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Tag Archives: self publishing

My Kids Want A Puppy, Seriously!

24 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Facebook, indie, Jelly Beans, Kickstarter, Military, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children, children's book, cooking, dads, Easter, Facebook, holiday, Humor, indie, jellybeans, kickstarter, kidlit, kids, Maggie Pajak, military, moms, Pajak, parents, pets, picture book, publishing, puppy, self publishing, siblings, support, troops

10000LIKES

What does a kid need to do these days in order to get a PUPPY?

Haven’t you heard? It’s get Facebook likes, that’s what!

Help get the project “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” on Kickstarter get 10,000 Facebook “likes.”

Just click on the Kickstarter project page HERE and then give it a “like” and if the project page gets 10,000 likes, my kids will get to eat jellybeans morning, noon & night AND get a puppy!

Seriously!

Hope you are having a SWEET day!

Maggie Pajak

Author

Jellybeans, Morning, Noon & Night

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Are You a Good Egg or a Bad Egg?

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Crowdfunding, Glassboro, indie, Jelly Beans, Kickstarter, New Jersey, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children, children's book, cooking, dads, Easter, Glassboro, holiday, indie, jellybeans, kickstarter, kidlit, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, New Jersey, NJ, parents, picture book, publishing, reward, self publishing, support

GOOD_EGG

Ever wanted to have your child, family pet or picture of yourself immortalized in a children’s book – here is your chance!

Author Maggie Pajak has just announced a new reward level for her Kickstarter campaign, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night:”

GOOD EGG REWARD!

For being a “Good Egg” you get a picture of your choice included on one of the seek and find eggs in the Easter Egg Hunt Game in the book, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night.”  Your “Good Egg” will be located on the game page in the back of the book and hidden on one of the story pages that readers will have to seek and find. How sweet is that?

Be A BackerIn addition to the above, this reward level for a pledge of $200 also includes:

  • A thank you as a “Sweet-tooth Backer” on the official book website: http://jellybeansmorningnoonandnight.com/sweet-tooth-backers
  • A rubber bracelet printed with: I LOVE JELLYBEANS MORNING, NOON & NIGHT
  • A postcard of an early version of the book cover signed by the author
  • An e-book copy of “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” for iPad
  • A jellybean shaped container of Jelly Belly jellybeans net weight: 0.9 oz. (approx. 22 beans)
  • A hardcover copy of the book “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” that includes the new Easter Egg Hunt Game and autographed by the author
  • A chef hat embroiderd with your child’s name on it
  • A white children’s apron
  •  A hardcover copy from the first limited edition print run of the book “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” autographed by the author.

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Kickstarter Conversations Interview with Author Maggie Pajak

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Crowdfunding, Glassboro, indie, Jelly Beans, Kickstarter, Military, New Jersey, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children's book, Easter, Glassboro, holiday, jellybeans, kickstarter, kidlit, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, New Jersey, NJ, parents, picture book, pledge, reward, self publishing, support

To read this interview in it’s entirety, please CLICK HERE.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Welcome back to another Kickstarter Conversation!  Today it’s my pleasure to be speaking with Maggie Pajak the writer and mother behind the latest Kickstarter book project, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon, and Night.”  Thank you for joining us today Maggie.

Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to get the chance to talk to you about my book. As a mom of boys, I’m usually talking about Nerf guns, Spongebob or Minecraft.

[Laughs] Well I’m normally talking about “My Little Pony” with my daughter so I know what you mean. With a name “Jellybeans” it’s pretty obvious you’re either a candy campaign or a children’s book, would you care to describe your project?

Although the name, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” is a sweet title, the book is more than about candy.

I wrote this book several years ago when my husband was deployed in Iraq. This story was the bribe that got my son to sleep in his own bed at night. Sleep was hard to come by as it was. Having a two year old rolling around all night in your bed didn’t exactly bring a restful night either.

So, to me this book is more than a story about two brother’s love for jellybeans and their plan to get Mom to let them eat them morning noon and night. It is more than a lesson of moderation and letting your kids learn a lesson on their own. To me it brought a few giggle filled moments with my son at the end of some very long and trying days.

