My first book is being released on 7/17/06

[kconn23]

http://www.kenconnally.com/kconn23/booksmall.jpg

My first book of poetry titled "The Blind Shall See: Revelation" is set for release on July 17, 2006.

The poetry is inspired by life long battles with diabetes, asthma, loss of sight and the slow onset of diabetic neuropathy in the last few years. Other topics include living a Christ centered life as a man in a world of temptation.

After reading all the debates and issues I chose Publish America. So far they have been great at answering questions and taking care of concerns.

I've been in no rush and have already received my copies for distribution. I have had several people tell me they are buying copies as gifts and have at least one book store interested so far.

All of my royalties from the sale of this book will go to the building fund at Shoreline Christian Center in Austin Texas.

More information on the book is available on my website www.kenconnally.com (http://www.kenconnally.com).

thank you and God Bless,

Ken Connally

[hannah]

Ken, I have read you intro and I`m full of admiration for the way you cope with life.

I would certainly like a copy of this book. I have a friend who has used Publish America, she is from the States but lives in Ireland now.

Can I go through Amazon and order a copy after the 17th?

Congratulations!

Hannah

[kconn23]

Hannah,

The book can already be purchased through B&N or Amazon online. I'm working with Amazon right now though, for some reason they have the name wrong online. The publisher is getting that taken care of for me

Just go to either site and search by my name "Ken Connally" and you should be able to locate the book.

Thanks,

Ken

[ellenjames]

Congratulations, Ken!

I do hope Publish America treats you fairly. Did you have to do all the editing?

Ellenjames/Bertha
www.freewebs.com/wayber

[kconn23]

Thank you Bertha!

They gave me the option of doing it myself or having them do it. Since this is poetry, I chose to do it myself. Then, I had a group of friends review the entire book and do my editing for me.

I now belong to a newly formed writers group at our church, we do editing for one another.

[ellenjames]

Great Ken!

Does your writing group at church meet once a week?

You know I always enjoy your poetry.

Ellenjames/Bertha
www.freewebs.com/wayber

[Keith Wallis]

Noticed from your website that your church is many times larger than ours - glad that you've been able to form a writers group within it. Some years ago I belonged to a local writers group which was minute and in which I was the only Christian - it was interesting while it lasted and was certainly encouraging in its way. Hope you'll maintain your input at CW though.
The name of Centre reminds me of a line I wrote many years ago:
"we're part of the shoreline, waiting for the tide to turn"

[rljfl]

Congrats Ken!

[kconn23]

Thanks rljfl.

Bertha, the writing group only meets once a month presently. There are so many other things going on at our church there wasn't much time for a more regular meeting.

Keith, I won't be leaving CW. In fact, I've been encouraging everyone in the group to come to CW. We'll be putting it on the writer's group blog soon.

thanks again all,

Ken

[paulchernoch]

I was once blind for all of two days, due to my own folly. I know I could never cope with loss of sight - God bless you for persevering. I hope you are able to minister to many through your words. Congratulations on making it this far!

- Paul

[kconn23]

Well, I don't want all to think I've completely lost my sight. It is basically completely gone in my left eye. Has been for about 10 years now (that's hard to believe). My right eye held steady for many years. I think it's time to go back to the doctor though. I've been noticing these last few months that everything is getting harder and harder to see.

The doctors have long told me that I coudl lose it completely at any time. I tell myself I'm ready. But I guess I'll find out for sure if it ever finally does happen. I know God will take care of me though.

[guernseyscot]

Congratulations Ken on the publication of your first book. may there be many more!
I pray healing and restoration in your eyes, in Jesus name. He has certainly helped you with your asthma, so why not your eyes!
I had been diagnosed as an asthmatic about five years ago, it can be very scary. I trusted God for my healing and after watching a TV Christian programme where an elderly lady was healed of it and listening to the words of her testimony, those words sparked faith inside me and there and then God healed me. I have not used an inhaler for over a year now.Glory to God!
Keep writing!

[daisyfromNZ]

Hey Ken, awesome to hear that you have got your book published. Thats wonderful!!! I have had a look at your website, and I am encouraged by your attitude through trial. Trial is such a part of life eh, but how much we can learn about our Saviour and ourselves in going through it. God is so gracious.

Nice to meet you :-)

[Barry]

Ken,

Congratulations on the book. I had an employee that had to retire with diabetic neuropathy, I'll be praying for you.

God Bless

[Allie Webster]

We are all happy for your success! Enjoy the limelight for a brief moment!!thumbsup!

[love2write]

Hope Publish America treats you better than they did the rest of us. God is the one who will bless your efforts, and we all send prayers up for you that your book is a success.

Writers, please read the warnings on Preditors & Editors and other numerous websites about PA.

[David Meigs]

Congrats on the book being released. I hope you sell a million copies!

I’m sorry to hear about the neuropathy and vision loss. Diabetes is so hard on our bodies. I’m diabetic too, so I sympathize.

May the Lord bless all you do! Keep up the good writing.

