from the archives, Holidays, Jodee Speaks, Kelly Speaks

From the Archives: “Merry Christmas Self-Publishing Authors!”

Welcome back to our new Tuesday segment, where we’ll be revisiting some of our most popular posts from the last few years. What’s stayed the same? And what’s changed? We’ll be updating you on the facts, and taking a new (and hopefully refreshing) angle on a few timeless classics of Self Publishing Advisor.

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[ Originally posted: December 24th, 2012 ]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all my readers! Unfortunately, there are many people who will not have the joyous holiday they imagined this year. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. Despite the tragedy they are recovering from, I hope they are able to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas: faith, love and family. For those of us who are blessed to be in the company of all of our loved ones, please keep those who need your support in your thoughts and prayers.

Too often, Christmas is associated with expensive gifts and frivolous spending, but Christmas should really be about love and family. This year, I challenge you to take a few moments to appreciate your blessings and to help those who are less fortunate. One of the easiest ways to do this is by spending a few minutes writing this holiday. You could write a poem, a letter, a short story, or even begin a chapter of the novel you’ve been putting off. Write about Christmas or your family, or use writing as a way to cope with the heartbreak that is saddening our country. Whatever you write, let it come from your heart.

Merry Christmas.

It’s hard to believe that the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings is rapidly approaching; and 2015 has seen no shortage of heartbreak. Paris grieved after the Charlie Hebdo newspaper headquarters was attacked in January, then grieved again when terrorism revisited the city in November. A heatwave in India and an earthquake in Nepal killed thousands. Over 59 million people will close out the year having been forcibly displaced from their homes––and often, their countries. These are just a few of the stories which have occupied Western headlines this last year, and they barely begin to touch the devastation and sorrow many have faced and continue to face around the globe over this holiday season. Now, more than ever, we must recognize that hope isn’t just a feeling but rather an action––a determination to enact positive change in a world wrapped round and riddled with trials large and small. Now, more than ever, Jodee’s words ring true: “Christmas should really be about love and family.”

Luckily for us, we don’t enter into this world without the most powerful of weapons at our disposal: Story. Consider this poem by Mumbai-based poet Sanober Khan:

Words
are powerful
forces of nature.

they are destruction.
they are nourishment.
they are flesh.
they are water.
they are flowers
and bone.

they burn. they cleanse
they erase. they etch.

they can either
leave you
feeling
homeless

or brimming
with home.

As Jodee pointed out, the act of writing is a radical one and can reshape our world into something a little more comprehendible, a little less sad. A note from a friend has the power to make someone’s day, and every carefully crafted book or novella or poem or other piece carries the potential to change lives for the better. The holidays offer us an opportunity to step back and reframe the conversations of which we are a part, to revisit past hurts and transmute our grief and our hope into action. There’s no better time to finish that book you’ve been writing for years, or to begin writing down those ideas which pop into your head in the middle of the night, or to reach out to a friend or neighbor or family member with a letter, an email, or a post to your blog. Holidays are a chance to heal, and to be healed. I hope you have the opportunity to heal, regroup, and emerge into 2016 with a clear head and a warm heart.♠

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive 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, kellyschuknecht.com.

Book Reviews, Self Publishing Saturday, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Saturday Book Review: “What I’ve Learned” (NOTE: coarse language)

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, courtesy of the Midwest Book Review:

What I’ve Learned : An Encyclopedia of Perpetual Bullshit

by Christopher Heist

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781478742487

Synopsis (from Amazon):

What I’ve Learned: An Encyclopedia of Perpetual Bullshit covers topics that affect us every single day, as seen through the eyes of Chris Heist. Just like you, he’s a nobody that wants to be a somebody. So he set out to write this book, losing two jobs, an apartment, and a marriage along the way.

In this book you’ll learn how to properly reject etiquette, how to legally stare into your neighbor’s windows, how to properly support suicide, how to make sense out of idiotic laws, how to insult people’s mothers, how to piss off religious people, how to write a screenplay, how to use taboo words without getting your ass kicked, how to play drinking games, how to handle holidays, how to use the bible to avoid paying child support, how to spot a scumbag boss, how to disgust hotel staff, how to behave online, how to deal with addiction, how to properly be patriotic, how to skip high school, how to say impolite things in German, how to choose heroes, and how to enjoy what you have with the time you have to enjoy it.

