book review – Page 66 – Self Publishing Advisor

Book Promotion Strategy, Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: A Process Mind by Richards P. Lyon, M.D.

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if they don’t know about it? 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 let the community know about a great book. So, without further adieu, here’s this week’s book review:

A Process Mind

Richards P. Lyon, M.D.

Outskirts Press (2010)

ISBN 9781432760397

Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (2/11)

“Author Richards P. Lyon, M.D. has really had a wonderful life. And in his new memoir, A Process Mind, Dr. Lyon recalls his life in an unpretentious, humorous, storyteller’s style, beginning with the very first statement, “I am born,” of the first chapter, “In the Beginning.”

Throughout the book’s recounting of his life, Dr. Lyon weaves his assessment of the impact of his Process Mind on the events that make up the story. The author explains at the outset that “My Process Mind works like this: I must understand to remember. This takes more time than is required by the Quick Memory minds. However, it is the remembering that makes the difference, allowing me to tell this story today in the hope that I will be effective.”

Since his retirement, so called, in his eighties, Dr. Lyon has had a considerable amount of time to reflect on his process mindset and he has ultimately distilled it down to: Recognize and unearth the real problem; Fix it; Do it now; and, Be effective. While there is nothing new here, the clarity and conciseness with which it is presented and supported by real life examples, is a testament to clearly understanding what we are fully capable of accomplishing, even at ninety-three years old.

A diversity of successful careers and an exemplary record of reinventing himself result in making Dr. Lyon a humble, yet almost heroic symbol for the power of positive thinking and pursuing your passions. “A Process Mind” will leave many readers believing that more accomplishments await this octogenarian plus. One thing is for certain. Dr. Lyon’s Process Mind will keep on churning.”

DISCUSSION: Are you trying to obtain book reviews as part of your overall book promotion strategy?

Book Marketing, Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Publishing Book Review of the Week: Did Success Spoil Jayne Mansfield? by Frank Ferruccio

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if they don’t know about it? Paired with other book marketing efforts, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

Did Success Spoil Jayne Mansfield?: Her Life in Pictures & Text

Frank Ferruccio

Outskirts Press (2010)

ISBN 9781432761233

Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (2/11)

“I must say that many of us always wanted to know more about the mysterious Jayne Mansfield and the author has certainly done his research on her life and family.

Many individuals dream of being a movie star and Jayne was no different. Even though she came from a very strict upbringing she never lost sight that she would become a star. Jayne was a very beautiful child and teenager and did what she wanted. At the age of fifteen she got pregnant much to the dismay of everyone. She met her first husband, Paul Mansfield, during this time and even though he wasn’t the biological father he stepped up to the plate.

She married two more times, but it was hard for her husbands to deal with her fame and publicity stunts. Jayne knew how to get attention and she went for what she wanted and usually got it.

While she was married to Mickey Hargity, she began to party all night long and become very close to Matt Cimber, who would later become her third husband.

Jayne was fun, interesting and had a good heart. She loved her children and she loved acting. It’s sad that there are so many negative stories about her.

The author has provided pages and pages on Jayne throughout her life till the end. There is so much information in “Did Success Spoil Jayne Mansfield?” coming from interviews with family, friends and others in the entertainment field. The author has done an exceptional job in his research and providing references for all his information.”

DISCUSSION: Are you trying to obtain book reviews as part of your overall book marketing strategy?

Book Reviews, Uncategorized, Weekly Wednesday Podcast

Weekly Wednesday Podcast: How to OWN Your Book Reviews

When you self-publish a book, it’s important to come up with a creative marketing strategy to get in front of new readers. It will not only get you the exposure you need to possibly sell your book but also give you a leg up on the competition. In this week’s podcast, I discuss the importance of this part of the plan and how you can truly OWN your book reviews.

I will cover:

The importance of book reviews
Who authors should contact to get their books reviewed
How to deal with negative book reviews
Why authors should review other books and how to go about this task

Resources:

Book Blog Search Engine

ArmchairInterviews.com

DISCUSSION: Do you have your own book review service? Share the link here. Authors, do you know of a good book review service? Post the link here.

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized

Self Publishing Book Review of the Week: The Gift of Schizophrenia by DJ Cushing

The Gift of Schizophrenia: A Testimony

DJ Cushing

Outskirts Press (2010)

ISBN 9781432763565

Reviewed by: Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (2/11)

From a psychological viewpoint, Schizophrenia is misunderstood and often treatment by non-educated therapists provides more crises for their patients. Author DJ Cushing describes his own journey through discovering his life falling apart, being diagnosed with Schizophrenia, and how others viewed him.

One theme that I noticed throughout the book was that doctors or therapists first hospitalize then they try to diagnose and help. As the author states, many times the information received is hard to understand, much less try to overcome. When one is hospitalized for psychiatric reasons they lose their identity-they become a label and have to follow everyone else’s rules.

Cushing’s journey is well written, easy to follow and understand. His writing gives readers an opportunity to get into the mind of those who are diagnosed with mental illness. His honesty is truly a gift to see what individuals experience every day. Sometimes these individuals are never given any hope of recovery and this adds to their stress and anxiety.

There needs to be more educational awareness on Schizophrenia. Individuals with this diagnosis, as with other mental health diagnoses, do not have a tail and two horns; they are not dangerous when on medication. Before we judge we need to learn the facts. DJ Cushing has provided us with his personal story in The Gift of Schizophrenia: A Testimony.

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week: A Chronicle of Endylmyr by: Charles Hall

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to get exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if they don’t know about it? Paired with other book marketing efforts, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr

Charles Hall

Outskirts Press (2010)

ISBN 9781432750282

Reviewed by: Tracey Rock for Reader Views (2/11)

A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr tells the story of The Eastern Khan who sets out to possess all known magical relics so that he may control the entire world. He already has obtained some of these artifacts, but knows that he must possess them all for the magic to work completely. So, he sends his most powerful legions to various communities, including Endylmyr to find them – killing anyone or anything that gets in their way. Those under attack soon form an alliance as they begin to realize that they do, in fact, have some of the artifacts that possess magic. Former mercenary Gylfalin, along with his cousin Pendaran – who has a magical falcon for a companion, form the allies of various parts of the world to battle against Khan. They know that hope for victory lies with magic that no one really knows how to use. As Khan’s legions move closer in on them, Angmere, a wizard historian, finds a clue in an ancient tome that foretells the tale of three witches that could be the key to their victory and defeat of Khan. One of the scholar’s daughters, Gwynyr, unites with two other women in their group, Hellwydd and Hilst, to form the trio described by Angmere’s scribe as the Endylmyr witches, in a last attempt to save their people.

A Chronicle of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr is a very interesting story and has a great premise. I felt the book was a bit long and it started to lose my interest in places – mostly because the book starts out strong and then in the middle it is a bit drawn out, but then it picks up towards the end. For those who enjoy fantasy novels, this one will be a good. The characters are well formed and there is plenty of action. The magical aspect of the storyline is intriguing and not over the top. Before you know it, you will feel transformed to Endylmyr and a part of the story.

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