Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Book Promotion, Self-Publishing

Self-publishing’s Epic Adaptation: Wild Things

Dave Eggers’ novel and screenplay adaptation of the timeless children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are saw its big screen debut last Friday, and with controversy tantamount to that created by Maurice Sendak’s original.

Eggers is the founding and managing editor of McSweeney’s an independent or self-publishing option based out of San Francisco.  Eggers’ Wild Things is timely and worth of mention as an extraordinary testiment to the scope and cultural presence self-publishing authors bring to the us through unobstructed editorial voice.

Keep up the great work, writing, and contribution.

– Karl Schroeder

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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Hesitating at the Gate

Layout 1Hesitating at the Gate: Reflections on Aging

by Ann Tudor

This author submitted the following recent review for her book:

In this collection of wry essays and poems, Ann Tudor says things about aging that no one else is saying. She offers insights, though no solutions. What she gives us, in her unique voice, is not inspirational writing about growing old. Instead, the word “subversive” comes to mind. You might laugh or you might cry, but you will certainly have a different view of aging after reading this little book.

You might try to read it in small bites, one essay at a time, but you’ll find it hard to stop reading once you’ve started. The second time around you can read it more slowly and savor each clever, pithy phrase.

Perhaps the prospect of the Land of Old scares you. Well, it won’t be nearly as lonely and frightening when you approach it in the company of this unorthodox author, whose frank response to the aging process will make you grin (and then grimace) with recognition.

Anyone who has ever grown old, who is currently growing older, or who suspects that growing older is in his/her future will want to read this book—and then buy additional copies to share with friends.

Visit www.anntudor.ca, where you will be able to read one of the essays and learn about Ann Tudor’s other work.

TO ORDER: Order through www.anntudor.ca (using PayPal) or email the author at atudor@pathcom.com.



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Book Marketing, Self-Publishing

Self-publishing company named Best of the Best

This post won’t find its place among my direct self-publishing and book marketing tips, but an recognized advancement in the publishing world worthy of mention.

Coming off a recognition as #268 on Inc. Magazine’s top 500 fastest growing privately held US companies, self-publishing option, Outskirts Press, was recently placed among Inc.’s “Best of the Best” as determined by a panel of leading adventure capitalists. Only 5 of the original 500 made the list.

The top five Inc. Magazine “Best of the Best” companies as identified by the panel of venture capitalists were Kiva Systems of Woburn, Massachusetts; SkullCandy of Park City, Utah; Centro of Chicago, Illinois; Outskirts Press of Parker, Colorado; and Enalasys of Calexico, California.

– Karl



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Self-Publishing

Self-publishing versus…well, nothing

It sometimes seems that we, collectively, find difficulty in escaping the conversational vein of traditional publishing versus self-publishing as if the two were completely polarized. News, blogs, articles online and off have swarmed the topic for some time now, and its easy to get pulled into the polemics of strong ideas and outside interests. Change can be difficult to embrace because there is uncertainty. But there is also opportunity.

Self versus Traditional publishing. Is this really one versus they other? Of course not. The value of publishing comes through the course of sharing valuable, entertaining, and relevant information with others in a certain medium.

What is true is that the publishing industry has been fundamentally altered by the connections offered by the internet, from the production, publication, distribution, and marketing of your book. Not just a little different as we are finding out, but completely rebuilt. This is true not just in publishing but across the way we live. In entertainment, recreation, and business.

Publishing a book is a business – your business. Knowing what you know how will you approach the publishing and marketing options available to you?

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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Searching for Salvation

Searching for Salvation

by Albert L. Pike, Jr.

This self-published book was recently reviewed by ReaderViews:

“Searching for Salvation” is a poetry book that shows just because someone may appear to have it “all together” doesn’t make that fact. The author, Albert L. Pike, Jr., is a former public school teacher and administrator who became a priest in the Roman Catholic Church after a series of physical and emotional battles.

The poetry Pike writes in “Searching for Salvation” vividly shows his battles with depression, bipolar disorder, and seeking validation in other people such as his wife. His belief in God and his desire to serve, which he states in a narrative began at age seven when he felt called to the priesthood, shines through most of his work.

Most poetry books do not have narrative essays explaining the progression of the poems or even an introduction, but Pike does this without ruining the fact that “Searching for Salvation” is primarily a book of poetry. The explanations work well and help support the theme of his work, which is going from spiritual brokenness to spiritual enlightenment.

I am not Catholic, but I still feel “Searching for Salvation” has a lot of validity especially for those who are trying to go from emotional darkness into emotional sunlight. There are a number of Catholic themes noted in the book, especially once Pike enters the priesthood. Thus, those who are staunchly against the Catholic Church or other forms of Western religion may not wish to pick up a copy of this book. However, it is not necessary to be Catholic or Christian to enjoy the message of “Searching for Salvation” or the pain and then joy reflected in Pike’s words. This book is ideal for anyone who is interested in poetry, prose, self-help, and general spirituality and is appropriate for a wide range of age groups.

What I found most valuable out of “Searching for Salvation” by Albert L. Pike, Jr. is that a priest can admit a history of serious challenges, even note that the church to which he has devoted the remainder of his life had “innumerable scandalous activities.” Pike also beautifully illustrates through words the importance of even painful experience as perhaps life’s most lasting teacher.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/searchingforsalvation


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