Welcome!
Here’s Laura to get you started on your exciting journey….
Enter your comments or questions below. And be sure to check your email tomorrow for the link to the next video!
Welcome!
Here’s Laura to get you started on your exciting journey….
Enter your comments or questions below. And be sure to check your email tomorrow for the link to the next video!
Comments
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January 19thLaura,
I am excited about publishing my picture book…hope the illustration costs are a doable for me.
Becky
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January 21stBrain stirring, gray matter shaking information. Thanks
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January 21stHi everyone, just wanted to let those interested in getting some amazing illustrations done for your picture books that I am a freelance illustrator ready to work with you at a reasonable price.
Good luck with your stories and I hope to hear from you soon.
Have a sunny day.
Andreea
Andreea_dp@hotmail.com
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January 21stGreat to find Laura commenting on something I really want to do! Must I wait until tomorrow to continue?
Thanks!
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January 21stThis is where I get a little confused. To really get the gist of a book, you would have to purchase it from Amazon to read it, right? I mean, just sifting through the lists and looking at the covers isn’t going to tell me how the subject was written about. That doesn’t really tell me anything about the book. So, do I have to purchase a bunch of Amazon picture e-books to help me with my idea?
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January 21stMonica, since most Kindle children’s books are very inexpensive (.99 cents to $2.99 for the most part), it’s worth investing, say, $10 to really have a close look at the top books that you want to study. As an alternative, some of the ebooks also exist in physical form and may have a “Look Inside” option on their sales page. You might also find some hard copies at your local bookstore or library.
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April 9thI love the new Kindle Children’s Publishing software. I understand Amazon is going to be adding exciting updates to it to make it more interactive.
Great video. Thanks for sharing it.
To those that wanted to look at a completed e-book you can join a facebook group that posts free kindle books to review. There are usually some children’s books among them.
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January 24thI a a writer and have been pondering about ebooks but a bit afraid. Thanks for the videos I look forward to watching them and learning more. Who knows my next book my be an ebook.
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January 29thEnjoyed the video but I still don’t see how I can be successful as a picture book author.
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February 5thThank you!!!!! You make it doable!
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March 17thThank u Laura for this information. I live in the UK and are really excited about writing my first children’s picture book. I’m a bit nervous about self publishing, heard lots of negative stories. Would it be a problem working with me because I do not live in the USA?
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March 17thSince most work is done online these days, where you live shouldn’t matter. Even if you hire an illustrator who lives in the US, you’ll be receiving sketches and finished art via email or Dropbox.
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April 30thLove the video! very informative. Can I not get this as a pdf file or movie that I can save to my computer to listen to often?
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May 6thExcited about the possibilities.. picture books with animated gifs could be in the works for a Kindle offering. I have an illustrator and look forward to beginning the process!
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May 30thLove the great ideas and tools to help with researching what is out there, so that I can be sure to create something completely different. excited to get started… thanks
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July 29thHi Rebecca,
I’m an illustrator and I might be able to help you. You can contact me thru my website http://www.andreacomenta.com
Andrea recently posted…baby fox
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January 19thHi Laura,
Thank you for explaining and showing one how to search in Amazon to see which books are popular. This was very helpful.
Tracy
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January 20thThis is a nice video, but it didn’t teach or show me anything I didn’t already know!
Its very basic!
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January 20thHang in there, Katherine — it’s just day one of a four day series. Many writers may not be as far along the path as you are, so I’m sure you can understand that what seems basic to you is new and exciting to many. Keep watching — Laura is certain to teach you some new tricks in the next few days!
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January 20thThank you Laura!
I’ve been writing over forty years. I have self-published four ebooks in the last few years, but my picture book manuscripts are in a file. Marketing has been my downfall, but I realize that I can no longer avoid the situation. I am excited to be able to take advantage of the great change in the market so that my stories can see the light of day once I research the market. Your free advice is so welcome. Thank you again. I can see my dreams finally coming true.
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January 20thLoved the video, Laura. I must admit I signed up for your Kindle Book Creator course a few months back and still haven’t completed it. Probably fear and procrastination mostly. I must get back to it and finish.
Love the idea of looking through at the different topics on Amazon already for ideas on how to make ours different.
Your enthusiasm and energy makes it seem so possible. Thanks for the inspiration!
Cathy Graham recently posted…#MicroblogMonday – Small Actions Do Make a Difference
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January 20thWell done- Since I’m not an illustrator and have penned many children’s manuscripts, I’m looking forward to some guidance in that direction.
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January 21stI want to introduce myself as an illustrator/author of ten ebooks I have written and illustrated as Kindle eBooks. Most of my books are offered free of charge for those who may be looking for an illustrator. All you need to do is send me an email to let me know what ebook you would like to examine and I will set it up. My email address is: nitacouch@gmail.com.
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January 20thSo far so good, as I can handle this!
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January 20thThanks Laura for sharing this valuable course so we can better understand publishing via Kindle’s e picture books! I appreciate how you’re helping authors navigate these quickly changing, as well as advantageous times. I have a question. Would easy readers, around 10K words, also work in this format? Or does the story need to be shorter and more illustration-centric? You mentioned some easy readers in today’s video, so I was curious if Kindle’s picture book software allows also for more text and less illustrations too?
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January 20thHi Kris:
Yes, the KDP Kids’ Book Creator software would be great for easy readers as well. The test pop-up feature makes the words easy to see on the screen. You can use a two-page format in landscape mode and have the text on one page, and an illustration on the facing page, allowing you to put more text on the screen. Many print easy readers are formatted this way. The only time-consuming part of a 10K story would be placing the text down page by page (which would allow you to use the pop-up feature), or adding pop-ups over existing text if you import the whole book as a pdf. But it’s doable.
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January 20thThanks Laura! Your video is helping me to change my perception of self-published writers. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re published traditionally or not. A good book will sell regardless. I look forward to the next video. Thanks again for doing this.
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January 20thThis is great! Very much fun and exciting to think about. I’d love it you’d put a little printable synopsis of this talk for us visual learners. The audio/verbal is great, but having the high points on paper would be so very helpful.
