Author Archives: Shawn E. Bell

Conservation, National Forests, National Parks

Public Comments Period for the Merced River and Tuolumne Meadows Plans Extended

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park has announced an extension of the public comment period for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Draft Comprehensive Management and Environmental Impact Statement (MRP) through Tuesday, April 30, 2013. (the public comment period was scheduled to close on Thursday, April 18, 2013).

From the press release:

“The MRP is an expansive document which guides park management actions for many years. We want to make sure the public has a thorough opportunity to review the draft plan and submit comments,” stated Kathleen Morse, Yosemite National Park’s Chief of Planning. Continue reading →

General Aviation

Aviation Awareness Day in California

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has teamed up with the Association of California Airports and other aviation organizations to support the first California Aviation Awareness Day on April 24, 2013.

The even will take place from 11:00am through 1:00pm on the steps of the state capitol building, and will include interactive displays and presentations by the many businesses and organizations that rely on aviation in the state.

From the AOPA press release:

“This is the first time such a broad spectrum of aviation organizations has come together to host an event to educate state legislators, legislative staff, and the general public about the importance of aviation to California,” Pfeifer said.

Continue reading →

Writing

Createspace’s Secret Hardover Option

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Much like the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger (an INCREDIBLE California fast food burger chain), Createspace also has a secret menu. One of the more awesome items is the hardcover book option.

As of the date of this post, the current pricing is:

$99.00 – One-Time Setup Fee
$6.50 – Cost per book
$0.015 – B&W per page cost
$0.15 – Color per page cost
$2.00 – Dust Jacket (optional)

Now, there are some caveats to the Createspace book:

  • The hardcover is set up as a separate title in the author’s account, and gets a separate ISBN number.
  • The conversion takes a ridiculously long time to get done (about 10 days).
  • If there are ANY color images (or text) the ENTIRE book is subject to the color cost per page charge.
  • The book isn’t eligible for any of Createspace’s distribution channels. Really. Only the author can order the book to sell or distribute.

Continue reading →

National Parks

Meeks Creek Meadow Restoration Public Comment Period Open

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit  has opened the public comment period for the proposed Meeks Creek Meadow restoration project.

From the press release:

The project area is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe near Meeks Bay.  The proposed project would restore approximately 300 acres of meadow habitat, reestablish a natural fire regime, and provide for diverse wildlife habitat.

Proposed project work would include removal of encroaching trees and prescribed fire operations.  Implementation would depend on funding availability.

The comment period is open through Tuesday, April 30, 2013.  Comments may be submitted electronically to comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

For more information, contact Sarah Muskopf at (530) 543-2835 or email smuskopf@fs.fed.us, or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/MeeksMeadow

You can read the full press release HERE.

Self Publishing, Writing

Question: What is the hardest thing about publishing an ebook?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

This question was recently asked in a group I’m part of.  Here’s the whole question:

Question: What is the hardest thing about publishing an ebook?  I’m curious what problems here people have had with publishing ebooks themselves. i’m currently working on two books that I want to release as ebooks, but I’d like to avoid some of the common mistakes and problems if at all possible. I’ll be making enough of my own as it is! 🙂 Thanks!

Answer: The hardest part about publishing an ebook is marketing. It’s exactly the same problem authors have with publishing through a traditional publisher. Marketing will always be the most difficult part; it’s the actual sale to the consumer. In order to get your book to the person who has the least resistance to buying your book, you have to let them know it exists, and that – even for the Big Six … or Big Five … or Big … well, Big However Many Publishers There Are Still Left Dragging Their Dinosaur Tails Behind Them Out There – is a problem. At least with a publisher there’s a possibility that you might – maybe – get spot on a shelf without you having to personally intercede or promise sexual favors (at least initially) for awhile. Continue reading →