Some of my best elementary school memories are of Mrs. Madison, my kindergarten teacher, helping me make picture books.  I would draw the pictures on construction paper, explain to Mrs. Madison what the crayon scribbles signified, and together we would draft captions, usually about dogs, cats, and mermaids, for each page.  (I wonder where those books are now. I bet the people at Simon and Schuster are dying to get their hands on them!)

Since my little forays into the literary world, there have been some pretty incredible updates, including Blurb.com.  This gem of a website allows you to self-publish your own books by downloading its free software, adding your photos and text, and submitting it to Blurb for printing.

After you’ve finished your book, you can also upload it to the website’s bookstore, where others can purchase your creation.  In addition to being the book’s author, editor, illustrator and publisher, be ready to sport another hat: you’ll soon also become its marketer!

I’m so infatuated with this concept that I’ve decided to make my own book.  I don’t know yet if it’s going to be about dogs, cats, or mermaids…but I do know that it’s going to be amazing!

Signed,

The soon-to-be-famous published author and household name,