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Monthly Archives: November 2008

Top 5 Bestselling Self-Published Books in October

28 Nov

On this Thanksgiving weekend, many Outskirts Press authors have something to be thankful for, including the authors below, responsible for the five bestselling, most profitable, or best marketed books in self-publishing for October.  In no particular order, they are:

LEED AP Exam Guide: Study Materials, Sample Questions, Mock Exam, Building LEED Certification (LEED-NC) and Going Green

by Gang Chen

The Flow: 40 Days to Total Life Transformation

by Tara Meyer-Robson

Meat Smoking and Smokehouse Design

by Stanley Marianski, Adam Marianski, and Robert Marianski

Not Manifesting? This Book is for You!

by Kathleen Mackenzie

Blessed Twice

by Lynn Galli

Are you a published author and not yet on this list? Do you want to be? Visit your author toolkit and marketing options pages inside your author’s center to see how we can help you.

Not yet a published author? Start publishing today.

Start Publishing

 
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Posted by on November 28, 2008 in Author Spotlight, Top 10

 

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Happy Thanksgiving

27 Nov

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Outskirts Press.

 
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Posted by on November 27, 2008 in Uncategorized

 

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Top 10 EVVY Nominated Covers

25 Nov

Official Outskirts Press EVVY Nominations are based upon a number of considerations, including strength of writing, content, applicability to the category, cover design, interior formatting, retail price, and copyediting.  However, focusing on a list of top 10 best “retail prices” would be pretty boring, so now that the official Outskirts Press EVVY Nominees have been announced, let’s take a look at the top ten covers in this year’s list, instead, presented here as determined by our Author Support department, in alphabetical order. 

As you can see from these amazing covers, a brilliant cover design is its own reward.

 

 
Congratulations to all our official EVVY Nominated titles. Stay tuned this coming Spring to learn about the winners.

Not yet the published author of an award-contending book? Self-publishing with Outskirts Press is easier than ever.

 
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Posted by on November 25, 2008 in Author Spotlight, EVVY Book Awards, Top 10

 

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EVVY Nominations for 2008 Self-Published Books

24 Nov

Every year Outskirts Press officially nominates approximately 5% of the books we publish each year for submission to the annual EVVY Awards. These nominations represent the very best of our publications as determined by Outskirts Press executives, members of the production teams, and the marketing department. As such, only books published with the Diamond and full-color Pearl packages are considered. Sponsored by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, the EVVY Awards are judged by a 3rd-party panel of professionals on a qualitative scale of merit in nineteen different categories.

Below are our official Outskirts Press EVVY nominations for books with a 2008 copyright date. EVVY winners and finalists will be announced in the spring during the annual awards banquet. Considering that we published over 2000 books in 2008, just being on this list is an honor.

Congratulations to all our nominated authors below:

Curious how to successfully self-publish a beautiful award-contending book? Take a look at the books above for examples of what these authors did. For more details about the EVVY Awards, visit our marketing blog posting by clicking here. Self publishing has never been easier, or more rewarding, than with Outskirts Press.

 
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Posted by on November 24, 2008 in Author Spotlight, Awards, EVVY Book Awards

 

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Top 10 Recent Self-Publishing Survey Comments

20 Nov

After each Outskirts Press book is published, the Marketing COACH contacts the author(s) and asks them for their feedback via an online survey. What are we doing right? What can we improve on? This is our authors’ opportunity to provide their thoughts and feelings about working with Outskirts Press.  We take these survey comments very seriously. Our executives and board of directors all read these comments because our goal at Outskirts Press is to become the single BEST self-publishing service available.  Fortunately, the vast majority of the comments we receive are positive, but not 100% of them.  But they’re honest, and here are just a few uncensored and unedited comments that we recently received:

