New Dialect

I must learn my own language of motherhood,
find the words that fit comfortably
around my tongue.

I have listened to the voice of my mother
and extracted from her words a version
of my own motherhood, separate and different
than hers, however familiar.
I am claiming my own language.

I am protecting my round belly
with my skin, my hands and my decisions.
I am harvesting love, planting seeds of strength,
raking my mind for words to till.
I am weaving my motherhood from my past,
the present and our future.

Kayla Fioravanti from When I was Young I Flew the Sun Like a Kite

Sugar Bacon Recipe
1 package good quality bacon (I used Hormel, Natural Choice, Uncured Bacon)
1/2 to 3/4 cup Brown Sugar

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Line a baking dish or cookie pan that has a lip with aluminum foil
3. Coat a thin layer of brown sugar onto the foil
4. Arrange bacon onto the brown sugar side by side, not overlapping.
5. Put baking dish in the center rack of the preheated oven
6. Set a timer for 10 minutes, come back and look at it to be sure bacon is cooking evenly, turn them over if necessary.

Sugar bacon at the midpoint of baking.

7. Set timer for another 10 minutes. Your bacon should be ready now. It should appear evenly glazed. Take it out of the oven and turn over the bacon to allow heat from pan to finish any cooking necessary.
8. Serve!

Really, once you have this y’all might hate me for introducing you to such a sinful delight!

The Big Six Publishers were untouchable. Small publishing houses tried to compete but they were peasant publishers to the big six who guarded the gates of the book publishing world with very little regard for the peasants.

One day Amazon and digital books showed up to challenge the Big Six. The Big Six laughed at the absurdity of the thought of self-published on demand and digital books! They expected the Amazon authors to be mocked by the world of publishing. The Big Six look down upon all self-published books from vanity publishing and on demand publishing.

The Big Six refused to change anything in response to Amazon and their army of self-published on demand and digital authors. And then one day while looking at their bottom line, they realized that Amazon and their army had struck a death blow to the income of the Big Six. And then authors who once rallied against self-publishing noticed that Amazon and their army had a very good deal, in fact a much better deal than they had.

Many authors walked away from the Big Six and joined the Amazon army. Some authors who stuck with the Big Six still mock the Amazon authors. But the Amazon authors deflected their attack with 35-70% royalty, ownership of their published works and the ability to control their own destiny with on demand and digital books.

Today the Big Six guard a very tiny gate that once took up city blocks and now only occupies a few small offices. The Big Six hurl insults onto the deaf ears of the Amazon authors who celebrate all the way to the bank.

If you want to learn how to get your book published without facing the gatekeepers of the Big Six, How to Self-Publish: The Author-preneur’s Guide to Publishing was written for you. If you have a friend or family member who is wearing from rejections of the Big Six, please share this blog post with them.

A prime example was the day I decided to take a full size couch down a flight of stairs by myself. Really, I know how illogical it sounds for one person, let alone a woman, to attempt to wrestle a couch down a flight of stairs. The stairs were not regular straight up and down stairs either; there was an L turn a few steps creating an exciting obstacle. Not only did I make the poor decision to go down the stairs alone with a couch, but once I realized the stupidity of my task, I didn’t do the logical thing and stop. Instead I got to the turn, balanced the couch straight up and down and then made the decision to continue on. If that isn’t bad enough I had to climb over the couch on the banister to continue my ill advised plan.

It wasn’t like the world would end if I didn’t get the couch down the stairs or that I didn’t have other choices. I had made arrangements for a charity to come pick up the couch in the morning from my driveway. At the time I was single and living alone. There were neighbors and I had plenty of friends that I could have called on to help me, but I was suffering from a severe case of wonder-womanitis. It didn’t matter what challenge was set before me, I thought I could do it all without help. Maybe in reality I was suffering from a case of arrogant pride.

I certainly was making life much harder on myself. Managing the weight of the couch as it came down the stairs towards me aided by the sheer force of gravity was more than challenging. As I victoriously wrestled the couch out the door and onto the driveway I scolded myself for the dangerous situation I had just been through.

The reality of couch plus gravity vs. Kayla was that the couch easily could have been the one making the victory dance right over top of me. It was a stupid move. To top it all off the next day the charity refused to pick up my couch, it wasn’t good enough, and I had to drag it back indoors – this time into the garage, with the lesson learned about the fallacy of urgency.

In reality I think that many of us are attempting the same exact thing in our lives and businesses. I often find myself with an avalanche of commitments coming towards me from different directions. In those moments I remind myself that I am not Wonder Woman, pout for a moment about that reality, and then rearrange priorities to tackle with the strength of a mere mortal woman.

Are you suffering from a case of wonder-womanitis? Ever found yourself with the same delusions? How did you cope with the reality that you too are not Wonder Woman?