***To read this interview in it’s entirety, please CLICK HERE.***

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Thank You Sweet-Tooth Backers!

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Crowdfunding, Glassboro, indie, Jelly Beans, Kickstarter, New Jersey, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children's book, dads, Easter, holiday, indie, jellybeans, kickstarter, kidlit, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, parents, picture book, pledge, publishing, reward, self publishing, support

Thank You Sweet-Tooth Backers!Kickstarter is an all or nothing funding platform for creative projects. Project creators set their project goal and time limit and if their goal is not met within their time limit (usually between 30 and 60 days), then no funds are released for the project. Author Maggie Pajak has brought her book, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night,” to Kickstarter with a minimum goal of $5,000. Pledge levels start as low as $1 and rewards vary from thank you’s and ebooks to a hard copy of the book, personalized embroidered chef hats and of course – jellybeans.

If you have a sweet-tooth, have small children and want to share a few giggled-filled moments with them or just want to support “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night get printed, you can make a pledge for some sweet rewards and learn more about the Kickstarter publishing project here.

Thank You to All The Sweet-Tooth Backers!

  • Joy Cooper
  • Chris Rios
  • Harry Blitz
  • Ira Warhaftig
  • Bruce Genung
  • Denise Tessmer
  • C. Expert
  • Jenny Bellizia
  • Erin Best Margolin
  • Koren Imperatore Tabay
  • Robert O’Malley
  • Gloria Garcia
  • Laurie Hess
  • Kelly Wehr
  • Kelly Wister
  • JOJE
  • Kathryn Tessmer
  • Sara Key
  • Supporter of the Indie
  • Marisa

For a complete list of backers, click here.

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No. 1 On KickTraq Children’s Book’s HOT LIST

16 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, indie, Jelly Beans, Kickstarter, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children, children's book, cooking, dads, Easter, holiday, indie, jellybeans, kickstarter, kidlit, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, Pajak, parents, picture book, pledge, publishing, reward, self publishing, support

The children’s indie book, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night,” is number one on the KickTraq Hot List for children’s books projects on Kickstarter. Click here to view book!

KickTraq Hot List for Children’s Book’s as of January 16, 2013

KickTraq Hot List: Children's Book

http://www.kicktraq.com/hotlist/publishing/children’s%20book/

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Here Are Your Rewards – What’s Your Flavor?

11 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Jelly Beans, Kickstarter, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children, children's book, cooking, dads, Easter, gifts, Glassboro, holiday, jellybeans, kickstarter, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, New Jersey, NJ, Pajak, parents, picture book, pledge, publishing, reward, self publishing, siblings, Writing

Click your flavor below to make your pledge and get your reward!

ORANGE REWARD          GRAPE REWARD

GREEN APPLE REWARD          CHERRY REWARD

POPCORD REWARD          BLUEBERRY REWARD

f1ce08663a30dea3ae992fad18d837c4_large

ABOUT THE KICKSTARTER PROJECT

I’m an Army wife, mother and children’s book author of the book “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night.” I am really proud of accomplishing this goal on my own but now I need some outside help.

I am asking for support for my children’s book publishing project on Kickstarter. There are only 33 days left to pledge to show your support. If you can’t pledge, then SHARING this info with YOUR fans, family and friends would be support enough.

Backers receive rewards for their level of pledge. Some of the rewards include a copy of my book, jellybeans and more. Pledges can be as little as $5. Anything you can do to help with my publishing goal would be greatly appreciated.