“Publishing with Outskirts Press was fantastic. I enjoyed every moment
of it. I am going to publish with Outskirts Press on my follow up book.
Thanks!” – Derrik J. McGinnis, author of Creature Puppet
“Thank you all so much for making my dream come true! I am happy
with everything and every person that worked on the book to make it the
best. I know that I will be publishing with ya’ll again- for sure. Thank
you for always answering my questions and helping me out with everything.”
- J. M. Babb, author of From Hell to Heaven: 12 Steps of Bipolar Spiritual Healing
“I am more then pleased with Outskirts press. Their work is great.
I was really impressed with the book’s cover illustration, and felt that
Laura should have gotten mention in the book’s acknowledgments. The
cover was a supper job doing exactly what I described. And the editing was
well done as well by Reba, one thing I liked here they did not try and change
my meaning or try and rewrite it, but only correct what I lacked in writing
skills. My representative Colleen was easy to work with and I hope to work
with them again in the coming future. One thing I am is loyal to people
who do job well.” – David Chladek, author of How To Receive from the Kingdom of God
“I immensely enjoyed my publishing experiences with Deni. She was
very patient and professional with me throughout the entire process. I am
looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with her on my upcoming
literary endeavors.” – Dr. BerNadette Lawson-Williams, DSM, author
of Blossom Bee’s Golf Adventures
“Heather was great and I want to work with her again. However, one
note, if I had known that my Hebrew interpretation of the English title
would be viewed as ‘written in Hebrew’ with the booksellers, I would never
have allowed it. This has been a great hindrance in the sale of the book.
We have done everything we can to get it deleted and it is still there.”
- Charlotte Mecklenburg, author of The Potter’s Beloved
“Outskirts Press has been wonderful. They have helped in every aspect
of publishing my first book. A couple of things did not go entirely smoothly,
but they were more than willing to work it out – and make it right. I applaud
their customer service.” – Randy G. Sorter, MA, LPC, NCC, author of
Heal Depression Yourself!: 52 Tips, Suggestions, and Activities to Heal Depression Yourself!
“The marketing suggestions are coming too fast for me to keep up
with so I just file them and go back and read them later. I am 85 and am
not that computer literate to do some of the things suggested. I would like
emails compared to canned directions. I liked Lisa so much with her directions,
she was excellent.” – Roy Simmons, author of Divine Guidance: The Master’s Hand
“I am absolutely sold on Outskirts Press! Lora was great to work
with and my questions were always answered. I realize that business requirements
dictate her not making any suggestions/comments ‘out of the box’ for a client,
but at times I wished that we could have been able to communicate more freely.
As a new author I did not always know what questions to ask and needed to
be led a little more. As I said I have no complaints whatsoever about my
experience, I just would have liked to feel a little more of a personal
relationship for advice/comments/suggestions. I understand that this has
business complications but I still would have liked to have a freer feeling
in this area.” – Rita Keeley Brown, author of A Pawn of Fate: A true story of a search for identity
“I believe my Author Rep conducted business in a way she believed
would be beneficial to my overall publishing experience. Despite some issues
in the ‘process’ she was responsive and professional and prompt in her dealings
with me. If I thought Outskirts press could serve my needs as an artist
I would be happy to work with her again. I believe she is doing the best
that can be done for her authors within the constraints of the O.P. process.”
- Mark James Chappell, author of Red Sky in the Morning: The Post KATRINA Cover-up
“Overall, a good experience. Much better than my last book with a
different publisher. Ourskirts is faster and cheaper. My last publisher
had a different Author Rep for every major step. I will do another book
with Outskirts Press.” – Dennis Miner, author of We’ll See the World from My Harley: Motorcycle Adventures and Human Relations

Are you ready to publish your book with the fastest-growing self-publishing company?

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Posted by on November 20, 2008 in Author Spotlight, Top 10

 

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Holiday Greeting Cards for Self-Published Writers

18 Nov

If you’re sending holiday cards, you might as well promote your book at the same time, right?

Introducing personal and customized holiday cards, featuring your published book!

Specs: The holiday greeting cards are 4.25”x 6” when folder and are printed on Premium 14 pt. gloss cover stock. These cards are full color, front and back. They arrive flat and are scored for easy folding.

