Kindle Edition of Where Love Once Lived Available Soon, Maybe

I created the Kindle edition of Where Love Once Lived yesterday and either it was extremely easy or I really goofed everything up. Since I haven't seen the finished product yet, I don't know how it's going to turn out. There was a point during the setup where I could review it, but, when I did, the title was missing and there were extraneous characters between paragraphs, it looked like a Polaroid shot of a screen display. I just hope that's not what the final version will look like. They said it could take up to 48 hours to complete the publishing process. I hope they let me check it before it is released to the public. I think I remember reading recently that authors of Kindle books could make corrections easily.

There was a place during the setup where I had to decide whether I want 70 percent royalty or 35 percent royalty. I clicked on the help balloons, but couldn't see why they were different. So guess which one I selected. They did say that the 70 percent is based on what they sell it for and they may have to lower the price to compete with other sellers.

There is a delivery fee of $ 0.04, which seems to be based on the file size of the book.

I was able to set a price up to $9.99 so I selected $5.99. At 70 percent royalty, that gives me about the same royalty I get for the $15.95 printed edition.

The Kindle Publishing Agreement is more than 7,000 words long so I hope I don't have to really read it someday.

There was no place to put my middle initial. I know this sounds silly, but the book is by Sidney W. Frost, not Sidney Frost. Since my dad and I had the same first and last names, but different middle names, I've always used the middle initial for everything serious. It's just Sid otherwise.

What is the status of the Kindle version of Where Love Once Lived? IN REVIEW. I'll keep your posted on its progress.

Book Press Releases -- Does Anyone Read Them?

The next step in the marketing of Where Love Once Lived is to prepare and distribute press releases announcing the book. I filled out an online questionnaire from CreateSpace that asked for information needed for the press releases. I won't give my answers here since that would be too lengthy, but here are the questions. I have added some comments however.

Are you using a name other than your own for publication? If so, please provide.

What is the full title of your work?*

E-mail Address* (This is the e-mail address that will be used in the press release as a method of contact for the media.)

Phone Number (This will be used in the press release as an alternate method of contact for the media.)

Website (If you have a website, please provide us with it and we will make sure to include this in the release)

Your city and state

Note: Although I live in Georgetown, Texas now, I decided to use Austin, Texas on the press releases. This is because more people know Austin than Georgetown and because the book is set in Austin.

Biography* (The biography provides information to help establish your credibility or further connect you with your audience. Please provide us with some biographical information, such as education and career information, family status, awards you have won, and/or any qualifications that could establish expert status. NOTE: Responsible journalists may choose to verify all members' facts before publishing biographical information).

Who is your target audience?

This is what I said: This book is about Christians living, making mistakes, and growing from those mistakes. I tried not to make it preachy, and didn't align it with a particular denomination. I suspect it would appeal to a more mature audience because the protagonists are in their fifties. However, several younger friends have read the manuscript and said they enjoyed it. I aimed for the same people who read Jan Karon's Mitford series.

Please provide a brief synopsis of your work.

What is your theme and primary message?

Here is what I answered: With God's help, it's never too late to find happiness.

Tell us about the inspiration for your work.

Note: Surprisingly, there was a lot to be said about the inspiration for Where Love Once Lived starting with the idea for a bookmobile story that came to me while driving one back in 1960's to a sermon I heard in 2004 from my pastor, Jeanie Stanley.

Why do you think your work is newsworthy?* (Can you relate your work to any current events? What makes your work different than others on the market)?

Note: Here I told about the interracial aspects of the novel.

Provide any additional information you want us to consider for your press release (i.e. reviews, awards, etc.). (NOTE: Responsible journalists may choose to verify all facts before publishing this information).

Note: Here, I listed the awards won by Where Love Once Lived in manuscript contests plus some other things about me. CreateSpace called and said they would have to verify the contest wins. They wanted me to send them a photo of the certificates. However, I already had them on my website, so they viewed them as we talked on the phone. Here they are if you want to see them: http://sidneywfrost.com/news.htm.