To me “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” is more than two brother’s love for jellybeans and their plan to get Mom to let them eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is more than a lesson of moderation and letting your kids learn a lesson on their own. To me, it brought a few much needed giggle-filled moments with my three year old son at the end of some very long and trying days while my husband was serving overseas in Iraq.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Maggie Pajak

Author, Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night

info@jellybeansmorningnoonandnight.com

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New Jersey Mom and Army Wife Brings Her Children’s Book to Kickstarter

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Kickstarter, Military, Publishing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children, children's book, cooking, dads, deployment, Easter, Glassboro, holiday, jellybeans, kickstarter, kids, Maggie Pajak, military, moms, New Jersey, NJ, parents, picture book, publishing, self publishing, siblings, troops, Writing

Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night – Children’s Book Not Just for Easter

Maggie Pajak

Author Maggie Pajak

To Author Maggie Pajak, her book titled “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” is more than a story about two brother’s love for jellybeans – ALL of them and their plan to get Mom to let them eat them morning, noon and night. It is more than a lesson of moderation and letting your kids learn a lesson on their own. To Maggie Pajak it brought a few much needed giggle-filled moments with her three year old son at the end of some very long and trying days while her husband was serving overseas in Iraq.

She shares, “I know that “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” can bring that same levity to others as well, which is what I hope this Kickstarter project will be able to help me do.”

Jellybeans Morning, Noon & NightThe Crypto-Capers Reviews: “This story is an interesting version of teaching children that too much sweets can make you sick. This story is told in a simple and fun way without preaching to the reader about not eating too much sweets and any other kind of food that is bad for you. The author takes a different and more subtle approach where the children find out in their own way really without the mother saying anything at all, though her actions is what speaks the loudest. She goes along with their plan only to fulfill her own. Very clever! Children between the ages of 4-8 will adore the illustrations while learning a valuable lesson of moderation.”

Kickstarter is an all or nothing funding platform for creative projects. Project creators set their project goal and time limit and if their goal is not met within their time limit (usually between 30 and 60 days), then no funds are released for the project. This not only protects those that back the projects, but encourages them to share the project with others to help the project get funded so they can help ensure they will receive their pledge reward. Pajak has set her Kickstarter goal at $5,000 so she can start to share her jellybean story with the world. Her pledge levels start as low as $1.

If you love jellybeans, have small children and want to share a few giggled-filled moments with them or just want to support Maggie Pajak with her publishing goals, you can make a pledge and learn more about her Kickstarter publishing project here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jellybeans/jellybeans-morning-noon-and-night.

If you’d like more information about “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” or would like to interview it’s author, Maggie Pajak, please send an email to: info@jellybeansmorningnoonandnight.com.

###

Maggie Pajak is a graduate of Rider University. Professionally she has worked as a marketing director for a magazine publishing company for 12 years. Prior to that she was a public relations representative for a plastics company for 5 years. She resides in Glassboro, NJ with her husband Chris and her two children Matthew (10) and Andrew (5).

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From Idea to Illustration: An Unexpected Journey

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Illustration, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children's book, cooking, dads, Easter, editing, holiday, illustration, jellybeans, Maggie Pajak, moms, Pajak, parents, picture book, publishing, self publishing, siblings, Writing

Before and After

I want to share some of the amazing before and after photos of the book, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night.”

To help provide my illustrator with some direction for the illustrations in the story, I spent an afternoon taking pictures of my kids acting out each of the scenes in the book. Given this was my first book and most importantly a gift to my children, I also wanted the characters in the book illustrated in the likeness of my kids. So this helped provide the illustrator with a guide to follow when creating the characters in the book.

Above and below are some before and after images. To the left is an actual photo of my kids that I Photoshop’d with a pencil sketch filter and to the right is what the illustrator turned the photo into.

Before and After

Now this was one the most unexpected lessons learned along this book publishing journey – illustration!  I naively thought that the illustrator would just draw the scene, scan it into the computer, add my words and the page would be done. WRONG! So so wrong.

Every illustrator is different, but with technology these days an illustrator can do so many things with Photoshop layers.  Some pages in “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” are made up of over 100 layers. The layers on many pages added depth to the scene or gave me the flexibility to change something if I didn’t like it, without having to re-draw the entire page. (Like I said – I was very naive).

Looking at the before and after images now just makes this journey all the more worthwhile. Look at how far this “idea,” this silly “story,” has come – from and idea to an AMAZING illustration.

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Mission Accomplished: My Self Publishing Journey – Part Two

08 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book, Editing, Self Publishing

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books, candy, children, children's book, dads, editing, elf, elf under cover, illustration, jellybeans, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, Pajak, parents, picture book, publishing, self publishing, Writing

My Brilliant Plan to Self Publish a Book. It is a brilliant plan, isn't it?

