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Midwest Book Review
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The Publisher's Bookshelf A-L

A-L M-Z

1001 Ways to Market Your Books
John Kremer
Open Horizons
PO Box 205, Fairfield, IA 52556
0912411481 $27.95

1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers is justly considered a standard in its field. Now in a newly updated and expanded fifth edition, John Kremer's "bible" of book marketing has even more real-life examples showing how other publishers and authors have successfully marketed their books. Readers will learn how to edit and design their books for promotional clout; open new markets; obtain national publicity; advertise effectively; promote and sell via the Internet; gain nationwide distribution; work with bookstores to sell more books; sell books to catalog and retail stores; sell to schools and libraries; and how to sell subsidiary and foreign rights. 1001 Ways To Market Your Books is enhanced with 225 specific marketing tips just for authors, as well as a separate chapter on how authors can capitalize on the increased recognition a book gives their work. Every author (no matter what genre the writing) and every publisher (large or small) should have their own reference copy of 1001 Ways To Market Your Books -- and periodically re-read it from cover to cover.

2012 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market
Chuck Sambuchino, Editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
1599632314, $29.99, www.writersmarket.com

The 2012 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market updates a solid writing reference key to any writer's library, pairing interviews with best-selling children's authors and advice from dozens of literary agents seeking new clients with solid listings - over 700 - of publishers and magazines actively seeking - and paying for - work. Learn all about how to write a query letter, sell and get paid for articles, and more with a guide that now includes access to an online publisher database and which substantially updates details in this 24th annual edition!

2013 Writer's Market
Carol Tice, et.al.
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
9781599635934, $27.99, www.writersdigest.com

The 2013 Writer's Market continues to remain the best printed resource available for making the most of one's writing career, identifying sources for publication that range from magazines and book publishers to contests, awards, and more. Introductory chapters provide essays on everything from self-promotion to locating freelance opportunities online, while pages packed with concrete, annually-updated information include such basics as editor names, notes on bylines and payment policies, fiction and nonfiction needs, and more. No general or public lending library should be without this key reference.

2015 Guide to Literary Agents
Chuck Sambuchino
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.fwmedia.com/catalog
9781599638430, $29.99, www.amazon.com

A literary agent (often synonymous with "publishing agent") is an agent who represents writers and their written works to publishers, theatrical producers, film producers and film studios, and assists in the sale and deal negotiation of the same. Literary agents most often represent novelists, screenwriters and non-fiction writers. They are paid a fixed percentage (usually twenty percent on foreign sales and ten to fifteen percent for domestic sales) of the proceeds of sales they negotiate on behalf of their clients. Often the only way an aspiring new author can hope to be published by a major publishing company is through the auspices of an effective literary agent. Now in its 24th annual edition, The Writer's Digest Books' "2015 Guide to Literary Agents: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published" is a thoroughly vetted and updated listing of literary agents enhanced with a number of critically important and informative articles on query letters, synopsis writing, voice and craft, platform and blogging, nonfiction book proposals; as well as debut author success stories and the profiles of new literary agents who are actively building their client lists. Of special note is the article '10 Reasons Agents Reject Your Manuscript' which alone is worth the price of this outstanding resource and guide for novice writers. Very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections, it should be noted that "2015 Guide to Literary Agents: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.99).

2015 Guide To Self-Publishing
Robert Lee Brewer, editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
9781599638478, $29.99, www.amazon.com

Self-publishing is the publication of any book or other media by the author of the work, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. A self-published physical book is said to be privately printed. The author is responsible for and in control of the entire process, including, in the case of a book, the design of the cover and interior, formats, price, distribution, marketing and public relations. The authors can do it all themselves or out-source all or part of the process to companies that offer these services. Writer's Digest Books specializes in publishing 'how to' books for authors and "2015 Guide to Self-Publishing, Revised Edition: The Most Comprehensive Guide to Self-Publishing" is their newest instructional reference manual for aspiring authors who wish to publish their own work. This 362 page instruction guide is as comprehensive as it is "user friendly" and includes such do-it-yourself features as self-publishing checklists, a pay-rate chart, sales tax tips, and so much more. Of special note are the interviews with successful self-published authors, a self-publishing calendar, access to an exclusive e-book formatting webinar, lists of conferences, organizations, book fairs, and festivals that will prove invaluable to the commercial success of a self-publishing author. Simply stated, the "2015 Guide to Self-Publishing, Revised Edition: The Most Comprehensive Guide to Self-Publishing" is an absolute 'must' for anyone contemplating or already embarked on a self-publishing project -- and is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.99).

5-Minute Book Marketing For Authors: 2019 Edition
Penny C. Sansevieri
Independently Published
9781074789930, $9.99, PB, 148pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Now in a fully updated and expanded 2019 edition, "5 Minute Book Marketing for Authors" is a complete and expertly presented instructional reference and guide by a seasoned and experienced professional and expert in the art, science and craft of marketing books.

Author Marketing Experts' Penny Sansevieri clearly lays out step-by-step DIY instructions on all aspects of book marketing including the effective use of such marketing tools as Goodreads, Amazon.com, More Books, eBook Pricing & Promotion, Writing Reviews, Websites, Newsletters, Social Media, Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, Instagram, Pinterest, and more!

Critique: An absolute 'must read' for every aspiring (and even seasoned) author hoping to establish themselves commercially and bring to the attention of the widest and highest possible number of intended readers for their particular book(s), "5-Minute Book Marketing For Authors: 2019 Edition" is especially recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections. An ideal addition to all Creative Writing class curriculum supplemental studies lists, it should be noted that "5-Minute Book Marketing For Authors: 2019 Edition" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

52 Ways To Sell More Books!
Penny C. Sansevieri
Wheatmark
c/o Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
PO Box 421156, San Diego, CA 92142
www.amarketingexpert.com
9781604947182, $10.95, www.amazon.com

In "52 Ways to Sell More Books!", book marketing expert has compiled a wealth of specific tips, tricks, techniques, strategies, and ideas for successfully competing for attention in today's highly competitive book selling marketplace. "52 Ways to Sell More Books!" covers using all manner of media to raise the awareness of the reading public with respect to a new book including online promotions, radio and television, book reviews, publicizing on Amazon (the single largest on-line bookseller), book signings, building book marketing websites, ebook editions, utilizing social media tools including blogs and e-zines, and a great deal more. A 182-page compendium of thoroughly 'user friendly' and deftly presented information, "52 Ways to Sell More Books!" is enthusiastically recommended the next best thing to attending one of Penny Sansevieri's
workshops and will prove to be an invaluable and enduring resource for aspiring authors and novice publishers.

The ABC's Of POD
Dehanna Bailee
Blue Leaf Publications
PO Box 20, Huntersville, NC 28070
www.BlueLeafPub.com
0975509527 $8.95 http://dehanna.com

POD stands for "publish on demand" and is an industry that sprang up with the advent of desktop publishing to provide a service for authors seeking to publish their own work, but who could not afford the costs involved with traditional publishing practices. There are now dozens of POD companies offering a variety of services to transform a manuscript into a published book, and a variety of charges for these services. The key distinguishing feature of POD publication is the ability to print one book at a time as ordered by the buyers. This eliminates traditional minimum print runs, book storage costs and associated inventory costs overhead. The ABC's Of POD: A Beginners Guide To Fee-Based Print-on-Demand Publishing by POD expert Dehanna Bailee is an ideal introduction hallmarked with straightforward, easy-to-read chapters featuring "think spot" questions by section. There are more than forty additional exploratory inquires, a glossary, supplementary recommended reading selections, and invaluable lists of "Other tips and Ideas" and "Questions to ask present authors". If you are an aspiring author wanting to self-publish, then give a careful reading to Dehanna Bailee's The ABC's Of POD. Then visit Dehanna Bailee's online "POD Database" at http://dehanna.com.

The Accidental Indexer
Nan Badgett
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
www.infotoday.com
9781573875141, $39.50, www.amazon.com

An index is an indirect shortcut derived from and pointing into, a greater volume of values, data, information or knowledge. In publishing, it is a detailed list, usually arranged alphabetically, of the specific information in a publication. In "The Accidental Indexer", author Nan Badgett draws upon her many years of experience and expertise in providing indexing services to publishers, authors, and corporate clients to create a definitive and comprehensive 240 page instructional guide to the indexing profession. "The Accidental Indexer" offers an informed and informative overview of the field, describes a range of specialties, insights from professional indexers, and a wealth of savvy advice on starting and running a freelance indexing business. From practical strategies for staying on deadline, to maintaining work life balance, to collaborating and subcontracting, to creating new work opportunities, "The Accidental Indexer" will prove to be an invaluable and enduringly useful reference. "The Accidental Indexer" includes other resources, including useful forms and checklists-on such topics as training and professional development, promoting professional indexing services, managing multiple projects, contracting with clients, and ensuring index quality. "The Accidental Indexer" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone aspiring to indexing professionally and would well serve to inform authors and publishers as to the value and processes involved with the creating of indexes for their books. "The Accidental Indexer is very strongly recommended for personal, professional, community and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.

The Agent
Arthur M. Klebanoff
Texere
55 East 52nd St., NY, NY 10055
1587991047 $27.95 www.etexere.com

Arthur Klebanoff is one of today's most formidable and well known literary agents and a key figure in a front-page, technology-centric legal battle with publishing giant Random House in a case focusing on the question of who owns the electronic rights to the great books of the 20th Century. In The Agent: Personalities, Politics, And Publishing, Klebanoff vividly recounts all the lessons he's learned as a professional, ranging from his early days in politics to his current position at the center of the book rights corporate and judicial maelstrom. Klebanoff asserts that these days every author is an agent of their own future and shows how to crate multiple opportunities for success in a constantly-changing literary marketplace. The Agent is much more than just another publishing tell-all autobiography. It is an insider's report on publishing industry transitions and challenges. Here also is compelling and informative account of Random House's initial charges of copyright violation and reactions by major publishing players and the first legal case to directly focus on the vital question of who owns electronic rights in book publishing. If you are an author, literary agent, publisher, marketing director, or publicist, then you need to read Arthur Klebanoff's The Agent.

An Agent Speaks
Joan West
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd.
North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781500257347 $5.45 www.joanpwest.com

Author, publisher, and professional agent Joan West presents An Agent Speaks: A Primer for Unpublished Writers, a practical, no-nonsense advice guide. Although An Agent Speaks is especially intended for unpublished writers who are new to the system, veteran writers will also find its tips, tricks, and techniques invaluable! Chapters discuss why one might or might not need an agent, self-publishing, how to prepare query package for fiction or a proposal for nonfiction, how to search for an agent, how to format a fiction manuscript, and much more. "In my opinion, it is unethical for an agent to charge a reading fee and all negotiations with an agent who charges one should be halted immediately. Essentially, the same is true for an editing fee... Sometimes an agent will see potential in a manuscript and suggest that the author have it professionally edited. In that case, it is permissible for the agent to provide the author with a list of editors from which the author may choose. It goes without saying that the agent's name should not appear on the list." An Agent Speaks is an absolute "must-have" for debut writers, worthy of the highest recommendation.

Aiming At Amazon
Aaron Shepard
Shepard Publications
1102 Olympia Avenue NE, #18, Olympia, WA 98506
093849743X, $15.00 www.shepardpub.com

Amazon.com is the 800 pound gorilla of online bookselling. There are a large and growing number of other online booksellers (some are independent 'virtual' stores, while others, like Borders.com, are affiliated with traditional 'brick-and-morter' bookstores, and still others are specific to a particular publisher, like iUniverse.com) , but Amazon.com is by far the oldest, largest, best known, successful, and most important of them all. Amazon.com can (and often does) make the difference between a self-published author, a print-on-demand (POD) published author, a small-press author, or a major press mid-list published author being able to make a profit on their books. No small press publisher can afford to not list their titles with Amazon.com for the same reason – connecting with the reading public. In "Aiming At Amazon: The New Business of Self Publishing", an experienced writer of children's books for major publishing houses, as well as a successful self-publisher, Aaron Shepard draws upon his considerable expertise to teach novice authors who have (or are contemplating) self-publishing just how to utilize Amazon.com as a marketing resource for selling their book(s). The first major section, 'Publishing for Profit' begins with a basic introduction to the value of (and preparation for) online bookselling. The next section, 'Building Your Book', covers everything from title selection factors, to creating spin-offs, to crafting a marketable cover, to portability, to reprinting. Next is 'Meeting the Marketing' where Shepard covers data collection, publishing dates, pricing, book returns, book classification and description, publicity/promotion, and keeping track of book sales. "Aiming at Amazon' is specific to getting the book registered on Amazon.com, maximizing the benefits of being listed on Amazon.com, the various relevant features of Amazon.com, and 'the other Amazons'. The final section, 'Finessing the Future' addresses the issues of fine tuning a book, 'keeping it fresh', publishing more books, and how to deal successfully with a publishing industry and marketplace that is in a steady state of flux, change, and technological evolution. "Aiming At Amazon" is an essential read for anyone having to market a self-published or POD published book – and has a wealth of very practical and valuable information for small press publishers, novice free-lance book publicists, and mid-list authors of the larger publishing houses who find themselves having a major responsibility for promoting and publicizing their titles.

The Amazing Book Publishing Evolution In The United States
John F. Harnish
Infinity Publishing.com
c/o Buy Books On The Web
1094 New Dehaven Street, #100, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2713
074145100X, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Author and writing seminar instructor John F. Harnish draws upon his many years of experience and expertise in "The Amazing Book Publishing Evolution In The United States: What Every Writer Needs To Know Before Becoming A Published Author!!!". This is a compendium of solid, real-world, 'Dutch Uncle' advice offering insights, tips, techniques, and resource information that will stand any and all aspiring authors wanting to break into print, as well as an invaluable refresher for newly published authors wanting to more firmly establish themselves as professionals able to support themselves through their literary work. Of special note are the chapters devoted to the disadvantages of traditional publishing, considerations associated with subsidy publishing, as well as the advantages of self-publishing. Informed and informative, "The Amazing Book Publishing Evolution In The United States" is a very highly recommended and thoroughly 'reader friendly' addition to any writer reference shelf and supplemental reading list. Also very highly recommended by John F. Harnish is "My Book's Published -- Now What???" (Infinity, 0741450003, $19.95).

Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers
Aggie Villanueva
Cielos Rojos Publishing
685 Echo Road, Morganton, GA 30560
9780982591451, $7.99, www.amazon.com

Like it or not, Amazon.com continues to be the 800 pound gorilla of book marketing. Knowing how to best utilize what Amazon has to offer is vital to the commercial success of any self-published book and an invaluable method of bringing a book whose author and/or publishers have limited publicity budgets to the attention of their intended readerships. That's why "Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers: Making Author Publicity An Open Book" by Aggie Villanueva will prove to be an enormously helpful and practical guide for aspiring authors and novice publishers alike. This slender, 78-page compendium is packed with information on how Amazon's search engine operates and how to take advantage of its category-based structure. "Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers" also provides insight into the background of Amazon strategies and controversies, as well as the Amazon Bookstore's multi-leveled promotional core. Also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99), "Amazon Categories Create Best Sellers" is a "must read" for any and all authors and publishers seeking to understand and to take advantage of Amazon.com for maximum sales and profitability.

The Amazon Jungle
Jason R. Boyce & Rick Cesari
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781631952807, $19.95, PB, 212pp

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Jungle-Survival-Commerce-Marketplace/dp/1631952803

Synopsis: How do you sell on Amazon? Within the pages of "The Amazon Jungle: The Truth About Amazon, The Seller's Survival Guide for Thriving on the World's Most Perilous E-Commerce Marketplace", entrepreneurs Jason Boyce and Rick Cesari collaborate to share effective strategies that are the key to Amazon success and reveal the truth about Amazon, which is not widely known.

"The Amazon Jungle" helps Amazon Third-Party Sellers how to start selling on Amazon and how to sell products on Amazon build credibility and staying power by creating a winning brand -- the superpower that can give them back control from this online marketing behemoth. Jason's expertise in identifying winning products on Amazon and Rick's success building brands off of the platform make them a formidable team and the answer to today's question: How to succeed on a platform you can't afford to avoid?

If you're asking, how do I sell on Amazon or how to become an Amazon seller "The Amazon Jungle" is essential and DIY instructional reading.

Critique: Solidly informative, expertly presented, and of immense and enduring value for existing sellers and Amazon beginners alike, "The Amazon Jungle: The Truth About Amazon, The Seller's Survival Guide for Thriving on the World's Most Perilous E-Commerce Marketplace" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone wanting to do business on the Amazon website. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college and university library E-commerce Marketing collections and supplemental curriculum studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, business owners, authors, publishers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Amazon Jungle: The Truth About Amazon, The Seller's Survival Guide for Thriving on the World's Most Perilous E-Commerce Marketplace" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).

Editorial Note: Jason R. Boyce has nearly 20 years of experience as an Amazon Top Seller selling on Amazon, and is founder of a prominent Amazon agency, Avenue7Media. Rick Cesari's innovative Direct-To-Consumer strategies create more sales while built brand awareness for products like GoPro, Sonicare, OxiClean, and the George Foreman Grill. Together, Jason and Rick's DIY 'how to' Amazon book show how to pick a winning product, get it made, become a seller on Amazon, get it listed, and get it selling -- on and off Amazon is the best way for how to sell on Amazon.

Among Friends
Buz Teacher, editor
Janet Bukovinsky Teacher, editor
Two Tree Press
https://twotreepress.com
9780578325804, $200.00, HC, 576pp

https://www.amazon.com/Among-Friends-Illustrated-Publishing-Bookselling/dp/0578325802

Synopsis: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Buz and Janet Teacher, "Among Friends: An Illustrated Oral History of American Book Publishing and Bookselling in the 20th Century" is a 576-page deluxe, hand-numbered volume -- a collectible edition limited to a single printing of 1600--pays homage to the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the book business in the 20th century.

In fond recollections of the book titles that have helped shape our culture, and the people and companies behind them including more than 100 prominent figures in publishing and bookselling who recall their careers from the postwar period through the independent publishing revolution of the 1960s and '70s to the new millennium.

Profusely illustrated throughout with original photography of vintage book jackets, archival photos and period graphics from Publishers Weekly, "Among Friends" reveals how the book business both reflected and responded to massive societal changes.

The contributors to "Among Friends" includes: Tom Borders, Carolan Workman, Peter Kindersley, Jane Friedman, Dick Snyder, Chip Gibson, Daniel Halpern, Clyde Anderson, Jim Chandler, David Cully, John Sargent, Betty Prashker, Bruce Harris, John Cassidy, Lloyd Kahn, Joni Evans, Nan Talese, Esther Margolis, Sally Richardson, Constance Sayre, Jean Feiwel, David Godine, Jack Romanos, Nigel Newton, Robert Haft and Gary Hoover.

Critique: This large format (10.1 x 3.2 x 12.4 inches, 8.6 pounds) hardcover edition of "Among Friends: An Illustrated Oral History of American Book Publishing and Bookselling in the 20th Century" is a unique, seminal, exceptional, and massively informative contribution to 20th Century publishing history. Extraordinarily informed and informative, "Among Friends" is highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university Writing/Publishing collections -- and an ideal pick for a community or academic library Memorial Fund acquisition.

Editorial Note #1: Buz Teacher (https://www.huffpost.com/author/buz-teacher) co-founded and was CEO of Running Press from 1972 to March 2003. During that time, the company had more than 100 employees, published 220 new titles each year under the Running Press, Miniature Editions, Courage, and Running Press Kids imprints, and distributed their books worldwide. Under his leadership, Running Press produced five New York Times hardcover bestsellers, including the photo-essay book Sisters, which was on the hardcover bestseller list for more than 63 weeks. Buz is currently a consultant in the publishing industry, and a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania Press. He is a longtime active board member of the Children's Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia, as well as a member of the Solebury Township Historic Architecture Review Board. He has served as an expert witness for other publishers involved in various legal issues concerning book publishing.

Editorial Note #2: Janet Bukovinsky Teacher is a former magazine writer and editor. Her titles are listed at https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL3823440A/Janet_Bukovinsky_Teacher

The Art of Libromancy
Josh Cook
Biblioasis
www.biblioasis.com
9781771965415, $18.95, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Libromancy-Selling-Reading-Twenty-first/dp/177196541X

Synopsis: With Amazon's growing power in both book selling and publishing, considering where and how we get our books is more important now than ever - especially to authors, publishers, and dedicated bibliophiles.

The simple act of putting a book in a reader's hands (what booksellers call hand-selling) becomes a catalyst for an exploration of the moral, financial, and political pressures all independent bookstores face.

From the relationship between bookselling and white supremacy, to censorship and the spread of misinformation, to the consolidation of the publishing industry, with the publication of "The Art of Libromancy: On Selling Books and Reading Books in the Twenty-first Century" veteran bookseller and writer Josh Cook turns a generous yet critical eye to an industry at the heart of American culture, sharing tips and techniques for becoming a better reader and, of course, recommending great books along the way.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, deftly organized, and impressively presented, "The Art of Libromancy: On Selling Books and Reading Books in the Twenty-first Century" is as informed and informative, as it is inherently fascinating commentary on the independent bookstore owner/seller in a publishing industry increasingly dominated by the big book bookstore chains and the internet based booksellers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble).

In the author's words: "If books are important to you because you're a reader or a writer, then how books are sold should be important to you as well. If it matters to you that your vegetables are organic, your clothes made without child labor, your beer brewed without a culture of misogyny, then it should matter how books are made and sold to you."

While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "The Art of Libromancy: On Selling Books and Reading Books in the Twenty-first Century" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections and supplemental Contemporary Media Studies curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Josh Cook (https://www.portersquarebooks.com/josh-cook) is a bookseller and co-owner at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he has worked since 2004. He is also author of the critically acclaimed postmodern detective novel An Exaggerated Murder and his fiction, criticism, and poetry have appeared in numerous leading literary publications.

