April 27, 2009 at 3:41 am (Book Promotion)
Tags: Promote, self publish, Today
The Today Show has set the pace for early morning TV and “Early Today” is a fast paced call show in the same vein.
Kristine Johnson is the anchor with Andy Jones is the executive producer at andy.jones@msnbc.com. The show is headquartered at 1 MSNBC Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094, (201) 583-5000, or (201) 583-5684.
Weekend Today is seen on Saturdays from 7 to 9AM, and Sundays from 8 to 9 AM. Lynne Pitts is the executive producer.
The Today Show and Weekend Today are at NBC News, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112. The phone number for The Today Show is: (212) 664-4602. The phone numbers for Weekend Today are (212) 664-2937, and also (212) 664-4444, which is the switchboard for the network.
Watch the shows for several weeks before pitching, to make sure whether or not they might be interested in your self-published book.
Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com
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April 25, 2009 at 4:16 pm (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: book review, How to Heal Your Heart and Soul From Divorce, Outskirts Press, Reader Views, Tammy Lynn
How to Heal Your Heart and Soul From Divorce
by Tammy Lynn
This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:
Through the author’s own experience, she talks about her divorce and what she learned to help her get through this startling and traumatic time. Divorce is never easy, especially when it comes as a surprise.
Often we give up our careers and goals to the wishes of our partner; we have no job skills and don’t even know where to start to get back on our feet. We find that we have few friends we can count on during this time. Then we have the difficult task of telling our children what is going on. Tammy Lynn was able to do this through the help of very close friends. After being out of work for some
time, she found she needed to enter the job market once again.
Even though we go through denial, anger and maybe revenge, Tammy Lynn lets us know that those feelings can only hurt us and keep us from moving on. She has provided examples of how she was able to move on and shares them with the readers in an encouraging format.
“How to Heal Your Heart and Soul From Divorce” by Tammy Lynn is a wonderful, encouraging read from a mother of three.
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/howtohealyourheartandsoulfromdivorce
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April 23, 2009 at 8:34 pm (Choosing a Publisher, Tips, copyright, self-publishing, writing)
Tags: book, contract, ISBN, POD, printer, rights, self publish, self-publishing, traditional publisher
Tuesday’s post concerning publishing contract details prompted me to consider a few pieces of information self-publishing authors may benefit from on the front end, deciding which route to take their books. It’s true there can be a lot of confusion about self publishing and print-on-demand. Let’s clarify some misconceptions many have seen floating around.
1. MYTH: Whoever owns the ISBN owns the book.
FACT: This use to be true. Nowadays, not as much so. Most POD publishers assign an ISBN they own, and they do this for the authors’ convenience; in any case authors should ALWAYS keep all the rights to their book.
2. MYTH: Independent self-publishing is different from publishing with a POD publisher because the publisher owns the ISBN.
FACT: It is true that the ISBN identifies the publisher of record. Look for a publisher that allows authors to supply their own ISBN at some level.
3.MYTH: New York publishers promote and market all their books.
FACT: New York publishers usually devote the lion’s share of their marketing budget to the top 1% (Harry Potter, for example) of the books they publish. The other books published during that season are victims of the sliced marketing budget. Most authors don’t get any support from their traditional publisher at all.
4.MYTH: Printing a book with an offset printer is the same as publishing it.
FACT: Printing a book is one facet of publication. Before a book can be printed, it needs to be designed. Then it needs to be printed. Then it needs wholesale distribution through Ingram and availability online with retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Then it needs fulfillment of orders and invoicing.
Printing a book with an off-set printer accomplishes one of those steps. Publishing a book with a turn-key, custom self-publisher accomplishes all of them. Some authors choose to do both; an on-demand edition complements an off-set print-run very nicely.
Karl Schroeder
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April 23, 2009 at 4:33 am (Book Promotion)
Tags: book, cover, hot or not, random book machine, rate, self publish
There is a very popular website on the Internet called “Hot or Not” which allows people to see random pictures of men or women and “rate” their physical attractiveness.
Well, the same thing exists for books. You can submit your self-published book for free to the Random Book Machine and other people will be able to rate your cover, your title, and your description. The best news is, they will also be able to buy your book through a partnership with Author Bookshop.
For more information about the Random Book Machine and to submit your book for free, visit http://www.randombookmachine.com
Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com
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April 21, 2009 at 8:31 pm (Choosing a Publisher, Tips, self-publishing)
Tags: agreement, contract, right, self-publishing
I was recently consulting with an author in a transition from one self-publisher to another in order to take advantage of greater distribution and better book pricing. In doing so I wanted to review the initial publisher’s contract.
Here’s an excerpt from the letter the competing publisher sent to him:
“While Section Six (6) of your Publishing Agreements states, ‘If I cancel, will have the non-exclusive right to produce, market, and sell my Title for one year following receipt of my cancellation notice,” has chosen not to exercise this right.”
