Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: True to Life

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:

True to Life

Duane Ashley Pool

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432729035

Reviewer: Willis M. Buhle

The vitality of youth is an essence that everyone who grows past it yearns for once more. “True to Life” presents Duane Ashley Poole’s youthful vigor in poetry form, as he blends hip hop and rap with traditional poetry. Worth considering for those looking for something different in poetry, “True to Life” is recommended.

Book Design, Book Marketing, Cheri Speaks, Choosing a Publisher, Uncategorized

Choosing a Self Publisher

Self publishing is a big decision. Before jumping in, you need to research your options and pick a self publisher that meshes with your needs and goals. Here are three things you should look for when choosing a self-publishing company.

Design Options

Review the company’s interior and cover options. Most companies have standards for each genre. These standards are typically based on what is most viable in the marketplace.

Internal Processes

Each company has a process for handling the publication process, and requesting exceptions to this process can result in extra fees.

Prices and Options

Each company offers a variety of services during production and marketing. Find out what each company offers and the prices.

I’d love to know, what factors helped you choose a 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.
Book Design, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

Illustrations Affect the Success of Your Children’s Book

So – you have written a charming children’s story. Your children and all of your friends’ children love the storyline and the characters. You dream of becoming a published author. Perhaps you have ideas for a series that involve many stories with the same characters. Bringing those figures to life with an investment in high quality illustrations will contribute to the success of your book.

 I regularly tell authors: if you do not purchase one of our professional illustration sets, please hire an independent graphic illustrator to create your images. Make sure that you get a release from the artist giving you permission to use the illustrations and always get in writing that they will not be receiving any portion of the royalties from your book.

If you want your book to be taken seriously, you need to spend a little money to make it look professional.

 

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.

 

Uncategorized

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: Big Business and Body Bags

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:

Big Business and Body Bags 

Lincoln R. Peters

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432770297

With no future, the allure of a life in crime is too much to resist. “Big Business and Body Bags: A Journey Into the Deadly Drug Business” delves into what brings people into the criminal underworld and the business of drugs. A riveting thriller that has strong basis in reality, it brings a tragic tale of a life destroyed by it all. “Big Business and Body Bags” is a riveting read that should prove quite hard to put down by general fiction readers.

Cheri Speaks

What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Ghostwriter

There are many reasons people hire ghostwriters. You may have a great idea for a book but no time to write it, or you might be an expert on a subject but a lousy writer. None the less, ghostwriting is very common. Often, books by celebrities, experts, and corporations are written by a ghostwriter. If you are considering hiring a ghostwriter, there are two things you must know before hiring a ghostwriter.

Know What You Want

Before accepting a project, a ghostwriter will have many questions about your book. You need to know the answers before you start talking to the ghostwriter. Here are a few things you need to consider.

  • How do you picture your book?
  • What is the tone and style?
  • How long is it?
  • What is the subject?
  • What topics are covered?
  • Who is the audience?
  • What is the purpose of the book?
  • What do you expect from the ghostwriter?
  • How much of the material will you provide?
  • How involved do you want to be in the process?

Know Your Budget

Writing a book is time-consuming, especially if you want to write a quality book. The process includes research, brainstorming, writing, rewriting and editing. This process is no different for ghostwriters. Therefore, book projects can be costly. In fact, research shows that prices can range from $10,000 to $50,000 per book. These prices depend on the writer’s experience, the length and difficulty of the project, the materials you provide and the deadline. Before hiring a ghostwriter, figure out how much you can spend. Don’t hire a ghostwriter and decide you can’t pay for the project. Like all professionals, ghostwriters MUST be paid.

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.