Month: November 2012

Announcement – “52 pickup : These are the words I give to you to share with everyone!” is available on Books @ Google http://bit.ly/SxtRLM

God bless,

Steve Schofield

I got my first bulk shipment of my books arrived today.  You can purchase a book from me directly or I’ve partnered with Robbins-Book-List in downtown Greenville, MI( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robbins-Book-List/309772206517?fref=ts ) will also have copies of 52 pickup this week.  I talked to Kevin and he’ll make them available. 

Lastly, if you are not in Greenville MI, it’s available Available http://amzn.to/UiExjv (Softcover) or http://amzn.to/10q38W1 (Kindle) or Barnes & Nobles ( http://bit.ly/UlE24h )

Here are a few facts about 52 pickup I’m not sure that have been shared.  These describe the attention to detail and quality the good Lord wanted in 52 pickup.  It’s been awesome experience, and it’s only the beginning.

• The manuscript has been coming together for almost 2 years (Feb 2011), the stories have been evolving for last four to five years.  There have been several drafts and revisions along the way and was finalized in the fall of 2012.
• The book has been reviewed by three individuals including a professional editorial service.  I wanted to ensure a top-quality manuscript including proper grammar and wording.  Even after the three separate reviewers, the original poem text was altered very little.  This re-enforces to me these are God’s words and not mine.
• There was one section every poem had was removed after the third reviewer recommended it.  The first two reviewers also recommended and I thought God wanted them.  One day he reminded me of the sub-title “These are the words I give to you to share with everyone”.   The small still voice made it plainly clear, “those” words aren’t what I gave you to share, they should be removed.  I prayed to ensure that was the right direction.  He responded with the “answer”, how many times does it take for you to get something? My answer was, “must be three times”.  
• A professional graphic artist was available to make an awesome cover and help provide that initial “WOW” moment!
• “My Story” (aka my testimony) was written after being prompted in fall of 2011 by Pastor Joel Heron”, it came together in 4 weeks.
• God provided during this entire journey, both resources (money and people), to help get 52 pickup to this point.  And continues too!
• A friend gave us the book The Road Home by Denise Jackson helped me find the publishing house, WestBowPress who helped me publish 52pickup.  She published the book using Thomas Nelson, one of the largest Christian publishers, WestBowPress is the self-publishing wing of Thomas Nelson.

 

I was reading a “how-to” on publishing a book, every suggestion I think was covered in my journey.  With all the books out there, I wanted to make sure every detail is known. 

Share your stories @ www.52pickup.co

God Bless,

Steve

I posted on Facebook, Twitter I started the journey promoting 52pickup.   One of the first replies I got on twitter, I want to hear your story was posted by Amy Wells. (Someone actually reads twitter!) Without sounding too much like a book seller, the story is in 52 pickup. I stopped by two churches close to where I live.  The first one was a larger church with multiple pastors.  When I got there, I had my only copy of 52pickup in hand, not sure what to say.  I wondered about the church for a couple minutes, wondered back into the office.  A nice young man asked me, can I help you?  I mentioned I wanted to talk to someone about the God Story he has given me to share.  He was polite and mentioned the person who schedules stuff for the pastors was on vacation and would be back next week.  I wasn’t too pushy and said thank you and left.  The thing that hit me the most is in the book, I have a section who the target audience is.  The idea was, hey Steve “talk to the pastor who handles small groups or spiritual formation’.  Lesson learned.

I stopped by a small church on my way home.  I spoke with a very nice gentleman who was playing catch with his golden retriever. We talked about the church and it’s denomination.  He mentioned about what his regular teaching is each week.  A side note, it was interesting he had a throwing stick to play catch with his dog.  That was a good idea.  Anywho, he mentioned the pastor was up at the door and if I needed them, I probably needed to ring the door bell.  I rang it twice, no answer so I went back to my car.  I figured, three strikes and I was out mentality, so I went to the door again, rang it one more time.  This time a nice person came to the door.  I introduced myself, mentioned I was out sharing a story God laid on my heart.  I mentioned the book was something God helped write and a few other details.  She went and talked to the Pastor, he declined to want to setup a meeting to discuss and wasn’t interested.  I’m rather direct at times and dislike being told no.  God laid on my heart a little saying about promoting the book.  I think he shared this with me so I wouldn’t worry about what others say or comment.  For those reading this and are in sales, I commend you for handling rejection in something you have a passion for.   The saying was “When someone tells you no, they are telling me no, not you but I need you to try”.  (btw that is answer to prayer)  I said thank you and God Bless, have a nice holiday.   The good news I did get one lead from a good friend, so 1 out of 3 wasn’t bad.  The one lead helped me determine who I should target when discussing and ‘what’ to discuss.  This is still being worked out, but I know I’ll find a good pattern and “sales pitch”

52pickup has the word ‘everyone’ in the sub-title, I get the sense I have to try to tell ‘everyone’.  I’m not sure everyone will ever read it honestly, but the journey is worth telling (since they are God’s words).  It’s not a rags to riches story, or something overly dramatic by the world standards, but in my life, changing from the inside out has been an awesome experience.  Which, I think each and every person would attest having something change in their life for the better (and different) is good and they like to talk about it.  

A few years ago God showed me a way to take what was bothering me and write devotionals.   I collected enough of them two years ago to make a calendar.  I shared the calendar with a few close friends, family who helped change things in my life.  I wasn’t sure if that was the end of writing.   Christmas 2010 came and went, I asked the good Lord if I needed to keep writing.  On 1/1/2011, I wrote seven stories, which was an answer to prayer.  You are not done!  For the next few weeks in 2011, I kept writing, asking God, what am I supposed to do with these stories.  One day coming home from work, God laid on my heart, here are the details and he laid out the plan.