Aspects of Contemporary Book Design
Richard Hendel, editor
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381752, $29.95, www.uiowapress.org

Aspects of Contemporary Book Design considers the craft of book design and tells designers who work with modern technology how to manage specific book design challenges. Images from the books they have produced provide an example-driven, indexed guide to how professional British and American designers think about book design. Any involved in the art of publisher and design will find this gathers the latest thinking on book design, offering first-person step-by-step insights on the progression from manuscript to finished product. Numerous black and white examples throughout make for a 'must' for any book designer or publisher who would understand the process of choosing an effective book design.

Author 101
Rick Frishman & Robyn Spizman
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield Street, 2nd floor, Avon, MA 02322
www.adamsmedia.com
1593374127 $12.95 1-800-872-5627

The collaboration of publicist Rick Frishman and award-winning author Robyn Freedman Spizman, Author 101: Bestselling Book Proposals is a true "insider's guide" for authors seeking to sell what they write in today's complex and competitive publishing marketplace. A "great idea" for a book is not enough; to get publishers to take notice, prospective authors need a top-quality book proposal. Author 101 covers the basics of query letters and formulating proposals, and delves in-depth about specific details such as promotion plans, discerning the market for one's book, and perhaps most valuably, what agents and publishers hate the most (including "writers who say how much they liked other books", "writers who call constantly, are demanding, and don't hang up", and "writers who constantly tinker"). A "must-read", no-nonsense primer for publishing success and professional conduct, with the absolute highest recommendation for novice writers.

Authors and Apparatus
Monika Dommann
Cornell University Press
512 East State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
9781501709920, $41.95, HC, 282pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Copyright is under siege. From file sharing to vast library scanning projects, new technologies, actors, and attitudes toward intellectual property threaten the value of creative work. However, while digital media and the Internet have made making and sharing perfect copies of original works almost effortless, debates about protecting authors' rights are nothing new.

"Authors and Apparatus: A Media History of Copyright" is sweeping account of the evolution of copyright law since the mid-nineteenth century in which Monika Dommann (Professor of Modern History, University of Zurich) deftly explores how radical media changes ranging from sheet music and phonographs to photocopiers and networked information systems -- have challenged and transformed legal and cultural concept of authors' rights.

Dommann provides a critical transatlantic perspective on developments in copyright law and mechanical reproduction of words and music, charting how artists, media companies, and lawmakers in the United States and western Europe approached the complex tangle of technological innovation, intellectual property, and consumer interests.

From the seemingly innocuous music box, invented around 1800, to BASF's magnetic tapes and Xerox machines, Dommann demonstrates how copyright has been continuously destabilized by emerging technologies, requiring new legal norms to regulate commercial and private copying practices.

Without minimizing digital media's radical disruption to notions of intellectual property, Dommann uncovers the deep historical roots of the conflict between copyright and media -- a story that can inform present-day debates over the legal protection of authorship.

Critique: An intrinsically fascinating and meticulously presented history of copyright in relationship to the ever advancing progress of the technologies affecting the intellectual property rights of authors (and their publishers!), "Authors and Apparatus: A Media History of Copyright" is ably translated from the original German into English for an American readership by Sarah Pybus.

Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of a list of illustrations, a list of abbreviations, and informative Introduction (A Media History of Legal Norms), a summarizing Conclusion (Legal Histories of Media Transformation), a four page Bibliography Essay (Further Reading), thirty- four pages of Notes, a thirty page Bibliography, and a six page Index, "Authors and Apparatus: A Media History of Copyright" is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections in general, and Copyright supplemental studies lists in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of authors, publishers, students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Authors and Apparatus: A Media History of Copyright" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).

The Author's Guide To Building An Online Platform
Stephanie Chandler
Quill Driver Books
1254 Commerce Avenue, Sanger, CA 93657
9781884956829, $14.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Many a novice author often fails to realize that when their book is published the responsibility for publicizing, promoting, marketing, and selling that book is mostly (if not entirely!) going to be on their shoulders. The good news is that the art and science of successfully selling a book in today's volatile and competitive marketplace can be done on as small a budget as $20 for the template of a website or blog. For those who don't know how to accomplish such a feat, book marketing expert Stephanie Chandler has written "The Author's Guide To Building An Onlkine Platform: Leveraging The Internet To Sell More Books", a step-by-step, articulate and practical compendium of instructions and advice. Chapters cover how to go about launching a website or blog; how to determine the target audience for a book; what kind of information will be needed to interest the intended readership of a book; how to optimize a website with search engines; the principles and techniques of publishing a monthly electronic newsletter and building a mailing list; and keeping up the struggle to bring a book to the attention of those most likely to be persuaded to buy it! Simply stated, "The Author's Guide To Building An Online Platform" is an ideal instruction manual that will materially assist any writer seeking to build a long-term career for themselves as published authors.

The Author's Guide To Publishing And Marketing
Tim Ward & John Hunt
O Books
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781846941665, $19.95, www.nbnbooks.com

John Hunt is a publisher. Tim Ward is an author. Together they have drawn upon their many years of experience and expertise to collaborate in creating "The Author's Guide To Publishing And Marketing", a comprehensive introduction to the highly competitive and evolving process of transforming manuscripts into books -- and then selling those books to create a profitable business for the publisher and a lucrative income for the author. It should be noted for the novice American writer and aspiring American publisher that the compendium of information, insight, advice is a British publication so some of the specific resources cited are not readily available here -- but their counterparts most certainly are. Organized into four major sections (Getting Published; Marketing the Book; Using the Internet; and Working with the Media), "The Author's Guide To Publishing And Marketing" offers a highly recommended compendium of useable, practical, explanatory information that will be of immense and immediate usefulness to anyone seeking to earn a living by the writing of books and/or establish a profitable business publishing them.

An Author Tells All
David L. Workman
David L. Workman, Publisher
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9HV0AQ
https://www.amazon.com/David-L.-Workman/e/B00VQWTKXY
9780996230940, $2.99, www.workman-inc.com

As much as authors dream of having their books published, many don't realize the bigger picture of what's involved. For an advance preview of the entire process, from creating a noteworthy book cover to finding an audience and reviewers, David L. Workman's book tells it like it is, enlightening his readers on the rest of the process, and should be consulted before a single self-publishing thought crosses an author's mind. It truly provides much information that otherwise would only be gleaned from trial and error. Loaded with screen shots, examples, and many specifics, An Author Tells All is one of the best books an aspiring writer on the cusp of self-publishing could obtain. It should be required reading for any such audience. Its clear path to success and its wise insights will prevent many a marketing error and save much money.

The Author's Walk
Judith Briles
Mile High Press
http://www.milehighpress.com
9781885331007, $20.00, PB, 130pp

https://www.amazon.com/Authors-Walk-Finding-Publishing-Success/dp/1885331002

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success" author and book marketing expert Dr. Judith Briles offers beginning and established writers with a roadmap to writing that next book. Comprised from cover to cover with sage, practical, DIY advice, this small by enormously informative volume is invaluable for any writer wanting to become a published author.

As as experienced and successfully published author, Judith would advise that if you are contemplating or already engaged in writing your first book, then give a careful reading to what she has to say in "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success" -- and don't hesitate to take notes and turn to it again and again for both instruction and inspiration.

Critique: Of special note are the illustrative personal anecdotes, useful insights and practical advice comprising "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success". This is essential reading for all aspiring authors about finding their own personal style and workable approach to getting profitably published -- while taking sefl care of your mental, emotional, and creative well-being. Simply stated, "The Author's Walk: Finding and Using Your Voice to Create Publishing Success", while also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99) is a significant, essential, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections and personal reading lists.

Editorial Note: Dr. Judith Briles is (also known as throughout the publishing industry as The Book Shepherd) is the author of 43 books including The Author's Walk, How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders, her memoir When God Says NO, and historical fiction, The Secret Journey. You can subscribe to her informative Tuesday and Saturday blogs on her website: https://thebookshepherd.com

Beating the Odds
Shelley B. Wepner & Linda B. Gambrell, editors
International Reading Association
800 Barksdale Road, PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139
0872075893 $25.95 www.reading.org

Edited by professors Shelley B. Wepner & Linda B. Gambrell, Beating the Odds: Getting Published in the Field of Literacy combines essays from seventeen contributors presenting more than eighty guidelines to cope with the often confusing labyrinth that is the publishing process. Though compiled especially for classroom teachers, reading specialists, faculty and administrators affiliated with literacy programs and others seeking to publish their writings in the field of literacy, much of the practical advice in Beating the Odds is applicable to writers of all walks. Whether one is trying to get a literacy article published in a journal, newspaper or magazine, or responding to rejection or revise-and-resubmit decisions, writing or editing a book, or just getting started, Beating the Odds offers sound advice on every step of the way. Of especial note are the topics not covered by most other writing guidebooks, such as the advantages and pitfalls in collaboration in writing for publication, and the importance of establishing a "write-for-publication" mindset. Highly recommended.

Berkshire Manual of Style for International Publishing
Berkshire Publishing Group
120-122 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230-1506
www.berkshirepublishing.com
9781614729938, $22.95, www.amazon.com

A superbly organized, presented, 188-page compendium of guidelines, rules and rule exceptions for writing on a global level of readership, the "Berkshire Manual of Style for International Publishing" also includes thoughtful and thought-provoking meditations and asides on writing and word use, as well as thematically relevant writing and publishing anecdotes and lore. Essential reading for copy writers and editors, the "Berkshire Manual of Style for International Publishing" also deals with business writing including both email and snail-mail correspondence. Of special note is the section devoted to guidelines for authors and reviewers. Comprehensive and deftly organized and thoroughly 'user friendly', the "Berkshire Manual of Style for International Publishing" will prove to be an indispensable reference and resource.

Bestseller
George Arnold
Eakin Press
Drawer 90159, Austin, TX 78709-0159
1571687998 $18.95 eakinpress.com

Bestseller: Must-Read Author's Guide To Successfully Selling Your Book is a very handy guide written more for authors seeking to be picked up by a publishing house than for self-publishers braving the volatile book markets on their own. Nevertheless, Bestseller is filled from cover to cover with practical wisdom and advice relevant to both groups. A wry, humorous tone pervades the wealth of down-to-earth serious tips concerning how not to annoy a prospective publisher; the plans must be laid down in advance in order to succeed; how to work with retailers who "don't owe you the time of day", and so much more. An excellent and highly readable resource that focuses on how to get one's words out there for visibility as well as profit. Bestseller is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any aspiring author's personal and professional reference shelf.

Book Blitz
Barbara Gaughen & Ernest Weckbaugh
Best Seller Books
7456 Evergreen Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
188147402X $12.95 1-800-444-2524

Book Blitz: Getting Your Book In The News To Make It A Best Seller is a compendium of the tips, tricks, and techniques utilized by professional book publicists and marketing directors to publicize, promote, and sell books in today's highly competitive marketplace. Book Blitz offers an easy-to-follow, reader-friendly, step-by-step, low-cost sixty-step guide to effective book promotion. Book Blitz (with a terrific foreword by small publishing guru Dan Poynter) is must reading for any self-published author, small press publisher, aspiring publicist or newly appointed marketing director. In addition to fourteen chapters jam-packed with practical "how-to" advice, Book Blitz also features 44 "Gray Pages" of significant promotional resources, a PR & Book Publicity Questionnaire, and a glossary of publishing/publicity terms. Indeed, the only thing missing is the inclusion of the Midwest Book Review in the section devoted to listing reviewing resources. Nonetheless, Book Blitz is a "must" for new publishers.

Book Cover Designs
Matthew Goodman
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764350160, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Book Cover Designs compiles over five hundred designs and descriptions of the process from over fifty leading modern designers, and gathers some of the most clever of titles and themes of both classic and modern books from illustrators, design professionals, students, and more. The result is a range of approaches to book cover design that can serve two purposes: as a fine set of visual artistic efforts for artists seeking book cover inspiration, or for authors who want to sample the full range of approaches to book jackets and all the options involved.

Book Design And Production
Pete Masterson
Aenoix Publishing Group
6171 Hillside Drive, El Sobrante, CA 94803-3617
0966981901 $29.95 www.aeonix.com

Book Design And Production: A Guide For Authors And Publishers will enable even the most novice aspirants to publishing an ideal instructional guide to every aspect of book publishing. A pioneer in the use of on-demand printing technology back in 1982-83 when he was in charge of publishing all price lists for a large railroad, and having operated several book design, printing and typesetting businesses for clients which included HarperCollins and McGraw-Hill, Pete Masterson takes the reader through every step of the book creation process. A master at the craft of book creation, Masterson clearly explains why 90% of all designers will prove wrong for a particular title -- and the ten crucial questions to ask when interviewing book designers; why Microsoft Word is a poor layout choice -- but what to do if you end up having to use it anyway; why the wrong fonts can ruin a book -- and how to pick the right ones. Covering both the outside (cover) of a book, as well as its interior design, and thoroughly "user friendly" throughout, Pete Masterson's Book Design And Production is one of those indispensable instructional references that should be on the shelf of anyone seeking to produce their own books so as to be as marketable (and profitable) as possible.

Book Design and Production for the Small Publisher
Malcolm Barker
Londonborn Publications
0930235088 $24.95

Malcolm Barker's Book Design and Production for the Small Publisher is an outstanding manual for the small publisher or the self-publisher. It provides a working knowledge of the basic traditional principles of book design, and explains how they can be adapted to the specific needs of almost any type of book being currently published. Book Design and Production for the Small Publisher contains 100 illustrations, including several sample layouts from small press books.

Book Formatting for Self-Publishers
Jeannette Green
Diamond Press
3400 Pegasus Drive, Box 80043
Bakersfield, CA 93380
www.diamondpresspublishing.com
9780984404476, $19.97 print, $9.97 ebook

Book Formatting for Self-Publishers is quite simply a 'must' for any collection strong in self-publishing techniques. It comes from an author who professionally prepares clients' books and ebook files for publication and shares her techniques of professionally publishing a book in either print or ebook formats. The directions are presented in an easy step-by-step coverage that anyone can readily absorb, with illustrations making the entire process even simpler. From using Microsoft Word to format to using it to create ebooks for Kindle, NOOK and Smashwords, this is a 'must' for any aspiring self-publisher and for collections catering to them.

A Book Inside
Carol Denbow
Plain & Simple Books
PO Box 1506, North Bend, OR 97459
www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
9780615199245, $18.95, www.amazon.com

It seems that every season there are more and more 'how to' books being published for aspiring writers yearning to be published. One of the latest is also one of the best. "A Book Inside: How To Write, Publish, And Sell Your Story" is a succinct 104-page compendium packed from cover to cover with practical, real-world information, strategies and techniques dealing with the necessity for completing a saleable manuscript, compiling its pages into book form, identifying and selecting an appropriate publishing option, selling the book in traditional and non-traditional markets, and publicizing, promoting, and marketing the book without significant capital expense. Carol Denbow writes with a particular, experienced-based expertise as the author of three books and the editor of nine websites including 'A Book Inside' online. Especially appropriate for, and recommended to, the novice author needing to master the 'learning curve' for become a successfully published author in today's highly competitive marketplace, "A Book Inside" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal and professional Writing/Publishing reference shelves.

A Book Is Born
Nancy C. Cleary, et al.
Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, Inc.
15115 Highway 36, Deadwood, OR, 97430
97819332279504, $24.00 www.wymacpublishing.com

The collaborative effort of Nancy C. Cleary and twenty-four published authors, "A Book Is Born" reveals what it is really like to earn a living as a writer. A after a brief foreword and introduction, "A Book Is Born" is divided into two main sections: Part One - '24 Mom Authors Tell All' in which the contributing authors provided informative examples of going through pre-publication work, author platform-building, pitching manuscripts and story ideas to prospective publishers, post-publication publicity and marketing demands upon the author, and even the 'post-partum'-like depression that afflicts many authors after their book is finished, in print, and available to the reading public. Part Two - 'The Secret to Publishing' is actually a writing/publishing curriculum of instruction complete with visual examples for every step of the publishing (and getting published) process. Of special note in this do-it-yourself curriculum for aspiring authors are the Four Principles every writer should understand and apply; the Universal Laws which are essential to a book being written; and Insider Secrets on the four publishing options available to writers -- and determining which particular one is best suited for them. "A Book Is Born" is especially 'user friendly' reading and an invaluable addition to every aspiring writer's reference collection and professional reading list.

Book Marketing De-Mystified
Bruce Batchelor
Agio Publishing House
151 Howe Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8V 4K5
9781897435007, $14.95 www.agiopublishing.com

It often comes as a shock when newly published authors discover that they must bear most of the burden of marketing their books to the general reading public -- even if they are fortunate enough to be published by one of the major New York publishing firms like Random House, Simon & Schuster or Penguin-Putnam. For self-published authors that marketing responsibility is completely theirs. Most authors are aware of the many 'how to' books that are available to them for the purpose of helping them master the craft of writing, There are also instruction books on turning raw manuscripts into finished books. What is not so obvious is that there are a number of excellent instructional guides for authors on how to market their books after they have been published. One of the best of these marketing manuals is "Book Marketing De-Mystified" by Bruce Batchelor, the man who founded Trafford (Canadian based and one of the larger POD companies servicing North America) and is widely acknowledged as the creator of the print-on-demand (POD) publishing process that has shattered the book publishing monopoly of the traditional publishing firms by allowing anyone to easily become their own publisher. This 167-page compendium of practical advice offers an especially 'user friendly' introduction to the art and science of book marketing because of its conversational style, it comprehensive coverage of book marketing issues, and Bruce Batchelor's unique perspective. It should be noted that the Midwest Book Review is positively cited (page 120) as a resource for authors and independent publishers. "Book Marketing De-Mystified" is especially useful in terms of its discussion of where to sell books, price/value setting, personal sales, paid advertising, sales promotions, publicity and public relations. Simply stated, every author and every small press publisher needs to have a competent marketing plan -- and Bruce Batchelor's "Book Marketing De-Mystified" specifically and effectively addresses that need.

Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor
Gisela Hausmann
Educ-Easy Books
PO Box 6366, Greenville, SC 29606
9780996897273, $19.99, PB, 164pp, www.amazon.com

Every author wants to be featured on TV and in magazines, wants their books to be available in libraries, and wants to have their books read by thousands of people. Though online marketing is a good way to draw attention to books, it's a space that authors have to share with thousands of other authors, which makes "putting the spotlight on your book" harder. In "Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor" author and media expert Gisela Hausmann draws upon her years of experience and expertise to show novice (and even experienced) authors how to get themselves and their books featured on TV, pitch the media, get invited to guest blog at famous well-read blogs, and get their self-published books into public libraries. "Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor" also includes "100 Pitches to Help You Brainstorm" for authors in the genres of: children's books, cookbooks, historic novels, horror, nonfiction, romance, humor/satire, science fiction, self-help, business, health, and sports. Of special note is the chapter on "Two Dozen Websites Every Author Needs to Know," including library websites, plus a list of "Action Steps" authors can follow to achieve results. Impressively informed and informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor" will prove a practical and invaluable instruction guide and manual, making it unreservedly recommended for self-published or small press author in the process of building an effective and efficient marketing plan for their book.

Book Promotion Made Easy
Eric Gelb, MBA/CPA
Career Advancement Center
Box 436, Woodmere, NY 11598-0436
1890158089 $12.00

The slim appearance of this 55-page paperback almost places Book Promotion Made Easy in the pamphlet realm, but spine lettering and an attention to depth makes it more than a pamphlet. Book Promotion Made Easy covers the event planning, presentation skills and marketing necessary to promote a book. Gelb is author of several self-published titles and provides a system of self-promotion through seminars and working with local bookstores: Book Promotion Made Easy provides a focus on creating such events to help market a book. Important information which goes beyond the usual tips on how to obtain publicity.

Book Proposals That Sell
W. Terry Whalin
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781631955105, $16.95, PB, 162pp

https://www.bookproposalsthatsell.com

Synopsis: Specifically written for the novice and inexperienced writer wanting to become a successfully published author, and now in a thoroughly revised and updated edition, "Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success" is the ideal instruction guide and manual that begins with acknowledging that about 80% to 90% of all nonfiction books are sold from a book proposal. An absolutely essential necessity for becoming a published author, the book proposal contains many elements that will never appear in a manuscript -- yet these details are critical to publishing executives who make the decision about publishing or rejecting an author's project. In his DIY "Book Proposals That Sell", W. Terry Whalin reveals 21 secrets to creating a book proposal that every author needs in order to create one that sells.

Critique: Simply stated, if you only have time to read one 'how to' guide to getting published, whether it be traditional publishing or self-publishing, "Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success" is that one DIY instructional book. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, it can help the aspiring writer to avoid costly and time consuming mistakes with respect to getting published and having that published book brought to the attention of its intended readership.

Editorial Note: W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. A former literary agent, Terry has published in over 50 magazines and written more than 60 books through traditional publishers. Several of Terry's books have sold over 100,000 copies. He is the creator of www.Right-Writing.com and www.TheWritingLife.ws

Book Publishing 101
Martha Maeda
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
www.atlantic-pub.com
9781601385642, $24.95, www.amazon.com

"Book Publishing 101: Inside Information to Getting Your First Book or Novel Published" is a complete course of instruction on how to turn a manuscript into a book -- and then bring book to the attention of the author' intended readership. This comprehensive, deftly organized, exceptionally well written instruction manual begins with an overview of the business of publishing. The follows a chapter covering the options of traditional publishing, self-publishing, and the subsidy, co-op, and vanity presses. Practical information is provided on how to craft a financially successful book; publishing fiction and non-fiction; writing proposal and query letters; working with a literary agent; understanding publisher contracts; a comprehensive explanation of self-publishing; and book designing. Of immense importance is are the two chapters devoted to marketing resources and strategies. Enhanced with an impressive number of sample documents, a glossary, genre definitions, bibliography, and index, "Book Publishing 101: Inside Information to Getting Your First Book or Novel Published" should be considered mandatory reading for every aspiring author seeking to publish their work in today's highly competitive and volatile publishing world.

