Time to send a big THANK YOU out to all the folks who took time to comment during the month of December-you truly do make the Blind Pig a better place to visit!
Janet, Just Jackie, Julie at Elisharose, Miss Cindy, Brenda Kay Ledford, Osagebluff Quilter, Warren, David Templeton, Martina, Glenda, Fencepost, Rick's Whitetail Woods, Mary Life In A Cordwood Cabin, Paul Saltcreek, B. Ruth, Vicki Lane, Eva Nell Mull Wike, Ph.D., Sarah, Wanda, Stacey South Western PA, Lynn Legge, Pat in East TN, Jen, Sandra, Sheryl Paul, Kenneth M. Roper, Anastasia, Mike McLain, Nancy Simpson, Kenneth O Hoffman, Mamabug, Kat, Lonnie Dockery, Canned Quilter, Jim Casada, Don Casada, Charline, Bradley, Uncle Al, Rooney Floyd, Teresa, Rachel Sliding Through Life, Luann, Ethel, Sheila Bergeron, Jennifer In OR, Melissa P Misplaced Southerner, Wanda Devers, Bill Dotson, Donna W, Sandy Carlson, Janet Pressley, PinnacleCreek, Suzi Phillips, Debby Brown, RB, Pointless Picks, Lise, John Dilbeck , Mary Shipman, Shirla, downthelanegirl, Glynda, Sue Crane, Lisa At 2 Bears Farm, Gary Powell, Ed Myers, Dolores, Sassy, Baking Barb, Charlotte, Mary Rutherford, Elizabeth K, Susie Swanson, Cee, Wayne Newton, Laurie Stone, NCMountainWoman, Tea4Too, Bf, Ron Banks, Mary Berrong, John Stonecypher, Tom, Lewis, Tim Mclemore, Sandy, Rosann Kent, Nancy M., Tony Foster, Brenda 'Okie in Colorado, Carol Isler, Bill Burnett, Leon, Madge, Kimberly, Kim at Stuff Could Be Worse, Ed Ammons, Laura Williams Musings, Carol, Juana, Ethelene Dyer Jones, Patty Hall, Joe Mode, Karen Larsen, Janice MacDaniels, Christine, Lanny, Linda Kerlin, Brian Blake, Laura Cunningham, Sam Ensley, Alica Happily Married To The Cows, Diane, Sam at My Carolina Kitchen, Rose C, Debora Kerr, Fishing Guy, Rechelle, Shirley Owens, Coffeemuses, Grandpa Ken, Sandy K, Belva, Larry Proffitt, Jackie Shound Ringersma, Darlene LaRoche, Jen Y, Ruthie, Judith, Kent Lockman, Barbara Gantt, Dale Anderson, Ebet, Pamela Moore, WinterHawk, John, Mary Lou Sweat, Mama Crow, Barbara Johnson, Mike Echols, Marianne, Barbara Daca, Ferne Kellow, Ronda, Kay Dallas, Jo, Cyndi, Paul Certo, Phyllis Schmitz, Paula, Trisha Too, Lanie, Ken Kuhlmann, YoungHarrisBob, Darlene Debty Kimsey, Bobby C, Marcia Campbell, Gary Greene, Bob Humphreys, Jill, Bob Aufdemberge, Debbie, Bernadette B, Kempie Rackley,Dolores Barton, Anne, Dorothy, Mark Selby, Allen, Rachelle at Nanatahala Farms and Nursery, carynverell, Angie Siddall, Karen, Kris, Rosalinda, Shirley Stinnett, Georgie, Mary Lou McKillip, Jessica Puckett, Smallgood, Shane Moad, Dennis Price, Doctordave, Kathryn Magendie, Sherry Whitaker, Kathy Ferrell, Bob, Lisa Snuggs, George Dengler, JJ, Ruth, Jenny-Jenny, Kendra Bailey Morris, John Ratterree, Judy Mincey, Old Lucky Knife, Amy, Rhonda, Uncle Dave, Bob Dalsemer, Carolyn, Steve Larkin, and Craig Law Horne.
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A few months ago someone asked me if my Appalachia Through My Eyes photo series came in book form. I gave a long sigh........and said "No. That is something I've thought about doing-but there just isn't enough hours in the day." And quietly-inside my head I said "And who in the world would want to buy one anyway?"
Just a few days later I got an email from someone asking the same question!
I knew I couldn't afford to go to a publisher and self-publish-so I did what I always do when I need something-I started googling. And guess what I found-MagCloud. It's a company owned by HP that allows anyone to easily -and cheaply make a book or a magazine. The cheap part is possible because it is print on demand-meaning no books are printed until someone actually buys one.
Since Christmas was speeding right towards me-I played around with the MagCloud site and made a few books to give as presents. My books were a hit on Christmas morning at Pap and Granny's.
Pap said "Did you really make this?" I said "Yes-I just took it from my blog." My brother Steve said "And you took these pictures?" I said "Yes-I took them for my blog and then I took them from there to make your book."
Everyone else liked the books too and wanted to know if I was going to try to sell them. I explained my book selling predicament to them. How it cost so much to print books-how it was such a hassle to find a publisher-how I didn't have time to figure it all out-how it was only because MagCloud was so easy to use and cheap that I even made one for them. My sister-n-law said "Tipper you already found the answer to all those problems you're talking about-here is the book-and you should sell it because people will buy it. And if MagCloud works like you say it does-then what does it matter if they don't buy it?" She always was the smartest girl in school.