In Matthew 10:32 Jesus states, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (NASB).  52 pickup:”These are the words I give to you to share with everyone”contains my testimony, how the book came about and a collection of 52 God inspired poems.  The 52 poems are based on everyday events in my life since accepting Christ as my savior in August 2007.  The poems cover such topics as Anger, Temptation, and Bitterness to name a few.

The target audience for ’52 Pickup is anyone looking for devotionals to use in a small group, as ministry and sermon ideas, or just be inspired by God’s words. Every story is inspired by God; I was just the person who typed the words. I would read or see some key words, and then all of a sudden I would be writing a story. After the story was done, I would read it and know that God had inspired it. There has been little altering or proofreading. I’ve included with each poem, scripture to reference, and a “Story Behind the Poem.” These are brief snippets I captured at the time trying to explain the situation that inspired the writing. Some are more in-depth than others, but meant to communicate was happening at the time. 

The book also showed me God has a sense of humor.  I always wanted to own an old truck, when he revealed the details including name of the book, I laughed!   I got my 52 pickup truck, it was not what I expected.  It is my hope the poems in 52 pickup will inspire you as much as they have me!

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (http://www.lockman.org )”

So there is a start, this will help me refine as I go.  I’m just looking for opportunities to share the story about the book, tell a story or two and maybe sell a book or two.   More details and thoughts to come about the journey!

God Bless,
Steve

Since I got the book completed this week and starting on the journey to promote the book.  Being a self-publisher author provides a lot of opportunities, freedom.  The normal benefit of working with a traditional publisher removes the obstacle of getting your works in normal book stores.  One thing I’m starting to appreciate as a self-publisher God will be actively involved in the process.  Just today, I had a God sighting where he worked his awesomeness and introduced to me another individual who has a lot of experience self-publishing books, and is willing to share some of their experience.  Additionally, I had another opportunity get my book, in a retail store.  The person who helped me out REALLY has a passion to help local authors.  And lastly, there are two avenues of people who helped me on the journey. 

So, progress is coming .  I have a couple of friends who have purchased the book and going through it.  The stories God shared with me are absolutely amazing and it’s shining through!  I had another opportunity to start doing God’s work with a new found friend.  It’s going to be a fun ride and I hope to have many opportunities to share more good news.

God Bless,

Steve

As part of the publishing package, 52 pickup has been made available on Amazon and now Barnes & Nobles + my publishing partner WestBowPress.  

Here is a short description of the book shared recently!

In Matthew 10:32 Jesus states, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (NASB).  52 pickup:”These are the words I give to you to share with everyone”contains my testimony, how the book came about and a collection of 52 God inspired poems.  The 52 poems are based on everyday events in my life since accepting Christ as my savior in August 2007.  The poems cover such topics as Anger, Temptation, and Bitterness to name a few.

The target audience for ’52 Pickup is anyone looking for devotionals to use in a small group, as ministry and sermon ideas, or just be inspired by God’s words. Every story is inspired by God; I was just the person who typed the words. I would read or see some key words, and then all of a sudden I would be writing a story. After the story was done, I would read it and know that God had inspired it. There has been little altering or proofreading. I’ve included with each poem, scripture to reference, and a “Story Behind the Poem.” These are brief snippets I captured at the time trying to explain the situation that inspired the writing. Some are more in-depth than others, but meant to communicate was happening at the time. 

The book also showed me God has a sense of humor.  I always wanted to own an old truck, when he revealed the details including name of the book, I laughed!   I got my 52 pickup truck, it was not what I expected.  It is my hope the poems in 52 pickup will inspire you as much as they have me!

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (http://www.lockman.org )”

God Bless,

Steve

Now that the manuscript, cover are complete. The final phase of getting the book published and available is an exciting and scary time.      One of the popular places is having the book available on Amazon.  The package I purchased from www.WestBowPress.com includes getting the book available.  To my surprise, I searched for 52 pickup and Steve Schofield on Amazon, my book showed up.  It’s the second book I’ve been part of, my first Christian devotional book.  The other book was a technical book I helped author a few years ago.

I started a Facebook page and updated with the images from the book.  I don’t declare to be a designer, thank the good Lord for a friend who did the images.   My hope is to start being able to share this story God provided with as many people as possible.  I give all the credit to the good Lord, I’m just along for the ride.  He also has mentioned to get into blogging, start a monthly newsletter, sign-up here @ http://newsletter.52pickup.co

I think that is all for now, stay tuned I hope many more things to come.

God Bless,

Steve

I received this awesome news yesterday, the cover is complete.  On Tuesday 11/6 (election day here in the USA), the manuscript has been completed.  Here is the text I’ve been waiting since January of 2011.

“Greetings,

Thank you for approving your cover and galley proofs. I have noted your approval to your account. Production of your book is now complete and we are ready to send the book files to printer. Congratulations on the publication of your book!

The final retail price of the soft cover version is $13.95. The final retail price of the hard cover version is $30.95.  The final retail price of the eBook version is $3.95.”

The book will be listed on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other online outlets.  The next phase of the journey, I hope the book opens doors to talk to others about it.  As the title states, “These are the words I give to you to share with everyone!”  I’m sure God has a plan, I just don’t know yet. 

Stay tuned!

Steve Schofield