Incidentally, I did put together an e-book (though it was more of a collaborative piece with several authors)… It was a very small project/endeavor that I put together so there was no fancy design or anything like that… Anyway, I was surprised to hear some of the responses that I received!

All in all, it was A LOT of fun to put together >> nerve-racking once I hit published >> and satisfying to hear that people enjoyed it. I’d definitely do it again!

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Hi Ricardo,

Is this a book you share with the readers of your blog? If so, I’d love to know more about it.

Hi Al,

Who better than a published author to ask, hey? I love Lorelle’s answers, too, and how she described how NOT to do it. She has stressed “planning” in all aspects of blogging, and holding true to her beliefs, planning appears to be the key to a good ebook, as well.

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I like the idea of extending the reach of both your writing and blog by way of an ebook. It’s like a complementary spin-off.

I won Tim Brownson’s ebook in a competition and his perspective on life and life coaching is a good read.

Liz Strauss’ recent ebook on building a blog community has been creating a positive buzz lately, so I’m going to check it out too.

(PS You’ll see I’ve put in a url along with my name above- it’s my Twitter profile. I felt a little naked travelling the blogosphere url-less!

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Barbara:

When I started my blog, my intention was to turn it into a book, but a year and a half later the book wasn’t written and I realized the information in the proposed book would work much better as a series of email-based workshops.

I’m now about to launch the first of 3 workshops, with an accompanying e-book based on the “Someday Lessons” I give at the bottom of each post.

So, yeah, I’ve used the content of my blog to create two (and will be four) new products, that will enhance (I think) the blog itself.

We’ll see how things go once I’ve actually launched the workshop (of course building customers for that will take a while, so I won’t make any snap decisions).

Cheers,
Alex

Alex Fayle’s last blog post..Expanding Tastes

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I would like to have something published someday, but I’m more interested in writing childen’s books. For now I’m enjoying writing the blog and writing articles for the new online magazine Root and Sprout. I have not read many books by other bloggers.

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I just want to write, write, write. I want to write for my wife, my children, and myself. I absolutely plan to use my blog as a platform for all the projects I have in development. Right now, I have a stack of children’s books sitting on an agent’s desk. The agency accepts only five clients per year. They have told me that they are “seriously considering my work.” But even if they accept me, I can only put out one to two things a year. That’s not enough. I’d rather make less money, do it myself, and keep stoking my fire. We live in a new world where everyone has access. We don’t have to wait for a publisher to grace us with a yes. If we build something of quality, we will also build an audience.

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Fantastically helpful advice. Thank you Barbara and Lorelle. I’m thinking about publishing my blog posts in a book eventually - so I appreciate this wisdom very much.

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Yes I would like to be published in a book or as a freelancer. Ever since I was about 10 I dreamed of writing a book. Nothing has been published yet, although I wrote an essay once that attracted the attention of a newspaper columnist who wanted to meet me. That was exciting for 12-year-old. I hadn’t planned on publishing my blog, but it may spark a larger future project.

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Hi Ricardo,

I got your email. I’ll be reading your book real soon. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Alex,

Welcome to the BWAB community! What a great idea - E-mail based workshops in conjunction with an ebook.

I visited your blog and love your “someday lessons”. I’ll be by later to leave a comment or two.

Hi Natural,

Hey, I didn’t know you wrote an ebook. Care to share it with us? If it’s anything like your blog, I know it would be a great read.

Hi Debbie,

That’s a great way to get your name out there - writing for Root and Sprout. By the way, did anything ever transpire from the offer you had from the NY best selling author deal?

Hi Chris,

Oh yes! Self publishing is amazing. Based on what Lorelle said, it does take planning, but with some hard work, an ebook could be a great way to promote a blog and author, plus make money.

Hi Writer Dad,

What a great attitude. I totally agree with your words, ” If we build something of quality, we will also build an audience.”

Hi John,

A Star Trek novel? Who knew? Do you think you’ll ever revive it and maybe turn it into an ebook?

I’ve heard of the two books you mentioned (Aaron Wall and Darren Rowse). Those are other great examples of bloggers who turned part of their blogs into books.

