Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: SatisFillment

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:

satisfillment

SatisFillment

Eden Sterlington

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432761042

Happiness is attainable; one just needs to reach out and grab it. “SatisFillment” is a self-help and spiritual read as Eden Sterlington encourages readers on how to inspire themselves to look forward to everyday, learn to forgive, and be content with life, as well as attain greater health. “SatisFillment” has plenty to consider in how to take a more active role in one’s own happiness. Recommended.

Kelly Speaks

Contemporary Poetry vs Classic Poetry

In honor of National Poetry Month, I’ll be sharing tips and news for poets this month. Today, I’m going to address the topic of contemporary poetry versus classic poetry.  A recent study called Poetry in America by the Poetry Foundation revealed some interesting information on this topic. Here are the highlights.

  • Fifty-five percent of current and former poetry readers first read classic poetry.

  • More than half of all current poetry users read or listen to contemporary poetry.

  • About one-third of current poetry users restrict their involvement to contemporary poetry.

  •  About one-quarter read or listen to both contemporary poetry and the classics.

  • Over a third of current poetry users define the type of poetry that they read as “something else.” They asked respondents to specify what they meant by “something else.” There were four categories that repeatedly came up in the pool of “other” responses: personal, friend’s or relatives’ poetry; modern poetry; children’s poetry; and inspirational poetry.

You may be wondering why this information is important. As a self publishing poet, it is essential that you understand who your readers are and how to reach them. This will help you publish work that is appealing to your audience and to market your books effectively.

I’d love to know, how often do you read poetry and what types of poetry do you read?

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, Uncategorized

Self Publishing Week in Review: 4/16/13

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.

Why I Do Self-Publish

This guest blogger writes in response to a post called “Why I Don’t Self-Publish.” This self publishing author previously had six science fiction novels published by a traditional publisher before choosing to self publish. This is a fascinating article for authors deciding whether self publishing is right for them.

Nook Debuts Nook Press, A New Self-Publishing Platform To Compete With Kindle Direct Publishing

Barnes & Noble subsidiary Nook recently announced the launch of Nook Press, a self-publishing platform to help the e-reader and e-book seller attract more self-publishing authors. The platform will help Nook compete with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

Self Publishing Video Tutorials

To help aspiring self-published authors navigate the tricky world of publishing platforms, Galley Cat has collected video tutorials to help authors explore some of the popular publishers before loading their book. They also offer a variety of other valuable resources.

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

Get Your Self-Published Book into Large Retail Chains by Starting Small

We love ebooks and the unbeatable accessibility and immediacy of downloadable books, but there’s just something about seeing your own work on an actual, physical store shelf that is so appealing — to you and to your potential readers.

So, how do you get your self-published book one of those highly coveted spots? The short answer: one step at a time. Try these step-by-step strategies to get closer to your bookstore goals:

  • Start with online and in-person sales. Sell at book fairs, on your social media sites, at local events and any place you can set up a table and take payment.
  • Market. Set up a clear plan for marketing and publicizing your book so you can gather interest and increase sales.
  • Establish that your book is desirable. Track every sale and look for patterns of growth.
  • Take your sales figures on the road. Once you’ve established that you have, or are heading toward, positive sales trends, start talking to local bookstores, seeking a commitment to carry your book.
  • Tailor your product. Armed with your bookstore commitments, work with your self publishing company to change your trade discount and retail price, and add retail returns, so bookstores can carry your book.
  • Expand to larger markets. Put together a proposal to submit to bookstore contacts and approach larger markets about getting your self-published book on their shelves.

Getting into big retail stores may seem a simple process, but it’s by no means an easy one. However, if you keep your eye on the big picture and work consistently toward your goal, it’s doable.

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: Love All Men, Have Lunch with a Few

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:

Love All Men, Have Lunch with a Few

James B. Hylton

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432773830

Retired secret service agent, and ordained minister James Barry Hylton presents Love All Men, Have Lunch with a Few: The Boys of Bunny’s Restaurant: My Father’s Story as a Japanese P.O.W., the true story of a Southern gentleman who joined the U.S. Navy and experienced the greatest test of his character, as well as his ability to survive, in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Captured by the Japanese after Bataan and Corregidor fell, he endured for three and a half years as a prisoner of war. Transported on the notorious “Hell Ships”, he labored as a slave in lead and zinc mines and observed unspeakable cruelties. A spiritual outlook on life was part of what helped him through his horrific trial. Love All Men, Have Lunch with a Few is ultimately an uplifting story of courage and determination. Highly recommended.