Dorrance Author Blog

Thinking outside the box!

2012-02-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

It's time to think outside the box! Publishers Weekly has featured book launches that take place in an arcades while Poets & Writer's has covered readings done in laundry mats. These are excellent examples of how to think outside the big box stores like Barnes & Noble. It's estimated that nearly half of the books sold in the United States are sold outside of bookstores.

Our authors have always been excellent at thinking outside the box. Last year we had events at a honey farm, several restaurants, many festivals, and even a beauty shop. Congrats to all of you on thinking of unique ways to reach your audience! If you're thinking of planning your own unique event let's take a look at some of the basics that you might need.

Each book is different, each author is different, each crowd is different, and even the weather is always different. Some things to consider before a book event:

Advance advertising: Make sure people know you will be at the event.
Your pitch: You only have about 30 seconds to get someone interested, so think ahead of time about what can you say in that time to catch the interest of a passerby.
Table: Make sure to have a designated signing space
Chairs: Plan for at least two chairs at your signing area.
Tablecloth: Make sure to bring one in a single color that coordinates with your book.
Cash box: Make sure you have enough change if you are collecting money for sales.
Sales tax: Each state and county is different, so check with your local tax representative.
Books: Depending on how your book has been selling prior to the event, you’ll probably need between 20-50 books.
Pens: Bring a couple of pens with you in case one decides not to work.
Scratch paper: If you’re personalizing the autograph, have the customer write down the name of the person they want it made out to.Nothing is more frustrating than wasting a book because of a misspelled name.
Signage: Most events provide a small sign, but you may want to consider a poster (talk to Alexandra Zamorski to order a poster).
Swag: Postcards, bookmarks, swizzle sticks, balloons, bottled water, and tissues can all be made into swag with your book information on them.
Tent: This may be necessary if you are at an outdoor event or as shelter from rain, snow, and/or possibly the sun.

You plan book events pretty much the same way that you plan a birthday party - the guest of honor is the author and their book. Don't forget to invite some special guests to your event, you know who they are, booksellers, librarians, perhaps a local book club. You may want to consider making special swag bags (gift bags) for these special guests that include a free copy of your book and ordering information.

Build Your Own Damn Mousetrap: A Primer on Starting and Running Your Own Business video

2012-02-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Reviews!

2012-02-07T13:22:00.000-08:00

These reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewers, we do not alter them in any way.

Be Cool, Follow Earth's Rule

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434902501/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_imgLord

Midnight

http://randomlifelists.wordpress.com/

Prescription to Kill

http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com/prescription-to-kill/

Behind the Iron Curtain

http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2012/02/e-book-review-behind-iron-curtain-tears.html

Shifters
http://www.amazon.com/Shifters-James-F-Campbell/product-reviews/1434908275/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Grandma's Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/270585176

The Ripple Effect

http://www.amazon.com/Ripple-Effect-S-Lee-Kanner/product-reviews/0805951997/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Gallienus Chronicles

http://www.amazon.com/Gallienus-Chronicles-Vol-Road-Throne/product-reviews/0805977597/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Aphelion Book One

http://hald-reviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/aphelion-book-one-adventure-review.html

https://twitter.com/#!/HaldReviews/status/164101622459416578

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/265406052

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A304BF11MIQEBX/ref=cm_pdp_rev_title_1?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R1LWVWBN8FMOSI

Gandhi's List of Social Sins

http://rockstarwife628reviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/gandhis-list-of-social-sins-edition.html

http://www.librarything.com/work/12220419/reviews/82440598

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/265698394

http://www.amazon.com/review/R16S197FO9Y9YO/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

A New Look at the Universe and Why We Are Here
http://rhapsodistreviews.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/new_look/

Twelve Wisdom Steps
http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Wisdom-Steps-Andrea-Travers/product-reviews/1434912280/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-twelve-wisdom-steps-by-rev.html

Ten Fantasy Lectures on the Sun, Moon, and Stars
http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Fantasy-Lectures-Moon-Stars/product-reviews/1434985199/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Poems to Enjoy
http://www.amazon.com/review/RTCKLMR0JLQ6H/ref=cm_sw_em_r_asr_-fi7D.00YZSDN_r

Face to Face with the Prince of Darkness
http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434912566/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?collection=1

http://www.shelfari.com/lcjohnson1988/shelf

Navajo CodeTalkers
http://www.amazon.com/review/RARZXH1DSWX88

UFOs Are With Us
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805958681/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

The Mysterious Dream Book
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1VLQKFE9D6GU7/ref=cm_pdp_rev_more?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R2MKFDD410LQU

Social media - one negative and one positive experience

2012-02-06T13:11:00.001-08:00

We've talked about soft selling - reaching out to people on multiple levels to connect with them - vs hard selling where you just keep putting that book information in front of them. There is an article today on Trending Now about an actor's experience trying to hard sell his new movie. It's worth going over to read, if for no other reason than to say "Wow, I'm glad that didn't happen to me." It was on Reddit, which is a social media news site, in the Ask Me Anything section.

Harrelson's new movie "Rampart" was all the actor talked about, even if the question was not about that. Apparently, Harrelson was under the impression that he would be promoting his new movie and not be responding to personal questions. ... When Harrelson responded that he wanted to answer only questions about the film, members of the chat began flooding him with criticism and more personal questions. ...Another person summed up the actor's appearance on the site by saying, "This is the crappiest AMA in the history of the Internet."

While you don't need to give out personal information remember to keep any chats that you may have positive. Get a bad review? Say "Thank you for the feedback." Showing that you have class during a negative situation can be a great thing. If you read the article you'll also note that Tiquan Underwood, who was released from the New England Patriots the day before the Super Bowl, gained nearly 5,000 followers to his Twitter feed after showing how classy he was. Throughout the big game he was positive and people really responded well to that.

When people asked why Underwood took the high road and was not making disparaging remarks about the team that gave him his walking papers, he responded, "I'm rooting for the Patriots because I have class...envy gets you nothing/nowhere. Grow up people." Now Underwood has definitely left a mark on Super Bowl XLVI without even playing in the game -- a mark that will not soon be forgotten, because he kept a positive attitude.

From my email box

2012-02-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

Re: Satan's Looming Identity Crisis! The Final War in the Age of Reason

by I. A. Mallone

Also, I am happy to report that the TV & Radio ad did generate an hour long radio interview. It went quite well and the host wants to do it again. The actual interview can be found at: http://www.philmikan.com/images/audio/pmshow/PMShow_01-23-12.mp3 .....

Thanks again,

I. A. Mallone

Bolingbrook, IL author event information

2012-02-03T15:25:00.000-08:00

April 2012 is the 53rd Anniversary of National Library Week. The theme this year is “You Belong @ Your Library”.

To celebrate books and foster a love of reading, Fountaindale Public Library will host an Illinois Author Fair. This event is meant to be the capstone for the library’s National Library Week celebrations.

The event will be Saturday, April 14 from 11 a.m. until 4p.m. at 300 W. Briarcliff Road in Bolingbrook . We partner with Barnes & Noble Booksellers to sell authors’ books.

We would like to extend to you an invitation to join us. Last year we had 30 authors and over 300 members of the public come through the event. We will provide you with table space for you to display your works, sign autographs, and meet with fans. Breakfast treats and lunch will also be provided.

Please let us know if you will be attending as soon as possible. Space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. If you have any questions, please contact the library at 630-685-4220.

Please let them know by February 17 if you want to participate.

The Importance of Social Proof

2012-02-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

There is a good article over at the Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/penny-c-sansevieri/the-importance-of-social-_1_b_1241930.html - about the importance of social proof. What exactly does that mean? We'll it's showing that you actually do hang out with the 'cool' kids instead of just thinking that you do. Read the article for the details but here are a few things to look for to verify that your social media campaigns are working.

What's the real breakdown of social proof? There are several areas that can pull in social proof for you. You don't need all of them but three or four would be great. Let's take a look at what they are:

* Likes
* FB shares
* Twitter followers
* YouTube Views
* Email subscribers
* Awards
* Reviews
* Screenshots

Laughter -- An African Paradox book video

2012-02-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Reviews!

2012-01-31T07:31:00.000-08:00

The reviews below are the sole opinion of the reviewer, Dorrance Publishing does not change them in any way.

Shifters

http://weread.com/profile/Wanda+Soto/7D0C8C6A-C219-476C-8CFA-399BFE2D198C?con_sandbox=booksiread&container_type=booksiread&reviews=1

Seeing Around Corners

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1IHNE343HJXT4

The Seer

http://www.amazon.com/Seer-Martha-Harris/product-reviews/1434910032/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-seer-martha-harris/1004783660?ean=2940013449183

Prescription to Kill

http://lgib-bookreview.blogspot.com/2012/01/prescription-to-kill-elizabeth-sellers.html

Encounters with Fear

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805966218/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

At Last Life

http://www.amazon.com/At-Last-Life-Sharon-Emery/product-reviews/1434905985/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

This Gospel

http://haroldsays.typepad.com/the_bible_says/2012/01/this-gospel-the-foundation-by-frank-j-ovec-book-review.html

Wisdom Gone Wrong

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/257358453

Mummy, I Have to Go Potty

http://perplexedpastor.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-mummy-i-have-to-go-potty-by.html

Beauty

http://novelchick02.wordpress.com

Aliens Among Us

http://www.amazon.com/Aliens-Among-Us-Would-Extraterrestrials/product-reviews/1434912108/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Amazing Book!

2012-01-30T13:24:00.001-08:00

Parody of Amazon's Kindle commercials.

Screenwriting vs. Novel Writing

2012-01-27T06:46:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard of author Ed Gaffney you may have heard of his wife, Suzanne Brockman. Between them they have many novels that have not only received critical acclaim but have also hit the NY Times Bestseller list. About a year and a half ago, they co-wrote a screenplay called “The Perfect Wedding” with their son, Jason. I've been following along on Suz Brockmann's Troubleshooters World page as they've gone through the process. Now, the movie is in post-production and Ed is talking about the differences between writing a novel and writing a screenplay. Click here to read the article.

The Day Debt Moved In video

2012-01-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

New author event photos have been added!

2012-01-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Author events in the US, Brazil and India are among the photos that I added today. Enjoy!

I'm Not Afraid

2012-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

In the September edition of The Next Chapter I talked about the soft sell. Taking what you're passionate about and making it work for you. As we discussed then, part of that is opening yourself up. It can be scary to share your excitement with strangers - what if they think you're weird or they don't like you? Most of the time it pays off with a positive experience and you have to focus on that (or if perhaps refine your message, which is a whole other blog post) when you're writing.

Over at SavvyAuthors.com, Christine Kling shares her experience of opening up to readers.In the post she talks about how saying "I'm Not Afraid to Admit I'm Afraid" brought more FaceBook posts and personal emails than anything she had said previously. "In writing fiction, those kinds of connections are gold. You want your readers to connect to your characters, the same way my blog readers connected to me. If you play it safe when you write, it will show – not in a good way. Your writing will have as much excitement in it as the art on the walls in a Motel 6 room.

