Archive for February, 2008

Wineville Chicken Coop Murders Unraveled in Self Published Book

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
self publishing
Michael McCain asked:


Ninety years ago, the 1920s were thought to be the Jazzing Age of partying, fun and flappers. A series of events that led to an abominable criminal case convinced the people otherwise.

Gordon Stewart Northcott was accused of abducting children, turning them into sex slaves and disposing their bodies on the ranch after killing them. Such a heinous crime transpired near the chicken house at the Northcott Ranch near Wineville. Hence, Gordon Northcott became synonymous to the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders.

Several boys fell prey to Northcott’s brutal hands and even his nephew, Stanford Clark, was not spared. Clark’s mom eventually found out where her missing son was and reported it to the police. The police’s revelation and Stanford Clark’s confession to his participation in the killings appalled the public when they discovered more dead bodies and missing children than expected.

James Jeffrey Paul wrote of how Gordon Northcott meticulously planned and plotted a murder case that botched up somewhere between his lack of talent and his crazy penchant for the criminal.

Nothing Is Strange with You is a self-published book that took James Jeffrey Paul decades to research and write. The author wanted to publicize the Wineville Chicken coop murder using the perspective of the criminal himself.

Nothing Is Strange with You is available on the online bookstores of Xlibris, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About Xlibris

Xlibris was founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Philadelphia, PA and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.

For more information, please visit the book publisher’s website , e-mail pressrelease@xlibris.com or call at 1-888-795-4247, to receive a free publishing guide.



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Untold Truths About Asperger’s Syndrome Unveiled in Xlibris Self-published Release, ‘aspie’

Monday, February 18th, 2008
self publishing
Michael McCain asked:


Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) or High Functioning Autism (HFA) is an autism spectrum disorder that affects around 1,000,000 Americans. In the Xlibris release, Aspie: Memoirs on the Blessings and Burdens of Asperger’s Syndrome, Dr. John Olson illustrates his ordeal with Asperger’s Syndrome. 

John shares his struggle with symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome, from physical manifestations to social, language and learning issues, as well as concerns of restricted interest – all of which were inherent in him until he was diagnosed with the condition at age 40. 

Aspie shows the implications of AS for one’s personal, social and work life. In this self-published book, John relates that one can lead a normal, happy life even when affected with Asperger’s syndrome. He also sheds light on the fact that by knowing some of the barriers of this disorder, anyone with Asperger’s Syndrome can work around them to their advantage and treat these effects significantly.

About the Author

Born in 1963, John Olson was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which, at that time was an uncommon disorder in the United States. He attended regular public school just like the other normal kids instead of being admitted to an institution for his special needs. John excelled academically with the help and encouragement of his teachers. In fact, he successfully obtained his Ph.D title. However, he still continues to struggle with unexplainable social behavior up until now. 

Dr. Olson has worked as a statistician, college professor and high school teacher. He is currently teaching in Mesa, Arizona and doing freelance writing as well.



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Self-Publish Your Book With National Distribution

Sunday, February 17th, 2008
self publishing
Daphne Succes asked:


Many writers struggle with constant rejection from the publishing world. A rejection, though a part of the industry, is difficult for writers at any stage in their career. You pour your heart and soul into a book, along with hours of work, only to hear a publisher indicate that it isn’t what they are looking for at this particular time. Many books that were otherwise snubbed by traditional publishing houses have gone on to be very popular. How? It’s simple. Self-publishing is an avenue that many new, or rejected, writers pursue.

When you hear self-publishing, perhaps you think about writing a book and taking it to a printer, paying for copies and doing all of the footwork to get your new work listed with major bookstores. But, thanks to the internet and an innovative new approach to publishing, that’s no longer the case. Sure, you still have to pen the book yourself but leave the printing up to someone else. A growing number of POD (print on demand) publishers are stepping up in search of the next bestseller. Print on demand is a term used to describe a publisher who handles all of the printing aspects, but on an as-needed basis.

