Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 5/02/14

WRITING COOKBOOKS

What’s the big deal about writing a cookbook?  Just throw together forty or fifty favorite recipes and you’re done!  All your relatives will buy it; your co-workers who have been sampling those delicious dishes will want you to autograph their copy; and all those “cookbook addicts” who absolutely must have any and every cookbook available on the market will be snatching it off the shelves.  All true.  All excellent reasons to put that collection of tasty treats together and publish!

Now, let me offer you a challenge—the writing of a cookbook.  The topical ideas I’m about to share with you have not yet been developed.  The writers have passed from this earth, leaving their work unfinished, and (as far as I know) no one else has attempted to complete the projects.  However, I know that there are many authors out there who can (and should) pick up the gauntlet and write these books!

Concept #1:  Puddle Recipes

When the weather outside is frightful and the snow (or rain) is so delightful, what better thing to do than cook up wonderfully warming meals and tasty treats!  Of course, the recipes themselves are unique to each author, and the unique story that goes along with it will be the main attraction.  Those who live in (or grew up in) climate-challenged parts of the country—or the world—will have the most fuel for this project.  The main character (you) will be living weather-related survival adventures—always returning to rebuild strength and courage while enjoying a meal or snack (recipe included) that only you (the author) can provide!

Concept #2:  World War Recipes

This idea could easily be created as a series that includes remembrances of the many (too many) wars and conflicts we’ve lived through.  I’ve had two clients start this type of cookbook; sadly neither finished.  The first had a World War II background, complete with photos of this gentlemen on a Navy ship.  My favorite picture was seeing him as a “teenager” standing next to their anti-aircraft gun.  His hook for turning this into a cookbook was talking about the meals “all the guys dreamed of,” those home-cooked memories that live on forever.

Concept #3: Ranch Recipes

This cookbook was specifically “measured” to feed a lot of ranch-hands BIG portions.  The author enjoyed the banter of the boys around her table so much, she started collecting their stories.  Of course, she soon realized that the same “true story” had many versions, and the telling of those versions was bringing this recipe book together with lots of love and laughter.

SO…there you have it!  I know you can do it!  These ideas are too good to waste!  PLEASE pull out your laptops and get to work.  AND…if you need some inspiring help, there are a few of us ghostwriters around who will happily help you.  Bon Appetite!

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: The Witch’s Revenge

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

 the witch's revenge

The Witch’s Revenge

Danny Odato

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781478725640

The last place I would ever have expected a novel about a witch to take place was in a small town in India. But that is exactly where this story takes place: a small, very close knit community who watches out for each other and follow the Hindu religion faithfully. All the women congregate, talk daily, and help each other out. The husbands are good family men who take care of their families. But–a generation ago something happened and it has come back to haunt them. Only a few people would even remember this occurrence. The children are either dying or being maimed. The people are petrified and have no idea why all this is happening.

A single woman has moved into their village and pretty much stays to herself. It would be pretty easy to blame her for all that is happening, but the villagers decide to wait it out and see. Things get even worse and the entire village is in mourning— the men decide they need a holy man to come and help them. Events come to a head, but I can’t tell you or I’ll give away the plot and the ending. Yes, this is certainly worth the read especially if you like suspense and mystery. I would not recommend this book for teens— it could give them nightmares!!
The Witch’s Revenge is a striking novel that seamlessly blends Indian tradition with suspense and horror—a book eloquently presented by a gifted new storyteller.

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 4/29/14

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Self-Published Authors Don’t Need a New Term

This interesting article takes a look at the desire to rename self-publishing in hopes of ditching the stigma that used to come with self-publishing and to better represent the authors who use self-publishing companies. My favorite part of the article is this: “The problem with trying to re-term and invent new labels to make ourselves feel better misses a larger point, anyway, which is that there’s only one label that really matters: ‘published author.'”

Blurb teams up with Amazon for self-published photo books

Blurb, the indie publishing platform that lets photographers self-publish their books, has joined forces with Amazon to sell and distribute books produced and designed by Blurb authors. This opens up a great opportunity for photographers to propel their work into the public eye.

‘I should write a book:’ Why authors decide to self-publish

This article looks at various reasons authors decided to self-publish their books. It is an interesting read for all writers who may be considering self-publishing.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 4/25/14

ABOUT WHAT TOUCHES US DEEPLY

In this 2014 season of Passover and Easter celebrations, I am excited about all the inspired and courageous people who have placed their Faith-thoughts (their hearts) on manuscript pages and released them into the world.  So it is that I am offering thoughts on writing—motivational/faith writing—from some of my favorite Authors.

Write/Speak from the “gut.”  John Eldredge (Wild at Heart) is an outside-the-box thinker who uses his extensive life experience as outdoorsman, philosopher and motivational speaker to create his books.  He understands the “male species” very well and encourages men to be “authentic,” step into their inner courageous-ness, fight the battles of life and live the adventure of their Faith.

Life is full of complicated relationships—write about them.  Max Lucado (Outlive Your Life) has a favorite quote: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”  His books can be found in both fiction and non-fiction aisles offering encouragement to folks who have tried to do everything and become overwhelmed.

Fiction author Francine Rivers (Her Mother’s Hope) produces incredible stories that read like real life—warts and all.  Whether set in the WWII era or American pioneer days, in Europe or California, the facts are meticulously researched allowing her to portray how “life” can seem to conspire against each character—and each must weigh the choices of living their way or finding God’s path.

True life experiences become legacy mentors—TELL THEM!  When I heard that Mary Beth Chapman wrote about her personal journey after the tragic death of her five-year old daughter, it touched my heart deeply.  In the writing, there is the re-living of each moment.  And, yet, so many the world over suffer that grief.  Her book, Choosing to SEE, is offered to those who not only have had such a loss, but to all of us who have felt the burdens of deep depression and critically challenged family relationships.

Author Don Piper (90 Minutes in Heaven) writes from the “other side” perspective.  His small Ford Escort was hit by a truck, completely crushing it and killing Don.  “That,” he says, “is where he took a detour he’d never forget.”  There may not be CSI Forensic evidence to prove his story, however, the hope it stirs in heart and mind is priceless.

Don’t forget to LOOK TO THE STARS!  Have you heard about the Rabbi from the Czech Republic, who is also a playwright and screenwriter?  Chaim Cigan has now added novel writing to his list of accomplishments, becoming one of the hottest new authors on the science fiction scene.   A man of “studies” and research, he has created a series that mixes politics and secret police with the Middle Ages, Moses and Jewish history, literally “taking readers” across continents and epochs!

SO, where does your passion lie?  Have you been complaining about the crisis circumstances seen around the globe?  Do you have an idea brewing in your imagination that could bring light and hope; or a true-life experience to tell that will show others how to survive?  THEN WRITE IT!  Get those words ON the manuscript pages and send them to your self-publisher…NOW!  There are readers out there who need to hold your books in their hands and hear what you have to say.

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: Cancer: It’s a Good Thing I Got It

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

 cancer

Cancer: It’s a Good Thing I Got It

David A. Koop

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432774486

A silver lining brings triumph to tragedy. “Cancer: It’s a Good Thing I Got It”” tells the story of David Koop, who thought he had the good life until cancer appeared and ultimately made it better. Although it threatened his life, he learned what was really important, and it gave him the strength to overcome. He came out stronger than he would be without the ordeal. “Cancer” is a triumphant and recommended addition to any cancer memoir collection.