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 →

Conservation, Kayaking, National Forests, National Parks, State Parks

TROUTFEST 2013! Catch ’em, Clean ’em, Cook ’em and Eat ’em!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

California Department of Fish and Wildlife in central California is gearing up for TroutFest 2013.

TroutFest is an annual event that is offered free to introduce families to the sport of trout fishing.

From the press release:

“Beginner, novice and experienced anglers alike will find that this activity-filled day features something for everyone,” said CDFW Education and Outreach Director Kirsten Macintyre. “If you are looking to build your fishing skill set or find an enjoyable activity for the whole family, Trout Fest is a great place to start.”

TroutFest will be held at the following locations: Continue reading →

Self Publishing, Writing

Camp NaNoWriMo Officially Starts Today!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

If you are a writer – especially one who can’t seem to find the time, set goals, or who suffers from writer’s block – you should head over to campnanowrimo.org and sign up to write during the month of April.  if you’re REALLY serious, make sure you sign up for NaNoWriMo in November!

From the website:

Based on November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Camp NaNoWriMo provides the online support, tracking tools, and hard deadline to help you write the rough draft of your novel in a month.

Camp NaNoWriMo was established in 2011 as a project of the Office of Letters and Light, the parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit to National Novel Writing Month and the Young Writers Program. 2013 Camp sessions will take place in April and July.

To find out more, head over to Camp NaNoWriMo‘s “What is Camp NaNoWriMo?” page and get started!

National Forests

Prescribed Burn Planned Near Angelus Oaks April 8th, 2013

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Forest Service has scheduled a 120 acre burn starting as early as April 8, 2013 near Angelus Oaks as part of the Angelus Oaks Fuel Reduction project.  The burn is to take place near Forest Road 1N12 (north of Angelus Oaks), and smoke will be visible along State Route 38 (and, certainly, other part of the forest communities as well!).

From the press release:

“Doing this work under these favorable  weather conditions reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire threatening mountain communities under typical, dryer and windy conditions common to the area in the summer and fall fire seasons,”  stated Front Country District Ranger Gabe Garcia. “The understory burn is part of a larger 535 acre project initiated in 2004 and will maintain that work we have all invested in to improve the survivability of Angelus Oaks,” Garcia added.

My understanding of what an ‘understory burn’ is is that it’s a low-intensity controlled burn that can only be done within a narrow climatic window – the conditions have to be right; not too dry, not too windy, etc.  Sometimes these are done by aerial ignition in other parts of the  world, but locally most of these prescribed burns are set by hand using drip torches.

These prescribed burns reduce the possible fuel loads, which reduces the intensity of wildfires, and releases nutrients which enrich the forest making it healthy.

A healthy forest is a happy forest!

You can read the press release HERE.

National Forests, State Parks

Interview With Jim Harmer on ForestForward.com

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

As an outdoor photographer, I suck. While some of it may have to do with my lack of a photographer’s eye, not one lesson in photography or image composition, or even my innate dearth of artistic ability … I’m going to place the blame on my equipment instead; My camera kit consists of a Virgin Mobile Kyocera, with scratches on the cover where the lens is.

Honestly, I can probably take better pictures with my Jeep by putting it in reverse and waiting until the backup camera comes on.

I would love to be good at taking pictures of the places I go, so that I could share them without the embarrassment of having to say “yeah, that’s my thumb” or “the mother and her cubs are juuuuuuust over that rise, behind the tree” or “my cell phone doesn’t have a flash.” I do take photos. They’re just not of anything even close to what I’d call ‘quality.’

I’m a big fan of guys like G. Dan Mitchell and Cat Connor who take amazing pictures, and I’m impressed by photographers like Larry Griffin and Jaime Harris as well. Continue reading →