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Monthly Archives: July 2010

Self-Publishing Book Spotlight: Let Your Innate Sing

30 Jul
   

Dr. William A. Kriva shares with his readers what he learned about facing his fears and achieving his dreams after he successfully switched professions from a career life of misery — albeit a successful one — to a career life he was not only successful at, but in love with.  
Dr. William A. Kriva and Outskirts Press recently announced the awarding of Kriva’s new self-help book Let Your Innate Sing, The Key to Finding the Life of Your Dreams, with the Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY award.  Based on his own major life change from a well paid, but miserable twelve year career as an engineer to that of a successful chiropractor, his book offers inspiration, hope and courage for anyone who must undergo a similarly major change in their professional or personal life. 

Let Your Innate Sing helps readers not only answer the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” but also helps them figure out how to achieve that dream once they’ve discovered what it is.  A spiritual, but not formally religious book, Kriva’s EVVY award winning guide helps one contact the Innate Intelligence that helps one KNOW one’s dream, professionally or personally, and know the steps on the path to get there.  

Sympathetic to those working men and women who are chronically unhappy in their jobs, Kriva offers the tools they’ll need to use when it is time to make a change as well as those they’ll need to evaluate their options, all the while providing them with the encouragement and inspiration to do so.   

Although originally targeted for those who want to make a major career change, Let Your Innate Sing contains tips and strategies relevant to anyone looking for their purpose in life or facing any major life change that requires discernment and courage.  
 
About the Author:
 

Dr. William A. Kriva is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He is currently the Director of Parkview Chiropractic Clinic in Oakdale, Minnesota, and is a popular speaker for both industry and general public on a variety of natural health related topics. Dr. Kriva also holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He lives in Woodbury, Minnesota, with his wife Lynn and their two younger children. The couple also has three adult children.  

For more information, visit www.outskirtspress.com/letyourinnatesing.  

This author purchased the Book Blast, saving 25% on 5 powerful marketing services to blast the book into the stratosphere! The Book Blast package includes the following options: Custom Press Release, PR Publicist Campaign, Book Review Submission Service, Book Video (shown above) and Personal Marketing Assistant. Outskirts Press authors can easily and conveniently add this package at any time from the Marketing Options screen of the author’s center.

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Posted by on July 30, 2010 in Book Spotlight

 

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GUEST POST: 3 questions on Media and PR, and 3 fabulous answers from our “in-the-know” Author Sally Shields

29 Jul

This Guest Post was provided by Sally Shields, Outskirts Press Personal Marketing Assistant and published author of The Daugher-in-Law Rules and The Collaborator Rules. 

_______________________________________

Q: Okay, so what is the #1 secret for getting PR? 

A: Be Timely, and have a great Hook!  Here are two examples of how I got booked by being timely:  I was able to successfully use the #1 secret to getting PR by being timely– and got 2 immediate bookings.

First I was quoted in MomLogic.com (which is an offshoot of AOL Living) with this pitch during the primaries: 

Joe Biden’s Mother-in-Law Dies


How to Make Peace with Your Mother-in-Law, Before it’s Too Late! 

… and got booked on the nationally syndicated, The Daily Buzz with this one: 

October 26th is Mother-in-Law Day – How To Turn Your Mother-in-Law From Your Biggest Critic into Your #1 Fan in 3 Simple Steps!

I was able to get booked on Fox & Friends with this tweaked pitch: 


Barack Obama’s Mother-in-Law to Move into White House – How to Create a Lifetime of Peace With Your In-Laws!

So, try to have fun with it! You can set up a google alert with your keywords at www.google.com/alerts. For example, I have an alert with the keyword, “Mother in Law.” That way, I’ll be alerted to any breaking news story and can try to  creatively tailor my pitch so that I can be timely and present myself as a great source to the media! 

Q: You say that there are 2 ways to submit a media release. What are they, and to whom do you submit them? 

A: They are…

a) The Mass Media Approach in which you write one document and send it out to dozens, hundreds, even thousands of media at one time. Consists of a one page release and can be sent out through a free service such as Wireless Flash at (619) 220-8590 or  http://prfree.com  

b) The Custom Tailored Approach – in which you choose a publication or show that you want to give you publicity.  You study the kinds of things they like to cover and you send  them a personalized letter/email suggesting a particular story or show they could do around you as the expert. 

For example of the “Custom Tailored Approach,”  check out the next question and answer!!! 

Q: You say that there is a certain way to approach the media. How did you get in Star Magazine, for Example? 

