I hope you’ve started to design your newsletter and worked on your incentive for sign ups. If you missed last week’s post, catch it HERE. Today, we’ll pick up where we left off after we hear from Jeanie.  

Jeanie is a fellow Wordsower and newly published author with a story appearing in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles Happen. Released February 4, 2014. Every week, she shares her journey experience of building a platform. 

Connect with Jeanie: website (you can sign up for her newsletter here as well) Facebook



Jeanie tell us about your WIP: King Elyon. The first chapter is one of your freebies and the book is the reason you’re building your platform. Tell us what your book is about. 

Orphaned twins Asher and Zadok slave in a nightmare world ruled by the brutal Overlord. A mysterious Voice in the night propels the teens on a daring escape. Pursued by vicious Watchers and other savage creatures, the brothers seek out the forbidden Wise Woman. Her startling revelations point them toward refuge with King Elyon, the powerful ruler of Galya.

Along the way lies and deceptions drive the brothers apart. With danger pressing on every side, each must decided who to trust. Will their journey lead to freedom…or destruction?
Who is your audience? 
I originally envisioned King Elyon for 5th-6th graders. Based on input I received from several authors, I have expanded it to a young adult fantasy novel applicable for both the CBA and ABA markets. I’m writing it as an alternative to the Harry Potter and Twilight type books.
Why this book? 
I’m praying that people who don’t know God will be drawn to him through it. At the same time, I shy away from being “preachy.”
You are going the indie route with self-publishing. Why not look for a traditional publisher? 
Julie Christensen’s self-publishing class struck a chord with me. The market is changing. Bookstores are closing.  A traditional publisher may be less likely to publish my work, given the wide range of established authors they already have. Self-publishing gets manuscripts to market quicker, and I have more control over my content.
  
Are you looking forward to Lee’s presentation at our monthly meeting next week? 
Lee has years of experience in the market, both as an author and as an editor, so I’m eager to hear what he’s sharing. I hope he touches on the editing aspect of self-publishing. I’ve seen self-published books that would have been great had they been edited. Even the most beautiful gems need to be cut and polished to make them shine.
How-to Link your freebie to your newsletter. 
1. Have your document in PDF form. 

2. Open the text box where you want the link to your freebie to appear.  Within the text in your text box, highlight the word(s) you want to link your document to. 


3. Click on the link button.


4. When this box appears, click on the arrow for the drop down menu. Choose “file”.

5. When the file manager box appears you can now upload the PDF document you have ready. Click on browse for a file then upload. For future issues, if you already have the file uploaded, you can choose “files” on the bar across the top and choose it from there. 


6. Once you have chosen the file you want uploaded, this box will appear. Click “insert”. Your document is now inserted into your text. 


7. At the top right of the design frame click on the preview and test button. On the drop down menu, click on “enter preview mode” (NOT send test email). From here you can make sure it looks right and test the links. 


I do not recommend sending a test email until you go back and check all your text, pictures and design. You can preview and test links at any time through the design process.

Next week, we will cover sign up forms, scheduling your newsletter and sending out a test email. 

If you have any questions, please leave them below. 

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