Tag: self publish

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: Hoop Hussies

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:

Hoop Hussies

Hoop Hussies

Hollie M. Woods

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432770396

The game off the court often becomes more entertaining than the game on the court. “Hoop Hussies” tells the story of star player Jackson Midas, the NBA’s latest star, and his crossovers with love and everything else. With an assortment of girls and plenty of romance and intrigue, “Hoop Hussies” is presented in screenplay format and proves to be an intriguing and worthwhile read to consider.

Jodee Speaks

Marketing for Self Publishing Procrastinators: Part 3 – Create a Facebook Page

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.

Procrastinators love social media because it is a wondferul distraction. While you are procrastinating, why not make that time useful? Next time you want to spend time on social media instead of working on your writing, set up a Facebook page for your book or for you as an author. This is a great way to connect with your readers and promote your work. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  • Include a picture. Every social media page needs a professional picture. You could use the cover of your book or a photo of yourself. If you use a photo of yourself, be sure it is appropriate.
  • Get creative. Social media is a great place to flex those creative muscles. For instance, you may decide to post as your characters or engage readers in games.
  • Stay consistent. I am actually going to give you permission to check and update your Facebook every day, or at least a few times a week. To keep from spending too  much time online, set a schedule of when and for how long you will use social media. You still need to spend time on other writing and marketing tasks.

For the procrastinators reading this post, share your story in the comment section below. What are your biggest obstacles? Your greatest strengths? Why do you procrastinate? Now, get offline and go work on 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.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: The Trojan Horse Conspiracy: The Infiltration and Destruction of American Democracy

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 trojan horse

The Trojan Horse Conspiracy: The Infiltration and Destruction of American Democracy

Dick Nelson

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432795085

Reviewed by Leslie Granier

The original idea of a Trojan horse is found in Homer’s works. They recount how the Greeks were unable to overtake the Trojans militarily causing them to come up with a clever plan to infiltrate from within. They offered a large wooden horse. which the Trojans accepted as a peace-offering. However, inside the horse were Greek soldiers who, using the element of surprise, defeated the Trojans to win the war. In “The Trojan Horse Conspiracy” by Dick Nelson, the Russian and Chinese governments team up to formulate a long-term plan to secretly manipulate people and events to cause the US economy and government to crumble without any blood being shed. Through the use of timely political figures (beginning with Ronald Reagan) and events (including the 9/11 terrorist attacks) the author demonstrates just how far people are willing to go to attain world domination.

At the center of the story is Brad Tilsdale, a US government agent who is not big on following rules. However, he is extremely perceptive and has an excellent track record. As he gets close to uncovering the foreign governments’ plot, moles in the US government constantly shuffle him to different projects to keep their scheme intact. As he begins to realize something is not quite right with the situation, Brad really has to be careful about whom he can trust as he sifts through government bureaucracy and cover-ups.
“The Trojan Horse Conspiracy” is an amazing book. The author laid out the plot in such a way that the reader was allowed to know what was going to happen but had absolutely no idea what events would unfold to reach the endpoint. There were numerous plot twists, which made it more exciting to watch the story unravel. No one was above suspicion in this tangled web for the quest for political dominance.

I highly recommend “The Trojan Horse Conspiracy” by Dick Nelson. It will appeal to an adult audience of both genders. Having an interest in politics is not required for the reader to enjoy this story. Anyone who appreciates a finely crafted work that challenges the mind and soul will be pleased with this selection. I definitely will seek out new releases from this author.

Jodee Speaks

Marketing for Self Publishing Procrastinators: Part 2 – Sign Your Book

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.

This week, I recommend scheduling a book signing. This is a great way to interact with your readers and gain exposure. Contact your local bookstore or other venues (such as coffee shops or libraries) about hosting a book signing. Here a few tips to make the signing a success.

  • Personalize it – Always ask who you should make the message out to and double check spellings, even for common names. This makes the signed book even more special.
  • Make it legible – You never know, one day your  book may just be considered a collectible, so imake t legible. If necessary, practice your signature ahead of time.
  • Bring good pens – Obviously you will be signing books all day, so make sure you not only have plenty of pens but that you also like the way they write. Your signature is a reflection of yourself.
  • Display your cover – Enlarge and laminate your book cover to make a nice poster to display during the signing. This will help catch people’s attention at the event.
  • Share the news – Be sure to invite everyone you know and ask them to spread the word. Also, send press releases to local media to promote the event. You also share the news on your website and social media pages.

For the procrastinators reading this post, share your story in the comment section below. What are your biggest obstacles? Your greatest strengths? Why do you procrastinate? Now, get offline and go work on 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.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude

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 upside of down times

The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude

Lisa Ryan

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432790554

Reviewed by Jennifer Hass

I have to say that “The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude” by Lisa Ryan is just what I needed. In my own personal journey, it has been suggested that I work on being grateful for what I have. It is a struggle at times to remember that when it seems everything is going wrong, it’s not really everything.
This workbook has really good exercises that forces you to dig deep to find the good. In most cases, it’s not really that hard; it’s really about if you want to recognize it. Looking at things from a positive perspective is not something I do easily or even very often.
The first exercise follows a short story about a trip to a restaurant where Lisa had experienced exceptional service. She asked for the general manager’s business card and sent a note about the server. The next time she came in, he remembered her and had written her a poem of gratitude and how her small note touched his life in a huge way. The exercise says to write to or about someone who has provided excellent service to you. This one I had to skip because I haven’t been out much. I will do this the very next time I have a great experience.

Lisa goes on to say “Gratitude is in the details” and “gratitude is not a now-and-then thing.” Boy is that true! It takes practice to make it a part of your everyday life, something I have not ever done in mine. No wonder I haven’t had much positive reactions to life.
Another exercise is to go about your day and make a point to bring a smile to someone’s face and log what you have learned from the experience. This is just another exercise from the introduction part of the book.

This book is filled with great ways to reflect on yourself and remember the good in the life you have, even when everything is not at its best. I believe this is a great tool for me. I can imagine this would be great for someone in the process of recovery, and I mean recovery of all types; mine is co-dependency, so I am working on making my life more enjoyable and setting the past free.
“The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude” by Lisa Ryan is a workbook I will work over and over, so I chose not to write in the book but rather in a notebook so I can do this over and over. This is part of my new self-loving program, and I will even purchase copies for my friends that have similar struggles!