A: Approach them in a fun, friendly way.  Here’s an example of what I sent to a Star Magazine editor:  

Dear Christina, 

Hi there! I absolutely LOVE your column and read the Hotsheet religiously. In fact, it is the first page I turn to when my mag arrives on Wednesday afternoon!  BTW, those Gracienne boots are to DIE for! You always pick out the BEST stuff––I am your biggest fan! (Of course, Fergie, Rachel and Kate would look good in army boots!) I wanted to suggest a cool new item for you – it’s called, The Daughter-in-Law Rules!  My vision is to inspire more harmony among mothers and daughters–in-law by teaching brides and wives the art of making friends with their husband’s mother.  This book is important for two  reasons; one, it helps  raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and two, it saves marriages. I thought that this book might be a great fit for your guide around Mother’s Day, as 55% of women surveyed have expressed a measure of tension with their future in-laws, especially during pregnancy, and after the baby arrives. I believe The Daughter-in-Law Rules will make a helpful book for moms of all ages!  Please note rule #22: Let Your Husband Be the One to Pick Out Gifts For Your MIL (Star Magazine is prominently featured) and Rules #13, 43, and 97 mention celebrities Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, Sheryl Crow and Brad Pitt respectively. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and consideration in taking a look at my book, and I very much look forward to our continuing correspondence. 

With gratitude and appreciation,

Sally

And as a special guerrilla-marketing tactic, I attached a collage that I made, of me dreaming about my book on the Hot Sheet page of Star Magazine.

The results?…

As well, the number one thing that producers want to know, is that you’ve watched their show or read their publication. Nothing bothers them more  than an off-target pitch.

So, make sure to spend some time watching their show. Make reference to something they’ve covered, and how much you love their work. And make sure that if you’re pitching a book on dogs that do tricks, that you’re not contacting Downhill Ski Magazine! You get the idea!!!

 
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Posted by on July 29, 2010 in Guest Post

 

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Self-Publishing Author Spotlight: Barbara Bryan

28 Jul

Outskirts Press author, Barbara Bryan, manages a business with her husband in Novato, California. She is the mother of three daughters. Her true passion is writing children’s stories.  

She has published four books with Outskirts Press, listed below.  

   

Books by Barbara Bryan:

Starfish, Seashells, Coral and Gems  

There’s something pink
on Plankton Beach.  

It is summer vacation for Terry, and her older sister, Sunshine, is taking care of her while her parents are away.  Terry soon makes quite a discovery, a mermaid named Nicolee. They develop a special friendship, which leaves a lasting impression in both their hearts. This book is not only enjoyable reading, but teaches children about friendships and sharing with others. 

_____________________________________________________________________  

Just For Fun 

More Lighthearted Verse
to Brighten Up Anyone’s Day  

In Just for Fun, Bryan creates a delightful treasury of verse, this time for all ages. With her trademark knack for unearthing enchanting rhyme and rhythm, along with gorgeous, full-color illustrations, Bryan celebrates the everyday world we live in.

What emerges is both personal and universal as Bryan trains her eye on subjects as focused as her Labrador and as widespread as the ocean. In “Mrs. Parker,” Bryan explores the reasons a longtime teacher continues through the hard slog of education; in “Fourth of July,” freedom takes center stage, along with the fireworks. Through it all, Bryan lightheartedly reveals the magic that goes on all around us, if only we’d stop long enough to notice it.   

_____________________________________________________________________  

Holiday Poems for Children 

An Enchanting Treasury
to Honor Our Most Beloved Holidays
 
From Valentine’s Day to Christmas, Holiday Poems for Children captures the magic and majesty of our best-loved holidays in 20 memorable poems. Bryan’s delightful rhymes and gorgeous full-color illustrations take young readers through Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All the while, readers of all ages learn about the characters and history behind them, from the Easter Bunny to—of course—Santa Claus.
 
With imaginative pictures and fun-to-say verses, Holiday Poems for Children is sure to provide hours of repeated reading. It’s also perfect for teaching children about the holidays, giving context to what has become, for many people, merely a day off. The book can also be used for sparking discussion about what the holidays mean to them—for instance, listing what readers are thankful for—and for imparting fun new vocabulary words.
_____________________________________________________________________

Save The Golden Tree

Can a Group of Kids Save the Magical Golden Tree? 

High atop a hill in the town of Evergreen Forest grows a tall and gorgeous Christmas tree. But this isn’t just any fir. What sets it apart is its color—a brilliant, luminous, and gleaming gold. Unfortunately, what makes the tree so special also spells danger when several department stores want to cut it down to put in their store windows. 

That’s when Rudy springs into action. Follow his effort as he begins a ‘Save the Tree’ campaign and enlists the help of other young children to keep the tree alive. And after taking their message to teachers, the news media – even Santa himself – they might just be surprised how much they can do! 

A magical and heartwarming story, Save the Golden Tree shows how anything is possible when people come together united by a cause.   

