I Think I’m Going to Hurl
by Kym on August 30, 2008
So I self-published my first book yesterday. It’s nothing much, just a little quotebook full of Kim-ness. Some serious bits. Some funny bits. And some amazing photography from the talented Crystal Williams.
I really enjoyed my experience using Blurb’s program to put this all together. It was a relatively simple process and went a lot quicker than I thought it would. Where things get complicated is where we turn our attention to my churning stomach. It’s fairly early in the morning here still and thankfully I haven’t had breakfast yet. I nerved myself up all day yesterday to write this post.
First? Facebook status line. Then? Wee little banner in the sidebar here. Lastly? An email sent out to a few friends who I was reasonably certain wouldn’t laugh at my efforts. You see, Blurb lets you peek at the first 15 pages of the book, so I’m sitting here anxiously waiting for the first email back in hopes it will say something along the lines of “Well, it’s not horrible…”
The books are kind of pricey, frankly, so I’m not encouraging anyone to buy one. However, I am going to hold a little contest here for anyone who’d like to win a free copy (Holly, you already won one from my 500th post’s comment contest).
So here’s the deal. Everyone who comments on this post gets an entry in the contest. Everyone who takes a peek at the book preview and says something mildly nice or at least not openly hurtful, gets a second entry and doubles their chances.
Now for the tricky bit. Trying to stop the niggling little voice in my head telling me that no one will comment because who wants a book full of my many idiocies?
Posting this on a holiday weekend was a very, very bad idea. Patience is a virtue I don’t posess it would seem.
44 comments
Wow. I’m first! Unless someone cuts in front while I’m typing this comment!
Kim, you are such a brave soul! I thought the title was clever, and I enjoyed the quotes that you picked out from the preview. I recognized many of them and thought they formed a good description of the person you are. Someone who is insightful and very real and easy to connect with!
Thanks for including me in the first preview. I’m honored!
by mindyluwho on August 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm. #
Kim, I love it so far. Your bravery inspires me.
Love, C
by Chelsea on August 30, 2008 at 5:01 pm. #
Yay I’m glad you liked using blurb! It was only after discovering that website that I committed to blogging. After all, what’s the point if you can’t keep a pretty copy for yourself? Your book looks great. I thought it was a cool way of taking some of the best of your blog and putting it together in a creative way.
by Cristy on August 30, 2008 at 5:05 pm. #
Congratulations! I went and peeked at it and would love to win a copy of it…so here I am posting ;)
I have two Blurb books in the works and it’s been nothing but a headache. Mostly just my first one trying to convert text from an old blog :P Oh well, one day, right?
Mind if I ask – did you find that Blurb shut down on you alot? Do you use IE or Mozilla? And did you copy paste your text or did you let Blurb fetch it for you?
Really, congrats again!!
by Shanna on August 30, 2008 at 5:13 pm. #
Well I already sent you the email back, so does that count as my second entry?
Oooh, if I win are you going to autograph the book for me?
by Heffalump on August 30, 2008 at 5:38 pm. #
Yes, I too expect an autograph if I win :)
Like I said in my message, I do love it and I do mean that.
I’m just writing this now in hopes to WIN!
Yes, slow weekends can sure make a girl feel uncertain about what she’s posted, I get it! But it’s slow for everyone in blogland. I’m certain if things are slower than normal for you, it’s because of that, NOT because of your book. I know that for sure!
by Heather of the EO on August 30, 2008 at 5:55 pm. #
Ah… dear friend… I’m loving the quote book! And the title? Perfect! The quotes make me laugh and make me think… which is just what a book of this sort should do! Congrats! It’s awesome!!
by Melissa on August 30, 2008 at 6:22 pm. #
don’t hurl…
I would totally hurl in your place though..
so yeah… maybe go ahead if you need to..
