This post was originally published in 2012. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.
There’s something about the feel, the look, and even the smell of a book. I love turning the pages, feeling the cover, and devouring the text – on a plane, a beach, in a waiting room, lounging in bed, or anywhere else I happen to have a few moments to “escape”.
There’s something about the printed word, read off a good old fashioned piece of paper, that represents a pinnacle of success to many writers, should their words be immortalized in such a way.
There’s something about books. Multiple times a week, people tell me “you should write a book”! Never mind the fact that I’ve probably written the equivalent of a dozen books between this website and all the other places I’m regularly published in magazines and extensively online.
There’s just something about books.
I was lucky enough to have my words first immortalized in print as a co-author of 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, released in 2009.
And I’m pleased to announce the new release of my second co-authoring experience, in a book called From The Grand Canyon to the Great Wall: Travelers’ Best, Worst, and Most Ridiculous Stories From the Road.
The book is a compilation of 67 stories written by 54 different authors taking place in 45 different countries around the world. I have two stories being published in the book – one about a bizarre encounter I had on a side street Spain, and one about the rigours of romance on the road.
Getting Support as a Writer
With the release of my first book, I learned a few hard lessons about getting moral and professional support, especially while living abroad.
It has made me gun-shy about self-promotion in general; even more so when it comes to dealing with family and friends.
So I don’t want to flog this book on anybody – be you a stranger, a travel/writing colleague, or my mother (hi mum!).
I won’t keep track of who does and doesn’t order the book, so don’t worry – you’re not being watched.
I do believe, however, that From The Grand Canyon to the Great Wall is a fun read, and I expect you’ll enjoy it.
Thank you for your support!
Congrats on the 2nd book release! I can’t wait for my turn to come. For now–working toward location independence! 🙂
Congrats! That’s very exciting. Looks like a great read!
Conratulations Nora….very well done and yes there is something different about the feely touchy thing when you actually curl up with a book and hug a book in your hands…I am going to be sure to get a copy. BTW: I love the title ” From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall”.
Was this is a self-publish venture? or done through a publishing house…? what is your opinion on self-publishing? Reasom I am asking is that I am actually considering a sel-publish gig on a book I am writing…Thanks for your input, if any and Congrats again darling…well done
That’s great! Congrats Nora! Will certainly check it out!
Thanks, all!
And @Baron’s – This was a hybrid between self-publishing and conventional publishing, if that makes sense….
As for self-publishing, there’s a school of thought that says it’s the wave of the future. Regardless of whether something is self-published or house-published, I believe it ultimately boils down to marketing.
They say that writing the book is the easy part….it’s getting the book out there that makes all the difference. And although a publishing house has a lot of marketing reach, they also have a lot of books to market, and it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle.
Chris Guillebeau published a guide to publishing(!) that I’m reading, which outlines the pros and cons for both, and how to get started. So far I find it quite informative:
Congrats on the second book publication. 🙂