news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 6.12.2019

june

And now for the news!

Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing!

The biggest news in publishing—traditional and indie alike—this week is, of course, the sale of Barnes & Noble. After what amounted to a rapid-fire ping-pong match between incoming and outgoing leadership, Barnes & Noble may be on firmer footing at last—although the ultimate effects of having been purchased by the same hedge fund that manages U.K. book juggernaut Waterstones remain to be seen, as The New York Times contributors Alexandra Alter and Tiffany Hsu point out. Barnes & Noble has hit an incredibly rough patch in recent years, shuttering stores and experimenting with new sales models in a desperate bid to keep its head above water. Barnes & Noble’s in-house self-publishing platform was part of a doomed—truly disastrous, financially—bid to keep the retailer on the forefront of change. That platform has fallen by the wayside, but self-publishers everywhere who want an alternative or additional platform through which to sell other than Amazon still lean heavily on the NOOK store for distribution. You can be sure authors and readers across all publishing and genre divides will be watching closely as Barnes & Noble moves into this brave new era with (yet more) new leadership.

EconoTimes has come out with a recent list worth taking note of: the top five ways its staff recommends getting to know one’s readers. The article covers how and why to dig into advance copies (collectively known as ARCs), how to parse digital content created by others as well as how to make full use of one’s own blogging platform for building a sense of community amongst readers, getting interviews on podcasts, and some additional general tips. It’s a great little primer for those who have a manuscript in process but aren’t quite to the publishing stage, and could even prove useful to authors who have already self-published a book and are struggling to connect.

One of our favorite awards of the year, the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award winners have been announced! This press release points readers towards the full list: “A complete list of 2019 winners and finalists is available at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards website at www.indiebookawards.com.”  A number of self-publishing and indie presses are well represented, including Outskirts Press! We couldn’t be more excited to dig into our newly expanded reading lists!

spa-news

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 each month to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

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Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Self-Published Book Review: Unwelcome Opportunity

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:

unwelcome opportunity richard battle

Unwelcome Opportunity: Overcoming Life’s Greatest Challenges

by Richard V. Battle

ISBN: 9781977201645

 

Synopsis*:

All of us will face challenges in life–we have control over how we respond to them. Author Richard V. Battle knows all about this. Over one ten-month period, he experienced divorce, two heart procedures, and a cancer diagnosis. He could have chosen any number of negative paths through that time. Instead, he chose humor, peace, and the Word of God, which led him out of fear and into what he later named his book on the experience: Unwelcome Opportunity. Full of entertaining anecdotes as well as forty-seven passages from Scripture, Battle’s Unwelcome Opportunity: Overcoming Life’s Greatest Challenges will help others also see the possibility, hope, and light in any situation.

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review

Richard Battle, the author of four other books, has dealt with severe hardships during his life. He wrote, “Surviving Grief by God’s Grace,” to deal with the loss of his son. In his most recent book, “Unwelcome Opportunity: Overcoming Life’s Greatest Challenges,” Battle had recently gone through a divorce and was now being faced with health issues. In less than a year, he was tested with prostate cancer and needed to have two serious heart procedures. It didn’t seem fair that he was being handed these trials because he took care of himself and was fitter then most men his age. Rather than dwelling on the negative or thinking, “Why me?” He proactively took charge of his health by following his doctor’s advice and using his faith to carry him through. As his challenges would arise, he would sink further down into his faith rather than darkness. This allowed him to not only survive, but also thrive.

As I read “Unwelcome Opportunity,” I was very impressed with the author’s unwillingness to allow himself to be consumed by darkness. He had already faced the loss of his son and his marriage and was now having to deal with health issues that didn’t seem fair for someone who was active. I really admired him for relying on his faith and using prayer to overcome everything that was placed in his path to test him.

“Unwelcome Opportunity” begins each chapter with a meaningful bible quote.  I would read each one and reflect on it before reading the chapter. This allowed me to obtain a better frame of mind for the material that was to follow. He also offers scriptures and inspirational quotes to place further emphasis on his writings. I can’t imagine being able to hold on to my faith as strongly as he did while he went through his challenges. My faith in God has always helped me overcome personal and health crises, yet I don’t remember being able to stay as steady as he did. Battle’s faith did not let him down as he pushed through his trials.

“Unwelcome Opportunity: Overcoming Life’s Greatest Challenges,” by Richard V. Battle would make an excellent gift for someone who is faced with challenges. Readers suffering from personal or health related issues will find comfort in Battle’s words.

– reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

Other Reviews

What do you do when you experience a divorce, two separate heart procedures and a cancer diagnosis all within a ten-month period? If you or yours are facing one of life’s demanding tests, Unwelcome Opportunity – Overcoming Life’s Greatest Challenges is an essential read. Richard Battle faced multiple tests in a short period of time and shares how he, with God’s daily provision, overcame them. You’ll be glad you read his pilgrimage drawn from a period when the world caved in on him! – Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas, Two time U. S. presidential candidate, Author and commentator

Unwelcome Opportunity is a poignant, moving, and inspirational memoir/Christian living book that will take readers on a thought-provoking journey while entertaining them at the same time. Unwelcome Opportunity is written by author Richard V. Battle, and Richard throughout Unwelcome Opportunity Richard will take his readers on the journey of his life and the many significant moments in it. The journey the reader will encounter is at times heartbreaking because of what Richard went through and the events that significantly impacted his life however it is also an uplifting book in which Richard will make you smile thanks to his positive outlook and inspiring passages. If you are a reader who is looking to read a memoir that is unlike anything you have read before and a memoir that is the perfect combination of inspiration, fact, and poignancy then Unwelcome Opportunity is the book for you and should not be missed.

