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Dear Family and Friends, (by Kevin)
It's Almost Halloween, what are you dressing up as? I think I'll pretend to be a grandma, author, Multi-level-marketer, and Real Estate investor. What a costume!
 We have had a pretty great month in October. The world is beautiful here in VA in October. In fact, here are a couple of examples of why we love Virginia in the fall.
I often feel like singing when I see the beauty God has created for us, okay when I feel like singing I do.
This month we have had continued success, Kevin is still consulting, which is really keeping him busy! In fact, more than 80 hours last week.
Mary Jane got the first book, "Lucy and The Bank Robbers" published in both Kindle and paperback and is working on getting the Spanish version out in both formats as well. I recently offered the kindle version on a free promotion, if you didn't get your copy, watch for another freebee to come along. You can visit my facebook author page at the following link: www.facebook.com/Maryjanedriscoll4stories to see what's going on, what's new, what contest is running and when. Find the book here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016962FBU
The kids are all still doing the same as last month, working and being contributing members of society! J The cat is still sitting right in the middle of my desk as often as she can get away with it. So all is right with the world. I hope you are enjoying the fall season and all is right in your world as well!
Quote of the Month: "If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." - Alan K. Simpson
So who are you? Integrity is a key characteristic of successful people because people who have integrity also accept accountability.
Live an Amazing Life! Mary Jane and Kevin
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(By Mary Jane)
Publish Your Book Part 2
Last month I told you how to self-publish in kindle format through Amazon. Now What if you want people to be able to get a physical copy of the book? Yes people all over the world still like to hold a real book in their hands! I know I do. In fact, people using how to books, cook books, etc. may actually want to write in the pages--little notes to themselves, and put in actual bookmarks. Children like to take their real book to bed. Guess what there is an easy solution for that as well. Welcome to Print on Demand.
Amazon has a tool to let you publish your book in paperback through Createspace, Here is the link: www.createspace.com . Turns out it is fairly simple to put together a book that will be printed as it is ordered.
You will have to create your Createspace account and then you are ready to start.
Simply click on new project to get started. They will ask you the name of your project and which format you want it in. Currently there are the choices of paperback, audio, DVD and video download. At this time, I am working on the paperback. Then you can choose a set up process. They offer a guided process for new people which takes you step by step through getting it ready to go. They also offer expert once you know what you are doing.
The first step will be putting in information about title, authors, and others who contributed to the book and information about whether or not it is a series, which edition is it. Easy Stuff!
Next is the ISBN number. Createspace will assign your book a free ISBN number which is what I chose. It is easy, it is free and if you re-print your book somewhere else you will need a new ISBN number anyway even if you paid for one. So to me it was a no-brainer, get the free ISBN. This also allows for expanded distribution of your book which means it can be sold to retailers and libraries.
Then it's time to choose the size of your book, there are many sizes to choose from and it's totally up to you. I like 8.5 x 8.5 for my Lucy Stories series. I might choose a different size for other books.
You get to choose black and white or color and if black and white you have an option of white paper or cream colored paper. Next you will be able to upload your book file. They let you upload in several formats, I chose PDF for mine. This is your interior of the book, it does not include the cover, that will come later.
Once you have uploaded your book you will be able to see what it will look like with an on-line reviewer. I had to upload a different version several times as I saw formatting problems. It was very easy to change versions to make corrections until you get it the way you want it. If you are totally happy with this you can start the next step.
The cover, this will be front and back together, like a really long sheet of paper that will go around your book. This was the most challenging part for me. I did prepare it in word, the reason it is challenging is because you need to create a page that is big enough for the cover. There is a formula for how big your cover will be and how much you have to plan for to make sure nothing near the edge of your cover gets lost. They have the formula. Each book will be slightly different because of number of pages.
Once you upload your cover, you get to wait while they review your whole book and decide if it will work for them, then you get to see it on the reviewer once again and make sure it is what you want. You can also pay for and order a proof (a sample copy of your book) then you can look at the physical book before it is up for sale. After that you tell them it's ready to publish and in my case it was up in seconds. Amazing! Simple, Free, and fun!
