Where would any of us be without dear ol’ Mom? She wipes noses, packs lunches and gives out comforting hugs every day, mostly without thanks. Today, however, we heap loads of Mother’s Day praise and thanks upon the special women in our lives.
Outskirts Press celebrates moms everywhere with our top mommy-centric books from our self-published authors. In alphabetical order, the Top 10 self-published Mother’s Day-themed books written by Outskirts Press authors are:
All of these books, along with other Outskirts Press titles, are available from the major online book retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Books-A-Million and others, plus conveniently from the Outskirts Press bookstore.
Do you have a great idea for a book but aren’t sure how to get started? Let Outskirts Press guide you through the self-publishing process!
Outskirts Press is helping authors get the most bang for their self-publishing buck this spring. Authors who publish in May receive a complimentary Book Video – perfect for promoting that new book.
Outskirts Press, the leading self-publishing and book marketing services provider, announces a spring promotion that will help self-publishing authors get the most value for their publishing dollars. Throughout the month of May, authors who publish with Outskirts Press receive a free Book Video Trailer, a valuable graphic tool for marketing and promoting a new book.
Authors who order a Diamond or Pearl book publishing package any time from May 1 through May 31 automatically qualify for the free Book Video Trailer. Authors not only save hundreds on self-publishing services by bundling them into a publishing package, but receive a $699 Book Video Trailer and distribution free.
The valuable promotional tool helps self-publishing authors increase sales by connecting with scores of potential book buyers. Outskirts Press distributes the Book Video Trailer to the places where all viral video marketing efforts begin, including sites such as:
YouTube
Facebook
Daily Motion
Twitter
Metacafe
“The Book Video option is a very effective way for self-publishing authors to market their book,” said Outskirts Press Executive Vice President Kelly Schuknecht. “In today’s world, people spend hours a week watching videos on the Internet. A Book Video is a great way for an author to spread the word about their book and appeal to their target audience. Outskirts Press can take care of all the details of creating and distributing a professional video that represents the author’s creative masterpiece”
Let Outskirts Press get your video book marketing started for you with Book Video marketing!
In today’s wired world, there are more ways than ever for an author to reach out to potential readers – if they know how.
While traditional book signings, press releases, face-to-face meetings with bookstore owners and interviews remain terrific channels for book marketing, the means by which we negotiate these avenues is constantly changing. What’s more, there’s a whole new world of Internet marketing – social media, websites, video marketing, blogging, etc. – that has complicated how we reach out to consumers.
Today’s marketer must not only be creative, but exceptionally tech-savvy as well. This is where the Outskirts Press Personal Marketing Assistants come in. Our Personal Marketing Assistants can help you with:
Developing a marketing plan
Coordinating and scheduling book signing events
Establishing/developing your author platform
Marketing campaign lead follow up
And much, much more!
To that end, Outskirts Press has cherry-picked some of the most talented and experienced marketing professionals in the publishing business. We’d like you to meet a few of the Personal Marketing Assistants who can help take your book marketing to the next level.
Lisa S. Neal Lisa brings more than 16 years of experience in marketing, marketing research and sales to Outskirts Press. She has an MBA from Pepperdine and a B.S. in Business Administration from Drake University, and has worked for leading consumer goods companies such as Neutrogena, Johnson & Johnson, and AC Nielsen.
“My Personal Marketing Assistant, Lisa, was very responsive to our particular situation and opportunities. She helped me learn how to use some excellent online marketing tools and did some of the contacting of radio and television stations so I wouldn’t be the one representing myself. I really enjoyed our time on the phone together and the way she follows up with email.” – Karin Gunderson, author of Encounters with Heaven: Stories of God’s Surprising Presence
Rob Mangelson Rob is a seasoned marketing professional with more than 16 years experience in multiple industries in both traditional and online marketing. Through his experience and education, Rob has developed a keen sense of relationship and loyalty marketing, and offers a unique understanding of a variety of markets.
“As a new author, I must say having Rob Mangelson as my PMA was a great experience. Not only did he assist me in reaching some of my sales and marketing goals, but also towards gaining lots of exposure for my book – which included, getting me an interview on a radio show, but also arranging my first book signing! In addition, Rob provided me with a lot of helpful tips and connections on the way!” – S.L. Holliday, author of My Identity Christ-is: Stay in the Game.
