Your Story Is Important•Memories are like unsorted photos that someone has thrown into a box. •Organizing your memories gives you a clear picture of your life. •When you release the details of your life, you discover what makes your journey worth living and telling.

My Irish Grandfather

My Grandfather, James McMahon II, was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Both his father and mother were Irish immigrants. My Grandfather James McMahon emigrated from Canada to Detroit, Michigan. He lived in Corktown, Detroit’s Irish community. My father, James McMahon III, was born in Corktown. I never met my grandfather and wish that I had asked more questions about him.

Why Write a Memoir?• Are you curious about your grandparents? If so, then there’s

a good chance your grandkids will be curious about you.• Writing about your life helps dissolve loss, betrayal, regret,

and guilt that has kept you stuck in the past.• You share ideas and lessons. Your knowledge and wisdom

can help others grow along with you.• You form a connection with those who read your words.• Creating a written narrative, your past takes shape, offering

a clearer vision of who you are today.• You can extend the knack of storytelling into the future• Writing is a challenging mental activity. It can develop brain

cells.

A Photo Can Evoke So Many Memories

Gathering and Organizing Materials

• Correspondence and Christmas letters• Diaries and travel journals• Scrapbooks• Photo books• Family trees• Books

Organizing and Gathering Information

• Conversations with family and friends• Travel to your hometown and

ancestral homes • Internet research

Learning about Corktown

Memorable Places

County Fremanagh, Northern Ireland

Irish Moments

Write Your Story• Theme (story of my hometown and me) • Outline (four parts)• Write (must be in the mood)• Review (check consistency)• Obtain a professional editor• Correct and rewrite• Edit, edit, edit, edit

Pause

Questions

How to Publish

Traditional• Advantages• Credibility• In house designers • Bookstore access• No money up front• Packages, prints and distributes book• Disadvantages • Slow (6 months) production (1 year)• Buys rights - loss of control• Takes 85% to 92% • Short-lived• Literary agent may be required• Marketing

Self Publishing• Advantages• You basically become the publisher.• Control of your book• Quick service (few days to 6 weeks)• Greater profit on your book• Print on demand• Disadvantages• Financial risk - up front costs• Bookstore access difficult• Benefit of an experienced publisher• Slow, but longer, exposure • Considerable searching• Marketing

Two Sisters

Select Services• Editing Basic- grammar, punctuation and spelling Comprehensive- structure, plot, characterization and tone• Illustrations Photos Drawings Charts• Design and Layout Interior –type, chapter arrangement, page color and picture

placement Exterior- design and colors of the front and back cover, size of

book and written part of back cover

Publication• Important Numbers ISBN –International Standard Book Number and 9 digit code LCCN –Library of Congress Control Number• Types of book Paperback Hard Cover Kindle• Press Release• Review Professional review (paid and unpaid) Customer review• Copyright

The Motor City and Me: Our Story Facebook Photo

Marketing Preparation • Marketing Materials• Bookmarks• Business cards • Postcards • Internet Media Website Facebook Linkedin Goodreads, Video Book Trailer• Texas Sales Tax Number

Binder Organization

• Publisher correspondence• Legal papers- copyright and tax forms• Press release• Press release and book correspondence• Copy of reviews• Printed list of expenses• Printed record of earnings• Tasks and events

Sales• Computer spreadsheets Expenses Sales• Square Credit Card Reader for your

phone• Receipt book

Book Launch

Presenting Your Book• Mail books to reviewers and publishers• Envelopes• Book slips• Address labels• Book launch• Poster• Read passages• Good pen• Raffle

The Motor City and Me: Our Story

The Motor City and Me: Our Story

• Story behind my book• Selections• Conclusion• Answer questions