[stylist] Hi, everyone

Sun Apr 12 19:58:42 UTC 2015

Rowena,

First, welcome to Stylist.

Second, are you using JAWS or Window Eyes on your computer? Both are compatible with MS Office and Adobe Acrobat, for the most part. I lost my sight 12 years ago and am totally blind. I went back to university, receiving a BFA in creative writing, and I have written professionally, have had several memoir/personal essay pieces published in publications and edit as well for others. I use MS Word to write and edit along with JAWS, a screenreading software that is a text-to-speech program. I also use MS Excel for other things, but that doesn't apply to writing, at least not for me, smile. I use Braille a little, but due to a nerve condition, it's unfortunately not the most efficient format for me. Oh, JAWS also allows me to read my work along with others work. JAWS is also compatible for most websites, including email sites. And I used JAWS during university for everything from writing papers and stories to taking quizzes and exams to using Blackboard, email, etc. There was very little I was not able to do, computer wise and writing wise, using JAWS on my computer.

Looking forward to getting to know you on the list, and learning what you know about the writing/publishing world.

Hope this helps answer some questions.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rowena Portch via stylist
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2015 1:55 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Hi, everyone

My name is Rowena Portch. I have been a professional writer for over 30 years and absolutely love it. When I lost my sight to RP, 10 years ago, I had to learn to continue my craft without sight. It has been a long and arduous journey that I still seem to be traversing. I owned my own publishing businesses, and have helped many new writers achieve their writing goals. 

Many years ago, I went the traditional publishing path with an established New York agent and wrote for Tor Books. That experience left a rather bitter taste in my mouth so I pulled myself from the radar for several years. 

Today, I have nine novels published and one short story. I’m working on my next two novels—yes, both at the same time.  Hopefully, they will be released by the end of this year. 

I’m looking forward to getting more involved with this group. For now, I’m curious as to what tools my fellow blind authors use to get the job done. I am using Pages on my Mac for writing. I used Microsoft word to format my ebooks, and Adobe InDesign to format my paperback books, but both of those programs are inaccessible, and I find I am unable to see well enough to continue using those programs. So, long story short, what do you use to format your books for publication?

Thanks,

R o w e n a  P o r t c h
Author of the Spirian Saga

RowenaPortch.com <http://rowenaportch.com/>

View the Book Trailer for The Spirian Saga, a new paranormal romance <http://youtu.be/XeNmJkXyJv0> _______________________________________________
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