[kconn23]

Thank you everyone! The activity so far on the book has been exciting. I'm working with a few papers right now trying to get articles on the book in. Also ordering a few copies to donate to local libraries and schools. You all know how it works. Try to get as much publicity as possible.

Ken C.

[lfutral]

Awesome! I don't have credit cards and paypal and I don't get along. Is there a way to go to the book store and order a copy of this? I have a cousin who went totally blind due to a diabetic coma. His sight has return somewhat but is still very limited but would like to get a copy of this to him.
Lfutral

[kconn23]

Lfutral,

The book can be ordered in any bookstore that uses Ingram book distributors. Christian Family Bookstores uses Spring Arbor distributors I believe and it can be ordered there as well.

Now, this is a poetry book, so it doesn't actually discuss living with theese issues. I write about them indirectly as my "demons" in my poetry. I also write about being a Christian man in a secular world and the battles of temptation.

Just wanted you to be aware of what exactly was in the book.

Hope this helps,

thanks

Ken C.

[tlm]

Ken,
For publicity, your best bet locally, will be a well-written press release. The one PA sends out will do little for you. On the PA messageboard is a post I started that has been helpful for many writers. It is under the Writing Discussion--General thread. It is called "Press Release Templates." It gives several sites where you can find good templates to follow for writing press releases. If you follow those instructions you will be able to write a press release that will get the attention of local media. Save the templates on your computer to use over and over. I would find the post for you, but have been banned from the PA messageboard.

I had a PA book and publicity is an uphill battle. I did better than most of their writers, though. I wish you the best of luck.

[kconn23]

Thank you TLM!!

I'll take a look.

[love2write]

Hi Ken,

Publish America does not use Spring Arbor as a distrubutor. Ingram is their one and only.

I worked extremely hard promoting my novel. I sent press releases out, had newspaper interviews, sent a notice to almost every library in the US individually (that took a very long time and work), I networked, held eight book signings. I also had speaking engagements.

I was told by Miranda Prather PA's executive director I was one of their bestselling authors. I found it interesting they let one of their 'bestselling authors' go. PA could never give me an exact number of copies sold. I had people contact me, individuals and libraries, telling me they bought my book, but my royalty statements from PA did not line up. I know I was not paid all my royalities, and it is too embarrassing to say what they told me the number of books sold were. I know that I sold around 500.

Larry Clopper, PA CEO, is quoted in the Washington Post as saying PA books sell about 75 copies each. That is a terrible number.

The uphill battle is an understatement. Their policies were my roadblocks to success. You will have to face them, too. Bookstores are not favorable toward Publish America due to many factors. One they only give bookstores a small discount and a 5% return policy which make is so bookstores make no money on a PA book. This is something new. When I signed with them they told me my book would be in bookstores. Turned out they were not because they had a no return policy. Publishers give bookstores a 40% return. PA's 5% is substandard.

Bookstores are put off because of the high cover prices. My books were at least $10 more than other books that size.

Publish America are very slick when it comes to promoting their company. On their website they say they are the number 1 book publisher in the US. This is a marketing ploy on their part and is far from the truth. They may be when it comes to the number of authors they've published, around 16,000 I believe. They are not because of the number of sales. They are an author mill. They are also facing several lawsuits.

I'm only telling you this so you are careful. Try to keep track of your sales and do not get your expectations up that PA will help you. For one thing they do not care if they sell your book to readers. What they care about is selling books to you.

Since your book is poetry, I recommend you try to set up some speaking engagements locally at your libraries. Another tip is to design an order form for your book. This way people can send it in to Publish America with a check or credit card. I think PA still has an order form online. I had a printable form on my website. You could also print the form out and slip it inside a flyer for your book.

If you write another book, try sending it to Christian literary agents. Poetry is indeed hard to sell. So if that doesn't work out, try LuLu. At least there you have total control, set your price, and retain your rights.

[WalterTerry]

Ken I know it is exciting,and I am very glad for you. Will pray for your natural eyesight, and can clearly see you have no problem seeing. All grace to you. Walter

[kconn23]

Thanks loves2write for all the info. I didn't write my book to sell a million copies or to make a million dollars. I probably would not have even gone through with the whole publishing bit if I had not had all the prompting I did from friends. I agree, there are battles I'll be facing. I just didn't want to go through all the hassle of sending my stuff off to publishers and waiting to hear back. I never sent one single manuscript out.

I figured, going this route, I'm not out of my pocket for any money for publishing. I've had two people in just today tell me that they either started going to church, or found encouragement in my words. That makes me feel good. I feel that if God wants to use me and my words to encourage others, so be it. He will make sure it gets in the hands of the people it nneds to get to.

Besides, I've already got about a third of the next book written. Maybe I'll try a different publisher for that book.

Again, thank you for all the information.

Ken C

[pixydust]

Lulu.com is a great pub company, and charges no fee to the author and gives several options. Might want to think of them for your next book.

Best of luck, and remember, when God in in the mix it all ends up "perfect" in the end.