Are you reaching your maximum profit at KDP
I recently uploaded a large file to Kindle Direct Publishing. The book had a little over 31K words and 150 images. In spite of its size, KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) had no trouble converting the .doc to a .mobi. I sold four books and earned a royalty of $0.00. Trying to maximize my profits, I had…
9 free tools that will make you a better writer
Serious writers are always looking to improve their skills. Even when I read for enjoyment, I am looking at the author’s phraseology, especially the use of similes and metaphors, which are difficult for me to coin. I look at voice and theme development to see what works or doesn’t. I read books in my genre to see how…
It’s About Time by Susan A. Royal (Part 2)
In the first part of this two-part blog-swap, Susan A. Royal discussed how she started the “It’s About Time” series and how she fits writing into her busy life. In this part, Susan discusses the next installment in the series. I’ve got almost 20 chapters of Into the Past, the next book in the “It’s About Time” series. In Not…
It’s About Time Susan A. Royal (Part 1)
In this two-part blog swap, Susan A. Royal discusses the time-travel series, “It’s About Time.” In this first part, she tells us how she started the series and how she fits writing into her busy life. In Part 2, (available November 6) Susan will discuss the next installment in the series. First, I want to thank you for allowing me to visit…
Caribbean Cruise: Day 6: Day at sea
On our final day at sea, we took advantage of the last-day on board sales, watched the crew talent show, played the slot machines (first time for Elizabeth), and packed our bags. The weather was too windy for mom to walk on deck, so we spent most of the time in our cabin or in the…
Caribbean Cruise: Day 5: Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the neater coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This popular cruise ship destination became famous in 1961 when Jacques Cousteau declared Cozumel one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. Since then, Cozumel has become an underwater marine park to protect the delicate balance…
Caribbean Cruise: Day 4: Roatan, Honduras
Roatan, Honduras is the largest of the Honduras Bay Islands. It is about 77 k long and less that 8 k across at its widest point. Roatan’s history traces back to the Maya civilization. It has seen the arrival of the Conquistadors, the Garifuna, and the fishing industry. In 1990, about 19,000 English-speaking people inhabited…
Caribbean Cruise: Day 3: Costa Maya, Mexico
Costa Maya is in the only state of Mexico bounded by the Caribbean on its east. Although the official language is Spanish, many speak Mayan. As a linguist, I would love to hear Mayan. The Mayans were predominate in the area from 200 B.C to 900 A.D. There are many ancient ruins such as Chacchoben,…
Caribbean Cruise: Day 2: Day at sea
To make up for the lost time, the captain sped over the large swells and whitecaps and altered the itinerary. Instead of stopping first at Roatan, Honduras, we will first visit Costa Maya, Mexico. On our first day at sea, mom and I walked about two miles on the promenade deck. She spent 20 minutes on…
Caribbean Cruise: Day 1: Welcome to the Norwegian Star
This trip is a 6-day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa, FL, exploring Roatan, Bay Islands (Honduras), Costa Maya (Mexico), and Cozumel (Mexico). I am traveling with my mother, sister Doris, and friend Elizabeth. I hope you will enjoy our adventure. We left Sarasota around 10 AM. Dennis made lattes for Elizabeth and me to sip on as we drove to the Tampa pier.…