Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: Direction Memo™: How to Write a Letter of Instructions for Your Estate Plan

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:

Direction Memo™: How to Write a Letter of Instructions for Your Estate Plan

Paul M. Caspersen, CFP, MS

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432780722

Reviewer: Leslie Granier

“Direction Memo™” is a trademarked name given to a letter of instructions a person leaves for his loved ones that expresses his wishes for what should be done when he dies or becomes incapacitated. This book is divided into three sections: informational, financial, and personal. The informational chapters cover topics such as naming a trustee and composing estate documents. The financial section provides information on real estate, savings, investments, and personal property. The personal section is probably the hardest to complete because it entails actually planning your final arrangements. At the back of the book is a workbook with exercises that correspond with the lessons presented in each chapter. It asks specific questions and forces the reader to locate documents that will be needed for estate planning.

Implementing the tools provided in this book will help the reader obtain peace of mind for his loved ones because stating one’s wishes in writing will relieve the survivors of the pressure of making difficult decisions during times of grief. The advice imparted by the author seems credible, especially considering that he has a Master’s degree in financial planning. He explains the legal terms in ways that are fairly easy to understand. But unless someone is willing to thoroughly research state laws on a variety of topics, a lawyer should be included during the planning.

This book can be very helpful for people who want guidance in making the transition for their loved ones easier after they die. It is important to note that a “Direction Memo™” is NOT legally binding. Therefore, it seems that it would be easier to complete the required legal documents first and then condense that information into directions for loved ones to follow. The greatest use of this book is that once the workbook is completed, it will be easy to update, which is something the author recommends doing every two years.

Reading this book and working through the exercises made me think about things I normally would not have considered when preparing for the future. From the obviously important things, such as choosing a guardian for minor children, to the seemingly common sense items like letting loved ones know where to locate important documents, “Direction Memo™: How to Write a Letter of Instructions for Your Estate Plan” provides the reader with the tools necessary to express his final wishes.

Cheri Speaks

The Benefits of Self-Publishing

Many aspiring authors find themselves debating whether they should self-publish or attempt traditional publishing. While both methods have pros and cons, there are many benefits to self-publishing. Here are the most common benefits of this growing publishing trend.

  • You have freedom of expression — you write your own words. You don’t have to change what you’ve written to please an editor, agent, or commercial audience.
  • You control how your book looks — everything from the cover to the interior formatting is in your hands.
  • You set your own price — it can be as low or as high as you would like.
  • You receive 100% of your royalties — there’s no middleman stealing your profits, so you earn more per book than you would with traditional publishing.
  • You can review your  interior and cover proofs before publishing — if you misuse spaces or hard returns in your manuscript, it may mess up the layout of your book. However, you have the opportunity to review your proofs for these issues before they are sent to the printer.

It wouldn’t be fair to share the benefits of self-publishing without also discussing the potential downfalls. Here are some of the cons of this publishing option.

  • No one critiques your manuscript — how can you be sure your book is interesting and complete? If you want someone else’s opinion, you will need to hire a professional.
  • You don’t have to edit your manuscript — a messy manuscript turns into a poorly written book that very few people (if any) will want to read. Too many self-published authors choose not to pay for editing because it isn’t required. However, if you want your book to be taken seriously, a professional editor is worth every penny.
  • You control your book’s design — this is great if you’re a designer but not so great if you have limited graphic skills. Depending on your limitations and the complexity of your book, you may need to hire a designer or illustrator.

If you are a self-published author, I’d love to know what made you choose self-publishing. Feel free to share your stories in the comments section.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Uncategorized

National Black Book Festival Delivers Insight, Big Names

File this one under the “Great Way to Get to Know Your Audience” category.

The annual National Black Book Festival promises book writers and readers alike some tremendous insights into what’s important to the African-American literary audience and the community at large. Regardless of your writing/reading style – and no matter what your ethnic or cultural background — if you’re a fan of literature or a creator of it, you should make plans to attend this year’s event, set for the second weekend of June in Dallas. Outskirts Press encourages authors to take advantage of opportunities such as this to enrich themselves and make connections.