So if you click below the photo up there where is says Appalachia Through My Eyes (or right here) you can jump over to MagCloud and check out my new book. I went back through the series and picked my favorite posts from the series for the book. Hardcopies-they actually have a soft cover- are $14.00 (plus shipping and handling). Each book comes with a free digital download. If you're only interested in the digital downloads-they come in PDF form and are $2.80 each.
You've probably already guessed it-but if not-the prize for December-is a digital download of my new book-and the winner is...Gary Powell.
Be sure to click on a commenter's name above-all the ones in orange have websites-go for a visit-I know you'll be glad you did.
Drop back by tomorrow for a look back at 2011 on the Blind Pig & the Acorn and another chance to win a free download of Appalachia Through My Eyes.
Tipper
Subscribe for free to Blind Pig And The Acorn by Email
Congratulations, Gary!
Very interesting, Tipper. I'm gonna have to check this out!!
Posted by: Becky | January 07, 2012 at 09:39 AM
congratulations! Yes, getting things published is difficult and expensive. I'll have to go check the site out.
Posted by: Janet Smart | January 05, 2012 at 09:30 AM
great idea and i remember all of these. i have not had time to look back but might try it. i had no internet for 4 hours today. bah humbug.
Posted by: Sandra | January 05, 2012 at 09:30 AM
Such a wonderful idea...thinking about a family cookbook myself
Posted by: Sheryl Paul | January 05, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Congratulations you are in PRINT now girl!
I will check them out. Cause I want see your book.
Posted by: Osagebluffquilter | January 04, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Wow-what a great idea & aren't you just smart. Bet you sell lots of books. I can't wait to get my copy.
Posted by: Suzi Phillips | January 04, 2012 at 08:43 PM
Congratulations on your book. So glad you went on ahead with it! From the preview it looks great - I gotta have one now! Also so glad you're passing on your cooking skills with the cooking class. Looks like great fun.
Posted by: ozarkgirl | January 04, 2012 at 08:30 PM
Congratulations to Gary!! It is a beautiful book. I got to see one of them over Christmas.
Tipper your like the energizer bunny you just keep going--working--learning--improving, you are a wonder to behold!
Congratulations, you've done it again!
Posted by: Miss Cindy | January 04, 2012 at 06:32 PM
Tipper,
Congradulations to Gary on his win
of all them pictures. I'm glad you
did save all that hard work and
published your book of real life.
I had to refresh my site to get it
to work, but finally got to browse
your book...great idea and good
sense. Gotta have it...Ken
Posted by: Ken | January 04, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Tipper: Congratulations!
When we were in the process of finding a publisher for "The Matheson Cove in the Shadow of the Devil's Post Office" I went far and wide but could not find 'the right publisher' for our book. However in Knoxville we found a wonderful couple who had been in the business for 30 years! After one interview I knew we should go with them. Now they have since retired and closed their offices!
Getting passed the unknowns of publishing is difficult - BUT it can be done!
Eva Nell
Posted by: Eva Nell Mull Wike, Ph.D. | January 04, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Congratulations Tipper, nicely done!
Posted by: Ethel | January 04, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Excellent!!! Way to go, Tipper! How great to be able to really buy the book.
Posted by: Melissa P (Misplaced Southerner) | January 04, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Great! Now to get your stories together! Mine is on the way too.
Of course I'll want your autograph, you know, in case you keep at it and become famous...which, I think, is a very real possibility!
Posted by: Lonnie L. Dockery | January 04, 2012 at 09:16 AM
I am so proud of you !!!!! I wish you could see yourself as others do. You are talented, smart, hard working, caring and many more qualities. Best of everything in 2012.
Posted by: justjackie | January 04, 2012 at 09:15 AM
nice Tipper - and the convenience of printing at need is great. You are too clever by far. All the best for 2012.
Posted by: Sue Crane | January 04, 2012 at 08:59 AM
What a wonderful idea. I can't wait to get one! Tipper you are more talented than you realize.
Posted by: Cee | January 04, 2012 at 08:42 AM
You are such a resourceful person. I love all the information you give to your readers, especially for a city girl. I will be ordering my copy shortly.
Posted by: dolores barton | January 04, 2012 at 08:41 AM
fantastic book and website and 14 is really cheap compared to the prices on other sites, i made 2 books on Shutterfly but they were not available to buy like this is and cost twice as much. i love the FINE house and the braids in our book.
Posted by: sandra | January 04, 2012 at 08:37 AM
Great idea, Tipper... perhaps I'll do that for my family next year...
Posted by: Madge | January 04, 2012 at 08:14 AM
Very cool, Tipper and congratulations to Gary for the win.
The book looks great and I love all your chatty blogs and pictures.
I guess you know I will be heading to Magcloud today so I can get a copy!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Mary Shipman | January 04, 2012 at 07:59 AM
Congrats Tipper on the book idea! It will be a good seller I'm sure. It's cold over here (west of Franklin) again.... 11 degrees. We're heading for a warm-up though.
Posted by: Uncle Al | January 04, 2012 at 07:57 AM
OK! Mine is on the way! We'll see how good this works.
Posted by: Ed Ammons | January 04, 2012 at 05:52 AM