Archive for the ‘travel’ Category

The Sun Sisters Guide to the Girlfriends’ Perfect Beach Vacation

January 29, 2018

What happens when a creative group of women head to the beach and relax? They decide to write a book together!

The self-proclaimed sun sisters, Beth Gardner, Myra McElhaney, Pat Quakenbush, and Brenda Reese, did just that. Then they called me to put together their gift-sized book, perfect for a girlfriend’s birthday or hostess gift. I designed their book cover, formatted the interior pages, and coordinated with their publisher.

The Sun Sisters Guide to the Girlfriends’ Perfect Beach Vacation provides tips for planning future beach vacations while the stories will have readers laughing as they remember past beach getaways. The collection of stories from the seaside cover a broad range of topics from sunscreen to sharks, along with ways to maximize your fun.

I’ve also had the pleasure to work with Myra on three of her other books: Mama Always Says; Musings on Major and Minor Matters that May or May not Matter; and Building a Life You Love After Losing the Love of Your Life. 

Find out more about Myra and her philosophy of Enjoy Life and Do Good at www.MyraMcElhaney.com.

Contact me to discuss how I can help bring your book from concept to creation. Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Call me at 678-521-8820 or visit VanessaLowry.com to see more examples of my graphic design, writing, marketing, and art projects.

Tags:, , , , , , , , ,
Posted in books, collaboration, self publishing, travel, writing | Leave a Comment »

I Did It My Way: The Travel Adventures of Dorothea Bonavito

May 31, 2015

Dot's book frnt cvr webI greatly admire fiercely independent women. So I was thrilled with Sallie Crenshaw contacted me to help publish a book complied of her friend Dot’s travel letters. While I’ve worked with clients in many parts of the United States and several in Canada, Sallie was my first client in Paris, France. (It is a small world after all!)

I Did It My Way: The Travel Adventures of Dorothea Bonavito, 1948 – 2000 is compiled from travel letters begun when the Dot joined the U.S. Foreign Service in post-World War II Occupation Germany. Through select letters and photos, this book offers an enchanting glimpse into how a career in the U.S. Foreign Service enabled a woman traveler to fulfill her dream of seeing the world — her way.

Sallie was a friend of Dot’s for over thirty years. The two met through Sallie’s uncle Thad Crenshaw, a former Foreign Service Officer living in Paris. Dot’s friends and family enlisted Sallie to transform Dot’s archives of travel letters, photos, and travel mementos into this book. Sallie said, “This is not my book. It is your book — Dot’s friends and family. Cousins, childhood friends, Foreign Service friends, friends met during travels, and friends from Dot’s Paris days. For me, it has been a labor of love to celebrate Dot’s travel adventures and her fiercely independent spirit. This is my tribute to Dot.”

Over a span of fifty years, Dot Bonavito visited more than 100 countries and wrote over 100 detailed trip letters home to family and friends. This book exists because Dot documented her travel adventures — in a carefully guarded and organized archive of trip letters, itineraries, photos, and travel mementos. The U.S. Foreign Service gave Dot the life of independence and foreign adventures that she craved.

Retired Foreign Service Officer Patricia R. Clark shared a 50-year friendship with Dot, including posts in Rome and Paris. According to Patricia, “This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Foreign Service and women travelers. Dot was a true adventurer.”

I had a wonderful time working with Sallie to birth this book. Sallie had these lovely things to say about working with me:

“Vanessa Lowry was recommended as an independent graphic designer who could help me finish and self-publish a book of travel letters. I had absolutely no experience in book layout and design, much less self-publishing — and I live in France. Vanessa was a genius. I sent her via e-mail a Word document/manuscript and scanned photos. She sent me back chapters to comment on and give feedback. Four months later, the book was printed and shipped. Vanessa made it seem effortless. She kept to schedule and costs, gave good advice and feedback, and had infinite patience.  I hope to find another project to work on with her. I recommend her without reservation.”

Go here to find out more about Dot, Sallie, and how to order your very own copy of I Did It My Way.

Contact me to discuss how I can help bring your book from concept to creation. Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Call me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile.

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in books, nonfiction, travel, writing | Leave a Comment »

Swing Thoughts

May 31, 2015

Swing Thoughts front webIt is fascinating how unexpectedly an idea for a book can emerge and evolve. Sometimes the idea comes from something we love so much that we feel compelled to share it.

David Felts, author of Swing Thoughts, says, “The original inspiration for my book occurred on a Saturday around midnight, when it first dawned on me that I was scheduled to teach a class at my church the next morning.  I quickly reviewed a few Christian-related books, and found nothing particularly inspiring.  At the point of minor panic, a stream of observations entered my mind regarding some interesting relationships between our Christian faith journey . . . and the game of golf. One thought followed another in fairly rapid succession, and soon I had a collection of scribbled notes that would become the basis for my one hour lesson.  Many of the chapters in Swing Thoughts are direct descendants of those original notes.”

When I met David, he had already been through several rounds of editing and rewrites of his manuscript. I was honored to provide design expertise and offer advice through the final stages of publishing. On the Swing Thoughts acknowledgements page, David says, “Vanessa Lowry took the reins and brought Swing Thoughts to life with cover design, layout, production advice and contacts. Her job was literally to drag me over the goal-line. And she did that exceedingly well.” Who knew dragging someone over the goal-line could be so much fun?!

Before the first copy of Swing Thoughts came off the presses, David was thinking of how to sell his book in bulk quantities of 10 to 100 to his contacts who might want to share with their family, friends, and clients. Check out how bulk quantities can be ordered directly on his book website with just a few clicks. The majority of the profits from the sale of Swing Thoughts are donated to ministries encouraging, empowering and restoring men.

Find out more about David and read an excerpt of Swing Thoughts here.