Unwelcome Opportunity is written by the incredible Richard V. Battle, and in his book, he shares his story and the many pivotal moments in his life. The reader will follow Richard as he explains that he had two heart procedures in a ten month period as well as go through a divorce and receive a cancer diagnosis. However, despite all of this, Richard shares many inspiring passages about how he overcomes this and especially thanks to God and his help, and this book lovers is the premise of the incredible Unwelcome Opportunity!

Unwelcome Opportunity is a poignant, moving, and compelling piece of nonfiction that will help, inspire, and captivate its readers from the very start until the very end. Unwelcome Opportunity is an influential, powerful book because it deals with many poignant topics and God.

Unwelcome Opportunity is an exceptional book not only for the author’s candor but also the information he has so expertly laced throughout the book. The information will help readers overcome hardships with his passages and wisdom as well as his discussion of God and how God helps.

Richard V. Battle is a remarkable person for two reasons; the first is because he is honest and brave to write his story, and the second is because he is an exceptionally talented author. Richard’s impeccable writing is a joy to read and flows beautifully throughout so that the reader will feel compelled to read non-stop. Richard is a pure literary talent, and so I applaud him for being so brilliant!

Overall Unwelcome Opportunity is an insightful, informative, inspiring book and I would say if you are a reader who is interested in the topics explored and coming out the other side, then this book is for you and so Unwelcome Opportunity gets five stars from me!

Thank you so much for reading book lovers! I appreciate it so much, I love discussing wonderful books with all of you so please comment below and let me know your thoughts. Do you see yourself reading this book? Do you love the genre? Please let me know your brilliant thoughts below and I will be sure to comment back. Thank you so much again for reading!

– reviewed by Aimee Ann on Red Headed Book Lover

This book is for everyone. Those that have everything going for them and have never experienced disappointment or failure because it will prepare them for that moment in time when they may need the truths in this book has to offer and it is for that person feeling defeated and need to know they are not along both physically and spiritually.

– reviewed by uhoo on Amazon

Book Trailer

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

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news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 6.4.2019

june

And now for the news!

Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing!

In what has turned out to be a slower news week, Katy Cowan of Creative Boom brought us something really special: a profile of and interview with Kristyna Baczynski, an illustrator and zine enthusiast who has recently put together a workbook through which children can get their first hands-on experience with zines themselves. Writes Cowan,

What is it about magazines that Kristyna loves so much? “Boutique publishing, self-publishing, small press, micro-publishers, DIY zines… they are all different, but have a similar ethos or motivation; the creators saw a gap, a lack of representation and decided to construct it themselves. From bedroom stapled zines with a run of ten, to beautifully printed bi-annual niche magazines, I love when people get together and make the weird content that nobody asked for, but they feel compelled to share.”

The implication? There’s room in self-publishing and these other edge-of-the-envelope-pushing forms for everyone, including blockbuster authors looking for a bit more creative control as well as niche writers and creators—those who are, as Baczynski puts it, “make the weird content that nobody asked for” … but that everybody most definitely needs in their lives. Sometimes it’s the niche unasked for book that helps change our minds about something, or broadens our perspective a little, in ways that reading asked-for content just can’t do.

We’ve written about zines frequently on Self Publishing Advisor, but this is the first time we’ve seen someone actively producing physical or print materials and resources to enable young newcomers to create their first zine. What a neat idea!

We’re always excited to see self-publishing gain a toehold in new corners of the world, and this week brought us exciting news from Romania, no less! In a press release on Digital World, we found out the details about Vlad Alecu, who launched his career at age 12, and who self-published his first book at only 16. Now no longer a teenager but a teacher and fully-fledged entrepreneur, Alecu is looking back on his work in self-publishing. As the press release puts it,

Vlad teaches to over 10,000 students on Udemy, expanding more in the educational area with books for almost all ages (now launching “Kickstart.” – The #1 Digital Marketing Guide!).

It didn’t take long for Alecu to become a Self-Published Author & Entrepreneur with several ventures in the self-publishing space, e-commerce and app development.

Asked about his remarkable entrepreneurial success, Alecu said, “I am looking towards solving bigger problems, even though I like creating little projects for fun.”

Good news out of Romania! We wish all Romanian self-publishing authors, including Alecu, the best of luck in their ongoing efforts.

spa-news

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 each month to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

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news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 5.28.2019

May -wooden carved name of spring month. Calendar on business office table, workplace at yellow background. Spring time

And now for the news!

Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing!