It's a great article so check it out at Savvy Authors - I'm Not Afraid to Admit I'm Afraid by Christine Kling

Tuesday Reviews!

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

The reviews shown below are the sole opinions of the reviewer and have not been changed by Dorrance Publishing in any way.

Why Do Catholoics Worship Mary?

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Catholics-Worship-Mary-Book/dp/0805975403/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325051511&sr=8-1

http://borgmanreviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-do-catholics-worship-mary-is-very.html

ShaTTered Reflections

http://www.amazon.com/ShaTTered-Reflections-Julzee/product-reviews/0805961690/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Chocolate Rabbit

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?ean=9780805978179&pc=BK

Royal Teas with Grace and Style

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251757038

Living Prayers

http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-living-prayers-by-jerry-b.html

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Prayers-Jerry-Hood/product-reviews/0805956867/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Just to Die

http://www.sassie2000-myblogbooksreview.blogspot.com/

Codename: Beowulf

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1ZVE76ZPX4PNE

The Littlest Elf

http://the-edge-of-the-sky.blogspot.com/2011/12/littlest-elf-review.html

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/244297313

A Death in Panama

http://www.librarything.com/work/12076433/book/81160932

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434909344/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251083652

Conspiracy on the Hudson

http://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Hudson-Donald-B-Keelan/product-reviews/1434908666/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/

Darkness in Dallas

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3A264KDSLO3R0/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

The Seer

http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com/2011/12/the-seer/

The Myth About Being Liked (on Facebook)

2012-01-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

These days it seems everyone is after "social proof," that elusive number of Likes or Followers that will make you seem part of the "in crowd." Unfortunately getting someone to like you is only half the battle, you must now get them to stay "in like" with you.Studies show that the expectation of content does vary by age, but the direction is still the same: it's more than just getting someone to "Like" your page, you now must learn how to keep them. With all the social media options out there it's critical to not just build numbers, but maintain them, too. In order to do this, it's important to know what users want and when they want to see you post new content.

As I pointed out earlier, content expectations vary by age. For example, Facebook users between the ages of 18-26 have the lowest expectations of receiving something in exchange for their "Like" endorsement. When you go up the next rung, ages 27 to 34, they are more likely to expect something solid delivered in a Facebook update. But the users with the highest expectations, and those you are likely serving, is the 35-51 age group. This is also the group most likely to unlike a brand if it fails to meet expectations.But it's not only about having great content, it's also about creating great engagement. A study done by Roost.com evaluated 10,000 Facebook fans across 50 industries and found that certain posts leverage more engagement than others. Here are some of their findings:

* Photo posts get 50% more impressions than any other type of post
* Quotes get 22 percent more interactions
* Questions generate almost twice as many comments
* Ask questions to spark dialog (questions often see twice as many comments) and consider fill in the blank posts which tend to receive 9 times more comments than other posts.

Now you have the content down, and you know about the types of posts that will get more play than others, is there more to posting than just content and post-type? You bet. There are also time-specific posts that often do better than others. Here are some quick tips on how to improve your Facebook Wall posts:

* Posts delivered between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. tend to receive 20% higher user engagement
* Best day for Fan engagement? Wednesday - up by 8%
* How many posts does it take to increase user engagement? If you're thinking more frequent posts you are wrong. Posting one to two times per day produces 71% higher user engagement.
* When it comes to Facebook more is not better, sometimes it's just more. Posting with 80 characters or less receives 66% higher engagement. Very concise posts, between one and 40 characters, generate the highest engagement.

Finally, users do vary. How can you really know if your fans are engaged with your content?

Understanding Facebook Content Interaction

Fan Pages now have a fabulous feature called Facebook Insights. Head on over there for some really interesting information and insightful (hence the name) data.First, you can find Insights on the left side of your page. Once you're there you can see all sorts of data on the information you post.

1) Reach: This is the number of unique people who have seen the post for 28 days after publishing the post.
2) Engaged Users: These are people who have engaged with your post in some way: i.e. clicked the link.
3) Talking about this: This is an interesting number and you've no doubt seen this pop up right under your "Likes." These actions are: liking the post, commenting, sharing the post, responding to a question, or RSVPing to an event.
4) Virality: This is the number of people who have created a story from your page post.

It's not just about getting "Liked," it's about staying "Liked." Creating insightful, helpful, and engaging content is one piece to the puzzle, the other is timing and receptiveness of your fans. Though I've outlined 'general' user guidelines in this piece, be sure to check the Facebook Insights for key data that will help your fan base thrive!

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com

The 2012 Growing Good Kids Book Awards

2012-01-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

If your Dorrance published book meets the criteria described then contact me and I'll help you with the application.

The Junior Master Gardener Program and American Horticultural Society (AHS) honor engaging, inspiring works of garden and ecology themed children's literature through "Growing Good Kids - Excellence in Children's Literature" Book Awards Program. The mission of the book awards program is to recognize those children's books that are especially effective at promoting an understanding of, and appreciation for plants, gardening and the environment.

***The 2012 Growing Good Kids Book Awards Committee is CURRENTLY ACCEPTING nominations for books published in 2011. The nomination form is attached. Nominations must be received by April 23, 2012.***

Award winners are selected from children's picture books that are plant, gardening and ecology-themed. The criteria for selection encompass two primary areas:

1. The power of the story to:

* engage children

* effectively promote an understanding of and appreciation for gardening/plants and the environment

* convey a positive message effectively

2. The power of the illustration/design to:

* appeal to children

* represent the story effectively

* promote an understanding of and appreciation for gardening/plants and the environment

Someday: Superwillie newspaper mention

2012-01-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Smith E. Wood on being mentioned in the Dothan Eagle. http://www2.dothaneagle.com/lifestyles/2011/dec/21/locals-publish-books-ar-2910106/

Wood, a Mississippi native who now lives in Eufaula, is also the author of “Beyond Childhood,” “Useless” and “The Phoenix Couple.” His latest book, Someday: Superwillie, shares the tale of William Ramon Daniel Change, a man rising above his circumstances to change his destiny after a childhood of heartache and turmoil.

Good News: New Knowledge Has Come and Blood on the Sun video

2012-01-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

Tips for book success through blogging

2012-01-18T20:16:00.000-08:00

Great content is key when blogging but just like with your book, great content doesn't mean that people will find you without taking other action. You can do your audience a favor by letting them know about your existence. A few things to think about -

* What is the first thing I want a reader to think about when they visit my blog? You should be able to spot it within just a few seconds. If you've lost your focus then reassess. You want visitors to not just land on your site by accident but rather visit with a purpose. The purpose of this blog is to help authors.

* Use promotions as part of your overall strategy. Guest bloggers, give-a-ways, etc. can all help you reach out to readers. Use copies of your book as one of the giveaways or give free copies of your e-book away. Ask your guest bloggers to bring a copy of their book to give away. If you are a guest blogger on someone else's site be sure to give them a copy or two for their readers.

* Have a system. The system designed to bring visitors back to your blog could be an email list, it could be an active RSS subscriber base, and it could be a huge following on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to convert readers into fans and make them repeat visitors.

* Connect with other authors. Everyone stresses this because in the end it is very hard to succeed in the long term without help. Take the time to build relationships.

* Be flexible and have a multipronged approach. If you never go anywhere or talk to anyone how will they know you and your book exist? Include your blog site on the book promotion material you distribute. Visit other social media outlets like FaceBook, Twitter, etc.

Success is obtainable but it does require hard work and playing it smart. The most important step is the first step - you have to get started before you can go anywhere.

Reviews!

2012-01-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

Want to know what readers are saying about Dorrance books?

The Navajo Code Talkers

http://grandmalovesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-navajo-code-talkers-by.html

The Life of Mary Mother of God and Praying the Rosary

http://borgmanreviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/life-of-mary-mother-of-god-and-praying.html

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Mary-Mother-Praying-Rosary/dp/1434907015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324016420&sr=8-1

Symbiotic Sex

http://www.amazon.com/review/RQCZFESZERDDW

Diary in the Attic

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9026805-diary-in-the-attic

Baubles, Bangles, and Dirty Deeds

http://www.amazon.com/Baubles-Bangles-Dirty-Deeds-Trebilco/product-reviews/1434902242/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Cradle and All

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2JPCKCTQYQN9G

The Christmas Conversation

http://maybeteenauthor.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-christmas-conversation.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/RD7PWNXDVLWF3/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805969276&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode

The Magic Christmas Tree

http://kerrificonline.blogspot.com/2011/12/magic-christmas-tree-by-carolyn-irby.html

Ramblings of a Ranger

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3FOB3VGG1JMTP/ref=cm_sw_em_r_asr_7L7vC.0ZAJT20_r

Under the Mulberry Tree

http://weread.com/book/0805970894/Under+the+Mulberry+Tree/editions?con_sandbox=booksiread&container_type=booksiread

One Good Man

http://www.amazon.com/One-Good-Man-Virginia-Foster/product-reviews/1434906221/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Diary in the Attic

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/249129547

http://www.amomfromtheburbs.com/2011/12/diary-in-attic-by-cindy-l-freeman-book.html

Email from an author

2012-01-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

Hi, Kathleen,

In your December issue of "Book Notions," you encouraged us to share any promotional activities occurring with our books. This, then, is to let you know that my book, This Was Meant to Be, was reviewed on December 4, 2011 in the Pasadena Star News, the San Gabriel Tribune, Pasadena's Rose magazine, the Whittier Daily News, and Pasadena Scene magazine. Here is part of what staff writer, Michelle J. Mills wrote:

"Find solace and inspiration in "This Was Meant to Be: How Loss and Vulnerability Generate Passion and Success" (Dorrance Publishing $35.00) by Linda Jones Simmons. In this part memoir, part self-help book, Simmons

shares key moments from her life . . . along with tips to finding happiness and success . . ."

Sincerely,

Linda Jones Simmons

The True and Shining Heart of Love Puppy newly released video!

2012-01-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

Jenniflower's World of Enchantment Video just released on 1/4/12

2012-01-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

Components of Book Marketing Strategy

2012-01-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Fusco, a Advertising Excellence Award winner, has an article over at Romance University about creating a successful book marketing strategy. She believes there are seven key points. To check out all seven click here.

#1 – List your goals. So, you have a book to market, what’s your goal? To sell $1000 worth of books? To make it an Amazon.com bestseller? To have your e-books out sell your print copies 3 to 1?

Whatever your goal is, write it down. Writing down your goal(s) will keep your marketing strategy focused. When you see your goals on paper, you work harder to find a way to achieve them.

The Joy of Books

2012-01-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

Shelf Awareness included this little clip about what happens after a bookstore closes for the night in their newsletter yesterday. I though it was cute and worth sharing.

The Many Shades of Indigo" by N.B. Edge Kirkus Review

2012-01-10T08:44:00.000-08:00

In his debut novel, Edge tackles abuse, homosexuality and heartbreak in hopes of championing the cause of abused kids. Read the entire review at http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nb-edge/the-many-shades-of-indigo/

"The book is packed with tragic, raw events that have the potential to tap into readers’ own feelings of pain and alienation."

Reviews!

2012-01-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

As always the reviews listed below are the sole opinion of the poster, Dorrance does not change them in any way.