I started this posting by asking does anyone even read press releases anymore. I don't know, but CreateSpace guarantees the information will be sent to more than a thousand outlets. That's to happen in 3 to 4 weeks. I guess we'll see what happens.

Where Love Once Lived Now on Amazon.com

When I checked the details, CreateSpace said it could take up to fifteen days before Where Love Once Lived would be available on Amazon.com. But, guess what. It was there the next day. It's missing descriptive information which I need to add, but it's there in a place where many people are used to buying.

It was a thrill when the first sale was made. I don't see who the buyers are in my sales report, but I can see how many books were sold and where (CreateSpace, Amazon, etc.)

Today, I started studying how to set up a Kindle version. I have a lot to learn about marketing a book, but there is a lot I already know how to do and will be doing much of it as soon as possible.

I've also started a list of things I would do differently next time.

The Book is Here!

When we returned from the Berkshire Choral Festival, a proof copy of Where Love Once Lived was waiting for me. I must say it is a thrill to see the actual book after working on it since 2005 when I took my first class on writing novels. Up until now, it has been like any other Word document. Now, it looks and feels like a book.

I approved the proof based on looks. I had read everything already so I didn't check it too closely. Just enough to make sure all the pages were there. So, now the book is available to be purchased through CreateSpace. When I said "go," a message said it could take up to fifteen days for it to appear in the Amazon.com list.

Now, I must begin the marketing plan in earnest. I've purchased the following from CreateSpace: Publicity Kit, Press Release Distribution, and Press Release Creation. So these should be available soon. I wish now I had purchased the video book trailer. I've seen several good ones lately and think they could help sales. Perhaps this can be added later.

If you are interested in writing a review for Amazon.com, let me know and I'll send you a copy of the book as soon as I get some.

If you want to buy a copy now, click here: https://www.createspace.com/3435501.

Use of Digital Books on the Rise -- Have You Read One?

Have you noticed the increased number of books available in digital format? I have. Electronic books have been around for decades, the first available only on computers. However, the use of e-books increased rapidly when Amazon.com introduced its Kindle. Another jump in digital reading came with the Apple's iPhone. Now there are several other reliable e-readers such as Barnes and Noble's Nook and Apple's iPad.

Where Love Once Lived will be available in various digital formats, including Kindle.

I bought a Kindle when they first came out and then updated twice since. I read it every day. I like being able to use my iPhone and my personal computer to read the same book. Amazon.com keeps them all in synch. I like the PC software best if I'm making a lot of notes so I use it when reading a book I plan to review.

I love being able to look up the meaning of words as I read. I love being able to change the font size anytime I want to. I love being able to underline and make notes as I read.

I plan to do an article about the various readers available in a future post. Today, I want to ask you about your experience with digital books. Have you read a digital book on any device? If so, what device did you use? Do you use it on a regular basis? What do you like and dislike about it?

If you haven't read a digitized book, do you plan to?

Finding God's Love -- Part 5 of 5

An air conditioning repair truck pulled into the parking lot.

“Well, I’ve got to go,” Vern said. “Say, I’ve got an idea. I can let
you in the sanctuary to look around while I get the repairs started.
Would you like that?”

“Sure,” Brian said. “Thanks.”

The sanctuary was dark except for an eerie green glow caused
by sunlight filtered through stained glass windows. He walked directly
to the pew where his family sat for as long as he could remember
and knelt with his head bowed. His prayer was simple.

“Help me, Lord.”

Soon, the peace he’d felt in the car returned. He looked around
the holy place and wondered why he’d stayed away so long. The
corner of a bulletin stuck behind a hymnal grabbed his attention.
He pulled it out and examined it. The service hadn’t changed much
over the years. His eyes stopped on the Confession of Sins. He
started to read, but lowered the bulletin into his lap and closed his
eyes, reciting it from memory.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in
thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.

The words he remembered from years past became his own
today—his confession and plea for forgiveness.

Finding God's Love -- Part 4 of 5

“It is.” Brian pointed at the church. “When I was a kid, Reverend
Patrick said the sanctuary would always be open. What happened?”