Book Publishing Encyclopedia
Dan Poynter
Para Publishing
PO Box 8206, Santa Barbara, CA 93118
1568601271 $19.95 parapublishing.com

Book Publishing Encyclopedia: Tips And Resources For Authors And Publisher by Dan Poynter (the legendary guru of small press publishers) is an in-depth, knowledgeable, experienced based and "real world tested" compendium of useful, practical, and helpful information pertaining to the difficult and somewhat complex process of publishing and authorship. Providing a "user-friendly" guide to saving time and money in the publishing process, the utilization of internet resources, and more then 1001 tips, techniques and strategies on how to write, publish and promote a book, the Book Publishing Encyclopedia deftly informs novice publishers of the most effective approaches to profitable book publishing in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The Book Publishing Encyclopedia is very strongly recommended for all readers and writers searching for the ultimate and concise reference for publishing an authored work. Indeed, no personal, professional, or community library "Writing/Publishing" reference collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of Dan Poynter's Book Publishing Encyclopedia which is available in a variety of formats including soft cover, large print, LIT, PF, MobiPocket, and Palm. See the Dan Poynter website at parapublishing.com for specific ordering information.

The Book Review Companion
David Wogahn
DavidWogahn.com
PartnerPress.org
c/o Author Imprints
www.authorimprints.com
9781944098148, $12.95, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Author David Wogahn is president and founder of AuthorImprints, an award-winning professional publishing services company that helps authors and businesses publish books using their own publishing imprint.

Withe the publication of "The Book Review Companion: An Author's Guide to Getting and Using Book Reviews" he has drawn upon his years of experience and expertise to create a handy instructional reference guide to the art and science of reviewing books that is loaded with feedback from authors on the subject.

"The Book Review Companion" includes step-by-step instructions for getting and using book reviews including: Proven review strategies applicable to any book, and any author; The ten major sources for reviews, including sixty resources; Amazon review policies demystified and clarified; A complete guide to soliciting and using endorsements and blurbs; Detailed instructions and resources for contacting book bloggers.

Of special note is the inclusion of a special bonus section written specifically for new authors.

Critique: It should be noted that in "The Book Review Companion: An Author's Guide to Getting and Using Book Reviews" the Midwest Book Review is favorably cited and one of its reviewer's has contributed an impressively informative interview on the subject of book reviews.

No matter whether an author that is traditionally published or self-published, "The Book Review Companion" will prove to be an ideal DIY instructional guide and manual that will be an enduringly valued and often referred to resource when authors and novice publishers are creating marketing campaigns for their books -- especially for those working with limited budgets!

Impressively informative, expertly organized and presented, "The Book Review Companion" is unreservedly recommended for author, publisher, and book publicists professional reference collections. While especially commended for community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, aspiring and even seasoned authors should be aware that "The Book Review Companion" is also available in an inexpensive digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).

The Book Trade In Early Modern England
John Hinks & Victoria Gardener, editors
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720-5038
www.oakknoll.com
9781584563273, $55.00, www.amazon.com

In the late fifteenth century, the book trade in England was modest in scale and ambition, hamstrung by legislation, centered in London and heavily dependent on its European connections. During the seventeenth century a nationwide market for books emerged and in 1695 the Licensing Act lapsed, allowing provincial printing to develop. By the early decades of the eighteenth century the trade had been radically transformed: it was national in character, better organized and perceptibly 'modern' in its structure. These essays, from recent 'Print Networks' conferences, shed light on this transformation, revealing the practices and perceptions of authors, translators, producers and collectors, the shifting geographical networks that characterized the early modern book trade and, crucially, what these changes meant for readers. Contributors: Maureen Bell, Bernard Capp, Sara Barker, Stacy Erickson, Victoria Gardner, John Hinks, Lucy Lewis, Dan Mills, Harry Newman, Charlotte Anne Panofre, Renae Satterley, Louise Wilson. A seminal anthology of outstanding scholarship, "The Book Trade in Early Modern England: Practices, Perceptions, Connections" is the twelfth volume of the outstanding Oak Knoll Press 'Print Networks' series and provides an invaluable historical overview of how the publishing industry for the English speaking reader evolved into a viable commercial enterprise. Informed and informative, "The Book Trade in Early Modern England: Practices, Perceptions, Connections" will prove to be an invaluable and much appreciated addition to academic library collections.

Book Typography
Ari Rafaeli
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720
www.oakknoll.com
1584561572 $34.95

Intended as an instructional particularly for publishers and anyone involved in typographical work, Book Typography is a no-nonsense, informative tour of the definitions, history, and current useage of various typefaces, styles, spacing techniques and much more. A wealth of notes elaborate upon the the text, as it walks the reader through such topics as "The school of close spacing", "Mise-en-page etc.", and much more. A handful of black and white illustrations, sample typefaces, and sample pages showcase the ideas and techniques discussed. An excellent introduction and well-rounded resource to the print technology of typography.

Book Typography: A Designer's Manual
Michael Mitchell & Susan Wightman
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720-5038
0948021667, $69.95 www.oakknoll.com

A critically important part of publishing books is their physical appearance, which in turn is dependent on their design. "Book Typography: A Designer's Manual" is a complete and thoroughly 'user friendly' introduction to the basic principles and applications of typography to insure readily accessible communication to the reader. Type font selection, size, and positioning are essential elements in the construction of a book regardless of genre or category of publication. From poetry, to novels, to illustrated books, to reference works, "Book Typography" will prove invaluable to the novice while having a great deal of practical utility for even the more experienced publisher. Of special note is the chapter on "The Basic Terms of the Trade" which provides extended definitions of technical terms applicable to publishing. An impressively comprehensive, single volume typographical reference work, "Book Typography" is an essential, core addition to the reference libraries and supplemental reading lists of aspiring manuscript editors, copy-editors, proofreaders, production managers, and publishers.

Bookmaking
Marshall Lee
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393732962, $31.50, www.wwnorton.com

The publishing industry has been experiencing rapid changes in both technology and the marketplace these past few years. Now in a newly updated and significantly expanded third edition, "Bookmaking: Editing/Design/Production" continues to be the premiere instruction manual and reference for the publishing of books. Of special value for those new to publishing or who aspire to become publishers, "Bookmaking" covers every aspect of manuscript editing, book design, and the printing/binding processes of book production in extensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' detail. Of special note is the information provided on computer-centered methods of publishing -- including the growing phenomena of electronic books (popularly known as ebooks). Also critically valuable is the information concerning the distribution of books. The author, Marshall Lee, draws upon his more than fifty years of professional experience and expertise in the field of publishing to provide a sound manual that continues to be considered the 'bible' of the industry and an invaluable, recommended addition to professional, academic, and community library reference collections.

Bookstore Tourism
Larry Portzline
Bookshop Junkie Press
PO Box 6067, Harrisburg, PA 17112-6067
www.bookstoretourism.com
0975893408 $10.00 1-717-541-0710

Bookstore Tourism: The Book Addict's Guide To Planning & Promoting Bookstore Road Trips For Bibliophiles & Other Bookshop Junkies by author and bibliophile Larry Portzlne is a combination tour guide, planner, and celebration of the independent bookstore. The result of the author's campaign of innovative grassroot efforts to promote and support independent bookstores through identifying them as a tourist destination and crating a new travel niche specifically designed for booklovers, Bookstore Tourism is as much fun as it is informational and is a superbly conceived and executed tool for the promotion of reading, literacy, travel, tourism, independent bookstores, and a shared love of books. There is also a very special serendipity with respect to Bookstore Tourism. It is an ideal reference and resource for authors and small press publishers seeking to create their own book tours, establish bookstore events within the community of independent bookstores across the nation. Of special note and value are the appendices providing contact information for national bookseller associations; regional bookseller associations; American literary and book festivals; a listing of books about books, bookstores, and reading groups; and state-by-state resource listings for agencies and bureaus dealing with the arts, economic development, history, libraries, and tourism. One of the most inexpensive and useful book oriented resources, the 104-page Bookstore Tourism is enthusiastically recommended for bibliophiles, authors, publishers, and booklovers everywhere.

Brilliant PR
Cathy Bussey
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780273746584, $19.99, www.amazon.com

It doesn't matter if you are an author from a major publishing house like Simon & Schuster or Penguin-Putnam, or self-published in this age of desk-top publishing and POD companies, you will carry the burden of publicizing, promoting, and marketing your book if you hope to have a financially successful, professional career. That's why every author needs to give a close and careful reading to Cathy Bussey's "Brilliant PR: Create a Pr Sensation, Whatever Your Budget, Whatever Your Business", a 168-page compendium of sound, 'real world', instructive commentary, tips, tricks, techniques, and do-it-yourself strategies adaptable to shoe-string and 'no-string' marketing budgets. Applicable to any business and the marketing of any product, "Brilliant PR" is especially germane for the book industry as it will teach newly published authors on how to best present themselves and their book to the reading public, what the various and diverse elements of a public relations campaign are and how to organize them effectively, managing the inevitable and unexpected crisis, and utilizing the promotional power of social networking in this modern age of computer web sites, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. Of special note are the illustrative insider stories, sample press releases, and good PR examples featured throughout. If you want to engage in an effect PR campaign for your book, read "Brilliant PR" by Cathy Bussey.

British Wood-Engraved Book Illustration 1904-1940
Joanna Selborne
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720
1584560592 $59.95 1-800-996-2556

Very highly recommended and informative reading for bibliophiles and students of publishing history, British Wood-engraved Book Illustration 1904-1940: A Break With Tradition by Joanna Selborne is a simply fascinating look at a unique graphic art and an historically important aspect of publishing history -- the art and practice wood-engraved book illustration. From the variety of methods that book illustrators used to transcend older nineteenth-century practices, to detailed publishers' and print societies' archives, British Wood-engrave Book Illustration 1904-1940 presents virtually all there is to know about this striking and specialized illustrative craft over the course of the first four decades of the 20th Century.

Build Your Author Platform
Carole Jelen & Michael McCallister
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781939529251, $16.95, www.amazon.com

It takes far more to write a successful book, fiction or non-fiction, that being a talented wordsmith. Once a book is written, the task remains of bringing it to the favorable attention of an intended readership. If an author is to be commercially and professional successful, that intended readership must be developed over time in the highly competitive world of publishing. "Build Your Author Platform: The New Rules: A Literary Agent's Guide to Growing Your Audience in 14 Steps" by the team of literary agent Carole Jelen and technical communications expert Michael McCallister is essentially a 384 page instruction manual specifically designed to teach authors how to define their literary and publication goals while developing a unique 'brand name' recognition for their work and themselves. Authors will learn how to utilize and implement website strategies, content, social presence, and media authority to increase their sales. Of special note is the practical guide to securing positive reviews. Replete with pragmatic and illustrative book marketing lessons, examples, success stories, and a wealth of tips and techniques, "Build Your Author Platform: The New Rules: A Literary Agent's Guide to Growing Your Audience in 14 Steps" will prove to ben an enduringly valuable addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. Very highly recommended to writers aspiring to become successful authors, it should be noted that "Build Your Author Platform: The New Rules: A Literary Agent's Guide to Growing Your Audience in 14 Steps" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers
Tad Crawford
Allworth Press
10 E. 23rd St. Suite 210, NY, NY 10010
1581150393 $22.95

Tad Crawford's instruction manual, Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers, provides over twenty blank forms and clear checklists and explanations for their use, appearing in a revised edition and including the forms on a handy CD-ROM. The sample contracts are particularly useful in this business guide.

Canadian Writer's Market, The
Sandra B. Tooze
McClelland & Stewart Ltd.
481 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2E9
0771085265 $19.95 mcclelland.com

Now in an up-to-date and expanded fifteenth edition, The Canadian Writer's Market: The Essential Guide For Freelance Writers is a solid, practical, invaluable "how to" guide to getting the art and science of getting one's work published. Individual chapters cogently offer basic advice, including contact information for a vast wealth of consumer magazines, literary publications, trade and business publications, newspapers, book publishers, literary agents and a great many more places to which one can send a manuscript to be published. Phone number, email addresses, mailing addresses, web sites, and more, fill the bulk of this solid, 433-page submission reference for aspiring Canadian authors. If you are seeking to be published in the Canadian market, then you will need access to The Canadian Writer's Market: 15th Edition!

Children's Picture Books
Shari Faden Donahue
Arimax, Inc.
2865 South Eagle Road, Newton, PA 18940
9780963428752, $19.95, www.justselfpublish.com

Children's books are a substantial part of the publishing industry and children's picture books are a substantial part of children's books publishing. That's why the 'marketplace competition' for a children's picture book is so intense -- whether it's the joint collaboration of an author and an artist, or whether the author is also the artist. Often the only viable alternative for a picture book project is that of self-publishing. That's where Shari Faden Donahue's "Children's Picture Books: How to Self-Publish Your Way To Success" should be considered essential reading for anyone aspiring to become an author and/or illustrator of children's picture books. As a veteran picture book author, illustrator and publisher, Donahue draws upon her years of experience and expertise to provide a wealth of practical, 'user friendly' information, commentary and instruction on all aspects of self-publishing a picture book including the writing, illustration, design, printing, sales, distribution, promotion and publicity aspects of the process. In the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that the Midwest Book Review and its editor-in-chief James Cox are cited four times in the text. Providing 344-pages of solid information that carefully and succinctly walks the reader through every phase of the publishing process, "Children's Picture Books" is complete course of instruction under one cover and is enhanced with up-to-date information that includes publishing industry vendors, thematically appropriate websites, organizations, conferences and workshops, a self-publisher's glossary, a reading list, and direct contact information for more than fifty children's picture book reviewers (including the Midwest Book Review!). Of special note are the chapters dealing with marketing. If you are contemplating publishing (or have already self-published) a children's picture book, then you absolutely need to have your very own copy of "Children's Picture Books: How To Self-Publishing Your Way To Success" -- it will be the best publishing investment you'll ever make!

Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016
Chuck Sambuchino, editor
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.WritersDigest.com
9781599639437, $29.99, www.amazon.com

Now in a updated and expanded 28th edition, the "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016" is the definitive publishing guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for children from preschool through young adults." Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016" provides more than 500 listings for children's book markets (publishers, agents, magazines, and more) that include a point of contact, advice on how to properly submit your work, and what categories each market accepts. "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016 " includes: Interviews with creators of today's successful children's books; New Literary Agent Spotlights profiling literary reps who are currently building their client lists and are actively seeking authors of young adult, middle-grade, chapter books, and picture books; Success stories from 13 debut authors, as well as 9 successful debut illustrators, each of whom share their paths to publication so aspiring authors can learn from their success and see what they did right; Informative articles on how to make young readers laugh, how to build a career as an illustrator, how to sell your picture book, the difference between young adult and middle-grade, and so much more. Also included in this edition of "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016" is a one-year subscription to the children's publishing content on WritersMarket.com. Of special note is that "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016" provides an exclusive access to the webinar "25 Tips on How to Succeed in Children's Publishing" by Danielle Smith of Red Fox Literary. Simply stated, "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016" will prove to be an incredibly valuable and practical resource for any author seeking to successfully publish children's books for young readers preschool through YA for personal, family, schools, or community library collections. Very highly recommended for professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing reference collections, it should be noted that "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 2016" is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.99).

Class Act
Barbara Techel
Joyful Paw Prints Press, LLC
304 Kettleview Court
Elkhart Lake, WI 53020
9780980005264 $11.95 www.joyfulpaws.com

Class Act: Sell More Books Through School and Library Author Appearances lives up to its title as a solid guide to promoting one's book and ensuring more sales to schools and libraries. Intended for authors of all types of books (not just children's stories), Class Act covers how to gain recognition as an expert speaker, organize book speaking gigs and personal appearances, spread the message of one's writing, prepare a solid and engaging presentation, and much more. Helpful checklists, advice from authors who have personally experienced the author/speaker circuit, tips, tricks, and techniques all fill this "must-have" for any aspiring author, book publisher, or even publicist. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to establish a foothold in the business!

Clip Stamp Fold
Beatriz Colomina and Craig Buckley, Editors
Actar D
c/o ActarBirkhauser Distribution
151 Grand Street, 5th floor
New York, NY 10013
8496954526, $54.95, www.actar.com

Clip Stamp Fold: The Radical Architecture of Little Magazines 196X to 197X is a 'must' for not just arts but college-level literary collections, packing in interviews with over 40 magazine makers, reproductions of magazine styles and articles, and details to accompany an exhibition's global travels. Discussions have been transcribed into English and accompany a chronological presentation of over 120 issues from the 1960s and 70s and facsimiles of magazines designed for browsing. From activist politics to the changing trends of small press and magazine production standards, this is just packed with key historic, artistic and literary reference detail and is an outstanding reference.

The Complete Guide To Book Publicity
Jodee Blanco
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 210, New York, NY 10010
www.allworth.com
158115349X $19.95 1-800-491-2808

Jodee Blanco draws upon extensive, "real world" experience in heading up marketing campaigns that resulted in sixteen books climbing onto the New York Times bestseller list, in The Complete Guide To Book Publicity. Tips, tricks, and techniques covering the role of a book publicist, how to deliver an exciting interview, author tours, managing a crisis when something goes wrong, the when, why, and how of hiring an outside publicist, and much more. A solid resource of insider information from a veteran professional, and an absolute "must-have" for anyone considering or involved in a line of work involving book publicity and promotion.

The Complete Guide to Hiring a Literary Agent
Laura Cross
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471-0640
9781601384034, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

You can have the best book in the world, but it all comes down to the sale. "The Complete Guide to Hiring a Literary Agent: Everything You Know to Become Successfully Published" is a guide to the aspect of publishing many writers understand the least, the literary agent. Agents can help authors get their work to the next level and get it picked up and help authors turn their love and work into much more. Everything an author needs to know to find the right person with this work, "The Complete Guide to Hiring a Literary Agent" is an excellent resource, and very highly recommended. Also from Atlantic Publishing Group is "How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com" (9781601384041, $24.95), a guide to using Amazon's Kindle service and how to use it to get your work published cheaply and on the market quickly.

The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing
Marilyn Ross & Sue Collier
Writer's Digest Books
100 Armstrong Avenue, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, L7G 5S4
9781582977188, $24.95, www.writersdigest.com

Getting your own work out there is more troublesome than one would think. "The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything you need to know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book" is a guide to those who want to get their work published through the self-publishing avenue. Publishing a book is not as simple as getting it bound and printed, but promoted and sold in stores. From print on demand services to PR and more, "The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing" is a must for anyone who wants to embrace this endeavor to get their work out there.

The Complete Guide to Successful Publishing
Avery Cardoza
Cardoza Publishing
Box 1500, Cooper Station, NY, NY 10276
0940685434 $19.95 1-800-577-9467

Avery Cardoza's The Complete Guide To Successful Publishing is an easy to follow, step-by-step "how to" manual for creating, printing, distributing, and selling books. The Complete Guide To Successful Publishing covers the essentials of publishing and features a complete guide to distribution channels; the essentials of type, page, book and cover design; offers more than 75 key charts and sidebars for the aspiring publisher; a step-by-step guide to preparing a book for the printer; ways to cut printing and production bills in half; how to get your company and books listed in the book trade; earning money trough subsidiary sales; expanding your company into a bigger business; in-depth resource guides, and thousands of "tips, tricks and techniques" to profitably publish anything from fiction to non-fiction, best-sellers to gift books, poetry to cookbooks The Complete Guide To Successful Publishing is an invaluable guide and an essential reference for anyone aspiring to professional publishing practices and expertise in today's highly competitive literary marketplace.

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published
Sheree Bykofsky & Jennifer Basye Sander
Alpha Books
c/o New American Library
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
1592575188 $19.95 1-800-847-5515 www.penguin.com

Now in a completely updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published" provides the aspiring author and the novice publisher with step-by-step instructions on turning a manuscript into a published book. Enhanced with an accompanying CD-Rom enriched with dozens of document templates, lists of agents, lists of writers' conference, and publisher resources of all kinds and categories, "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published" is one of the most "user friendly" how-to books on the subject of publishing available to the general public today. Along with a methodical explanatory presentation of the book publishing process, readers will learn just how to best get their particular manuscript ready for publication; how to keep track of publishing industry trends as part of determining the suitability and viability of their publishing project; effective, innovative, and tested marketing strategies, and so much more. "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published" will also enable novice writers to avoid common mistakes, understand publisher contracts, and consider the pros and cons with respect to literary agents. If you have aspirations to having your manuscript published, then do yourself the tremendous favor of giving "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Getting Published" a careful reading.

Complete Publishing Resource Manual
Linda Able
Florida Academic Press
PO Box 540, Gainesville, FL 32602-0540
1890357057 $22.95 1-352-332-5104

In The Complete Publishing Resource Manual, author Linda Able offers the most comprehensive glossary of nearly 2,000 terms used in publishing, printing, and graphic design fields available to today. Also featured is a 180-page annotated bibliography of virtually every single book published in this country to date on writing, publishing, book-marketing, public speaking and seminars, back-of-the-room sales, and Web publishing. The Complete Publishing Resource Manual is further enhanced with a 62-page resource section listing addresses of printers, media, review journals, trade organizations (regional and national), vendors and suppliers to the trade, as well as Web sites, E-mail addresses, chat groups, and list-servs of virtually anyone relevant to the publishing trade. The Complete Publishing Resource Manual is the first volume of a definitive three-volume manual on publishing and an indispensable reference work for all aspiring self-published and small press publishers, and has a wealth of reference information for the experienced publisher and corporate publishing company staff. Highly recommended for personal, academic, corporate, professional, and community library reference book collections on writing and publishing.

