Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review:Digging Deep

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:

 

Digging Deep

Boyd Lemon

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432768461

No life in love is ever simple. “Digging Deep: A Writer Uncovers His Marriages” is a memoir by Boyd Lemon. He reflects on his life through the twentieth century and the changing attitudes about women. From the super moralistic 1940s to the sexual revolutions of the 1960s and much more, “Digging Deep” is a thoughtful look at life, love, women, and marriage from the perspective of a man who has seen all of it.

Contests, Kelly Speaks

18th Annual CIPA Book Competition

The deadline to enter the 18th Annual CIPA Book Competition 2012 CIPA EVVY Awards is only a few short weeks away. The CIPA EVVY is an internationally recognized book competition for independently published books. Winning an EVVY award is proven to help increase your book sales. CIPA EVVY award winners also receive recognition by displaying CIPA EVVY WINNER stickers on their books and website as well as through participation in various CIPA programs such as the Honors Recognition Program and the Douglas County Libraries E-Book Program. Here is a quick overview of the entry rules and guidelines:

1) Only CIPA Regular or Associate members in good standing can enter.
2) Entries must be independently or self-published and contain a minimum of 48 pages. (Children’s Pictures Book entries don’t apply to the 48 page rule.)
3) All books must have an ISBN and a 2011 or 2012 publication date. (Legacy category is an exception.)
4) Each title may be entered in as many categories as desired. A separate entry fee must be paid for EACH category entered.
5) All Entry fees must be paid prior to or simultaneously with entry submission. No entry will be accepted without payment of entry fee.

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.
Cheri Speaks

Espresso Book Machine

The Espresso Book Machine® (the “EBM”), which Time Magazine named an “Invention of the Year,” provides a revolutionary direct-to-consumer distribution model for books. Put simply, the EBM is an automated book-making machine. The operator selects a title to print, and within a few minutes a book emerges, with a full-color cover, trimmed to an exact size, and indistinguishable from the publisher’s version. As we say, “Hot off the press!”

Currently, Espresso Book Machines have been set-up in select universities and libraries including:

  • New York Public Library
  • University of Michigan Library
  • World Bank InfoShop, Washington
  • New Orleans Public Library
  • San Francisco Internet Archive
  • Manchester Center Northshire Bookstore
  • University of Alberta
  • McMaster University Bookstore
  • London Newsstand UK
  • Library of Alexandria, Egypt
  • Melbourne, Australia Angus & Robertson Bookstore

New locations are constantly being added. The EBM is a great opportunity for self-published authors. Some self-publishing companies, such as Outskirts Press, offer this marketing option. By purchasing this option, your book will be available to be ordered, printed, and sold at every current and future Espresso Book Machine location. To learn more about this option, contact your self-publishing company.

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

Self-Publishing and Technology

Technology plays a huge part in the self-publishing process. Years ago, authors would hand carry their manuscripts to a printer for typesetting. Today, almost everything is done via the internet and computers. At Outskirts Press, 90% of all manuscripts we receive are submitted in a Microsoft Word document. Hardcopies, manuscripts printed on paper, are becoming a thing of the past. Occasionally, we will receive a hardcopy. In these cases, we have to rekey the document so we have a digital file that can be manipulated during formatting. This requires the publishing company to do extra work and increases the chance of errors. 

Below are a few basic guidelines to make the self-publishing process as stress-free as possible for the author:

    1. Own a current personal computer with internet access. A high speed connection is preferable.
    2. Have the ability to navigate the internet and the self-publishing company’s website.
    3. Use a current version of a common word processing program such a Microsoft Word and have a reasonable proficiency with the program.
    4. Have the ability to send and receive emails with attachments.

If you have difficult working with technology, find someone who can help you. You may also consider taking a course on computers to help you improve your skills.

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: Parallel Lives

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:

Parallel Lives

Martin Gwent Lewis

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432772093

Reviewer: Tia Bach

Can you imagine being at the lowest point in your life and reviewing all your past decisions? Not just reviewing them, but meeting your alter egos who made different decisions. This is the basis of “Parallel Lives,” an intriguing story about a man struggling with life and past decisions. The story opens on Richard’s darkest day; he is about to end it all when a voice yells, “Don’t do it! The repercussions are beyond your wildest dreams.” His savior is his counterpart in another reality, known as Historian.

As the story progresses, Richard meets three versions of himself, each formed by a major decision in his life. Known as Historian, Singer, and Missionary, they are all Richard in a parallel universe. Important events in Richard’s life create a strong pull through the dimensions to bring them all together. The suspense builds from there and takes the characters through London, Geneva, and Africa.

Between realizations and pangs of regret, Richard finds a new job with the World Health Organization and also falls in love. His new job responsibilities send him on a dangerous mission to Africa where nothing is as it seems. The mission culminates in an entertaining and unique battle with unexpected participants.

The scenes where Richard meets with his doppelgängers are intriguing. Who hasn’t looked back on past decisions and wondered how their life would be different if only they had taken another path? Richard gets to see several paths, none perfect, and realize the potential in his own life.

The last half of the book is a thrill ride, and I felt more and more invested in the story. I only wish the first half was as successful. To be fair, there was a lot of necessary explanation and scenes where Richard meets his counterparts and discovers how each came to be. In the end, it all comes together. The love story with Madeline, although rushed, adds a softer side to Richard. My biggest complaint is the story deserves a much more interesting cover. There are so many possibilities for an amazing cover, and the author missed a great opportunity to better showcase his work.

If you enjoy twists and turns, action, and thought-provoking themes, this book is for you. Don’t give up in the beginning or you’ll miss the best parts.