Self-Publishing When
You Don’t Write

          Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, you have a story to tell.  I have many friends that insist they can’t write. While they may not be capable to sit down and pen an entire manuscript, many write interesting emails, letters and holiday cards. Those short, brief spurts of communication can be the foundation for a sentimental book.
          A couple of years ago my mother, while sorting through her things, came across all the letters my sister had written her over the years, beginning with letters from camp, through college, and beyond. When put in chronological order, they told my sister’s story, in her own words.
          My mother and I then embarked on a self-publishing project, to create a book for my sister, to give her on Christmas. We began by transcribing the letters, using voice recognition software and creating a Word document.
          After transcribing the letters, I formatted the manuscript, added photographs, and created a cover. We called the book “Letter’s Home.” The gift proved to be very intimate and sentimental. It brought back many memories Lynn had forgotten. She had written her story, and hadn’t even realized it.
          Recently I printed off all the emails I’d sent and received, dating back to 2002. I put them in a three-ring binder, and was amazed at how they captured my life during the last decade. I’m not sure if I will do anything else with the emails, other than keeping them in the binder, like a diary, yet it would be possible to use much of the information to create a personal bio-type book, if I so desired.
          Look to see what interesting things you have in your possession, such as old letters from a grandparent or ancestor’s diary. Utilize them to create a self-published book, to share with other family members who would be interested in the material.
          Self-publishing is all about sharing.

Why you should Self-Publish a Book