Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day greeting

Hi Guys and Gals!
 
As a Memorial Day salute to each of you, I would like to refer you to an article published this month in Southwest Senior Magazine. This year they have asked me to write a monthly piece on veterans or veteran affairs. The May issue presented my Memorial Day perspective from a veteran's point of view. If you get a chance to read it, go to www.southwestsenior.com. If it is not on the home page, go to the menu column and click on "search archive" then enter A.C. Sanders and search. After a few seconds a list of all my articles will appear and you can bring up the Memorial Day piece. Ya'll have a great holiday with friends and family, but take time to pause and reflect.
 
Thanks
Akie

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Minutes, May 2011 meeting

Submitted by Vonda Frampton EPWL 2011 secretary

CALL TO ORDER: President, Janice Brooks brought the meeting to order and explained the change of positions between Janice and former President, Mike Grunsten.

MINUTES: Minutes of the last meeting were approved.

TREASURER REPORT: The treasurer’s report will be filed for audit with no questions. An end-of-year audit process will be started in September of this year. Janice reminded members that dues need to be paid.

OLD BUSINESS: Janice explained the Board had revised and approved a new EPWL Constitution and Standing Rules which were posted on the blog for review by members 2 weeks prior to the general meeting. Members were asked to review copies of the Constitution and Standing Rules. With membership approval the vote was delayed until after the program. Action: The motion was made to approve the Constitution as a Board Report. (2nd not required because it was a committee report). Following a brief question-answer segment, the membership voted unanimously to approve both the Constitution and Standing Rules.

As previously announced, the internet address for the League’s blog is: EPWLblogspot.com. It takes the place of the original website. Board meeting information and other news will be included on the blog site.

NEW BUSINESS: Betty Marcus-Randle, a member who passed away recently, bequeathed several items to the League. Janice will keep in contact with the family’s lawyer.
A table with members’ books will be at the back of the room at each meeting. Authors may bring, sell and sign their novels each month.

Mike Grunsten announced that Ida Chavira, past Vice President, will be moving to Borger, Texas in the near future.

The possible purchase of tote bags was discussed as well as welcoming packets for members. Additional information will be given at a future meeting.

Members without a name tag, should inform one of the board members.

A League logo was discussed. A contest will be held to choose the logo.

PROGRAM: Janice introduced Bob Sanchez who gave a workshop on publishing through Create Space.

Guests were asked to introduce themselves.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Janice asked for brags. Sandra Tolliver mentioned that member, Deen Underwood, had possibly been hospitalized after a fall. Ruth Wren had the winning 50/50 ticket.

Next month’s program will be Musical Chair Authors on June 11, 2011.


Constitution and Standing Rules

The new El Paso Writers' League Constitution and Standing Rules were approved unanimously by the membership on May 14, 2011, after a brief discussion.

This brings to completion an effort begun almost 18 months ago to correct and update our Constitution. Thanks to Chris Susany and Carol Beene who served with me on the committee last year that wrote both documents. They now provide an accurate reflection of the league. The current board, made a few clerical changes before approving the documents on April 20, 2011 for posting on the blog May 1, 2011.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Create your own paperback and ebook

In our May meeting, Bob Sanchez gave a presentation entitled Create your own paperback and ebook. In case you missed it, here is the handout.



Create your own paperback and ebook

Goals

-- How and why to use CreateSpace
-- How to create an ebook

Assumption

-- Editing is complete

Important links

Link
Purpose
Publish paperback on CreateSpace
Publish on Kindle
Convert your file to PDF
Download free Mobipocket Reader and Creator
Free publication and distribution of ebooks

CreateSpace

Why use CreateSpace:

-- Free or low cost
“Pro” Plan $39
ISBN free
-- Quality
-- Control
-- Quick turnaround
-- Set your own price
Sign in or sign up for free
-- POD

Possible pitfalls:
-- Work
-- Need high quality images

Sample CreateSpace documents
-- Border Tapestry
-- Little Mountain

Workflow for a paperback
  1. Go to createspace.com.
  2. Set up a free account and log in.
  3. Read all the blah-blah, especially about the Cover Creator.
  4. Click on Start a title for free. A Member Dashboard displays.
Read the blah-blah, then click Start a title for free.

The Member Dashboard displays. Add your new title or check on your progress. 
This is your status page.

When you add a title, a page displays where you give the title, the author, verify your right to publish, and various other information.

Note: You need to upload two PDF files to CreateSpace: one for the interior and one for the cover.

Super important: Before and after you upload files, check the formatting from beginning to end. This also applies to ebooks.

Creating an ebook

For Kindle

Sign in with your Amazon account. You can create a free account.
Click on Add a new title and follow instructions from there.

Note: Don’t have a Kindle? Download their free Kindle app at http://amazon.com/KindleForPC.

For Kindle, Nook, iPad, Sony, & more

For Blackberries and such

Go to http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloadsoft and follow instructions.