Possible Third book- need input please

[Mermaid Enora]

I would totally read that!

me three!

[Princess Kae-Leah]

You have such a beautiful writing style

WOW you really think so?? Arigatou

[AniaR]

yes do it KL and I will walk you through self publishing when you're ready You could even self publish your mermaid novel too you know. It wouldnt be hard to convert to appropriate templates and walk you through the process if you havent already

[Princess Kae-Leah]

My bff Lisa is actually a self-published author, I did a thread on here plugging her mermaid novel

[AniaR]

Just giving this a bump!

Obviously since firing the other mermaid she wont be participating any longer in this book. I will leave her content ideas out (they were more to do with her expertise anyway and less to do with the overall vision, so that works!)

However I have been working a few months on fleshing this out and starting drafts. My goal is to have it published by the end of the year. Maybe a November publish date.

So please, while I am still in the mapping out stage, let me know if there's anything else?

So far I hear people want:

- forms they're allowed to photo copy for things like booking agreements, contracts, employee forms etc
-information expanded on from my blog such as working with other mermaids, health risks, photography etc
-updated resource section
-monofins
-mermen
-I'm going to do a section on aquarium swimming and tank swimming
-I'm going to do a section on wigs
-merwrangling and what to do when you don't have one
-making money on youtube
-in depth look at social networking with an updated list
-conventions
-continued personal stories

...and more!

What else would you like to learn? If I don't know it... I will research it!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

how to deal with difficult clients, parents and kids.
how to engage children without looking like a pedo or perv. This is something I have difficulty with at the pool, since I do not have any of my own, and when they want to chat and ask me questions, i find it very difficult to reply so that they would understand.

[Mer-Crazy]

I can't remember if this was in the first book (I read it a long time ago and haven't got the second I'm sorry) and if it was feel free to ignore me but perhaps a step by step guide to cleaning and mending tails? Maybe a checklist of supplies needed for cleaning and repair?

Sent from my SM-T355Y using Tapatalk

[AniaR]

Great idea. Here's what was in the first book for those who might not remember:

Part 1: Fins
-Getting a tail
-Choosing or making a tail
-the cost of your fins
-your first swim
-the mermaid community
-recreational swimming
-caring for your tail

Part 2: Persona and Image
-Picking a persona: What's in a name?
-Creating your character
-your costume
-photo shoots
-website, email, and business cards
-networking and self promotion
-cameras
-registering your business name
-contracts, proposals, and legal papers

Part 3: The Working Mermaid
Performer Insurance
Practice Makes perfect
Getting a mertender/assistant
talking to lifeguards and managing pools
types of gigs and how to book them (bunch of gigs listed)
Other ways to make money
Photo legalities
what to charge/determining rates
teaming up with others mers
customer and client reviews
submitting a pitch
keeping a portfolio
press kit
interactions with the media
professional development and fitness
the dark side of the mer world
everything takes time

Part 4: Resources
Professional mermaids
Tail makers
mermaid forums, blogs, and websites
Mermaid accessories and online stores
mermaid makeup and underwater makeup
supplies for making a tail
mermaid themed establishments/ Featuring mermaids
fundraising tools
mermaid themed books
mermaid themed stories
products for dealing with chlorine
website builders
rate calculators
social networking sites for mers
stock websites for selling your information

[Saren]

This third book sounds really great! I'm really looking forward to it. I would love to read tips on what a mermaid can do in more formal settings like weddings or corporate events. Or what to do/self-care during long events (events that last longer than 2 hours wether it's swimming, dry, or both).

[Mermaid Tory]

I wish this was out now! I could really use it : )

[AniaR]

that list of everything that was covered, is in my FIRST book. www.makemeamermaid.com

[Mermaid Tory]

that list of everything that was covered, is in my FIRST book. www.makemeamermaid.com

I have it and have done most of what you have written. I just need to be patient and keep at it but it just gets a little frustrating when others have started at the same time or after are doing better already. My area has little love for mermaids it seems.

[AniaR]

I am once again looking for people who might be interested in editing my latest upcoming book. It wouldn't be the entire book, just a few chapters. You'd need access to word and it works best if you use "track changes" which I can show you. (very easy to edit) I will give you a free book and a thank you gift and a credit in the book. But I need serious people who are capable Send me a PM, thanks! (on my fanpage or if you have me on FB)

[Mermaid Ciela]

I sent you a PM on facebook!


Sent from the engineering wonder that is my shellphone using Tapatalk

[Saren]

I also sent you a PM on your fanpage

[Kunoichi Ribeiro]

Hi Raina! I don't had read your books yet, but hopefully will buy this month, and i don't know if you had put this subjection on your first book, but looking one thread in here other day came a thought on my mind... What type of tail and color i should choose for a particular work? I mean... have seen when mermaids do gigs for Kids they use more, pinks, purple, blues, Yellow... But looking some of Hannah videos as example the one she swim with sharks, she have her body painted in dark shades. So I suppose if it were swimming in an aquarium, depending on the species of fish and animals inside it would be good to use a tail in colors that do not call much attention to these animals? Color indicative for kids parties, adults and Aquarium !? Could you also put the requirements for those who plan to work in a aquarium. I hope I was clear in my suggestions. Hehehe sorry for my terrible English.

[AniaR]

^ this is being covered in my new book. I addressed it in my first book but found a much more creative and collaborative way to address it in my new book and I am so excited.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel folks. So much work has gone into book #3 I am just bursting. I am aiming to publish in early June. It's going to be awesome!!!

[AniaR]

Hey folks, I am nearing the end of this and I want to show you what I've spoken about so far, and what I have left to do, and see if anyone thinks I am missing anything.

Topics covered so far in NO particular order

Monofins, types of monofins, how to use them, what to choose, and monofin bans

Conventions, how to prepare for them and what to do at them

Wigs, haircare, and extensions

Health & Safety (giant section)

Assistants

Marketing (giant section)

Preparing for a gig, and the aftermath of a gig

Dealing with clients

You values and goals

Writing a business plan

Finances (broken down into very specifics)

The Right Tail for you, maintaining a tail, how to put a tail on, how to store a tail

Hiring other mermaids and professionals

Public Speaking




Topics left to be written (but are mapped out, survey info collected, resources collected etc)

Introduction to basic photography, photo editing, and watermarking

Working with kids

Mermen, and the perception of mermaids in our culture

Working with Aquariums and tanks

Activism and how it relates to a mermaid business

Mythology of mermaids and how to incorporate it into your work

Insurance


Resource Section

Photo tutorials for: How to put on a tail, how to clean a tail, how to store a tail, monofin comparisons, how to pick up a mermaid, how to transport a mermaid, how to move a mermaid using wheelchairs or dollies

Example contracts, example press releases, rate calculator, listing of free photo and video editing software, survey results, activism groups listing, mermaid website listing, underwater makeup listing, checklists for various sections in the book


There are also interactive spots throughout the book as it's set up workbook style, spaces for you to record things.

Let me know if there's something glaringly obvious you think I may have missed, with consideration to the fact I am not going to just repeat things that are already covered in the first book. Anything here that is a repeat is new information and resources, or approached in a totally different manner

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thats hella. I'm impressed! I'll have to buy this one for sure. it sounds really nice.

[Saelyyia]

I can not wait for this to be completed. You have already given the community so many tools, but this is just above and beyond. I will definitely be picking up a copy once it is complete.