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January 20thOkay. I am pumped. I have just released a [print] picture book and was wondering about getting it on Amazon as a Kindle book. The timing for this is perfect! Thank you. And, Laura, you are a wonderful speaker and teacher. All I want to do now is to hurry up and get to the next video. This was a very helpful foundation for this series. Can’t wait! Will one of the sessions be an actual how-to do it? Thanks!
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January 20thI paid a fortune for a course which you just summed up in 13 minutes for free, and did an excellent of of it too. Thanks
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January 20thThis is so helpful and it so nice of you to do this. Thank you so much.
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January 20thHi Laura, this was very encouraging. I am a speaker and a non-fiction writer (for primarily women speakers, writers, authors, coaches). My husband Ray and our 3 daughters have tried to encourage me to write a fiction book, for adults and for children. I’ve thought many times about writing a children’s picture book, but I can’t draw (illustrate) and haven’t written fiction before. I’m looking forward to your next video to learn more about this. I agree this is a great opportunity – sounds exciting!
Beth Jones recently posted…It’s time to pivot
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January 20thI have the mastery course. I have my story, and I am chugging away at my illustrations.
Thank you for your updates, instruction, and encouragement.
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January 20thLove this video!
Very informative!
Thank You
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January 20thI have taken notes and am excited to do the research as you have recommended. I have 8 books in draft form and had put them all on hold the past 3 years while I was a 40-60 hour a week full-time volunteer President of an NGO children’s library. It’s now time for me to get back to my writing and find the magic illustrator for my books. Thank you for already inspiring me to do these as Picture EBooks. I look forward to your next video.
Cheers and…Thank You!
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January 20thThank you so much for your video. It’s great to know where to begin.
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January 20thI have several books in the works, but have never published. You are correct. I have no idea where to start, and it’s very frightening! Although I have written a few things, I am clueless as to how they would be categorized (picture book or early reader, for example) or even what ages would be the target group.
Thank you so much for this taste into the self publishing world. I found it simple to follow, and full of good content. I guess I’d better run over to Amazon now, and see where my ideas fit in!
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January 20thI very much enjoyed this video. You shared some great tips and insights, especially about using Amazon as a research and marketing tool. I have my content — in fact, it was written by my late mom, a teacher and gifted poet. But I have to collect and organize what I must curate as the best of her work, edit it and illustrate it. This will be my tribute to her — and the fulfillment of her dream to create a book that both educates and entertains children. I look forward to your next videos. Thank you.
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January 20thLaura,
Thanks so much. I enjoyed this and look forward to the next session.
P.S. I really like your delivery. Very easy to watch and follow along.
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January 20thI read all the comments from others and wish I could view the video. My dialup internet too slow for that. As one person commented, it would be great if you could do a print synopsis of the main points. I’m a visual learner also. Your presentation sounds great. Thank you so much.
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January 20thThanks, Laura! This is all very exciting and I am eager to learn more, especially about marketing!
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January 20thHi Laura
Looking forward to watching this tomorrow, when my other half isn’t sitting next to me with the TV on! Good timing, as I’m just formatting my first “proper” picture book for Kindle and CreateSpace.
From people’s comments, I’m assuming this first episode is about using Kindle Kids’ Book Creator software. Am I the only person who has real reservations about this software? I produced an illustrated Early Chapter book with it for Christmas, so can confirm that you can use it with lots of text per page, and that the pages look good.
What the drawbacks are, however, are:
1. AMAZON currently offer no “look inside” features for this format. (Though your print version one kicks in for both formats after about 3 weeks.)
2. You can’t add internal links to your other books.
3. The software still has glitches, and preview issues.
4. The eBooks produced can’t be read on older Kindles. (I received a one star review from a customer for my Christmas book, simply complaining that they couldn’t download the book. AMAZON seem to refuse to remove such reviews, which has further put me off using the software.)
5. Opting for good resolution for HD screens results in big files, which AMAZON force a minimum pricing structure on. (Not helpful to new, Indie authors.)
All in all, I’ve decided to format my new picture book with the old .mobi format instead. Tricky and annoying to format, and not brilliant on resolution, but I’ll be able to keep it below 3MB, and price it at $0.99. (I experimented with an old perma free recently with KKBC, and did manage to get to just below 3MB by dropping JPEG resolution, and keeping the page count down. All experiments I done so far converting pdfs seemed to result in much bigger filesizes of far greater than 10MB, which require a $2.99 minimum eBook price).
So, I look forward to your perspective on Kindle picture books, and hope to pick up a few tips, but I’m not yet ready to dive down the KKBC route again. If AMAZON, like Apple, didn’t charge download fees, and force minimum pricing, and if they introduced “look inside” for the eBook version, then I’d be a whole lot keener.
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January 21stThank you Melinda for your clarifying words! : )
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January 20thHi Laura,
This video was great! Looking forward to seeing the others.
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January 20thHi Laura,
You were a tremendous help with my self-published print book. I am anxious to begin this new direction under your expert guidance. (Jon’s an excellent sidekick, too!) I can’t stress enough the value being offered here.
I’m listening!
***Shirley
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January 20thVery interesting tho I knew most of what Laura was saying. I can see I should be buying a kindle, tho.
Looking forward to the next video!
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January 20thI love this idea of free video lessons on topics as part of the membership. Keep it up Laura and Jon
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January 20thLaura… many thanks… there were interesting tips…
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January 20thLaura, thanks for your time and information. I appreciated learning how to navigate Amazon for our book ideas. Looking forward to the next video.
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January 20thThanks, Laura. I liked this first video and look forward to the remaining ones. I like learning things over a period of time so that I don’t feel overwhelmed with too much information all at once. This was just the right amount of information that was presented clearly so that I absorbed it in one sitting and have no need to repeat it. Nice job! Thanks so much for your clear guidance!
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January 20thHi Laura,
I extremely love how you’re breaking this down for a step by step learner as myself.
Now my research, based on your instructions is manageable in time for your next video, which I’m looking forward to.
Easy is becoming so realistic. Thanks for simplifying the process.
Marvene
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January 20thI’ve reworked some folk stories to look at kids social problems. Could you see this as being worth publishing? Thanks.