Hailey and the Castle

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/245512366

Wisdom Gone Wrong

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A9J4K6T18N08G?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

Lord Midnight

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=R3-JUxnh-p8C&dq=Lord+midnight+miller&ie=ISO-8859-1&sitesec=reviews

Haunted Estate Sale

http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2011/12/haunted-estate-sale-book-review-by.html

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?ean=9781434910370&pc=BK

The OR Chronicles

http://farmgirl797.blogspot.com/2011/12/or-chronicles-greg-skibo.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434908569/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Who is the Girl in the Picture

http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com/2011/12/whoisthegirlinthepicture/

200 Quick Cash Jobs

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Cash-Jobs-Todd-Abernathy/product-reviews/0805974059/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Mullet Masters.

http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/book-review-the-mullet-masters-by-james-malcolm-holding-iii/#respond

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13238814-the-mullet-masters

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805971475/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mullet-masters-james-malcolm-holding/1008496837?ean=9780805971477

Scotland's Defiance

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/247083506

Presumed Faithful

http://lgib-bookreview.blogspot.com/2011/12/presumed-faithful-kelly-watterson.html

Nineteen Years of Living in Hell

http://crystaltrentdotson.blogspot.com/

Savvy Authors - Promotion and Authors by Roxanne Rhoads

2012-01-09T04:11:00.000-08:00

Savvy Authors - Promotion and Authors by Roxanne Rhoads

There is a nice article over at Savvyauthors.com about promotion. Be sure to check out the entire article by clicking on the link above. Here is a sample to quirk your interest.

Which brings me to the next thing an author needs to utilize…social media- Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads- these are some of the most popular social media outlets for connecting with readers and other authors. The idea is to build is solid foundation of reader and author followers. Do this by posting fun and informative tweets and updates- not just promo. And you can link all your accounts together through apps at Twitter and Facebook or through outside apps like HootSuite.

Aunt Harriet and Me - Our Life in the Boarding House video

2012-01-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Patty Pruitt fan

2012-01-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

We just have to share a note from a pair of happy readers who loved Spring Break with Paddy O'Rourke by Patty Pruitt.

"Dear Ms. Pruitt, It is a good book. I can't wait to get the next one. I liked when Jason played a trick on Greg and David. And my favorite part is when they put pacifiers in their mouths. It is funny. The scary part was the fireworks. I enjoyed it. I've always liked when Paddy O'Rourke played tricks on Jason. It was a good book."
That's Noah, the six-year-old son of an Acworth, GA father who met Ms. Pruitt during a local booksigning. He was excited to take the book home to Noah, who's in the first grade.

"We thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and look forward to the next one. I'll keep checking to see if there is a book signing close to where we live so Noah can meet you. We are lucky that his school fosters a love of reading and writing. Thank you for your amazing story!! Happy Holidays!"

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T06:41:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. I know I definitely enjoyed my vacation but since the weather turned colder today I'm happy to be back in the office. Let's kick off 2012 right! What are your New Year's Resolutions? Anyone have big plans for their book?

One Man's Opinion: A Suggested Rewrite for the Constitution of the United States video

2011-12-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

North Carolina Tar Heels' Greatest Football Games video

2011-12-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

How To Embed Tweets in Your Blog - GalleyCat

2011-12-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

How To Embed Tweets in Your Blog - GalleyCat

Twitter has now made it possible for bloggers to embed a tweet in a post. While there are directions available on Twitter, I had a better understanding of the process after reading the directions on GalleyCat. In brief you are supposed to do the following:

1. First of all, make sure your Twitter page has the updated look.

2. Point your cursor at the upper right hand corner of the tweet you would like to embed in your post. The word “Open” will magically appear. Click that.

3. Click on the “details” button.

4. Click on the “Embed this tweet” button

5. Select the kind of embed code you would like to use, just like YouTube. Then cut and paste the code into your blog.

Trust me when I say that this makes a lot more sense when you look at the pictures on GalleyCat's blog so follow the link at the top of this post back to the original article.

Fourteen Visits to Heaven: A Blind Man's Journey video

2011-12-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

More reviews!

2011-12-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

Dorrance Publishing does not change these reviews in any way.

The Stone

http://www.amazon.com/Stone-David-P-Welden/product-reviews/1603880364/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Rear View Mirror

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3LXU6WTC7D898

A Lost Connection

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connection-Allan-Neil/product-reviews/1434911829/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

The Enchanted Camel

http://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Camel-Sherry-Cottingham/product-reviews/1434906388/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Faith for Tough Times

http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Tough-Times-Victorious-Living/dp/0805968288/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1321755370&sr=8-20

Love and Consequences

http://booksbysteph.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/loves-and-consequences-by-blake-hughes/

http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Consequences-Blake-Hughes/product-reviews/0805967990/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_2?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addTwoStar

The Big Bang

http://www.amazon.com/review/REGDSSYXNNGR5

Inner Window

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13039671-inner-window

Shifters

http://www.amazon.com/Shifters-James-F-Campbell/product-reviews/1434908275/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Leave Well Enough Alone

http://weread.com/search/book/Leave%20Well%20Enough%20Alone

Dark Folds

www.kdewi15.wordpress.com

Loveless in the Nam

http://inaminute-beckie.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-nam.html

The Ten Mile Creek

http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Mile-Creek-Stephanie-Sharp/product-reviews/0805978283/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Lord Midnight

http://www.amazon.com/review/R29AMV9GGEVGL9

Review of Loveless in the Nam

2011-12-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

''Frank Loveless is my kind of hero, and I am eager for the next book in this series. I hope Boersema cranks it out fast.'' —David Willson

http://vvabooks.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/loveless-in-the-nam-by-jim-boersema/

Nice review by The VVA Veteran

Yes! Libraries do help sell books.

2011-12-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

We've had many discussions about how libraries can be important to the promotion of your book. Yet I still hear from authors who are upset because a copy of their book is in their local library. I'll be honest, that drives me crazy so I was very happy to read a Publisher's Weekly article about a recent survey that shows that library patrons can be your best customers.

“Our data show that over 50% of all library users report purchasing books by an author they were introduced to in the library,” Miller noted. “This debunks the myth that when a library buys a book the publisher loses future sales. Instead, it confirms that the public library does not only incubate and support literacy, as is well understood in our culture, but it is an active partner with the publishing industry in building the book market, not to mention the burgeoning e-book market.”

Read the entire article at http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publishing-and-marketing/article/49316-survey-says-library-users-are-your-best-customers.html

Top 10 E-Books for November

2011-12-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of our e-book bestsellers!

Switching Heads, by Tom Sullivan
When Silence Speaks, by N. C. Marks
DEA Special Agent, by Lew Rice
The Used Car Money Machine, by Robert Cohill
The Little Horses of Tarquinia, by Marguerite Duras, trans. by Ann Lenore Derrickson
Holding Hands with Heroes, by Jack Kassinger
The Oasis Project, by Art Adkins
Middle-Class America, by Thomas Justin Bowes
Night Shift Diary, by R. August King
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates - Day by Day, by Rick Cushing

Top 10 Printed Books for November

2011-12-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of these authors!

Poems to Enjoy, by Jim McCurry
Enjoy Your Natural Teeth for a Lifetime, by Dr. Edward L. Martin
Self-Identity: Unbelievers, New Believers, and Mature Believers, by Kyu P. Hwang
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates - Day by Day, by Rick Cushing
The Trials of War: A Journey Toward Freedom, by Lee Raymond Baker, Sr.
Jesus' Way: God's Guaranteed Blueprint, Pastor David J. Bowers
The Human Conspiracy, by J. M. Wiseman
The Simple Dictionary for Classical Musicians, Sho-Mei Pelletier
Satan's Looming Identity Crisis! The Final War in the Age of Reason, by I. A. Mallone
The Portrait, by Julio J. Orvananos Archer

Reviews!

2011-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

These reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewers. We do not change them in any way.

Shattered Lives

http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Lives-Finding-Alzheimers-Dementia/dp/0805948120/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323209123&sr=1-1

The Day I Met Mickey Mantle

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434911799/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Old Love, New Life

http://weread.com/review/Old+Love,+New+Life/3462762

Romancing in the Light

http://www.librarything.com/work/10895538/reviews/80610239

http://rockstarwife628reviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/romancing-in-light-edition-2008-by-nina.html

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/243367036

http://www.shelfari.com/books/26578136/Romancing-in-the-Light/reviews/3300349

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2F90LGGF0KWI/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Alone in Unity

http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-alone-in-unity-by-faris.html

The Apostle Paul

http://www.eph514blog.weebly.com/

A Friend is a Great Thing to Be

http://www.librarything.com/profile/Lisa_Miller/

Beauty

http://lesaphinesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/beauty-extraordinary-tale-by-teresa-m.html

Opal Moon

http://www.3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com/

Grandma's Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook

http://www.amazon.com/review/RP7PVGVS8RYUS/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805962867&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

http://succotashreviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/grandmas-back-to-basics-all-natural.html

South African Gourmet Food and Wine

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A27OMJJ914NORW/ref=ya_26?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

Legalized Murder

http://www.amazon.com/review/R37RLYMXFJXRZ8/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004RZH3GI&nodeID=133140011&tag=&linkCode=

Squabbit

http://www.amazon.com/Squabbit-Illustrations-Ann-Yates-Mertz/dp/1434911454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322426699&sr=8-1

http://moms-heart.blogspot.com/2011/11/squabbit-book-review.html

The Used Car Money Machine

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2BH0T5X1NX4V1/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2BH0T5X1NX4V1

The Seer

http://www.amomfromtheburbs.com/2011/11/seer-by-martha-harris-book-review.html

Untold Jesus

http://rockstarwife628reviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/untold-jesus-two-thousand-year-old.html

http://www.librarything.com/work/11970716/reviews/80262085

http://www.shelfari.com/books/4954064/Untold-Jesus-The-Two-Thousand-Year-Old-Secret/reviews/3278735

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/238606107

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2C0KXY4LYJQ94/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Sister or Sista

http://weread.com/book/1434910342/Sister+Or+Sista/FBK-1434910342_-8?src=search

My Brother's Keeper

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805976930/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Tempered Justice

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?ean=9780805977523&pc=BK

Maggie, I Love You

http://www.booksrusonline.com/2011/11/review-of-maggie-i-love-you-by-ronald.html

The Oasis Project

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/WriteReview.aspx?ean=9780805976045

http://weread.com/search/book/the%20oasis%20project

Rumpelstiltskin versus Miller

http://www.amazon.com/review/R26FBUXEJQ1QER/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805960244&nodeID=283155&tag=&linkCode

Poetry for the Revolution: Prophet and Poet video

2011-12-09T07:17:00.001-08:00

New video for My Doggie Trip

2011-12-09T07:02:00.001-08:00

Nine Ways to Give A Better Book Reading

2011-12-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Nine Ways To Give A Better Book Reading This is a nice article that addresses the little things that can make a book reading a sleeping experience and some tips on how to avoid them. Included topics are -

