I would like to announce that my book "Renting with Rex: How You, Your Dog, Your Landlord and Your Neighbors Can All Thrive in Rental Housing" is now available through Dogwise Dog Books directly!
Here is the direct link:
http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DEG932
Their page has detailed information on the table of contents, sample pages and reviews.
Please take a look and support Dogwise Publishing and the wonderful work they do for dogs.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Finally! Book is Out!
I heard today that finally the book is ready and available to order online. I still can't believe this is finally true. After all this time and all the setbacks and delays. Finally!
Right now it is available through Lulu.com. Eventually more avenues will be available very soon. I purchased the extended distribution, so more online stores will have it soon. I am waiting for that to kick in.
Right now it is available through Lulu.com. Eventually more avenues will be available very soon. I purchased the extended distribution, so more online stores will have it soon. I am waiting for that to kick in.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Cover is Approved!
I got the final approval into the formatting/typesetting team this week. Index is in! All edits are made! Waiting to hear when the book is due out. I sent in an email two days ago to get a status.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Index Ready!
May 19, 2009
I turned in my index finally to LuLu formatting team. Finally! That took me several days to do. Very tedious, but worthwhile. I was able to clean it up and take out a lot I felt unnecessary. I also added a few more items.
I got one version of the cover. I asked to make one change and they are working on that.
I turned in my index finally to LuLu formatting team. Finally! That took me several days to do. Very tedious, but worthwhile. I was able to clean it up and take out a lot I felt unnecessary. I also added a few more items.
I got one version of the cover. I asked to make one change and they are working on that.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Manuscript Complete!
May 9, 2009
Got the manuscript completed. Now just finishing up on the index, which has to be done by hand. Everything else is ready to go!
Got the manuscript completed. Now just finishing up on the index, which has to be done by hand. Everything else is ready to go!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Next Step!
My next step is a Spanish version of "Renting with Rex." I also have ideas for other off shoot products.
Oh, I have already started on my next book. That topic is soon to be announced!
Oh, I have already started on my next book. That topic is soon to be announced!
PDF Proof from Lulu!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Got the proof from LuLu formatted in Adobe PDF! I took it to Kinkos to have printed, and then I will review it. I am waiting to hear back about the cover. They didn't send me anything.
I have my press release completed, and I will be sending that out through a service.
I am continuing to accumulate a long list of apartment complexes throughout the US that allows pets. I plan to fax them them a notice of the book when it is available.
I purchased an Extended Distribution Plan through LuLu, which allows me to list the book for sale on sites and lists beyond Lulu and Amazon.
Got the proof from LuLu formatted in Adobe PDF! I took it to Kinkos to have printed, and then I will review it. I am waiting to hear back about the cover. They didn't send me anything.
I have my press release completed, and I will be sending that out through a service.
I am continuing to accumulate a long list of apartment complexes throughout the US that allows pets. I plan to fax them them a notice of the book when it is available.
I purchased an Extended Distribution Plan through LuLu, which allows me to list the book for sale on sites and lists beyond Lulu and Amazon.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Finally! A Company that does a great job!
I finally found a professional company, Lulu. Everything is on track and ready to go. The book should be out any day. Finally, I will get a chance to talk about this subject to everybody, even though I have already talked to many, many people already.
I already have my next book in progress and that should be out in a few months. This time, I won't waste time with people who can't do the job that they promise to do, and I will go straight to LuLu again to do the job right the first time.
I already have my next book in progress and that should be out in a few months. This time, I won't waste time with people who can't do the job that they promise to do, and I will go straight to LuLu again to do the job right the first time.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Submitted Manuscript to LuLu
April 8, 2009
Last Friday, April 3, I tried to submit the manuscript to Borders Personal Publishing. I had everything done and ready. I had to do a new cover because the existing cover did not work and the designer has gone AWOL. He won't return my messages. I tried purchasing the program and it did not work. I tried several times. Nothing. I was pretty pissed off. I was trying to get this done before leaving for Sloughhouse for another weekend of shooting at a dog show. I sent in an email and later that morning received a message that the program had been discontinued. I was fuming. I had done all that work for nothing.