Tomica Bonner
Tomica has six years of business and marketing experience assisting authors and writers. She holds a B.A. from Baker College in Business Management and has been published by several online businesses, such as Intuit, AOL and Chron Business.
“Tomica was very cool and thorough in the marketing process. She excelled in troubleshooting the difficulties met within the process of publishing. I learned so much through these experiences.” – M.U. Salas-Tristan, author of Rocky’s ABC Book With His Friends
Are you ready to take your book marketing to the next level with 5-hours of Personal Marketing Assistance? Click to order some one-on-one time today.
Jennifer’s management of my publishing can be evidenced by the finished product: Excellent. The book is PERFECT from front cover to back. My questions were always answered in a very timely and professional manner. I’m already working on my next submission and fully intend to utilize Outskirts Press again. I would recommend them to anyone interested in self-publishing, be it their first or fifth project. You will not be disappointed!”
As part of a team-building exercise at work, Ellen Cumbess took a personality profile assessment that classified attendees as either lions, monkeys, turtles, or camels. Ellen was a lion. As this light bulb of realization begins to flicker, the author summons to mind the events that led to the creation of this lion personality. This was the beginning of Ellen’s exploration into her own history which took her down the road she had always wanted to travel; the road she had been on her entire life, without a steering wheel. Tales of a Lion is the memoir of a native New Yorker struggling to overcome anger and resentment stemming from the events of her early childhood. It is the story of a lion’s self examination of a life spent roaring in search of inner peace; and in the end provides an answer to the question: Does a lion always have to roar?
While Cinco de Mayo is a holiday on which Mexicans celebrate freedom and democracy, it’s a day on which many Americans choose to celebrate the cultural contributions of our neighbors to the south. Outskirts Press wants to help you do that with a selection of books from our self-published authors.
Here we present our Top 10 Cinco de Mayo selections, from epic novels set on the Camino Real to cookbooks to help you whip up an authentic Mexican feast. In alphabetical order, the Top 10 self-published Mexican- and Cinco de Mayo-themed books written by Outskirts Press authors are:
All of these books, along with other Outskirts Press titles, are available from the major online book retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Books-A-Million and others, plus conveniently from the Outskirts Press bookstore.
Is your Spanish-language book ready for self-publishing in 2013? Let Outskirts Press help you get your book to print!
Book marketing is often revered as the most challenging part of self-publishing a book. There are so many things to do – how can an author decide which options will work best for them? What are other successful self-published authors doing? Wouldn’t it be helpful to get a sneak peek into what others feel works best for their book? What if you had the opportunity to get a “sneak peek” into a list of statistically proven strategies that you put into your book marketing plan right away? Now you can…
These were the most popular book marketing tactics during the month of February 2013, listed below in alphabetical order:
Amazon Kindle EditionThe Amazon Kindle is a revolutionary wireless reading device that allows its owners to instantly download books and newspapers. Only books that have been submitted to the Amazon Kindle via the required process and in the required format are available for Kindle readers to purchase and enjoy.
Barnes & Noble NOOK Submission Service There are OVER 2 MILLION books available on Barnes & Noble’s NOOK. If your book isn’t one of them, you are missing out on tapping a very important, and growing, market of readers.
Barnes & Noble See Inside Barnes & Noble’s answer to Amazon’s “Search Inside the Book” program. Books that participate in this program receive a “See Inside” icon next to their Barnes & Noble cover image, which invites potential customers to electronically “flip” through a small section of the book.
Book Review Submission Service Securing positive book reviews is the first step toward building word-of-mouth buzz for your book. Don’t have the time to send your own? Take advantage of the convenience of our Book Review Submission service. In addition to receiving a complimentary copy of your book, the reviewers will also receive a professional cover letter, a copy of your press release, and your sales sheet. We take care of all of that for you, including sending the review copy!
Book Video Trailer Be among the first authors anywhere to use online video marketing. The Book Video Trailer is like a movie trailer for your book. It’s cool, it’s hip, it’s NOW!
Custom Press Release Have our professional press release writer compose an original, unique press release for your book, submitted to you for your review/approval, and then distributed to our news wire service on your behalf.
EVVY Award Submission Winning a book award helps separate your book from the rest, especially when it is the coveted “EVVY Awards” and “Book of the Year” award, held annually by Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA).