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January 21stThanks so much for the information. Can’t wait to get the next video on illustration and marketing.
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January 21stI liked very much: “Committed to create a great book!”
looking forward for next video
Ognjen recently posted…Change the world
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January 21stLooking forward to the next video. You make it sound like it can happen.
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January 21stThank you!!! I am soaking up information so that I can be the best I can be. Thank you for the videos!!!! 🙂
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January 21stHey Laura! This is a great video! You really gave some powerful tips about self-publishing. It can be intimidating to jump out there, but you have demystified the process. I can’t wait to see the rest of your videos! Thanks for sharing!
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January 21stI think that is an infomative video, it will help my work. Thanks Laura! 🙂
Sokat recently posted…Tak Pernah Ingkar Janji
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January 21stVery informative. I want to learn more. I am so excited! Thanks for sharing.
Jackie recently posted…Getting Reviews on Amazon for Your Self-Published eBook
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January 21stThanks for sharing. Very informative. I can’t wait!
Jackie recently posted…Getting Reviews on Amazon for Your Self-Published eBook
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January 21stThanks for sharing. Very informative.
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January 21stThanks.
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January 21stLaura and Jon, thank you for all your good advice and especially for this freebie on kid’s ebooks.
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January 21stThanks, Laura! You’ve convinced me to check it out. I was against self-publishing, but your reasons intrigued me. Looking forward to the next one. . .
Jarm recently posted…The Ancient Paths
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January 21stThank you does not do justice to your ability to simplify the elephant in my mind.
I have a couple of books ready to go. One is in Indie print, but my e-book fear of not doing it right has kept me frozen.
I have enrolled in hopeful attempts, but they didn’t do it for me. If anyone can, I do believe it will be you.
Most of all, thank you for not digitally shouting at me. It lets me listen attentively.
Leena
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January 21stI love your energy and your delivery. I hear you. My poor baby wannabe books. They’re ready to be born. Thanks for this. Looking forward to more. I may have already bought the course. Gotta check back and see what’s lurking in my email archives.
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January 21stI don’t. Have a website. I have been writing stories all my life. I have entered many contests and won FIRST PRIZES many times. I always wanted to publish some of the best ones, but I always figured I couldn’t afford to have one published. I saw your children’s kindle writing opportunity and thought I would like to give it a try! So, I will experiment with trying it in the near future, and see if I will be able to follow it.
Thanks for your assistance and guidance though the maze.
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January 21stMy website is still under construction, but coming soon, thanks to my sweet, talented, daughter.
Thank you for demonstrating a genuinely professional-looking video! The best part is the encouragement to create with quality, but I most need the encouragement to get some e-books out there, to help fund the print books. I’ve done some light “market research,” asking librarians what they need, but I hadn’t studied monetary demand online, yet.
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January 21stThanks Laura. I learned a lot about using Amazon as a research resource during this session. I’m interested in creating interactive books and I’d like to learn as much as I can about automating my books. Can’t wait until the next session. Thanks again.
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January 21stThanks Laura, just what I need to get started.
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January 21stWhat a well-delivered intro to whet my appetite for the rest. Being a visual learner, I appreciate this being in small bites. I look forward to sharing discussion about this with my critique groups [both writing and illustration].
One of the things I had read online somewhere when researching book sizes, was that ebooks were not allowing for double page spreads of art. I know you haven’t touched on this yet, but hoping this has been fixed.
I personally am tired of listening to all the opinions of what is acceptable and what is not while a box of partial and completed book dummies sits here. Publisher submission is tricky and time consuming, and limited to one submission at a company at a time [if done as they generally request]. So I am very interested in seeing if this is something I can manage.
Also, so many times contracts don’t always mean follow-through in this business. I have done a work-for-hire illustration many years back for a friend/author a friend who had a contract with one book already published by the company. But when the editor changed houses, the new one took the first chance to drop the project. They like to start their own projects! So it never got published, and no help getting my work seen.
Recently an artist friend got together an illustrated book with a kickstarter campaign for funding after a publishing company showed some interest but decided to not go ahead. When they saw the interest he had garnered already, they changed and gave him a contract. But then they reneged! So he had postponed his publishing date to do it their way, and his funders are waiting extra as he readjusts his timetable.
There are also wonderful stories of those who have great agents, publishers, editors, of course. But I also know some well-known illustrators who have run into trouble and not received proper marketing in their day.
Hoping to see great changes from this technology.
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January 21stHi Laura,
I think this is superb! So helpful. I liked the way you have shown step wise step about how to use the amazon tool.
Wanted to know if this is suitable for chapter books too?
Arti
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January 21stHi Laura! Thank you for your video. It is very interesting for me and this will help me get started in the digital world of children’s literature.
Thank you for sharing it!
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January 21stGreat start, look forward to learning more.
Thanks!
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January 21stThanks – I’ve been wondering how this works and am grateful for a presentation which will explain the process.
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January 21stGreat Presentation! Will it be possible to have a transcript, please? And I am not able to add my website to the link above
https://sites.google.com/site/raniiyerwriter/
Thanks so much. Rani
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January 21stThanks so much, Laura. A good basic explanation of where to start. I look forward to the next set of videos that get into more depth on the process.
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January 21stSuperb information! Can’t wait for tomorrow video.
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January 21stskeptical…yes I was in the beginning and wanted to dismiss the whole idea as not worth it. BUT I did listen and learnt quite a lot. I look forward to tomorrow’s video….off to do some key word searches now…
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January 21stPerfect timing, I have been talking about ebooks lately but still seems new to most. I find it to be an exciting opportunity as well, though I find very little info on creating, size, specs etc…Interested in hearing what you have to say next video.
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January 21stThanks, Mich. The actual details of creating a Kindle picture ebook — specs, sizes and such — are far beyond the scope of a four day mini course. The purpose of this course is to help writers “get their minds around” epublishing and the Kindle platform. We do, however, have something that will show you exactly how to do *everything* from design, layout, image sizing, publishing, selling and marketing. You’ll be hearing about it in an upcoming video.