The Copyright Guide
Lee Wilson
Allworth Press
www.allworth.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781621536208, $24.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com

Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution. In a newly updated and expanded fourth edition, "The Copyright Guide: How You Can Protect and Profit from Copyright" by Lee Wilson (a Nashville writer and lawyer with extensive experience in the area of copyright) is a definitive resource that explains everything necessary for make copyright work for authors and/or publishers, including how to license your copyrights, how to acquire the right to use the works of others, what copyright infringement is, how to protect your works from infringement, and how to avoid infringing on the works of others. With informative tips and easy-to-use forms, "The Copyright Guide" will save you legal fees, make sure you avoid infringing on the works of others, and help you protect and profit from what you create. Comprehensively informative, exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, this new edition of "The Copyright Guide" should be a part of every writer's and/or publisher's instructional reference collections, as well as a core addition to both community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections.

The Copyright Handbook, thirteenth edition
Stephen Fishman, J.D.
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
9781413324266, $49.99, PB, 448pp, www.amazon.com

Copyright is a legal right created by the law of a country that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution. This is usually only for a limited time. The exclusive rights are not absolute but limited by limitations and exceptions to copyright law, including fair use. A major limitation on copyright is that copyright protects only the original expression of ideas, and not the underlying ideas themselves. Now in a fully updated thirteenth edition, "The Copyright Handbook: What Every Writer Needs to Know" fully lives up to its full title and provides writers with all the information needed to protect their work from infringement, plagiarism, counterfeiting, or unauthorized exploitation. Compiled, written, organized and presented by Stephen Fishman (who has dedicated his career as an attorney and author to writing useful, authoritative and recognized guides on taxes and business law for entrepreneurs, independent contractors, freelancers and other self-employed people, as well as books on copyright law and the public domain) shows writers how to: register literary work; maximize copyright protection; transfer ownership of copyright; avoid infringement; deal with infringers; understand the "fair use" rule; obtain permission to use copyrighted work; profit from copyright. Of special note is the inclusion of downloadable forms and that "The Copyright Handbook" comes with an invaluable web site enabling writers to keep current with legal updates on copyright law and access informative copyright podcasts. Simply stated, "The Copyright Handbook" is an essential, core addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted that this new edition of "The Copyright Handbook: What Every Writer Needs to Know" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.17).

Creating A Cookbook
Amy Riolo
Privately Published
http://www.amyriolo.com
9781720009412, $19.95, PB, 84pp, www.amazon.com

In "Creating a Cookbook: How to Write, Publish, and Promote Your Culinary Philosophy", cookbook author Amy Riolo completely demystifies the cookbook creation process for both novice and accomplished authors. Whether wanting to preserve family recipes for personal use or creating a best-selling cookbook for the general culinary public, "Creating a Cookbook" will be a valued and comprehensive guide to every step of the process. Herself an award-winning author of four very popular and successful cookbooks, Amy Riolo reveals all of the tips, strategies, and techniques needed to set up for success as a cookbook author. In addition to writing and compiling recipes, aspiring cookbook authors will learn to find their particular niche in food writing, build an author platform, write and submit a cookbook proposal, the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, and how to promote a cookbook, as well as expert advice on agents, contracts, and copyrights. It is of special interest to note that "Creating a Cookbook" also includes conversations with: Nancy Baggett, Ale Gambini, Jane Graf, Keith Ogorek, Clare Pelino, and Rossella Rago. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Creating a Cookbook" is unreservedly recommended as an essential and complete guide to successfully writing and marketing a cookbook in today's volatile, evolving and competitive publishing industry. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Creating a Cookbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: Volume 2
Dan Poynter
Para Publishing
PO Box 8206, Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206
9781568601465, $14.95, www.parapublishing.com

Dan Poynter is a living legend in the publishing industry. Originally published in 1979, his 'The Self-Publishing Manual' is in its 16th revised edition and 22nd printing. Now a second volume has been written with the specific focus of writing, printing, and selling the self-published book by utilizing cutting edge technologies and the latest up-to-date techniques. This is an indispensable instruction manual and reference for everything from copy writing a book; to print runs and inventories, to putting out downloadable, CD and eBook editions through 'Virtual Book Publishing'; to creating additional revenue streams though audios, videos, magazine excerpts, foreign language sales; employing short-run book printers; setting up a publishing company (including tax breaks); as well as low-cost/no-cost book promotion and marketing. Also available in a Large Print Edition (9781568601472) and an eBook edition (9781568601489), no aspiring or practicing self-published author should be without their very own copy of "Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: Volume 2" sitting side-by-side on their reference shelve with the latest edition of what is now "The Self-Publishing Manual: Volume 1"!

Directory of Mailing List Companies: 12th Edition
Barry Klein, Editor
Todd Publications
PO Box 301, West Nyack, NY 10994
0915344440 $40.00 1-800-737-1056

Now in a fully updated twelfth edition, Barry Klein's Directory Of Mailing List Companies is a complete, single volume guide to mailing list sources. The Directory Of Mailing List Companies describes the services offered by more than 1,000 of the most active mailing list brokers, managers, compilers, and owners. The Directory Of Mailing List Companies includes contact names, toll-free phone numbers, and list specialities. The Directory Of Mailing List Companies also includes listings for cooperative mailers, package insert programs, and card deck mailers. The Directory Of Mailing List Companies is arranged alphabetically and indexed by list speciality. The Directory Of Mailing List Companies is an essential tool for any business or organization utilizing a direct-mail publicity, promotion, or sales campaign.

Do The Write Thing
Kwame Alexander with Nina Foxx
Manisy Willows Books
Phenix & Phenix (publicity)
701 Capitol of Texas Highway, Box 1202, Building C, Austin, TX 78746
0967895960 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Do The Write Thing: 7 Steps To Publishing Success by Kwame Alexander and Nina Foxx is a solid, "user friendly" guide to the process of writing, editing, publishing, printing, marketing, and selling a self-published or small press title, whether it's poetry, nonfiction, or the next Great American Novel. Written in an accessible language easily understandable by readers of all backgrounds and experience levels in the writing and publishing domain, Do The Write Thing is a first-rate primer and soundly recommended to everyone with serious thoughts about presenting their book to the world! Especially designed for the aspiring author seeking publication for their work, Do The Write Thing is an useful and welcome addition to personal and professional reference collections on writing and publishing.

Do You Really Want To Self-Publish Your Book?
H. L. Nigro
Strong Tower Publishing
P.O. Box 11412, Lancaster, PA 17605
http://www.strongtowerpublishing.com
0970433034 $12.95 www.amazon.com

Do You Really Want To Self-Publish Your Book?: Things You Should Know Before Making The Leap is a candid, tell-all account of the secrets of self-publishing, including hidden costs, the nature of book distribution, using the Internet to your best advantage, and a variety of options from doing everything yourself to getting involved with "publishing facilitators." A frank, straightforward introduction to the challenges of self-publishing, written for the non-specialist general reader contemplating producing their own book, Heidi Nigro draws upon her own personal experience as a self-published author. Do You Really Want To Self-Publish? is a first-rate and very basic introduction, as well as a relatively quick read (161 pages), and is highly recommended for any aspiring author who is seriously contemplating the plunge into self-publishing and needing a clear perspective on what all the demands will be placed upon them in the role of publisher, and a quick survey of the kinds of basic resources that are available.

The Dog Walked Down The Street
Sal Glynn
Cypress House
155 Cypress Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
1879384663 $13.95 www.cypresshouse.com

The Dog Walked Down The Street: An Outspoken Guide for Writers Who Want to Publish is an excellent guide for any writer who would understand how to work effectively with a publisher or editor. It not only covers the basics of good writing and good marketing: it provides some 'terrible truths' about publishing and marketing and educates writers on the publishing business as a whole.

Doing It For Money
Daryl G. Nickens, editor
Tallfellow Press
1180 South Beverly Drive, Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90035
193129058X $24.95 1-800-851-8923

Doing It For Money: The Agony And Ecstasy Of Writing And Surviving In Hollywood is a no- nonsense, insider's account of what writing for the "Hollywood Machine" is really like. From idiotic executives to volatile stars to rewrites that shred the intentions of the original script, Doing It For Money tell it like it is, and offers a wealth of tips, such as registering one's work with the Writers Guild of America as a hedge against plagiarism (both guild and non-guild members can do this for a small fee). A highly readable account, filled with fascinating anecdotes sure to entertain even non-writers as surely as they educate aspiring writers about what to expect. Deftly edited by Daryl G. Nickens for The Writers Guild Foundation, Doing It For Money is a "must- have" reference for any aspiring or practicing entertainment industry screenwriting professionals.

The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing
Linda F. Radke
Five Star Publications
1193-392nd Road, Utica, NE 68456
www.FiveStarPublications.com
9781589851016, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Even in the present economic climate that has compelled the major publishing houses to cut back the numbers of titles they produce, it has never been easier to publish a book -- or sell one. In "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing: How To Produce And Market Your Book On A Budget", Linda F. Radke draws upon her more than 24 years of experience and expertise as a publisher whose Five Star Publications has produced award-winning and commercially successful books that were traditionally published, self-published, and published through limited partnerships. The result is a compendium of solid, practical, step-by-step information that takes the aspiring author from manuscript to published book, and then on to the tasks of marketing, promotion, publicity, and sales. "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" covers such issues as transforming a manuscript into a typeset book; recruiting illustrators and editors; obtaining copyrights, ISBN numbers, and bar codes; getting printing bids; publishing as a home business; developing mailing lists; even handling interviews. Of special note is what "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" offers by way of strategies and tactics for effectively marketing a book on a limited budget. Enhanced with an appendix listing useful publications and associations for the self-published author, "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" is highly recommended reading and an invaluable resource and 'do-it-yourself' reference for anyone aspiring to publish their own work.

Editing Research
Valierie Matarese
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
www.infotoday.com
9781573875318, $49.50, PB, 244pp, www.amazon.com

Editors who work directly with academic researchers, helping to make their draft manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, refer to themselves as authors editors. As a profession, author editing has been around for more than a half-century, but its role in research communication is often underappreciated and sometimes misunderstood. In "Editing Research: The Author Editing Approach to Providing Effective Support to Writers of Research Papers", authors editor and former researcher Valerie Matarese documents the history of author editing and illustrates through interviews with experienced editors the varied ways in which these language professionals support researchers in their efforts to publish. "Editing Research" fills a void in the historical record of academic publishing and provides an up-to-date account of how authors editors facilitate research communication and contribute to good publication practice. Enhanced with the inclusion of figures, tables, sidebars, a twenty-page listing of references, two pages of abbreviations, and an eleven page index, "Editing Research" is an exceptional, highly recommended, and absolutely practical addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.

The Education Of A Typographer
Steven Heller, editor
Allworth Press
10 E. 23rd St. #510, NY, NY 10010
www.allworth.com
1581153481 $19.95 1-800-491-2808

It's important to learn the elements of type before embarking on an exploration of graphic design: that's what makes Steven Heller's The Education Of A Typographer so important. Essays, interviews, and course syllabi explore the basics of teaching and learning typography, with writing by top designers and educators providing insights on the finer points of typography. Discussions cover everything from how to choose type among the hundreds of choices available to common elements of sloppy typographical choices, how to identify and eliminate them, and understanding typographic delivery to different audiences.

An Eerdmans Century 1911-2011
Larry ten Harmsel & Render Van Til
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.eerdmans.com
9780802866585, $20.00, www.amazon.com

The Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company is one of the most prolific and respect Christian publishing firms operating today. In 2011 they justifiable celebrated their 100th year of producing Christian literature for a Protestant readership. "An Eerdmans Century 1911-2011" is 214-page history of their publishing efforts beginning with 10 cent specials for Dutch farmers, to their present day catalog of more than one thousand published titles. "An Eerdmans Century 1911-2011" is also a history drawn from interviews, historical documents, and original research by Larry ten Harmsel of the publishers, editors and authors whose contributions established Eerdmans as an outstanding publisher of Christian books for adults and for children. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'reader friendly', "An Eerdmans Century 1911-2011" is highly recommended reading for anyone who has read and been benefited by their books. Additionally, it will prove to be of immense relevance to anyone with an interest in the American publishing industry in general, and Christian publishing history in particular.

Electronic Publishing
Gabriel Egan, editor
ACMRS
Arizona State University
Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
www.asu.edu/clas/acmrs/publications/mrts/catalo.html
9780866984492, $52.00

Compiled and edited by Shakespearean scholar and author Gabriel Egan, "Electronic Publishing: Politics And Pragmatics" is a 218-page compendium of informed and informative articles written by ten experienced professionals on diverse aspects of electronic publishing from particularly apt academic perspectives. Also featuring an insightful introduction by Gabriel Egan and an Afterword commentary by John Lavagnino, the contributors focus on a variety of subjects and issues ranging from the impact of computers on scholarly editing, to digitizing printed works, to software tools for creative writing, and so much more. Of special note is Peter Robinson's commentary comprising 'How We Have Been Publishing the Wrong Way, and How We Might Publish a Better Way'. A seminal work of outstanding academic excellence, "Electronic Publishing" should be considered essential reading and an invaluable addition to personal, professional, and academic library instructional publishing reference collections.

Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing
Thomas A. Williams
Venture Press
c/o William & Company Book Publishers
https://www.entrepreneur.com
9781878853882, $18.95, PB, 262pp

https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Self-Publshing-Fact-How/dp/1878853880

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing", Tom Williams completely and authoritatively answers the questions posed almost daily by first-time and even more experienced self--publishers.

A compendium of fact and how-to information, The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" is arranged in encyclopedic format for easy use, the personal and anecdotal style of this book, growing out of the author's own 30-year experience, invites browsing into unfamiliar areas that many readers may not even know enough to ask about.

Of special note are the lengthy entries on secondary profit centers that can spell the difference between success and failure in home-based, entrepreneurial publishing. This discussion is unique to "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing".

Of particular value are the entries on specialty book projects with fast turnaround and very high potential for substantial, quick profit and the discussion of the profitability of advertising-based periodicals well within the capabilities of self-publishers.

"The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" targets not only those readers who want to publish a single book but those who want to convert their publishing enterprise into a sustainable, income-producing, home-based business

Critique: Impressively comprehensive and exceptionally well organized and presented, "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" will go a long way in enhancing the chances for a financially successful self-publishing venture. -- Then there are all those priceless quotes regarding self-publication, such as: 'First you're an unknown. Then you write one book and you move up to obscurity.' -- Martin Myers. A combination of instructional reference and 'how-to' manual, "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" is a very special and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections -- and ideal as a DIY textbook on self- publishing.

Editorial Note: Thomas A. Williams is the author of a series of books in the writing/publishing field, including Get Paid to Write!, Poet Power: The Practical Poet's Guide to Publication, and How to Publish Your Own Magazine, Guidebook or Weekly Newspaper, now in its fifth edition and the standard in its field. He has owned and edited his own weekly newspaper, regional magazines, and guidebooks. He now directs his own publishing company, Williams & Company, Publishers. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22280.Thomas_A_Williams)

Encyclopedia of the Book
Geoffrey Ashall Glaister
Oak Knoll Press
414 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720
#42510 $49.95 (pb) #42509 $75.00 (hc)

Containing over 3,000 alphabetically-arranged definitions of the terms used in bookbinding, printing, papermaker, and the book trade, Glaister's Encyclopedia Of The Book is the standard reference guide. There are also biographical details of printers, authors, bookbinders, bibliophiles; and precise notes on machinery and equipment, famous books, printing societies, book-related organizations, customs of the book trade and much, much more. Encyclopedia Of The Book is indispensable for librarians, bibliophiles, booksellers, historians of the book, practitioners of the book arts and grafts, and to anyone involved in the graphic arts or the book trade.

The Erotic Writer's Market Guide
The Circlet Press Collective
Circlet Press Inc.
1770 Massachusetts Avenue, #278, Cambridge, MA 02140
1885865457 $19.95 www.circlet.com 1-617-864-0492

"The Erotic Writer's Market Guide" is compiled by The Circlet Press Collective and is a compendium of listings of literally hundreds of paying markets for erotic writing. This unique and "user friendly" writer's reference also includes practical, step-by-step advice contributing by working professionals on how to not only write good erotica, but how to sell it and make a career in the genre. There is invaluable information on pay scales and pay rates, tax deduction tips, "writer's rights", notations on the difference between men's and women's erotic fiction, what the editors of erotic magazines and presses want to see in submitted material, and a great deal more. Anyone wanting to write professional in the specialized genre of erotic short stories and novels will find "The Erotic Writer's Market Guide" to be an indispensable asset and a core reference for marketing their work.

Every Nonprofit's Guide To Publishing
Cheryl Woodard & Lucia Hwang
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781413306583, $29.99 www.nolo.com 1-800-955-4775

A critically important aspect of every successful nonprofit organization or association is their newsletter, magazine, and/or website. Cheryl Woodard is a publishing business consultant and co-founder of 'PC Magazine', 'PC World', and 'MacWorld'. Lucia Hwang is an award-winning investigative reporter who, since 2004, has worked as the editor for the magazine of a nonprofit association. In "Every Nonprofit's Guide To Publishing: Creating Newsletters, Magazines & Websites People Will Read" these two professional and experienced women have collaborated to create a thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction manual for non-specialist general readers have find themselves with the responsibility of using their nonprofit organization or association's publication in print or online to raise money, attract and retain members, and increase awareness for their cause with respect to the general public, as well as targeted groups with the populace. Offering a wealth of practical, applicable, step-by-step ideas, suggestions, techniques, and processes, "Every Nonprofit's Guide To Publishing" (which includes an accompanying CD-Rom) covers crafting a mission statement and goals for the publication or website, establishing and adhering to a sound budget, consistently producing high-quality content, designing and printing the publication, creating a compelling website, as well as developing marketing and advertising strategies to support the publication or website. Simply stated, every local, state, regional, national, or international nonprofit organization, regardless of its cause, concerns, or focus, should have a copy of Cheryl Woodard and Lucia Hwang's "Every Nonprofit's Guide To Publishing" on their reference shelf. Also very highly recommended is Cheryl Woodard's earlier title from Nolo Press, "Starting & Running A Successful Newsletter Or Magazine".

Everything Get Published Book, The
Peter Rubie
Adams Media Corporation
260 Center St., Holbrook, MA 02343
1580623158 $12.95 adamsmedia.com

The Everything Get Published Book is a definitive, step-by-step, "how to" instructional guide for turning book ideas into published works. Peter Rubie's easy-to-follow instructions on how to write proposals, get an agent, attract the attention of editors and publishers are solid, sound, and essential. Peter Rubie draws upon his expertise and experience as a veteran of the publishing industry, having been an editor, authors, and presently, a literary agent with his own firm of Perkins, Rubie and Associates in explaining how the publishing industry really works and how to adapt to the system and get published. The Everything Get Published Book is enhanced for the aspiring author with hundreds of names of book publishers, executives, and literary agents. Also covered is the new phenomena of electronic publishing, writing seminars, author networking, and a great deal more!

Faint Praise
Gail Pool
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826217288, $19.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress 1-800-828-1894

Informed and informative, "Faint Praise: The Plight Of Book Reviewing In America" by Gail Pool (a freelance journalist, reviewer, and review editor based in Cambridge, Massachusetts) is an impressively insightful, deftly written, accessibly articulate, expertly knowledgeable, and decidedly analytical survey of the multifaceted and complex world of book reviewing today. Getting a book reviewed can result in prestige for authors and their publishers, improved sales, and a raised public awareness of a particular title struggling for attention against thousands of competing books. They can also bury worthy and literate titles in a sea of inane and flawed books that are published by the tens of thousands every month. "Faint Press" provides a descriptive and comprehensive introduction to the institution of book reviewing, including such issues as why bad reviewing happens despite good intentions, why so many intelligent bibliophiles, knowledgeable readers, and gifted authors can fail at the art, craft, science, and business of writing book reviews. "Faint Praise" takes the reader behind the scenes and shows how books are chosen for review, the context in which book reviewing takes place, including a book review culture that is shows little interest in literature, a surprising antipathy toward criticism, and a vulnerability to the 'seduction of praise'. It's a sad fact of contemporary publishing that reviews so often degenerate into unmerited hype. Very highly recommended for both academic and community library Literary Studies collections, "Faint Praise" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone aspiring to become a book reviewer, and is especially valuable reading for authors, publishers, academicians, and the general reading public.

The Family Business
Keel Hunt
https://www.keelhunt.com
West Margin Press
https://www.westmarginpress.com
9781513267210, $24.95, HC, 226pp

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Business-Ingram-Transformed-World/dp/1513267213

Synopsis: The history of the Ingram Content Group is one of the most important and remarkable publishing industry stories that almost no one knows. Launched as a favor to a family friend, it started as a local textbook distributor -- one tiny division within a thriving corporation focused on oil, construction supplies, and shipping. From those humble beginnings it grew into the world's largest book wholesaler, then into the most influential and innovative supplier of infrastructure and services to publishers around the world.

Over the past 50 years, from its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, Ingram has played a pivotal role in modernizing the book business. Two members of the founding family have led the way: Bronson Ingram, a tough-minded industrialist who instinctively recognized a golden opportunity to apply modern efficiencies to antiquated logistical systems, and Bronson's son John Ingram, an "intrapreneur" with a keen understanding of both the opportunities and the risks created by the new digital technologies. Led by these two brilliant managers, Ingram has used its unparalleled industry-wide connections to help transform book publishing from a tradition-bound business into a dynamic, global twenty-first century powerhouse.

