By Dirk Ebener - August 4 2026 Just Three Months Until I Hold My First Copy The Final Miles of My Book Journey Every long journey has a point when the goal that once seemed far away suddenly feels within reach. That happened to me recently. If everything stays on track, in just three months, I’ll finally hold the first printed copy of Travel That Makes Sense. Thinking about it makes me excited, but also a bit quiet. The manuscript came together quickly, but the stories insi

By Dirk Ebener - June 16, 2026 The Silent Screen: How I Survived the Emotional Limbo of My First Professional Edit My finger hovers over the refresh button. The silence in my room feels heavy, almost like a thick fog. Every time I blink, I feel a new wave of anxiety. My story is now in someone else’s hands. The glow of my laptop reminds me of all the hours I spent on these pages, now waiting for just one decision. To stay sane during this tense wait, I make myself step ba

By Dirk Ebener – May 29, 2026 Travel Journaling Tips: How to Capture Meaningful Memories Behind the Battered Notebook: How to Keep a Travel Journal That Matters Every journey leaves a mark on you, but memories can fade quickly. If you only look at photos, you might remember what you saw but forget how you felt in those moments. One of my most valued possessions is a battered, ink-stained notebook. Its worn cover and pages, shaped by London rain, hold the real story of my

By Dirk Ebener - May 29, 2026 The Author Entrepreneur: A Suggested Guide to Managing Your Book Sales Many writers dream of turning their ideas into stories and seeing their name on a book cover. But once your first book is out, you also become a business owner. Learning how to manage book sales is what turns a hobby into a real writing career. If you do not have a clear way to track and grow your income, you will end up guessing which marketing efforts work and which do not

By Dirk Ebener - May 23, 2026 Connecting with readers at book fairs is allowing indie authors to build important personal relationships. Finishing your book is just the beginning of your journey as an author. The real challenge is connecting with readers. With so many books online and changing algorithms, it can feel tough to reach your audience. But book fairs give you a strong, often-missed chance to get noticed. Book fairs bring together people who truly love books. Inst

By Dirk Ebener - May 8, 2026 Quiet Coffee Shop My travel journal and laptop are open, and for the next few hours, this coffee shop becomes my creative space. I’ve found a quiet spot near Nanjing Road in Shanghai, a peaceful break from the busy shopping street just outside. Working remotely here takes real focus, with the city’s energy always close by. Enjoy reading " The Author’s Progress: The “Remote Office” Anywhere." Over the years, my “mobile office” routine has taken o

By Dirk Ebener - May 1, 2026 Indie Bookstore in Ellijay, Georgia The Author’s Progress: The Resurgence of the Indie Bookstore As an author, I’m excited to see independent bookstores coming back, proving the predictions about their end wrong. The street corner feels alive again with these shops—the creak of a wooden sign, the smell of coffee, and a real sense of belonging. Not long ago, this sidewalk seemed quiet because of online shopping, but now it feels like the center of

By Dirk Ebener – March 27, 2026 The Reading Room at the British Museum in London There is something that happens to you when you spend time in a bookstore on Piccadilly in London, which was opened in 1797. The noise of the world outside falls away. Phones go into pockets. Time moves differently. People who have never met each other stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the same shelf, each one looking for something they cannot quite name but will recognize the moment they

Starting with scribbled notes and turning them into heartfelt stories, I found that slowing down and enjoying each moment changed my travels into something worth sharing. In the end, these moments filled the pages of a book. By Dirk Ebener - March 20 , 2026 Morning coffee in a cafe in London For years, I traveled the world, collecting brief moments I barely understood until I started writing them down. Journaling after meals and during quiet times slowly revealed hidden patte