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What’s Your Reading Goal?

Happy New Year. I am so excited about this year. I haven’t completed my goals yet, but I’m being careful not over estimate what I can realistically accomplish. There’s one goal I am going to expand on, leisure reading.

In 2023 I returned to serious pleasure reading. In the past, I was so consumed with writing and trying new marketing things, I hadn’t spent much time reading for fun. In an effort to read more, I paid myself $5 for each book I read. I think I ended the year with $180…36 books. I was very proud of myself. The list also included my books because I was proofing books for publication. A read book is a read book.

Last year, I attacked my task a little different. In addition to solo reading, I hooked my parents onto audio books. When we’re in the car together, we listen to audio books. My goal for last year was 60 books. I was feeling ambitious when I set the goal. To be honest, I wasn’t too sure I was going to make it, but I did. In fact, I ended the year with 85 books.

I have met readers who read several hundred books a year. Hearing that also encouraged me to amp up my reading goal. I belong to a Facebook reading group where we share what we’re reading and our reading goals. There was a woman in my group who had read over 500 books last year. The number one question in the group was “How?”. She answered, “I don’t watch much television”.

How did I achieve my goal? I read several books at a time…audio, print and ebook. Technically, I listen to two audio books at a time…one in the car and one while I work out.

This year my reading goals is 100 books, which I believe I’ll accomplish. In addition to that lofty goal, I’ve taken on another daunting task…reading the Bible in a year. I went to a Christian university and reading the Bible was a requirement. I am almost ashamed to say I skirted around that assignment, but this is the year I rectify it.

Determination to reach my reading goal introduced me to several new authors. It has also helped jumpstart my creativity. I’m working a couple of series with a strong make voice. Unlike my series The Alex Chronicles, centered around females. This series will center around men and their pursuit of love. In order to write them, I need to get into their mind and speech…language. Men talk different from women and their word usage can be a little brash. My leisure reading is also my craft homework.

What’s your reading goal for this year?

I Did A Thing

This year I took the leap and made my first hard cover special edition books.

I have been wanting to create some special edition books since attending Steamy Lit Con last year and talking to readers. Creating special edition books have become a trend in the past few years. I will admit I was a little apprehensive about creating one, but then I spent a little time with some readers and my mind was changed.

Here’s a little information I had the privilege of getting. If it’s a book a reader likes, they will buy it in all available formats. So that means if it’s available in ebook, audio, paperback, hardcover and special edition, they will but it. The reason for so many copies is really simple.

• book – easy access
• Audio – listen while doing tasks
• Paperback – backup when digital readers are not available or charged
• Hardcover – collectible
• Special Edition – display only

The reasoning for all of these versions makes a lot of sense.

I was also shocked to discover the large price tag attached to hardcovers and special editions didn’t dissuade them from purchasing. I have to admit, when I go to book stores, I gravitate to hardcover books and special editions. I didn’t realize how much I had in common with my readers when it came to stocking my library.

So what did I do? Eager to dip my toe in the water, I took two series and created what I call series compilations. Thank God for Vellum. I was able to create these books in less than a week with this tool. The most time consuming part of this project was creating the covers, a small clean up and coming up with a title. Although these compilations are series in their entirety, I figured a different title would be an attention grabber. I also made sure the covers didn’t resemble the original books.

I had two series which were eligible for this project…A Southern Gentleman and Generational Curse. A Southern Gentleman became Southern Comfort. Generational Curse became Just One Kiss. The titles represent elements in the stories. These books have images or florals as the covers. They are also larger than my standard print books. I also created paper and hardcover versions. I love how the books came out.

So who did I use to help me create these books…Book Vault and Barnes and Noble Press. Side note: These books will only be available on my website or at book signings.

My initial order was with Barnes and Noble Press because I could get clean proofs without the ugly bar that KDP uses. The other reason, B/N Press’s print quality is better. But then I heard about Book Vault. OMG! This is my new first choice when it comes to print books. I love the quality, the features and production tracking. They also offer support. There was an issue with one of my files and I was able to book a video call to get help.

I reached out to some other vendors with similar print options, but the minimums are huge even to get a proof. Book Vault offers three plans based on how may books you will be printing plus the print setup fee. However, do a little research and you might be able to secure a free setup code…that’s what I did.

Book Vault also offers select color pages. This is a game changer. I’m going to do another version of my special editions, but those will have a few color pages. Unlike B/N Press when you include a few color pages, the entire book is considered full color. Book Vault only upcharges on the color pages, not the entire book. Rumor has it they might be offering sprayed edges. Once that happens, I’ll do another version of these special editions giving readers another option.

So how did my books do at the conference? All of the hardcovers sold out and I had to take orders. YEAH!

What am I charging for these books? Southern Comfort $18.00 paper back and $32.00 for hardcover…Just One Kiss $28.00 paperback and $42.00 for hardcover

Will I do more of these special editions? YES Will I do hardcovers of my other books? YES

I hope you take the leap and create a special edition and a hardcover. I think you’ll be surprised at the reader response.