GOOD FOR YOU!
by CamiKaos on August 30, 2008 at 6:36 pm. #
Well I already sent you the email about how great I think it is (before I read this post! Ha) so that has to count for something! ;) Kim, I’m so very proud of you and you have no reason to doubt yourself or your talents and abilities. You are truly gifted and I’m a little envious (in a truly good way). When you are famous I can say I knew you back when you wanted to hurl with nerves : ) Love you!
by Erin on August 30, 2008 at 6:46 pm. #
*chucklesnortgigglesnerkguffaw*
LOVE it! :) It’s so fresh, zany and wonderful . . . it’s so YOU dahling! :)
by Kate on August 30, 2008 at 7:28 pm. #
You are awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
by Elaine on August 30, 2008 at 8:00 pm. #
I think it’s cool. Makes me want to publish one just for fun. I’m thinking about one with a bunch of blank pages, and then in a random page in the middle somewhere, put something Tom Petty-esque, like, “The waiting is the hardest part.”
by Ryan on August 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm. #
“If you’re gonna hurl, hurl in this!” (ah…Wayne’s World!)
Anywhoo…how fun! I really enjoyed looking through your book. And it puts me in mind to fiddle with Blurb a little myself. (so thanks for the resource)
Seriously, don’t hurl dude. It’s totally not, like, necessary.
by stacey @ happyarewe on August 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm. #
I think it’s fantastically wonderful. And I would like one. For my coffee table. Unfortunately I don’t really have a coffee table, but I’d probably get one if I got the book!
by Sarah on August 30, 2008 at 8:07 pm. #
Here’s my comment for the first entry :) !!
And for my second entry, I would just like to say that your book is as lovely as you and I would love to be a proud owner of a first edition copy … signed by you of course :) !!
by An Ordinary Mom on August 30, 2008 at 8:11 pm. #
Good for you! I did a story about a student who used Blurb to publish her final English project, and it sounds really cool.
by Virtualsprite on August 30, 2008 at 8:40 pm. #
So now I’ve seen the previewed pages I am even more excited. I can’t wait to show people and say, ‘my friend Wrote this.’ Mwah.
by Jo Beaufoix on August 30, 2008 at 9:27 pm. #
So I was on here first, before I checked my email… because, well, really, I don’t usually check my email. I had to go back and see if maybe I was one of the lucky ones worthy enough to preview and I was thrilled to see I was! Thank you so much! A great mind you have Kim I love it!
by Abra on August 30, 2008 at 9:54 pm. #
I would love a chance at a book! Totally appreciate your thoughtful, zany humor – and understand about the hurling thing. Why is it that presenting serious writing to the world causes so much personal angst anyway? Good luck! I’m sure everyone will love it.
by Jen on August 30, 2008 at 10:06 pm. #
Like I said in my e-mail- Love it, Love it, Love it.
by Sandra on August 30, 2008 at 11:08 pm. #
you should always go directly to sleep for five days once you do something like this. always always always. then patience isn’t an issue. that’s how *i* cope with waiting. and so what if a few people miss a few meals. become self-sufficient, people! oh. except the three year old. you should stop peeing everywhere.
by holly on August 30, 2008 at 11:29 pm. #
Well, I love it! :-)
Good job — it looks really classy.
by Beth on August 30, 2008 at 11:38 pm. #
Kimberly,
Good for you! I looked at the book and like what I see so far. I’ve self-published one book for educators as a CD-ROM, and I’ve been thinking about doing another through a POD company as well. I’ll have to check out blurb.com as I do my research. Would love to know what you’ve thought about your experience with them.
by Lu Ann Brobst Staheli on August 30, 2008 at 11:59 pm. #
that’s awesome, kimberly! i’ve used blurb to make quite a few books and love how simple it is!
by aubrey on August 31, 2008 at 2:25 am. #
I sent you an e-mail already, but I’m commenting because I’d love a free copy. The first 15 pages were great. I’m sure the rest will be too. I just wish there was a place to post comments in your bookstore so that I could say that I liked it there, where it might influence other purchasers. :)
And if I win, yes, I’d like it signed too–unless that means you have to ship it twice.
by Karlene on August 31, 2008 at 2:45 am. #
You already know what I think and that I WANT IT! Do I get bonus points for having the second funniest entry in your 500th blog post? Hmm? HmmmmmMMMMM?
by Summer on August 31, 2008 at 2:50 am. #
I’m in! I want! I want! I want! And I’m going to go check it out and then tell you what I think but I know I’ll love it.
by Melanie J on August 31, 2008 at 2:57 am. #
Hello? Of COURSE I want one. (I emailed you at 2 in the morning, but who wouldn’t grovel at the chance for a free one!)
