Author Guest Post - Blume Rifken (Giveaway!)

Readers, please join me welcoming Blume Rifken, author of Scarecrow Finds a Friend who will be guest blogging here today. This heartening tale involves Tally, a good witch, who is losing her power to fly. She befriends a Scarecrow and he comes up with a plan to save her flying power.

"Scarecrow Finds a Friend" is my first children's book, and the first book that I have self-published. In 1987, I wrote "Silhouettes In America 1790-1840, A Collectors' Guide" that was published by Paradigm Press.

When the idea for "Scarecrow" came to mind, I decided to self-publish. It has become quite an adventure! The first thing I had to do was take a good look at what I was about to engage in and decide how much money and help I would need to accomplish my goal. I immediately decided that the only portion that I enjoyed was the creative process, and that everything else would be contracted out. Dan Poynter's "Self-Publishing Manual" was an enormous help that anyone who wants to self-publish should read thoroughly.

Poynter recommends a number of "book shepherds" to choose from who, for a fee, will help edit, design and arrange for the printing of a book. I chose "To Press and Beyond" which is located in Santa Barbara, California. I learned that one of the keys to good writing is to edit, edit and edit some more. It was very productive working side-by-side with Gail, Penny and Chris at TP&B. It was essential for all involved to refrain from any creative ego control, in order to reach a common goal.

My only regret in the entire process was that TP&B is located on the west coast, with me being on the east coast. I would have liked face-to-face contact, but that was not possible. I am very happy with the final result, and I appreciate Penny having lined up Greenleaf Book Group in Austin, Texas, to help with my marketing and warehousing.

My intent was for this endeavor to be a fun project, along with my friend and illustrator, Carl Wenzel, and I am very pleased with the outcome.

Thank you for that inspiring post, Blume. You can read my review of this delightful book at A Bookworm Reads.

GIVEAWAY

The Prize

A copy of this book will go to one lucky reader.

To Enter

• Recommend a children's book that features a scarecrow or one that's a fun Halloween read.
  
• Please list your email address within your comment so that you can be notified should you be chosen as a winner.

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Deadline   Midnight CST of November 26, 2009.

Eligibility  US only.

Please read the Disclaimer. Good luck!
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