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January 21stThanks for taking the time to help me get a better understanding of eBooks for kids. I already have 1 picture books on Kindle. I have 2 others published in POD, but haven’t gotten around to putting them up as eBooks. Maybe this will give me incentive to do so. I’m also looking forward to inside in marketing.
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January 21stDo you need to have a Kindle to publish for Kindle? Or just log in to Amazon? I am excited!
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January 21stHi Sheila. Nope, no need for a Kindle. there is a free Kindle preview tool that you can use to see how your ebook will look on a Kindle.
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January 21stVery engaging and soothing for those of use who are intimidated by the process. Looking forward to the entire series. Thanks! CBI, you’re the best!
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January 21stGreat video. Looking forward to the others
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January 21stLaura, this is a terrifically user-friendly approach to shifting our linear book writing brains to the whole package of making a children’s picture book. I still find print picture book illustrations for the most part to be more beautiful than what I have seen on ebooks. Are you saying that writers must supply their own art/illustrations for ebooks?
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January 21stThank you for the introduction, very informative. Can’t wait to see what’s to come!
Thank you
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January 21stI too signed up for the Kindle Book Creator and while I haven’t yet completed the course (I’m slow on the draw) I have been able to help my mom upload her picture book Irving Gets His Wish and found the process quite easy. She’d already had illustrations done, so it was just a matter of matching her images to her text. Definitely a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to completing the first course as well as this one so I can work on my own stories. Thank you, Jon and Laura for all of your fabulous freebies. 🙂
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January 21stLaura, this is so exciting!!! I am really looking forward to learning more in future videos. Having just signed up for 12×12, this could not be more perfectly timed. THANK YOU!!
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January 21stYes, I have been thinking about creating a Kindle Picture Book for a while. I am looking at references to help me with the Illustrations.
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January 21stThank you, Laura! I have been curious about this development and the Kindle world, especially in relation to children’s picture books. I appreciate this easy-to-digest introduction.
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January 21stI and really excited about this. But did a miss the second video somehow? I have 2 messages with the first video on each one.. Also, it is hard for me to comprehend how one can e-publish e-books for babies. Is that truly and market? Thanks for your effort and encouragment.
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January 21stRonata, You’ll find the second video here: http://writeforkids.org/keyskindle2/
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January 21stLaura, Thank you so much for this. With everything I’ve read and heard, I do think e-books are the way to go. Thank you for making it seem more like an adventure than hard work.
Looking forward to Lesson 2, tomorrow.
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January 21stThanks! I’m very excited about this series of videos. You’re helping to de-mystify the process for me, and I’m looking forward to learning more.
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January 21stI have several ideas but needed some encouragement and information to get started. Thank you for this series. I attended one of your boot camps several years ago. That information helped me write a story that was published in a Sunday School leaflet. Thank you gain for giving to the writing community so generously.
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January 21stgreat resource, thanks!!
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January 21stVery helpful tips on how to research competing books on Amazon. I still get nervous about making the leap and trying it but I feel like your videos will provide the proper hand-holding to get people through the process.
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January 21stThanks, Laura. You have done a good job of whetting my appetite and making the self-publishing of an e-book a mission possible. This past year has been a difficult one for concentrating on new ventures (heart surgery, retirement, death of my wife, the current process of downsizing, etc.), but I am anticipating emerging into the sunlight and new possibilities.
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January 21stThank you Bill. So glad we could share a new path for you. Laura and I will keep you in our thoughts.
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January 21stDo you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see? I’m that excited! and I hope I can follow, understand and do what everybody else are wanting to do with Laura and Jon’s help and guidance. More power to you both! I have manuscripts that were critiqued and revised and someone said that we could revised to death so how about the editing side for kindle books?
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January 21stMy perspective on self publishing is changing. The introduction is great. Thanks for the researching tips and encouragement, Laura. I am committed to creating a good book.
LadyD_Books (@LadyD_Books) recently posted…Review: The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag
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January 21stEbooks are exciting and I like the idea of getting into the market. I still have a “thing” about a book in hand and being able to give it as a gift. There is still something about the feel of a book. I don’t dismiss either market; I’ve seen my granddaughters bookshelves!
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January 21stThis is something I didn’t think about before. It was an interesting video. Kept loosing the video though. It worked on the third time. thanks for the info and it was a good introduction.
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January 21stHi Laura. I self-published my pb, LUCCI- THE NO SMOOCHIE POOCHIE, on Amazon in 2012, and am especially curious to see how the new software works. I appreciated the search techniques you provided here on comps and gaps, and will be waiting with baited breath for your next session. Thank you! :0)
Donna L. Sadd recently posted…DAD’S FIRST CLASS CHRISTMAS – Entry in Susanna L. Hill’s 4th Annual Holiday Contest
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January 22ndThanks Laura for this introduction. I’m totally excited to learn more about this from from you. I also gleaned a lot from the other posts. I’ll be there tomorrow.
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January 22ndThanks, Laura. I’m looking forward to learning a lot from you!
Norah recently posted…Magnum opus – life in a flash
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January 22ndYou made it seem like a possible, doable thing to publish a picture ebook and showed us the first step. Thanks!
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January 22ndI am impressed with the changes you and Jon have made in the past year. You do not disappoint. I am looking to the next video and session.
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January 22ndThanks, Laura. And I loved watching your friendly face and personality.
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January 22ndHi I enjoy the first video but can’t seem to find the second. Rosalie
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January 22ndLooking forward to this journey. I hope I can complete it though I think I’ll need quite a bit of help. I don’t illustrate & am technologically illiterate.
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January 22ndThanks so much for this informative and inspirational video series. Your enthusiasm regarding e-book publishing has provided me with the encouragement I needed to actively work to get my children’s book published. My story is a five-chapter book written on a 6th grade level. I’d like to use an illustration at the beginning of each chapter and of course on the front cover. Would the Kindle Kids Book Creator be what I should use? Also, is the length of the book a factor when using this software?
Thanks again for all the great information and help you’ve provided through the years on your website. Diana Johnson
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January 22ndThanks Laura for this informative video…I can’t wait for the next one. I have several half-written manuscripts for children’s books.