She sent me a link for more programs they have through LuLu. I took a look at those on Monday after I got the photos up from the show. I choose the cheapest program, which was identical to the program from Borders, except LuLu was about $60 more expensive.
I signed up for that. I got an email from LuLu with instructions on how to submit the manuscript and how to fill out the form online.
It took me a couple of days to create the index since that had never been done. That was one of the most interesting exercises I have ever done. That definitely needs to be done by the author because that details the book page by page. It was tedious but interesting to see what I picked as important in a phrase that I thought a reader might need to find the information. I had to really comb through each page paragraph by paragraph finding what I thought were the key phrases.
In the end, I think I did pretty good. First I pulled all the headlines and sub headlines. Then I went through it a second time and pulled all the breed names and small key words and key phrases. Then I had to go through the index by itself and clean up the mistakes. That was gruelling because I had to delete and recreate the index each time so I could be sure the correction was made and put into the right place. But it was necessary to do.
I then had to go through and correction all the formatting that the indexing caused. Everything had to be in 12 point Times Roman and all headings and subheadings had to be one point size large and bolded. I had to check everything. That was gruelling.
Finally, late Wednesday evening, I filled out the online forms and uploaded everything. Now, all I have to do is wait and wait and wait to hear from LuLu about if there is anything else to do.
Last Friday, April 3, I tried to submit the manuscript to Borders Personal Publishing. I had everything done and ready. I had to do a new cover because the existing cover did not work and the designer has gone AWOL. He won't return my messages. I tried purchasing the program and it did not work. I tried several times. Nothing. I was pretty pissed off. I was trying to get this done before leaving for Sloughhouse for another weekend of shooting at a dog show. I sent in an email and later that morning received a message that the program had been discontinued. I was fuming. I had done all that work for nothing.
She sent me a link for more programs they have through LuLu. I took a look at those on Monday after I got the photos up from the show. I choose the cheapest program, which was identical to the program from Borders, except LuLu was about $60 more expensive.
I signed up for that. I got an email from LuLu with instructions on how to submit the manuscript and how to fill out the form online.
It took me a couple of days to create the index since that had never been done. That was one of the most interesting exercises I have ever done. That definitely needs to be done by the author because that details the book page by page. It was tedious but interesting to see what I picked as important in a phrase that I thought a reader might need to find the information. I had to really comb through each page paragraph by paragraph finding what I thought were the key phrases.
In the end, I think I did pretty good. First I pulled all the headlines and sub headlines. Then I went through it a second time and pulled all the breed names and small key words and key phrases. Then I had to go through the index by itself and clean up the mistakes. That was gruelling because I had to delete and recreate the index each time so I could be sure the correction was made and put into the right place. But it was necessary to do.
I then had to go through and correction all the formatting that the indexing caused. Everything had to be in 12 point Times Roman and all headings and subheadings had to be one point size large and bolded. I had to check everything. That was gruelling.
Finally, late Wednesday evening, I filled out the online forms and uploaded everything. Now, all I have to do is wait and wait and wait to hear from LuLu about if there is anything else to do.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Typesetter Nightmares
April 2, 2009
Well, that typesetter that I originally used from Elance was the typesetter from hell. Her name was Sue Balcer from Just Your Type. I do not recommend her in any way.
I sent her back the proof with the changes and she said she was unable to make the changes. She said it would take her several hours of work to do the changes. She immediately called Elance and made a complaint and said she would cancel the job. That went on for an entire week. By Friday, she agreed to do the two hours of work included in the original bid plus two more hours of work I agreed to pay her. I had the list all ready to go to her with the changes I wanted her to make with those four hours. Sunday afternoon, she sent me an email saying she had a life threatening illness and could not do anymore work on my job or any other jobs. She said she would cancel the job and refund the money. That took another week and a half to finally get that with her threatening to sue me if I accept the money. All this time, no work is being done on the book.