Now, for the first time, "The Family Business: How Ingram Transformed the World of Books" by Keel Hunt fully captures the whole story. In its pages, readers will learn about: The introduction of the Ingram microfiche reader in 1972 and how it catapulted book retailing into the electronic era; Ingram's network of coast-to-coast distribution centers turning U.S. book publishing into a truly national business for the first time; Ingram using fast-growing video, software, magazine, and international wholesaling operations to create a phenomenal record of expansion, growing from a million-dollar company into a billion-dollar giant in just two decades; Two of book publishing's most powerful organizations (Ingram and Barnes & Noble) almost coming within a hair's breadth of merging, and how the deal fell apart at the eleventh hour.

Also revealed is: Ingram's unparalleled ability to rapidly fulfill product orders empowering Amazon's unique customer service model and enabling its explosive growth; Lightning Source, a technological marvel spawned by Ingram, converting the "long tail" of niche books from a costly headache for publishers and retailers into a steady source of profitable sales; Ingram's transformation of the book supply chain enabling countless booksellers and publishers to survive and even thrive in the disruptive era of Covid-19.

Today, with Ingram's expanding portfolio of service and infrastructure businesses playing an ever-growing role in the world of publishing, the company stands ready to help lead the industry into an era of even more dramatic change.

"The Family Business" is the first publishing industry study to recount the story of this strategic powerhouse that everyone in the publishing industry does business with, and that practically everyone admires -- but that few people really understand.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, impressively comprehensive, meticulously researched, "The Family Business: How Ingram Transformed the World of Books" is essential reading for authors, publishers, book publicists, book sellers, distributors and wholesalers, as well as anyone in the book business and the world of media -- as well as the bibliophile and non-specialist general reader wanting to understand how this vastly influential publishing industry really works, as well as the ways in which today's electronic information technologies are transforming the world. While also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99), "The Family Business: How Ingram Transformed the World of Books" is an essential, core addition to community, college and university library Writing/Publishing collections.

Editorial Note: Keel Hunt is the author of two books on Tennessee political history and has been a columnist for the USA Today Tennessee network since 2013. In his early career, he was a journalist and Washington correspondent. He has been an adviser to the Ingram family and Ingram businesses since 1995.

The Fine Print Of Self-Publishing
Mark Levine
Bridgeway Books
c/o Bascom Hill Publishing Group
213 Third Avenue North, Suite 471, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781933538563, $16.95, www.book-publishers-compared.com

There is a memorable scene in the western movie "The Magnificent Seven" where Eli Wallach (playing the role of a Mexican bandit chief) leans over his saddle and says to Yul Brenner (playing the role of a mercenary gunfighter hired to protect a small Mexican village) that with respect to the villagers, "If God did not want them sheared, he would not have made them sheep!". I've often thought that all to often this was the kind of business ethic that many self-publishing or POD (print-on-demand) companies had toward their author clients. Now whenever I'm asked for my advice on POD companies, I'm going to give them the urgent recommendation that they read Mark Levine's "The Fine Print Of Self-Publishing: The Contracts & Services Of 48 Self-Publishing Companies -- Analyzed, Ranked & Exposed" from cover to cover. The focus is upon that all important contract between an author and a publishing company that is willing to take the author's manuscript and turn the authors manuscript into a published book -- for a fee. This handy, 'reader friendly' and 'user friendly' manual is packed from beginning to end with exactly the kind of publishing contract information needed to avoid being cheated, to insure getting what's expected, and to make the capital investment as wisely as possible in terms of selecting the vendor who will provide the best publishing services possible for those authors who cannot get their work published by traditional publishers and/or who do not (or cannot) simply publish themselves. Of special note is Chapter 9 "Publishers To Avoid". The key is the contract -- with all its component parts and fine print. Before signing a publishing contract with any POD company, read Mark Levine's "The Fine Print Of Self-Publishing", it could save you money, anxiety, and disappointment, while increasing your chances for success, sales, and fulfilled expectations.

Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript
Cynthia Laufenberg
Writer's Digest Book/F&W Pub.
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.writersdigest.com
1582972907 $19.99 1-800-289-0963

Create appropriate, notable submissions for publication, from proposals and cover letters to complete manuscripts, using Cynthia Laufenberg's invaluable informational guide. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript is a 'must' for any writer aspiring to publication. Especially valuable are the tips on common mistakes made in the usual submission process, whether it be the initial query letter or the completed work.

The Freelance Success Book
David Taylor
Peak Writing Press
PO Box 14196, Savannah, GA 31416
097173304X $19.95 peakwriting.com

The Freelance Success Book by writer, editor, and teacher David Taylor is a solidly presented instructional and advice guide to making money off of one's writing. The subjects covered is such a "user friendly" manner range from learning how to create quality writing quickly; to ethical and legal issues (including protecting one's copyright); to the best way to submit query letters; to finding editors interested in one's work; to the basics of successful book writing, and much, much more. An excellent and confidently recommended primer for anyone seriously considering a writing career, covering both writing skills and business, The Freelance Success Book would make a welcome addition to any aspiring writer's reference shelf

From Book to Bestseller
Penny C. Sansevieri
Privately Published
9798485487201, $12.99, PB, 216pp

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Bestseller-Promotion-Branding-Longterm/dp/B09PHJV86W

Synopsis: It's easy to get caught up in writing, and the other daily demands of life. But the result is often a rushed, ineffective, and amateur approach to book marketing.

With the publication of "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success", book marketing expert Penny Sansevieri draws upon her years of experience and expertise to provide self-published and traditionally published authors and instructive guide and 'how to' manual specifically is designed to help them to: Get laser focused on what matters; Tighten up and finesse an author brand; Generate more traction with an author platform; Reach out to more bloggers and get more reviews.

"From Book to Bestseller" also shows: How to pitch a book to its intended readership; Easy ways to build your social media; Build a more consistent reader review funnel; Easy ways to build your street team; Develop a return buyer network; Consistently sell more books!

In fact, the goal of "From Book to Bestseller" is to help authors that feel they've been at this for a while and have done "all the book marketing things" without really seeing much progress.

Critique: A complete and comprehensive course in book marketing in a single volume, "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success" is an ideal DIY combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual. Impressively 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success" is essential for the novice author discovering that they are the primary person responsible for bringing their book to the attention of their intended readership.

It also has immense value for even the more experienced author as a compendium of 'real world practical' tips, tricks and techniques for successfully marketing books regardless of their subject matter or genre. It should also be a part of every college and university Creative Writing Class & Workshop curriculum so that aspiring writers can learn what to do with what they have written and published.

While a critically important addition to personal, professional, community, and university library Writing/Publishing collections, "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success" is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

Editorial Note #1: Penny Sansevieri is the CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. (AME) and an Adjunct Professor at NYU. She is also a best-selling author in her own right and an internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. She maintains an informative website at: www.amarketingexpert.com

Editorial Note #2: It should be noted that as the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review I have had a long, friendly, and successful cyberspace pen-pal and professional relationship with Penny over the years. She is one of the most competent, knowledgeable and reliable book publicists and marketing directors I've ever had the privilege of working with. I fully endorse everything she has incorporated into her newest publication "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success".

From Gutenberg To Open Type
Robin Dodd
Hartley & Marks Publishers
3661 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6R 2B8
Publishers Group West, distributor
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
0881792101 $29.95 www.pgw.com 1-800-788-3123

From Gutenberg To Open Type: An Illustrated History Of Type From The Earliest Letterforms To The Latest Digital Fonts by Robin Dodd (Associate Lecturer, London College of Communications) is a seminal and detailed historical survey of the printed letter from the era of the Gutenberg press moveable fonts down to today's desktop publishing software typefaces. Profusely illustrated throughout, From Gutenberg To Open Type is especially recommended to the attention of academicians, authors, publishers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the history of printing as well as professionals, artists and designers who work with type design and print. Of special note are the side panels to the regular text that explains how to use individual typefaces, notes common pitfalls, and showcases specifically related benefits to a given font. Informed and informative, From Gutenberg To Open Type is a welcome addition to personal, professional, and academic library reference collections.

From Revolution To Revolution
Leona Rostenberg & Madeleine B. Stern
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720
1584560746 $39.95 www.oakknoll.com

From Revolution To Revolution: Perspectives On Publishing & Bookselling by antiquarian book experts Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern is a truly amazing and informative history of the publishing industry, beginning with the 15th century discovery of printing with moveable type down to the phenomena of computer desktop publishing in the 20th century -- and beyond. The publishing scene in America specifically is discussed at length, in this extraordinary account which is especially recommended reading for bibliophiles and Cultural History Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

The Frugal Book Promoter, third edition
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
https://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/index.htm
Modern History Press
https://www.modernhistorypress.com
9781615994694, $36.95, HC, 292pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Simply stated, this newly updated third edition of "The Frugal Book Promoter" by Carolyn Howard-Johnson assures even the most novice of authors to get their book gets the best possible start in life, whether their publisher assigns zero dollars or thousands to their book's marketing campaign. Carolyn is a former publicist and draws upon her years of experience to enable authors provides no-nonsense basics to build the essentials needed to build a time-saving social media campaign and knock'em dead lists of influencers that will be more effective than anything paid advertisement you could buy. Authors can pick and choose from dozens of ideas for promotions that Carolyn developed or refined through extensive (and award-winning) book campaigns of her own. There are campaign ideas, techniques and strategies to match any pocketbook and personality considerations.

Critique: It should be noted that the Midwest Book Review is positively cited three specific times as a valuable and valued resource for an author's book marketing campaign, along with a positive endorsement citation for Carolyn's work on her previous 'how to' books for authors and publishers. That said, this new third edition of "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher" continues to be an unreservedly endorsed and recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing instructional collections. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, it should be noted for personal reference and reading lists that this new edition of "The Frugal Book Promoter" is also available in a paperback edition (9781615994687, $24.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.95).

Editorial Note: Carolyn Howard-Johnson brings her experience as a publicist, journalist, marketer, and retailer to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension's world-renown Writers' Program.

The books in her How To Do It Frugally series of books for writers have won multiple awards. including from USA Book News, Readers' Views Literary Award, the marketing award from Next Generation Indie Books, and the coveted Irwin award among others

Howard-Johnson is also the recipient of the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, and her community's prestigious Character and Ethics award for her work promoting tolerance with her writing and Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of "Fourteen San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen."

Of particular interest for the publishing community is a complete listing of her published works which can be found at: http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/published_works_almanac.htm

Admitting to carrying a pen and journal wherever she goes, Carolyn's website is www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Those interested can subscribe to her free #SharingwithWriters newsletter by sending an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to HoJoNews [at] aol [dot] com.

The Frugal Editor, second edition
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HowToDoItFrugally Publishing
www.howtodoitfrugally.com
9781505712117, $17.95, 288pp, www.amazon.com

Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible and film media used to convey information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, and many other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate and complete work. The editing process often begins with the author's idea for the work itself, continuing as a collaboration between the author and the editor as the work is created. As such, editing can involve creative skills, human relations and a precise set of methods. There are various editorial positions in publishing. Typically, one finds editorial assistants reporting to the senior-level editorial staff and directors who report to senior executive editors. Senior executive editors are responsible for developing a product for its final release. The smaller the publication, the more these roles overlap. In the book publishing industry, editors may organize anthologies and other compilations, produce definitive editions of a classic author's works (scholarly editor), and organize and manage contributions to a multi-author book (symposium editor or volume editor). Obtaining manuscripts or recruiting authors is the role of an Acquisitions Editor or a commissioning editor in a publishing house. Finding marketable ideas and presenting them to appropriate authors are the responsibilities of a sponsoring editor. Copy editors correct spelling, grammar and align writings to house style. Changes to the publishing industry since the 1980s have resulted in nearly all copy editing of book manuscripts being outsourced to freelance copy editors. "The Frugal Editor: Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets for Authors" is a complete course of instruction under one cover. From editing query letters to editing final manuscripts to the editorial chores of marketing, "The Frugal Editor" covers the complete range of editorial tasks and responsibilities -- including common mistakes and errors to avoid. Thoroughly 'user friendly' from beginning to end, "The Frugal Editor" is ideal for the novice author, and would prove to be of immense value as an instructional reference resource for experienced authors, publishers, publicists, and freelance copy editors.

Funny You Should Ask
Barbara Poelle
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440355073, $18.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: There is a certain perception that the publishing industry is a near insurmountable fortress, with gatekeepers and nay sayers manning the turrets looking for any way to fire a flaming arrow at the dreams of an aspiring writer. "Funny You Should Ask: Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry" is based on the popular Writer's Digest column by literary agent Barbara Poelle and will deconstruct, inform, and illuminate the path to publication and beyond, all while dispelling the rumor that those in the industry are better than thou.

And even though each writer's publishing journey is like a game of PLINKO (you can drop the chip in the same slot every time and get a different result) there are still common constructs and confusions that can be shared and explored together in order to help inform all writers. From understanding the nuts and bolts of a query letter, to learning how to process the soul-searing envy of watching someone else's career flourish, to how to talk to your editor, veteran literary agent Barbara Poelle covers the approach and execution of the common and uncommon bumps along the traditional publishing path.

"Funny You Should Ask: Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry" is comprised of more than 100 questions answered including expanded answers to topics that didn't get the full treatment in a column, along with a wealth of writing exercises, submission checklists, and publishing BINGO for every publishing milestone.

Of special note is the advice concerning what every author should ask their editor, mistakes to avoid when querying a literary agent, publishing trends and insights.

Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally well organized and presented, and an unreservedly recommended 'must read' for every aspiring author with an ambition to be published, "Funny You Should Ask: Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry" will also be of immense value for already published authors wanting to keep up with the changes and evolution of the publishing industry. "Funny You Should Ask: Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry" should be a part of every personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collection.

Editorial Note: Barbara Poelle is a vice president at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, where she has served as an agent since 2007. Barbara is a much sought-after expert for publishing industry seminars and conferences. She also pens the popular Funny You Should Ask column at Writer's Digest online.

Get Published!
Penny C. Sansevieri
1st Books Library
2511 West 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
0759638241 $15.54 www.booksbypen.com

In Get Published!, Penny Sansevieri draws upon her professional experience as a author and e-newsletter publisher to teach emerging writers how to empower themselves to publish and market their own work. With an emphasis for the new print-on-demand (POD) technologies, Get Published! explores a variety of on-line publishers including 1st Books Library, Xlibris, iUniverse, and five others, and offers a practical, comprehensive, "user friendly", step by step guide to the chaotic task of publishing and promoting a book in the competitive and rapidly evolving marketplace. Filled with resources, media contacts, and industry tips, tricks, and techniques, Get Published! is a "must" for any new writer who is ready to move beyond rejection slips to see his or her work in print!

Get Published Today!
Penny C. Sansevieri
Wheatmark
c/o Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
PO Box 421156, San Diego, CA 92142
www.amarketingexpert.com
9781604945591, $25.95, www.amazon.com

Penny Sansevieri is a commercially successful author, social media marketer, media relations professional, book marketing expert, a book blogger on the Huffington Post, and CEO of Author Marketing Experts. In the Spring of 2010 Penny Sansevieri taught the first ever, a six-week self-publishing class on self-publishing. She draws from her many years of experience and expertise in "Get Published Today!: An Insider's Guide to Publishing Success", a 366-page deftly written and superbly organized compendium covering every aspect of the publishing industry with respect to what aspiring authors have to do to get themselves published. A 'real world', practical, step-by-step instructional guide, "Get Published Today!" deals with everything from how to get published in 90 days (or less!), getting digitally published (ebooks), selling into overseas book markets, finding a suitable publisher, self-publishing options, traditional publishing models, and so much more. Of special note are the chapters focusing on copyright, the importance of editing, book distribution channels, and the fundamental necessity of budgeting as part of the publishing and marketing process. "Get Published Today!" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone seeking to become a successfully published author in today's every changing and volatile publishing industry.

Get Your Book Seen and Sold
Claudine Wolk, author
Julie Murkette, author
Lost Valley Press
http://lostvalleypress.com
9781935874447, $14.99, PB, 122pp

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-Book-Seen-Sold/dp/1935874446

Synopsis: With modern computer software it is easier than ever to publish a book, but many authors find out too late about the actual work that book marketing required by the author to be done in order to achieve sizable (and profitable) book sales. Instead of embracing the opportunities to promote their books, many authors are intimidated and simply shut down.

But with the publication of "Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide" by co-authors and book marketing specialists Claudine Wolk and Julie Murkette those days are over! This is the combination instructional guide and 'how-to' many that novice authors must utilize in order to give their books the best chance to be seen and sold in a highly competitive marketplace.

An essential, easy-to-understand guide offering graphs, examples and exercises to learn, "Get Your Book Seen And Sold" covers: The fundamentals of book marketing: Message, Audience, and Hook; The breadth of book marketing options and how they work, presented with examples; How to create a list of media contacts and develop a pitch that will reach them; How to develop a doable book marketing plan; How to develop media kit items for their book publicity efforts: Press Release, Author Bio, Sell Sheet, etc.; The types of book reviews and how to get them; The best social media channels for promoting books; The best places to spend book promotion dollars; Why book distribution is a crucial part of book marketing -- and so much more!

Critique: Informative, comprehensive, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presented, "Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide" is an ideal and invaluable resource for aspiring, published authors who are new to the publishing industry and the effective promotion, publicity, marketing, and selling of books to their intended readerships, as well as bookstore placements and library acquisitions. With a great deal of value as a refresher resource for even the more experience author, "Get Your Book Seen and Sold" is a critically important and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, university Writing/Publishing collections and supplemental Writer's Workshop curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note #1: Claudine Wolk (www.ClaudineWolk.com) is a published author, journalist, podcast host and book marketing coach. Her first book, "It Gets Easier and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers", (Harper Collins) is translated into three languages and was released as an audio book in November 2022.

Editorial Note #2: Julie Murkette (https://www.juliemurkette.com) is passionate about words and the ways they can be combined to transmit complex transformative ideas. She began her career while still in college as the founder of Womanchild Press, publishing chapbooks and an annual poetry magazine using a 19th century treadle-operated letterpress. Later, she established Satya House Publications, which has published numerous fiction and non-fiction trade books, as well as the award-winning series of bilingual picture books.Julie also provides a range of creative services to writers and small publishers.

The Gidley Guide To Self-Publishing
Jan Gidley
J. Gidley Associates
PO Box 551, Dunedin, FL 34697
0971221103 $7.95 1-727-736-2818

The Gidley Guide To Self-Publishing is a slim (40 pages), inexpensive guide to the basics of self-publishing designed to help the novice writer become capably informed about the self-publishing process. Readers will learn how to determine the need for editing, designing, and proofreading their manuscript for publication; develop specifications for printing and binding; create a basic marketing plan; apply for a CIP number; obtain a copyright on their work; order an ISBN; develop a budget for their book publishing project; determine packaging and shipping features; and find further information on the Web, at the local library, and at the bookstore. The straight-forward, easily accessible text is enhanced with invaluable lists of writing groups and book organizations. If you are considering self-publication for your work, begin with a careful reading of The Gidley Guide To Self-Publishing!

Go Ahead Self-Publish
Eileen Birin
Neelie Publishing
20791 N. 62nd Dr., Glendale, AZ 85308
0965533913 $11.95 1-623-561-6751

Go Ahead Self-Publish is based on the real-life experiences of fifteen authors who have published their own work and is packed with personal accounts, useful writing tips, how-to checklists, references, and publishing associations. Birin covers editing and proofing the draft; designing the cover; preparing the manuscript; procuring technical support; choosing a printer; promoting and selling the book; establishing a business; marketing on the Internet; useful writing tips; and suggested references for further reading. Go Ahead Self-Publish is a useful and recommended introduction for all enterprising writers considering the option of self-publishing in order to make their work accessible to the reading public.

Graphic Design For 21st Century Desktop Publishers
Marvin Jacobs, CFSP & Linda I. Studer
Words and Pictures Publishing
PO Box 40, N. Olmsted, OH 44070
www.wppublishing.com
0962970034 $49.00 1-800-544-5314

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Graphic Design For 21st Century Desktop Publishers by Marvin Jacobs (President of Ameritype Art, Inc.) and Linda I. Studer (Associate Professor, Stark State College of Technology, Canton, Ohio) is a solidly presented "how-to primer" on successfully entering the challenging and every-changing field of computer graphic design which is especially relevant for personal or professional desktop publishing. Basic advice, tips, tricks, and techniques for creating professional quality websites, forms, business graphics and more are discussed in detail. Enhanced with numerous black-and-white illustrations which add a particular clarity to each point, Graphic Design For 21st Century Desktop Publishers is confidently recommended as being a truly first-rate, "user friendly" instructional and reference manual.

Grass Roots Book Marketing
Rusty Fischer
Filbert Publishing
PO Box 326, Kandiyohi, MN 56251
0971079668 $13.95 1-320-212-4457

Grass Roots Book Marketing is a handy guidebook of free or inexpensive tips, tricks, and techniques for creative book marketing self-published eBooks and POD titles. Nearly three hundred ideas for getting the word out on one's book are succinctly summarized and range from promoting an e-book by letting people read the first couple chapters for free; to providing an attractive display case with copies of one's book to beauty and barber shops; to submitting the website for one's book to a host of search engines; to utilizing QVC television programming, Grass Roots Book Marketing is an excellent supplementary resource for any dedicated self-publisher. If you have an eBook or a POD published title, either fiction or non-fiction, the you need to read your way through Rusty Fischer's Grass Roots Book Marketing!