1. Test The Microphone and Logistics in Advance

2. Don’t Begin With Thank You

3. Don’t Read The Book to The Audience

4. Match the Talk to Your Strengths

5. Err on the Side of Too Little

6. Set Up the Questions and Answers

7. Prepare for the Obvious Questions

8. Repeat Questions for the Audience

9. Don’t Limp to the Finish Line

Books-A-Million opens 41 new stores

2011-12-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

In November Books-A-Million opened 41 new stores. Many of the stores are friendly to local authors and hosting events. We have successfully worked with them in Florida and Georgia. Below is the list of new locations:

-- Ames, IA
-- Auburn, ME
-- Bangor, ME
-- Barboursville, WV
-- Butler, PA
-- Charleston, WV
-- Columbia, MD
-- Concord, NH
-- Cumberland, MD
-- Cuyahoga Falls, OH
-- Davenport, IA
-- Dubuque, IA
-- Dulles, VA
-- Eau Claire, WI
-- Edwardsville, IL
-- Exton, PA
-- Hanover, PA
-- Harrisburg, PA
-- Merrillville, IN
-- Monaca, PA
-- Monroe, MI
-- N. Canton, OH
-- N. Conway, NH
-- Niles, OH
-- Pennsdale, PA
-- Rapid City, SD
-- Salina, KS
-- Sandusky, OH
-- Scranton, PA
-- Selinsgrove, PA
-- South Portland, ME
-- Southern Pines, NC
-- St. Clairsville, OH
-- Traverse City, MI
-- Valley Stream, NY
-- Vineland, NJ
-- Waldorf, MD
-- Waterford, CT
-- West Lebanon, NH
-- Westminster, MD
-- York, PA

Why Parents Still Want to Read Real Books, Not E-Books, to their Kids

2011-12-02T07:05:00.000-08:00

Why Parents Still Want to Read Real Books, Not E-Books, to their Kids

Short article on why e-books are not taking over the children's department at the local bookstore. I thought they made two very valid points; first by pointing out that interactive 'books' for the iPad are much more like movies than books and the second about giving your child an electronic device that reads to them skips the bonding that cuddling up with a book and a child brings.

Why is this important to you as an author? More than 25% of some adult literature is sold digitally, but e-books targeted at kids under 8 account for less than 5% of total children's book sales. Which means that if you're the author of a children's book it is still just as important for you to do the physical book events as ever. Building an online audience is nice but may not be where your market is.

Book Clubs

2011-11-30T12:12:00.000-08:00

BookBrowse.com Surveys Readers

A few highlights from this survey of readers that you may want to take note of -

Book Clubs
•Two-thirds of book clubs plan their reading 2-3 months in advance or less.
•85% say they read books by local authors at least occasionally.

Technology
•65% regularly use social networking sites, ranging from 95% penetration among 18-34 year olds, to 37% for those aged over 75.

Is it worth your time to reach out to book clubs, especially using social media? Yes, just be aware that they plan their reading selections well in advance so don't be surprised if they say it will be a bit before they read your book. Not quite sure where to start? Check with your local library to see if they have a book club.

The 'Simple Twitter Rule' at Omnivore Books

2011-11-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

The 'Simple Twitter Rule' at Omnivore Books

I really liked this article and recommend that you seriously consider her strategy as you work to market your book.

How does Omnivore Books on Food, San Francisco, Calif, use Twitter to help it thrive? O'Reilly Radar noted that the store's co-owner Celia Sack "follows a simple Twitter rule: one-third personal, two-thirds professional."

"You don't want people to feel marketed to all the time," she said.

Ghostly tome dedicated to late wife - Lake County News-Sun

2011-11-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

Ghostly tome dedicated to late wife - Lake County News-Sun

Lifelong Lake County resident Edwin Bieda’s book started as a diversion from medical problems for himself and his late wife, Alice. ...

“I thought I’d do it for her,” Bieda said. “It’s all for her because she was with me when I completed it.”

Alice died of fourth-stage liver cancer on March 26, 2010. ...

“I’m very pleased with it. Everyone likes my cover — I designed the cover and all the illustrations,” Bieda said.

“Why Me” is Bieda’s first book. It consists of eight autobiographical short stories in 88 pages related to his experiences seeing ghosts. ...

“I’m not planning to write another book. She (Alice) was the one who inspired me to go for it. She gave me that enthusiasm to do it — she was my instigator. That’s how we spent more than 40 years together,” Bieda said.

Adwords

2011-11-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

As part of our promotional efforts here at Dorrance we use a program called Adwords. What is it?

In 2000, Google released a cross-platform advertising user interface that revolutionized the face of internet advertising. This software is called AdSense: Dorrance Publishing uses one of AdSense’s main components, AdWords.

AdWords offers cost-per-click, cost-per-thousand, and site-targeting advertising for banner ads, rich text, and international distribution. Ever look at the ads that come up on the side of your screen when you do a Google search? Ever wonder where those sponsored ads come from at the top of your Google results page? Those are ads produced by AdWords software.

Copywriters and advertising engineers write ads using Google’s AdWords interface, which for books includes the author’s name, book title, a short byline and link to the book through the Dorrance website, and a list of relevant keywords that relate to the book.

We write advertising copy for our books based each book eligible for online promotion. Oftentimes, general keywords get low “quality scores” and don’t trigger high visibility for that ad. Therefore, instead of using generalized words like “fiction” or “book”, we use highly specialized keywords that pertain specifically to the book’s content. Words we choose relate to what we think people using Google will search for. Tailoring each book’s keyword list and byline to a specific type of user is crucial and takes creativity and a big dictionary, but it is the specifically designed AdWord list that garners the most success.

When an ad created by our Promotions Department comes up on either Google.com, or on one of their Display Network Sites, including sites accessed through AOL Search, Ask.com, and and Netscape, a user can click on the link provided and will be redirected to that book’s respective Dorrance page. The linked pages give book information, author information, and most importantly, ordering information. From there, users can buy the book and generate revenue for the author.

Success through AdWords is not meant to be a once-and-done deal. The use of internet advertising means that these ads last for a long time and reach a vast range of people. With over two billion internet users worldwide, Google AdSense allows millions of internet searchers access to Dorrance authors, getting the word out about new literature to the world.

Off the chain

2011-11-23T10:52:00.000-08:00

Off the chain

Looking to support local bookstores this holiday season? The Chicago Tribune has a list of some of the best independent bookstores in Chicago.

More reviews!

2011-11-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

As always these reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewers, Dorrance Publishing does not change the reviews in any way.

Loves and Consequences!

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3VF5T0XZ957ZT

Chronicles of Armageddon

http://www.novelchick02.wordpress.com

One Good Man

http://arodriguez509.blogspot.com/

My Life: Raped and Abused By My Biological Father

http://crystaltrentdotson.blogspot.com/

Pudgemuffin

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12340991-pudgemuffin

The Story of Senor Pico

http://bookwormfamily.com/2011/11/07/the-story-of-senor-picola-historia-del-senor-pico-by-anne-guatemala-and-reiko-takai/

Oh! What God Can Do!

http://www.amazon.com/Oh-What-God-Can-Do/dp/1434908585

Naked I Fled

http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Fled-J-Harold-Thomas/product-reviews/0805949801/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Haunted Estate Sale: 2 Angry Spirits
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/227009860

http://www.amomfromtheburbs.com/2011/11/haunted-estate-sale-2-angry-spirits.html

Maggie

http://www.shelfari.com/books/18308309/Maggie/readers-reviews

Diary in the Attic

http://books.google.com/books?id=jTGtku5zGn8C&dq=The+Diary+in+the+Attic&sitesec=reviews

On the Wings of a Dream

http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Dream-Cynthia-Piercey/product-reviews/1434909956/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Eminent Plague

http://www.amazon.com/review/R4WCRY3M2PE13/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1434911667&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

Matthre - Gift from God

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A9A5ESWRUQ3PM/ref=cm_pdp_rev_title_1?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#RER3ZK23C9Z4U

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/matthew-gift-from-god-sean-haines/1007952542

Mind Coins

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews?ie=UTF8&action=submit

Twenty Twenty

http://www.amazon.com/review/R364I0D47YZU0T/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805962735&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

The Axis of Shame

http://books.google.com/ebooks?id=jsnGLWlImR4C&dq=hasiotis&as_brr=5&sitesec=reviews&hl=en

To Whom it May Concern

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12736490-to-whom-it-may-concern

Vengeance is Mine

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/221517522

Guillaume

http://www.amazon.com/Guillaume-William-Adams-Littell/dp/0805977570/ref=pd_rhf_cr_p_t_1

Is an e-reader in your holiday plans?

2011-11-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

Several people have asked me which e-reader they should get a friend/spouse/child for the holidays. There is no easy answer as each person has different needs and each e-reader has different strengths. The Nook is the e-reader offered by Barnes & Noble, while the Kindle is offered by Amazon. Sony e-readers can be used at Books.Google.com as can iPads. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you're shopping.

Where does your friend buy their books?
Amazon continues to be the preferred source for e-books (70%), followed by Barnes and Noble (26%) and Apple, but libraries are gaining ground.

My friend can no longer read regular print books. Will they be able to use an e-reader?
One of the best things about e-readers is that regardless of which one you purchase they all have the ability to change the font size. Can't read the newspaper anymore because the print is too small? If you can master an e-reader then you can read any e-book.

How tech savy is your friend?
One bonus of having a Nook is that Barnes and Noble does offer in-store support, as do Apple stores for the iPad. However, many of the places that you can buy a Kindle, as well as other e-readers, include basic in-store support. These stores include places like Best Buy and Radio Shack. Wal-mart also carries several different e-readers although I've never experience their product support before.

Do I need color?
The color features can be great if you are reading children's books and magazines. If you are purely a reader of books then the color feature may not be as important to you.

If you want to get into the technical stuff there are plenty of websites that can assist you. If you'd like a side by side comparison then check out this Wikipedia entry.

What is electronic editing?

2011-11-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

Dorrance is proud to present electronic editing as one of the newer features offered to its authors. This process consists of a reading of the manuscript to improve consistency in spelling, capitalization, and hyphenation; agreement of subjects and verbs; correction of grammar and punctuation, and other such mechanics of written communication. This editing is limited to the English language. We will perform no rewriting, reorganization, or suggestions for improvement of presentation, content, literary expression, or style of writing of the manuscript.

A technological advancement from the old-fashioned “pencil on paper” editing, electronic editing is performed by making copy edits directly into the manuscript text file using the tracking changes features present in Microsoft Word. By tracking changes in a document rather than simply deleting and adding text, we can make revisions to a document without losing the original text. In this way, we can neatly and clearly show you the changes we are suggesting to be made within the copy itself. You will be able to perform real-time comparisons between your original manuscript and our mechanical editing suggestions.

Reviews!