I finally figured out that she did not want this book published and this was her way of stalling. I got this by her final email when she said "if you ever get this book published....." She must have had a problem with the topic. Who knows. She was a freak. Plus I was never able to leave her feedback because she cancelled the job. I think she knew this and has done this in the past and knew I could not leave feedback if she cancelled the job. I bet she did this regularly to avoid doing the work.
I got bids from a couple of more typesetters, but they ran $1500 to $2000 for the job, which I could not do.
Then I submitted the book to Borders and their self publishing division. I am working on getting the cover file submitted. The lines are off and not printing right. The cover designer is trying to get this done.
Well, that typesetter that I originally used from Elance was the typesetter from hell. Her name was Sue Balcer from Just Your Type. I do not recommend her in any way.
I sent her back the proof with the changes and she said she was unable to make the changes. She said it would take her several hours of work to do the changes. She immediately called Elance and made a complaint and said she would cancel the job. That went on for an entire week. By Friday, she agreed to do the two hours of work included in the original bid plus two more hours of work I agreed to pay her. I had the list all ready to go to her with the changes I wanted her to make with those four hours. Sunday afternoon, she sent me an email saying she had a life threatening illness and could not do anymore work on my job or any other jobs. She said she would cancel the job and refund the money. That took another week and a half to finally get that with her threatening to sue me if I accept the money. All this time, no work is being done on the book.
I finally figured out that she did not want this book published and this was her way of stalling. I got this by her final email when she said "if you ever get this book published....." She must have had a problem with the topic. Who knows. She was a freak. Plus I was never able to leave her feedback because she cancelled the job. I think she knew this and has done this in the past and knew I could not leave feedback if she cancelled the job. I bet she did this regularly to avoid doing the work.
I got bids from a couple of more typesetters, but they ran $1500 to $2000 for the job, which I could not do.
Then I submitted the book to Borders and their self publishing division. I am working on getting the cover file submitted. The lines are off and not printing right. The cover designer is trying to get this done.
Friday, February 27, 2009
First Proof from Typesetter
February 27, 2009
I got the first proof from the typesetter yesterday. I got it printed up at a local shop (all 120 pages) and I started to edit and proof it. Unfortunately, I am having to read it word by word because there are a lot of problems with the MS Word software conversions from her software. All kinds of wierd things are showing up, so I am having to go through the whole manuscript line by line to fix these things.
I put in my order for the car sign yesterday. It will be reflective. It should be really nice.
I got the first proof from the typesetter yesterday. I got it printed up at a local shop (all 120 pages) and I started to edit and proof it. Unfortunately, I am having to read it word by word because there are a lot of problems with the MS Word software conversions from her software. All kinds of wierd things are showing up, so I am having to go through the whole manuscript line by line to fix these things.
I put in my order for the car sign yesterday. It will be reflective. It should be really nice.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Dedications
Dedications
I want to first thank all the dogs I have had the pleasure to live with who have lived in rentals with me.
Prezo:
My first dog to live in a rental with me. He was my dog when I lived at home with my family, and I took him with me when I moved out. I want to thank him for all his patience in those few, unstable years for always being with me, where ever we went. He lived a long life until almost 16 years old.
Chessie (Woodacre’s Cheshire Smile, CD):
She was the cutest little dog with the funny body and the big smile. She and Prezo were buddies, and she would stop at nothing to have a good time. She even got stuck in the mountains in Northern California when we went for a day hike. She was having such a good time running around and playing, that she cut up her feet so bad that she had to be carried several miles back to the camp. She was my first competition dog and she even won first place in her class at the Cow Palace. I still have the big blue ribbon mounted on cardboard. She moved with me to Santa Rosa in 1991; however, she was stolen out of my yard in 1992 at the age of six after enduring cruciate surgery nine months prior. I still miss her.