This week, Publishers Weekly contributor Matia Burnett profiles indie success story, Gurpreet Kaur Sidhu, who wrote her first book in the seventh grade (heavily inspired by Harry Potter, like many of us!) and who always found in writing a way of both retreating from and reframing her relationship to the off-the-page world. Writes Burnett, “As Sidhu came of age and pursued a career in business management—serving as assistant manager at a Fortune 500 company—she continued to find a haven from life’s stresses and disillusionments through writing creatively.” Burnett allows us a closer look at Sidhu’s latest book, a self-published title simply titled Storm. Her journey was, as with many indie and self-published authors, far from straightforward:

Sidhu set out to publish her novel traditionally. “In the very beginning, I was dead set on getting an agent and having my work published through a big publishing house,” she says. But she was pragmatic in her approach, weighing the pros and cons of traditional publishing and self-publishing. The latter won out.

“After getting rejected over 50 times, I decided that if I wanted the world to read my work, I wasn’t going to wait around or be dead by the time they discovered Storm,” Sidhu says. She also recognized that she’d need some expert advice in order to effectively navigate the world of self-publishing and hired an editor and a publicist—a move that she strongly recommends for first-time authors.

In an age of plentiful gadgets and gizmos, finding useful expertise to navigate all of the options is indeed a move that we here at Self Publishing Advisor could get behind, as well. You can find out more about Sidhu’s book by following the link to the Publishers Weekly article, above.

(Hint: Step 6 is to self-publish.) Tarun Varshney writes a straightforward what-to (a necessary prequel to any how-to) in this week’s Entrepreneur that provides, if only as a final flourish, an endorsement of self-publishing for those authors struggling to find publishing homes for their manuscripts. Writes Varshney, there are definitely some structural and sentence-level work that can be done to render your work more appealing to traditional publishing houses, but there are also some manuscripts that are better suited—whether in content or form—for an indie approach.

Rejection doesn’t mean: your book is bad. There could be other reasons:

a. publisher doesn’t know how to sell your book and fears to invest money
b. publisher’s book publishing target for the year has been completed
c. a literary agent is fully occupied
d. a literary agent is not active at that time

So, do not think about the flaws in your work. Your work is in the best possible shape if you have followed steps properly. Go for print-on-demand model. So you can invest along the way based on the response from readers.

Varshney also reminds readers of Entrepreneur that ultimately, the polish and shine isn’t what brings a book financial success—it’s connecting with readers. And connecting with readers, as Varshney puts it, is “all about awareness about you and your book.” Boosting awareness requires as much time and energy as writing, but there are ways forward through the workload—as we have written about on this very website!

spa-news

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 each month to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

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news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 5.21.2019

May -wooden carved name of spring month. Calendar on business office table, workplace at yellow background. Spring time

And now for the news!

Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing!

This week, Forbes came through for self-publishing authors in a big way, with this article by ForbesWomen contributor MeiMei Fox bringing a bit of sunshine into our lives. Fox’s premise is fairly self-explanatory, given the article’s title, but her content is well worth a deep read or two. “These days,” Fox opens the article, “aspiring authors don’t have to rely on the miracle of finding a literary agent and securing a deal with a traditional publishing house. Self-publishing makes it easy to get your words out there – the tricky part is ensuring that your work gets read. That requires self-promotion.” She touches base with three bestselling self-published authors who happen to be women, all three of whom “have built highly successful careers […] while also being sure to create entire brands around their literary creations to generate income and further secure their fan base.” Those authors are Crystal Swain-Bates, an accomplished children’s book author dedicated to closing the diversity gap in publishing, Kristen Ashley, successful author to numerous romance novels that embrace body positivity and a richer perception of womanhood than is common in the genre, and Penny Reid, who first got into self-publishing because traditional publishers rejected her romance work as having “too many thoughts and used too many big words,” which says a lot about what publishers think women want and are capable of digesting. Each of the authors Fox covers provides some strategic advice to authors (of any gender) looking not only to get into self-publishing but to market their books successfully. Fox’s article closes with a list of eight suggestions on how to do just that.

While many self-publishing authors who are not male might bristle at this article title, this article provided by Prime Press to the Good Men Project opens with a statement of fact: “According to a study published by ResearchGate, men cover at least 72.62% of all the published books recorded since 2010. In the digital publishing world, nothing much will surprise you as well.” Publishing has been growing more diverse of late, of course, and self-publishing provides a democratizing influence over the process as it makes room for diverse authors, women authors, and voices from the margins—but it’s true, men are still in the lead when it comes to overall quantity of voices. As Prime Press puts it, “a whopping 31% of e-book sales on Amazon’s Kindle Store are self-published books, with at least 51% of it written by male authors. This is not surprising since literature spent centuries being a male-dominated arena. There are more male authors receiving recognition, financial success, and hold positions in relevant associations.” But that percentage—51%—is a lot closer to parity than in traditional publishing! The article goes on to profile a number of male self-publishing authors, including Mitch Miller, Robert Gallent, Paul Halme, and Brad Gilmore, each of whom has had great success in self-publishing. Well worth a look!

spa-news

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 each month to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

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