I also have one finished manuscript that I have not published because I have ben overwhelmed by the idea of self publishing. I cannot wait to start writing again.
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January 22ndVery encouraging. I’m anxious to learn about finding illustrations. Thank you!
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January 22ndDear Laura,
I really appreciate what you are doing here.To be honest, I am trying to get over my fear of using the electronic media. I have been writing stories for my grandchildren for many years, and I have been interested in writing for children even longer. You and Jon are so encouraging.
Thank you.
Beth Westcott
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January 22ndWow! What a wonderful opportunity and just what I needed to give me a kick in the pants. It is so easy to let the days slip away and our publishing dreams with them. Today I stop slipping and start seizing! 🙂
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January 22ndThanks, Laura. You’ve given me hope. Now I’m hoping that I can get some written info to remind me of what was contained in the video.
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January 22ndHow to use Amazon for researching topics was especially useful. Thanks
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January 22ndSure, I’ll take a look. Thanks!
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January 22ndNice, well done video with a touch of humor. Nicely illustrated in a way that is easy to follow along. Thank you.
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January 23rdGreat start. Looking forward to more.
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January 23rdThis is really exciting and I am looking forward to the next video.
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January 23rdLooks like this is the kick in the butt I need. First video certainly has my interest and am looking forward to the rest!
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January 23rdI found the video very informative and I also signed up for the Kindle Book Creator and enrolled in the Ignite Your Life class. Now I just need some help putting that all together and I am hoping this will DO THAT. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
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January 23rdHi Laura,
Thank you for your presentation and the many suggestions you gave. I shall try the videos and hope they will give me more confidence, especially since it involves a lot of technicality.
With good wishes,
Lilia
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January 23rdLooking forward to your next video. Thanks for the info, and the way you present it is a real confidence booster.
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January 23rdI’m a bit like Cathy Graham in I did purchase but have not done anything about it. Mainly it’s a time thing, always thinking I will start but never doing.
I would like to know do Kindle or Ebook authors always get someone to do a quick edit for them……my thinking is good it’s just my way of expressing that gets in the way.
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January 23rdI’ve already used KKBC on two books (and I’ve published my own picture books, I have to say, you’ve expanded my approach and thoughts on what I want to do and how to do it. Marketing is not my strong suit- AT ALL. The fifteen minute investment has already netted some great information and it was so worth my time, I’m glad I waited a day so I don’t have to wait for the second installment! I will be reviewing this course on my blog, because I get a lot of people interested, and this is such a wonderful presentation. Thank you so much for doing this Laura!
Agy Wilson recently posted…Where to start
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January 23rdYou are an inspiration. Thanks.
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January 23rdGood information about how to find the gap in the market. Thanks. Still struggling to illustrate one of my ideas at home.
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January 23rdThank you Laura for your friendly and straight forward presentation! My mind, eyes, and ears are open to what you are advising. I have already learned from this video and I am grateful because I want to self publish ebooks. It IS the way to go.
I look forward to Video #2.
Sincerely.
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January 23rdThank you for sharing these insights. I especially appreciated you addressing the negative image I have of self-publishing. I am looking forward to the next video!
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January 23rdThank you Laura for taking away that fear of rejection. It seemed like a daunting task, and I truly feared that my book would not be good enough! I have actually written stories, but never did anything with them. Now, I feel like I can really do this! Thank you so much!!
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January 23rdYour video has inspired me. I hope I will be able to follow through with something that I have wanted to do since I was old enough to write. Looking forward to the next videos!
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January 23rdI have been considering publishing my book as an ebook. I have been writing children stories for years and have sent some out only to be returned. Since hearing about e-publishing, I have been wanting to try it. I am more encouraged since watching the video. I will be completing the course. I am an artist and am going to be doing the illustrations for the children’s story I wrote that an editor in the past liked. I am determined not to let it go unpublished this time. Thanks Laura, and I hope the remaining videos will further my efforts to become a published children’s writer.
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January 24thgreat video. there is so much to learn about the publishing world and I am thrilled to have someone take us along step by step. looking forward to publishing my first book. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
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January 24thNever really thought of writing an ebook, never mind a picture ebook. You have got me thinking! I have written a chapter book and am in the process of final edits and sending to publishers. Scary! You have given me a new direction to pursue. Looking forward to the next video!
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January 24thYou’ve peeked my interest and my fears. I like how the video relaxes my fears and tells me to stay tuned it will be easier than I have thought. And what to do now to see what is out there and what my competition will be so far. I am already searching my linked in files and my acquaintances for illustrators who can do a better job that my sketches. But do I have to buy these ebooks to see what they are all about? Or is there a synopsis of each to help me decide what is different about my own?
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January 24thSheri:
You can often get the gist of a competing book from looking at the description on Amazon, as well as reading any customer reviews, which may give some details of the stories. But if there are a few you’re worried might be too similar to yours, it’s not a bad idea to buy them and read the whole text. Then you’ll also know exactly how you can make yours different.
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January 25thHi Laura,
Thank you for putting this series of videos out for us! I’m excited to learn more and really appreciated the reminder to search on Amazon using key words.
I’ll be watching!
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January 25thI have not received any emails with the next video. I your name prominent on them?
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January 25thEnjoyed the video. Thanks so much for sharing. Looking forward to the next one.
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January 25thLaura
Thanks for the good intro to Kindle e publishing. I used the Kindle Comic Creator to recently publish “The Fantastic Yo-Yo Wizard” and found it easy to use to combine pictures and text
as one graphic for each page. This program was originated to produce comic books but is great for any kind of picture book…illustrations or photos.
Thanks again
Tom
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January 26thGreat info. I am creating a series of Granbetty books. Looking forward to the next video
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January 26thDear Laura
Thank you for such an informative video – am looking forward to the next one and much appreciate the wonderful help you and Jon offer…even if I can’t pick up on it as often as I’d like. Am trying to make 2015 more writing focused, so fingers crossed. Cheers from ‘down under’. Diane
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January 26thThanks Laura,
It is a very informative video, I love it and will definitely explore this option; tips on using Amazon also great; looking forward to next video
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January 26thThank you for your video on the Amazon e-publishing of Children’s Books. I loved the tips in Session one on the research of similar idea picture books and I am looking forward to the illustration tips you can give us. Thanks again….
