It's June Already!
      Where did the time go?
      I spent about three hours - or was it five - sorting through the final selections for the calendar. All those photos of Troy - many without clothes! (Well, without a shirt, or with an open shirt. Gee. Wonder why?) He did allow us to use the one in the tux - said he needed one with his clothes on (he looks good dressed, really, he does.)
      I still need to review my submission to Amazon.com - the description etc. for Jettison.
      I have filled out and need to copy (or type up) my submission to Ingram - they get 4 books up front. Amazon wants me to wait and they will tell me what to send.
      I need to finalize my fulfillment agreement with Banta - sitting in my inbox at the moment.
      I need more mailing envelopes for the book because I have more to send out.
      And I need to create - would you believe- letterhead for White Enterprises - because Barnes&Noble won't take a submission with out letterhead. (Can you tell which group just discovered the Internet - and hasn't come to terms with it? My letterhead is my URL!)
      Ingram and Barnes&Noble both require a marketing plan (Amazon did not). What plan? Do I have one? (Well, yes. In my head!)
      So I need to type one out - Ingram gave me a list of questions for it.
      The fun question - "Do you have a sales staff?"- no I don't.
      Followed by "If not, why?" - Don't want one!
      Someone else wants me to join a marketing association (PMA) - for independent publishers - read this as "send me money and I'll give you a few names". This is supposed to be for press releases - so you can send peopl on the list free books.
      I haven't done press releases and don't have any plans to do so. My releases are via the Internet and print ads and flyers.
      Maybe I'll think about that - later. My experience with press releases is a lot of work and expense and very little return.
      eBooks-n-Stuff.com is being neglected (the manual finally showed up).
      My older son has not put the counters up on the sites. (Shame on you my son!)
      I haven't had time to dwell on that because I have two weeks to do the calendar and then I need to crash and burn on the calendar ad. Or ads. Plural.
      I ordered another eps file - for the ISBN number for the calendar.
      And the eBook? Microsoft is attacking Adobe (according to Newsweek) - but the Microsoft schtick requires a palm-sized reader - UGH! Whereas the Adobe Merchant PDF can be read on a reader or a PC or a Mac. Well, that's better don't you think? Microsoft - day late and a dollar short and strong-arm the customer. Break that monster up!
      Adobe doesn't answer their phone! 2 hours on hold and no joy! This is not a good time people! I want information! I want a web key!
      I need to know where/how to generate the webkey. Adobe Merchant ($5,000) does not run on a Mac.
      And I need Amazon to tell me how to submit the eBook. (And their terms. These guys (publishers, and on-line sales) are basically running eBooks like kill-a-tree publications and taking all the money they can grab. Which means they take 55% of the cover price.)
      Then I will need to see if Barns&Noble can host Adobe Merchant PDF and sell eBooks in this format.
      Then I need to chase down Verio and see if they can host transactions with Merchant. Because, if they can, I can build calendar-by-the-month files for Troy's site. And 8x10 photos. And I can load other items. Off my own pages. Stories. etc. And of course, the Jettison eBook.
      This is where my dot.com is going.
      Oh yes.
      I have to keep my job (because it pays too well to leave) and still commute 3 hours (minimum) per day.
      No wonder I lost track of time!
      No wonder I had to reschedule my date with Fabio!
      Now that really is being too busy!