Week 4 - To Write and Publish in 8 Weeks

Publishing is work. Writing a story may be the easiest part of this process, at least for someone who enjoys writing.

Week 4 Progress

This week, I've been working on formatting the interior of my book. CreateSpace offers a video or two about how to upload files.Their program detects the page count. They also have an interior reviewer tool that helps you see any problems from the book file upload. They seem to have their bases covered when it comes to making this process as easy as possible.

I'm not completely happy with the formatting, so I'll tweak my pages at least one more time before approving of the look of my pages.

I started looking at cover options. I have a friend that is willing to help me with the cover design. Again, CreateSpace makes the process look easy. I can choose between a matte and glossy finish. Because I like the shinier cover and have seen many kids drawn to a glossy cover, at this point, I am opting for the glossy finish. I like that I can submit my own photo for the cover. Again, CreateSpace will format the cover for a fee. Since I have the option of uploading my own jpeg, I need to make a final decision about whether I want a photograph or an illustrators cover design. Decisions, decisions...

Once these options are finalized, I can finally complete my set-up process. I hope to have finalized a final cover decision within the week.

Integration of Readings, Concepts and Theories from Class. 

As I work and learn through this process I am building a schema for book publishing. I certainly understand more now than I did when this blog began approximately 4 weeks ago. I am able to organize information pertinent to this process from memory, then target my next step as I formulate what step should come next. I am also tapping to to the background knowledge I have been accumulating to continue moving forward.

While I am interested in extrinsic motivation, earning a great grade for completing this step-by-step process, I am also driven by intrinsic motivation. Pride in a job well done is also a reward.

Finally, in reference to creating value, I see a connection with the expectancy-value theory. The decisions I've been making regarding this process lead me to expect the choices I make will lead to a desirable outcome. Publishing a book that was inspired by a students that became a complete class interest is satisfying. The value I foresee is getting more kids to connect with one another's interest and further develop an interest in reading. Surely having this text available will create a demand or desire to read 'our' story.