Grassroots Marketing For Authors And Publishers
Shel Horowitz
AWM Books
16 Barstow Lane, Hadley, MA 01035
0961466634, $24.95 www.frugalmarketing.com/shop.html

Shel Horowitz is an accomplished professional consultant and practitioner in the art and science of small press publishing. Shel draws upon many years of hard won experience and expertise to write and publish "Grassroots Marketing For Authors And Publishers", a 292-page compendium of descriptive commentary, advice, tips, techniques, resources, instructions, and examples of how an author can go about successfully marketing their book in a highly competitive and often volatile marketplace. Shel has included seven different marketing models that authors can draw upon to create inexpensive yet very effective websites as part of their overall book marketing strategy. Also included are two complete, full-length marketing plans that are actually based on two of Shel's author clients. Examples of eight actual press releases and six successful media pitches are provided as templates. Exemplary anecdotal stories drawn from some forty-one authors and publishers, plus about a dozen publishing industry experts, provide aspiring authors with real-life examples of what they can do to promote and marketing their book regardless of genre. Enhanced with a 16-page resource appendix listing dozens of useful books, website, publications, book coaches, organizes, etc., "Grassroots Marketing For Authors And Publishers" can be considered an informed, user friendly, 'how to' book marketing seminar/workshop in a single volume. Of special note are Shel's commentaries on why books (and their authors) fail in bookstores, online marketing, and operating profitably in a market where only about ten percent of self-published and small press titles sell more than 1000 copies. It should be noted that the Midwest Book Review is favorably cited on seven occasions within the pages of "Grassroots Marketing For Authors And Publishers". Nevertheless, there is no conflict of interest when strongly recommending "Grassroots Marketing For Authors And Publishers" to the attention of 'midlist' authors of major publishing houses who find themselves shouldering the burden of promoting and marketing their books, self-published authors who have established their own imprint, authors who utilize the services of Print-On-Demand (POD) companies to turn their manuscripts into finished books, as well as authors whose books are published by small presses and niche publishers. "Grassroots Marketing For Authors And Publishers" is the ideal reference manual for anyone having to promote a book with little or no available capital for publicity and promotion. Indeed, studying Shel's advice and instructions carefully could well make the difference between commercial success or failure for an author or a publisher.

Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World
Shel Horowitz
Chelsea Green Publishing
PO Box 428, White River Junction VT 05001
http://www.frugalmarketing.com
1890132683 $22.95 1-800-683-WORD

Grassroots Marketing is a great book for small business owners who want to improve their company's marketing and do so inexpensively. The book surveys nearly every marketing method known to man.

Horowitz says that the average U.S. adult is exposed to about 2,000 marketing messages each day. So, entrepreneurs really need to make their message stand out from the crowd. Further, Horowitz argues that the average small business, individual, or organization needs to market very inexpensively.

Horowitz summarizes marketing as: 1) Identifying your target market; 2) Getting the right information and message to your market; and 3) Convincing the target customer to do business with your company.

Horowitz discusses:
- Choosing a company name and how the name impacts marketing
- Designing logos
- Writing press releases
- Writing professional articles to market your business
- Using Yellow Page ads effectively
- Direct mail: when it's effective and when it's not
- Bumper stickers and billboards
- Radio and TV advertising via free publicity
- Internet marketing and getting listed on search engines
- Affiliate marketing
- Telemarketing
- Personal sales and multilevel marketing
- Word-of-mouth referrals and networking to get them
- Branding and creating 'buzz'

The chapter about effective copyrighting is especially strong. Horowitz expands the basic AIDA formula (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) into ten points of effective copywriting.

Horowitz writes: "Great Copywriting:
1. Catches the reader's attention with something relevant;
2. Addresses the reader's fears, anxieties, and/or aspirations;
3. Stresses specific benefits to the user, not the features that leads to those benefits;
4. Offers to solve the reader's problem, in the most specific terms possible;
5. Provides the reader with a chance to acquire something of clear value-but only for a limited time;
6. Pulls the reader toward immediate action;
7. Shows the consequences of failure to act;
8. Includes solid, substantial validation of your claim by someone else (a customer, an expert);
9. Backs up claims with comparisons to competitors; and
10. This should be obvious-provides the necessary order form, address, and/or telephone number to allow the reader to move forward."

The strength of the chapter about writing effective copy isn't surprising, given that Horowitz is a professional copywriter who helps companies develop advertising (www.accuratewriting.com). Horowitz also helps entrepreneurs plan marketing and publicity campaigns.

Grassroots Marketing gives many resources throughout. Not every marketing method discussed in Grassroots Marketing will be appropriate for your company. For example, while a plumber will benefit greatly from a Yellow Page Ad (Horowitz says that people tend to consult the Yellow Pages during emergencies among other occasions), other entrepreneurs will benefit more from direct mail. And, while Horowitz says that balloons with logos are best used to draw people to events, financial advisors will probably not want to place their business logo on balloons.

The Great First Impression Book Proposal
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Modern History Press
https://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/index.htm
c/o Loving Healing Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
www.lovinghealing.com
9781615994816, $8.95, PB, 54pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Carolyn Howard-Johnson, has been a UCLA Extension Writers' Program instructor for nearly a decade. In "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Book to an Agent or Publisher in Thirty Minutes or Less" she draws upon her decades of experience and expertise to helps authors successfully execute the task they most love to hate -- writing a book proposal. In this 54 page booklet Carolyn has taken the guessing out of the book proposal process with a thoroughly 'user friendly' and effective step-by-step instructional guide and manual.

Critique: The creation of an effective book proposal cannot be overemphasized as a basic skill set for all aspiring authors seeking publication of their work -- and Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a time-tested expert on the subject. Every aspiring (and even seasoned) author needs to obtain and carefully read "The Great First Impression Book Proposal" -- and every Creative Writing class should list "The Great First Impression Book Proposal" on their supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Great First Impression Book Proposal" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).

Grumpy's Guide To Global Marketing For Books
Carolyn Mordecai
Nittany Publishers LLC
PO Box 80362, Phoenix, AZ 85060
0961382333 $21.95 1-602-216-0259

In Grumpy's Guide To Global Marketing For Books, award winning author Carolyn Mordecai reveals herself to also be a rather gifted marketeer and book promoter. Here is a compendium of insights and advice that can profitably and confidently be incorporated into any book, CD, video or DVD marketing plan with respect to writing a effective publicity release for the global media; conducting a promotional campaign designed specifically for world journalists; creating and utilizing hype in magazines, e-zines, and newsletters; target international broadcasting networks; making foreign rights deals; locating international trade shows; networking international with members and personnel of publishers' and writers' associations, multimedia associations, vendors, bookstores, catalogs, distributors, and wholesalers. Every aspect of marketing internationally is covered with "user friendly" detail that will enhance any author, publicist's or small press publisher's promotion and marketing efforts. If you only have time to read one book promotion and marketing title this year, make it Carolyn Mordecai's Grumpy's Guide To Global Marketing For Books!

Guide To Literary Agents 2018
Cris Freese
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200, Blue Ash, OH 45242
www.writersdigest.com
9781440352669, $29.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com

Cris Freese is the managing editor of Writer's Digest Books, the editor of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, the editor of Guide to Literary Agents, and the editor of the GLA blog at WritersDigest.com. Now in a fully updated and expanded twenty-seventh edition, the "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" is comprised of hundreds of current listings for literary agents, writing conferences: An exclusive webinar on 'How to Land a Literary Agent' by Danielle Burby and Joanna MacKenzie from the Nelson Literary Agency; and essential, 'real world practical' advice on the use of query letters, the first page, beta readers, and critique groups. This new edition of the "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" also features a one-year subscription to the literary agent content on WritersMarket.com; 'New Agent Spotlights' offering targeted profiles of literary agents who are currently actively building their client lists; instructive advice on getting the most out of literary and publishing conferences. Of special note is the special genre section on science fiction and fantasy. Also new is the information concerning online content that is applicable to working with any and all literary genres. Simply stated, "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" is an indispensable instructional reference and resource for all aspiring authors seeking to get their work into print. Indeed, no personal, professional, community, or academic 'Writing/Publishing' reference collection can be considered complete or comprehensive without the inclusion of the "Guide To Literary Agents 2018". It should be noted that "Guide To Literary Agents 2018" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Guide to Textbook Publishing Contracts
Stephen Gillen
Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TTA)
PO Box 367, Fountain City, WI 54629
www.TAAonline.net/guide-to-textbook-publishing-contracts
9780997500400, $29.95, 52pp, www.taaonline.net

The forming of contracts to the benefit of authors is a subject never taught in any creative writing class or workshop but it is a vital and necessary skill -- especially for writers of textbooks. In "Guide to Textbook Publishing Contracts", Stephen Gillen (a partner at the 145-year-old legal firm Wood Herron & Evans which specializes in intellectual property law) provides a complete and comprehensive course of instruction that is as 'user friendly' as it is do-it-yourself practical. "Guide to Textbook Publishing Contracts" begins with an Introduction, followed by practical orientation advice (You Have More Leverage Than You Think / You Have to Do Your Homework / Determine What's Important to You. Then continues with Key Provisions of a Typical Textbook Contract; Grant of Rights and Royalties; Advances and Grants; Electronic Rights; Copyright; Competing Publications; Obligations of the Publisher; Manuscript Submission; Ancillaries; Editorial Control; Warranties and Indemnities; Permissions to Use Other Material; Author's and Publisher's Changes in Proofs; Marketing and Promotion; Royalty Reporting and Payment; Inspection of Publisher's Accounts by Author; Author's Copies / Revisions of the Book; Assignments and Successors / Reversion; Choice of Legal Venue; and Signature Block. "Guide to Textbook Publishing Contracts" is enhanced further with the inclusion of '20 Questions to Ask Your Editor', a list of Resources, a Glossary of Terms, and Contact Information. Although as the title lays out, "Guide to Textbook Publishing Contracts" is focused on contracts for textbooks, the core basic information about contract negotiation and content will prove to be of practical value for any author entering into a contractual arrangement with any publisher for any book, fiction or non-fiction. It should be noted that "Guide to Textbook Publishing Contracts" is also available in an ebook format ($24.95).

The Gutenberg Revolution
Richard Abel
Transaction Publishers
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
www.transactionpub.com
9781412849524, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1398 – February 3, 1468) was a German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, and publisher who introduced printing to Europe. His invention of mechanical movable type printing started the Printing Revolution and is widely regarded as the most important event of the modern period. It played a key role in the development of the Renaissance, Reformation, the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution and laid the material basis for the modern knowledge-based economy and the spread of learning to the masses. Gutenberg was the first European to use movable type printing, in around 1439. Among his many contributions to printing are: the invention of a process for mass-producing movable type; the use of oil-based ink; and the use of a wooden printing press similar to the agricultural screw presses of the period. His truly epochal invention was the combination of these elements into a practical system which allowed the mass production of printed books and was economically viable for printers and readers alike. Gutenberg's method for making type is traditionally considered to have included a type metal alloy and a hand mould for casting type. The use of movable type was a marked improvement on the handwritten manuscript, which was the existing method of book production in Europe, and upon woodblock printing, and revolutionized European book-making. Gutenberg's printing technology spread rapidly throughout Europe and later the world. "The Gutenberg Revolution: A History Of Print Culture" by publisher Richard Abel is a 200 page descriptive history of the impact of Gutenberg's invention upon 15th and 16th century culture. Able begins with a brief overview of western culture prior to 1450, then follows with chapters specific to Gutenberg's 'printing revolution' on the last half of the 15th century, the spread of printing and its consequences during the 16th century, then the role of printing in the 17th century. Of special note is Richard Abel's 'Epilogue: Closing Remarks and Summary'. Enhanced with the inclusion of an extensive bibliography and a very useful index, "The Gutenberg Revolution: A History of Print Culture" is a truly informative read and should be considered a mandatory acquisition for academic library Writing/Publishing reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A Heavenly Craft
Daniel De Simone, editor
George Braziller
171 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10016
0807615366 $50.00 1-800-233-4830

Author Daniel De Simone is curator of the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection at the Library of Congress, and his background lends well to an authoritative survey of 19th and 20th century scholarship on early woodcuts in hand-printed books. Other experts join in the production of A Heavenly Craft: The Woodcut In Early Printed Books with articles considering major woodcut book editions, from religious texts to period productions around the world. Add a healthy dose of color reproductions and fine close-ups and you have a seminal contribution to publishing history collections and supplemental reading lists -- as well as a specialty art library 'must'.

The Heyday of Malcolm Margolin
Kim Bancroft
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597142878 $20.00 www.heydaybooks.com

The Heyday of Malcolm Margolin: The Damn Good Times of a Fiercely Independent Publisher is the true-life story of Malcolm Margolin, creator of the cultural institution of Heyday Books, which has served since 1978 as a publisher of books about California - from the tales of Native peoples to hardworking immigrants, from efforts to protect Calliope hummingbirds to knife-edge political tensions along the California-Mexico border. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this adventurous, insightful, and delightful saga of storytelling.

A History of the Frankfurt Book Fair
Peter Weidhaas, author
C.M. Gossage and W.A. Wright, translators
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1M2
9781550027440, $40.00 www.dundurn.com

Book fairs have been an important part of the publishing industry since the days of Gutenberg and the invention of movable type. Recognized as the Mecca for all who are connected to the book publishing industry, the Frankfurt Book Fair is over five hundred years old. "A History of the Frankfurt Book Fair" looks to cover all of it's history, as covered by the director of the event for a quarter of a century, and author of "A History of the Frankfurt Book Fair", Peter Weidhaas. Fascinating, expertly written, and full of anecdotes and insights, "A History of the Frankfurt Book Fair" is strongly recommended as a core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library collections, as well as the for non-specialist general reader seeking to learn more about the origin of the model that all modern book fairs follow.

Hollywood vs. The Author
Stephen Jay Schwartz, editor
Rare Bird Books
453 S. Spring Street, Suite 302, Los Angels, CA 90013
www.rarebirdbooks.com
9781945572869, $17.95, PP, 280pp, www.amazon.com

Stephen Jay Schwartz spent a number of years as the Director of Development for Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot, In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, Troy, The Perfect Storm) where he worked to develop screenplays for production. He also worked as a freelance screenwriter before writing his two novels, Boulevard and Beat, which follow the journey of sex-addicted LAPD detective Hayden Glass. The Hayden Glass series was optioned by producer Ben Silverman (Ugly Betty, The Office, The Tudors) for development as a TV series. Stephen's short fiction was most recently included in the collection The Los Angeles Fiction Anthology alongside T.C. Boyle, published by Red Hen Press, as well as the short story collection Jewish Noir, published by PM Press. He is a regular moderator at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and has judged and been the panel chair for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the mystery/thriller category since 2015. His film work has been exhibited in the A.F.I. Los Angeles International Film Festival and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Schwartz, "Hollywood vs. The Author" is a collection of non-fiction anecdotes by authors who've had the pleasure of experiencing the development room firsthand -- some who have successfully managed to straddle the two worlds, seeing their works morph into the kinds of feature films and TV shows that make them proud, and others who stepped blindsided into that room after selling their first or second novels. All the stories in this collection illustrate the great divide between the world of literature and the big or small screen. They underscore the insanity of every crazy thing you've ever heard about Hollywood. "Hollywood vs. The Author" should be considered mandatory reading for any author seeking to have what they write made into a film or television series. While very highly recommended for community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Hollywood vs. The Author" is also available as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781978638563, $15.99, MP3 CD).

Home Publishing
David Hoye
Techno Publishing/Level Press
0970245149 $19.95

Home Publishing: How To Print, Bind, Publish And Sell Your Book For The Cost Of Paper, Ink, & Glue is a practical and solid guide to making hundreds of professional-quality copies of one's own book. This thoroughly "user friendly" how-to guide was itself home-published, at the cost to the author and home publisher of 87 cents per copy (and in this context, note it's $19.95 cover price!), and is as presentable as any other trade paperback designed for aspiring self-published authors. An included CD-ROM offers forms for letters and address labels, in addition to this book's instructions for greatly reducing the cost of a self-publishing venture. An excellent instructional guide and reference, Home Publishing offers a complete do-it-yourself course of action worth exploring for anyone seeking to profitably publish their own work.

Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction and the Rise of the Australian Paperback
Andrew Nette
Anthem Press
www.anthempress.com
9781839982453, $125.00, HC, 254pp

https://www.amazon.com/Horwitz-Publications-Australian-Paperback-Literature/dp/1839982454

Synopsis: With the publication of "Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction and the Rise of the Australian Paperback", author Andrew Nette offers the first book-length study of Sydney-based Horwitz Publications, the largest and most dynamic Australian pulp publisher to emerge after World War II.

Although best known for its cheaply produced, sometimes luridly packaged, softcover books, Horwitz Publications played a far larger role in mainstream Australian publishing than has been so far recognised, particularly in the expansion of the paperback from the late 1950s onwards.

"Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction and the Rise of the Australian Paperback" examines the authorship, production, marketing and distribution of Horwitz pulp paperbacks. It also includes ground-breaking material on the conditions of creative labor: the writers, artists and editors involved in the production of Horwitz pulp. This seminal study also explores how Horwitz pulp paperbacks acted as a local conduit for the global modern: the ideas, sensations, fascinations, technologies, and people that came crashing into the Australian consciousness in the 1950s and 1960s.

Critique: Informative enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an Introduction (Pulp Jungles in Australia and Beyond), numerous Figures, a fourteen page Bibliography, and a seven page Index, "Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction and the Rise of the Australian Paperback" by Andrew Nette is highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the history of paperback publishing. Offering a wealth of detailed historical information, "Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction and the Rise of the Australian Paperback" would well serve as a template or example of similar studies of American paperbacks as that segment of the publishing industry has evolved over time. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $30.49), "Horwitz Publications, Pulp Fiction and the Rise of the Australian Paperback" is unreservedly recommended as a unique addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Publishing History collections.

Editorial Note: A writer of fiction and non-fiction, a researcher, a reviewer and a pulp scholar, Andrew Nette has a dedicated website at https://www.pulpcurry.com/about-pulp-curry

How I Got Published
Ray White & Duane Lindsay, editors
Writer's Digest Books
c/ o F&W Publications, Inc.
700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990
9781582975108, $16.99 www.fwpublications.com 1-800-726-9966

How I Got Published: Famous Authors Tell You in Their Own Words is an anthology of true anecdotes from a wide variety of successful authors telling how they managed to break into the business and launch a successful writing career, all in their own words. Editors Ray White and Duane Lindsay have also peppered How I Got Published with general tips, tricks, and techniques for would-be authors, including ten "absolute" rules to follow for publishing success. From the importance of sheer bloody-minded stubbornness, to making connections with literary agents and editors, to the value of joining a critique group, how to not take rejections personally, and much more, How I Got Published is both an inspirational text and a handy guidebook to how breaking into the publishing world really works.

How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders
Dr. Judith Briles
Mile High Press
http://www.milehighpress.com
9781885331915, $20.00, PB, 338pp

https://www.amazon.com/How-Avoid-Book-Publishing-Blunders/dp/1885331916

Synopsis: When it comes to publishing there is no need to 'reinvent the wheel'. Not when there is "How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders", a DIY instructional guide and 'how to' manual that shows how to avoid the inevitable potholes that litter what Dr. Judith Briles aptly refers to as the publishing maze.

You are writing a book (or you have one already published one) and the OMG moment hits you. You've made a mistake, there's been screw up, or you just feel clueless in the maze of the publishing tsunami of items you unexpectedly find yourself having to deal with. You need help and savvy guidance.

That's what "How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders" delivers, as it reveals 'real world practical' strategies, tips, and techniques to ensure your publishing success -- and without any publishing industry gibberish. Just the facts and how-to for your author success.

"How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders" covers: The essentials that every successful author must include in a book; Structuring social media resources that are ideal for your book and level of expertise; Identifying readability factors to ensure your reader ease and aha take-aways; Hot tips for creating and maintaining momentum in book marketing; Learning what to avoid in contracts and how to end them if necessary.

With How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders, you've got book publishing and marketing expert Judith Briles (known throughout the publishing industry as The Book Shepherd) who is also the successful author of 38 books. With her years of experience and expertise she knows what the roadblocks and pitfalls are that authors encounter. Working with thousands of authors who have earned book awards and bestselling status, she brings the secret sauces of the publishing world to your ears and eyes.

Critique: It should be noted that the Midwest Book Review has a great deal of respect for the breadth and depth of Judith Brile's expertise when it comes to the writing, publishing, and marketing of books. Reading "How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders" is like taking a one-on-one tutorial in DIY book publishing and is a essential reading for aspiring authors considering self-publishing, novice publishers seeking to publish profitably. In fact, "How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders" has immense value for even the more experienced authors and publishing staff members. While also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), "How to Avoid Book Publishing Blunders" is comprehensive, 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, and an absolutely essential addition to personal, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections.

Editorial Note: Dr. Judith Briles (http://www.milehighpress.com) is the author of 43 books and known as The Book Shepherd, working with authors globally to create and publish books in all subject categories and genres. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Briles) A number of her titles have been previously reviewed and archived by the Midwest Book Review website at https://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=8779737&pid=r&mode=ALL&n=0&query=%22Judith+Briles%22

How to Create Crowdfunding Success for Authors and Writers
Dr. Judith Briles
Mile High Press
http://www.milehighpress.com
9781885331922, $20.00, PB, 114pp

https://www.amazon.com/Create-Crowdfunding-Success-Authors-Writers/dp/1885331924

Synopsis: "How to Create Crowdfunding Success for Authors and Writers" by Dr. Judith Briles is the ideal 'how-to' manual for aspiring self published authors who need money for design and printing; money for marketing; money to develop a website; even money for a PR campaign.

The principle promise of Dr. Briles is that if your financial resources are low, there are ways to increase it. You want the odds to be on your side. You want to be in the 35 percent minority that succeeds if you are an author or authortobe. Not the 65 percent that don't.

