On a small rural farm in Oak Grove, Georgia, five-year-old Emma Kirkwood’s life is a nightmare of hunger, pain, fear, and hopelessness. Abandoned by their parents, Emma and her brother and sister are at the mercy of their cruel and abusive grandparents. When her grandfather sexually assaults her, Emma seeks refuge in denial and repression of the terrible memory.

Please take a look at two possible covers below then vote on the choice you recommend for Dawna:

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge Cover Option A

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge Cover Option B

People are using social media to connect with people, clients, and customers around the world; and businesses are using social media to improve their relationships with current customers and new potential customers. For self-publishing authors, social media offers a chance to level the playing field with traditionally published writers.

Outskirts Press recently introduced a new Author Platform Set-up through Social Media option. Here are three reasons authors should consider this new option when establishing their own expertise and building their author platform:

1)      Marketing Power – According to Intuit Financial Services, more than 38 million people between the ages of 13 and 80 in the US are influenced to make purchase decisions based on what they’ve seen on social media sites.

2)      Build Relationships – Social media is a powerful tool for marketing, but it is different than traditional marketing avenues. Social media allows authors to communicate with readers and build relationships. With social media, marketing is no longer a one way conversation. Words can influence readers to buy your book, but more importantly, readers can influence authors.

3)      Join the Competition – Social media is growing, and authors are recognizing the potential to connect with readers and improve sales. Don’t let your competition reap all the benefit. Authors can join the game and improve sales.

“Authors often struggle with implementing social media campaigns,” says Outskirts Press Manager of Author Support Elise Connors. “With our Author Platform Set-up through Social Media option, authors no longer have to worry about creating their author platform through social media because we do all the set-up for them. Instead, they can focus on other forms of promotion or spend time doing what they do best — writing books!”
When authors purchase the Author Platform Set-up through Social Media option, Outskirts Press will set-up a profile on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and WordPress. In addition to setting up each account on these social media sites,

Outskirts Press will connect authors with relevant people, brands, and communities on each network through “likes,” “tweets,” “followers,” subscriptions, and groups. It’s the complete solution to cracking into successful social media for writers.

To purchase this option, visit http://outskirtspress.com/p/social today.

Expressions of Light is the second book in a series of expressive poetry books written by Cherie Beil. This is a very unique poetry book with beautiful scenic photos woven throughout. Expressions of Light is a very fluent poetic expression of emotion that colorfully reflects life. It is often difficult to express emotions verbally.  Expressions of Light sketches life’s issues in a way that is able to convey what is often felt.

Writing has been a passion for Cherie for some time. She finds it is a great outlet meant to encourage and inspire others. She hopes this book will remind people to make the most of their life, regardless of circumstances. To remember to run their race with purpose and know there is a plan for each one of us, regardless of what our volatile emotions will sometimes tell us. To put your trust in the One True Living God, Jesus Christ. And remember that a lifetime is really just a moment.

“..Each man’s life is but a breath” Psalms 39:5

“Show me Lord my life’s end and the number of my days;

Let me know how fleeting is my life.” Psalms 39:4

“…Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24

Please take a look at two possible covers below then vote on the choice you recommend for Cherie:

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge Cover Option A

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge Cover Option B

The story of Andrew and Jeannie was told to Audrey (Bainum) Kinzie and her siblings for years. As they matured and reached late mid-life, they wanted the story of their parents written down to preserve the everyday history of the pioneers that so many are forgetting. Audrey, already into her sixties by the time she started to write the story, worked on it until her death in 1982. The writing was filed away until years later when her daughter-in-law, Beverly Kinzie, picked it up and re-read it again. At the time she was working on another book, Early Woods County. Upon its completion, she once again picked up Audrey’s story to edit and submit for publication.

Author Beverly Kinzie has spent most of her life in Alva, Oklahoma. Beverly attended Oklahoma City University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She worked with husband Wayne in their international aviation business for forty-four years. A wife of fifty years and mother of four and grandmother of eight, the author discovered her ability to write and edit late in life.

Please take a look at two possible covers below then vote on the choice you recommend for Beverly:

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge Cover Option A

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge Cover Option B

For the Love of Pierre

by Valerie Fauteux

 (1 Customer Review)

Price: $11.95

“’L’IMPORTANT C’EST LA PENSÉE”… What is important is the thought, the remembrance…

Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time of this posting; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon.com.© Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.All rights reserved. Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, and 1-Click are registered trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com, 410 Terry Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5210.

Great Gramma Ann's Scrapbook

Katie Wagner

Self-publishing Outskirts Press author, the late Lyndon Kelly, fulfilled his lifelong dream and published his first (and only) book a little over two years ago. Since then, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Shortly thereafter, his grandchildren, Kim Freid and Jeff Haynes, took interest in taking their grandpa to the top of the bestseller list before he passed on from his illness.

Lyndon was excited by the idea and committed to donate any and all proceeds from the book to Katie Wagner, a 16-year-old girl who is plagued by the same disease. His grandchildren were up to the challenge. They set to launch their campaign on February 1, 2012. Lyndon lost his battle with Cancer on January 27, 2012.