Jetta:
Jetta moved with me from San Francisco to Santa Rosa in 1991 after I adopted her from the San Francisco SPCA. She looked like some kind of foxhound mix or smooth collie mix. Very long legs, smooth tri-color coat, and a chewing habit that was insatiable. I have Jetta to thank for introducing me to Frisbee for dogs because I needed to find an outlet for her overflowing energy.
Rowdy (Woodacre’s Rowdy Boy CDX OAC OJC OGC TT CGC VCC):
He was a one in a million dog. I adopted him from the Sonoma County Animal Regulation shelter while living in Santa Rosa. This dog could adapt to anything put in front of him. He has the record of living in the most places with me in a single lifetime. We lived together in over seven rentals. He taught me that a dog truly could be happy living anywhere. We showed all over Northern California for several years in obedience and agility for several years having a great time and meeting a lot of very nice people. He lived to over 15 ½ years.
Scout (Woodacre’s Rocket Fire, RE TT CGC):
When I saw Scout sitting in her kennel at the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter I stopped dead in my tracks. What a beautiful dog with huge blue eyes. She has been transfixing me with those eyes for over 12 years. She will probably come close to Rowdy’s record of living in rentals in a single life. She is currently at five. When I did animal control, she would ride along in the front seat with me. She even helped me to catch a couple of male dogs running loose. They were transfixed by her also, and they had no idea I was slipping the leash over their heads! She had a late showing career and didn’t get her CGC until she was ten years. Within one year she had her Rally Excellent title: nine qualifying runs in nine attempts and later sailed through her Temperament Test displaying her bold courage at the final station and facing down the intruder.
Dino (Woodacre’s Court Jester CGC TT):
Named after Dean Martin, Dino is the true jack of all trades and the entertainer at heart. I saw his picture on the website of a rescue group, and when I went to meet him he was running around the dog park trying to get every dog to play with him. When he got Scout to play with him (who didn’t play with other dogs until she met Dino), I knew he was my next dog. We have dappled in obedience, herding, agility and we are currently training for tracking and searching where he is learning how to search for lost pets. He is just over two years old and he has a big adventurous life together.
Dot (Woodacre’s Polka Dot):
The newest member of the pack. I recently adopted her from the Trinity County Animal Shelter in Weaverville. She had come in several weeks prior with a litter of seven one week old puppies. When I visited with her in the yard and tested her out with the office cat, she just wanted to play with me, which I thought was incredible. She is such a joy and definitely the smallest dog I have ever had. She is probably a Jack Russell Terrier or Fox Terrier mix with a couple of large black “dots” on her body, one of them being on her right eye. She loves to go for car rides and loves to sit in my lap as I work on the computer.
I also want to thank all the landlord and property managers and owners who have given me a chance and let me rent from them with my dogs. Without them, I would not have a place to live. I never hid my dogs from them. I was upfront from the start. I tried to be a model tenant and to leave the place better than how I found it. Thanks again.
I want to first thank all the dogs I have had the pleasure to live with who have lived in rentals with me.
Prezo:
My first dog to live in a rental with me. He was my dog when I lived at home with my family, and I took him with me when I moved out. I want to thank him for all his patience in those few, unstable years for always being with me, where ever we went. He lived a long life until almost 16 years old.
Chessie (Woodacre’s Cheshire Smile, CD):
She was the cutest little dog with the funny body and the big smile. She and Prezo were buddies, and she would stop at nothing to have a good time. She even got stuck in the mountains in Northern California when we went for a day hike. She was having such a good time running around and playing, that she cut up her feet so bad that she had to be carried several miles back to the camp. She was my first competition dog and she even won first place in her class at the Cow Palace. I still have the big blue ribbon mounted on cardboard. She moved with me to Santa Rosa in 1991; however, she was stolen out of my yard in 1992 at the age of six after enduring cruciate surgery nine months prior. I still miss her.