I think your real estate investing series, as well as your other idea for businesses would make great ebooks. Although the information can be found online, often it’s nice to have it all in one place.

Me? I’m contemplating writing an ebook on wood recycling as it something we did for six years, and possibly doing something with my lessons & assignments. Both need a lot more planning, research and preparation (and I need time) before I would release them.

Hi Mark,

You’re welcome! With you being an artist, your art and blog posts would make for a very enjoyable read/look see.

Hello Smiling JEMi,

It is SO great to see you here again. (((hugs & smiles))). Having read your blog from the beginning, I can definitely see how you would have success in the world of being a published author. You go girl.

Hi Davina,

Yes, as bloggers, we’re writers (duh!), so transitioning into other published work, often becomes “the next step”. That’s pretty cool how at 12 your writings got noticed.

Hi Hunter,

Having written ebooks, you’re already well versed in the world of ebook publishing. Turning post ideas into ebooks is a great way to release your work as “one”. Knowing what will work for an ebook, and what won’t, is part of the battle.

RE: Upgrading to WordPress 2.6. That’s not something I’ve done yet, but not being able to log into our blogs would be “heart stopping”. Thanks for sharing what worked for you.

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Hi Barbara:
I don’t see a book emerging from one bag nation. Even if the topic were book-worthy, I don’t know that I have the focus or discipline to write a book!

That being said, I think the subject of my new blog might be book-worthy. If so, I’ll have to find a way to get it done.

I’d love to read reviews of blogging books (check your email, we’re on the same page again) and I’d love to read YOUR ebook!!

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Hi Barbara: Yes, I want to turn my blog posts into a book, thank you asking Lorelle questions on this topic. If you have lots of useful information in your blog I think even long-time readers would want to purchase it so that they can have all of the information in one place.

@Hunter: You’re the third person I’ve heard about who’s had problems when upgrading to wordpress 2.6, now I don’t want to do it.

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As I travel, it’s easiest to tell people “I’m a writer” in response to the famous question, “What do you do?” They always assume I’m a published book author and tell me that they always wanted to write a book. Usually about their lives.

A lot of people think they have led uncommon lives. While many have, most haven’t. But it’s nice to think that they think so. However, the difference between someone with a story to tell and a book to write is the presentation. If there is a book worth writing, and they have the writing skills, it will be written. If there is a book worth writing, and they don’t have the skills, it may never be written. If they have money or fame enough, someone can be hired to write it. But most stories go untold - until blogging.

Writing a book is similar but very different from writing a blog. A blog is timely - and incomplete. When you sit down to have a conversation with someone, you don’t tell them the WHOLE story and all the history and facts associated with every event. You start somewhere, questions come up, ideas and information is exchanged, and there is a flow to the story being told. A blog is that kind of communications medium. I start a conversation and the comments are as important to the content as my start. It’s hard to convert that into a book format directly.

Which is why I tell bloggers that the “convert your blog into a book” tools become a lot of work in reality. It’s better to take the content, incorporate the comments, and create a book in the traditional sense of a book, rather than duplicate the blog content exactly. The background story must be fleshed out.

What I didn’t share in our initial conversation, Barbara, is that I’ve been reading ebooks for over five years on my hand held computer. It’s an old Palm T and I use the Tiny Book Reader (TBR) program with automatic scrolling. I love it and am totally lost without it. It goes with me everywhere. I’ve read hundreds of books on it and now when I go back to a real book, it’s a miserable experience.

I just wish I could find a way to convert pdf files to TBR format. SIGH.

I started using it to read work-related technical information and found it so easy to use. I could read it in bed without the light on as the Palm computer has a backlight. I could control the speed of the scroll to exactly the speed I needed, slower for technical stuff, faster for reading for pleasure, and my husband didn’t have to wake up every time I turned a page. My husband likes it for that and the fact that he can now sleep in darkness undisturbed if I can’t put the book down. It soon replaced normal books for me. I love it.

I also think it is really lame that there isn’t a good book reader program for cell phones and iPhones and the equivalent. It’s so easy!