While his body was not present to see his book catapult to the top of the bestseller list, his giving spirit lives on in the proceeds that he opted to earmark for young Katie. At the start of the campaign, Great Gramma Ann’s Scrapbook catapulted to number one on Barnes & Noble’s bestseller list, number 40 on Amazon’s best selling list, and to the top 10 in Amazon’s self help and biography and memoir category.

So how’d they do it? Well, it started with this video:

Family and friends shared the video with with their friends and family until the spreading of the news became monumental – all leading up to February 1.

While the goal of the campaign was to get as many sales as possible on February 1, the family is still donating all book sales proceeds to young Katie Wagner. We are urging all of our authors and readers to purchase a copy of the book that made it to the top of the bestseller list in favor of a good cause.

We have taken our decade of experience self publishing children’s books and built the ideal publishing package for children’s book authors. Picture this: 100% royalties and 0% confusion. You get everything you need and we take
care of it all! Easy!

Here’s everything you get for one single, affordable price:

• A professional production team and publishing consultant
• 5.5 x 8.5 perfect bound paperback format
• 5.5 x 8.5 laminated casebound hardback
• Full-color custom cover
• Professional cover scribing (back cover copy polish)
• Full-color custom designed interior (up to 50 pages)
• Up to 15 full-color custom illustrations (click here to see all the available styles)
• Copyediting (up to 15,000 words)
• Official copyright registration
• Library of Congress number
• Expedited service
• Private Label ISBN (either yours or ours)
• Barcode
• Unlimited, worldwide distribution-on-demand via Ingram to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells, Books-a-Million, and thousands more.
• Spring Arbor Christian distribution (if applicable)
• Publication press release
• Custom press release
• PR Publicist campaign
• Electronic clipping service
• 60 second book video & distribution to YouTube
• Bologna Children’s Book Fair “face-out” exposure
• 5 hours of personal marketing assistance
• Marketing COACH tips via email for 2 years

With our all-inclusive “One-Click” package for children’s book authors, you get everything in one easy-to-purchase bundle. It’s never been faster, more convenient, or affordable to publish the full-color children’s
book of your dreams, with amazing, award-winning, custom illustrations included! Click here for more details or to order.

P.S. Already have your illustrations? Don’t need custom interior design or a hardback?  Perhaps you only need full-service full-color publishing and distribution services. If so, our full-color Pearl package may be just the ticket. Click here for more details.

P.P.S.  Not publishing a children’s book but still want all the “one-click” convenience? Our other one-click package may be right for you. Click here for details.

Publishing can change a person’s life! Now, Outskirts Press authors can grab their video cameras or video-enabled smartphones and expand their artistic creativity this Valentine’s Day by recording a 1-3 minute video that showcases their love of publication or their publisher.

It’s easy! If you’re currently publishing with Outskirts Press, or already published, here’s all it takes for your chance to win a free Apple iPad 2:

1. Record a brief video – between 1 – 3 minutes in length – that creatively shows why you love publishing with Outskirts Press (see samples below from two authors who have already submitted videos to us).

2. Email your video file to love@outskirtspress.com before midnight on Friday, February 24th.

3. We will share the best videos on one or more of our social media channels like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, furthering exposure for you and your book.  The sooner you submit your video, the more exposure you’ll receive.  You are encouraged to share your video yourself on your social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, too.

That’s it!

Among all the entries received, Outskirts Press will choose three finalists at the discretion of Outskirts Press and based in part on the number of comments and or “likes” each video receives. The three finalists will be showcased on this blog on Monday February 27th where everyone will be able to vote for our 2012 Valentine, and the winner of the free Apple iPad 2.

Here are some examples.

Let’s see yours! Record your video love, email it to love@outskirtspress.com and share it. It’s that easy.

*Authors who submit videos are giving Outskirts Press permission to post videos to our YouTube channel, on our website, and other social media platforms for promotional purposes.

So, who’s who at London – and why would you want to go? According to their website, London attendees include the following:

• “Literary Agents/Scouts – representing international authors and looking to sell/acquire rights to print, audio, and film/TV content.
• Publishers -ranging from small to medium sized publishers as well as the larger publishing houses, all conducting rights business, export and national sales
• Domestic booksellers – from both independent bookshops and the retail chains
• Foreign booksellers – buying for their home markets
• Library and Information Professionals - influencers and purchasers
• Production, Distribution, Technical and Creative Professionals from the UK and overseas publishers looking for effective solutions to their business needs.

As you can see, there is no limit to the opportunities that you may encounter during the London Book Fair. We know that many authors do not budget for the time or money involved in exhibiting their book at London (or any other book fairs). That’s where our exhibition options come in. We send representatives to London for the fair. They collect leads on your behalf. After the fair has ended, you get a full report with all leads, pictures, and a summary of the happenings at the fair.

A few mouse clicks of your mouse and we will make sure your book gets adequate exposure at this exclusive event. We handle all of the details for you – all while you remain in the comfort of your own home. The deadline for reserving your space is Friday, 2/24/12.

Ready to reserve your space at London? Visit the following link to get started: 

http://outskirtspress.com/p/london.

Poetry From The Heart

by Sandra Taylor

Price: $20.95

Passionate Poetry filled with prayer, love, family and humor…

Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time of this posting; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon.com.© Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.All rights reserved. Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, and 1-Click are registered trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com, 410 Terry Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5210.