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January 26thGreat start to what I believe will only be more exciting and informative
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January 27thLaura, beautiful delivery of new exciting opportunities. I am looking forward to viewing the next videos.
Thank you so very much!
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January 28thLaura,
It’s January 27 and I just now watched the first of the series of videos. Will I still get the links to the other 3 or did I miss my opportunity?
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January 28thHi Pat:
You should have gotten a link each day to the four videos. If you haven’t received the links for Videos 2-4, please email us at mail@writeforkids.org and we’ll get them to you.
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January 29thI have my children’s book finished and a professional artist, who happens to be my brother, has illustrated it. I’m seriously thinking of purchasing this course, as it sounds great so far. A couple of questions, though. What is the quality of the color using the Amazon Kids Book Creator? Also, if a traditional publisher happened to see our ebook on Kindle and liked it enough to want to publish it in hardbook, is there a clause on Amazon that prevents that?
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January 29thThanks, Laura. Your info is more then I was looking into. This is will help me pin point where my books will fit. Cannot wait for the next video.
Peg recently posted…Want to Write Children’s Books But Not Sure How to Start?
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January 30thNICE video Laura!
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January 30thThank you Laura! Cant wait to see the next one.
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January 30thI am intrigued enough to be looking forward to tomorrows video.
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January 30thMost helpful and look forward to the next video. Have books published by people such as Penguin but so many ideas to explore and not enough time. This will help enormously. Thanks Laura.
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January 31stGreat and exciting ideas. Thank you!
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January 31stHi Laura I still have not seen an email from you. What is the title of the Course you are sending out. Rosalie
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February 1stHi Laura. Thank you so much for your informative video, I can’t wait to see what comes next. I am anxious to get started with my four self-published books that no one knows exist because I have no money to advertise them and there is no assurance that it will be successful.
Well, you have my attention on using this tool in the hopes my books will get into the hands of the public.
Arlene Hibbler recently posted…The Little Girl Who Hated the Bad Touch
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February 1stVery encouraging. Getting your book published can seem a daunting task and out of reach for those just starting out. It’s easy to think of publishing as being accessible only to those already published and well known. This brings the whole process down to the level of the common ‘peasant’ like me. I’m starting to think; IT MIGHT JUST BE POSSIBLE!!!!!!!
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February 4thThank you Laura. This is so exciting and has given me the courage I needed to try to actually do a picture book. I’m looking forward to learning more. Thank you so much for your wonderful explanation of how to use Amazon to our advantage in planning our own books.
I eagerly await the information for this course.
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February 4thhttp://
Hi there Laura,
I was so excited when this opportunity first came to my attention, but silly me, haven’t taken advantage of it until today. I have a children’s book in mind that I think is almost ready, apart from the illustrations which I have been trying to do myself, this has been putting me off for ages, one sketch after another and I’m still not happy. Should I try and find an Illustrator, and where ?
However, first of all, I will take your advice and check the completion on amazon. Look forward to your next video. Many thanks,
Teri
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February 4thSo excited to do this. I have a set of eight children’s books that I’ve written, illustrated and published. I’ve sold over 1500 hard copies, and want to make this project an ebook.
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February 4thHi Laura,
You have me thinking.
Thank you,
Janet
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February 5thHi Laura,
This information is exciting! Am looking forward to learning more.
Thank you.
Dotty
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February 6thThank you, Laura, for your positive and encouraging lecture. I have been writing stories my whole life. And about 14 years ago, I began exploring what it would take to become a writer. That is, a published writer. I began attending writing conferences and joining writing groups, etc. I think I would have self published several years ago if I were also an illustrator. But I’m not. And I just didn’t know how to proceed without spending a lot of money. So, I will be very interested to hear your next few presentations.
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February 6thThis short video was already very helpful and I will be sure to watch the others. Thanks a bunch!
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February 6thLaura,
I thought the video was excellent. I have had a book which I’ve self published but was not satisfied with the outcome of it so I put it on the back burner so to speak. With your video and Amazon doing this for self publishers I’m going to bring it back and put it on Amazons website. Thanks again for the video Timothy Potter
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February 7thGreat video. The information is well presented, exciting, and encouraging. Am looking forward to the next ones.
Thank you.
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February 7thThank you for sharing your passion and insights regarding children’s ebooks. Your video has inspired me and reignited my long term goal to self-publish.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Star
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February 7thAbsolutely love this. Need to start working really hard on this!
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February 7thI’ve always dreamed of becoming a writer. Thank you SO MUCH for helping us to “see the light” – I’m getting more excited with each nugget of wisdom you provide! I CAN do this!!!
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February 7thLaura,
Thank you for the video. That was very interesting and inspiring. I want to hear more.
Cherise
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February 14thThanks for the help getting started. New information is exciting.
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February 16thGreat video,Laura, very helpful. I’m a writer/illustrator. Can you tell me what digital art program illustrators use mostly?
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February 19thThis video is well done. The information is easy to understand and nicely presented. I am eager to see the rest of the videos and learn all that I am able. Just sad that I have to wait. 🙁
Thank you,
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February 26thThank you very much for this video and information. So very well done and interesting and I am eager to work on a book I have written years ago. Thanks, again.
carolee recently posted…PANSY BLOSSOM FLOWER – Yellow and Purple Nature Table Play Doll – Free Shipping Continental United States by NatureTableTreasures
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March 3rdExcited to learn more! Thanks for sharing
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March 3rdThank you for sharing all these exciting pointers. I look forward to seeing the rest of the videos.
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March 10thAgain your wonderful presentation with lots of examples has enthused me again. Thanks Laura. I have only just completed a 860 word picture book about two geese called True Friends so I do need all the help can get.
Earlier was fnshng a novel and could not face the ob or learning about ebooks.Now I am ready and look forward to the other videos. Thank you.
