Tag: self publish

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: The Beads of Lapis Lazuli

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 Beads of Lapis Lazuli

The Beads of Lapis Lazuli

Doris Kenney Marcotte

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432760540

Cincinnati housewife and mom Katheryn Marshall was on vacation with her husband Dan in Crete when she purchased an ancient strand of lapis lazuli. They went back to Ohio, but for the next two years she obsesses over returning to Greece to visit Dhia Island in order to complete the ancient historical romance she is writing. Her husband Dan objects, but though rare in their marriage, she informs him she is going anyway.

Accompanied by psychic archeological hunter Jake Deupree, she goes to Greece without her family. There she begins to examine the three and half millennia Minoan mythos of Theseus and Ariadne. She finds anomalies with the legend, so she digs deeper seeking the truth.

This is an entertaining look at the Minoan ancient culture mostly through the historiographical lenses of twenty-first century interested parties but with a neat twist enhancing the glimpse through time. The cast is solid but the conflict even between the married couple is muted. Still this is an interesting tale as a Buckeye housewife obsesses over looking beyond the legend of Theseus and Ariadne.

Kelly Speaks

Who Reads Poetry?

In honor of National Poetry Month, I’ll be sharing tips and news for poets this month. Today, I’m going to address the common question, “Does anyone still read poetry?” A recent study called Poetry in America by the Poetry Foundation revealed some interesting information on this topic. Here are the highlights.

  • Readers in general, and poetry readers in particular, tend to be women and adults with higher levels of education.

  • While some people may imagine that poetry readers are quiet and perhaps loners by nature, we find that they are a vibrant, active and sociable group.

  • Parents and teachers are most often cited as people who were influential during people’s early experiences with poetry.

  • Slightly less than one-third of current users read contemporary poetry exclusively and an additional 23 percent read both classic and contemporary poetry.

  • Non-users do read or listen to poetry when they come across it in unexpected places.
  • People share poetry with one another.
  • Libraries, books clubs and the Internet are among the untapped resources for sharing poetry.

  • Regardless of whether people still read or listen to poetry, many of them can recall the names of poets, titles of poems, and can recite lines of poetry.

You may be wondering why this information is important. As a self publishing poet, it is essential that you understand who your readers are and how to reach them. This will help you publish work that is appealing to your audience and to market your books effectively.

I’d love to know, how often do you read poetry and what types of poetry do you read?

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.
Jodee Speaks

What Makes a Great Poem

April is National Poetry Month, so it is a great time to break out your notebook and start writing poems. But what makes a great poem? While poetry is often about personal interpretation and preference, here are a few general guidelines.

  • Use language correctly. Poetry needs to be well written, even though there is room for ambiguity. If you are going to break the rules, make sure you are doing so intentionally.
  • Make it valueable to the reader. People connect with poetry for a number of reasons. For instance, the poem might illustrate emotions that are difficult to express or reveal a reality.
  • Offer hope. Poetry is a powerful medium for overcoming difficulties in life, and great poetry can offer hope to the reader.
  • Be sincere. Great poetry is written from the heart. It is not forced. It is genuine.

I’d love to know, how you define great poetry?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; 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, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: Amazing Grace

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:

amazing grace

Amazing Grace

Carol Cline

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432769949

A bit of faith can lift the lead weight of guilt from one’s life. “Amazing Grace” is a Christian spiritual guide from Carol Cline, who advises readers to find their connection to Christ and use his guidance to over come any crisis in one’s life and shine their light through it all. “Amazing Grace ” is poignant and recommended reading for any looking for enforcing Christ back into their life.

Jodee Speaks

Marketing for Self Publishing Procrastinators: Reward Yourself

It often seems as though the terms writer and procrastinator go hand in hand. Many authors find themselves constantly putting off finishing or promoting their book. Maybe it is because the amount of work that goes into writing and promoting a book seems daunting or because authors aren’t sure where to start. Whatever the reason, I am here to help.

The key to overcoming procrastination is taking small steps towards accomplishing your goals. In this series of posts, I am going to help all of you procrastinators to promote your self published books so you can start increasing your exposure and sales.

Rewards are a great motivation tool. To help you finish and market your book, create a list of goals. For example, your list may include write 5,000 word, send out 5 press releases and create a Facebook page. Next assign a reward for each goal. For instance, you may treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, a new book or a special lunch out. Be sure to choose rewards that are practical but motivating, and try to match the reward to the difficulty of the goal. For instance, finishing your manuscript deserves a much bigger reward than updating your Facebook five times this week.

I’d love to know, how do you use rewards to help you finish and market your book?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; 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, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.