice, I owe you an explanation regarding my recent lack of focus on fiction writing. I’m going through an unusual life roll at the moment. Or you could look at it as a series of small, overlapping life rolls. This one is unusual because it consists of various events, some good and some less-than-good, that are converging at the moment. Two are medical. Neither is life-threatening like the one last year … Read more

The Daily Journal, Sunday, August 4

In today’s Journal * If you want to read in graphic detail * Show of hands * Topic: On Critique (and Other) Groups and the Stages of Writing * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers If you want to read in graphic detail why the myths of writing don’t work and why most writers who cling to those myths eventually fade away, see “When Writers Hit The Wall” at https://killzoneblog.com/2019/08/when-writers-hit-the-wall.html. For my take, see my comment on that post. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. (grin) *** Show of Hands How many of you are licensing photos … Read more

The Daily Journal, Thursday, August 1

In today’s Journal * Straight to it today * Topic: Every Story Needs an Editor…. * Daily diary * Of Interest * The numbers Straight to It Today No lollygagging about. It’s time for a little tough love. Topic: Every Story Needs an Editor (and Other Stupid Blanket Statements) I read a blog post yesterday by a writer who has stopped learning because she apparently believes she knows enough. She even wrote, point blank, if you believe your story doesn’t need other eyes on it, you must believe your words are “precious.” Ugh. I really wish I hadn’t read that. … Read more