“I heard about that,” Vern said. “That was before my time. The
locks were here when I came. The story goes that, one day, Reverend
Patrick—he’s passed, you know—came in and found what
looked like the remains of some sort of devil worship. Blood covered
the altar. Folks said it was a dreadful shock for him. The police
were called in and all.”

“I hadn’t heard,” Brian said.

“Yep. Turned out some animal was sacrificed right there on the
altar. Everyone helped clean it up, and then the pastor held a special
service to bless the sanctuary. That was when he got the church
leaders to put up those steel bars and locks.”

“I bet he was upset. He was such a trusting person.”

“That’s what I heard. They say he changed because of it. He
started seeing evil everywhere. Preached about it every Sunday
from then on. It wasn’t long after that he retired, or was retired.
That part’s not clear.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Brian said. “He was a great man.”
Brian wished he’d kept up with his old church, especially Reverend
Patrick.

Finding God's Love -- Part 3 of 5

“Are you okay?”

Brian sat up to see a man peering into the driver’s side window.
“I’m fine.” His voice cracked as he spoke. “I used to go to church
here.”

The man offered his hand. “Hi, I’m Vern King. I had to meet
a repairperson today. When I saw you slumped over the steering
wheel like that, I thought I’d better give a look-see. I didn’t know if
you were dead or alive.”

“I’m alive. I’m Brian Donelson,” he said, shaking the man’s hand
through the window. He climbed out of the car and leaned against
the door.

“Donelson? Bet you’re kin to Bill and Martha. Right?”

“Yes. I’m their son.”

“Thought so. I see your name on the prayer list pretty regularly,
and I’ve known your parents ever since I came here twelve years
back. Sorry about your mom.” Vern shook his head as he mentioned
Brian’s mother.

“Thank you.” Brian felt an anger he didn’t want to feel, and he
wondered again why his dad hadn’t told him about his mother’s
illness.

“Yeah. Me and the missus have been praying for her for a while.
She still comes to church, even sings along during the hymns. That
Alzheimer’s is a terrible, terrible thing.”

Finding God's Love -- Part 2 of 5

He sat in his car gazing at the church. The midday sun reflected
off two sides of the metal cross that rose up over the roof of the
building. He’d loved that cross because it appeared to be strong
enough to withstand anything. He stared at the cross for several
minutes before bowing to pray for the first time in years.

“Dear God, I need You. I guess I always have, but I was too stubborn
to admit it. I hope it’s not too late. Your love once lived deeply
within me, and I took that love for granted. I am empty and alone
with burdens I can’t handle.” He thought about all the people he
wanted to pray for. “My father needs my strength, Lord, and Your
guidance. Let him use me. My mother needs Your loving care. I’ve
failed with Karen, and I’ve lost my mother. I love them both, Lord.
Please help me.”

As he rested his head on the steering wheel, holding on
with both hands, the emptiness he’d felt for so long turned to
warmth.

“Yes. Help me, God,” he whispered.

He wasn’t aware of when it happened, but he suddenly realized
his body had relaxed.

Finding God's Love -- Part 1 of 5

In Where Love Once Lived, Brian learns his mother has Alzheimer's. He is distraught. He drives, not knowing where he is going and ends up in the parking lot of the church he once attended with his family. Read what happens next.

He drove not knowing where he was going, trying to remember
how his mother looked before she got sick. He should be thankful
for the brief conversation he had with her, but there was so much
more he wanted to tell her. He drove slowly along a road he used
to take to the beach, when a familiar sight appeared. On the right
was Barnabas Christian Church, his church until he kicked God out
of his life thirty years ago. He wanted to drive by, but he couldn’t.
The church beckoned him, so he pulled into the parking lot and
turned off the engine. Memories of his youth came to him as he sat
in the parked car. He’d been happy in this church, and he wanted
to find the solace he’d once had. Was it possible? He walked slowly
toward the nearest entrance to find out. Reverend Patrick promised
the church would be open twenty-four hours a day, every day of
the week. When Brian got to the entrance, however, he found steel
bars and padlocks instead of the welcome he desperately needed.
He checked the other three doors to the sanctuary and found them
blocked as well. It had to be a sign. He wasn’t welcomed. He turned
and walked back to the car.