2011-11-17T10:59:00.000-08:00

Looking for the personal opinion of readers? Check out these reviews:

The Ecycle Equation

http://rhapsodistreviews.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/ecyle_equation/

Bird Nest

http://books.google.com/books?id=2X0xfmPZaScC&dq=birds+nest,+wagoner&sitesec=reviews

Native Treasure

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A27OMJJ914NORW/ref=ya_26?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

The Color of Reseda

http://www.librarything.com/work/11930862/details/79878388

Chocolate Rabbit

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2GJ2EMUBCWGCA

Vengeance is Mine

http://www.3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com/

Ky the Butterfly

http://the-edge-of-the-sky.blogspot.com/2011/11/ky-butterfly-book-review.html

Grandma's Back to Basics....

http://grandmalovesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-for-grandmas-back-to-basics-all.html

Enespuro

http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-enespuro-land-of-unicorns-by-ali.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/RIONMDT48XI4G/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/234112965

http://books.google.com/books?id=4QbQFZ_VdQkC&sitesec=reviews

Whimsy with Wire

http://www.amazon.com/review/RLE2LKM28387R/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RLE2LKM28387R

Lorinda

http://lesaphinesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/lorinda-set-of-six-books-review.html

The Mystical Bloom

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1458LI62EN1VD/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Maria

http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/book-review-maria-maria-and-the-pearl/#respond

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434909018/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11981740-maria

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Maria/Ghaliah/e/2940012859587/

E-book reader sales

2011-11-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

A new report by analyst firm Juniper Research forecasts that eReader shipments will reach 67 million by 2016, nearly triple the 25 million devices the company expects to reach the market in 2011.

Maria!

2011-11-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

http://www.theresident.com/2011/11/16/norwich-author-publishes-tribute-to-italian-grandmother/

What started as family chats around the kitchen table at the home of Richard Wallace has taken the form of a new book, Maria! – a loving tribute to his Italian grandmother Maria Cocolicchio. It all came about in an amazing way....

“The editor said they felt the book was educational and they wanted to publish it! They sent me a proof in June and asked me to read it to make sure everything was okay and all the pictures were in the right spots. The artist did a beautiful job designing the cover. I am very happy with the way it turned out.” Richard decided to use the pseudonym “RoW” because he liked the way it sounded. Presently semi-retired, he is an ordained minister.

Author Jennifer Weiner on writers using Twitter: ‘Leave them wanting more’ | Poynter.

2011-11-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

Author Jennifer Weiner on writers using Twitter: ‘Leave them wanting more’ | Poynter.

Nice interview with bestselling author Jennifer Weiner on how she uses Twitter. Below is a quick preview, above is the link to the entire article.

I see writers whose every tweet is a version of “buy my book,” or a link to a Goodreads review, or a retweet of someone who’s said something nice about something they’ve written. Automatic unfollow, automatic turn-off. I do some self-promotion, especially when I’ve got something new to promote, but I’m careful to mix it up with other content — funny links, retweets of other people’s observations, book recommendations, jokes, anything else that I, as a reader, would want to see.

Finally, these are my pet peeves, but if your first tweet every morning is some variation of “I need coffee,” I unfollow. That’s not tweet-worthy, that’s more of a casual complaint for a spouse or roommate only. Same with tweets about the weather (unless you’re planning on changing it). Remember, you’re speaking to an audience — make it interesting.

Veteran's Day salute to our authors

2011-11-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about working in the publishing industry is all of the interesting people that you meet. Today, in honor of Veteran's Day, I'd like to introduce you to just a few of our many authors with military experience.

Melissa Leigh Farmer, author of Army Strong Women

Melissa Leigh Farmer is a soldier, writer, freelance columnist and student. She is the 2008 Army TRADOC Warrant Officer Instructor of the Year. Chief Warrant Officer Three Farmer currently serves in the military at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Warrant Officer Recruiter and lives in Louisville.

Paul E. Perrone, author of Toy Soldier

Paul E. Perrone joined the United States Air Force to serve his country, but at the same time knew the benefits offered by the military were a bonus. Even though an opportunity existed, he did not attempt to shirk his duty when the Gulf War erupted and his unit was deployed overseas to take part in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, putting his life on the line to ensure the success of the fight for freedom. Now medically retired from the military, Paul E. Perrone continues to serve as a veterans' advocate.

James W. Conlin, author of Caitlin: A Soldier's Tale

James W. Conlin is a retired military Intelligence specialist. A native of Schenectady, New York, he received a political science degree at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and a Masters degree in education from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. Since retiring, he sings in the Beethoven Mannerchor—a German chorale.

Robert Gary Haller, author of Life of a Bluenose

Robert Haller had a United States Merchant Marines career. His book is a vividly descriptive account of the dedication and determination that characterized the men and women who served during the Cold War. The Haller family is rife with men who have served their country, and in this autobiographical work, Haller proudly recognizes the contributions of those who sacrificed during various times of American History.

Specialist 5 John W. Bennett, author of Killed in Action-Struck By Lightning: A Vietnam Combat Medic’s Story

John Bennett's military experience was a big different.Sent to Vietnam where he worked to save lives as a combat medic he was struck by lightning. He was evacuated from the observation post by helicopter, taken from the chopper, placed in a body bag, and put in the morgue. Some eighteen hours later he woke up with a body tag that said ‘Killed in action – struck by lightning.’

Writes And Wrongs: Shiloh Walker Gives A Blog Tour How-To | RT Book Reviews

2011-11-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

Writes And Wrongs: Shiloh Walker Gives A Blog Tour How-To | RT Book Reviews

Shiloh Walker has a nice blog post on how to do a blog tour. Below is a snippet and above is the link to the blog.

How many blogs should you visit? That’s up to you. I usually hit about 8-10 blogs when I’m a blog tour. Blog tours can be exhausting…figuring out what to blog about, what to write about, not to mention getting all the blogs written and sent to the various host blogs, and you should try to visit on the day you guest blog, as well.

A few things to keep in mind…

Make sure the blog fits your book
Be polite, and don’t be put out if the blogger declines—not everybody is interested and that’s perfectly fine—nobody is required to have guest bloggers, and nobody should feel obligated
Once you’ve got things set up, make sure you fulfill obligations in a timely manner
Visit the blogs who hosted you on the blog tour

Google eBooks Launches Down Under

2011-11-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

Are you one of our many Australian authors? If so, then take note as this could have a strong impact on your sales.

Google eBooks Launches Down Under

Google eBooks made its debut in Australia yesterday, a year after its U.S. launch, the Herald Sun reported. Mark Tanner, Google Australia eBooks partnership manager, said the company is working with Australian booksellers Booktopia and Dymocks, and has "two more coming on line: QBD--one of the top three chains in Australia--and Co-Op, the university book sellers.''

BISG Consumer Survey: E-Book Passion Unabated

2011-11-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

BISG Consumer Survey: E-Book Passion Unabated

Quick article on the BISG Consumer Survey that includes information like:

•Amazon continues to be the preferred source for e-books (70%) and e-book information (44%), followed by Barnes & Noble (26%) and Apple, but libraries are gaining ground.

"I lost my breath, I mean it's so beautiful..."

2011-11-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Lord Midnight by Darienne Miller which made the evening news yesterday!
http://www.kval.com/news/local/133201483.html

"This has been my dream for a really long time and it just, it's true," said Miller.

Her dream: to become an author. "I've always loved writing. I've always had stories in my head that I've just wanted to write down on page."...

She searched publishing houses online and decided to take a chance on just one publisher, Dorrance Publishing Company in Pittsburgh, Penn.

"We sent them my script and they emailed me a week later that we want this published," said Miller. "Then I called my grandma immediately and she started crying too, and we're both crying to each other on the phone."

Skype

2011-11-02T13:23:00.001-07:00

In response to your requests I have signed up for Skype. You can now contact me at Kathleen.Haak, for skype to skype calls. Please be patient though, if I'm on the phone when you 'call' you'll have to wait until I'm finished with that order first.

Google eBookstore Launches in Canada

2011-11-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Google eBookstore Launches in Canada

Google entered the Canadian e-book market yesterday and is now selling digital titles there on its Google eBookstore website, as well as in partnership with booksellers McNally Robinson and Campus eBookstore, the Toronto Star reported.

"It’s like any other sale on our website," said Paul McNally of McNally Robinson. "We sell real books and now e-books."

Too High a Price

2011-10-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Mr. Katarincic on his successful book event at the Waterworks Barnes & Noble store. His next event is the Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA on Saturday, November 5th.

Reviews

2011-10-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

These reviews are the opinions of the reviewers, Dorrance does not change them in any way.

Beauty

http://kdewit15.wordpress.com/category/books/

http://books.google.com/books?id=2jvJ9goPb6cC&dq=beauty+an+extraordinary+tale&sitesec=reviews

A Death in Panama

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10998598-a-death-in-panama#other_reviews

As I See It

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434910725/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Grandma's Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook

http://lehuabooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/grandmas-back-to-basics-all-natural.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/R21TNWAPRC9G1X/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805962867&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

Schlumpkin's Pumpkins

http://www.amazon.com/review/RQF65ALBCMOB/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1434907376&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

A Touch of America

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222597664

http://www.librarything.com/work/11833091/book/78959417

http://www.amazon.com/review/R29WOHJLAS826T/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Lucifer and Lacious

http://kdewit15.wordpress.com/

Secrets

http://crystaltrentdotson.blogspot.com/

Grandma's Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook

http://www.free2befrugal.com/2011/10/review-book-grandmas-back-to-basics-all.html

Your Children, Your Money

http://bookreviewsbytima.blogspot.com/2011/10/your-children-your-money.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/RIZLFYVCJV67E/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

The Mystery Files of Kelly Morgan

http://www.amazon.com/review/RODAFCKVIN3CM/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

A Book of Prayers

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Prayers-Kathleen-Rogers/product-reviews/0805974164/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-review-book-of-prayers-volume-1-by.html

1492

http://www.amazon.com/1492-Story-Christopher-Columbus-Search/product-reviews/0805964371/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Presumed Faithful

http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-presumed-faithful-by-kelly.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1W9WH17EVQJ7A/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/225535811

http://books.google.com/books?id=7TljPQAACAAJ&dq=presumed+faithful+by+kelly+watterson&sitesec=reviews

Planning unique book events for the holidays

2011-10-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

You plan book events pretty much the same way that you plan a birthday party except the guest of honor is the author and their book. You can use this approach for fall/winter festivals, library events, church bazaars, school holiday events, farmer's markets, etc. Wondering how to get noticed by book enthusiasts? Try sending invitations to the event to librarians and other readers. Let them know you're out and about.

Recently there was an article in Publishers Weekly about a book launch that took place in an arcade. In Poets and Writer's newsletter there is an article about a series of readings done in laundry mats. These are excellent examples of how to think outside the big box stores like Barnes and Noble. It's estimated that nearly half of the books sold in the United States are sold outside of bookstores. As the holidays approach it is even more important to think of new and refreshing ways to sell your book.

Our authors have always been excellent at thinking outside the box. Last year we had events at a honey farm, several restaurants, many festivals, and even a beauty shop. Congrats to all of you on thinking of unique ways to reach your audience! If you're thinking of planning your own unique event let's take a look at some of the basics that you might need.

