picture book

The Story Of Elmer in Yosemite is Out!!

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Just in case you are new to the Prepared Idiot Podcast and Blog we did a 3 Part series on how to publish your own children’s book. (You can still get those shows on this website). It took a year of dealing with illustrators and figuring out what shape the story should take. BUT IT’S DONE!

Thin_book_03Since the 1930’s Yosemite campers have long been confused and amused by shouts from all directions calling the name “Elmer!” Imagine sitting in your campsite, enjoying an evening campfire and the quietness of the evening is suddenly interrupted by all of your neighbors erupting into a shouting match calling for the little boy that got lost decades ago. The inescapable exchange is often heard in the campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. A tale that has survived for years around the campfire is now a children’s book to read around the fire by flashlight. So cuddle up in your sleeping bag and learn The Story of Elmer and a little bit about Yosemite National Park.

If you have follow the blog for a while you will have seen some of the early proofs that I had done trying to find someone to illustrate the Story of Elmer for me. It turns out that my friend Alden Olmsted was the right guy for the job!

Alden is a filmmaker, photographer, and artist, and is the youngest son of California naturalist and parks crusader John Olmsted.  Growing up in Sonoma with his older brother and history major mother, he was often out past bedtime, exploring most every creek and canyon within bicycling distance. Distant cousin to famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Alden continues his father’s dream of an across California hiking trail at ACTrail.org.

Because you are listeners you can get your copy now! Before the masses get their grubby little hands on itt! That is why I have created a special discount just for you. For the next 2 weeks only enter the discount code (PapaBob) upon checkout and get 2 dollars off of each book you order! Get your copies before it is on-line and in stores go to Elmerinyosemite.com now and help Elmer find his way into your home!

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How to Publish your Own Book Part 1 (Re-broadcast)

How to Publish your Own Book Part 2 (Re-broadcast)

How to Publish your Own Book Part 3 (Re-broadcast)

How to Write A Children’s Picture Book Part 3

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Elmer sample 1

In this episode the Prepared Idiot concludes the three part series in publishing your own children’s picture book. In the first two parts of the series we did research for our book to decide what we are passionate about and what we can actually sell. We all also decided on the format of our book. But most of all Rich discovered that if you are going to publish straight to the Kindle you might as well self publish to a paper copy of the book. The cost is not that much more to create and you get a finished product to distribute. Continue reading →

How to Create a Children’s Picture Book Part 2

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book

 

In this episode of the Prepared Idiot we continue down the path towards getting our children’s book on Amazon’s kindle. Since we last talked a few things have happened. First I published my first eBook to Wine Cover the Kindle. I did this to see how hard it would be to publish a standard text book so that later I can compare it to a fixed layout children’s book. If you would like a copy check out: The Prepared Idiot’s Guide to Buying and EnjoyingWine. If you would like a great looking cover like mine check this artist out Continue reading →

How to Write a Children’s Picture Book for the Kindle

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knight

Once upon a time                         there was an Idiot and he had always wanted to write a children’s picture book. He knew that ever getting his work published would be impossible because of the overlord publishers. They ruled with a mighty fist declaring with waves of there royal hands who could get there work to the masses and who could not.

Then one day from deep in the Amazon, a good and wise fairy emerged. Her mission was to set the creativity and opportunity free for anyone studied and worked hard enough. This fairy’s name was Kindle. Continue reading →