So now you know why I wrote and published “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night” (see Mission Accomplished: My Self Publishing Journey – Part One). Now here’s a little bit of background on how I went about making my “brilliant plan” happen (insert maniacal laugh here).

It started with an idea of course. The idea turned into a story. Sounds “simple” right? I’ve always enjoyed writing and telling stories and in my professional marketing career, creative writing was part of my daily job and I was good at it (at least that’s what they told me). I thought, “Publishing a book – I could do this.” It is a brilliant plan, isn’t it?

Well, looking back now, the description “simple” would not exactly be how I would describe the process of publishing a book (I know, I know … anyone could have told me that). I have to say that the biggest lesson I learned in self publishing my children’s book, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night,” was that writing the story was the easiest part (for me anyway).

After writing the story, which was about 8 pages typed in length (remember it’s a children’s book), it needed to be edited. I don’t just mean correcting any grammar mistakes, I mean editing the story down in length. Having worked in publishing, I luckily had a friend who agreed to do this for me. Without her (and the help of the illustrator), parents all over the world would be skipping page after page as they read my story to their kids. “And they lived happily ever after … the end.” (You know you’ve done it before. I know I have. You can admit it).

Editing the story down to fit on 25 scenes (spreads) was quite a grueling process at first. I thought that the illustrator would just find a way to make ALL my words fit onto her illustrated pages. In reality, I had to find a way to make my words fit on her illustrated page using a lot fewer characters than I had planned. It required re-working and re-editing the manuscript, quite frankly too many times I care to remember (I try to block those memories out).

At the end of the torturing, I mean editing process … when all of the red pencil marks, the back and forth, the debating on what to keep or the arguing about which way sounds better FINALLY stopped, what I had left was still MY story – just better (and shorter). Even more importantly, I learned a lot about the process of writing and editing a children’s book, which is helping me as I venture to self publish my second (Follow the progress of that experience at ElfUnderCover.com).

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New Children’s Book for the Holidays

07 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by Maggie Pajak in Children's Book

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books, children, children's book, christmas, dads, elf, holiday, kids, Maggie Pajak, moms, Pajak, parents, picture book, self publishing

All Aboard the Polar Express!

All Aboard the Polar Express!

It was three weeks before Christmas. While my family and I stood bundled on the platform awaiting to board New Hope Pennsylvania’s Polar Express, my son mentioned the phrase, “like an elf under cover” in conversation.

Maybe it was because it was so close to Christmas. Maybe it was because I was doing something merry like getting ready to take a train ride, drink hot chocolate and sing Christmas carols. Or maybe it was because I was feeling a bit elf-ish myself (case in point the photo to the left).

Whatever it was … It was in that moment that “Elf Under Cover” was born! That very same night (at about 3 in the morning), I wrote this impishly, fun Christmas story.

My first book, “Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night,“ brought you clever kids who loved jellybeans (all of them) and their plan to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This next book tells the tale of one of Santa’s elves, Logan Tinsel-foot, just graduating from the North Pole Academy and working his first under cover assignment, case number 200347. This is not your typical assignment. Logan Tinsel-foot is wearing the elf under cover badge that makes his movements completely invisible to children. But somehow the child that Logan Tinsel-foot has been assigned to watch CAN SEE HIM!

“Can’t see me,” giggles Elf Logan Tinsel-foot.

“Yes I can, Yes I can! I CAN see you,” shouts the little boy!

The mayhem that follows will leave you giggling too!

Follow the “Elf Under Cover” news at http:///www.ElfUnderCover.com.

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Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night

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TESTIMONIALS

"My son loves "Jellybeans Morning, Noon & Night" and even convinced me to make him jellybean pancakes! We are having a lot of fun with the book!"

-- Lori Ramella

"A smart mom knows that you can have too much of a good thing. This adorable tale is a fun way to show children that moderation is best. The colorful illustrations were attractive to my children, and the story made them giggle."

-- Linda Humes

More Amazon Reviews Here

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