PUBLISHING OUR FIRST FEW BOOKS
The day started out with the alarm going off, coffee perking in the pot, and everyone wiping the sleep from their eyes. We were all in a hurry, trying to get ready, get the babies dressed, the diaper bag together, find the stroller, the camera, and the day pack. Trent was busy trying to find us a taxi, to get to the airport. We were running late, and there was one brief moment (where I began to cry), thinking we're not going to make it.
By the time we got to the airport, we were frazzled. Our minds running through the list of a hundred things - one needs to take when traveling with babies. Did we forget anything, was the voice I kept hearing in my head.
Full of excitement (I told the girls), we're doing it! We're actually doing it! The rush was almost sir-real. After fifteen years, my little dream was suddenly becoming a reality. For fifteen years, this was a project I always wanted to do "someday", but someday just never seemed to come. For fifteen years I was busy taking care of babies, working, volunteering, and raising a family. My dream sat in a series of file cabinets, waiting to either be published or tossed into the trash can.
In the fall of 2017, I got hit with a divorce, followed by a lung disease diagnosis, which suddenly slowed me down. I soon found myself sitting on the couch (in a big house), asking myself: "What are you going to do next?" I remembered my dream, so I went to the filing cabinets, pulled out the drafts, the handwritten notes, the stapled copies with ketchup smeared all over them, great recipes I had gathered over the years, recipes that were scattered all over my house. I began organizing them into books.
My family and I currently live on a small island, off the mainland coast of Belize. On an island, in the middle of no-where as my daughter Lauren describes it. To leave the island, you either have to take a boat or a commuter aircraft. Today we are taking a commuter aircraft to the mainland, flying over the mountainous region of Belize, into a small community near the Guatemala border.
Our mission today, was to meet the publisher, who will be publishing and printing our first book. Our aircraft took off promptly at 8:00 a.m. (from the island), we landed in Belize City for a short layover, where we were told that we needed to wait for fog to lift in the mountains. After about an hour, the crew informed us, they were ready to finish the flight itinerary. So we buckled up and headed for the interior of Belize (over the mountainous region), to an area known as Cayo. Belize was truly amazing from the air, and the beauty of the rain forest was simply breath-taking.
When we arrived, the publisher had a taxi waiting for us, ready to take us straight to their office and facility. Sherol warmly greeted us and introduced us to most of the staff. Paul (the owner), gave us a brief tour of the facility and showed us the process our book would take in being published.
We discussed timing, deadlines and how long it would take to print our book. The publisher was now working with the graphic design office (in Belize City), and they would be receiving the cover to our first book shortly. This was an adventure the kids and I took together, going out on a limb, doing something most families don't do.....we decided to publish our very first book.
Our families books, are being written and designed as Belizean souvenirs. Something tourist can buy and take back home to their own family and loved ones. It was an exciting day, there were so many decisions to be made, and choices to make. Did we want it printed in partial color, or black and white. How did we want the binding, and what stock paper to use for the front and back covers. We wanted something that was easy to use, could lay flat on the counter, and wouldn't fall apart easily. Something that could hold up in the kitchen, endure food spills and sticky fingers.
The kids and I ran our numbers, as we wanted everyone to be able to make a little money off the publication of these books (that being the publisher, the family and the local business establishments). We wanted this to be a win win for everyone. We came up with some numbers that we thought would work. The girls agreed to take over the responsibility of sales.
In the weeks prior to this trip, we were getting feedback from the various local businesses. Were they interested in something like this and did they think something like this would sell? Everyone was excited about the concept. Gift shops, grocery stores, and other establishments were eagerly looking for new quality souvenirs. Tourists are tired of coffee cups and T-shirts (they said), we want something new. The idea seemed to quickly grab hold, which only added to our excitement for the project.
Today was the day we met the publisher. It was a day to remember, and it will forever be a special memory in our minds. Today was the day, we agreed to sign up and publish our first book, and the best part of this memory was - we did it together.
It's true (what they say), sometimes we don't know the value of a moment, until it passes. This day was special for us. It marked the beginning of a long journey together. My kids are my life, and I would do anything for them. They are the jewels of my heart. I want them to cherish every moment we have together.