In his small circle of friends, he is both a legend and an asshole. But now, Christopher T. Heist can invade the lives of complete strangers as he shares his twisted perspective of everything he’s been exposed to. And yes, nothing is sacred. As a self-proclaimed actor, activist, poet, porn star, comedian, screenwriter, atheist, author, body-builder, recovered addict, part-time alcoholic, part-time racist, leader, winner, loser, counselor, ex-soldier, runner, bicyclist, laborer, prisoner, freethinker, singer, rapper, boxer, criminal, pimp, victim, street fighter, dirty fighter, dealer, director, graduate, guardian, sucker puncher, lover, photographer, model, artist, father, inventor, slave to the system, and all around survivalist; you may find yourself nodding in agreement to some of the crazy shit he hammers out in this book.

Critique:

A unique compendium, What I’ve Learned: An Encyclopedia of Perpetual Bullshit is a compelling read from first page to last. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, What I’ve Learned is as informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking. A seminal work of iconoclastic relevance to the world we all live in, What I’ve Learned is very highly recommended and instructive reading.

[ reviewed in the Reviewer’s Choice section of Midwest Book Review ]

Here’s what some other reviewers are saying:

This is a 782 page epic, filled with the musings, memories and meditations of one, Christopher T. Heist. Christopher touches on an assortment of topics, in alphabetical order, from Abortion and Addiction, to Video Games and “Ya’ Momma'” jokes. This book covers the entire spectrum of life, growing up as a wild child Philadelphia, PA and becoming a man abroad. Christopher Heist’s debut is clearly filled with passion and zeal, as he runs through the gauntlet of his life’s meaning and the messages that he wants to communicate with other “30-somethings” and a younger generation who are in the process of navigating their souls through this crazy world, or have already been through some crazy bulls***.

This book has made me laugh out loud and also connect with Christopher like a kindred soul. Not only are we from the same city, but we also both grew up in the same neighborhood and went to some of the same local schools. In fact, Chris’s mother used to babysit myself and my younger brother when we were very little kids, and I can even remember playing with Star Wars action figures and watching “Fraggle Rock” on HBO at Chris’s house. Our age and our circumstances aren’t exactly the same, but our philosophies, experiences and our defiance against the mundane nature of the current social and political orders that surround us, all line up in the same brackets.

This book is like a time machine, which takes the reader back in time to the 1980’s and in to the mind of an above average intelligence, lower middle class white kid, growing up in a racially mixed neighborhood, being raised by a family of hard working, stressed out and exhausted parents while trying to keep up with the pace and pressures of school, friends, bullies, gangs, drugs, thugs and violence that started to over take the neighborhood as the 1980’s became the 1990’s. I call this book “epic”, because of the vast scope of topics and issues that Christopher tackles in this book. It is an excellent read, and perhaps I am biased, because we both hail from the same global coordinates, but even if I grew up in some far away land, I would still love reading this book.

I’m looking forward to having my book signed and I hope that this book will help to launch Christopher T. Heist’s writing, sensibilities, philosophies, wisdom and his perspective in front of the eyes of as many fellow “bipedal apes” as possible.

– Amazon Reviewer mightydragoninc

If you have picked up What I’ve Learned expecting some enlightening book about life and the meaning and purpose of life, why we are here and what you need to do to enjoy life then you found the wrong book. If you picked it up for a humorous look at life, with a slightly irreverent tone and some sarcasm then you definitely found the right book! Author Christopher T. Heist takes a conversational approach and writes a book that flows from topic to topic about life, what he has experienced and been through, yet without the rose-colored glasses that most people tend to write with. This book tells it like it is, with a slightly irreverent, sarcastic and humorous tone.

