In his keynote speech Saturday at uPublishU, former Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki talked about his personal journey from traditionally published writer to indie author. He also provided 10 great self-publishing tips to the packed house (although, personally, I believe #10 – “Never give up” – should be #1!). Kawasaki is a prolific author of 12 book, including APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book.
In the Publishers Weekly article, he talks about the pros and cons of self-publishing:
On the pro side, Kawasaki cited editorial, sales, and marketing control, quicker time to market, and increased royalties. “APE sells for $9.99 as a Kindle e-book and we make $7,” he said. “And that is remarkable. That is like four times traditionally published…These are good numbers.” The drawbacks, Kawasaki said, include no advance, increased responsibility for all aspects of the publishing process, and loneliness.
You can read the whole article HERE.
You can pick up a copy of APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur from Amazon HERE.

The California State Parks Foundation’s Park Champions Program is seeking volunteers for the Park Champions Program. The Park Champions Program holds volunteer work days in state parks across California, and was created in response to the unprecedented budget cuts and closures that California State Parks have been facing. The Park Champions program provides consistent, sustainable volunteer support in the areas of park maintenance and beautification.
Due to high fire danger, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are instituting fire restrictions inside the parks starting today.
Michael Crichton, who passed away in 2008 at the age of 66, wrote a number of books under pen names while studying at Harvard Medical School back in the sixties. While a student, he wrote eight books as “John Lange,” one as “Jeffery Hudson,” and he co-wrote another with his brother Michael as “Michael Douglas.” The guy had the enviable ability to write 10,000 words a day, and because of that, he needed multiple pen names.
The Yosemite Conservancy has switched on a live streaming webcam of Yosemite Falls.