Marketing Personal AssistantDo you need help developing a book marketing plan? Arranging book signings? Establishing/developing your author platform?
Hire your own Personal Marketing Assistant today!
London Book Fair The London Book Fair is regarded by many as the most important spring publishing event and welcomes tens of thousands of attendees from all over the globe. Capitalize by exposing your book to key industry contacts like acquisitions agents, editors, and translation rights agents.
Outskirts Press published authors who are interested in any of these options can find further details and ordering information by clicking on the name (or image) of the option above. Information about additional marketing options can be found on the Marketing Options page of your Author’s Center.
Is it time to get published and start receiving marketing services like this?
Outskirts Press was founded and grown upon the principle of helping creators realize their greatest writing ambitions.Self-publishing a book is a major undertaking, and we’re proud of the work our authors do to create amazing literature and see it through to publication. So, it’s with pride that we take a moment each week to recognize one of the many authors of whom we’re so very proud in our Self-Publishing Book Spotlight.
This week we shine our spotlight on self-published author Keith Elkins and his book, The Pony Principles: Lessons in Optimism Because of Adversity.
In The Pony Principles: Lessons in Optimism Because of Adversity, Outskirts Press author Keith Elkins takes the metaphor of the pony from the positive, childlike perspective of anticipating the gift of a pony for one’s birthday and expands that idea into four simple, innovative principles by which one can make things happen in one’s life despite the influence of negative people or negative circumstances.
No matter what is occurring around a person, author Elkins writes, there is always a path to one’s goals if one is committed and on purpose. What one focuses on, expands. His four pony principles help one achieve the focused optimism necessary to carry through to one’s goals. One has to see the pony, feed the pony, train the pony and, finally, one has to ride the pony.
“Seeing” the proverbial pony is the start of one’s journey and involves concentrating on one’s goals, clarifying one’s vision and purpose and thereby strengthening one’s belief. In this first step one must also overcome any limiting notions one might have about one’s talent or one’s potential.
Elkins’ second principle, feeding the pony, concentrates not simply on the nurturing of one’s mind, body and spirit, but on the robust nourishing of them with a new way of processing one’s life experiences through “lifetime learning” and through exposure to people, places and ideas that help a person grow.
“Training” the pony, step three, is the work, the discipline, the practice necessary to actually make a lifelong change. If one’s life is worth living, it is worth training for, the author says, and training is, simply put, work.
Finally, in step four, one “rides” the pony. One mounts the animal and gives it a little kick. Rather than merely sitting around, looking at and daydreaming about what one wants, one actually gets on the pony and follows through to one’s goals with action. One moves forward with commitment and passion.
One then succeeds.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Keith Elkins is an entrepreneur, a martial arts educator and a motivational speaker. He is the president of Keith Elkins Enterprises, Inc., a human potential consulting company that offers presentations on leadership, team building, embracing change and developing programs for at-risk youth. Keith and his family live near Washington, DC.
Outskirts Press offers high-quality, full-service self-publishing and book marketing services for writers and professionals who are seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining 100% of their rights, 100% of their profits, and 100% of the creative control.http://www.outskirtspress.com.
Are you self publishing a book and looking to receive marketing support and services like this?
We’re excited to announce the Memoir Writing Kit, a new tool for people who want to share their life experiences and pass their story on to future generations.
Outskirts Press, the fastest growing self-publishing and book marketing company, announced today a new Memoir Writing Kit. The Memoir Writing Kit is a tool for anyone wanting to capture their life story and share it with the people they love.
One of the most valuable pieces of writing material can be a person’s own story — recollections and personal history they can pass down to future generations. Outskirts Press now offers an easy way for anyone to capture those life experiences in writing.
The Memoir Writing Kit from Outskirts Press offers 140 pages of memory-provoking questions to help inspire the writer. The writer can simply answer the questions in complete sentences, remove the questions themselves, and the memoir practically writes itself!
Everyone’s life experience is unique. The beauty of the Memoir Writing Kit is that it is flexible and comprehensive enough to help any writer start and complete their memoirs, no matter what sort of life they have led. The writer can simply delete sections that don’t apply to them, or add details and stories that do. The structure of the Memoir Writing Kit is roughly chronological, beginning with “The Dawn of Life” and ending with “The Sunset.” The years between are organized by similarly themed chapters, ranging from “Childhood Holidays and Celebrations” to “Serving My Country” to “A Taste for Life.”