The front of the card recognizes the occasion (see left). The inside-left of the card highlights your single book, along with the title, the author name, the cover image, and the webpage address. See example to the left. Your book and information would appear there in place of Sell Your Book on Amazon.

The inside-right of the card is blank so that you can personalize each card with a handwritten message before folding and mailing them in the included white envelopes.

Greeting cards come in quantities of 250.

Self-publishing has never been easier with Outskirts Press and now OP makes it easy for our authors to celebrate the season of giving AND promote a book at the same time. You can order your customized Holiday Greeting Cards from the Marketing Options screen in your Author’s Center right now.

 
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Posted by on November 18, 2008 in Marketing Options

 

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Top 10 Award-winning books in self-publishing

13 Nov

Recent postings have discussed the submission process for entering your published book to awards like the Benajamin Franklin Awards, Book of the Year Awards, and Reader Views Literary Awards.

In that vein, and without further ado, Outskirts Press is proud to include a small sample of just some of our recent award-winning and finalist-appearing books from those awards and other book contests. As self publishing authors know, winning an award provides prestige and additional marketing opportunities.
   
The Flow
by Tara Meyer-Robson

(ForeWord Book of the Year Awards)

by Sandra Jones Cropsey

(ForeWord Book of the Year)
   
Planting Design Illustrated
by Gang Chen

(Foreword Book of the Year)

by Jason Akley

(Foreword Book of the Year)
   
Turn of the Century:2100
by Charlie Pedersen

(Reader Views Literary Awards)

by Brent Sampson

(Reader Views Literary Awards)
   
The Seeds of Darkness
by Bruce Bradley

(USA Book News Awards)

by Evelyn Sweet-Hurd

(USA Book News Awards)
   
Escape From The Pharma Drug Cartel
by Kimberly Cheryl

(USA Book News Awards)

by Charlotte Barnes

(USA Book News Awards)

Are you ready to publish an award-winning book of your own?

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Posted by on November 13, 2008 in Author Spotlight, Top 10

 

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NBA star Ricky Pierce self-publishes

12 Nov

Ex-NBA star Ricky Pierce’s book Bouncing Billy: A Learning Adventure is bouncing into stores and bouncing into the hearts of children everywhere. It’s already getting rave reviews, like, for example, from the MamaLaw blog, which declared, “I LOVE IT!”

Bouncing Billy by Ricky Pierce

Bouncing Billy by Ricky Pierce

Demonstrating a marketing finesse matched only by his skill on the courts, Ricky’s book is part of the Bouncing Billy Active Play Kit. Visit his website and see videos and learn how self-publishing a book (with custom illustrations from Outskirts Press) can play a role in an entire branded product that serves multiple purposes (in this case, helping children learn how to ace the shot!)
Not yet a published author? Get started today.

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Posted by on November 12, 2008 in Author Spotlight

 

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There are no Little Stories, and no little authors

10 Nov
Little Stories by Jeff Roberts

Little Stories by Jeff Roberts

Jeff Roberts, recently published author of Little Stories, demonstrates there are no little stories, and no little authors. He is getting big fast with his marketing prowess. Currently the internet is ablaze with his high number of positive book reviews, podcasts, author interviews, and a book video making the rounds on YouTube and Google.

To listen to the author interview from Inside Scoop, click here.

Writer’s Digest says: “The hallmark of Roberts’ collection is his strong writing. He captures scenes with expertise, and his characters come to life through the dialogue. The author’s stories are moving, light-hearted when appropriate, and explicitly human. In its best moments the powerful stories quickly become page turners once you get into the text.”

Kirkus Discoveries says: “…Roberts demonstrates a talent for tapping into the fault lines of human landscapes and the brittleness of relationships that are felled with a single word.”