Jetta:
Jetta moved with me from San Francisco to Santa Rosa in 1991 after I adopted her from the San Francisco SPCA. She looked like some kind of foxhound mix or smooth collie mix. Very long legs, smooth tri-color coat, and a chewing habit that was insatiable. I have Jetta to thank for introducing me to Frisbee for dogs because I needed to find an outlet for her overflowing energy.
Rowdy (Woodacre’s Rowdy Boy CDX OAC OJC OGC TT CGC VCC):
He was a one in a million dog. I adopted him from the Sonoma County Animal Regulation shelter while living in Santa Rosa. This dog could adapt to anything put in front of him. He has the record of living in the most places with me in a single lifetime. We lived together in over seven rentals. He taught me that a dog truly could be happy living anywhere. We showed all over Northern California for several years in obedience and agility for several years having a great time and meeting a lot of very nice people. He lived to over 15 ½ years.
Scout (Woodacre’s Rocket Fire, RE TT CGC):
When I saw Scout sitting in her kennel at the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter I stopped dead in my tracks. What a beautiful dog with huge blue eyes. She has been transfixing me with those eyes for over 12 years. She will probably come close to Rowdy’s record of living in rentals in a single life. She is currently at five. When I did animal control, she would ride along in the front seat with me. She even helped me to catch a couple of male dogs running loose. They were transfixed by her also, and they had no idea I was slipping the leash over their heads! She had a late showing career and didn’t get her CGC until she was ten years. Within one year she had her Rally Excellent title: nine qualifying runs in nine attempts and later sailed through her Temperament Test displaying her bold courage at the final station and facing down the intruder.
Dino (Woodacre’s Court Jester CGC TT):
Named after Dean Martin, Dino is the true jack of all trades and the entertainer at heart. I saw his picture on the website of a rescue group, and when I went to meet him he was running around the dog park trying to get every dog to play with him. When he got Scout to play with him (who didn’t play with other dogs until she met Dino), I knew he was my next dog. We have dappled in obedience, herding, agility and we are currently training for tracking and searching where he is learning how to search for lost pets. He is just over two years old and he has a big adventurous life together.
Dot (Woodacre’s Polka Dot):
The newest member of the pack. I recently adopted her from the Trinity County Animal Shelter in Weaverville. She had come in several weeks prior with a litter of seven one week old puppies. When I visited with her in the yard and tested her out with the office cat, she just wanted to play with me, which I thought was incredible. She is such a joy and definitely the smallest dog I have ever had. She is probably a Jack Russell Terrier or Fox Terrier mix with a couple of large black “dots” on her body, one of them being on her right eye. She loves to go for car rides and loves to sit in my lap as I work on the computer.
I also want to thank all the landlord and property managers and owners who have given me a chance and let me rent from them with my dogs. Without them, I would not have a place to live. I never hid my dogs from them. I was upfront from the start. I tried to be a model tenant and to leave the place better than how I found it. Thanks again.
WELCOME TO THE ONLY BOOK CURRENTLY PUBLISHED ON RENTING WITH DOGS!
WELCOME TO THE ONLY BOOK CURRENTLY PUBLISHED ON RENTING WITH DOGS!
Are you looking for a new place to rent with your dog? Have you become frustrated because you can’t seem to find a rental even though your dog is well-behaved? You are not alone. One of the top reasons animals are surrendered to shelters is because their owners are unable to find a place to rent. This book will help you to not only find a new place to live with your dog, but also keep your dog, your landlord and neighbors happy.
Are you elderly or disabled and living in assisted living? Are you looking for a new dog to live with you? Do you have a service animal and want to find a place to rent? This book has a lot of information just for your living circumstances and how to make sure your rights are being adhered to.
