Tag: self publish

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: The Killing Game

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 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 Killing Game

J.C. Stevens

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432769086

Reviewer: Marty Shaw

“The Killing Game” takes place in the 70s, which is a fitting time period for a book that evokes the spirit of a 70s-style pulp thriller. The main character, Bronk, is an old-style tough guy that doesn’t apologize for the things he’s done, and Bronk has done some things that make him a very bad boy. One particular dirty deed committed by the world-weary assassin might factor in to you deciding if you can root for the “hero” of the story or not, because author J.C. Stevens has mixed fact with fiction so that Bronk was part of the conspiracy that killed John F. Kennedy.

Shortly after that infamous episode of his life, Bronk got out of the assassin game and lived his life as a barber, but a guy who lives by killing others can never really retire so Bronk is once again sucked into his old lifestyle. The job seems deceptively easy – grab a government witness from her FBI babysitters and deliver her to the guy that can make sure the wrong information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. Unfortunately for Bronk, there are more than two players in this particular game, and knowing who his allies are becomes an impossible act.

The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the action has that gritty feel of pulp novels from the past. Bronk might not be a likable guy, but he’s realistic. He’s good at what he does, but he’s not superhuman and he’s far from perfect. His motives reveal some of the pain he feels from past sins he’s committed and he knows that his future is more likely to hold visions of fire and brimstone than a glimpse at the pearly gates. He knows this and he’s comfortable with the knowledge of it.

“The Killing Game” has a large supporting cast of characters, and it’s occasionally easy to lose track of who’s who, but the story never veers off course and the ending offers a bitter-sweet conclusion that is very fitting for Bronk. While he might not be a hero, he’s not actually a villain either. In the end, he’s just a guy who’s good at his job, and it’s not entirely his fault that his job is killing people.

Wendy Speaks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you  are enjoying this holiday. As you sit around the table and think about all the things you are thankful for, you might want to think about that book you have been meaning to publish. Sharing your story with the world is a great way to show how thankful you are for all the blessings in your life. Afterall, your book is a gift to the world, and it is priceless to those you share it with, whether your readers are family and friends or a targeted group such as young adults. After you’re done enjoying your turkey, take some time to think about your book, and consider finally taking the publication leap. We are here to help you every step of the way.

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.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self-Published Book Review: Modern Disciples

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 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:

Modern Disciples 

Ian Anderson

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432772703

In every faith, there is truth. “Modern Disciples” is a fantasy series set on modern Earth as Ryan Hunter learns that the Greek Mythology he cherishes is very much true, but so are the legends and myths that everyone else follows. In the story, a war between the god of the world and the Titans themselves may not end well for the mortal world. “Modern Disciples” comes with plenty of original ideas, very much worth considering.

Wendy Speaks

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Phantom Tollbooth

The Phantom Tollbooth is a classic children’s adventure novel written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer. The novel tells the story of Milo, a bored, young boy who receives a magical tollbooth that transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Since publication, The Phantom Tollbooth has been adapted into a film and play.

Published in 1961, The Phantom Tollbooth is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In honor of this children’s classic, take a chance and publish your own children’s book. You never know, your book might just be the next Phantom Tollbooth.

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.
Wendy Speaks

Famous Self-Published Authors: Virginia Woolf

Almost everyone who has ever taken a literature course has heard of Virginia Woolf. She is regarded as one of the most important women writers; but did you know that most of her work was self published?

Virginia Woolf wrote essays, short stories and novels, most of which were self published through Hogarth Press. Woolf and her husband founded the company in 1917 to hand-print books. According to Beja Morris in “Critical Essays on Virginia Woolf,” today Virginia Woolf is considered “one of the greatest novelists of the twentieth century and one of the foremost modernists.”

Next time someone tells you that real writers only use traditional publishing houses, tell him or her that Virginia Woolf self-published most of her work and is now considered one of the best writers in history. Sure, many successful writers traditionally publish their books, but many writers also successfully self-publish their books. Don’t let stereotypes determine the destiny of your book. Do what is best for you. Self-publishing might just make your dreams come true.

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.