Featured authors include the much-lauded Walter Mosley (author of “When the Thrill Is Gone” and more than 30 other books), television commentator Keli Goff (“Party Crashing”), Daniel Black (author of the bestseller “They Tell Me of a Home”), and New York Times and Essence bestseller Eric Jerome Dickey (“An Accidental Affair”). That’s just the tip of the iceberg; with dozens of notable authors scheduled to present, one of your own favorites may also be appearing. Visit the NBBF’s website for the full schedule of authors. If you choose to attend, you’ll be treated to invaluable insight from successful authors about their personal journeys, their inspirations and their audiences.

The NBBF is an annual event that represents a broad spectrum of genres, from Urban Fiction to Self Help to Fantasy and everything imaginable in between. The festival is targeted to 1,100-plus black book clubs, but you need not be a member of one to attend.

Attendees get access to dozens of author seminars, discussions and workshops, and dozens of authors and a variety of publishers, businesses and institutions will be on hand to provide information and assistance. Free events also include a Spoken Word Poetry Slam, Book Club Central and other attractions. You’ll also have opportunities to take part in additional special presentations and events at an additional charge, if you choose. (Attendees can choose between general admission and special events, or both.)

All that for just $5! Tickets must be purchased in advance, and the deadline is May 31.

When?
June 8-10, 2012 (Friday reception, Saturday, Sunday)

Where?
Doubletree Hotel,
400 Dallas St.
Houston, Texas

How Much?
General Admission – $5
Full Festival Package – $145 (includes two-day admission, Welcome to Houston Reception, Get Acquainted Breakfast and Sunday Jazz Brunch, at discounted package price)
Tickets for single events are also available.

Information
1-800-340-5454

The National Black Book Festival is a rich resource for African-American authors and readers, but it’s also a priceless resource for anyone who wishes to gain insight into the African-American publishing market.

Elise Connors ABOUT ELISE L. CONNORS:
Elise works as the Manager of Author Support of Outskirts Press.  She also contributes to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com. Elise and a group of talented book marketing experts assist not only published Outskirts Press authors, but also all authors and professionals who are interested in getting the best possible exposure for their book.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: The Safehouse

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:

The Safehouse

T. Thomas Ackerman

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432775247

Reviewer: Melissa Koltes

Detective Jessica Warren is a fervent defender of abused women and children. She is often called to domestic disturbances and tries (often in vain) to help the women put their husbands in jail or at least get them to a shelter and out of danger. She is a good cop, but sometimes her idea of justice is more in lines with vigilantism than judicial.

From time to time, Jessie must take the victims from the shelter to a secure safehouse that no one in the police force knows about. This is a secret place where the women can feel safe from their abusers, but they don’t know that the women that run the safehouse have a talent for helping the problem permanently disappear.

The story was interesting, but the writing left much to be desired. The dialogue felt forced and choppy. Often the conversations were so unnatural that it became difficult to read.

The reader never discovers any real information about the women that run the safehouse, aside from Cassandra who traveled and was abused. We never find out how she learned her “skills” or any background information to help with character development. The relationship between Jessica and Joe goes from an uncertainty about having lunch to being in love within two dates; based on the entire premise of the book, this seems ridiculous.

While I appreciate that most everyone in the book is trying to help the abused women and not victimize them, it appeared the majority of the characters believe they should decide right and wrong rather than allowing the system they represent to run its course. They destroy evidence, ignore glaring discrepancies, and manipulate crime scenes. This made it a bit difficult to cheer for the good guys when everyone appears to be a criminal.

” The Safehouse” has the potential to be a truly good book, but due to the issues with the writing and the storyline, it was just okay.

Cheri Speaks

How to Select a Good Title for Your Self-Published Book

The title of your self-published book can impact your ability to sell it. A good title will catch readers’ attention and encourage them to buy the book, while a bad title can cost you by driving away customers. If you want to choose a good title for your self-published book, keep these tips in mind.

  • Make it memorable. This may mean choosing something humorous, shocking, or intriguing based on the subject of your book.
  • Make it unique. Do some research before choosing your book’s title. Visit bookstores and browse for books online. You don’t want to pick a title that is too similar to the books that have already been published.
  • Use keywords. Many people search online before purchasing a book, so make sure readers will find your book when they search for your topic.

I’d love to know, what are your favorite book titles?

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.