Lower Summerland along Okanagan Lake – north end

Well … 10 days ago I posted on here about my “doubts, fears, and procrastination” around my Summerland Stories project. Thanks to all your encouragement and advice, I’ve gotten over that “bump” and my project is coming along! I am hoping that my blog updates to my project are helpful to those of you who are also in the process of publishing and marketing … or are even thinking/wondering about whether to take the leap. (And if you are still at the stage of starting to write a book, or even just thinking about it, or are wondering about types of writing, platform and brand, beta readers, blogging, self-editing and editors, and more, please do check out my Table of Contents on this site for links to detailed suggestions and advice on those topics!)

Lower Summerland along Okanagan Lake – south end

So … what have I been up to in the past couple of weeks?
– Book title: A Summerland Stories Scrapbook: Memories & Memorabilia 1930s-1960s … I’ll be posting a copy of the cover soon!
– Working on the Amazon KDP forms, Author Central, and Amazon Associates form. (I’m also considering “going wide” with other online bookstores/outlets such as Kobo Writing Life, Ingram Spark, Draft2Digital … If you have had experience with any of these, I’d love to hear your input in the comments, please!)
– I have my ISBN numbers for both e-book and paperback format ready to go
– Taking some action on marketing, instead of just planning. For example: Joining local organizations such as the Summerland Museum; planning my launch party; applying for the Summerland District Market and Summerland Fall Market, as well as other local area markets; applying to the Ryga Festival in Summerland in August; talking to people at the Summerland Historical Society; and making a long list of other specific marketing possibilities to sign up for as soon as I have more solid publishing dates.
– Contacting a regional printer for quotes and other information on publishing book copies for my local launch, sales, and other marketing.
– Scan a lot more of my early Summerland photos (black and white prints and colour slides, plus scrapbook items) for use in my blogs, flyers/brochures, bookmarks, etc. Also to create a slide show(s) for upcoming speaking and other marketing events.
– Continuing to work with my wonderful designer 🙂

West Summerland – view from Giant’s Head

I’ve also made a thorough set of “to-do” lists for the coming months:
To-do’s I need to get to soonest:
– a new headshot photo–ugh!; get manuscript to the printer;
– get a final proof copy from the printer to have a final proofread done;
– start working on my press/media package (on my website and in paper format);
– decide on prices for the ebook, online book (POD), and locally printed books); get a new business card (and other related marketing materials) designed and printed;
– add an email signature to my emails, that includes links to my blog(s), social media, book title, etc.
– get a stamp for use on invoices for direct/ in-person book sales
– fill out the Legal Deposit form so I can send off 2 copies of the book within a week after publishing
– update my websites/blogs, including this one … and my social media profiles!
– and more!
Online distribution possibilities:
– Amazon.ca, Kobo Writing Life, Ingram Spark, Draft2Digital, Google, Apple iBook, Smashwords…
Off-line distribution possibilities :
– So many possibilities! bookstores, libraries, launch activities, organizing photos for events, local/regional markets, market booths with other writers, souvenior and other tourist-related shops, art galleries, fruit stands, book clubs, seniors’ residences and/or centers, speaking opportunities (e.g. Penticton Library Brown Bag Lunch talks, Okanagan College speaker series, festivals (Ryga, Meadowlark, Ignite the Arts, etc.), local/regional conferences (e.g. Wine Country Writers’ Festival), gift shops in hotels, hospitals, etc., school events (classroom talks, ProD talks, etc.), organizations (Okanagan Historical Society, Okanagan Archives Trust Society/Archivos magazine, Heritage BC), and area museums. Any other suggestions?
Social media:
– I’m on Facebook (both personally, and admin and/or membership on various writing groups, local history groups), BlueSky (joined recently), Twitter (@ normajhill; do I really want to continue with it? ugh…), Instagram (haven’t used it much; but it might be a great place to use all my Summerland history photos), Goodreads (need to get going on it again) …
And then there are my websites/blogs:
– normajhill.com (my writing and editing–and Summerland Stories! site), penandpapermama.com (my tutoring/education site); penandpapermamatoo.com (Conversations, Reflections & Meditations; a collection of my writing, including originals of some of the Summerland Stories), Quora (answers to questions about writing, editing, tutoring … and starting now, more on local history), Penticton Pedestrian (photography and writing about my community and the local area), Haida Gwaii Building Bridges (photography, articles, Indigenous reflections) … and more …
People/groups to contact before my launch:
– family, relatives, friends, writing groups (in-person and online), Facebook local history groups and writing groups, other history groups, website followers, social media followers (individuals and groups), people and groups included in the book, local media, past writing and tutoring clients who may be interested in my book, my beta readers, people in my email address list …
Media and others to check out:
– BC Bookworld magazine, community radio, local newspapers and magazines, magazines related to BC history and culture … And should I start an e-newsletter? or?

Summerland Townsite – 1960s

Do you have any other ideas I should consider? Have my lists provided ideas for your own publishing and marketing journey? Please share your thoughts in the comments! Thank you!

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Here are links to the other posts in my “Summerland Stories Journey” writing project:
Summerland Stories 1: Summerland Stories will be in book form
Summerland Stories 2: Surprise! Self-editing is harder than editing for others
Summerland Stories 3: Making a To-Do List: Help Needed!
Summerland Stories 4: Yes! I’m still doing my Summerland Stories project!
Summerland Stories 5: Beta reads, platform, marketing plans
Summerland Stories 6: Notes from Conal Creedon
Summerland Stories 7: Retirement is Awfully Busy
Summerland Stories 8: Short and Sweet, Sunshine and Joy
Summerland Stories 9: Happy New Year 1959!
Summerland Stories 10: Even Editors Need Editors – and Beta Readers!
Summerland Stories 11: What I Learned From My Beta Readers
Summerland Stories 12: An Unplanned Project Break
Summerland Stories 13: Off to the Editor/Designer!
Summerland Stories 14: Doubt, fears, procrastination – Yikes!
Summerland Stories 15: My Project is Coming Along!
Summerland Stories 16: My Book is At the Printer!
Summerland Stories 17: The Journey Continues
Summerland Stories 18: Are You or Yours in the Book?
Summerland Stories 19: Book Launch May 4th!
Summerland Stories 20: Historical Summerland Lives!
Summerland Stories 21: Countdown! 3 Days until launch!!!
Summerland Stories 22: Successful Launch and Into Orbit!
Summerland Stories 23: Post-launch update and my launch PowerPoint
Summerland Stories 24: Back From Summer Break; Coles Book Signing