What’s the catch? They maintain the right to sell your book without paying you, but then they tell you it’s not good enough to do that.
It’s clear that this publisher had no intention of generating revenue from any book’s sales, regardless of market potential. No wonder there book prices were sky high – they make their money selling services and then books back to their authors.
The good news is that there are strong, full service self-publishers out there that keep 100% books rights where they belong – with authors.
Keep the pens rolling and the fingers punching.
- Karl Schroeder
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April 18, 2009 at 3:53 pm (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: book review, Never Assume, Outskirts Press, patricia mcquire, Reader Views
Never Assume: Getting To Know Children Before Labeling Them
by Patricia McGuire
This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:
Patricia McGuire, a single parent, mother of three, and a developmental pediatrician, has written an excellent resource for parents to help them learn to get to know their child(ren), their temperaments and how to develop skills that make parent and child living together easier.
Through essays and personal stories, the author gives everyday examples of when meltdowns come for both the child and parent. She gives good advice on how to handle various situations and advice on when to not get into a battle.
One of the most important sections of information, I thought, was very beneficial, was the section on learning your child’s temperament. Temperament is the way your child handles the world around them. Some of these traits include approachability, adaptability, and intensity of reactions. By providing examples of her daughter Megan, these areas are easy to read and understand. Even being a Psychologist for over 25 years, I had not even thought of this area as one we need to know. I certainly changed my mind after reading this section. I still believe, as does the author, the best way to communicate with a child is to get down to their eye level, use a low and calm voice, say their name and keep the words simple.
The author also provides a good section on special needs children and the impact that labeling has on them. Many in the education world believe that children with learning disabilities are “just plain lazy.” It is important that educators learn to teach children at a level and type that are comfortable to the children.
The last section of the book talks about modeling for our children and often we as parents say things like “because I’m the parent and I said so.” Children often think we don’t have the time to answer their questions of “why”- and we often believe we don’t have to answer those questions. This often leads to a battle of wills- with no one winning.
I found “Never Assume” by Patricia McGuire to be very informative, set in a tone that was neither demeaning nor controlling. I can see the author’s passion in working with children and trying to help parents become the best parents they can. It is such a simple thing- know your child.
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/Patricia_McGuire_MD_FAAP
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April 17, 2009 at 4:05 pm (Events, Networking, self-publishing)
Tags: self-publishers online conference, self-publishing, Self-Publishing Book Expo
News of the first Self-Publishing Book Expo to be held in November of 2009 broke early this week, further supporting the growing advantages of self-publishing.
If you are a self-publishing author and unable to make it to New York in the fall, there is more good news. A Self-publishers online conference will be held in May this year, with the motto – “coming to a computer near you.”
Outstanding agendas and high power speakers are scheduled for both, including names like Dan Poynter and Sandra Beckwith.
Check out these websites for more details:
http://www.selfpublishersonlineconference.com/Speakers.aspx
http://www.selfpubbookexpo.com/
Perhaps we’ll see you there!
- Karl Schroeder
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April 13, 2009 at 8:39 pm (Book Promotion)
Tags: book, poetry, Promote, self publish
April is Poetry month.
If you are the author of a self-published poetry book, here are five quick tips for you this month:
1. Get your book reviewed: Reader Views accepts Poetry books for review. Don’t forget to forward your review to us to post with our weekly Self-Published Book Review.
2. Enter your book in an award contest: Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards – hurry, the deadline is coming up!
3. Get interviewed in a Podcast: Writer’s in the Sky offers Podcast interviews with some of their publicity packages
4. Promote your book on Twitter: Follow us @SPAdvice and comment on our posts. This will help generate more traffic to your Twitter page and your website (which should feature your book).
5. Set up book signing events: Read our blog post for more information about how to do that.
Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com
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April 11, 2009 at 12:25 pm (Book Review of the Week)
Tags: book review, Dawn Menge, Queen Vernita's Visitors, Reader Views, self publish
Queen Vernita’s Visitors
by Dawn Menge
Queen Vernita invites twelve wonderful friends to visit with her during each month of the year. Queen Vernita and her friends enjoy fun activities throughout the Oceaneers Kingdom. Parents and teachers will love teaching the monthly calendar, days of the weeks and seasons through the storytelling adventures of Queen Vernita and her friends.
This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:
This book is about Queen Vernita and her visitors who come to visit every month of the year. Children will learn about the months, days of the week, and the seasons. This is a fun book to read. I really like the beautiful pictures. My favorite visitor was Tyler Ann because she was the only girl who came to visit. She also came on my favorite month, December! They wrapped gifts, sang Christmas carols, baked cookies and went to see the Christmas lights. They seemed to have a fun time. “Queen Vernita’s Visitors” by Dawn Menge is a good book to teach younger children about
the days of the week and months.
For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/DawnMenge
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