In this month’s Tech Talk Michael speaks with Jim Blanton and Phyllis Floyd of the Chesapeake Central Library about their project ePublish or Bust. Two amateurs. One charmingly naïve attempt to write the greatest vampire novel in the history of ever. This project aims to follow their project from inspiration to e-publication and everything in between. It will also chronicle the dynamic services the Chesapeake Public Library will be launching to help out budding authors. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to write a novel, what’s involved in epublishing today, and how public libraries fit into the mix, this is the episode for you. NCompass Live - May 30, 2012.

1. ePublish or
Bust
Two amateurs.
One charmingly naïve attempt to
write the greatest vampire novel
in the history of ever.
Follow the adventure as they
boldly forge a new future for
publishers, authors, and libraries.

2. The Librarian
Jim is the manager of the Chesapeake Central Library. He is
responsible for several unconventional programs at the Library
including the award-winning programs Fantasmo Cult Cinema
Explosion and Scanversations, as well as $ave $teve, for which
he was recognized by Library Journal as a 2012 Mover & Shaker.

3. The Reader
Phyllis is a longtime Chesapeake Public Library
volunteer, voracious reader, and co-conspirator with
Jim. She and her husband Rob (co-creator of Fantasmo)
coordinate the yearly Monster Fest program at the
Library, which is regularly featured in the national
publication Scary Monsters, and has been nominated as
Best Convention in 2011 for the coveted Rondo Hatton
Awards.

4. THE
PLAN
Frustrated with the lack of answers to
the challenges posed to libraries in the
dawn of the ePublishing age, Jim has
convinced Phyllis to join him on a quest
to redefine what it means to be a
public library in the 21st century, forge
a new bond between publishers,
authors, and libraries, and solve the
ebook crisis once and for all.

5. Part I: The
Book
Jim and Phyllis, extreme novices in the area of
authorship, will write the greatest vampire novel in
the history of ever. In so doing they will provide a
live how-to for other budding authors who need to
know what it takes to write a book, get it
published, and most importantly see that it reaches
readers.
They’ll interview authors, publishers, and others in
the know along the way, as part of the
development of a rich tapestry of sage
advice. And, for the sake of pure entertainment at
their own expense, they’ll make every mistake in
the book so everyone else doesn’t have to.

6. Part 2:
The Library
Stuff
Jim will spearhead an initiative at the Chesapeake
Public Library to pull together a set of resources
for authors to use in creating their masterworks
featuring: computers, writing/publishing
software, and inspirational spaces.

7. Part 2:
The Library
Stuff
But that’s not all! The ambitious plan also
includes developing a means to work directly
with authors and publishers to get their works
into the Library catalog without purchasing
through a middle man.

8. Part 2:
The Library
Stuff
But that’s still not all! Most radically the plan
calls for developing a system for independent
authors and publishers to come into the library
and promote their works, with help from the
our expert reader’s advisory staff and
programming team.

9. Part 2:
The Library
Stuff
Taking all this into account means an
author can come into the Library and
create their book, get it in the catalog,
and do a promotional push all in one spot!

10. Part 3:
The Event
The final piece of the equation is a yearly
writing/publishing event at the Library,
bringing in authors and publishers to talk
about happenings in the publishing world and
new books in the works. The goal would be to
educate budding authors about options
available to them on a grand scale, and as
always to connect readers with books!

11. The ePublish or
Bust Guarantee!
1 – We embrace simplicity at every
turn, and promise never to overwhelm
you.*
*Never is a really strong word isn’t it? Let’s just say we’ll do our best : )

12. The ePublish or
Bust Guarantee!
2 – We will fearlessly* seek out the
cheapest, easiest way to get you (and us)
published!
*Within reason, we’re doing this for free remember : )

13. The ePublish or
Bust Guarantee!
3 – We will create a revolutionary new
way for authors and publishers to
shamelessly* promote their works!
*There is never any shame in self-promotion : )

14. Voila!
That’s the grand scheme in a nutshell! Our
journey, nay our adventure, will be chronicled
online at a variety of fine media outlets. To get
to them all in one convenient spot (remember
we promised simple) just go to:
www.epublishorbust.com
Or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!