Each book is different, each author is different, each crowd is different, and even the weather is always different. Some things to consider before a book event:

Advance advertising: Make sure people know you will be at the event.
Your pitch: You only have about 30 seconds to get someone interested, so think ahead of time about what can you say in that time to catch the interest of a passerby.
Table: Make sure to have a designated signing space
Chairs: Plan for at least two chairs at your signing area.
Tablecloth: Make sure to bring one in a single color that coordinates with your book.
Cash box: Make sure you have enough change if you are collecting money for sales.
Sales tax: Each state and county is different, so check with your local tax representative.
Books: Depending on how your book has been selling prior to the event, you’ll probably need between 20-50 books.
Pens: Bring a couple of pens with you in case one decides not to work.
Scratch paper: If you’re personalizing the autograph, have the customer write down the name of the person they want it made out to.Nothing is more frustrating than wasting a book because of a misspelled name.
Signage: Most events provide a small sign, but you may want to consider a poster.
Swag: Postcards, bookmarks, swizzle sticks, balloons, bottled water, and tissues can all be made into swag with your book information on them.
Tent: This may be necessary if you are at an outdoor event or as shelter from rain, snow, and/or possibly the sun.

Worried that there may not be a crowd at these events? Each event is different and the market can vary from town to town but here in Pittsburgh we have a Handmade Arcade (they accept some books or consider teaming up with an artist). They started in 2004 with just 1,000 visitors and are now past 9,000 attendees. You would have a tough time finding 9,000 people looking to support local businesses in a big box bookstore.

Etiquette for the internet

2011-10-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

As more and more people turn to the Internet as a valuable media, communication, and promotional tool, rules of etiquette have become important to follow. Abiding by the following advice and tips may help to ensure a high level of professionalism and smooth communication.

- NO CAPS. Using all caps in an email message is similar to yelling at someone. Limit capitalization to headings, titles, and emphasized works within text only.

- Use relatively descriptive subject lines for emails. A descriptive subject line will pique the interest of the recipient and help prevent your messages from being deleted as spam.

- Use formal language. While email is often viewed as an informal means of communication, your writing style may still send a message about your knowledge and abilities. Pay close attention to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and other rules of grammar in order to project the best possible impression.

- Link your email address to your web site. An email address link from your web site may increase the possibility of readers sending you an email. Don't forget to respond to fan email in a timely manner.

- Tell the reader who you are. Include a signature within your email that includes your name, book title and an link to where information can be found on the title. If you are using Outlook Express you can add the signature by going to Tools, Options, Signature, and then adding your information.

Shipping information you need to know

2011-10-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

Some of the most common questions that we receive revolve around shipping. We do ship most of our orders in three to four days, but it is recommended that authors planning events place their order ten to fourteen days before the event to ensure plenty of time for printing and shipping. International and hardcover copies may take longer to arrive. The time that a package is in transit depends on the shipping method chosen and the delivery location.

The following are the domestic (within the United States) shipping options that we offer. All shipping costs are calculated at the time of the order; however, you can check the cost of shipping before completing your order. If you are ordering one or two copies then U.S. Postal Service First Class (regular mail) works fine but for larger orders, we recommend the UPS Ground option.

USPS First Class Mail: General delivery time of 7-14 business days – pricing starts at $1.99

USPS Priority Mail: General delivery time of 5-10 business days – pricing starts at $4.99

UPS Ground: General delivery time of 1-5 business days – pricing starts at $5.75

UPS 2^nd Day Air and USP Next Day are available upon request as is FedEx shipping.

*Please note that any USPS options do not come with insurance or tracking

If you are shipping to a prison, a PO Box or a military address then USPS is required but can be either First Class or Priority Mail.

Have international customers? No worries, we ship international also. One important item to note, our neighbors to the north in Canada are considered to be international so be sure to choose an international delivery option. The following are the international shipping options that we offer. All shipping costs are calculated at the time of the order; however, you can check the cost of shipping before completing your order.

USPS First Class Mail: Actual delivery time based on date of order and location of purchaser.

USPS Priority Mail: General delivery time 6-10 business days

UPS Worldwide Express®: General delivery time 1-3 business days

UPS Worldwide Expedited: General delivery time 2-5 business days

UPS Worldwide Saver®: General delivery time 1-3 business days

UPS Standard to Canada: Actual delivery time based on date of order and location of purchaser.

For international orders, the purchaser is responsible for all taxes, broker fees, and/or import duties. If shipping to Canada and the order is under $20.00 Canadian then consider using USPS for shipping to save on broker fees. Please note that all charges assessed for book orders and shipping will be in US currency.

Holiday event preparation

2011-10-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

As part of your holiday event planning you may want to prepare yourself for questions. Be ready to talk about the how, what, when, where and why of your book. Are you ready to answer questions about your book?

Sample questions to think about:

About your book --

What do I want readers to know about my book?
How can I whet readers' appetites without giving away too much of the plot or the ending?
What topics do I address in my book that an average reader might find most interesting?
Who would be interested in reading my book and why?
What is my book's message?

About you, the author --

What is special about me as an author or expert on my book's subject?
What experience or realization inspired me to write my book?
What other personal information makes me unique and interesting to the average reader?

Why you should use Twitter and Hootsuite

2011-10-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Cost - Free
Family Friendly - Mostly
Where to go - http://www.twitter.com/

Why should you care about Twitter? Well, the number of users is over 175 million.

Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations.

At the heart of Twitter are small bursts of information called Tweets. Each Tweet is 140 characters in length, but don’t let the small size fool you—you can share a lot with a little space. Connected to each Tweet is a rich details pane that provides additional information, deeper context and embedded media. You can tell your story within your Tweet, or you can think of a Tweet as the headline, and use the details pane to tell the rest with photos, videos and other media content So you need to think about what your message is before you start typing.

I also wanted to mentioned that one of my online friends is published with a major publishing house, has hit the bestseller list and has a publicist. Her publicist 'requires' Twittering. It's a great way to interact with fans without spending a lot of time.

Is there a 'fix it and forget it' way to use Twitter? Yes, a few years ago I found out about HootSuite and I love it. Hootsuite.com is the free place to go tweet. It allows you to sit down one Saturday and schedule all of the tweets that you want to post for the next year. If you're going to tweet lines from your book this is a good option for you. It also works well for making book event announcements. Just remember that interaction with others is important.

The other very cool thing that HootSuite will do for you is give you statistics. It can help you gage what topics are most engaging to your readers and where those readers are located. This feature also helps when you feel like you're talking and no one is listening, knowing that someone read what you said helps on those down days. Especially when you first starting, it's always a good thing to visit other people's sites. If you would like to follow our tweets you can do so at http://twitter.com/DorranceBooks and http://twitter.com/Dorrance (book events).

So, who gives a hoot about Twitter? Hopefully you do.

How to order - the video!

2011-10-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.

Even more reviews...

2011-10-14T06:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, the reviews just keep pouring in! These reviews are the opinions of the reviewers, Dorrance Publishing does not change them in any way.

Under the Big, Blue Sea

http://grammageri.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/under-the-big-blue-sea-by-aunt-t/

Love, Deception, Murder, and Secrets

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1EBFZLO9WFV6U/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1434906345&nodeID=283155&tag=&linkCode

"Haido" by Sabrina E. Tyes:http://rhapsodistreviews.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/haido/

Beginning Origami

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KKPUMRITYI9W

Sticky Paws Raccoon Gets Caught Red-Handed

http://the-edge-of-the-sky.blogspot.com/2011/10/sticky-paws-raccoon-gets-caught-red.html

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/218954040

The Oasis Project

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2296079

The Tale of a Turtle Who Learned a Good Lesson

http://moms-heart.blogspot.com/2011/10/tale-of-turtle-who-learned-good-lesson.html

South African Gourmet Food and Wine

http://sandandsuccotash.blogspot.com/2011/10/south-african-gourmet-food-wine.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/R15GMV5BYU1PXZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805941878&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode

Diary in the Attic

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1905096

Navajo Codetalkers

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A27OMJJ914NORW/ref=cm_pdp_rev_title_1?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#R3FW0D9BHUIXWK

How to know if the offer you are receiving is a scam

2011-10-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Most of you have received an email from Laura Brewer discussing the options that we offer, such as video trailers, newspaper ads, etc. But what do you do if a company you don't know comes calling, offering you promotion and marketing "expertise" and guaranteed results? How do you know if they're going to be a good fit for your goals or can back up their promises? While we cannot offer opinions on any book marketing company that might solicit business, we can offer a few simple thoughts you may wish to consider before moving ahead.

1) Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. The rating for most businesses is available for free through your local BBB or their website at www.bbb.org. BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. When considering complaint information, please take into account the business's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints. You'll sometimes see notes such as, "BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfiedd " or " BBB determined the company made good faith and reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer." This generally indicates that the company has made a good-faith effort to resolve any client issues. If you're seeing notes that indicate the company was at fault and wouldn't correct the issue, you may wish to take this into consideration when making a final decision. It should be noted that we are a long-time member of the Pittsburgh BBB in good standing.

2) Experience - How long has the company been in business? What is the background of the company and its employees? You can usually find all of this information by Googling the name of the business and/or its senior management. Unfortunately companies with bad business reputations will often go out of business or rebrand themselves to wipe the slate clean and shake off any bad reputation they may have earned. Say Bob Jones runs a company, "Cracker Emporium,"with a number of unresolved or unsatisfactory complaints against it. Mr. Jones may decide to close this business and open another similar company, "Emporium of Crackers." Emporium of Crackers may have a good reputation but Mr. Jones may not. Do your research on the folks who run or own the companies.

3) Expertise - Book marketing is a specialized field. When you want intricate plumbing work done, you call a plumber, because you trust that someone in this field will know how to rebuild bathroom pipes. This is good advice no matter what kind of service you are looking for: Go with the people who know the business. If you're to the point where you're marketing your brand (book, movie, etc., all tied to your name), then you may wish to consider a general, non-specific marketing firm. Your best bet, however, is to stay with the experts. Work with people who are specialists in their fields.

4) Money - Realistically, most of the book marketing offered can be done for free or low cost by the author. But if you don't have the skills, the time, or the desire to take on this exhaustive project, then you should plan on spending about a bottom of $30.00 hour for services such website design. Full scale book promotion often run several thousands of dollars. Be realistic: You're going to need to sell a couple thousand books to pay for a large scale marketing campaign. If it will make your dream come true and you have the money to spend, and after you have looked into the three areas above, you may wish to consider moving forward. If you're not financially in a place to spend that type of money, or you have concerns about a company's reputation, experience, or expertise, consider doing the research and promotion yourself. Remember, there are no guarantees in the book business , and we would caution authors to be wary of anyone who makes promises that seem unrealistic or too good to be true.

A final word from award-winning author Jennifer DiCamillo: "I've found a lot of info on what I should do by checking out the promo experts to see what they can do for me. Then I weigh the cost versus time output and decide what I'm willing to pay for. You can buy these types of services item by item or pay a blanket flat fee. ALWAYS get the agreement terms in writing. "

More reviews!

2011-10-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

As always, these reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewers, we do not change them in any way.