This is what you will learn about Renting with Your Dog:
Finding a Place to Rent Where You Can Have Your dog
Renting to Pets Can Benefit Me as a Manager
Moving With Your Dog
Keeping Your Landlord and Neighbors Happy
Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Preventing or Stopping Unwanted Behaviors
Fun Activities Available for Your Dog
Tools Available to Help You Train Your Dog
Acclimating Your Dog to Living in an Apartment
You are Elderly or Disabled and You Have a Dog
Renting an Apartment with Your Dog
Biography:
Since 1984 I have been renting with dogs, cats, birds and rabbits in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. I have lived in a wide variety of types and sizes of rentals. During these experiences, I have seen a wide variety of landlords, property owners, managers, roommates and rental agreements. I have also volunteered and worked in shelters and have seen many animals surrendered to shelters because their owners were unable to find a place to live. My main objective for this book is to prevent another animal from loosing their home.
I am available to do rental counseling to assist dogs to adjust to living in an apartment or rental housing.
Since 2007 I have owned a photography business shooting dog sports throughout California. You can see links to my photography at www.petsandtheirpeoplephotography.com.
I also do animal intuitive communication readings. I can talk directly with living animals to help resolve behavioral problems and speak with animals who have passed over.
You can visit my general website at www.thesocialpet.com.
You can reach me 24 hours a day at jophillips@aol.com.
Are you looking for a new place to rent with your dog? Have you become frustrated because you can’t seem to find a rental even though your dog is well-behaved? You are not alone. One of the top reasons animals are surrendered to shelters is because their owners are unable to find a place to rent. This book will help you to not only find a new place to live with your dog, but also keep your dog, your landlord and neighbors happy.
Are you elderly or disabled and living in assisted living? Are you looking for a new dog to live with you? Do you have a service animal and want to find a place to rent? This book has a lot of information just for your living circumstances and how to make sure your rights are being adhered to.
This is what you will learn about Renting with Your Dog:
Finding a Place to Rent Where You Can Have Your dog
Renting to Pets Can Benefit Me as a Manager
Moving With Your Dog
Keeping Your Landlord and Neighbors Happy
Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Preventing or Stopping Unwanted Behaviors
Fun Activities Available for Your Dog
Tools Available to Help You Train Your Dog
Acclimating Your Dog to Living in an Apartment
You are Elderly or Disabled and You Have a Dog
Renting an Apartment with Your Dog
Biography:
Since 1984 I have been renting with dogs, cats, birds and rabbits in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. I have lived in a wide variety of types and sizes of rentals. During these experiences, I have seen a wide variety of landlords, property owners, managers, roommates and rental agreements. I have also volunteered and worked in shelters and have seen many animals surrendered to shelters because their owners were unable to find a place to live. My main objective for this book is to prevent another animal from loosing their home.
I am available to do rental counseling to assist dogs to adjust to living in an apartment or rental housing.
Since 2007 I have owned a photography business shooting dog sports throughout California. You can see links to my photography at www.petsandtheirpeoplephotography.com.
I also do animal intuitive communication readings. I can talk directly with living animals to help resolve behavioral problems and speak with animals who have passed over.
You can visit my general website at www.thesocialpet.com.
You can reach me 24 hours a day at jophillips@aol.com.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Back From the Editor!
January 28, 2009
My manuscript has come back from the editor, and I now am accepting bids for page layout and design through Elance. I think I have some pretty good possibilities.
I received an email today for a contest to submit entries for Self-Published books. The entries are due by May 1. That should be plenty of time to get the book finished and send them a copy of the book. The book has to be completely self-published and paid for by the author. I will look at the rest of the entry requirements to make sure I have everything ready to send in and that I am not doing it at the last minute.
My manuscript has come back from the editor, and I now am accepting bids for page layout and design through Elance. I think I have some pretty good possibilities.
I received an email today for a contest to submit entries for Self-Published books. The entries are due by May 1. That should be plenty of time to get the book finished and send them a copy of the book. The book has to be completely self-published and paid for by the author. I will look at the rest of the entry requirements to make sure I have everything ready to send in and that I am not doing it at the last minute.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)