What I’ve Learned flows more as one person talking to another than having a typical book like structure which makes it feel more casual and friendly. It also lends itself well to the whole concept of the non-serious and funny tone of the book. The subtitle of the book is An Encyclopedia of Perpetual Bullshit, that alone ought to tell you this is not going to be a serious tome! Author Christopher T. Heist takes a natural look at everything that comes to his minds, and lets it all flow out as it comes. This is a fun read and something that would be a great airplane ride read. It’s an adult book, although older teens would be fine reading it, and its just something fun and enjoyable with a little of everything.

– Goodreads Reviewer Michelle Randall

Thanks for reading! Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!

Self Publishing Advisor

Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 12/11/2015

LET ALL THE WORLD KNOW (Part II)

There is a MESSAGE to be told! For my author/friend, Lorry Lutz, her latest historical fiction novel carries the message of Faith, perseverance and speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. (See last week’s blog) However, at this very moment, readers around the world are being inundated with “tell-it-like-it-is” books by authors who have an interest in becoming President of the United States. These nonfiction tomes are, for the largest part, ghostwritten by folks who work with the “authors” to develop their True Story in an attempt to connect with “we the people.”

When I started writing these blogs, I promised myself that I would not be a “political blogger,” and I am NOT doing so today. However, as I’ve seen these nonfiction books HIT the bookstores and online shelves, I believe there is something of value for most all of us writers to learn from them—KEYS of Storytelling COMMUNICATION. If you don’t want to purchase any of candidate books you can check them out from the local library—then look through them for these well-developed writing techniques:

Chapter Titles create the basic book outline. If you’re a fiction writer (like me) I have always balked at “creating” an outline for my novel. There is just something within me that goes against my grain of creativity in doing this task. It seems counter-productive, especially when characters and their actions demolish any outline I’ve developed. However, for the nonfiction writer, the outline is crucial.
Character development. I once read that writing a biography is essentially writing a character analysis about that person’s personality and behavior traits. This is exactly what all writers do whether building a fictional character or developing the life-story about a real person (living or deceased). When you have that political personality’s memoir in your hands, make note of each of the character traits they highlight. Look for keywords such as: honest, good listener, tenacious, loyal, integrity, compassionate, optimistic, intimidating, high-strung, judgmental, bully, straight-shooter, faithful friend…etc.
Supporting characters. Yes, in all these true story biographical books, you’ll find other people mentioned who are or have been in relationship with the main character. These supporting characters develop the “character analysis” of the hero of the story. They will demonstrate how that person interacts with others and allows readers the opportunity to form an opinion—albeit, from well-developed, guided Here are some of the things we can learn from these lifetime character interactions:
1. Strongest childhood memories and favorite subjects in school.
2. Favorite personal books and movies.
3. Various occupations and maybe why they were selected.
4. Spiritual/Faith beliefs and how they make a difference in actions taken.
5. Family dynamics—with Mom, Dad, siblings, extended family and friends.
6. Personal dreams and struggles/obstacles in life.
7. Habits—good, bad and in-between.

My message for you today is this: Read! READ! And Read some more! Each and every time you read someone else’s published work you will learn something (consciously or subconsciously) that will enhance your own writing skills and abilities. Nonfiction biographies and political tell-it-like-it-is books, historical fictions, science fiction, poetry, memoirs, histories (of nations, social and cultural organizations, churches, arts, etc.) as well as magazines and newspapers, will increase your frame of references and resources. And as you’re reading, keep writing! Get your book(s) completed and PUBLISHED! ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.

digital census, futurebook, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

Demystifying the Digital Census : Are Publishers Unprepared?

For the last month, I’ve been unpacking The Bookseller’s Digital Census material (as made available in the FutureBook publication). The FutureBook‘s editors, Porter Anderson and Philip Jones, distill down the collated information into the top five current market trends for authors, publishers, and others invested in the digital publishing industry. You can see my thoughts on the first four points by following the links below:

One: Mobile overtakes tablets and dedicated e-readers as the device of choice

Two: Digital sales are still growing, but they are also slowing

Three: Self-love levels recede as many indie authors report lower satisfaction levels

Four: Publishing remains very much divided on matters digital

This week, I’m going to take a look at the 2015 Digital Census’ fifth and final trend as laid out in the FutureBook. According to Anderson and Jones, the last (but certainly not least) point raised by the data is one that ought to prompt serious thought among publishing professionals:

The future is a tricky beast to anticipate with any degree of precision, but it may prove more than useful–it may in fact prove necessary–to think about what’s coming before it arrives. I’m speaking specifically about the future of indie, hybrid, and self-publishing–and it looks like I’m not alone, given that the data collected in the Digital Census comes from end-user perspectives rather than data sets from industry retrospectives. (And Amazon is notoriously coy about releasing its internally-gathered data, so … draw from that what you will, I suppose.)