Eminent Plague

http://www.amazon.com/Eminent-Plague-Don-Lowell/product-reviews/1434911667/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

My Tinkle Chair

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1PMXP3CFAADS1/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Trusting God to Supply Your Needs

http://www.amazon.com/review/RG0SJ3WG3SO3P

Schlumpkin's Pumpkins

http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/2011/09/17/book-review-schlumpkins-pumpkins-by-theresa-a-bike/#respond

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434907376/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12388444-schlumpkin-s-pumpkins

A Quest for Clarity in Religious Thought

http://rockstarwife628reviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/quest-for-clarity-in-religious-thought.html

http://www.librarything.com/work/11751271/reviews/78123086

http://www.shelfari.com/books/12922161/A-Quest-for-Clarity-in-Religious-Thought/reviews/3144911

http://www.amazon.com/review/R34Q22TVHIE7QD/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805968830&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=

The Camera Store

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2IQ9UQD8YSA3T/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Daughters of Isis

http://www.babiesbooksandsigns.com/2011/09/my-first-book-review-daughters-of-isis.html

Eminent Plague

http://www.amazon.com/Eminent-Plague-Don-Lowell/dp/1434911667/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316474576&sr=1-1

Chocolate Rabbit

http://www.librarything.com/work/book/78267646

Be unique!

2011-10-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

Shoppers, especially those purchasing gifts, like to see a picture that describes the item and confirms the description of condition. They also want to be sold on the item(s) they are considering buying. They want to know what makes the item special, who the author and/or the artist are, and what makes their work distinctive.

This quote comes to us from Richard Weatherford. Mr. Weatherford holds a Ph.D. in English from UCLA, has been a bookseller and publisher for 36 years, was a co-founder of the first pre-Internet online computer system for books, and is the founder of Alibris.

I think this is excellant advice and encourage all of our authors to keep this in mind when planning your holiday selling events. When it comes to selling your book, don't forget that you are one of the main selling points!

National Reading Group Month

2011-10-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

National Reading Group Month

October is National Reading Group Month, an occasion marked across the country by librarians, booksellers and others who regularly help tens of thousands of reading groups members find the best books to read and discuss--accompanied, in many cases, by good wine and gossip!

Read more of John Mutter's comments on National Reading Group Month by clicking on the link at the top of this post.

Reviews!

2011-10-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

These reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewers, Dorrance Publishing does not change them in any way.

Haunted Estate Sale:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12794593-haunted-estate-sale

In My Father's House:

http://www.amazon.com/review/RCSEK3ST8AO24

http://www.christinesbestbookreviews.blogspot.com/

A Life of His Own Making

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1899292

One Good Man

http://weread.com/review/One+Good+Man/3457758

Public School Teacher

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A9J4K6T18N08G?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

Dead End Motel

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A36VF3DPU5HMG2/ref=ya_26?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

The Mirror of Karma and the 4 Sisters

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1900005

Maria

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/220183112

Baby Shower Fun Book

http://www.babiesbooksandsigns.com/2011/10/review-baby-shower-fun-book.html

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Shower-Book-Dareki-Daniels-Youmans/dp/0805968342/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

A Friend is a Great Thing to Be

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A9A5ESWRUQ3PM/ref=cm_pdp_rev_title_1?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview#RJLM1IODJGHHS

http://grammageri.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/a-friend-is-a-great-thing-to-be-by-victoria-tallini-vega/

Sun and Moon

http://moms-heart.blogspot.com/2011/09/book-review-sun-and-moon.html

http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Moon-Athena-Yvette-Portillo/dp/0805972781/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315616887&sr=8-2

Useless

http://mybarnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx/reviewed=1852317

My Last Look at Texas

http://www.blogger.com/

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1854093

Princess Bellarina

http://www.amazon.com/review/R16OKMWASBQI3U/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805969063&nodeID=283155&tag=&linkCode

Pokey Pig's Picnic

http://the-edge-of-the-sky.blogspot.com/2011/09/pokey-pigs-picnic.html

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/207559140

Top 10 E-Books for Dorrance in September

2011-10-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of our e-book authors!

The Axis of Shame, by Arthur C. Hasiotis, Ph.D
Switching Heads, by Tom Sullivan
Where the Water Is Cold, by James E. Ryhal
Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing for Financial Institutions, by Ismail A. Odeh
The Oasis Project, by Art Adkins
The Little Horses of Tarquinia, by Marguerite Duras, translated by Ann Lenore Derrickson
DEA Special Agent, by Lew Rice
Keeper of Infinity, by Haley Weilmuenster
Take Astrology as a Helping Tool in Real Life, by Sharad Kumar Soni
The Life of Mary Mother of God and Praying the Rosary, by Robert A. Williams

Top 10 Printed Books for Dorrance in September

2011-10-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of our authors!

Revelation Messages for the World, by Deserine Bartley
Holding Hands with Heroes, by Jack Kassinger
God Is Love! I Don't Think So!, by E-Bennie
True Tales of the Tide, by Mike Halperin
Where the Water Is Cold, by James E. Ryhal
Florida, State of My Birth, Pompano Beach, My Hometown, by Eunice Cason Harvey, PhD
Too High A Price, by Joseph A. Katarincic
Ramblings of a Ranger, by Dave C. Frederick
Eminent Plague, by Don Lowell
At Last Life, by Sharon J. Emery

School Events

2011-09-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Josie Leavitt, from the Flying Pig Bookstore, wrote a great blog posting for Publishers Weekly on how to do school events. If that is where your interest lies then I suggest checking it out at http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/?p=6105.

Five things to learn from Lady Gaga

2011-09-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

Fast Company recently had an article entitled "5 Things Lady Gaga Can Teach Marketers About Community Building," that included the following items:

Target like-minded individuals.
Be vulnerable.
Treat the consumer like your boss.
Create a collective experience.
Become a better company through community.

Why is this important to you as an author? Because building communities all starts with finding a common thread that brings people together. You want to build a community of readers that enjoy not only your writing but have some common interests.

Hot off the press - new reviews!

2011-09-27T07:06:00.001-07:00

These reviews are the sole opinions of the reviewer.

Too High a Price
http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1875506

Beauty
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10199738-beauty-an-extraordinary-tale

The Case of the Unknown Woman
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Woman-Intriguing-Mysteries-Nineteenth/dp/1434906981/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_3

Doing Life God's Way
http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2011/09/book-review-doing-life-gods-way-by.html

http://www.amazon.com/Doing-Life-Gods-David-Beckwith/product-reviews/1434910229/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Study the Word in a Year
http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/

Girls' Nights
http://www.amazon.com/review/RADRJCCB2328Z/ref=cm_cr_dp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0805972072&nodeID=283155&tag=&linkCode=

Useless
http://www.thoughtsandreviewsofthecuriousreader.wordpress.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mybn/user_Katelyn2015/review_uselss.html

All I See are Stripes
http://www.amazon.com/All-I-See-Are-Stripes/product-reviews/1434904148/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

A Black Man's Revenge
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-black-mans-revenge-paul-stanley-erby/1017917322?ean=9781434902467&itm=1&usri=a%2bblack%2bmans%2brevenge#CustomerReviews

Mystery in Trilogy
http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2011/09/mystery-in-trilogy-book-review.html

Vengeance is Mine
http://booksbysteph.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/vengeance-is-mine-by-marie-weems/

September Reviews

2011-09-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of the reviews posted this month for Dorrance titles. Reviews are the sole opinion of the reviewer.

The Case of the Unknown Woman

http://www.amazon.com/review/RGR7DY4JGQJ6W/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Looking Back...But Moving On

http://www.christinesbestbookreviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.christinemillerramey.com/

http://www.mytraveledpaths.com/

Anna Boleyn

http://www.amazon.com/Anna-Boleyn-Kings-Great-Secret/product-reviews/0805974970/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Grandma's Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook

http://bookreviewsbytima.blogspot.com/2011/09/grandmas-cookbook.html

http://www.amazon.com/review/R14STQH1I7OFGF/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

A Call for Jihad

http://www.amazon.com/review/R4AHOY16SNV77

Multy

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5853379-multy

Vengeance is Mine

http://weread.com/review/Vengeance+Is+Mine/3453253

Ride the Dappled Mare

http://kerrificonline.blogspot.com/2011/09/ride-dappled-mare-by-joan-elizabeth.html

The Forbidden Vampire

http://crystaltrentdotson.blogspot.com/

Tattered Cover Bookstore turns 40!

2011-09-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

I've never been there but I love the Tattered Cover Bookstore. Located in Denver, CO this store is celebrating forty (yup, the big 4-0) years of business. How have they stayed in business for so long? Well, on average they host about 400 book events each year. They also have great customer service at all 3 of their locations in the Denver area: 1.) on Colfax Avenue, south of City Park; 2.) in Historic Lower Downtown, near Union Station; and 3.) at the Highlands Ranch Town Center, south of the city.

Whenever I have an author in that area I can be rest assured that their book will be given consideration through their local author program. Even if it not an exact fit for their market they will consider it for consignment. This is great because it means that if an unknown author can have the opportunity to have a positive experience with an indie store and, should they create enough sales, be consider for stocking. As an added bonus Tattered Cover also sell e-books through Google, which is a program that we are also very active with.

Last but not least, I like Tattered Cover because their staff seems to have a sense of humor missing from many bookstores. You need only read the "Staff Picks" to realize this. You'll also realize what a diverse group of people their staff must be - there are picks for the more scholarly reader as well as those looking for a bit of fluff to enjoy in a spare moment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATTERED COVER! May you have many more birthdays to come!

Banned Books Week - September 24 through October 1

2011-09-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

The 2011 celebration of Banned Books Week will be held from September 24 through October 1. Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than 11,000 books have been challenged since 1982.

Here is the press release from the American Library Association.

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.
Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. In 2011, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund; National Coalition Against Censorship; National Council of Teachers of English; and PEN American Center also signed on as sponsors.

For more information on getting involved with Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, please see Calendar of Events, Ideas and Resources, and the new Banned Books Week site. You can also contact the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4220, or bbw@ala.org.

Reviews!

2011-09-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Look what I found! Some more reviews of Dorrance titles. As always, the reviews posted are the sole opinion of the reviewer.

Detective

http://www.amazon.com/Detective-Phillip-S-Grant/product-reviews/080597492X/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Grandma's Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/203669087

The Ego Unmasked

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5272293-mochalove

A Poetic Journey

http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Journey-Through-Faith-Felicity/product-reviews/1434905667/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Rosia Lee Ivey's Recipes for Life

https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A27OMJJ914NORW?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_pr_pdp

1960 Pittsburgh Pirates

http://www.amazon.com/1960-Pittsburgh-Pirates-Special-Extraordinary/product-reviews/1434904989/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Ninth Summer

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/192979089

Under the Big, Blue Sea

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Big-Blue-Sea-Aunt/dp/080597833X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314593282&sr=8-1

Lorinda

http://wordmachine-bookreviewtravels.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-review-lorinda-set-of-six-books.html

http://www.amazon.com/Lorinda-Set-Books-Shirley-Collins/product-reviews/1434902935/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Ripple Effect

http://cordelia-reviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/ripple-effect-by-s-l-kanner.html

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6687598-the-ripple-effect

Incidents and Spitchley's Crossing

http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-incidents-at-spitchleys-crossing.html

Gizmo's Great Adventure

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/202185730

The Taylor's Civil War

http://www.amazon.com/review/R19TTV3E7UVK9L

http://gtownma.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/the-taylors-civil-war-review/

Rumpelstiltskin versus Miller

http://youknowhowido4.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-review-rumpelstiltskin-vs-miller.html

Late Night Musings of an Old Man

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1824869

West Point to Pearl Harbor

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/AJ9BXPW3SA1UG/ref=pd_ys_homenav_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview

Lord Midnight

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/201813227

Kadee's Capers

http://www.amazon.com/review/R10UH8GASLRN1M/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

There is More to Me Than Eyes Can See

http://www.amazon.com/review/R38Q5CXHAK6DZ6/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R38Q5CXHAK6DZ6

http://grammageri.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/there-is-more-to-me-than-eyes-can-see-by-ida-ruth-ellis/

Local authors table give insight....

