1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. A Photo Can Evoke So Many
Memories

5. Gathering and Organizing
Materials
• Correspondence and Christmas
letters
• Diaries and travel journals
• Scrapbooks
• Photo books
• Family trees
• Books

6. Organizing and Gathering
Information
• Conversations with family and
friends
• Travel to your hometown and
ancestral homes
• Internet research

7. Learning about Corktown

8. Memorable Places

9. County Fremanagh, Northern Ireland

10. Irish Moments

11. Write Your Story
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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

12. Pause
Questions

13. How to Publish
Traditional
Self Publishing
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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
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

14. Two Sisters

15. 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

16. 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

17. The Motor City and Me: Our Story
Facebook Photo

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

19. Binder Organization
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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

20. Sales
• Computer spreadsheets
Expenses
Sales
• Square Credit Card Reader for your
phone
• Receipt book

21. Book Launch

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

23. The Motor City and Me: Our Story

24. The Motor City and Me: Our
Story
• Story behind my book
• Selections
• Conclusion
• Answer questions