Julie Gumm - Author

Printing Tweaks

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So seeing the book proof was awesome, but I did realize ONE thing. The color on the cover wasn’t EXACTLY right. It wasn’t bad, and most people wouldn’t even notice, but it wasn’t exactly what Cameron had designed. With digital printing (because it’s a small printing run) that happens.

So I talked with the printer yesterday and they can said they could make some manual adjustments on their end to pull out some of the magenta (cover was too pinkish). They called this morning and said it worked great, but does affect the skin tones in my picture on the back. So they’re overnighting me a new proof of just the cover to make sure I approve.

I’ve had lots of questions from people, so here’s a few things to note:

  • Yes, the book covers both domestic and international adoption – any adoption you need money for 🙂
  • I’m self-publishing the book which means I am also doing all my own PR, etc. Fun, but time consuming. I’ve already got some great people that have agreed to do reviews and I have a list of more people to e-mail and ask.
  • You will be able to buy the book through my website (being developed) and through Amazon. For sales made through my website, a portion of the proceeds will go toward helping families adopt. (Mark and I are still discussing exactly what that looks like.)
  • We’ll be doing some fun blog giveaways the week before the book comes out.
  • The book comes out on May 11th – it’s my birthday so I figured that would be a fun day 🙂
  • I am aiming to have pre-sales start on May 1st. If you want to get an e-mail reminder when I do start pre-sales, sign up at the bottom of this page.  There will be some sort of incentive to order during pre-sales – just haven’t decided what.
  • I’m working on the companion website which, among other things, will continue to expand on the book with more fundraising ideas. I hope you will participate in the conversation!

If you have any other questions, just let me know!

Tah dah…the book revealed

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It’s 4:12 a.m.

I just loaded the files to the printer. My bed is calling me.

But a promise is a promise, so here you go.


The Front

…and the whole thing.

Like I said, Cameron rocked it! Hiring him was pretty much the smartest decision I made in this whole process.

I know it’s kind of hard to read, so here’s the text from the back jacket.

In 2000, Julie and her husband, Mark, declared war on their debt – credit cards, student loans, cars and the house. Seven years later, as they wrote the check for their last mortgage payment, God called them to adopt two children from Ethiopia. A few months later, with their income unexpectedly cut by two-thirds, they wondered if they could finish the adoption without crossing back over into the red.

When they brought Wendemagegn and Beza home 12 months later, Julie and her husband proved debt-free adoption is possible!

Passionate about helping others achieve their adoption dream, Julie shares how to find extra money in your household budget, apply for grants, and fundraise in order to build your family without saddling it with debt. With over $65,000 worth of creative fundraising ideas from more than 25 adoptive families, Adopt Without Debt shows you how to fulfill your adoption dream without signing away your financial freedom.

And no, the web site isn’t set up yet. I’ll get to that next 🙂

The book comes out May 11th – on my birthday. Pre-orders available soon. If you want to get an email when pre-orders are open, sign up for the email list.