“There are many people who want to share their life experiences with their grandchildren and future generations, but they’re not sure where to start,” said Outskirts Press Executive Vice President Kelly Schuknecht. “Outskirts Press makes it easy for folks to remember the details, organize those memories and leave their legacy for the people they love.”
Visit Outskirts Press to learn more about this exciting new writing kit and to begin writing your memoirs today!
Was your book published in 2012? If so, this is your one and only chance to enter the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards.
The registration deadline for the Benjamin Franklin Award Submission Service is this Friday, October 26, 2012.
The Benjamin Franklin Awards, administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association, are among the most respected book awards in the country. The awards recognize excellence in both editorial and design. The specific genre categories are judged by three industry professionals, coming from the library, bookstore, reviewer, designer, publicity and editorial markets.
All finalists will be notified in the late spring, early summer. Winners and finalists are recognized at a gala event at the Book Expo of America and receive award certificates. Winners receive an engraved crystal trophy. All winners and finalists are announced to the major trade journals and media, and winners are recognized at the IBPA booth at BEA in the spring.
As an Outskirts Press published author, you can have us handle all of the submission details 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
Click here for details or to order the Benjamin Franklin Submission Service today.
Call Marcia Bennett a late bloomer if you will, but we prefer to think of her as a perennial.
For Bennett, 82, writing wasn’t a lifelong calling, although she’s proven she has an aptitude for it. The Outskirts Press author was a 40-something, “non-traditional” college student when she stumbled upon a latent talent for prose. Required to write a book for a children’s literature class, she learned she enjoyed the process–and great things came out of it.
Bennett has penned five books since then and is riding a recent wave of interest in her newest work, the children’s book “Umbrella Town,” about a girl who bucks her village’s black-umbrella penchant for bright colors.
First, a newspaper near her home town of Spring, Texas, profiled her. That attention lead a local magazine to offer Bennett a commission to write two articles, slated to run in July. An interview with ABC affiliate KTRK about “Umbrella Town” soon followed and a lengthier profile is in the works.
And to top off the whole publicity storm, Bennett’s retirement facility planned a launch party for her with a live reading of “Umbrella Town”–complete with a slideshow of the illustrations–and a white umbrella painting activity.
When Bennett’s not writing, she’s creating in other ways, with jewelry art and other creative pursuits.
Summary: Little Katarina sees beyond the bleak parade of black umbrellas in rainy Umbrella Town. Her decision to transform her own umbrella into one full of color brings scorn from the townspeople, but Katarina’s determination overcomes their prejudice and brings surprising changes to the little town. Umbrella Town won first prize in the Texas Katherine Anne Porter Literary Contest.
Are you planning to self-publish a book? Let’s talk…
Spring’s in full swing! It’s always an exciting time in self-publishing, with many self-published authors taking advantage of promotional opportunities such as spring book fairs and ramping up for a summer of selling.
Outskirts Press knows that stocking up for the big book-selling push can get pricey. We want to ease the burden so you make the most of a season of sales. So, through the end of May we’re giving all currently published authors FREE SHIPPING on orders of 50 or more within the continental U.S.
Chances are you’ll need extra books for upcoming promotional events. By combining free shipping with our bulk order discounts, you’ll be well-stocked for summer promotions – without depleting your bank account!
Here’s how free shipping works:
1. Login to your Publishing Center and place an order for 50 or more copies of your book(s) in a single format before May 31.
2. Select normal ground shipping with a delivery address in the continental United States.
No promotion code is necessary. You will see the free shipping reflected once you place your order. It’s a snap!
If you’re not sure how to approach marketing your self-published book and haven’t yet taken advantage of Outskirts Press’ many promotional services, consider contacting a Personal Marketing Assistant to come up with a solid action plan for this summer.
Lisa brings more than 16 years of experience in marketing, marketing research and sales to Outskirts Press. She has an MBA from Pepperdine and a B.S. in Business Administration from Drake University, and has worked for leading consumer goods companies such as Neutrogena, Johnson & Johnson, and AC Nielsen.
Rob is a seasoned 
Outskirts Press, the fastest growing 