The best self-publishing companies offer a variety of programs with the majority of them handling the issuance of an ISBN number and getting your book cataloged with all of the major online bookstores, including Amazon, Barnes



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Self Publishers Guide To The Best Cheap And Easy Book Marketing Tips

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
self publishing
Helen Hecker asked:


Whether you’ve just published a book or have a book that isn’t selling, now is the time to get to it; start marketing today! Self publishers need to have a good marketing plan to sell books and should be written prior to writing your book and in place a year prior to publishing your book. Your book selling, book marketing, and book promotion planning should begin before the manuscript is completed.

Your book press release should not be written as you would a sales letter or flier, it should be written for the editor and tell about your book in a factual way, no opinion or glowing remarks. Mail a press release to at least 1000 print and broadcast contacts just prior to publishing your title and again and again after you publish; you can never send too many.

Make sure you have at least one good press release, written in AP style, that you can send out for the lifetime of your book.

Using press releases can be a very effective marketing tool if used properly. Make sure your press release spells out the ‘who, what, where, when, and why.’ Learning to write and use powerful optimized press releases can often drive tons of traffic to your website while providing multiple back links that can lead to increased page rank and numerous top ten search engine rankings for your targeted keywords.

Don’t underestimate the value of a good press release for making book sales. Send out the same press release to the editor of your local daily newspaper every week until you are called for an interview or are written up.

Make five telephone calls a day that relate to marketing your book. Create an online contest and list it in online contest directories to drive traffic to your website. If your book solves a problem, focus on this in your marketing.

Get as many testimonials about your book, as possible, from experts in the field relating to your title, not customers; use on your fliers and back of books. I’ve seen publishers lose a lot of money paying for expensive display ads, so beware if you do this; I don’t advise it in the beginning — get your feet wet first so you know what you’re doing.

When you get a nice write up or feature about you and/or your book, have it laminated and set it up on an easel at trade shows.

Every day it’s important to focus on a variety of marketing approaches. If your book fits a specialty market, find a store that fits the genre and offer to leave books on consignment; many publishers have sold thousands of books this way. Make sure not to overlook the Internet; get yourself interviewed or profiled for sites both about writing, publishing and about the topics covered in your book.

Remember to make sure your book is listed in Books-in-Print; don’t assume its already listed. Submit articles to online article directories that focus on your book’s topic to drive customers to your website. Contact non-bookstore booksellers and offer to leave books on consignment.

Build a web site that provides another avenue for ordering, a virtual online press kit and link exchanges with sites that relate to your topic. Make sure to promote and market your book each and every day, both online and offline.

It’s important to publish a website that focuses on your title; you’ll be able to refer editors and customers and all interested parties to your book information with the click of a mouse. Local radio shows and television appearances are good but are often forgotten within hours of the broadcast; make sure to make or get a copy of any television broadcast for future promotions.

Make sure to do some serious marketing and promotion every single day, no excuses. Don’t delay another day if you’ve fallen by the wayside; make sure to focus on promoting, selling and marketing your book each and every day. One of the biggest problems self publishers and book publishers tell me about is the hundreds of books they have in inventory they haven’t set up a marketing plan for; don’t let this happen to you — get prepared now.



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5 Steps to a Perfect Self-published Book

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008
self publishing
jeanette mccarthy asked:


1. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT

Don’t even think about publishing your book until you are absolutely 100% certain it’s as good as it can be, and NEVER publish your book as soon as you have finished it. Put it away for a month or so. When you review it again, mistakes and typos will jump out at you.

Always use a spell checker. There are also some useful internet sites such as Autocrit, which will search your work for writing errors and weaknesses.

Ask other people to read your work, and listen to what they have to say. There’s a danger of getting too close to your subject, which means you don’t notice things that are glaringly obvious to others.

2. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

All self-publishing companies have their own formatting rules. Make sure you read and follow them. Keep to the font styles and sizes recommended, and don’t use more than one unless you really have to, as this tends to be distracting.

When you are looking at the computer screen, it’s difficult to imagine your book the way it will look on paper, so print out test pages to make sure you get it right.

Remember to number your pages, and make sure that the first page of your book begins on an odd number.

3. GET THE COVER RIGHT

Forget the old adage “never judge a book by its cover”. It’s worth investing in the best cover you can get, as this is the biggest selling point your book can have.

Many self publishing companies will produce a cover for you, but this means your book will have the same cover as thousands of others.

