About karenevoss

I am a published author whose thoughts run deep. I am changing the world by informing, inspiring and motivating through my thoughts, my words, and my actions while using my higher brain to create the me I am meant to become. Together we can change the world.

Reaching for milestones

Posted on May 3, 2014 by karenevoss

Two days this week of book milestones!

Wednesday night, April 30th, at a YMCA book signing, I sold my 50th copy and 9 more. On Thursday, May 1st, I sold the 60th copy to my godfather who lives in Minnesota plus one more that he purchased for me to donate to the library of my choice.

On Thursday, May 1st, the mail revealed an envelope from my publisher. It only took me a minute to realize what it contained; my first royalty check. Whoo Hoo! My first royalty check! I took a look and grinned ear to ear. I made a copy of the check before I took it to the bank today.

Last week, I gifted a book to my cousin after another cousin referenced in my book passed away in Heaven so technically that book made #50. While my cousin isn’t physically here, she’s here with me while I write and in the memories I hold in my heart.

A Month In

Posted on April 24, 2014 by karenevoss

It’s been almost a month since That’s All I Got showed its face around town. There’s been a good response and I’m one book away from selling my first 50 personally! My cousin’s wife who mentioned in the book passed away last week and she never got to see it so I chose to gift a copy to my cousin at the funeral home last night. Yesterday morning, my other blog, Inspiring Thru Thought, published the tribute I wrote for her, In Memory of an Author, that’s received a positive response both in comments on facebook and in person. I knew my book could help inspire others, but I never thought a blog post could touch so many lives. This leads me believe that I have a knack to help others.

I’m currently in the process of getting That’s All I Got approved by AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) in the coming months. I’m confident it’ll pass inspection and then I can send it to other markets/areas to help others. In the meantime, I have three upcoming events; two of which are at the South Shore YMCA here in Milwaukee and one at my church dinner. All of these events are listed on this blogs main page and through EventBrite. Exciting times!

PUBLISHED!

Posted on March 28, 2014 by karenevoss

I AM AN AUTHOR!

That’s All I Got
Thrival: A Widow’s Journey After Suicide
by Karen E Voss

After many hours, weeks, and months of writing, editing, and revising, the day has arrived where I can hold the finished book in my hands. I received the first copy gift wrapped, it’s a present after all, a dream that has come true.

Published Author

First Copy

Anticipation!

Posted on March 27, 2014 by karenevoss

The day has arrived for my books to arrive! Earlier today I received an email saying that they have arrived. I knew it would be today at some point, but I didn’t know what time of day. While I’m unable to actually touch them until Friday morning at 9am due to scheduling, I’m psyched!

When I read the email, my eyes began to water before a few tears shed. The tears represented happiness, accomplishment, and achieving a dream. I am an author!

En route!

Posted on March 25, 2014 by karenevoss

Earlier today, I received an email from my Kira from my publisher, Henschel Haus Publishing, with this exact wording, “Books have shipped – I’ll keep you posted as to when they arrive … YAY!” Could I have gotten more excited, oh yes I could and can and did. My response included, “Oh goody goody gumdrops!! ”

My excitement of course, couldn’t be contained so I shared the news with a few people. I also updated my Facebook status to read, “The first run of books are en route to Milwaukee!”

I hope work is busy for the next couple days so my mind isn’t entirely focused on receiving word that the books are here.

Excitement builds.

Now available for Kindle!

Posted on March 19, 2014 by karenevoss

I’m published for Kindle!

I didn’t think this occurred until the paperback became available. Not true since it showed up last night. I knew yesterday afternoon that it had been making its journey to Amazon. I looked for it last night and saw it, but I didn’t choose to share it until this morning when more people would see my posting on Facebook.

It’s exciting that’s for sure. I’m full of energy and in a very good mood. I can only imagine what I’ll be like when I’m holding the paperback copy in my hands.