I thought I would never move away from a printed book. I’m a major book junkie and most of the boxes in my storage are filled with books that I long to see and feel and dive into. But reading on the plane, waiting for the plane, traveling, in bed, at conferences (when bored), and everywhere is a whole lot easier with my handheld computer. I’m eager for ebooks to gain popularity.

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Hi John,

Thanks for coming back and answering my questions. Yes, writing a book would take tons of work.

Hi Ann,

You’ve piqued my interest. Another blog? I checked my email and replied. My ebook? Please be VERY patient!

Hi Debbie,

I wondered what happened to that “offer”. If your heart’s not in it, it’s best not to get involved. I do hope you get the job you applied for. I’m sure you’ll keep us all updated on your blog.

Hi Marelisa,

You’re welcome! I agree, it’s great when we can have everything in one spot (and not buried in the archives of a blog)

Hi Linda Abbit,

That’s a great idea; to use your blogging as a stepping stone to speaking. You’re right, it would not only give you another use for your blog topics, but would also get you in the midst of people in the real world.

I’m happy to hear I’d have a couple of readers for my (future) book.

Hi Lorelle,

I love when you come and visit and leave a comment. It’s like a bonus post as you share such valuable information with the BWAB community.

I like how you suggest to take our blog posts PLUS the comments to create “pages” in a book. Since comments add so much value, the book itself, would also be different than just reading a persons blog.

Your Palm T and Tiny Book Reader sounds awesome. With the amount of time you travel, it must come in very handy (plus take up less space). What a great way to get your reading in.

Hi Vered,

Does that make you wonder if you DO have a book in you? Based on your blog posts, you know you have the ability to keep us coming back for more.

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Hi Barbara,

I printed off my blog entries from last year and had them bound. This is something I plan on doing every year. I will always have them. I don’t think too many people would be interested in reading a hard copy of my blog though, so I will just keep it to myself.

My goal is to get a novel published within the next four years. Maybe I am just old school, I don’t know, but I want a traditional big time publisher to put out some of my work. I am working towards that goal in baby steps right now. But I am working at it.

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Hey Barbara, thanks for doing this series. I am learning quite a fair bit. Today’s post is no exception. I’d be interested to write a book on personal development one day but at this point, I don’t know where to start. Hence any prelimnary info is great!

I think that the appeal in a book or ebook lies in the fact that the gist of what is being shared on a site is distilled down. I am one who likes to go over stuff that is important. So I like the idea of reading short clips on a website and also carrying a book around with me, while waiting for my girls’ classes to end.

Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn

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Hi Karl,

Yes, that is a great nugget. Although some of our community members may buy our book(s), we need to target a wider audience.

Hi Chase,

I have no doubt you’ll meet that goal Chase, and I do understand you wanting a traditional book, instead of an ebook. Although ebooks will become more popular, a hard covered book is more tangible.

Hi Rajaie,

Never underestimate your skills. Although your age (14) can be a disadvantage, just think of how many years you have over the rest of us.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Hi Evelyn,

That would be exciting to see you write a book on personal development. You blog would make the perfect stepping stone. Please do keep us posted when you get it written.

Hi Robin,

I didn’t know you were an author of children’s non-fiction books. How exciting! That is amazing how online publishing/blogging works, isn’t it. It’s instantaneous!

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Hi Urban Panther,

Yes, we do want to “do it right” (or would that be “do it write”? ) As Lorelle has reiterated throughout this interview, we need to plan. Without a solid plan, we could easily fall on our face. I’d say you’re on the right track.

We never know where our blogging will take us. Just remember to enjoy the journey.

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Hi Sara with an “h”

Haha. I hate to tell you this, but you’re a writer already. And a good one, at that.

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Hi Lorelle,

Based on what you said about procrastination justification, I see I have a time “issue”. Would I love to blog full time? Oh Yeah! Can I? Not at this time. Will I someday? Definitely!

You are so right! There is a lot of “meat” in the comments to this series. Myself, I am using them to extract ideas for future blog posts. They’ve taught me lots, and from what I’ve learned, I will share.

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