You don’t have to employ a professional designer, (although you can if you want to). Most people now have access to digital cameras, so why not produce your own unique cover? Alternatively, find a picture or photo online that you find both interesting and appropriate, and ask the owner if you can use it. Most people are only too happy to have their work adorn your front cover!

4. SORT OUT YOUR COPYRIGHT AND ISBN

Make sure you have a page in your book showing that you own the copyright. Most self publishing companies will supply the necessary wording for you. If your book is fiction, it’s also important to insert a disclaimer that none of your characters actually exist.

If you want to sell your book in stores, and in online bookshops such as Amazon, you will need an ISBN number. Again, your self-publishing company will help you with this, or you can purchase the number yourself from the UK ISBN Agency. You will then need to upload a bar code to your book cover. Again, there are dozens of internet companies willing to help you with this for just a few pounds.

5. GET A PROOF COPY

ALWAYS get a proof copy. Once you are holding the (almost) finished product in your hands, any mistakes in formatting are obvious. Make sure the bar code reads properly, and that the book looks professional. Compare it to another paperback, and make a note of any differences.

This is your last chance to put things right before your send your baby out into the wide world, so take the opportunity to edit it one last time.

And once you have made your changes, order another proof copy, just to make sure nothing has gone wrong somewhere else. I once managed to delete my entire front cover by pure accident. Thank goodness I sent for that final copy before I ordered a hundred copies!

And once you have your beautiful book there on the coffee table, it’s time to get out there and sell it. But that’s another story…



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Self Publishing Your Own Book: When Should You Consider It?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008
self publishing
Deanna Mascle asked:


Self publishing your own book is one of the publishing industry’s dirty little secrets. Mainstream publishers, editors, and authors easily dismiss self publishing and print on demand publishing as a rip-off for both the writer and reader. After all, if the writer was a real writer then they could find a real publisher, right? That has been the conventional wisdom for a long time but in today’s modern, technological society that conventional wisdom does not always hold true. So who should consider self publishing?

Real writers should consider self publishing. Published authors often find themselves placed in a prison of their own making. Once they have achieved even modest success in a specific niche it is often hard to break out of that niche and publish something different. However self publishing gives authors control over their own writing so they can change direction or genre if they choose. Published authors who have taken some time off from their writing often find it just as hard to return as it was to break in initially. They can often easily parlay their experience and audience into a successful self publishing career. Finally, writers who have an idea that does not fit neatly into one of the major publishing houses slots may find self publishing their only alternative. Just because it doesn’t fit into a neat slot doesn’t mean your book doesn’t have great potential — think about Diana Gabaldon and J.K. Rowling.

Control freaks should also consider self publishing. Once you sign your baby over to a major publisher then you lose control of your book. The publisher can slap a horrible or inappropriate cover on it, change its name, or even alter the main characters. Your name will go on the book but what is published may be drastically changed from your original creation–and not always for the better. Think it won’t happen to you, or that you won’t care as long as you get the royalty check, then think again. I can tell you that I still cringe whenever I have to claim a book I published in 1998. It’s not the book that makes me want to crawl under a rock–but the cover and title the publisher slapped on it.

Money grubbers should also consider self publishing. While the independently wealthy may consider their art reward enough the rest of us need to eat and pay the mortgage (not to mention buy paper and pens) so money does matter. And of course, we want all our hard work to be rewarded. In our capitalist society that reward should be monetary. While self publishing may require you to put up some of your own money and traditional publishing will instead offer you an upfront payment, the final balance sheet will tell you a much different story. The initial advance from a traditional publisher will be small (unless you are Stephen King) and may be the only money you receive for your book for a long time — and perhaps ever depending how your book sells. Any book royalties you receive will be for a small percentage and will be spread out over years to come as well as held ransom for book returns. The final indignity is that your book’s sales depend greatly on the promotional effort your publisher puts into it. The ugly truth is that the publisher does not much care about your baby and will rarely put any extra money, manpower, or thought into how to promote your book. Most midlist and lowlist authors conduct (and foot the bill for) their own promotion. At least when you self publish you know you will be on your own and you can factor that into your budget.

If you are a real writer, a control freak, or a money grubber (or perhaps some combination) then you should consider self publishing your own book.



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