Category: Writing

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The Making of Zombie Turkeys Book Covers

Zombie Turkeys Book Covers
The Zombie Turkeys Book Covers

I’ve had more positive comments for Zombie Turkeys book covers than for my book!  And my book is great! But just about everyone loves the covers, especially the front cover. I thought writing about how we made the Zombie Turkeys book covers would be interesting to my readers.

I’ve chatted with long time authors at Chabanacon and they too loved the cover. When I told them how we did it, they were envious that I as a self-published author had the freedom to do whatever I wished. Those who go through established publishing companies do not have complete control over their covers.

I’ve also talked with other self-published authors, who did make their own covers. These indie authors also loved Zombie Turkeys cover. They had purchased or made their artwork for their covers. They wished they had access to a professional artist, like I did.

 

How It All Began

Zombie Turkeys Book Covers
Chicago’s Navy Pier

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Taxes 101 for Authors – The Andy Zach Way

I don’t know about you, but I start my taxes in December, finish in January, and file in February. Yes, I know that’s early, but since I usually plan to get a refund, I want to get my money as soon as possible. Since this is my first year as an author, but my thirty-eighth year filing my own taxes (you do the math!) I thought I’d share what works for me as a course for authors: Taxes 101 For Authors.

Image result for 2016 income tax public domain images Taxes 101 for Authors
Image result for 2016 income tax public domain images

Objections?

What??? You don’t care? You’re not an author? Well, do you pay taxes? If you do, you still might find this post useful. Otherwise, go read Zombie Turkeys!

Taxes 101 for Authors
Zombie Turkeys cover and link to print copy

You wonder why you should listen to the foremost paranormal animal author of comic urban fantasy, instead of say, your tax advisor? Good question! If you have a tax advisor, great! Listen to him or her. But, if you’re running on a shoestring budget, like me, and you’re cheap, like me, and want to do it yourself, then read on! Or maybe you’re the artistic type and you hate taxes and numbers.

No worry! What I will cover doesn’t involve numbers at all! It’s just the best practices I have found over thirty years of practice, plus four years as a Management Science major, plus three years of training for my MBA. Finally, plus one year as a published author. Plus, later on I give you a free spreadsheet to track your book numbers, the same one I use for Zombie Turkeys.

My Attitude Toward Taxes

Image result for Monopoly public domain images Taxes 101 for Authors
Image result for Monopoly public domain images

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A Normal Work Day, Except for Zombies

Andy Zach Writes About Zombies

Expert on Turkey Zombies
Andy Zach, expert on Turkey Zombies

I joined Prose and wrote a short piece about regular zombies. It’s right here: A Normal Work Day, Except for Zombies

Now let me explain about the background to this piece: Prose is seeking to create the world’s longest book: they’re soliciting 15,000 entries about Zombie Apocalypse, which they’ll stick together into an enormous book.

Here is Prose’s explanation:

It’s record-breaking time. Together, we are going to break the world record for longest book. 100 word minimum. When this challenge gets 15,000 entries, it will expire, and we will turn it into a book. Each entry will be its own chapter. The plot? It’s the first day of a zombie apocalypse, write a diary entry. Each contributor should share this challenge prompt with as many people as possible. If we break the world record, this will be read by people for generations to come.

 

What Is Prose? Are they about Zombies?

Prose is a website for authors. Here’s their self-description:
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