Jane n Harrow ON
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March 17thI woke up to this wonderful gift of hope! Laura has done it again and offered an alternative to children’s book writers. I will seriously reconsider the idea of self-publishing. I very much appreciate being taken by the hand to learn about the process. Otherwise, the task seems too daunting. I look forward to finding out the answers to two questions: how can I get my story looked at by an editor during the self-publishing process and would I pay an illustrator myself if I find one Can’t wait for the next video.
Thank you Laura!
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March 17thGreat! Look forward to the next video. Thanks for sharing this information.
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March 17thI can’t wait to see the second video! This is my chance.
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March 17thHi Laura
Thanks for this video, i have a written children’s book serial, Captain Grisswold with his crew and friends, and i also have a kindle kids book creator, with no real idea of how to use it.
I published my Books through create space and decided to release the kindle version first, Doing it through my dashboard, this left some formatting problems and things didn’t line up right at all, i hadn’t sold many and decided to take the books off sale. I thank god you have given me a new lease of life with this walk through. I am looking forward to the rest of the sequence.
Chris Lakin recently posted…My Story (Part two)
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March 17thThanks for the information. I’m looking forward to the next video.
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March 17thI am interested in writing easy books for children. And even for a little older children. How can I capitalize on self-publishing these books?
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March 17thThanks so much, Laura! I appreciate the excellent, topic by topic lessons. I’m looking forward to learning more!
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March 17thWonderful information!! I don’t want to wait til tomorrow for the next video!
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March 17thThank you, this is really exciting. I have written children’s books for years and now I am ready to go to the next level.
Thanks
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March 17thLaura,
Kudos to you for thinking of us!
Is there a way to colorize illustrations that are black & white?
Madelyn
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March 17thAll I can say is WOW, I have been working on my picture book for a year and only halfway through my illustrations. I am an illustrator with so many stories to tell. I did have a negative thought on self publishing. Thanks to you I am committed to getting one of my stories finished and trying the kindle app. THANK YOU and was inspired by this first video.
kath unsworth recently posted…I Can’t Sleep. (Prompt Me Punk2 picture book draft)
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March 17thTruly enjoyed this video. I’m at the illustration stage and almost ready to publish. This information will help me tremendously!
Thank you!
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March 18thThanks so much for this video! This timing is perfect for me, as I am only two weeks away from publishing my first picture e-book. I am just waiting on a few more illustrations from my illustrator. I am feeling ridiculously nervous about putting my work out there, and my feelings about my book run the gamut from being so proud of what I’ve created to convincing myself that it is rubbish! Your video today has made me feel more sure of things and I look forward to the following ones. Many thanks 🙂
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March 18thThank you so much for this series. Cannot wait for the next one. Great topic and one that can help so many of us be entrepreneurial in our writing careers!
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March 18thHi – The first video was very interesting and I found it intriguing wanting to know more and to try. Where there was once skepticism or really no interest, I found myself changing. I’m looking forward to the next video. Thanks much. Giulietta
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March 18thI am a self-publihed author and I am now researching ways to make my book stand out before sending the electronic version to Kindle.
I enjoy your videos, many thanks for your suggestions and help.
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March 19thI have written a series of ten rhyming children´s books that need illustrating because I´m no good at freehand drawing. My agent is in the process of looking at finding publishers down the traditional route, but in the meantime I am going to stick with this very informative course, excellently presented in simple to follow terms by Laura, and see if I can have a back up plan in case traditional publishers turn us down.And fifteen minutes a dayfor four isn´t too much to lose from your life if it can possibly bring about the excitement of seeing your book published, is it?
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March 22ndYou folks at CBI always go above and beyond! The amount of free stuff is amazing, and it just keeps coming.
I really liked this video because is was step-by-step. It makes me look forward to the next videos and also makes me feel like I may actually be able to do this!
Thanks!
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March 25thThank you for this information. Your directions were clear and concise. It seems so easy. I am eager to see the next video. I am thinking my writing dreams can actually come true.
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March 25thI’ve already done all the details about researching Amazon to write my cover letter to publishers as to why my book would be popular for the topic, unique in style and fit their catalogue.
Since that hasn’t worked and I really believe in this book and others I’ve written, I’m considering going the indie route. I know the right cover and book blurb can draw in readers. However, the costs in finding a good illustrator scare me. I don’t have deep pockets like traditional publishers. Hope you have some great tips for that.
Christine Henderson recently posted…Writing to Inspire Others to Read:mAuthor Interview with Tricia Springtubb
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March 27thThanks Laura. The lesson was just long enough and something I can accomplish without feeling overwhelmed. Looking forward to the next video!
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March 27thThanks Laura,
That was a very interesting and useful introductory video. I look forward to viewing the others in the series and learning more about how to create and publish picture books using Amazon’s free instruction and technology.
Thanks in advance for emailing links to future emails. I accessed this introductory email via a pop up or similar on a writing linked page on Facebook and wonder if you would be so kind as to email me a link to the introductory video so that I can have access to it to refresh my memory by watching it again if I need to.
It was interesting to see how to use Amazon for research and I appreciate you sharing your expertise.
Thanks again,
Lynne
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March 30thThank you Laura, I have already put 3 children’s books on kindle but the marketing machine was a bit overwhelming to me, a non techie, so I gave up and they have just sat there doing nothing for awhile. I am looking forward to your marketing tips.
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April 4thBonjour Laura and Merci,
Your vidéo is very informative and motivational…I havé written 3 children book and am looking to expend m’y audience worldwide… Cant wait to learn more from your expérience and knowledge…
Waehla
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April 5thThank you Laura. I realised I have a lot of homework to do, but really look forward to it. Please don’t forget me and send me the next video.
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April 6thI agree with Tessa-I have a lot of work to do and
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April 6thTo finish my comment – not being an illustrator I am challenged to find affordable art work
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April 7ththis is great… Looking forward for the rest of the videos. Question… I have 3 books ready to be publisged… They are Illustrated too… But I lost contact with my illustrator. Some people told me that when you start a series in children books, you need to have the same illustrator through all your books… With your experience…. or some of the readers… is it true???
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April 7thYou are amazing, Laura! You and Jon have done and continue to do great things to help and encourage the rest of us. I look forward to watching the next video in this series. Thank you.