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Posted by on July 28, 2010 in Author Spotlight

 

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Enhancing an Amazon Listing Now Easier for Self-Publishing Authors With Comprehensive Marketing Services by Outskirts Press

27 Jul

Outskirts Press, the country’s fastest growing self-publishing and book marketing company, now offers all authors — regardless of where they published — the opportunity to purchase promotional services for their books listed on Amazon.

July 27, 2010 – Denver, CO – Outskirts Press announced today it is now offering authors – regardless of where they have published – three a-la-carte options for promoting books on Amazon, as well as a 25% discount when they purchase all three at the same time. 

“Outskirts Press is now making available to all authors these three unique marketing tools for their books, either individually or as a significantly discounted package,” Kelly Schuknecht, Outskirts Press Director of Author Support, said today.  “Each of these options helps authors increase exposure for their books on Amazon and that exposure can result, of course, in more sales.”

The three a-la-carte Amazon options available through Outskirts Press are the Amazon Search Inside the Book submission, the Amazon keyword tag submission, and the Amazon Kindle edition. Alternatively, Outskirts Press offers all three options at a generous 25% discount with the all-inclusive Amazon Extreme Marketing Package, which includes a bonus copy of Sell Your Book on Amazon.

Books participating in Amazon’s Search Inside the Book program have been significantly more successful than books not using this program.  Amazon’s Search Inside is the online equivalent of customers browsing through a book in a bookstore.  Not only can viewers virtually flip through sections of a book, but the added online activity from this makes more accurate and effective search results and recommendations for each book.

The Amazon Keyword tag submission option also helps improve a book’s search results ranking on Amazon.  Participating books are tagged with ten applicable keywords (“Tags”) on Amazon’s Product Details page, giving more weight to these terms in Amazon’s search results and providing more exposure for the book.

The third option Outskirts Press now offers to all self-publishing authors is the Amazon Kindle Edition.  Amazon itself recently claimed that sales of its Kindle e-books are out-pacing hardback sales on its Amazon.com website.  A Kindle Edition also allows self-publishing authors another direct revenue stream for their book as Outskirts Press claims no cut of the sales, leaving the author to earn between 30-70% as set directly with Amazon.

About Outskirts Press, Inc,: Outskirts Press, Inc. offers full-service, custom self-publishing and book marketing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available for authors globally at www.outskirtspress.com and located on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press represents the future of book publishing, today.

# # #

Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd. – 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com  1-888-OP-BOOKS

 
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Posted by on July 27, 2010 in Outskirts Press News

 

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Co-Op Advertising Opportunity for Self-Publishing Authors in Spirituality & Health

26 Jul
Spirituality & Health reaches over 85,000 predominantly successful, professional readers who have grown to value authenticity, meaning and balance in life.  They are invested in exploring the spiritual aspects of life and are on a journey focused on health, self-knowledge, authenticity and integration.

Now you can reach this influential readership with a Co-Op advertisement. Outskirts Press handles all the details for its authors.

Co-Op Advertising allows you to secure premium, full-color exposure for your book in a high-quality trade publication for a minimal amount of money. Your book will occupy a 2″ x 2.5″ space along with 11 other Outskirts Press titles within a full-color, full-page ad. Your ad space will include a full color cover image, an abbreviated synopsis, the ISBN, and retail price of the book. All books will include retail and wholesale ordering information.

Here’s the Outskirts Press full page, full color author co-op ad appearing
in a recent issue of Spirituality & Health:
 
HOW TO ORDER:
 
To get more information and reserve your space in a Spirituality & Health Co-Op Ad, sign-in to your author’s center. Outskirts Press published authors can order this option conveniently at any time. Reservations for Outskirts Press published authors are taken on a first-come first-served basis based upon receipt of payment.

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Posted by on July 26, 2010 in Marketing Options

 

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Self-Publishing Book Spotlight: Photographs and Memories

23 Jul
Veteran author Barbara Fifield recently published her second novel, Photographs and Memories, published by Outskirts Press.  Based on the author’s own real life experiences, the book tells of the tragedy of a daughter losing her mother and her husband in quick succession and her discovery of the need to face those losses quietly and alone.

Already burdened by the unplanned move to Florida from New York to take care of her aging parents, Angela discovers that her alcoholic sister Martha is making herself an unrelenting problem to the elderly couple and that she, Angela, and her obliging husband now need to try to rectify the situation. 
Angela and her husband are already struggling with their new jobs and new life after giving up all they had in New York, and their nerves are becoming more and more raw with the strain of dealing with the troublesome Martha when the first tragedy strikes.  Angela’s mother dies unexpectedly. 

Angela turns to her husband for support, but in an even crueler turn of fate, he too passes away.  Now, by herself, Angela must by herself come to terms with her two devastating losses while trying gently to persuade her failing father to enter a nursing home. 

