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.
Wendy Speaks

Famous Self-Published Authors: Jack Canfield and Mark Hensen

I’m sure you’ve read, or at least heard, of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series by Jack Canfield and Mark Hensen. According to The New Yorker, this series is the “biggest-selling non-fiction franchise in the history of American publishing” and has sold “approximately 80 million” books. These books are currently self-published by Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC. This is a just another example of the success self-published books can have. If you believe in your book, self-publishing can help you share your story with the world. Don’t be discouraged by critics and pessimist. Success is possible for self-published authors.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume 1 Fine Feathered Friends

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 Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume 1 Fine Feathered Friends

S.D Moore

Illustrations by Bobb Switzer

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432712884

The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume I Fine Feathered Friends is the first of a series of books for young kids. PJ is a little boy who for so long has been laughed at by other kids. He and his parents go to the pet store to buy an animal for him to pal around with. They pick Split Pea, a talking green parrot. Together, they work to solve problems. What I liked abut this book is how the two characters become great friends. What’s nice is that all ages can read this book and enjoy it. No one is ever too old to like The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume I Fine Feathered Friends.

Cheri Speaks

Copyright Assistance

When self publishing a book, authors need to be concerned with copyright issues. While self-publishing companies are not legal experts or copyright researchers, they do make recommendations and offer assistance to help authors get the advice they need.

One of the most common mistakes self-publishing companies encounter is authors using website images from “download free photos” websites. Many authors don’t realize these are low resolution images not optimal for a printed hardcopy format or that free downloads are for blogging and website usage, not permissible for printed book publishing.

Another common mistake is authors thinking  that everything on Wikipedia is okay to publish or use; many items will require authorization/permission release from the copyright holder/originator/entity. Song lyrics are also usually copyrighted, so utilizing a copyright research company is the best way for authors to protect themselves.

For more information on copyrights, visit http://www.copyright.gov/. You can also talk to a representative at your self-publishing company. He or she should be able to provide you with the resources you need to answer all of your copyright questions.

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.