Photoshop Elements (PE) is a program that is powerful enough to edit photographs for book publications. I began to wonder if it could be used to create graphics from scratch. The thought was prompted by many of my books containing not only photographs but also maps, charts, flow diagrams, etc.
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A little bit of experimenting produced the graphic to the right. It is part of a Power Point presentation on how to get your manuscript published by a publishing house (a new course to be offered by COCC). The illustration depicts the process of going from an idea, to having a publishing house accept the manuscript, to the publishing process, with royalties being paid to the author.
The illustration is a series of clip art images that I found in MS Word and MS Power Point programs. I copied them, saving them as JPG files. Next, I opened a document in PE using the New command and sized the new page. Then, I began to place the graphics on the new page, using a new layer for each one.
The arrows are one of the options within PE. I used a new layer for each one. The most difficult part was making sure the arrows were about the same size.
I used the Text function of PE for the dollar signs, placing them on their own layer.
Lastly, I moved the items around until I was satisfied with the overall balance and saved the illustration as a JPG file.
Admittedly, it took awhile to get it right but it sure beat the heck out of buying yet another program.
Great ClassThe Winter '06 class had its first meeting! That is where we talk about turning a manuscript into a print book. There was a lot to absorb and the participants not only "got it," they had great questions. Next week should be just as interesting.
If you're in New Zealand... ...you should be attending the Webstock Web Conference. Wish I could be there. Among the speakers will be Rachel McAlpine, author of Web Word Wizardry and Global English for Global Business. I've learned a lot from her....
Becoming a Book Blog After weeks of work, the third edition of Writing for the Web is nearly completed. It's a far more extensive revision than I'd expected, but I'm pretty happy with the result. Not only is much of the print content changed, expanded, and updated, but the book will contain a CD with scores of links a kind of electronic index, with added links on relevant topics. In addition, this site will become...
Websites that changed the world The Guardian Unlimited has celebrated the 15th anniversary of the World Wide Web with an article that also lists 15 Websites that changed the world. You'll probably disagree with many of the sites on the list, but the Web has indeed changed the world....
The Limits of Satire The Tyee has published my article The Limits of Satire a comment on the international uproar (now turned fatal) over the Danish cartoons....
Getting An Award For Your BookAn important aspect of promoting and selling your book is to demonstrate that it is a worthwhile publication. Its value can be shown by the recognition and awards it has received. One of the ways to have an award-winning book is to enter it in a contest.
The Do-It-Yourself Book Festival is just such a contest. It is dedicated to recognizing self-published books and small presses. Each title is judged on its general excellence and the author's passion for story telling. The contest also looks closely at unique uses of guerilla marketing tactics. Further, the contest gives out awards for author of the year and best book cover. The deadline for submitting your book is September 25, 2006. Entrance fee is $50. More information:
http://www.diyconvention.com/ A second contest is hosted by Independent Publisher and is designed to bring increased recognition to deserving books published by independent authors and publishers. Known as the IPPY Award, the top ten recipients receive a cash award. For a title to be eligible, it must have a 2006 copyright. Submissions will be accepted starting on June 1, 2006. The fee is $70. More information:
http://www.independentpublisher.com/ Watch for a blog entry that will offer some ideas on how to use your well-deserved award in a marketing campaign.
Classes About Book PublishingAs interest continues to build about the entire process of book publishing, I have been working to bring everything to authors that they need to succeed. As a result, there are now five classes addressing different aspects of publishing. They are offered by the Community Learning Department of COCC and will be held during the Fall session.
For those needing to edit graphics for their book, attend:
Photoshop Elements Beginning: September 30 and October 7 and
Photoshop Elements Intermediate: October 28 and November 4.
There will be a class on self-publishing titled
Publish and Sell Your Book on:
October 11 and October 25.
Interested in having a publishing company bring your book to Market? Try
The Key to Publishing. It is about locating an agent and publishing house as well as query letters and submission packages. It will be held on November 6 and November 13.
If you want to stay current in marketing activities, check out B
logs and Podcasts on
November 9 and November 16.
To enroll, contact
COCC.
Sir Tim Starts Blogging And about time, too: Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who changed our lives, has announced: So I have a blog. I think I can safely predict he'll enjoy very good traffic stats....
Are citizen-journalists just amateurs? Nicholas Lemann, in the current New Yorker, takes issue with many bloggers' conviction that they are doing the job the mainstream media are too complacent or arrogant to do. It's an entertaining piece, and in the online version you can of course visit the sites he mentions...and see what some blogger-journalists think of the article....