BookReview.com says: “The unassuming title of Jeff Roberts’ ‘Little Stories’ belies the richness of the narratives within. These character-driven stories are haunting and believable. A master of writing ‘tight’ (as one of my college English profs termed it), Roberts is capable of crafting psychological portraits of his characters in very few words…My personal favorites, ‘A Triptych’ and ‘The Red and The Black’, revolve around a failing marriage, a lonely old man, and the death of Roberts’ grandfather. The characters in these stories are not happy people, but Roberts reveals glimpses of beauty in their lives. Readers will feel compassion for the characters, and squirm occasionally as they recognize aspects of themselves.”

 

Ready to set your own writing career on fire? Get started publishing today at Outskirts Press.

 
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Posted by on November 10, 2008 in Author Spotlight

 

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Reader Views Literary Awards

07 Nov

Outskirts Press will enter your 2008
Outskirts Press book into the Reader Views Literary Awards.

How would you like to become eligible to win thousands of dollars in marketing support AND a Literary Award at the same time?

In years past, winners of the Reader Views Literary Award have received expert marketing assistance from renown marketing experts like The Kick-Start Guy, Author Marketing Experts, Perceptive Marketing and others.
Only English language books with a copyright date of 2008 are eligible for this year’s awards, the Outskirts Press deadline for which is November 15, 2008.
 

 

If your book is eligible, you may order this submission service from your Marketing Screen in your author’s center. Outskirts Press will handle everything for you, including:

  • the award submission fee
  • sending them 2 copies of your book
  • completing the necessary entry forms and information
  • printing, shipping and handling costs of your book to the
    judges
The annual Reader Views Literary Awards were established to honor writers who self-published or had their books published alternatively by a self-publishing company.

TO ORDER: Access the Marketing Screen in your Author’s Center and choose Reader Views Literary Awards Submission.

2008 DEADLINE (for books with a 2008 copyright): November 15, 2008

All initial judging will be done by reviewers from Reader Views. They are experts in their fields as well as avid readers. Consider them your reading audience. Criteria for judging is content/originality, presentation/design, innovation, social relevance, and production quality. Five semi-finalists in each category will be determined by a point system. Final judging will be determined by a jury of judges.

Three semi-finalists will be chosen in each fiction and non-fiction category. First and second place winners will be awarded in each category. Third place will receive an honorable mention. Each finalist will receive a certificate.

Winners will be announced in the spring.

Categories

Fiction

# Code, Genre

(1) Business

(2a) Children – toddler to 5

(2b) Children – early reader, age 6 to 8

(2c) Children – young reader, age 8 to 12

(3) Erotica

(4) Fantasy

(5) Gay/Lesbian

(6) General Fiction

(7) Historical Fiction

(8) Humor

(9) Multicultural

(10) Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror

(11) Poetry

(12) Pop Culture

(13) Religion/Spirituality

(14) Romance

(15) Series – at least one book must have 2008 copyright

(16) Science Fiction

(17) Teen – age 12 to 16

(18) Young Adult – age 15 to 18

Nonfiction

# Code, Genre

(19) Aging/Retirement

(20) Alternative Health

(21) Art/Music

(22) Biography

(23) Body/Health

(24) Business/Sales

(25a) Children – toddler to 5

(25b) Children – early reader, age 6 to 8

25c) Children – young reader, age 8 to 12

(26) Cookbooks

(27) Current Events (Politics/Society)

(28) Environmental Issues

(29) History

(30) How-to

(31) Memoir/Autobiography

(32) Men’s Issues

(33) Multicultural

(34) Body/Mind/Spirit

(35) Parenting/Family

(36) Poetry

(37) Religion (Eastern/Western)

(38) Self-help

(39) Spirituality/Inspiration

(40) Sports/Fitness/Recreation

(41) Teen – age 12 to 16

(42) Travel

(43) True Crime

(44) Women’s Issues

(45) Writing/Publishing

(46) Young Adult – age 15 to 18

What’s even better than publishing a book?  Winning a Literary Award for that book!   If you’ve written and published a book, winning an award can open additional marketing and promotional doors for you and your career. 

If you haven’t published your book yet, what are you waiting for?

 Start Publishing

 
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Posted by on November 7, 2008 in Awards, Marketing Options

 

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