Kevin Latty, co-founder of Souly Business says, “Swing Thoughts is a remarkably concise, yet comprehensive observation of the parallels between the game of golf and a well-lived Christian life. With refreshing humility and transparency, David Felts takes us from the links of Saint Andrews to the marshes of Harbour Town while helping us understand and apply the fundamental principles of the Christian faith. It’s a ‘must read’ for anyone with a love for the game of golf and a desire to pursue more meaningful relationships with others along with a rich and abundant life in Christ.”

Contact me to discuss how I can help bring your book from concept to creation. Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Call me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile.

 

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in books, business, marketing, nonfiction, self publishing, spirituality, travel | Leave a Comment »

Keep Going

November 8, 2013

Keep Going book coverI trained in martial arts for twelve years and multiple times in every class we said the Japanese phrase Osu, which I was told means “never give up.” When researching the background of the word, I found this article which clarifies what my sensei was really teaching was to “verbally remind yourself to breach your comfort zone by putting your physical/mental limits to the test every time you say Osu.”

It has been my experience that, at times, the circumstances of life becomes the test. Sometimes, I’m too exhausted to summon the strength for Osu. If you’ve been there, consider substituting this term—Keep Going. Even though an event or situation causes a direction to change, you can still choose to take a baby step forward. Keep Going feels hopeful and proactive.

That is what Aimee DuFresne’s book titled, Keep Going, is about. The first chapter begins with the shattering news of police officers coming to Aimee’s door in the middle of the night to tell her that her beloved husband Ben had been killed in an accident. Subsequent chapters intersperse the story of how she and Ben met, fell in love, and married, while concurrently sharing the shock, despair and rediscovery of her new life as a chef and coach as Aimee chooses to keep going. The subtitle says it all—From Grief to Growth.

I’m grateful that Aimee chose me to design her book cover. Here is what she says about working with me.

“After writing my first book, I was excited to get it published and share it with the world. But when I got my first draft of the cover from the publisher, I was devastated to see our visions for the project did not align. As such, I started looking for an outside cover designer. In my search, I found a lot of people who were interested in my business but not the vision or energy behind it. My book was my baby and the cover the first impression to the world. After hearing from a designer my project was ‘doable’ in an email, I was about to give up hope. Then I met Vanessa.

“Vanessa took the time to talk to me on the phone and get a real sense of the message I was sharing. She followed up when she said she would and kept me informed of her process and progress. She let me know when she was, and was not, available. She was a joy to work with as we went through drafts and revisions. She made everything easy.

“Then I got the final copy. I cried.

“It was the most beautiful cover I had ever seen. My vision had become a reality. Thank you, Vanessa.”

 My pleasure Aimee! One of my favorite parts of being a designer is helping a client bring her vision to life. Here is a link to purchase your own copy of Keep Going. You might also need a box of Kleenex handy… just sayin’!

Find out more about Aimee and join the “Keep Going Movement” at www.aimeedufresne.com. Sign up for her email list and receive a complimentary checklist, “9 Winning Ways to KEEP GOING (Even When You Don’t Want To or Don’t Think You Can).” Aimee also hosts a radio show, Vital Lessons: Feeding Your Body, Mind and Soul. Aimee and her guests—leading health, wellness and lifestyle experts—guide you to clear the clutter from your outer life and calm your inner chaos.

Contact me to discuss how I can help bring your book from concept to creation. Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Call me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile.

Tags:, , , , , , , ,
Posted in books, business, inspiration, nonfiction, self publishing, travel, writing | Leave a Comment »

Adventures of a Once Reluctant Sailor

September 5, 2013

Relunctant SailorMy clients inspire me. Especially those who go with their guts, grow in the process, and share it with others.

In 2007, Michele and Wayne Sharp traveled from Bayfield, Wisconsin on Lake Superior to Punta Gorda, Florida aboard their Island Packet 445 sailboat. They chose the long route, which took them through the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Canadian Maritime provinces.

Wayne had long dreamt of such a trip, but Michele, who didn’t even feel qualified to call herself a sailor, was content to cruise Bayfield’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Even her longest voyage of 100 nautical miles caused her great anxiety, so making the 5,000 mile trip was out of the question . . . initially. Michele recounts how she got from “NO” to “GO” in a few short weeks, and speaks honestly and from her heart as she works through her fears and inexperience to become a real sailor.

On their voyage, Michele took photos and kept a detailed blog throughout their trip, which became the basis of the book. It includes over 170 photos. (The artistry of Michele’s photography made it easy to design a beautiful book!)

Michele said this about working with me on Adventures of a Once Reluctant Sailor:

“Today Vanessa completed her work on my book, a week before deadline, and I couldn’t be more pleased with her. Vanessa’s design work is masterful and gives me a level of professionalism that exceeds my expectations and merit.

“Formatting of my book was more complicated than most, due in part to the inclusion of over 170 color and black and white photos, but Vanessa was undaunted. I am a perfectionist with an eye for detail and had countless edits, but Vanessa was unflappable. She was always professional, always positive, and always a pleasure to work with.

“I am in Minnesota and Vanessa is in Atlanta, but distance was no impediment. We conducted our business through email and a couple of phone conversations, and not once did distance become an issue.

“Thank you, Vanessa!”

Listen to Michele’s interview on Write Here, Write Now as she talks about her journey of guts, growth, and grace — both on the Lena Bea and through publishing Adventures of a Once Reluctant Sailor.

Find out more about Michele and purchase a copy of her book at www.reluctantsailor.net.

Let me know if I can help you bring your book from concept to creation! Or, let’s talk about your marketing and graphic needs. Contact me at 678-521-8820. Find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile.

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in art, books, graphic design, inspiration, nonfiction, self publishing, spirituality, travel, writing | Leave a Comment »