Once your decide everything is in order, you are ready to sell it, congratulations, you are now a published author and have a physical book people can actually hold and maybe they will treasure it and keep it forever!! So if you want to be a published author nothing but you is holding you back. Go for it!!
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Industry News
(by Kevin)
The Most Affordable Places to Buy a Home in America
Determining the affordability of living in a certain place involves a lot of variables, but the make-or-break expense tends to be how much it actually costs to have an address there - that is, what rent or mortgage payments are.
Nationwide, the mortgage payment on an average-priced home in the U.S. (assuming a 3% down payment and including homeowners insurance, private mortgage insurance and property taxes) takes up 36.5% of the average wage in the first quarter of 2015, according to a quarterly analysis from housing data company RealtyTrac.
It takes 138.5% of the average income in Eagle County, Colo., think Vail, to afford a home. The 10 best places for mortgage affordability to income ratios are:
- Hamilton County, FL Metro area: None 5.6%
- St. Louis County, Metro area: St. Louis, MO 8.3%
- St. Louis 9.4%
- Lake County, Metro area: Chicago, IL 9.5%
- Fairfield County, Metro area: Columbia, SC 10.3%
- Wayne County, Metro area: Detroit, MI 10.6%
- Darlington County, Metro area: Florence, SC 10.8%
- Clayton County, Metro area: Atlanta, GA 11.3%
- Roane County, Metro area: Knoxville, TN 12.1%
- Cuyahoga County, Metro area: Cleveland, OH 13.7%
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Projects and Opportunities
- 8+% ROI: We are continuing to locate used mobile homes, set them up in one of our Manufacture Housing Communities, and sell/rent them. If you have between $15,000 and $20,000 you want working harder for you then this could be the right opportunity for you.
We will do all the work and can manage the home for you totally turn key or you can place one of your homes in our community and manage it yourself. We are very flexible with these opportunities.
We only do 3 of these per month so let us know your interest as soon as possible so we can more fully explain the process and get your name on the list.
Did you know that you can invest in real estate from your IRA or other retirement account? You can also use your stock portfolio to invest without ever selling your stock? (Think leverage, leverage, leverage!). These investment secrets aren't well known but they are perfectly legal. Contact us and/or click on this Investment Secret link to learn more.
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Laughs and Interesting Stuff
(Selected by Kevin and Mary Jane)
No offense is meant by any of these jokes, they are just jokes. If you have a joke you'd like to share, send it in. Only clean jokes need apply for consideration.
Happy Halloween!
What do you call a ghost with a broken leg? a "Hoblin Goblin."
What do ghosts serve for dessert? Ice scream!
What kind of ghost haunts a hen house? A poultrygeist ,
How do mummies hide? They wear masking tape.
Why don't mummies take vacations? Because they are afraid to relax and unwind
What do mummies like listening to on Halloween?
Wrap music!
Bill: Why did the policeman ticket the ghost?
McKenzie: Why?
Bill: It didn't have a haunting license.
Sarah: What are a ghost's favorite rides at the fair?
Brian: Tell me.
Sarah: The scary-go-round and rollerghoster!
Jake: Why couldn't the ghost see its mom and dad?
Philip: I don't know.
Jake: Because they were trans-parents!
Brandon: Which goul is the best dancer?
Nolan: I don't know.
Brandon: The Boogie Man!
What are a ghost's favorite pants?
(Boo jeans!)
What's a monster's favorite place to swim?
(Lake Eerie!)
Why do you always find ghouls and demons together?
Because demons are a ghoul's best friend!
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(so people will wonder what your up to AND its contagious)
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We are always willing to share information with you so please feel free to contact us
Driscoll Enterprises Inc. 332 West Lee Hwy., Suite 200, Warrenton, VA 20186
703-398-1188 or 800-887-0001 info@DriscollEnterprisesInc.com |
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