I’m not particularly depressed over the general feeling that the industry isn’t foresighted or flexible enough to adapt to future change … because I know that indie authors themselves are. Clearly they are, or else they wouldn’t be eyeing the industry so critically! And indie authors must apply their future-thinking in order to stay ahead of the curve and remain the avant-garde, changing what needs to be changed about the publishing industry from the outside (or, in the case of hybrid authors, partially so).

I’m also hopeful because, as the FutureBook indicates, indie authors and other book-lovers espouse the increasingly optimistic outlook that people are actually reading more than ever before. They might not be reading the say way or the same kind of book as they used to, but they are reading, and many of them are becoming writers themselves–again, in new ways and by finding new avenues for narrative-building and storytelling. This is an exciting time we live in and I, for one, can’t wait to check back in with you after the 2016 FutureBook is released and we see what else the world of digital publishing has to offer.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or contributions, please use the comment field below or drop us a line at selfpublishingadvice@gmail.com. And remember to check back each Wednesday for your weekly dose of marketing musings from one indie, hybrid, and self-published author to another. ♠

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive 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, kellyschuknecht.com.

from the archives, Holidays, Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “5 Ways to Promote Your Book in December”

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[ Originally posted: December 21st, 2011 ]

The holidays are here and while you are probably busy with holiday parties, baking, family gatherings, etc., don’t forget about book marketing. Here are a few things you can do this month to promote your book:

Give copies of your book away as holiday gifts.

Add a Kindle edition (or other ebook format). Many people will be giving away ebook readers as holiday gifts. Make sure your book is available in at least one e-bookstore for potential readers who will be browsing for books to read after they receive their gift.

Enter your book in the ForeWord Book of the Year Award contest. Deadline is January 15th, so submit it now before it’s too late.

Start planning for 2012. As you make your new year resolutions, consider your book marketing efforts and how you will increase or modify them in the new year. Reflecting on what worked well over the last year and what didn’t will help you plan for a bigger and better 2012!

Enjoy the season! Take a break for a few days to enjoy your family and maybe even begin writing your next book.

DISCUSSION: How are you planning to promote YOUR book in December?

It’s the time of year in which everything tastes like Pumpkin Spice and smells like peppermint … and along with all of the holiday buzz comes a slightly less pleasant sensation: the sinking feeling of knowing there’s just so much to do, and absolutely no time to do it in. At such times, it’s important to have a few concrete and manageable places to start–and my five-item list from 2011 remains (amazingly) a great checklist. It’s not every day that I can slip and slide back five years and find a post that ages as well as the one above, but there you go–holidays are magic, right?

Still, a couple of notes: the ForeWord IndieFab Book Awards, mentioned above, remains a wonderful resource for writers looking to get their titles out there. There is now an early bird discount if you submit before September 1, but … well, it’s now December so that’s a thought to keep in mind for next year. The final deadline (sans early bird discount) is still January 15th, and I fully believe you should bookmark that day in your calendar.

Also, you should check out my series from last year, “Christmas is Here Again: On Holidays and Happy Chaos” (see parts One, Two, and Three at the links)–a series which remains the most thorough holiday-related marketing advice that I’ve doled out to date. And my last admonition? It remains absolutely true today:

This holiday season, take time to breathe. Return to those ways and means that rejuvinate you. Cherish the stories you’ve written, and the stories you have left to write, and live.

I don’t know about you, but the holidays are as much a time of intense stress as they are a time of intense rejuvenation and joy. Sometimes I need reminding–perhaps more than many–that it’s okay to take a step back in order to re-evaluate what’s working and what still needs some finesse. Join me in regrouping this winter! ♠

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LET ALL THE WORLD KNOW (Part II)

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