It's the power of OPM (Other People's Money!).

"How to Create Crowdfunding Success for Authors and Writers" shows how to:

Create rewards that your donors want.

Identify timelines: pre, during and post a crowdfunding campaign.

Determine which crowdfunding sites are best for authors and writers.

Pinpoint the essentials that every successful crowdfunding campaign has.

Get hot tips for creating momentum and the final push.

Structure a social media checklist that's ideal for your project.

Here is the perfect step-by-step instructional guide on the subject of how to set budgets and limit costs.

Does crowdfunding work for financing authors and writers? Yes it is. Can you as an author or writer succeed at it? Absolutely -- Start with a careful reading of "How to Create Crowdfunding Success for Authors and Writers"

Critique: It costs money to turn a manuscript into a book. It costs money to persuasively bring a book to the attention of its intended readership. Over the years, Dr. Judith Briles has earned her nickname of 'The Book Shepherd' and is one of the most respected and knowledgeable book marketing and promotion experts in the publishing industry today. Simply stated, anyone and everyone that aspires to becoming a successfully self-published author needs to give a careful 'note-taking' read of "How to Create Crowdfunding Success for Authors and Writers". While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections, it should be noted that "How to Create Crowdfunding Success for Authors and Writers" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.67).

Editorial Note: Dr. Judith Briles (http://www.milehighpress.com) is the author of 43 books and known as The Book Shepherd, working with authors globally to create and publish books in all subject categories and genres. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Briles) A number of her titles have been previously reviewed and archived by the Midwest Book Review at www.midwestbookreview.com

How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
http://facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson
HowToDoItFrugally Publishing
PO Box 1402, LaCanada-Flintridge, CA 91012 - 1402
www.howtodoitfrugally.com
9781536948370, $17.95, PB, 340pp, www.amazon.com

In the pages of "How To Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically", Carolyn Howard-Johnson draws upon her many years of professional experience and expertise spent helping writers to avoid pitfalls, misconceptions, and out-and-out scams perpetrated on unsuspecting authors -- and helping them reach their dreams of obtaining great reviews, going on great book tours, and experiencing great launches. Simply stated "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically" comprises the complete, comprehensive, and core manual for obtaining reviews and utilizing them in a practical, effective, and successful marketing campaign that includes all those things and for building the readership necessary for a financially prosperous and emotionally satisfying writing career. Covering every aspect of the book review process from solicitation to exploitation, "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, content, commentary, organization and presentation. Basically, "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically" is classified as a "must" for the instructional reference shelf of any and all authors and publishers be they novice beginners or seasoned professionals. While an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.95).

How to Get Published in the Best Management Journals, second edition
Mike Wright, David J. Ketchem Jr., Timothy Clark, editors
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781789902815, $165.00, HYC, 392pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Now in an updated, revised and expanded second edition, "How to Get Published in the Best Management Journals" continues to be an ideal career guide offering fascinating insight into the publishing environment for the management discipline, drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experiences from leading scholars and top-level journal editors. Responding to the continuing emphasis on publishing in the top journals, "How to Get Published in the Best Management Journals" offers a wealth of invaluable tips and practical advice for anyone looking to publish their work in management oriented publications.

"How to Get Published in the Best Management Journals" now includes brand new chapters on managing a research pipeline, positioning papers for publication and maximizing the chance of success with a novice editor as well as an in-depth look at research impact. Existing chapters provide additional insights into the value of peer review, the importance of a chosen methodology, ethics and integrity in the industry, securing repeat publication, tips on publishing in new disciplines and the nuances of special issues and open access publications.

Offering an insider perspective and candid advice, this second edition once more takes aspiring writers on a journey through the journal review process, providing behind-the-scenes insight into the potential pitfalls and advantages.

The contributors include: P. Andries, J. Barney, Y. Baruch, J.E. Baur, D.D. Bergh, S.K. Bhaumik, B. Boyd, M.R. Buckley, P. Budhwar, T. Clark, J.G. Combs, B. Connelly, K.G. Corley, D. Cumming, S. Estrin, G.R. Ferris, D. Gioia, B. Harley, A.-W. Harzing, M.A. Hitt, G.P. Hodgkinson, R.D. Ireland, F.W. Kellermanns, D.J. Ketchen, Jr., B.T. Lamont, A. Leiponen, B. Martin, W. Mitchell, G. Molina Sieiro, T. Pedersen, P.L. Perrewe, A.L. Ranft, P.L. Roth, B. Schinoff, C.C. Snow, A. Smith, W.H. Starbuck, W.H. Stewart, Jr., S. Tallman, B. Taylor, S. Toms, R. van Dick, G. Wood, M. Wright, D. Yiu

Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally organized, and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college and university library Writing/Publishing collections, "How to Get Published in the Best Management Journals" is an essential and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional guide and manual for authors, academics and scholars of all levels seeking to advance their careers and expand their journal publication success.

Editorial Note: The late Mike Wright was formerly Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director, Centre for Management Buyout Research, Imperial College Business School, London, UK.

David J. Ketchen, Jr. is the Harbert Eminent Scholar and Professor of Management at the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, US.

Timothy Clark is the Provost and a Professor at the Singapore Management University, Singapore

How To Get Your Book Published Free In Minutes And Marketed Worldwide In Days
Gordon Burgett
Communications Unlimited
PO Box 845, Novato, CA 94948
www.ancillarypublishing.com
9780982663516, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Before the advent of computers and desktop publishing software, it would take from several weeks to many months in order turn a manuscript into a book and then make that book available to the reading public. Now with the advent of computers and desktop publishing software it takes only minutes to turn a manuscript into a purchasable item -- at least in a digitally published form such as Kindle, and not so very much longer for turning that manuscript into a traditional print edition through self-publishing, either directly under the authors own imprint, or indirectly through a POD (publish on demand) company. That is the particular value underscoring Gordon Burgett's new 'how to' instruction manual "How to Get Your Book Published Free in Minutes and Marketed Worldwide in Days: A step-by-step guide for new or veteran publishers". Burgett draws upon his personal and professional experience and expertise (he has 39 books in print and has sold over 1700 freelance articles), to provide sound, superbly organized information on digitally or POD publishing a book that will enable even the most novice of authors to be in the market and successfully pitching their purchasable title in less than a week. A 168-page compendium of sound 'real world' information and instruction, "How to Get Your Book Published Free in Minutes and Marketed Worldwide in Days" is especially recommended reading for anyone wanting to publish their own work and expose it to the widest possible readership in the least amount of time.

How to Make Money Publishing from Home
Lisa Shaw
Prima Publishing
3875 Atherton Road, Rocklin, CA 95765
0761508120 $13.00 1-916-632-4400

Author and experienced home-based publisher Lisa Shaw has developed a practical, easy-to-follow guide revealing everything necessary to launch a successful do-it-yourself publishing business. How To Make Money Publishing From Home contains everything necessary to know how to profitably publish books, newsletters, greeting cards, and magazines. Shaw divides her "how-to" manual into three sections that includes information about the rapid growth in publishing, the various types and categories of publishing, and the "nuts and bolts" practicalities of running a home-based publishing business. Readers will learn how to identify and sell to promising markets, select what kind of publication would be best for you, choose the best service providers and equipment, manage a home-based publishing business for maximum profit, and much more! For anyone contemplating a small press or self-publishing venture, How To Make Money Publishing From Home is the best $13 pre-publishing investment they could make!

How to Promote Your Book
Dr. Jan Yager
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004742, $17.95, PB, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/How-Promote-Your-Book-Publicizing/dp/0757004741

Synopsis: Whether your book is being released through a commercial publisher or an academic press, or you are self-publishing it, as the author, you can, should, and must play a crucial role in getting your book seen, talked about, and sold.

While you may watch dozens of authors pitch their books on TV, in social media, and in bookstores, they represent only a fraction of the writers who come out with new books each year. What do they know that you don't? They know what to do to get attention for themselves and, more important, for their books -- and as you will discover with "How to Promote Your Book: A Practical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title" by publishing veteran Jan Yager that you can, too.

"How to Promote Your Book" is divided into three sections.

Part One begins with a look at promotion basics. These include knowing what your book's marketplaces are, who your audience is, how the media is divided, the elements involved in publicity, and how to create an effective promotional timeline.

Once you understand the basics, Part Two focuses on the ways to package and market yourself to the various book and media outlets. It discusses putting together professional looking press releases and media kits. It also explains how to obtain endorsements and reviews, as well as how to generate speaking engagements and interviews with journalists; bloggers; and radio, TV, and podcast hopes.

Part Three provides a plan that covers the first three months of an author's publicity program -- from the day the book is formally released through all the media events that have been lined up. Throughout the book, you will find insets that answer important questions such as, "What are the real costs involved?" and "Should I promote myself or hire a publicists?" Just as important, the author includes a valuable resource guide that provides the names, addresses, and links to many of the key places covered in the book.

Critique: As a self-published author you have 100% of the responsibility for promoting your book. As a mid-list author you have 98% of the responsibility for promoting your book.

Jan Yager has enjoyed an impressive and successful career as both a best-selling author and as a publisher. She has been interviewed by many of the top shows on TV and radio. In the pages of "How to Promote Your Book: A Practical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title", she provides informative examples what she has done (both for herself and for her authors) to create effective DIY publicity, promotion, and marketing campaigns.

This is an exceptionally well written, organized and presented 'how to' manual for marketing a book will enable even the most novice of authors to successful utilize speaking engagement, social media, book signings, radio/tv/cable, mailings, book fairs, podcasts, conferences/conventions, reviews, and more.

While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "How to Promote Your Book: A Practical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).

Editorial Note: Jan Yager (https://www.drjanyager.com) is a sociologist, freelance writer, coach, speaker, artist, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. She also teaches at Baruch College and William Paterson University. Her 50+ award-winning books, translated into 35 languages.

How to Publish a Bestselling Book
Kim Staflund
Polished Publishing Group
www.shop.polishedpublishinggroup.com
News & Experts
9780986486982, $19.99, 172pp, www.amazon.com

Writing professionally is a business. Getting published is a business. Any author who discount this fact are doomed to failure no matter how brilliantly written their book might be. "How to Publish a Bestselling Book" focuses on the business aspects and facets of becoming a published author including the diverse types of publishing and publishers; domestic and foreign copyrights; books sales and marketing; the modern book publishing process; as well as modern book printing and non-printing options. Of special note is the concluding section offering sound and seasoned advice on such issues as when to let a book go; when to write, sell, and get it all done; handling criticism, and more. Enhanced with the inclusion of a four page Bibliography; and a six page Index, "How to Publish a Bestselling Book" is exceptional, practical, detailed, comprehensive, and thoroughly 'user friendly' from beginning to end. If you are an aspiring writer seeking commercial success as a published author, then you need a copy of Kim Staflund's "How to Publish a Bestselling Book".

How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com
Cynthia Reeser
Atlantic Publishing
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601384041 $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

How to Publish a Kindle Book with Amazon.com provides a complete guide on publishing a Kindle book, from reviewing the history of electronic publishing and the Kindle to pros and cons between print and digital books. The entire field of on-demand publishing and eBook formatting is surveyed in an essential, key acquisition for any would-be author who wishes to understand the next generation of Web book publishing, and for any general library collection.

How To Publish High-Quality Research
Jeff Joireman & Paul A. M. Van Lange
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433818615, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Being able to publish research findings is absolutely critical to academic and corporate success. Co-authored by Jeff Joireman (Associate Professor of Marketing, Washington State University) and Paul A. M. Van Lange (Professor of Social Psychology and Chair of the Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, VU University at Amsterdam), "How to Publish High-Quality Research: Discovering, Building, and Sharing the Contribution" is a 344 page compendium comprised of three major sections: Developing Ideas, Designing Studies, and Writing Manuscripts; paradigms for Publishing High-Quality Research; and Conclusions (including 'A Process Model for Publishing High-Quality Research). Enhanced with four pages of References and an eight page Index, "How to Publish High-Quality Research: Discovering, Building, and Sharing the Contribution" is an exceptionally well written, informative, insightful, and practical instruction guide that is ideal for the novice researcher seeking to eventually publish their findings, and has a wealth of information and usefulness for even the more experienced researcher, especially attempting to secure tenure, successful grant applications based on past performance, etc. Simply stated, "How to Publish High-Quality Research: Discovering, Building, and Sharing the Contribution" should be a part of every academic library reference collection.

How To Publish Your Children's Book
Liza N. Burby
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
0757600363, $17.95 www.squareonepublishers.com 1-877-900-2665

Books for children preschool through young adult has always been a substantial part of the publishing industry. It is also one a volatile and competitive market that can be confusing and difficult for the novice author and inexperienced publisher. "How To Publish Your Children's Book" by award-winning author and former children's book editor Liza N. Burby is a comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction guide that will prove an invaluable reference for anyone aspiring to publish (or be published) and market a book for children regardless of its genre or the intended age category of its targeted readership. "How To Publish Your Children's Book" covers such diverse but essential issues as creating effective submission packages, how authors can identify the best publisher for their particular title, learn to avoid common problems encountered in publishing, understand and benefit from publishing contracts, accessing and utilizing publisher resources, the growing phenomena of electronic publishing such as eBooks, maximizing results while minimizing time, cost and effort, and so much more. Enhanced with the addition of a glossary, a resource list, and an index, "How To Publish Your Children's Book" is essential reading for anyone contemplating publishing a children's book whether it is through an established press, and independent publisher, or as a self-published project.

How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book, second edition
Rudy Shur
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004308, $18.95, PB, 252pp, www.amazon.com

Rudy Shur began his work in publishing as a field representative for Charles E. Merrill Publishing Company and William C. Brown Publishing Company. He later founded Avery Publishing Group, where he was responsible for the acquisition of over 1,000 titles, many of which became bestsellers. Currently, he is the publisher at Square One in Garden City Park, New York. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded second edition, Rudy Shur draws upon his years of experience and expertise to provide aspiring writers—who may have a great idea for a nonfiction book, but often don't know a thing about getting it published—with practical answers to such questions as: Where do you start?; What should you send?; and Are some book publishers better than others?, in the pages of "How to Publish Your Nonfiction Book: A Complete Guide to Making the Right Publisher Say Yes". Providing an insider's knowledge of how publishing companies operate in this era of publishing as a rapidly changing industry, this new edition of "How to Publish Your Nonfiction Book" starts off by helping writers define their book's category, audience, and marketplace so that you know exactly where your book "fits in". Writers are guided in choosing the best publishing companies for their particular book and in writing a winning submission package. Then using the Square One System, "How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book" explains exactly how to submit a package so that chances for success are optimized while minimizing time, cost, and effort. Also included is a special section on contracts that will turn legalese into plain English, allowing even the most novice of writers to be a savvy player in the publishing business. Most importantly, "How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book" will help neophyte writers to avoid the most common errors that so often prevent them from reaching their publishing goals. Impressively written, organized and presented, "How To Publish Your Nonfiction Book" is extraordinarily 'user friendly' and an absolute 'must' for anyone wanting to write (and have published!) a nonfiction book -- and an essential, core addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.

How To Publish Your Novel
Ken Atchity, et al.
SquareOne Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY, 11040
0757000495, $18.95 www.squareonepublishers.com

An academician, literary manager, and the author of fourteen books (including 'A Writer's Time" and "Writing Treatments That Sell", Ken Atchity (with the assistance of Andrea McKeown, Julie Mooney, and Margaret O'Connor) offers sound, practical, instructive advice for aspiring authors on getting their fiction published in today's highly competitive publishing industry. Beginning with the basics of fiction publishing with respect to various and diverse types of fiction, "How To Publish Your Novel: A Complete Guide To Making The Right Publisher Say Yes" covers everything from finding the right literary representative and/or publisher, crafting an effective plan of action ranging from deciding to self-represent or use a literary agent; to developing a proposal package; to selecting a list of potential publishers; to publishing contracts; to building a career as a professional author, to promoting a published novel. Enhanced with an extensive section of resources including a glossary, specialized bibliographies, lists of writers groups, writer resource websites, and more, "How To Publish Your Novel" is an essential and basic addition to personal and community library Writing/Publishing reference collections.

How To Publish Your Own Weekly Newspapers, Niche-Market Tabloids & Free Circulation Shoppers
Thomas A. Williams
Venture Press
12445 NW 10th Court , Coral Springs FL 33071
1878853317 $29.95

How To Publish Your Own Weekly Newspapers, Niche-Market Tabloids & Free Circulation Shoppers truly lives up to its name as Thomas Williams takes the aspiring publisher through a detailed instructional manual on every aspect of the publishing process from beginning to end. The hallmark of this superbly written and presented "how to" guide is the clarity of Williams' presentation for launching, maintaining, and prospering as a home-based, niche-oriented publisher from the creation of a business plan to the promotion and distribution of the publication. Anyone considering publishing any kind of newspaper, tabloid, or shopper should first begin by giving How To Publish Your Own Weekly Newspapers, Niche-Market Tabloids & Free Circulation Shoppers a very careful reading -- it can save enormous amounts of money, energy, and anxiety, as well as assuring success in a very competitive marketplace!

How To Publish Your Poetry
Helene Ciaravino
SquareOne Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY, 11040
0757000010, $15.95 www.squareonepublishers.com

Poetry is an especially difficult field in which to be published. An ideal instruction manual for aspiring poets seeking to have their poetry published, "How To Publish Your Poetry: A Complete Guide To Finding The Right Publishers For Your Work" by book editor, freelance writer, and published poet Helene Ciaravino has compiled a step-by-step 'how to' instruction manual that will materially assist the complete novice to publishing to have their poetry put into print and made available to as large a readership as possible. Writers of poetry seeking publication will be able to maximize their chances for becoming published; will learn how to create an effective submission package; avoid common mistakes in their attempt to become published; learn how to craft a cover letter for their manuscript that will attract the attention of acquisition editors; utilize a simple but practical seven-step system for becoming published; minimize the time, effort, and financial costs of becoming published; take advantage of available resources for the aspiring poet; learn about a diversity of outlets for poetry; and benefit from honing their skills at the craft of writing poetry. Of special note is what Helene Ciarvaino has to say about self-publishing with respect to poetry. Especially recommended for academic and community library Writing & Publishing reference collections, anyone contemplating becoming a published poet should give "How To Publish Your Poetry" a very careful reading. It is a veritable gold mine of practical, useful, time-tested information, ideas, and instructions.

How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book
Penny C. Sansevieri
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781723456954, $6.95, PB, 84pp, www.amazon.colm

Is Your Book Not Selling? Do you feel like you've tried everything to promote your title but nothing is working? If you're struggling to sell more books it's time to stop stressing about it, because it happens to the best of us. The next step is to do something about it. In the pages of "How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book: Simple and Smart Strategies to Sell More Books", book marketing expert Penny C. Sansevieri presents the specialized book marketing strategies of the re-release. With "How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book" even the most inexperience author can come up with a smart and simple plan to revive lackluster sales numbers with minimal effort! "How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book" explains: Why re-releasing a book has become such a lucrative marketing strategy; How to read the telltale signs of a title that's a perfect re-release candidate; How to tell if your cover needs some market-driven updates; How to determine if you need to make content updates; Special considerations for updating fiction and non-fiction; How to make the new version stand out on Amazon; How to upload everything to Amazon the second time around; How to work with Amazon to keep all the reviews from your original version; How to properly price your re-release for maximum exposure; Marketing tips for your re-release. A thoroughly 'user friendly' compendium of expert instruction, advice, commentary, tips, tricks and techniques, "How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book" should be considered mandatory reading by every author and every publisher seeking to maximize sales in general, and exposure to the general reading public in particular. It should be noted that "How to Revise and Re-Release Your Book" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.95).

How to Self-Publish a Children's Picture Book
Eve Heidi Bine-Stock
E & E Publishing
9780983149965, $19.44 pbk / $8.49 Kindle, 171pp, www.amazon.com

Impressively well written, comprehensive, and practical, "How to Self-Publish a Children's Picture Book" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. An absolute 'must' for any and all aspiring authors of children's books from preschool through young adult, fiction or non-fiction, "How to Self-Publish a Children's Picture Book" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Writing/Publishing collections.

How to Self-Publish and Market Your Personal Growth Books
Linda Mackenzie
The Crossing Press
PO Box 1048, Freedom, CA 95019
0895949814 $12.95

Linda Mackenzie's How to Self-Publish and Market Your Personal Growth Books is an inclusive, step-by-step guide which provides the self-publisher a concise, easy-to-use instructional guide to successfully minimize effort and maximize success in their self-publishing project. A practical handbook addressing all phases of the book making and marketing process, How to Self-Publish and Market Your Personal Growth Books is also insightful reading for all writers with its candid overview of the book industry's requirements and methods for success. Self-publishing can be a viable alternative to getting a book published. The maze of steps and methods of action required to successful self-published and marketing need not be overwhelming. How to Self-Publish and Market Your Personal Growth Books will go a long way toward's assisting anyone to succeed their first time out as a self-published author.

How to Self-Publish Your Book
Jan Yager
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004650, $19.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: For the past few decades that saw that the increasing consolidation of established publishers was resulting in fewer and fewer access opportunities for the publication books by unknown or midlist authors. That self-publishing was the only viable alternative for an aspiring authors wanting to be published and have what they'd written reach the general reading public.

Part One of "How to Self-Publish Your Book: A Complete Guide to Writing, Editing, Marketing & Selling Your Own Book" is divided into three parts and covers the initial manuscript preparation -- setting your goals, writing, sequencing, editing, and proofing, as well as creating a business plan for your book's eventual release.

Part Two focuses on the actual production of a book. It explains the importance of cover and interior design, what you need to know about producing physical books and e-books, and how to turn your title into an audiobook.

