Self-Publishing News

Book Showcase: “The Man Manifesto”

The Man Manifesto: How to Satisfy, Love, and Cherish Your Woman 

By Jacques M. Timma 

The Man Manifesto: How to Satisfy, Love, and Cherish Your Woman: Timma, Jacques M: 9781977215055: Amazon.com: Books

Top 5 Reasons Readers Are Drawn to This Book 

  • It offers a clear, practical framework for relationships rather than vague advice. 
  • It speaks honestly to modern men while remaining accessible and validating for women. 
  • The focus on emotional leadership fills a gap many relationship books overlook. 
  • The 4 Ps structure gives readers language they can immediately apply. 
  • It balances encouragement with accountability, making growth feel achievable. 

A Soundtrack for the Reading Experience 

  • Soulful R&B and neo-soul tracks that reflect emotional depth and connection. 
  • Classic love songs that emphasize commitment, intention, and partnership. 
  • Instrumental or acoustic music suited for reflection and thoughtful reading. 
  • Motivational spoken-word or calm hip-hop tracks centered on growth and purpose. 
  • Music that feels steady and grounded, mirroring the book’s tone. 

Meet the Central Voice Behind the Message 

  • The Man Manifesto does not rely on fictional characters but instead centers on lived experience and observed relationship patterns. 
  • Jacques M. Timma brings the perspective of a relationship coach and marriage counselor. 
  • The voice throughout the book is direct, encouraging, and grounded in real-life application. 
  • Readers experience the book as a conversation rather than a lecture. 
  • The guidance feels practical, relatable, and rooted in long-term partnership. 

Book Club Picks 

If you like these books…you’ll also like The Man Manifesto. 

  • The Five Love Languages 
  • Love & Respect 
  • Attached 
  • Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus 
  • The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work 

Bookish Fun Facts 

  • This is the author’s debut book. 
  • The framework in the book is built around four core principles known as the 4 Ps. 
  • The book is designed to be discussed, highlighted, and revisited rather than read once. 
  • It is frequently described as a conversation starter for couples. 
  • The book appeals to both individual readers and shared reading experiences. 

Why This Book Works for a Virtual Book Tour 

  • Its themes naturally lend themselves to interviews and discussions. 
  • It resonates across podcasts, blogs, book clubs, and relationship platforms. 
  • The content encourages dialogue rather than passive consumption. 
  • Readers often engage by sharing personal reflections after reading. 

The book fits well alongside conversations about growth, love, and intentional living. 

This content was enhanced through collaboration with AI-powered creativity applications.

Self-Publishing News

Book Showcase: “Trouble in Cyborgia”

Top 10 Reasons Readers Are Drawn to Trouble in Cyborgia 

  • A futuristic cyberpunk city balanced against a town rooted in hard work, tradition, and purpose. 
  • Superhero action that delivers thrilling confrontations without sacrificing emotional depth. 
  • A philosophical core that explores meaning, sacrifice, redemption, and personal responsibility. 
  • A unique holiday-adjacent setting through the ever-present spirit of Christmastown. 
  • A villain whose motivations feel human rather than cartoonish. 
  • A solo hero narrative that allows deeper character focus and development. 
  • Accessible world-building that welcomes both sci-fi fans and casual genre readers. 
  • Moments of everyday life woven between high-stakes action scenes. 
  • Themes that resonate with readers questioning technology’s role in modern life. 
  • A story that entertains while inviting reflection long after the final page. 

Soundtrack for the World of Trouble in Cyborgia 

  • Electronic and synthwave tracks to reflect Cyborgia’s cybernetic dominance. 
  • Ambient instrumental music for moments of philosophical reflection. 
  • Classic rock or orchestral scores to underscore heroic action scenes. 
  • Warm acoustic or holiday-inspired instrumentals to capture the spirit of Christmastown. 
  • Cinematic soundtracks similar to sci-fi and superhero films to enhance immersive reading. 

Meet the Characters of Trouble in Cyborgia 

  • Thomas Givens: The narrator and grounded observer who helps readers navigate the moral contrasts of the world. 
  • Simeon, the Night Crusader: A powerful hero facing ethical restraint, personal sacrifice, and immense pressure. 
  • John Simmons: A mysterious ally whose role adds intrigue and uncertainty. 
  • Rick Daley: A corporate mogul whose pursuit of progress blurs the line between innovation and exploitation. 

Book Club Picks 

If you like these books… you’ll also like Trouble in Cyborgia. 

  • Dune 
  • Fahrenheit 451 
  • Ready Player One 
  • The Giver 
  • Neuromancer 

Bookish Fun Facts 

  • The idea for Christmastown existed years before the novel was written. 
  • The book contrasts manual effort with machine-driven convenience as a central theme. 
  • Trouble in Cyborgia is Episode Four of the Night Crusaders series. 
  • It is the first in a set of solo-focused companionless mini-adventures. 

The story blends superhero drama with philosophical storytelling rather than nonstop action. 

This content was enhanced through collaboration with AI-powered creativity applications.

