Well I got all the files over to Lloyd (the Along Came Sampson website designer.)  He said he can work on it some today and also during the week; he will be putting the book up.  In the meantime, here is the second page of the book.  If you click on the picture it gets larger so it is easier to read.

 

The book is designed as Sampson’s scrapbook of the first year of his life.  This is how I choose to showcase the pictures and design the book, however an agent or publisher may have other ideas. 

I was toying with the idea of self-publishing but I just found a website that says, “DON’T”.  So as soon as I’m finished with this blog I am off to do some more research.

I am going to be making some postcards up, it will be a picture of Sampson with his website address on it.  If you are interesting it getting some postcards and passing them out (or sending them to some friends) leave me a comment and let me know.  I will figure out how to get them to you!

So I took the dogs for a 45 minute hike in the park at the end of the street.  I really wish I could express to you how beautiful it is right now, with three feet of snow on the ground and all the quiet that comes with it.  There are the two dogs leading the way and they look so beautiful together.  Honestly Sampson and Delilah compliment each other in almost every possible way, evenly matched in height he has the bulky build of male, while she has the slimmer female build.  He is fair in coloring (peanut butter I like to call it) while she is chocolate-brown (see I told you, what’s a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate?)  He is patient and calm, while she is inpatient and exuberant.  Sampson will stand calmly ahead on the trail, while Delilah will run back to me to reassure herself that I am there.  When she is running towards me, it almost takes my breath away because she is so beautiful with her dark coloring against the snow.  I am going to try and remember my camera next time so I can share this with you.

That’s it for today. XOXO

So I’m not really sure why, but I feel like I am on the verge of something happening.  Maybe it’s because I completed the revisions to the book and completely re-designed the pages.  It’s not the way I wrote it, but I think it’s pretty good.  I will be working towards having those pages up on Sampson’s website by the end of the weekend.  Maybe it’s because I received the merchandise and I actually have people who want it, but whatever it is…I feel re-energized about this venture.

I’m trying to remain very positive, while at the same time being realistic.  What are the odds that I will really STAND OUT at the Pet Writing Conference?  Still, if I can hand out a bunch of cards and get people interested and checking out websites, it will be worth it.

In the meantime, here is the first page of Sampson’s book.  Thanks again for reading!! XOXO

Remember the struggles I had with the T-shirt and the tote and finding the picture that worked right?  Well guess what?  They came today!!

The business cards…well that’s where the good customer service comes in!  I designed the cards with Sampson on the front and my information (name, phone number, e-mail and blog address) on the back; but upon close inspection I was missing a letter in the blog address!!  So I quickly signed onto my account at Vista Print and checked the card and it looked right to me on the proof, so I called customer service.  Granted I was on the phone for a few minutes more than I would have liked just in trying to get to the right person, but the woman I got was OUTSTANDING! 

She explained to me that I had designed a couple of cards (what can I say, you knew I struggled with this!) and I had inadvertently ordered the wrong one!  So she asked me if the print was large enough for me and we started talking and I asked her opinion and she basically helped me re-design the card, with enlarged font and she ordered 500 cards for me and she didn’t charge me!!  PLUS I will receive them BEFORE the pet writing conference so I will be able to take them with me.  Now that is how customer service is supposed to be!!

So I am here endorsing Vista Print, they have all kinds of items to print, their prices are (in my opinion) reasonable and their customer service rocks!  I will certainly use them again.  I also got a bunch of 25% off coupons so if any of you guys want any Sampson items…;-)