Love and luck-
by charrette on August 31, 2008 at 2:59 am. #
Sorry it took me so long to get over here and say how happy I am that you went for it and are doing what you have always wanted to do. We don’t always see the steps ahead, but we have to trust the first step is there to be safely landed on. YOU did it. You really really did it. I am so happy for you.
I love the quotes and the title is so so you. I think you are following your heart and what makes you happy. That is how it really works. We connect with those real Kim feelings. Keep it up and thanks so much for the sharing of this great new beginnings… :) Waiting for more.
by Jan on August 31, 2008 at 3:11 am. #
I already emailed you. Do I get a bonus entry for getting Daniel to read it with me and give an opinion?????? Forgot to put in the email that the title really made me laugh! And, it made me want to read it. It was fun recognizing most of the quotes. I liked getting just the profound snip-its which I often miss the profoundness while reading your posts because I tend to read them rather quickly half of the time.
by Stephanie on August 31, 2008 at 7:24 am. #
I would LOVE a copy!
by MoziEsmé on August 31, 2008 at 8:53 am. #
Count me in! I only just started reading your blog in the last few weeks, but you are exceedingly awesome. And I don’t mean maybe.
by Lisa on August 31, 2008 at 7:03 pm. #
oooh! Ooooh! Pick me! Pick me! ;) Looks good.
by KieraAnne on August 31, 2008 at 9:24 pm. #
I’ve been planning to blurb my blog–so glad to hear it worked well for you.
by angela michelle on September 1, 2008 at 4:21 am. #
Of course, I’d love to buy your book! I’ve only been to your blog recently but loved every post I’ve read so far. I’m still working on getting in to Blurb. I need to un-lazy myself and register.
by GrumpyAngel on September 1, 2008 at 4:46 am. #
Kim never mind, I’m dumb! Instead of clicking on the link on your sidebar I went to Blurb the long way. I’m on page 6 now and so far so great! I love it!
Marivic
by GrumpyAngel on September 1, 2008 at 4:55 am. #
hOw (!?) did you get BookSmart to work for you? It’s telling me Blogger is sending a message of “invalid credentials”. . . ugh!
by Nichole on September 1, 2008 at 5:38 am. #
I’m sorry I am so MIA. I have been away…and so busy when home. I did check out your book after I got the email earlier this evening. then sugar needed me….and I forgot what i was doing.
what I love about the book is that you don’t forget what you say. LOL I forget what I said just a minute ago. :) You have some great quotes in there. love the title as well.
fun idea, kim. :)
by Corey~living and loving on September 1, 2008 at 6:12 am. #
oh, oh, I wanna enter the contest!!! lol
(insert preiviously sent email with bushels of praise here)
much love my dear…to you and your brave heart!
by Jenn on September 1, 2008 at 4:08 pm. #
I looked it over last night when I got back into town, and it is fabulous!
Seriously – I knew you were profound, but when you put all those quotes in one place, you’re positively genius!
by JustRandi on September 2, 2008 at 2:20 pm. #
See what happens when I go away for a week? Kim up and publishes a book! Congrats, my dear. And… well… since I’m comment #42, I think you need to tell your “niggling” little voice to shut the *bleep* up.
:-D
by Brillig on September 2, 2008 at 9:31 pm. #
Better late than never right? I have just previewed your book and I must say “Wow”, it is simply lovely. You really are a talented soul.
by Tonya on September 2, 2008 at 10:22 pm. #
me! i want a book of all your many brilliancies (what did you call them? idiocies? um, not quite.)
and look, i am commenting *after* the contest which just goes to show that i genuinely adore your book. and also that i am chronically tardy. but mostly that i adore your book.
by Nic on September 3, 2008 at 1:31 pm. #
Before previewing the book I was mentally preparing a comment that sounded nice, but didn’t really say anything – noncommittal I guess. But those 15 pages took that all away. I really enjoyed them. Really.
by Jennie C. on September 5, 2008 at 1:39 am. #