2011-09-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

http://southshorexpress.com/whitman-hanson/8516-local-authors-table-gives-insight-to-publishing.html

Barrie Edwards of Wayland is a retired CPA who has recently written two children’s books and a novel titled “Bequest of a Stranger,” based on characters inspired by the classic film “Casablanca.” His book, published by Dorrance Publishing in Pittsburgh, Penn., finds Ilsa Lund’s family, now going by the Anglicized surname Land, exploring family connections after the reading of a will.

“Every one of us has a story within us,” Edwards said. “The question is how you write that. It’s actually a series of our own experiences, so when I write about the reading of the will, this is something that I’ve experienced.”

Literary Dates - October 16th

2011-09-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Dictionary Day, October 16th:

October the 16th is National Dictionary Day. It falls on this day because that is the birthday of America’s most famous dictionary maker, Noah Webster, who was born in 1758. Celebrate this holiday by learning a few new works, doing a crossword puzzle or just paging through a dictionary.

To use this day to promote your book -

Organize a Scrabble tournament with other authors and give away books to participants.
Create a crossword puzzle using clues from your book
Write a blog posting about how important words are
Talk to a classroom about how you use words to paint a picture

UPS My Choice

2011-09-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

"UPS is introducing a first-of-its-kind delivering service, designed to ensure that missed deliveries are a thing of the past."
UPS My Choice provides convenient options that align with the way consumers work and live. Customers can choose between two levels of membership. UPS My Choice members will receive phone, e-mail or text alerts notifying them a day in advance of when packages will arrive and providing a four-hour window for the delivery. They also will have the option to electronically authorize release of packages that require a signature and, for a $5 transaction fee, to reroute a package to another delivery address or have it delivered to the nearest The UPS Store location.

UPS My Choice Premium Membership, available for a $40 annual subscription, provides all the benefits of a regular UPS My Choice membership but in addition, members gain access to an online delivery calendar that shows the status of UPS home deliveries. Premium members also are offered a two-hour confirmed delivery window. A $5 transaction fee is charged only upon successful delivery of the package within the two-hour commitment.

The new service will be available on Oct. 3. For more information about UPS My Choice or to pre-register for the service, visit ups.com/mychoice/pr.

Who buys more books? Men or women?

2011-09-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

Generically speaking, the iPad and other tablets are men’s toys, while the Nook Color and other e-readers are more popular with women. According to data from Forrester Research, 56 percent of tablet owners are male, while 55 percent of e-reader owners are female. Women also buy more books than men do — by a ratio of about 3 to 1, according to a survey last year by Bowker, a research firm for publishers — and are therefore more likely to buy devices that are made primarily for reading books.

Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/business/media/23nook.html

Literary Dates - The Second Week of April

2011-09-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

Library Week, Second Week of April:

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.

http://ilovelibraries.org/nationallibraryweek/ and http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek/index.cfm are great places to go to get free tools to promote your library!

Remember that libraries create readers and readers are the people who buy your books!

15 ways to connect with the media

2011-09-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Let's look at 15 things you can do to make yourself interesting to the media!

1) Start early and Focus on Relationships. Talk to them like a normal person, don't push your book every moment.

2) Comment on postings via Twitter and Facebook: comment on their postings and news, make sure the comment is appropriate to the posting.

4) Facebook birthdays: take a moment to wish your FB and Twitter friends a happy birthday. It helps build a relationship.

5) Sign up for Helpareporter.com (HARO) and respond to stories appropriate to your topic.

6) Get to know your regional publications, and also trade publications. These tend to be easier to get to and are more welcoming to local authors.

7) Get to know your local radio hosts. Public radio in particular is often author friendly.

8) Practice your elevator pitch! What's an elevator pitch? It's a short, succinct description of your topic or pitch. Short enough to keep them interested (1-2 sentences) but long enough to tell the story, or at least the headline.

9) Never, ever give up. It might take a while for you to hear back, and sometimes (most times) the media won't respond to you until they have a need for your story. We had several authors who were contacted about their 9/11 related books that had not heard from the media previously. Sometimes it is just a matter of timing.

10) Don't expect the media to sell your book for you; they're not looking to write an ad for your book, they're looking for the connection that is important to their readers. Often that is the human interest story behind your book. Sell the benefits, not the features.

11) Make sure that the interviewer has all the information he or she needs prior to the interview. Talking points, some basic information about your book, etc.

12) Be flexible. If a reporter wants to chat with you on a weekend or late at night/early morning, say Yes. If you're trying to get on a talk show be prepared to appear on short notice, you may get a call to fill in for a scheduled guest that had a last minute cancelation.

13) Keep it short. Remember your elevator pitch? Same idea presented via email.

14) Craft a local spin to a national story. While local media will always cover local, they love regional angles to stories that are making national news. An example would be an author of one of our books who was interviewed about Freemasons when Dan Brown's books were hitting the best-seller lists.

15) Stay on topic: when you do get the interview, stay on topic and keep it simple. I know the first time I talked to a reporter about my horse going to the World Equestrian Games last year I gave him too detailed information and the result was that he never wrote the article.

Remember to always be grateful: always. Send a thank you after an interview, and even if you didn't get the interview for which you were being considered, send a note of thanks anyway for their consideration.

When it comes to media, get started as early as you can and build those relationships!

Five Fun Things You Can Do With Video

2011-09-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

You hear it all the time: video sells. But often we find ourselves with a nice little YouTube channel and one video, at a loss for how to create additional content or what might be compelling. If this describes you, or if you haven't even started doing video for the same reason, then let's look at some creative ways to get yourself and your message on video!

Creating professional content:

First, don't make creating video too complicated. Just about every phone or device has a video camera on it, and while I don't recommend using phones as a long-term video recording device, it's handy to have with you when you're doing videos on the fly. To get started though, get yourself a small video camera. I used to love the Flip cameras until they discontinued making them, but Kodak has some great devices, and if you have an iPad2 and haven't experimented with the video on it yet, you might want to try it, it's really fantastic.

· Setting: Experiment with some different settings and lighting. I used to do a lot of videos in my kitchen because the natural lighting was so good there. You can see a few of them here: http://www.youtube.com/user/BookmarketingAME#p/u/17/jH4pCWcrXuY. It's a pretty basic system, but it worked really well. You can, of course, film videos outside, too. This works well for most settings. As I said, experiment with different settings until you find one you like.

· Editing: You'll need to edit your videos, but trust me on this one, it's not hard at all. I got the Roxio software which includes an editing suite, it's fantastic and I love it. Very easy to edit, add titles, etc. to the video.

· Length: I generally recommend no more than 2 minutes for any video unless it's educational. Studies show that interest really starts to drop off once you hit the minute and a half mark, so keep it short and sweet!

· YouTube Channel: I highly encourage you to get one channel that's branded to you. Don't just upload your videos to various sites.
Now, let's look at some fun and creative things you can do with video!

- Case Studies: This is a fun way to talk your consumer through some of the fantastic stuff you've done. You can do this with the person involved (if the case study is about the individual), or you can just talk through the case study and show examples as warranted.

- Behind the scenes: People love behind the scenes. For our upcoming AME retreat we're planning to film portions of our meetings so we can share the "nuts and bolts" of PR with our viewers. If you're doing a lot of research for your book, or going to special places to do research, this is a great opportunity to do behind the scenes video. Or maybe you're working with your cover person on a cover design; try to get this on film too. The "insider" process is often intriguing to consumers.

- Training: Training videos are great and often very helpful; in fact, I do a lot of these. It's the majority of videos we film. Training videos can be about anything at all.

- Client/Reader responses: Can you get a reader to talk about your book on camera? I always take a camera to an event; it's a great opportunity to capture input and feedback from readers and clients.

- Interviews: It's great when you can get an interview with someone in your field, even better if you can capture it on video. If you're going to an event, always take a video camera with you. Often times you can get an interview right there on the spot which will make it easy.

Video doesn't have to be challenging or a burden to create. It can be a quick and simple way to get the word out there about you, your book or product and, it's a great way to drive traffic to your website. We love our YouTube channel, and we know you'll love yours too!

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com

Poetry for the Revolution: Prophet and Poet Video

2011-09-14T10:37:00.001-07:00

Literary Dates - May 12th

2011-09-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Limerick Day, May 12th:

Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of Writer Edward Lear (1812-1888). It also, of course, celebrates Limerick poems. Limericks were popularized by Lear in 1846 in his Book of Nonsense".

This day is a time to enjoy and get your fill of Limerick poems. We are so glad that it came along to brighten up our lives. Celebrate Limerick Day in style by writing a Limerick or two of your own. Or, sit down and read a few humorous Limericks. They are guaranteed to make you smile.

A Limerick is a humorous verse or poem. It is five lines longs. It's name come from the city of Limerick, Ireland. The first two lines rhyme with the fifth line rhyme. The third and fourth lines rhyme.

Did you know? Limerick is the third largest city in Ireland.

From - http://www.holidayinsights.com/stpat/limerickday.htm

Top 10 Printed Books for August 2011

2011-09-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Printed Books

A Truce between Scientists and Religionists, by George Dixon Chandley
The Lord is My Herdsman, by Wanda Austin
Journey into Joy, by Regina Wieman Voegele, Ph.D.
Vengeance Is Mine, by Marie Weems
The Littlest Elf, by Ronald W. Kaehr
The Case of the Unknown Woman, by F. Alexander Shipley
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates, by Rick Cushing
Trouble in a Green Pickup, by Charlie McCarty
Diaries of the Lost, by Rose Kathence Mae
Game to the End, by Christine Hudson

Top 10 E-Books for August 2011

2011-09-12T07:11:00.001-07:00

Top 10 E-Books

Switching Heads, by Tom Sullivan
DEA Special Agent, by Lew Rice
Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing for Financial Institutions, by Ismail A. Odeh
The Oasis Project, by Art Adkins
The Little Horses of Tarquinia, by Marguerite Duras, translated by Ann Lenore Derrickson
Tiger Lead, Your Flight Is Up, by Gordon S. Hall
Me, Why Not Me, by Sandra Arboine
Where the Water Is Cold, by James E. Ryhal
Reo's Little Black Book, by Jane T. Wilcox
Surviving Brain Injury, by Monica Candeloro