Self-Publishing

How to Write an Author’s Bio that Stands Out and Attracts Readers

It’s easy to overlook the author’s bio. Often, they’re tucked into the back of a book or at the bottom of an article. Yet, a bio is necessary if you’re publishing a book and want to make writing a career.

If you have no bio, readers may be puzzled by its absence. If your bio is bad, then your readers may put down your book. If you put in the work to craft a solid author bio that stands out, it will pique the interest of potential readers, and it may even help you sell more copies.

Thankfully, an author bio is way easier than writing a book. However, even with that in mind, there are some guidelines to follow if you want your bio to stand out in a good way rather than being forgettable or bewildering. In this post, I go into the essentials of a good author’s bio that hooks readers and sells books.

The most important rule is to keep your bio brief. You will use your bio in several places (more on that later) and want your readers to read the entire paragraph without trailing off. Bio may be short for “biography,” but you should save the long-form essay for other places. The word count varies, but 100–150 words are a good ballpark for most places.

Another important convention is to write your bio in the 3rd person point-of-view, not in the 1st person “I” voice. While you want your writer’s voice to shine through, the 3rd person grants your bio an air of professionalism.

Bio openings vary, but a safe go-to is to put in the first sentence a) your name, b) your profession, and c) the name of the book you’re writing the bio for.

Just for fun, imagine if I’m writing a book based on this blog. By using the above template, my opener may be, “Elizabeth Javor is the sales and marketing director of Outskirts Press and the author of the book Elizabeth Speaks.” (That’s a working title.)

Within your bio, you should hint at the subject matter or themes in your writing. Ideally, you should be hinting at the unifying principle of your work. If you’re a novelist, mention the subgenre and the important themes you aim for in your stories. If you’re a nonfiction writer, focus on your niche.

Especially in nonfiction, you want your bio to show off your expertise. When your readers want to be informed or persuaded or at least believe in what you’re writing, showing them your credentials and accomplishments does the job. If you’re publishing an academic book, your educational history is a must-have. Even outside of academia, it’s nifty to show off any higher degree you have, such as an MFA. If you’re writing about how to run a business, your audience will want to know your companies and if they’re successful.

Even in fiction, mentioning your experience in your bio is useful. For example, if you’re writing a novel about running, readers will buy into your story more if you’re a runner yourself.

A common way to add a personal touch to the bio is to share your geography and your family. For this, avoid charting out your entire life story. Instead, stick to where you’re currently living unless a previous residence pertains to your book’s subject. With your family, only mention what you’re comfortable with. For example, some authors are happy to say they have a husband, a bunch of kids, and a cat. Other authors will omit that personal information altogether.

If you want to stand out, you can opt for something unusual about your life. For example, some readers may be interested if you’re a fire dancer or an exotic animal trainer, even if these identities don’t relate to your book. In these cases, do keep it to one sentence.

When ending your bio, a reliable closer states what else you’ve written. If you’ve already written books and you’re reading this article as a refresher, this is the opportunity to plug your previous titles. If this is your first book, you can state that you’re a debut author. Even if it’s your debut, you should bring up relevant publications you’ve contributed pieces to, such as journals and blogs.

Once you have your author bio, the fun starts! Your bio doesn’t just exist in the back of your book. You can take the same blurb and reuse it, with some tweaks, in your marketing.

Put your bio on the product page for your books and your author page on a storefront like Amazon. Then, you can put it on your website by extending it into a full “about” page. Next, trim it up for your social platforms, such as Instagram, and send it to your hosts for guest blog posts, podcast appearances, and book signings. You can even use it as an outline for a longer blog post or a Twitter thread pitching your book.

With all this advice in mind, start drafting your bio. If you’re stuck on how to write it, open some books in the genre you’re writing in and study how their authors structure their spiels. You can even look at the contributor bios on this very blog.

The author bio is rarely the one factor that sells your book. Nevertheless, it’s integral to pitching your book and getting your next reader.

Self-Publishing News

Top 5 Reasons Readers Are Loving “Right Prayers for Now Times” 

It gives readers powerful, scripture-based prayers they can speak over themselves in moments of uncertainty or stress. 

The warm, first-person style helps readers feel personally guided and encouraged, making prayer accessible for all. 

Each chapter focuses on a relatable need—strength, healing, clarity, boldness, release—allowing readers to find exactly what they need in any season. 

The book blends practicality and spiritual depth, offering prayers that feel both emotionally affirming and biblically grounded. 

Readers appreciate the author’s decades of intercessory experience, which adds authenticity, confidence and spiritual weight to every declaration. 

A Prayerful Playlist for the Journey 

“Way Maker” by Sinach – A song of breakthrough and reassurance, echoing the book’s themes of faith in uncertain times. 

“You Say” by Lauren Daigle – A reminder of identity, strength and worth, mirroring the affirmations throughout the prayers. 

“Refiner” by Maverick City Music – Reflects moments of spiritual transformation found in the book’s more introspective prayers. 

“Oceans” by Hillsong United – Perfect for readers connecting with prayers about trust, release and letting God lead. 

“Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence – A musical companion to Camille’s message of speaking life and truth over your own circumstances. 

Introducing the Heart Behind the Book 

Though not character-driven like fiction, the spirit of “Right Prayers for Now Times” carries its own guiding voice—an intercessor who has walked through storms, breakthroughs and seasons of spiritual growth. 

Readers often describe the author’s prayer voice as comforting yet bold, sounding like a mentor who walks alongside them during each declaration. 

If one were to imagine this guiding presence as a character, it might resemble a trusted spiritual companion—one who reminds readers of biblical truths, encourages resilience and speaks life with unwavering confidence. 

This “character” is shaped by Camille’s own real-life experiences: decades of prayer leadership, personal endurance and a deep desire to help others connect with God in practical, meaningful ways. 

Recommending “Right Prayers for Now Times” Based on These Book Club Picks 

“Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer – A powerful companion for readers exploring topics of thought renewal and spiritual clarity. 

“Fervent” by Priscilla Shirer – Ideal for people who connected with the bold, targeted prayer style found in Camille’s book. 

“Draw the Circle” by Mark Batterson – A devotional that deepens one’s prayer life through daily intentional practice. 

“The Power of a Praying Woman” by Stormie Omartian – A classic for readers seeking structured, faith-filled prayers. 

“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” by Lysa TerKeurst – A reflective and heartfelt book for those navigating emotional or spiritual struggles. 

Bookish Fun Facts About “Right Prayers for Now Times” 

Many of the prayers began as personal journal entries the author wrote during moments of deep reflection and spiritual conversation with God. 

The book’s first-person structure was intentionally chosen to help readers feel empowered—so that the moment they begin reading, they begin praying. 

Each prayer includes specific biblical references, as the author believes Scripture-backed prayer strengthens faith and confidence. 

Several early readers have shared that they keep the book by their bedside, using one prayer each morning to set the tone for their day. 

The author’s favorite chapter changed several times during writing—because each prayer reflected a different season she walked through. 

Self-Publishing News

Top 10 Reasons Readers Are Loving “Rate Your Date”

• A refreshingly science-based approach to dating that feels realistic and achievable. 

• Fast, eye-opening explanations of why we’re attracted to certain people—and why we keep picking the wrong ones. 

• Lively storytelling drawn from 43+ years of real clinical experience. 

• Clear descriptions of toxic personalities that help readers instantly identify red flags. 

• Empowering tools for finding reliable, emotionally healthy partners. 

• Smart behavioral insights delivered in simple, relatable language. 

• A humorous yet deeply compassionate tone, making even tough lessons enjoyable to read. 

• Perfect for readers of Attached, The Science of Happily Ever After, or Why We Love  

• Encourages readers to reflect, reassess, and rewrite their relationship patterns. 

• Offers truly practical dating guidance that goes far beyond typical dating-advice books. 

Playlist / Soundtrack for the Book 

• ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’ – Rachmaninoff (the author’s inspiration and perfect for reflective reading). 

• ‘Strange Love’ – Halsey, for exploring the complexity of attraction. 

• ‘Truth Hurts’ – Lizzo, capturing the empowerment of breaking bad cycles. 

• ‘The Story’ – Brandi Carlile, for readers rediscovering personal truth. 

• ‘Human’ – Rag’n’Bone Man, reminding us of the vulnerability behind dating patterns. 

• ‘Vienna’ – Billy Joel, echoing the book’s message of slowing down and choosing wisely. 

Character Introduction: Meet the A, B, and C Types 

• The ‘A’ Partner: Reliable, consistent, emotionally healthy, a steady communicator — think Ted Lasso meets a grounded George Clooney. 

• The ‘B’ Partner: High-voltage, charming, impulsive, unpredictable — similar to the magnetic but chaotic characters in You  or  Euphoria. 

• The ‘C’ Partner: Sweet, overly accommodating, conflict-avoidant — like a softer, quieter version of Marshall Eriksen from How I Met Your Mother, but without the confidence. 

• These ‘characters’ are real behavioral archetypes Dr. Ruben uses to help readers instantly identify relationship patterns. 

Author’s Book Club Picks (if you love these too, try Rate Your Date) 

•  Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller – A bestselling exploration of attachment styles. 

•  The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John & Julie Gottman – Science-backed relationship mastery. 

•  Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb – For readers fascinated by therapy-driven personal insight. 

•  The Science of Happily Ever After by Dr. Ty Tashiro – A research-rich look at why partner selection matters. 

•  Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab – A perfect companion for breaking unhealthy dating cycles. 

Bookish Fun Facts About Rate Your Date  

• The book draws from over 8,000 real client experiences, making it deeply authentic. 

• Dr. Ruben studied under students of B.F. Skinner—giving the book a legendary behavioral-science lineage. 

• The examples of toxic dating patterns (‘B’s’ and ‘C’s’) come from decades of real-world observation. 

• The book’s message—choose people who feel “boring” at first—often surprises readers, but becomes a fan-favorite concept. 

• Many readers report finishing the book in one sitting because the stories feel so familiar and relatable.