Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Jodee Speaks

What Makes a Great Poem

April is National Poetry Month, so it is a great time to break out your notebook and start writing poems. But what makes a great poem? While poetry is often about personal interpretation and preference, here are a few general guidelines.

  • Use language correctly. Poetry needs to be well written, even though there is room for ambiguity. If you are going to break the rules, make sure you are doing so intentionally.
  • Make it valueable to the reader. People connect with poetry for a number of reasons. For instance, the poem might illustrate emotions that are difficult to express or reveal a reality.
  • Offer hope. Poetry is a powerful medium for overcoming difficulties in life, and great poetry can offer hope to the reader.
  • Be sincere. Great poetry is written from the heart. It is not forced. It is genuine.

I’d love to know, how you define great poetry?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: Amazing Grace

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:

amazing grace

Amazing Grace

Carol Cline

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432769949

A bit of faith can lift the lead weight of guilt from one’s life. “Amazing Grace” is a Christian spiritual guide from Carol Cline, who advises readers to find their connection to Christ and use his guidance to over come any crisis in one’s life and shine their light through it all. “Amazing Grace ” is poignant and recommended reading for any looking for enforcing Christ back into their life.

Uncategorized

Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2013

This year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair will be held March 25-28, and it marks the event’s 50th anniversary.

The Bologna Children’s Book fair is one of the most important international events dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry. It is a wonderful opportunity for authors, illustrators, literary agents, licensors and licensees, packagers, distributors, printers, booksellers, and librarians to sell and buy copyright, find the very best of children’s publishing and multimedia production, generate and gather new contacts while strengthening professional relationships, discover new business opportunities, and discuss and debate the latest sector trends.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary,  Bologna Children’s Book Fair has prepared a special edition full of events both at the Fair and in the city,  with the cooperation of the City of Bologna, Bologna University, the Italian Association of Publishers, and Sweden, Guest of Honour.

For more information, visit  www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com

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.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self Publishing Week in Review: 3/26/13

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 in self publishing this week.

Self-Publishers: The New Generation of Cool Kids

This article talks about the growing popularity of self publishing. This option is no longer for authors who aren’t “good enough” for traditional publishing. More and more people are choosing self publishing and having great success.

Best-Selling Self-Published Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Signs Six-Figure, Three-Book Deal With HarperCollins for Wait for You

Here is yet another self publishing success story. Jennifer L. Armentrout as self published more than a dozen books, and her best seller Wait for You recently landed her a six-figure, three-book deal with HarperCollins.

Cary woman finds writing success in self-publishing

The news is full of self publishing success stories this week. This former music teacher has sold more than 120,000 digital copies of her six self-published young adult novels, the Peachville High Demon series. Her first book, “Beautiful Demons,” is being adapted into a graphic novel. Her fifth, “Rival Demons,” was named one of Amazon’s Top 100 Kids and Teens Kindle Books of 2012.

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.
Jodee Speaks

Marketing for Self Publishing Procrastinators: Reward Yourself

It often seems as though the terms writer and procrastinator go hand in hand. Many authors find themselves constantly putting off finishing or promoting their book. Maybe it is because the amount of work that goes into writing and promoting a book seems daunting or because authors aren’t sure where to start. Whatever the reason, I am here to help.

The key to overcoming procrastination is taking small steps towards accomplishing your goals. In this series of posts, I am going to help all of you procrastinators to promote your self published books so you can start increasing your exposure and sales.

Rewards are a great motivation tool. To help you finish and market your book, create a list of goals. For example, your list may include write 5,000 word, send out 5 press releases and create a Facebook page. Next assign a reward for each goal. For instance, you may treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, a new book or a special lunch out. Be sure to choose rewards that are practical but motivating, and try to match the reward to the difficulty of the goal. For instance, finishing your manuscript deserves a much bigger reward than updating your Facebook five times this week.

I’d love to know, how do you use rewards to help you finish and market your book?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.