That’s All I Got on Kindle

Full Speed Ahead!

Posted on March 17, 2014 by karenevoss

Following months of proofs and corrections, there’s light at the end of this tunnel. As like the synopsis of the book, editing can take on its dark days, but there’s hope that things will turn out right.

Last Friday, I sent in the last of the corrections. The next stage included having the electronic book turn electronic, in other words converted to an eBook format for Kindle. Then on schedule having the electronic copy sent off to the printer, for you guessed it, book printing!

Over the weekend, I worked on home projects while trying to keep my mind from wondering if the electronic copy got submitted to the printer. I figured it wouldn’t be until today, however, excitement hides logic. I learned this afternoon that indeed, the book became suitable for Kindle and that the book headed to the printer this afternoon. I also found out that a few minor errors received correcting. I guess they didn’t cease upon my approval.

Now I wait for less than two weeks. During this time, I have plenty to keep my mind occupied including completing the Iron Idleman month long competition at my YMCA and working on other projects at home. I plan to start gearing up for my first book signing events. I do know, my excitement hasn’t stopped building and very soon I can say that I’m a published author.

Speedy Progression

Posted on March 6, 2014 by karenevoss

The past week brought about lots of activity.

Lots of emails exchanged between reviewers, my publisher, and myself.
Lots of hours logged at my laptop–reading the entire book, responding, and some typing.

The final stages of getting That’s All I Got published have drawn closer. It’s one of speedy progression. No wonder I’ve been having odd dreams and restless sleep hours.

Progress at its best included:
*Receiving, prepping, and submitting reviews
*Receiving, posting, and sharing the pre-orders link
*Approving book marketing post-cards
*Rejecting and after changes approving the full book cover
*Receiving round 3 of proofs, editing, and submitting corrections…does this ever cease?
Someone told me that corrections never cease. I pray that they do.

So much happening…

Posted on February 4, 2014 by karenevoss

In less than a week, so much has changed.

*I acquired another person to read and review for publication.
*I received the 2nd proofs and I had them printed and bound through my jobs print center.
*I’ve handed two of these copies out and emailed the PDF files to two other people.
*The date of publication has moved up by a month to the end of March.
*I booked the first of many (I hope) book signings!

Decisions, decisions

Posted on January 9, 2014 by karenevoss

Who knew that when publishing a book, there’d be lots of decisions? From deciding on a book cover to choosing photos that require involvement in the book and that’s just now. First I had to decide if I liked the layout and fonts, chosen specifically for this book (or maybe not). It’s not just the design and layout.

While I’m working through my editing phase, I note that I have to choose chapter titles so they aren’t the generic chapter 1, chapter 2, etc. I’ll have to idea generate as I read through the chapters to decide on what to write.

For months and I mean many months, ideas on where to take my book once published keep arriving in my mind or through others. From bookstores to various cities for example, Big Rapids, MI where I went to school, are on the list. That’s All I Got has a home in Milwaukee, WI and the list of ideas grows monthly. Pretty cool, but then my brain tells me how much work this might be, but do I let it discourage me? Nope.

I had to choose people to review the book before it’s published. Each person I asked plays a different position in my journeys course and each one knows different parts of my progress, though none of them know the entire story. I’m thankful that each person excitedly agreed to read the book ahead of time and give a short review that will appear on the back cover.

A task given to me involved searching and choosing photos from our engagement, wedding, and honeymoon. The suggestion was six photos so I have nine. I had to decide which head shot photo to use. I had four retouched and from there I chose one for the book and the others for the blog and Facebook pages.

Lots of decisions made and more to come as the book progresses forward. Each detail has numerous pieces and each part has numerous ideas. I’m sure the most fun involves marketing and promoting. Keeping it simple, real, and cost-effective even though it could prove challenging. I’m up for the difficult tasks that arise.

That's All I Got!

Thrival: A Widow's Journey After Suicide

Author Archives: karenevoss