The Introvert Teacher - Nearing Completion

At last! The final cover art of The Introvert Teacher is completed, approved and has been sent to update all current materials.

Layout initial approval has been given and is underway for the rest of the chapters of the book.

Other little details for different parts of the book have also been submitted and everything is under production with my publisher.

I have to say that I didn't think that this phase would take so long. In my head, it was a 'OK, let's go ahead and do it' moment and everything will fall into place.

It seems that I still have much to learn about the publishing industry.

I'm glad that I'm getting to learn it now, through my first book, with helpful guidance from an experienced and professional team.

I have little doubt that if I had to do all this on my own, my book publishing won't even be halfway done.

So here's a HUGE thank you to my publishing team!

Meeting of Minds

It's been a busy past two days!

On Thursday, I attended a meeting by the Association of Professional Trainers, Singapore (APTS). There, I met a number of people, a couple of familiar faces, and many new ones. There was a certain warmth about the whole group of people, something that is honestly quite rare today.

Having spoken to a few of the trainers present, including a chat with the president of the association, I found that this was a group of people I could grow with. At that thought, I decided to become a member of the APTS. I look forward to learning and sharing with them.

On Friday, I attended a session by a local publisher/printer. He was invited to talk to a group of aspiring authors. Though I have already finished writing my own, I went to find out more about local self-publishing.

My personal thoughts on the offerings that he had are likely different from the glowing reviews a number of the people present gave. My impression of the publisher was also less-than-stellar. He seemed (to me, at least) dismissive of, even slightly snarky about, views that differed from his and had little good to say about his competitors - traits that detract from my impression of him.

Maybe he is simply cut of a different cloth from me. Nevertheless, I will likely find it difficult to work with someone so careless with words and expressed attitude. 

That said, I know some of the authors who have published with him. He comes recommended by these authors. Though I object to his person, it is no reflection upon his offerings, which comes at a reasonably low rate.

On my end, I have perhaps been spoiled by the high level of service and systematic simplicity that my own publisher has given to me. Needless to say, I paid a premium for this, though I have never regretted forking over a single cent.

My publisher, Gerry, is tremendously successful financially and socially. Despite (or perhaps, because of) his elevated status in the eyes of society, he is careful with what he says about others and to others. Though he cannot personally connect with all of the authors he works with (there are so many, after all), he tries, and I give him credit for it.

I guess that service and attitude are important to me after all if I am to work closely with someone. I know that others are less sensitive about such things, and it doesn't really matter. To each his/her own. 

After the session with the local publisher, we went for tea/dinner. I managed to get to know a few of the aspiring authors and, later, joined a sharing session with them. It was pleasant to be able to share my own experience as an author and to encourage and guide them towards starting their own books.

It seems that there will be many more books being published in the months and years to come. I wish all the aspiring authors every success!

Weekend Publish A Book And Grow Rich Bootcamp

Just last weekend, I re-attended the Publish A Book And Grow Rich (PABGR) bootcamp. As an author with Gerry Robert and his team, I was invited to attend any of them anywhere in the world.

Although the majority of the content was similar, it reminded me of the things I needed to do and why I started the journey of writing a book in the first place.

On top of that, he offered a programme in which he would coach and mentor a group of speakers in every country. How phenomenal is that, to be mentored by one of the leading speakers in the world.

As much as I would have loved to jump at the offer, I'm afraid that my brain wouldn't be able to handle yet another major project. Yes, it's like leaving money on the table, but some of us have limited capacities to push projects through.

As it is, my two biggest projects are near completion but not quite there yet, and it's always the final league of the journey that requires the most energy and brainpower. 

I'm nearly there and I'm glad that you made the journey along with me!