Ingredients
1 1/3 cup Organic Honey
½ cup Organic Butter
2 cups Organic Heavy Whipping Cream

1.In a heavy saucepan combine honey, butter and 1 cup of the heavy cream.
2. Set the 2nd cup of cream aside for later.
3. Bring contents of saucepan to a rolling boil while stirring frequently. This is a great time to Twitteror surf Facebookwith your other hand because it takes awhile to cook and stir until the mixture darkens and thickens.
4. After the mixture darkens and thickens add the 2nd cup of heavy cream
5. Bring the mixture back up to a rolling boil and stir frequently. Again this is a good time to spend sometime on your favorite social media or read.
6. Cook until the mixture forms a fairly firm ball when dropped into cold water. If you have a candy thermometer the temperature should be between 244-250 degrees F.
7. Pour mixture into lightly buttered 8 x 8 inch glass pan and cool
8. Once cool cut into 1 inch squares and wrap individually with wax paper

Variations
1.For Caramel Popcorn – while warm pour off prepared popcorn and enjoy warm.
2. For Caramel Apples – cool slightly and serve with sliced apples
3. For Salted Caramels – before wrapping sliced squares top with a pinch of sea salt
4. For Lavender Caramels – before wrapping sliced squares add 3 to 5 lavender buds to each before wrapping
5. For Salted Lavender Caramels – before wrapping sliced squares add a pinch of sea salt and 3 to 5 lavender buds before wrapping.

I like to keep my finished caramels in the fridge but they never last long enough to require it.

David Sanford, Author

Sadly, traditional publishers have killed many of the good and great books written in our lifetime. So, it’s time to quit acting as if they are still the only or best way books get published. After more than 300 book deals, including deals for stacks of award-winners and best-sellers, I have turned in my ‘literary agent’ badge. What a freeing experience. I am not abandoning the publishing world. Instead, I am enjoying all of its best forms more than ever. To me, every great book is a ‘golden key’ that opens exciting new doors for speaking engagements, mass media appearances, social media buzz, etc. That is true whether the author in question is 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, or 83. True, a lot of people don’t have a good or great book in them. Then again, a lot do. The more on-ramps and fewer roadblocks we can create for them, the more everyone wins. Kayla does just that in this clear, concise, and compelling new book. I’m thrilled. You will be too!   David Sanford is author or co-author of Handbook on Thriving as an Adoptive Family: Real-Life Solutions to Common Challenges, How to Read Your Bible, Living Faith Bible NLT, If God Disappears: 9 Faith Wreckers and What to Do about Them, God Is Relevant: Finding Strength and Peace in Today’s World

Elin Criswell, Author

Kayla Fioravanti’s new book, Self-Publishing Guide, How to Become an Author-preneur … is packed full with useful, helpful information that provides inspiring authors a roadmap to help get their books into print. The publishing world has changed so much for the better. Kayla’s book shows you that in modern age it is not only possible to become a published author, but very doable.” Elin Criswell is the author of Creative Soap Making

Alana Rivera, Etta +Billie

“How to Self-Publish is a fantastic resource for anyone who’s ever entertained the idea of writing a book and even for those that haven’t! I had never wanted (nor thought I could) write a book but after reading How to Self-Publish, I felt compelled to write something or at least share this book with everyone I know. All the information is laid out in an easy to digest format with a great step by step check list and wonderful personal anecdotes from Kayla. Kayla knows her stuff and is such an inspiration. Do not hesitate to buy this book it could change your life!”

Patricia DiGasbarro, Shoosha Truly Organic 

“How to Self-Publish: The Author-preneur’s Guide to Publishing is a perfect guide that will tell you everything you need to know to write, publish and sell your own book. I really love Kayla’s writing style. It’s an easy, conversational style that feels more like a girlfriend giving me important help and advice over a cup of coffee, rather than a tedious lecture. Kayla knocks it out of the park again with her straight talk, and no nonsense style. A must read for anyone who is busy and just needs the facts to get going with their own book.”

Mary Humphrey, Author

“In How to Self-Publish, Kayla Fioravanti neatly packaged all of the aspects of self-publishing, from the start of a manuscript, to the publishing of the book, into one easy to follow volume. Throughout the book, Kayla shares personal advice, “From One Writer to Another,” and detailed business advice that prospective writers may not consider, such as, building a platform, website, social media, formatting and budgeting. I personally have a folder full of writing notes sitting by my side, neatly tucked into folders, with several books started. Now that I’ve read Kayla’s book, I will be self-publishing all of the books (using Kayla’s words) “that I have in me (you).” You can do it too! First, I highly recommend that you read her amazing and inspiring book!” Mary Humphrey is the co-author of Essential Soapmaking

~Lela Barker, Mover. Shaker.Momma of Lucky Break Consulting and Author.