For millions of baby boomers now in similar situations with their own parents, Photographs and Memories will ring true as Fifield convincingly relates the trials of a woman taking care of aging parents and the loss of a parent which this time of life by necessity entails.  It is a moving story, but one with lessons to teach anyone, regardless of age, about coping with the loss of a loved one.
About the Author:

Barbara Fifield is a retired social worker and journalist who has published her poetry widely in newspapers and literary journals. She has also published one book of her collected poems, Passion’s Evidence, as well as one other novel, Lucifer Rising. Ms. Fifield is a member of several writing groups, including the Tomoka Poets and the Ormond Beach Writer’s League. She lives in Port Orange, FL.

For more information, visit www.outskirtspress.com/photographsandmemories.

This author purchased the Book Blast, saving 25% on 5 powerful marketing services to blast the book into the stratosphere! The Book Blast package includes the following options: Custom Press Release, PR Publicist Campaign, Book Review Submission Service, Book Video (shown above) and Personal Marketing Assistant. Outskirts Press authors can easily and conveniently add this package at any time from the Marketing Options screen of the author’s center.

Is it time to get published and receive
marketing support and services like this?

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Posted by on July 23, 2010 in Book Spotlight

 

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Self-Publishing Authors: Register Now for ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards

22 Jul

 

 

Win $1,500 in Cash!

ForeWord Reviews‘ Book of the Year Awards program was established to bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors. ForeWord is the only review trade journal devoted exclusively to books from independent houses.

First, second, and third place winners will be awarded in each category. A $1,500 cash prize will also be awarded to Best Fiction and Best Non-Fiction as determined by the editors of ForeWord Reviews. Winners in each category and overall fiction and non-fiction prize winners are announced at Book Expo America at BookofTheYearAwards.com and via Twitter.

Outskirts Press published authors can purchase the ForeWord Book of the Year Award submission option at any time conveniently from within the Author’s Center. Outskirts Press can facilitate the submission details to all these contests for you. With your purchase of this package and your eligible book, we will handle all the details, including:

  • the award submission fee
  • registering your book with the contest
  • sending them each the necessary review copies of your book
  • accurately and completely filling out the necessary entry forms
  • selecting the most appropriate category for your book (if we’re not sure, we’ll ask you)
  • shipping and handling costs of your book to each of the contest’s multiple judges

Outskirts Press authors can also participate in co-op advertising in ForeWord Reviews.  To find out more about co-op advertising and find out how to reserve a space for your book, click here.

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Posted by on July 22, 2010 in Awards, Marketing Options

 

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10 Tips to Sell More of Your Books on Amazon from The Promote U Guru, Lisa Orrell

21 Jul

Lisa Orrell, the Promote U Guru, recently posted a short video on her YouTube channel with quick-hit, effective book marketing tips you NEED to know!

Click the video to watch it now:

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Posted by on July 21, 2010 in Advice

 

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Top Ten Best Selling Self-Published Books in June 2010

20 Jul

Outskirts Press, the fastest-growing full-service self-publishing and book marketing company, today announced its top ten best selling titles for June 2010 according to combined data from Ingram Book Wholesalers and Outskirts Press Direct via http://outskirtspress.com/bookstore.

In alphabetical order, the top ten best selling books in self publishing during the month of June were:

Congratulations to our best selling authors from June!

All these books, and other Outskirts Press titles, are available from all major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells, Books A Million, and others, plus conveniently from the Outskirts Press Direct bookstore at http://outskirtspress.com/bookstore for discounts ranging from 10% – 55%.

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Posted by on July 20, 2010 in Top 10

 

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Labor Day Cards for Self-Publishing Authors

19 Jul

Want to send out a Labor Day mailing to promote your book? Outskirts Press now offers personal and customized Labor Day Greeting Cards, featuring your published book!Greeting cards are 4.25”x 6” on Premium 14 pt. gloss cover stock. These cards are full color, front and back, and scored for easy folding. The front of the card recognizes the occasion. The inside-left of the card highlights your single book, along with the title, the author name, the cover image, and the webpage address. 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. Outskirts Press authors can also order Custom US First Class Postal Stamps to send out these promotional mailings. Both of these optional marketing products can easily and conveniently be added from the Marketing Options screen of their author’s center.

*Production, printing and shipping can take up to 3-4 weeks. Order now to allow plenty of time to receive your cards for a timely holiday promotional mailing.

** The interior image in the example features “Sell Your Book on Amazon.” Details and cover image will be replaced by the details and cover image for your book.

It’s time to get published and experience book marketing support like this.
Click here for free publishing guides to help you get started.

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Posted by on July 19, 2010 in Marketing Options

 

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