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I Did A Thing

September 5, 2024 by Tracy Reed in category Writing

This year I took the leap and made my first hard cover special edition books.

I have been wanting to create some special edition books since attending Steamy Lit Con last year and talking to readers. Creating special edition books have become a trend in the past few years. I will admit I was a little apprehensive about creating one, but then I spent a little time with some readers and my mind was changed.

Here’s a little information I had the privilege of getting. If it’s a book a reader likes, they will buy it in all available formats. So that means if it’s available in ebook, audio, paperback, hardcover and special edition, they will but it. The reason for so many copies is really simple.

• book – easy access
• Audio – listen while doing tasks
• Paperback – backup when digital readers are not available or charged
• Hardcover – collectible
• Special Edition – display only

The reasoning for all of these versions makes a lot of sense.

I was also shocked to discover the large price tag attached to hardcovers and special editions didn’t dissuade them from purchasing. I have to admit, when I go to book stores, I gravitate to hardcover books and special editions. I didn’t realize how much I had in common with my readers when it came to stocking my library.

So what did I do? Eager to dip my toe in the water, I took two series and created what I call series compilations. Thank God for Vellum. I was able to create these books in less than a week with this tool. The most time consuming part of this project was creating the covers, a small clean up and coming up with a title. Although these compilations are series in their entirety, I figured a different title would be an attention grabber. I also made sure the covers didn’t resemble the original books.

I had two series which were eligible for this project…A Southern Gentleman and Generational Curse. A Southern Gentleman became Southern Comfort. Generational Curse became Just One Kiss. The titles represent elements in the stories. These books have images or florals as the covers. They are also larger than my standard print books. I also created paper and hardcover versions. I love how the books came out.

So who did I use to help me create these books…Book Vault and Barnes and Noble Press. Side note: These books will only be available on my website or at book signings.

My initial order was with Barnes and Noble Press because I could get clean proofs without the ugly bar that KDP uses. The other reason, B/N Press’s print quality is better. But then I heard about Book Vault. OMG! This is my new first choice when it comes to print books. I love the quality, the features and production tracking. They also offer support. There was an issue with one of my files and I was able to book a video call to get help.

I reached out to some other vendors with similar print options, but the minimums are huge even to get a proof. Book Vault offers three plans based on how may books you will be printing plus the print setup fee. However, do a little research and you might be able to secure a free setup code…that’s what I did.

Book Vault also offers select color pages. This is a game changer. I’m going to do another version of my special editions, but those will have a few color pages. Unlike B/N Press when you include a few color pages, the entire book is considered full color. Book Vault only upcharges on the color pages, not the entire book. Rumor has it they might be offering sprayed edges. Once that happens, I’ll do another version of these special editions giving readers another option.

So how did my books do at the conference? All of the hardcovers sold out and I had to take orders. YEAH!

What am I charging for these books? Southern Comfort $18.00 paper back and $32.00 for hardcover…Just One Kiss $28.00 paperback and $42.00 for hardcover

Will I do more of these special editions? YES Will I do hardcovers of my other books? YES

I hope you take the leap and create a special edition and a hardcover. I think you’ll be surprised at the reader response.

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Unusual Novel Spin Off

July 5, 2024 by Tracy Reed in category Writing I wrote a book of poetry based on one of my characters from The Alex Chronicles series. Love Notes, is thirty one love notes to be shared with a lover daily.

Originally, the book was for sale, then I made it perma free. Since making it perma free, it has stayed in the top 100 Free in three categories at Amazon:
#5 in Poetry About Love
#6 in Love & Erotic Poetry
#12 in One-Hour Parenting & Relationships Short Reads

I’m a little biased, but I don’t see where the book should be considered Erotic or a Parenting & Relationships short read.

I don’t complain about the category listing because it gets a great lead into on my other books.

LOVE NOTES NO. 14
I am not easily aroused, however,
When the tips of your fingers graze my skin, igniting visions of what could be, I am.

I am not easily aroused, however,
When I feel the warm air of your breath enter my ear followed by your passionate request, I am.

I am not easily aroused, however,
When I see the deep sway of your back moving to the rhythm only you can hear, I am.

I am not easily aroused, however,
When you walk past me leaving a trail of your intoxicating scent, I am.

I am not easily aroused, however
When you smile, I am.

When I am with you, I am easily aroused. 0 1 Read more

Time To Revisit An Old Friend

June 5, 2024 by Tracy Reed in category Writing

OMG! I forgot it was blog post time. I have been in the writing cave pushing to finish a book that should have been finished several months ago. I feel so bad about doing a repeat blog, but this one fits into something I’m about to do…reread one of my books.
How many times have you reread one of your books? When I reread my books, I discover things I missed. I also evaluate the progress of my writing. I challenge you to reread something from your backlist. You might discover glitches or want to make a few tweaks. As writers, we’re quick to change the covers but ignore changing the story. Read the oldest book on your backlist and ask yourself what would you change.
I hope you find this post helpful. See you next month.

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“HAVE YOU EVER REREAD YOUR OWN BOOK?”

Happy pre-spring.   It’s almost time to shed the winter gear and replace it with light weight fabrics.

A couple of months ago, after I completed my Goodreads reading goal for 2017, I got the urge to read one of my own books as a reader…a fan.  It was never my intention to “edit” it.  But sixty plus pages into reading the print copy, I spotted a typo.  I was all set to ignore it.  But then I spotted another one.  When I finished, I had eight typos. Crap.

I like the story and wanted to continue reading the series.  The second book was worse.  It felt like the typos wouldn’t stop coming.  I couldn’t believe I released a book with so many typos.

This little exercise made me aware of something…not every book is free of mistakes.  As a creative, it’s difficult to wrap my head around the fact that I could have been so careless…unprofessional…and a host of other adjectives I care not to use.

So here’s my question.  Have you ever read your own book for pleasure? Did you enjoy the story as much as when you wrote it?

This wasn’t the first time I’d read one of my books, but it was the first time, I experienced this many typos.  I have no idea how I missed the typos.

Something amazing occurred from this exercise.  I saw my growth as a writer.  Of course I’m going to fix the typos.  But although it’s only been a little over a year since I wrote the books, I was tempted to go back and mature them up.  By that I mean, I could have gone in and changed the writing style to be reflective of my growth as a writer.  But if I did that, it could effect the tone of the book and the series.

Did I enjoy the story when I read it again?  Yes,  I immediately wanted to read the next book in the series, which I did.  I can honestly say, it’s horrible.  Because the story was written when I started writing.  It’s filled with so many mistakes, it’s embarrassing.  Here’s the sad thing, when I wrote it, I thought it was good.  Fast forward and I couldn’t even finish reading it.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I finished reading the books and I am faced with the inevetible…end the series.  Or re-write the book.

What would you do?

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