Why not put Self-publishing in its place…

Paraphrased from the pen of an insightful publishing executive:

Sometimes choosing exactly the right words can be difficult, especially with so many available in the English language. So many contexts. Specific syntax. Audiences. What a remarkable discovery was the thesaurus. I dare say discovery not invention, because hey, wasn’t it inevitable? As writers, we’d be lost without it. Even among the most encyclopedic, how can we deny the thesaurus as an invaluable tool?

When Peter Mark Roget first published the thesaurus in 1852, die-hard dictionary-purists most likely refused to recognize its value. How many years or generations must have passed before the thesaurus and dictionary were to coexist in compliment of each other as they do now? No one thinks twice about picking up the one most appropriate at any given time.

It would be futile to engage a conversation regarding which is better – the dictionary or the thesaurus. They serve different functions. Need several definitions of a word to choose from? Pick up the dictionary. Need to choose the best definition? The thesaurus will deliver.

Let’s consider self-publishing as the thesaurus. The traditional publishing houses in New York are the dictionaries. One isn’t better than the other – they are just different. Serve different ends in the broader order of writing. But all writers, even dictionary-purists, would do well to consider using both. Brings to mind our recent news about Steven Covey’s decision to self-publish.

Food for thought as you keep up the most important task – writing.

– Karl Schroeder

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Unstoppable Confidence

Unstoppable Confidence

by Astrid Harris

This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.readerviews.com:

Life coach and author Astrid Harris describes her new book, “Unstoppable Confidence,” as ‘lifechanging’ and ‘a ticket to a whole new life.’ Are these things possible coming from a workbook comprised of only 29 pages? Harris thinks so.

“Unstoppable Confidence” is divided into six different lessons meant to be read individually and their strategies practiced thoroughly before moving on to the next section. Within each, there are ample writing areas for the reader to answer questions relating to their own situation, thereby personalizing the exercises and assignments. Harris utilizes each reader’s personal belief system and a deserving role model to further explain her empowering techniques.

As someone who has studied Daniel Goleman’s “Emotional Intelligence,” I had great doubts as to Astrid Harris’ ability to get the basic concept of self-awareness and self-confidence across in a mere 29-page workbook but I was pleasantly surprised. Without going into an enormous amount of detail, she explains self-confidence and the importance of knowing the ‘why’ behind various integral aspects of personality such as religious beliefs, personal convictions, opinions, etc. Her questions to the reader are thought-provoking and lead them on to further questions and deeper considerations. Her language and intents are easily understandable and free of the psychological jargon commonly found in books of the same genre.

“Unstoppable Confidence” is an easy to absorb book and perfect for someone with no prior studies or background in psychology. Its succinct format allows for even the busiest person to learn its methods without a great deal of time spent reading. Although additional resources at the end of the book for further study would have been nice to see, Harris gives her readers enough to get their confidence-boosting balls rolling. Ironically, the excitement and motivating nature she exudes in the pages of “Unstoppable Confidence” is not reflected in its bland and nondescript cover.

“Unstoppable Confidence” by Astrid Harris is a surprising find. Short, sweet, and to the point, these methods cater to already-overflowing schedules and frazzled minds with too much going on. Astrid Harris’ work is more like the ‘executive version’ of much thicker confidence building books yet with the same crucial information. Higher confidence and deeper self-knowledge is as quick as today.

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

Networking, Self-Publishing

Exploring Affiliate Options in Self-publishing

With the inevitable, ongoing explosion of print-on-demand, there are more authors than ever before dipping their feet into the self-publishing game. In fact, the term dipping feet may be an understatement considering the volume of new, developing, and somewhat esoteric information involved in self-publishing. Some authors come from the traditional arena and have a degree of knowledge and understanding corresponding with their experience. Other authors may have independently published books in the past, consider themselves savvy, and are now seeking the advantages that come from joining forces with a full-service print-on-demand self publisher.

The great majority, however, are new authors, anxious to learn, but not possessing much history or background in the industry. They often rely upon the information they read on the internet, hear from friends/associates, or receive from their publisher. In fact, the term self-publishing has expanded in scope to include publishing content in blogs, forums, online newsletters, even videos.

You may find yourself somewhere along that continuum or in the process of researching publishing options for your own material. Have you considered that your expertise can benefit other writers while at the same time earning you additional income? The process is called Affiliate Marketing and a great opportunity offered through various self-publishing leaders.

Affiliates can often earn up to 10% or more for each author they refer. Here are the nuts and bolts:

It’s perhaps the easiest and fastest way to share your knowledge as an industry thought leader while at the same time expanding your own platform and earning extra income in the home based internet business, and you do not have to develop your own service. Instead, generate revenue by simply referring authors to recognized, professional custom self-publishing services through the credibility your experience provides. What’s more, you get to see the investment that comes from seeing authors reach their publishing goals.

– Karl

Have fun and keep writing

Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Reviews, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-publishing Book Promotion Tip

It’s no secret that self-publishing involves some elbow grease on your behalf as author to promote your work. The control available in that area may be either boon or bane. Ultimately, it’s your choice, and as our real American hero states so poignantly, knowing is half the battle. Tip #1:

Understanding how to conduct an advanced Internet search yielding applicable promotional and review results is very important. Luckily, it’s also very easy.

For example, go to the Google website here http://www.google.com

Then, use access defined search criteria by clicking on the link that reading “Advanced Search” in small type next to the “Search” button.

You will find a page that enables you to fine-tune your search.

For example, search for the words “freelance” or “book reviewer” to find many places to begin with book promotion.

– Karl

Have fun; keep writing.

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Painting The Invisible Man

Painting The Invisible Man

by Rita Schiano

This self-published book was recently reviewed on BookFinds.com:

What is often talked about in fiction writing is that every novel has pieces of the author’s life hidden in the details. In Rita Schiano’s emotionally riveting novel, Painting the Invisible Man, there is no hiding the parallels between Rita’s life and that of her main character, Anna Matteo. And yet it is with this honesty and quiet depiction of reality that Schiano creates memorable characters and beautiful prose. Schiano explores the emotional ties that bind us to our family and our history. She shows that it is our past that gives birth to our dreams and it is our future that gives us hope. Rita Schiano’s Painting the Invisible Man explores truth through the veil of fiction and highlights these truths with honesty and emotional intensity. A beautiful poetic read! — BookFinds.com

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s website: www.paintingtheinvisibleman.com

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