After meeting everyone at the publishers, we felt confident that our book was in good hands. Here's to creating a memory, here's to celebrating the gift of life. Let's do this............
By the time we got to the airport, we were frazzled. Our minds running through the list of a hundred things - one needs to take when traveling with babies. Did we forget anything, was the voice I kept hearing in my head.
Full of excitement (I told the girls), we're doing it! We're actually doing it! The rush was almost sir-real. After fifteen years, my little dream was suddenly becoming a reality. For fifteen years, this was a project I always wanted to do "someday", but someday just never seemed to come. For fifteen years I was busy taking care of babies, working, volunteering, and raising a family. My dream sat in a series of file cabinets, waiting to either be published or tossed into the trash can.
In the fall of 2017, I got hit with a divorce, followed by a lung disease diagnosis, which suddenly slowed me down. I soon found myself sitting on the couch (in a big house), asking myself: "What are you going to do next?" I remembered my dream, so I went to the filing cabinets, pulled out the drafts, the handwritten notes, the stapled copies with ketchup smeared all over them, great recipes I had gathered over the years, recipes that were scattered all over my house. I began organizing them into books.
My family and I currently live on a small island, off the mainland coast of Belize. On an island, in the middle of no-where as my daughter Lauren describes it. To leave the island, you either have to take a boat or a commuter aircraft. Today we are taking a commuter aircraft to the mainland, flying over the mountainous region of Belize, into a small community near the Guatemala border.
Our mission today, was to meet the publisher, who will be publishing and printing our first book. Our aircraft took off promptly at 8:00 a.m. (from the island), we landed in Belize City for a short layover, where we were told that we needed to wait for fog to lift in the mountains. After about an hour, the crew informed us, they were ready to finish the flight itinerary. So we buckled up and headed for the interior of Belize (over the mountainous region), to an area known as Cayo. Belize was truly amazing from the air, and the beauty of the rain forest was simply breath-taking.
When we arrived, the publisher had a taxi waiting for us, ready to take us straight to their office and facility. Sherol warmly greeted us and introduced us to most of the staff. Paul (the owner), gave us a brief tour of the facility and showed us the process our book would take in being published.
We discussed timing, deadlines and how long it would take to print our book. The publisher was now working with the graphic design office (in Belize City), and they would be receiving the cover to our first book shortly. This was an adventure the kids and I took together, going out on a limb, doing something most families don't do.....we decided to publish our very first book.
Our families books, are being written and designed as Belizean souvenirs. Something tourist can buy and take back home to their own family and loved ones. It was an exciting day, there were so many decisions to be made, and choices to make. Did we want it printed in partial color, or black and white. How did we want the binding, and what stock paper to use for the front and back covers. We wanted something that was easy to use, could lay flat on the counter, and wouldn't fall apart easily. Something that could hold up in the kitchen, endure food spills and sticky fingers.
The kids and I ran our numbers, as we wanted everyone to be able to make a little money off the publication of these books (that being the publisher, the family and the local business establishments). We wanted this to be a win win for everyone. We came up with some numbers that we thought would work. The girls agreed to take over the responsibility of sales.
In the weeks prior to this trip, we were getting feedback from the various local businesses. Were they interested in something like this and did they think something like this would sell? Everyone was excited about the concept. Gift shops, grocery stores, and other establishments were eagerly looking for new quality souvenirs. Tourists are tired of coffee cups and T-shirts (they said), we want something new. The idea seemed to quickly grab hold, which only added to our excitement for the project.
Today was the day we met the publisher. It was a day to remember, and it will forever be a special memory in our minds. Today was the day, we agreed to sign up and publish our first book, and the best part of this memory was - we did it together.
It's true (what they say), sometimes we don't know the value of a moment, until it passes. This day was special for us. It marked the beginning of a long journey together. My kids are my life, and I would do anything for them. They are the jewels of my heart. I want them to cherish every moment we have together.
After meeting everyone at the publishers, we felt confident that our book was in good hands. Here's to creating a memory, here's to celebrating the gift of life. Let's do this............