caryn newton

This is it! The Cover for My New Book: Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift

Posted by Barbara Techel

This is it! The Cover for My New Book: Wisdom Found in the Pause - Joie's Gift

I want to say a very special thank you to all who either sent me a personal note via email, left a comment on the blog post about voting, or left a comment and/or voted on my Facebook page last week. There were close to 400 of you who shared your thoughts!

While I must admit I was leaning a wee bit more toward the cover above, I was still torn. Reaching out to you for your feedback, I took into consideration the many helpful suggestions and thoughts. I took them back to Caryn, my book cover designer, of Lantern Glow Design.  She was able to lighten the background, make Joie pop a bit more, and make the reflection a bit clearer in the water. I’m very happy with the final result!

What I love about this choice is how warm and inviting it is. While I loved the image of the sky in the background also, I felt that didn’t convey the same warmth I was shooting for. But the GOOD NEWS is that the sky photo fits perfectly for the inside of the book!  It just so happens that this book is divided into two sections and the sky photo will introduce Part Two:

Part One is titled “Joie” and it’s about how Joie came into my life, how we worked through her physical challenges, developed a deeper bond, and the exciting time we had when we were on the set of the film The Surface where as you may recall she plays a small part in the movie.

Part Two is titled “The Pause.” After Joie passed away in August of 2013, I took a two month sabbatical. It’s during that time of reflection and learning to just be that I was able to accept letting go of a chapter in my life that my identity had been so closely tied to, and how I learned to accept and see the many blessings that being in transition is all about. I discovered much wisdom in slowing down and taking time to listen to my heart, hence the title: Wisdom Found in the Pause.

I’m still shooting for a fall 2016 release though don’t have a specific date yet. The formatting of the book is going well, which I’ve undertaken myself this time around. Oh how I love all the resources we now have available for independent publishers!

So please do stay tuned…. and thank you again so very much for all your suggestions and comments. Please know that I truly appreciated each and every one of them!

You are all the best!!

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Joyful Paws Website Is Getting A New Look

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

I hesitated in sharing my new website design so soon… as it will be a while yet before my new site goes live… but I’m just so excited that I wanted to share. I’m pretty sure this is very close to what the design will ultimately end up to be. I still have work to do in brainstorming a tag line… but I’m well on my way and working with my marketing consultant, Mary Shafer in regards to a tag line.  Caryn Newton of Lantern Glow Design is the wonderful designer who came up with my new look based on our conversation of my vision.

With my new, first nonfiction adult book coming out late 2012/early 2013 it was time that my website be re-done to reflect a new vision for Joyful Paws going forward. While I will still have a big focus on Frankie and my work with her, I also am excited about planning for future ideas/projects.

As my new book is going through the editing process I have also not felt comfortable with the title of my book so my consultant, Mary is helping me with that too. We are very close to having a new title that seems more fitting and I’m really excited about sharing it once we have that nailed down.

Sometimes I sit here, in my little writing studio, looking out into my neighborhood, and my heart swells with pure joy. I love my life. Sure, it has it’s ups and downs and doubts, but I could have never dreamed I would have written a children’s book series or be on my way to publishing my first adult nonfiction book.

I remind myself daily to listen to the whispers in my heart… to follow those whispers… to live my authenticity… and look for the good all around me. There is much good to be found. And so often in the simplest of things and moments. And two sweet dogs, one loving husband, caring friends and family, and one loving and supportive mom, are my reminders of how much I have to be grateful for.

So while I welcome your thoughts on Joyful Paws new look, I also know to trust my heart and my heart feels so at home with the new look of my website. Life is good.