Author: Outskirts Press

Visit https://outskirtspress.com to see if Outskirts Press can help you with writing, publishing, and marketing your book(s).
Uncategorized

Story Showcase: “The Tobacco Field Kids and Mr. De”

The Tobacco Field Kids and Mr. De

By Leonard D. DeMaio

Top 5 Reasons to Discover This Book

  • A true story rooted in real classrooms, real students, and real cultural change.
  • A rare look at the early foundations of electronic music in education.
  • A powerful portrait of perseverance in the face of institutional resistance.
  • Rich storytelling filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable moments.
  • A celebration of the lasting impact one educator can have on generations of students.
  •  

A Soundtrack for The Tobacco Field Kids and Mr. De

  • “How High the Moon” – Les Paul and Mary Ford (early electronic influence)
  • “Take Five” – Dave Brubeck (jazz innovation and rhythm)
  • “Sing, Sing, Sing” – Benny Goodman (big band energy)
  • “We Will Rock You” – Queen (the evolution of rhythm and mass appeal)
  • Classic Hartford Symphony broadcasts (reflecting the author’s early musical exposure)
  •  

Meet the Voice Behind the Story

  • Mr. De – A determined, unconventional educator fighting to bring music education to life.
  • The Students – A diverse group of hardworking, often overlooked kids whose lives are transformed through music.
  • The Community – Families shaped by post-Depression values, resilience, and a belief in opportunity.
  • The System – Institutions that both challenge and ultimately validate innovation.
  •  

Book Club Picks

  • If they like these books… they’ll also like The Tobacco Field Kids and Mr. De.
  • Dead Poets Society
  • Stand and Deliver
  • Freedom Writers Diary
  • Hillbilly Elegy
  • Educated
  •  

Bookish Fun Facts

  • The story is based entirely on real-life events and firsthand experiences.
  • The author helped pioneer one of the first secondary-level electronic music courses in North America.
  • The programs described in the book were eventually recognized at both state and federal levels.
  • The manuscript was written in part to preserve a piece of history that had been overlooked.
  • The author’s work has been verified and archived by a major Connecticut historical institution.

About Outskirts Press
Since 2002, Outskirts Press has helped thousands of authors publish, distribute, and market their books while maintaining creative control and higher royalties. From editing and custom cover design to worldwide distribution and book marketing services, Outskirts Press provides the tools and support authors need to bring their publishing goals to life.

Ready to publish your book? Visit OutskirtsPress.com to explore publishing packages, author resources, and expert guidance for every stage of your publishing journey.

Uncategorized

Story Showcase: “Get Good at Money”

Get Good at Money: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing

By Craig McKinnis

Top 10 Reasons Readers Should Pick Up Get Good at Money

  • It breaks down investing concepts into clear, approachable language.
  • It helps readers overcome fear and anxiety surrounding money.
  • It emphasizes consistency over chasing quick financial wins.
  • It offers a practical introduction to long-term investing.
  • It focuses on sustainable habits rather than complicated strategies.
  • It encourages readers to build confidence one step at a time.
  • It explores the connection between mindset and financial success.
  • It presents financial stewardship in an accessible way.
  • It is ideal for readers who feel behind or overwhelmed financially.
  • It provides a calm, encouraging alternative to high-pressure money advice.

Meet the Book

  • Q: What makes this book different from many investing books?
  • A: It focuses on clarity, confidence, and sustainable habits instead of complicated strategies or quick fixes.
  • Q: Who is this book written for?
  • A: Anyone who wants to understand investing without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed.
  • Q: What is the book’s biggest message?
  • A: Long-term consistency and thoughtful decision-making often matter more than perfect timing.
  • Q: What emotion does the book hope readers leave with?
  • A: Confidence, peace of mind, and motivation to take the next financial step.

Book Club Picks

If they like these books… they’ll also like Get Good at Money: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing.

  • The Psychology of Money
  • The Simple Path to Wealth
  • I Will Teach You to Be Rich
  • Your Money or Your Life
  • The Millionaire Next Door
  • Rich Dad Poor Dad

Bookish Fun Facts

  • The book focuses on mindset and behavior as much as financial mechanics.
  • It was written specifically for readers who may feel nervous about investing.
  • The author is also the host of the Money Ministry podcast.
  • The book encourages stewardship, patience, and long-term thinking.
  • Complex financial concepts are translated into everyday language.
  • The book promotes progress over perfection when it comes to money management.

Why This Book Matters

  • Many people avoid investing because they feel confused or intimidated.
  • This book addresses those concerns directly and offers practical guidance.
  • Readers looking for a calmer and more balanced approach to money will find valuable insights.
  • The message is especially timely as more individuals seek financial confidence and stability.
  • It serves as both an introduction to investing and an encouragement toward long-term financial growth.

About Outskirts Press
Since 2002, Outskirts Press has helped thousands of authors publish, distribute, and market their books while maintaining creative control and higher royalties. From editing and custom cover design to worldwide distribution and book marketing services, Outskirts Press provides the tools and support authors need to bring their publishing goals to life.

