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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.

Want to Succeed in Self-Publishing? Write for Yourself: Tips From an Indie Author

In this Publisher’s Weekly article, self-published author K.P. Ambroziak shares self-publishing tips such as write for yourself and mistakes are part of the process. This is an interesting read for all authors.

If You Don’t Have a Platform, Borrow One

This self-published shares his unique approach to creating a platform that will help your self-published book succeed. This is an inspiring read for other authors.

Not All Hybrid Publishers Are Created Equal

Authors need specialized knowledge of the industry to assess hybrids effectively. Here are some questions to help authors evaluate their publishing options.

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

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive 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.

Summer is almost here. If I close my eyes, I can already feel the sand beneath my toes, taste the fruity drinks and imagine myself carelessly enjoying the long, hot days of summer. While I love the relaxed mood of summer, I also like to feel like I used the extra hours of daylight and time off to accomplish something — like writing.

Summer is the perfect time to work on your writing projects and start the self-publishing process. Each week this month, I will offer advice to help you achieve your writing goals this summer. Here is my first tip to get to you started — write AND publish every day! Yes, publish every day. Find a forum, whether it is a personal blog, an online writing group, bulletin board or a social media site, and publish something everyday.

This is a great way to build a platform, hold yourself accountable, and keep yourself motivated. Networking online is a powerful tool for self-publishing authors, so harness the power of the internet and go start writing.

Be sure to check back every week for more advice to help you achieve your summer writing goals.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director 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.

THE PERSPECTIVE OF TREES

Not long ago a dear friend and neighbor showed me several photographs she’d taken of “her tree”—one that has been standing not far from her living-room window since before she moved into her home. “Every year I tell the trimmer to be careful with that tree,” she tells me. “It must survive at least as long as I do.” She will soon celebrate her 95^th birthday.

This month I’ve used illustrations of a tree’s innards to demonstrate a different method of plot development.  Today I am adding one more element—a different perspective—the inspiration that trees provide to writers and readers alike and the intense feelings that are partnered with that in the form of symbolisms.  Something happens in the human spirit when looking up into limbs and branches as they tower above us—almost allowing us to touch the sky above—that speaks to a writer’s heart and encourages us to follow that perspective as we develop our novels.  You see, there are really NO limits to the creative imagination of the writer.

• Possibly the most world-wide symbolic phrase that describe a tree is The Tree of Life. From root system to seasons of life throughout many years, there exists the basic human understanding that where trees grow so does life.
• From a single, standing alone tree to the vast forests, they represent a Witness to Human History. (The Prophet Elijah finds shade and rest under a Juniper Tree. Isaac Newton allegedly discovers gravity watching that fruit fall from the Apple Tree.)
• Individual species of trees have taken on very specific symbolic meanings, such as:
  • The Bamboo = freedom of spirit, flexibility and renewal
  • The Cedar = healing
  • The Elm = inner strength and intuition
  • The Redwood = keeper of ancient wisdom
  • The Willow = inner vision as we learn from the past
• The very visual seasonal changes of the trees around us are symbolic of our own human passages of life.
  • As tree limbs pull up the nurturing waters from their roots and begin to green, we feel the expectations of the New Seasons in our lives.
  • As trees blossom and invite nesting birds and butterflies, there is the comparison of new and renewed relationships.
  • In the seasons of Fall and Winter we might experience a sadness of lost opportunities. Yet there is a calm reassurance in the naturally rich browns of solid tree trunks and evergreen trees that promise a future beyond the moment.

So it is that I close out my season of writings—for writers—focusing on TREES and their usefulness to us on multiple levels of thought. The two photos I’ve used today are my own, taken when needing a break from the keyboard. I continue to be blessed every time I step out with camera-in-hand, often ending up seated on a bench and typing notes onto my cellphone as inspiration hits. I hope you will take such adventures too, and when you’ve completed that novel (or book of poetry, etc.) that you’ll get it edited (don’t hesitate to utilize the skills of a ghostwriter), revised, and PUBLISHED!

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.

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:

16 Seasons in Hell

Daniel Bennett

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN:9781432786649

Any alliance between the USSR and Nazi Germany was a farce; war was simply inevitable. “16 Seasons in Hell” is a perspective of the Eastern front of the war from Daniel Bennett who uses his own infatuation with history to depict the conflict in a new light, a western perspective on the Eastern war. Showing the impact of the western conflict had on Hitler’s surge towards Moscow and how the USSR turned them back, “16 Seasons in Hell” is well worth considering for those who wish to learn more about the lesser known conflict of World War II.

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 photo books go from last resorts to treasures at MOMA

According to this article,  photo books, particularly self-published photo books, are flourishing. Books sell out in weeks, sometimes even days. This is an interesting read for those considering self-publishing a photo book.

uPublishU 2015 Preview: The Best of Both Worlds

This year’s uPublishU encourages self-published authors to gain insight from both self-publishing and traditional publishing. This is a good read for all writers.

11 Ways to Guarantee a Successful Author Talk

This Huffington Post article shares 11 ways to guarantee a successful author talk. This is a must read.

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

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive 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, kellyschuknecht.com.