“Kayla’s new book is a goldmine of information! This step-by-step guide brilliantly illustrates how to move from concept to execution and it’s filled with hundreds of valuable tips along the way. Kayla is truly an expert in the self-publishing field; with her encouragement, I published my first book this year. Her sage wisdom and encouragement was invaluable to me as I navigated the process and I’m thrilled that she’s encapsulated that knowledge to share with others.” Lela Barker is the author of 155 Words You Need to Know: Practical Wisdom For Creative Entrepreneurs

Holly Port, Lotion Bar Café

“Brilliant, I have been wanting to write a book for some time but I was very intimidated, Not anymore. In this book Kayla writes it out step by step with easy to follow instructions. Thanks for this inspiring book to motivate me to finally write my book.”

Rose Cunfer, Sugarloaf Soaps

“This book gives you everything you need to be successful as an author….I am so inspired by reading it that I may write a book of my own. It is a MUST READ! and then read again!”

Cheri Perry, Total Merchant Concepts, Inc.

“Wow!! What a great read! Simple, easy steps to get your book published written by someone who has ‘been there, done that’. Kayla takes a once arduous task and turns it into a step by step process that anyone can handle. Thank you for a fun, informative and VERY useful tool. MUST READ!”

Debbie Richards, Big Fat Soap

“It’s easier than you think, once you understand the steps of self-publishing. Kayla Fioravanti has the first-hand knowledge and experience to walk you through the process, step by step. Ever wondered how Amazon always manages to have the book you’re searching for on hand, ready to ship to you? Part of the secret is something called On Demand Printing, where the book is published and sold, but printed only on demand when the buyer orders it. No more warehouses full of thousands of copies are needed. After reading Kayla’s book you will understand how it’s done and why you should jump on board to become an Author-preneur today. You’ll definitely want to keep this book around as a step by step reference guide because it’s written in language you and I understand. I highly recommend this book to bloggers, writers, and those of us who dream of becoming published. You CAN do it with Kayla’s help.”

Ron Carlson

“Though self-publishing has not been on my horizon, Kayla Fioravanti’s fresh, cutting edge self-publishing wisdom is beyond the best I have discovered for my target – newsletters and blogs. So if only half of How to Self-Publish applies to my writing confines today, the balance has opened unsuspected options and precise directions that were totally absent in my dreams. What a breath of fresh air for weary writers. Buy it. Read it. Do it.”

What is balance to me is bedlam to another. There are tipping points at times that steal my laughter and at those times I fight back to reach my personal equilibrium. As the saying goes, when mama isn’t laughing than no one is having fun. I find a lot of things funny and when those things aren’t funny then there is too much on my plate. I learned a few things along the way that have allowed me to embrace my own sense of balance.

For a long time I tried to make my life fit into the world’s mold. But it doesn’t fit. I operate well inside a world that many wouldn’t enjoy. I know that is the case with most entrepreneurs. It is okay to be different. I have friends that shake their heads and say, “I don’t know how you do it” but I don’t know how I wouldn’t do it. If I didn’t have the things that challenge me on my plate today I would have gathered up other challenges. It is just my nature. I find it healthiest to accept my nature and allow myself to be everything God made me to be even if I’ll never fit into any mold.

It was a freeing experience for me to understand that my dreams and aspirations didn’t have to fit into another person’s vision of success. I used to see other mom’s with all their natural nurturing skills caring for their children and wish that I could be more like that. Instead my kids get a check for blood, broken bones, disfiguring injuries, give them a kiss, a hug and a pat on the back with directions to shake it off. When I finally saw the value of my techniques I convinced myself that they are not wrong, just different. The same is true with our family’s focus on business. It isn’t wrong, and it isn’t right, but it is the right path for our family, even if it is different.

It is crucial to absolutely allow yourself to blossom right where you are and stop waiting for all everything in life to be perfect. I am never going to be that wife and mom who looks totally put together every time she steps out into public. I might live in the South, but evidently what drives women here to always look perfect is not contagious, because I haven’t caught it.

Over the past six weeks I worked at a frantic pace to write, edit, format, publish in paperback, format for Kindle and publish in Kindle my new book, How to Publish: The Author-preneur’s Guide to Self-Publishing. It was a multi-tasking juggle of grand proportions. As I wait for the Kindle version to finish review I am accessing the disaster zone of my neglected house. And have determined that it was worth it. I’m not afraid of a few overgrown dust bunnies.

How about you? Do you think I am off my rocker? Or have you come to accept the value of crisis, the potential from struggle and the reality of your own world as good and healthy?

Be sure to leave me a review on Amazon.com after you finish reading How to Self-Publish: The Author-preneur’s Guide to Publishing.

Reviews can be found here.

Thai Iced Coffee Recipe

8-10 cups Brewed Coffee
One 14 oz can Borden Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
Ice Cubes

That is it! Just brew 8-10 cups of your favorite coffee, allow to cool slightly. Mix sweetened condensed milk with warm coffee, allow to cool further, serve over ice. This simple recipe can be expanded by adding your favorite spices but you won’t need any additional sweetener.