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April 9thThank you so much for this video series! I’m definitely getting very pumped up, getting lots of ideas as I watch and learn.
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April 9thThanks for this Laura. You really have my brain churning. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s video and learn how to find illustrators or illustrations!
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April 10thThank you for the interesting video and clear instructions. Looking forward to your next video.
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April 13thYou certainly have gained my attention in a standout way.
Thanks so much for making this info available and for being so user-friendly about it.
I’m looking forward to the next video.
Great timing for me as I have a designer and an illustrator on board for a print version but am really keen to see an e-book version out there too.
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April 14thI am all ears!!! Thanks for the video.
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April 14thThanks for the info. Looking for info on how to write a children’s book.
This video has made me to begin my quest following the right steps. Can’t wait for the next video.
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April 15thYour Video =Great inspiration. Imagination firing away on all cylinders while taking in what you were saying about writing children’s picture books. My daydreams got carried away and I was wondering if you would touch on amazon payment procedure if you are not in the US. Wondering about paying tax on money earned on Amazon. Who do you pay tax to? Your own country or the US?
susanne recently posted…Why Do Authors Need a Website?
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April 23rdHello. Im just in the process of deciding if the book I have should be done via regualar KDP or using the kids book creator. How far do we stretch the definitions of illustrated book. The story is for age 9 to 12 year. I have about 15,000 words with 8 chapters containing an image or 2 in each. What would be the best way here to self publish, just with my word document through Amazon KDP or using Amazons kids book creator?
Many thanks for the video
Maria
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April 26thI truly enjoyed this video. While I do have one children’s book already on the market, I still have a great deal to learn. I look forward to hearing more about the process. Since I am not an illustrator, and I am not good at photoshopping, I am curious about what information you might offer regarding that step in the process. Thank you for the help and support.
Susan Leitz recently posted…Let's start this with an author interview!
Martin Wells — Poet, Novelist, Funny Man, Musician, Cynicist
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May 7thVery well presented intro. to the series looking forward to the rest.
Would it be possible to carry this series of information videos on a free to join writers’ website?
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May 13thIt’s almost summer and I’m ready to give it a shot. I have some manuscripts waiting to be read. Although it’s been through some revisions, I’m sure there’s still some flaws hidden that need reworks and I wonder how you would help us in this area. Thanks for all your efforts.
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May 27thGreat start to the series laura, looking forward to the watching the next one.
Thank you.
Hanife
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May 28thLoved the video and looking forward to the next one. Thanks
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June 8thHi Laura,
Thank you for presenting these step-by-step tips on how to research the current availability of children’s ebooks on a given topic on Amazon. This is valuable information. I followed the steps which you demonstrated in the video and discovered that there are no examples on the topic of a book I have already written and am in the process of illustrating in the age group I’ve targeted. I’m not sure if this is good news or bad news, but it is interesting to find out.
What I most appreciated about the presentation was your energy and delivery. It was encouraging and uplifting. I’m looking forward to the next chapter.
Cherie
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June 15thHi Laura,
This is a great video! I was looking at self-publishing a hard copy storybook but now I’m thinking that this is the way to go! When does the next chapter come out??
Stef
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July 21stThis is a good starting place for me. I am looking forward to the next section.
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August 11thThis is encouraging and I hope that if I follow through with all of the steps I will have my success in getting my books bought and read than I have had with the two I have on Amazon now.
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August 27thThank you, i cant wait for your next video! You are so inspiring,informative and concise. Please keep up the great work
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August 29thThank you for a lucid presentation. I am three days behind, so rushing to download Video 2!
I’ve contacted two well known editors who charge good money to help with realizing a book and while super polite it’s pretty clear they didn’t want to be involved. I guess I should be grateful they were principled and declined to take my money. Yet, my story sort of came as a gift, and it’s been pushing me, insisting it wants to be born and out in the world and I find I can’t ignore it, whatever wiser heads might think. It might be an ugly baby. It might be Seinfeld ugly, but the story doesn’t care. Maybe if I get it on Amazon it will let me rest.
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August 31stThank you so much for the sharing of the “how to” start looking at market research within amazon e book market. Really made me think of the viability of my e book product
How does it get better than this 😀
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October 20thThanks for the information. Looking forward to the next video.
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October 21stThis video was very interesting and I am so looking forward to the next one. I have written and published my first book. I have been searching the internet to find a way to transform my book into an e-book. I believe my prayers have been answered! Thank you, Laura!
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December 11thlovely video great advice can’t wait for the next one thank you 🙂
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December 17thwell, knowing what others don’t know, gives you an edge over them. i applaud you for this info laura… you are just another icon to idolize with in this field.hope to hear from you soon
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February 20thI like how you suggested to focus on one’s own book!
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March 21stThank you Laura. Your video series has boosted my morale. I am committed to getting my picture books published. I am excited, beyond excited .
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August 29thThanks Laura. I find your video informative and I look forward to the next one tomorrow. I am from Nigeria and am excited about publishing an e-book for children, especially targeted at those with additional needs. I will appreciate your guidance. Thanks
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November 2ndI’m inspired I have been dormant for years . Finally perhaps I can accomplish publishing & marketing children’s manuscripts instead of just letting them lie around in boxes for years. It would be a dream come true to share my stories and bring enjoyment to my targeted audience. Thank you
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February 28thHi Laura.
I’m Michele. I’ve been a child care provider and preschool teacher for several years. Over a period of twelve years, I’ve written several short interactive rhyming stories to help children ages 3 to 6 learn to read phonetically. The underlined or highlighted rhyming word is the word that the child reads in each story. These stories have been amusing to children and adults. I now want to publish these stories on Kindle as one book. I’m not sure what category to put the book in and need an affordable illustrator. My funds are very limited. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Michele
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March 3rdHi Michele:
Watch all of this video series–we give some advice on the questions you asked. Sounds like this would be a young picture book. You can add lots of keywords on Kindle such as “reading”, “rhyming”, “phonics” that will help people find it. As for inexpensive illustrations, we have advice for that in our Picture eBook Mastery course, as well as links to places to find illustrators.