Ebooks are bigger than ever, with recent news of Borders jumping into the mix this month. Aside from actually selling your ebook, did you know that an ebook edition of your self-published book can actually work into the promotion of your hard copy book.
Its no secret that the distribution of an ebook is quicker and more affordable. With your electronic ebook file, you can literally sell the same “thing” over and over again. By giving people a choice between your ebook and your paperback, you offer them two different price points. You can even publish portions of your ebook as a ‘teaser’ to promote your hardcopy book, selling one to literally sell the other.
If you don’t have an ebook edition, there is no better time than now to get one. If you have an ebook edition of your book, perhaps you are already using it to promote your hard copy version on places like Amazon’s Kindle Store, iPad, or any number of other new distribution options.
Rolling with the PunchesRolling with the Punches
Jamie Kerrick
(2010) ISBN 9781423754471
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views
Living in a small town in Kentucky, Joey Douglas always knew he was different, but he just couldn’t explain it. When he tried to talk about his confusion, his dad always said “Roll with the punches.” Joey didn’t even know what that meant but he would soon find out. Joey always had a fascination with female movie starts and singers. He would pantomime them behind closed doors in his room. He felt he could really relate to these entertainers.
Readers will follow Joey as he learns to navigate the system and not tell anyone how he really feels. He’s looking for love in all the wrong places. After traveling to Europe to study and having the time of his life, he is now moving to New York. What a strange and exciting place. Here was a place where one could be openly gay, yet Joey still had difficulty coming out. He was lost. His family didn’t know what to do with him or how to help him, so they sent him to a priest- oh yes, the priest helped him okay- they were sexual together and then the priest acted like nothing happened which only confused Joey more. Alcohol was his redeemer and at least for a few minutes or hours it helped him forget. Yet those he knew and thought were his friends continued to use and abuse him
The author has great insight into what it is to be different, the disgust of others; the affection and the times you can’t even figure out where you fit into the world. His vivid descriptions of what goes on in Joey’s head are incredible. Readers will get the opportunity to see what it’s like to be gay in our character’s mind and how he uses comedy to avoid others paying attention to him. What I read between the lines is that regardless of your gender identity, everyone wants to be loved and love. Does it really make a difference who we love?
Joey’s dad, whom never understood him, was dying of cancer- Joey didn’t know what to say, but his dad finally said he “knew” and was proud of him. After his dad’s death Joey had to be there for his mom and his decision was to take her to movies and Broadway shows, an outlet for both.
From my psychological point of view, this was both humorous, yet very important. Do we ever really look at how someone feels or what their concerns are? We are so caught up in “us,” we don’t give others a second thought. I have discussed this book in my Psychology classes (college) since many of my students are GLB. All want to read it. I think all the general public needs to read “Rolling with the Punches” – walk in their shoes for just a few days and then see if you still feel the same.
Have you ever read a newspaper article and seen a quote from the author of “such-and-such” and wondered how that could happen for you? Did the writer of that article just happen to know that author and call him up on the phone?
Sometimes, yes, but usually no. More likely, that author responded to a “quote request” that was sent out by either that article author or the newspaper. Thousands of articles are written every day on thousands of subjects, which gives you thousands of opportunities to get quoted – if only you knew how to hear about the opportunities.
There is a website that sends quote requests to you. Check it out. You may find it valuable, depending upon the type of self-published book you have written (non-fiction is more applicable to these types of services than fiction). The website address is: www.GetMediaLeads.com
“Where do you even start?” was the question posed to self-published author Craig Juntunen as he spoke with press about his book Both Ends Burning, his orphanage foundation, Chances for Children, and how you can help rebuild after last week’s devastating hurricane in Haiti.
No one listens to a heretic. “The Last Byzantine” tells the story of one of the last heirs of the Roman empire, and the Spanish Inquisition that seems to be intent on preventing the truth from getting out. But it seems this truth may be what’s needed to stop the oncoming Ottomans from marching right into Europe and claiming it as their own. An exploration of medieval politics with allegories to the modern day, “The Last Byzantine” is an exciting work of prose that encourages the reader to ask many questions.
Self Publishing Advisor 