Ready to publish your book? Visit OutskirtsPress.com to explore publishing packages, author resources, and expert guidance for every stage of your publishing journey.

Book Reviews

Getting book reviews for a self-published book

If your self-published book is available for sale at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble (BN.com), and other sites, you want to be sure your online listings have book reviews. You can always be sure your book has at least 1 review by asking someone you know to review for your book. Who knows? They may even do it!

Once you have one review, your job is to solicit others. Obviously, if you’ve given some of your books away to friends or families, you should ask them to write a review in exchange for the book. As you continue to give them away, suggest to your customers that it would be helpful to you if they took the time to write an honest online review. People like to help people, but usually only do so if you ask.

BONUS: Once you have reviews, you can use them in quotes for further promotion. For example:

“Best Book Ever!” — Amazon.com review.

Your book detail page on Amazon and Barnes & Noble have links for writing reviews of your book. If you haven’t done that yet, do it right away.

Remember, in order to write a review for a book on Amazon, each reviewer must have an Amazon account with which they have purchased something. This is how Amazon verifies the identity of the reviewer. They don’t need to buy your book, per se, they just need to buy something, anything, from Amazon. But it is nice if they DO buy your book, so suggest that to your friends first.

Contacting Amazon reviewers is also a great place to start, and here’s where you can find them: http://www.amazon.com/review/top-reviewers

 

Book Marketing

Setting up book signings for self publishing authors

How would you like to sell more copies of your book? Would you like to read excerpts from your book to a captivated audience?

Book signings at local bookstores are one of the cornerstone of an author’s post-publication foundation. But how do you set them up?

Organizing book signings, readings, and public appearances is one of the most important parts of a successful marketing campaign.

A book signing or reading is a bookstore event that features you and your latest book. This is your opportunity to meet potential buyers face to face. Plus it adds a personal touch to your promotion efforts.

Many customers may feel more motivated to purchase a copy of your book if they hear it explained or read from your point of view. And the opportunity to get a copy signed by the author doesn’t hurt, either!

Independent book stores and larger chain retailers both organize book signings. Your chances for finalizing an appearance are greater with the local independent stores. They have to compete with larger chains and are therefore more willing to support local (and self-published) authors.

In order to pinpoint potential book stores, check your local newspapers or see if book retailers in your area offer a “calendar of events” or post upcoming events on a public bulletin board.

By asking around for the owner of the store or the communications manager you can typically find the appropriate person with whom to propose your book signing. In many cases, both the large and small retailers will have their events planned weeks or even months in advance. Plan early.

When you have a list of people and/or stores you plan on contacting, prepare your pitch. Have a small script that outlines what your book is about and why people would be interested in meeting you or reading the book. The store manager or PR person will most likely ask. After all, they are not there just to help you. They are there to make money selling books. Tell them why your book will make their store money.

If your subject matter is timely, all the better! Remember, this is the point during which the store manager or book buyer will be screening your presentation skills, either over the phone or in person. If they are not captivated by your presentation, they will have very little faith in your ability to captivate a crowd. Be extroverted and dynamic.

It also helps to be concise. Understand that these are busy people. You want to sell them on your event fast. Have your press release and/or sell sheet ready. It’s helpful in case they ask for a copy or if they ask about specific information about the book. They may want to know the retail price, the discount, and the ISBN number immediately so they can order a review copy themselves prior to deciding.

Provide them with your web site address. They might be impressed enough by your initial marketing initiatives to go forward with the book signing.

Offer to help them with promotion, especially if you’re targeting smaller book stores. They will be more interested in offering to host an event if they know you will be absorbing some of the burden of marketing it. Tell them all your friends and family will be attending the event (and then make sure to invite your friends and family!), and if it’s within the scope of your marketing budget, offer to advertise in the local paper at your expense. Remember, the easier you make it for the book store owner or manager, the more likely they will say yes.

Follow-up with prospective book stores who have not confirmed dates. Selling yourself and your book is a number’s game, and as any salesperson will tell you, the amount of contact is directly proportionate to the amount of sales. So be persistent without being annoying. If you experience three or four unsuccessful attempts with a particular store or person, move on to another prospect.

And don’t forget your signing pen…

Good luck and have fun!

Book Promotion Strategy

Self-Publishing puts authors in the driver’s seat

Property rights in book publishing is one important consideration in finding the path that best meets your goals.

In all forms of art—painting, woodwork, sculpture, writing—ownership exists. At many levels. A painter paints a picture. Owns the picture. Sells the picture. A sculptor molds a bust. Owns the bust. Sells the bust.

Ownership changes but the picture does not. The bust does not.

In the Traditional sense, authors sell their work to publishing houses for an advance on royalties. Those publishers then, owning the material, can do whatever they want with your writing—cut paragraphs, chapters, change the title even.

Imagine crafting a beautiful landscape only to have someone paint over it.

The good news is many custom self publishing options currently offer non-exclusive contracts now. The non-exclusive part keeps authors the driver’s seat and preserves the essence and origination of the writing. It’s your work, thoughts, ideas, and stories, after all.

Have fun and keep writing!