Part Three provides key information on how to market and sell a book -- subjects that are crucial to a title's success, but of which most writers have very little understanding.

Also included is a valuable resource section that guides the aspiring author to websites which offer essential information on self-publishing service providers, including complete self-publishing companies as well as freelance editors, proofreaders, printers, distributors, marketers, and publicists.

The fact is that any book's chance of success starts at its origin, not with the finished product. However you choose to produce your book, whether through a self-publishing company or through separate services, "How to Self-Publish Your Book" by Jan Yager is a complete road map to becoming a successfully self-published author.

Critique: It should be noted that in the pages of "How to Self-Publish Your Book" that the Midwest Book Review is positively cited (pages 168-169) as a recommended resource for the self-published author. That said, this is one of the most comprehensive, practical, and 'user friendly' how-to instructional guides available today on the subject of self-publishing. Of special note is the inclusion of a six page Glossary, and a five page Index. Candidly, if you only have the time or budget for one 'how to' book on the subject, then you would be well served as an aspiring but unknown author seeking publication to give "How to Self-Publish Your Book" a careful reading. That will save you time, money, and the avoidance of common mistakes. Simply stated, "How to Self-Publish Your Book" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.

Editorial Note: Dr. Jan Yager received her M.A. in criminal justice from Goddard College, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Beginning at the age 23, she began her publishing career first working at Macmillan Publishing Company, and then at Grove Press working directly under the company's founder, Barney Rosset. There she learned to do everything from selling foreign and subsidiary rights to acquisitions, publicity, and sales. Jan's life has been all about writing and publishing books. She is the author of more than 40 books published by such major houses as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Scribner, Wiley, and Doubleday, as well as self-published by her own company, Hannacroix Creek Books, Inc. Dr. Yager's award-winning titles include Foreign Rights and Wrongs; Effective Business and Nonfiction Writing; Career Opportunities in the Publishing Industry (with Fred Yager); Business Protocol; Victims; When Friendship Hurts (translated into 29 languages); Friendshifts; The Pretty One (a novel); Untimely Death (a novel, with Fred Yager); The Quiet Dog (illustrated by Mitzi Lyman); Work Less, Do More; Put More Time on Your Side; and others.

How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon: 2021 Amazon Ads Powerhouse Edition
Penny Sansevieri
Author Marketing Experts
www.amarketingexpert.com
9798562626929, $9.99, PB, 142pp

https://www.amazon.com/How-Sell-Books-Truckload-Amazon/dp/B08VRN5NHX

Synopsis: In the pages of "How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon: 2021 Amazon Ads Powerhouse Edition", book marketing expert Penny Sansevieri teaches self-published authors exactly how to sell their books on Amazon.com (the 800 pound gorilla of bookselling) -- but smarter and with more success.

Penny Sansevieri is a true book marketing guru who has also taught Amazon-centric classes and webinars to thousands of authors leading up to the release of this ultimate guide to mastering the Amazon marketing system. This 2021 edition of "How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon" also introduces a brand new Powerhouse Amazon Ads chapter!

Authors and publishers will learn how to set up, manage and run Amazon ads to gain more visibility for a book with a great economy and minimal finances. The proven strategies in this step-by-step instruction manual will have immediate results and increased target market exposure while dramatically upgrading any books marketing efforts to sell more copies!

"How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon" covers: Developing book descriptions that convert more browsers to buyers; Finding keywords that help connect with more shoppers; Increase sales through perfectly timed pre-order campaigns; Create Amazon ads that sell more books; Boost sales with strategic eBook marketing strategies; Capitalize on the secret Amazon relevancy score for a product.

To get any book ranked #1 in its category, "How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon" is an essential instruction manual and guide with. It is an effective go-to resource for finally making sense of all the features Amazon offers that have already proven successful for thousands of other authors!

Critique: From 'How to Respond to a Review'; to 'Gifting eBooks'; to 'Bonus Marterials', to 'Turning Your Book into a 24/7 Sales Tool', "How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon: 2021 Amazon Ads Powerhouse Edition" is the best investment any author and any publisher can make to insure a commercially successful book in today's highly competitive and volatile online marketplace. A great deal of the 'tips, tricks & techniques' showcased in "How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon" are also applicable to other online book selling websites such as Barnes & Noble. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, commentary, organization and presentation, if you as an author and/or publisher only have time to read on DIY book on selling books, make it "How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon" by Penny Sansevieri!

Editorial Note: For reviews of other writing/publishing related books and activities by Penny Sanvieri, go to: https://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=8779737&pid=r&mode=ALL&n=0&query=%22Penny+Sansevieri%22

How To Start A Home-Based Writing Business
Lucy V. Parker
The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9780762744015, $18.95 www.globepequot.com 1-800-243-0495

A previous edition of Lucy V. Parker's "How To Start A Home-Based Writing Business" was recommended by the staff of Midwest Book Review to anyone aspiring to earn a living through their writing as being "A superbly presented, complete-in-one-volume manual. An invaluable user-friendly, highly recommended 'how to' guide specifically for freelance writers." Now in a newly updated and expanded seventh edition, that original assessment has been further strengthened and justified. Featuring a jargon-free, eminently practical, informed and informative text of instruction, advice, and commentary, "How To Start A Home-Based Writing Business" is enhanced with the inclusion of Business-Success Worksheets, Prospect Information Forms, Estimate Forms, Job-Log and Job-Control Forms, a Checklist of Key Client Types, Profiles of Success Stories, Guidelines for Software Selection, Business Resources, and a Source Directory making it a completely up-to-date instructional reference that will prove enduring valuable to anyone seeking to establish a career writing be it with fiction, non-fiction, or any combination of the two.

How To Start A Magazine And Publish It Profitably
James B. Kobak
M. Evans and Company, Inc.
216 East 49th Street, NY, NY 10017
0871319276 $29.95 www.mevans.com

How To Start A Magazine And Publish It Profitably by business consultant and entrepreneur James B. Kobak is a no-nonsense, imminently practical, how-to guide to the magazine market, including a wealth of invaluable "tips, tricks and techniques" on how to raise venture capital, why some magazines succeed while others go bankrupt, how to choose the best name and develop a solid business plan, and much, much more. An informed and informative, highly readable primer, How To Start A Magazine And Publish It Profitably is an absolute "must-read" for anyone seriously interested in venturing into the world of magazine publishing.

How To Start And Produce A Magazine Or Newsletter
Gordon Woolf
The Worsley Press
c/o FAP Books Inc.
PO Box 540, Gainesville, FL 32602-0540
1875750150 $19.95 worsleypress.com

Now in an updated and expanded third edition, Gordon Woolf's How To Start And Produce A Magazine Or Newsletter is the best instructional guide for aspiring publishers of a magazine or newsletter available today. Drawing upon his more than thirty years of professional experience in magazine and newsletter publication, Woolf covers all aspects of the process from determining what kind of magazine or newsletter to publish, what is meant by "copy", and producing a publication, to the publishing options and alternatives of photocopying; small offset printing; illustrations; layout and design; paste up; computer productions; the e-zine; the economics of publishing; distribution; the legal ramifications of publishing; and more. If you are contemplating publishing a magazine or newsletter, in print or on the Internet, then begin with a thorough reading of Gordon Woolf's How To Start And Produce A Magazine Or Newsletter.

How To Start & Run A Small Book Publishing Company
Peter I. Hupalo
HCM Publishing
Box 18093, West Saint Paul, MN 55118
0967162432 $18.95 hcmpublishing.com

How To Start & Run a Small Book Publishing Company: A Small Business Guide To Self-Publishing And Independent Publishing by author, publisher, and book reviewer Peter I. Hupalo is a highly practical, useful and "user friendly" guide written especially for authors who are considering private publishing as an alternative to being published by an established press, as well as those who are considering launching their own independent publishing businesses for producing their own works and/or those of others. Individual chapters address a range of relevant issues ranging from the determination of how many copies of a book to print, to successful and unsuccessful marketing techniques (direct mail is strongly discouraged due to its expensive nature and low likelihood of turning a profit), to pricing the book for maximum commercial return, to itemizing deductible costs, inventory accounting, book production, record keeping, and much, much more. A first-rate primer and a "must-read" for anyone seriously thinking of entering the exciting and often competitive world of independent publishing, How To Start & Run A Small Book Publishing Company is a welcome and recommended addition to any personal reading list or professional "do-it-yourself" instructional reference shelf.

How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper, seventh edition
Robert A. Day & Barbara Gastel
ABC-CLIO
130 Cremona Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313931972, $29.95, www.abc-clio.com

You may have the best science, but there are hoops to jump through to get your work known. "How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper" follows Robert A. Day & Barbara Gastel as they walks readers through the ins and outs of scientific paper publishing. A crucial step in a scientific career, Day & Gastel offer much wisdom in cutting through the red tape to avoid missteps, ethics, presenting your work, and the accepted scientific writing style. "How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper" is a strongly recommended addition to any novice and aspiring person of science's personal library collection.

How To Write A Successful Book Proposal In 8 Days Or Less
Patricia L. Fry
Matilija Press
323 East Matilija Street, Suite 110, Ojai, CA 93023
0961264292 $12.99 matilijapress.com

How To Write A Successful Book Proposal In 8 Days Or Less by successful author Patricia L. Fry is a definitive, "user-friendly" guide, which is especially recommended to writers trying to attract a publisher for their manuscript. Written in a easy-to-follow format, How To Write A Successful Book Proposal In 8 Days Or Less includes the simple ten-step lesson that educates the reader on how to write a complete book proposal, locate and approach publishers, evaluate fee-based POD publishers, choose a title that will sell, build promotion into the book, sell yourself in the "about the author" section, organize the chapter outline, promote the book outside of bookstores, make book signings successful, and write a more successful, marketable book. How To Write A Successful Book Proposal is an invaluable addition to any novice author's reference shelf and has much to commended to even experienced and published writers as well.

How to Write and Publish a Successful Children's Book
Cynthia Reeser
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601384072 $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com 1-800-814-1132

How to Write and Publish a Successful Children's Book: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply literally lives up to its title. Chapters give an introduction and overview of the different branches of the children's book publishing industry (the better to understand the specific audience for one's book - both in terms of readership and prospective publishers), how to develop a story and writing style that keeps children's interest from beginning to end, tips and tricks for children's books illustrators, crash-courses in both professionally submitting one's work to publishers and self-publishing, networking suggestions, and much more. An absolute "must-read" for anyone interested in writing children's books. "Your projected cost for [self-publishing] a paperback edition falls in the $11,300 to $13,600 range. It will cost more if you want to publish a hardcover edition. This may sound like a lot of gloom and doom, but it is important that you are aware of the pitfalls, drawbacks, and benefits of each path to publication before committing your time and energy to any of them."

How To Write And Publish Your Own eBook
Jim Edwards & Joe Vitale
Morgan James Publishing
1225 Franklin Avenue, Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530-1693
1600371523, $19.95 www.morganjamespublishing.com

The collaborative work of Jim Edwards and Joe Vitale, "How To Write And Publish Your Own eBook...In As Little As 7 Days" is a complete, methodical, step-by-step instruction manual in publishing ebooks. Both Edwards and Vitale are drawing upon their enormously successful careers publishing ebooks and now share their particular body of expertise to reveal all of the steps and processes that will enable publisher to expand their revenue streams through the inclusion of a line of ebooks. "How To Write And Publish Your Own eBook" is particular recommended to the attention of self-published authors and small press publishers wanting to participate in the growing ebook market which shows strong promise of becoming more and more economically viable as the internet and the lap top computer become as commonplace with young generations as print publications and audiobooks are to their elders. Any author and any publisher considering expanding into the ebook market with their titles should give a careful reading to this superbly organized and presented 'do-it-yourself' manual.

How to Write, Illustrate, Publish & Sell Your Own Book On Amazon!
Heather Konet
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781722489274, $15.99, PB, 71pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: Specifically designed for young writers in grades 4-6, "How to Write, Illustrate, Publish & Sell Your Own Book On Amazon!" by Heather Konet is a straightforward instructional guide on how to write, illustrate and format files for publication.

Heather Konet is the author of the STEM themed children's book series Li'l Booger Buddies Inventors and a Mechanical Engineer by trade. In "How to Write, Illustrate, Publish & Sell Your Own Book On Amazon!" she shares lessons learned over years of learning the book self-publishing process and has compiled those lessons into a clear, concise guide for those interested in self-publishing their own stories.

Young readers and writers will learn the steps of publishing printed and eBook versions through the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Other self-publishing guides are wordy and confusing. But this particular guide provides concise instructions with clear computer screen shots to guide aspiring authors through exactly what they need to do.

Now boys and girls ages 9-11 can fulfill the dream of writing their own book and seeing it for sale on Amazon reaching potential readers around the world! It's time to finally turn that children's picture book, teaching guide, graphic novel, comic book, art book, cook book, instructional manual, etc into something real that can be appreciated by others and that will generate revenue for a self-published author.

Critique: Although specifically intended for young readers who might aspire to become self- published authors and use Amazon.com as a marketing tool, and now in a fully updated second edition, "How to Write, Illustrate, Publish & Sell Your Own Book On Amazon!" will prove to be of value to any and all aspiring self-published writers with respect to using Amazon.com. Of special note are the computer on-screen charts with clearly marked 'click' instructions. "How to Write, Illustrate, Publish & Sell Your Own Book On Amazon!" is unreservedly recommended for personal, elementary school, and community library 'how to' instructional self-publishing and book marketing reference collections. It should be noted that "How to Write, Illustrate, Publish & Sell Your Own Book On Amazon!" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

I Could've Written A Better Movie Than That!
Derek Rydall
Michael Weiser
11288 Ventura Boulevard, #621, Studio City, CA 91604
1932907076 $26.95 www.mwp.com

There are plenty of movies on the market which feature substandard writing - so bad that even an audience member might think they can do better, let alone an aspiring screenwriter. If you're a member of the latter group, I Could've Written A Better Movie Than That! How To Make Six Figures As A Script Consultant Even If You're Not A Screenwriter is for you. It tells how to use this sense of perfection to earn cash as a script consultant, and comes from author Rydall's years of experience in the industry. Chapters show how to analyze stories in any form, write coverage, repair scripts, negotiate contracts and more. Plenty of books tell how to write the script: few, except for this, tell how to make money repairing one.

"I Liked It, Didn't Love It"
Rona Edwards & Monika Skerbelis
Lone Eagle Publishing Company
1024 N. Orange Dr, Hollywood CA 90038
www.hcdonline.com
1580650627 $18.95 1-800-815-0503

Titled after the most common rejection line listed by studio executives, "I Liked It, Didn't Love It" is a no-nonsense guide to what happens to one's screenplay or novel when it is submitted to a studio or production company, and how to maximize one's odds of getting picked up. Written by a pair of industry insiders who have developed and sold screenplays for fifteen years, as well as teaching feature film development classes at UCLA for the past seven years, "I Liked It, Didn't Love It" covers important details to polish in one's writing, the art of pitching, crossing into television and cable movies, and much more. The refreshingly blunt honesty of "I Liked It, Didn't Love It" makes it as entertaining for readers of all backgrounds as it is vital for anyone looking to make a name or career for themselves in the screenplay industry. Highly recommended.

I'm Published! Now What?
Jeffrey S. Copeland
Paragon House
3600 Labore Road, Suite 1, St. Paul, MN 55110-4144
www.paragonhouse.com
9781557789198, $18.95, PB, 286pp, www.amazon.com

Every year there are dozens of writer workshops and hundreds of academic classes in creative writing -- none of which touch upon what aspiring authors should do after their books have been written and published. "I'm Published! Now What?" by Jeffrey S. Copeland (the successful other of numerous books and a Professor in the Department of Languages and Literatures at the University of Northern Iowa, where he teaches courses in literature and English Education) is practical guide to conducting successful book readings, events, and promotions will help authors (and their publishers) to understand and navigate the shifting sands of the publishing world. Practical and 'real world based', "I'm Published! Now What?" is thoroughly 'user friendly' guide that will thoroughly demystify book marketing and prepare authors (and their publishers) to work effectively with bookstore event coordinators. Copeland quite correctly points out that the best friends an author can have are inside bookstores. Drawing upon his own years of experience and expertise, Copeland also shares what to do after events to maximize and build upon success. If an author and/or their publisher has time for only one "how to" book on developing effective marketing strategies and plans, the would be well advised to make it "I'm Published! Now What?"! While unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended for community, college, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of novice (and even established) authors that "I'm Published! Now What?" is also available in a Kindle format ($9.95).

The Influential Author
Gregory V. Diehl
https://gregorydiehl.net
Identity Publications
https://identitypublications.com
9781945884665, $34.99, HC, 436pp, www.amazon.com

Synopsis: In "The Influential Author: How and Why to Write, Publish, and Sell Nonfiction Books that Matter", Gregory V. Diehl draws upon his experience as an educator and entrepreneur, to show aspiring writers how to turn their unique messages into profitable books without sacrificing royalties or creative control to a publisher.

With in-depth advice about all stages of book creation, publication, and marketing, "The Influential Author" takes a uniquely grounded and intellectual approach to nonfiction self-publishing. Unlike self-publishing guides that promise to teach how to write a bestselling book quickly and easily, "The Influential Author" goes through the complex details of planning, writing, editing, and promoting a written work at the standards of traditional publishing.

Whether an experienced writer or someone who has just started thinking about how to write a nonfiction book, "The Influential Author" shows how to: Combining your passions and experience with reader demand to decide what book to write; Organizing your knowledge into sections and chapters for maximum comprehension and flow; Refining your book with feedback from editors, proofreaders, beta readers, and market testing; Choosing a title, subtitle, description, and cover design that capture your message and create sales; Pricing and promoting each format of your book (digital, print, and audio) for maximum readership and revenue; Enjoying lifelong passive income, influence, and meaning from your book's success.

Critique: Every year there is at least one book that is a 'must read' for the aspiring writer seeking to have their manuscript become a book, and their book become successful. This year that 'how to' manual is Gregory V. Diel's "The Influential Author: How and Why to Write, Publish, and Sell Nonfiction Books that Matter". Diel covers all the bases and does so in a distinctively 'real world' practical manner that is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Of special note is an appendix of Resources.

A complete and comprehensive course that should be a part of every community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing instructional reference and resource collections, it should be noted for the personal reading of aspiring (and seasoned!) writer on non-fiction that "The Influential Author" is also available in a paperback edition (9781945884658, $29.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

The Insider's Guide to A Career in Book Publishing
Carin Siegfried
Chickadee Press
7308 Quail Meadow Lane, Charlotte, NC 28210
9780985336257, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Having worked in the publishing industry for almost four decades, there is one undeniable fact that I've learned. Publishing is hard work, often with very little return on the invested dollar. But despite that fact, there is a never ending supply of young men and women who would like to establish a career for themselves within the publishing industry. A unique and seminal work, "The Insider's Guide to A Career in Book Publishing" by publishing industry veteran Carin Siegfried is a 134 page compendium that ought to be considered mandatory reading for anyone who aspires to a publishing career -- especially those for whom a publishing career automatically equates with being an editor because that's pretty much the extent of their familiarity with publishing. "The Insider's Guide to A Career in Book Publishing" is a thoroughly 'reader friendly' presentation of the different types of publishing houses and offers practical descriptions of the kinds of jobs the publishing industry offers. Basically an instruction manual, "The Insider's Guide to A Career in Book Publishing" explains how to research individual job categories; how to break a job description down to determine what is actually involved in it; covers searching for a publishing industry job both within New York as well as elsewhere in the country; and how to stand out in a crowded field of applicants for a targeted publishing industry position. Practical, informative, unique, and compactly comprehensive, "The Insider's Guide to A Career in Book Publishing" is very highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.

The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success
Eric Kampmann & Margot Atwell
Beaufort Books
27 West 20th Street, Suite 1102, NY, NY 10011
www.beaufortbooks.com
9780825306877, $12.95, www.amazon.com

Every author, once their manuscript is finished, must address the question of how to go about getting published. Drawing upon their many years of experience and expertise in the publishing industry, Eric Kampmann and Margot Atwell have effectively collaborated to produce "The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success", a succinct, 160 page instruction manual covering critical issues ranging from selecting a publishing strategy, the editorial process, designing and printing, to the fundamentals of book sales and distribution. Of special note is the commentary on marketing and publicity. Offering four illustrative success stories, "The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success" is informed, informative, thoroughly 'user friendly', and especially recommended as an practical, experience-based guide for novice authors seeking a successful (and profitable!) publication of their work. It should be noted that "The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success" is also available in a Kindle edition ($1.99).

Jan Tschichold, Designer
Richard B. Doubleday
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720-5038
1584561785, $39.95 www.oakknoll.com 1-800-996-2556

Jan Tschichold, Designer: The Penguin Years is a seminal and impressive contribution to the history of publishing with its focus on Jan Tschichold and his influence with respect to the typographic revolution that was applied to Penguin's mass production of books for the general populace. Author Richard B. Doubleday (Assistant Professor of Art, Department of Graphic Design, College of Fine Arts, Boston University) brings a special research-based expertise to providing an historical and analytical survey of Tschichold's contributions during the mid to late 1940s that saw the emergence of a wide ranging Penguin Book Series that included both fiction and non-fiction. Many of Tschichold's preliminary hand drawn cover and title page designs are made public for the first time in order to demonstrate and document his meticulous attention to detail and the development of his 'New Typography'. Enhanced with the inclusion of an extensive bibliography on Tschichold's writings and historical appendices of his inter-office memoranda and texts, "Jan Tschichold, Designer" is a significant addition to academic library collections on the history of publishing, and an especially recommended for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in typography, book design, and the publishing industry.

Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents
Jeff Herman
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608685844, $29.95, PB, 544pp, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and revised 28th edition, "Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents" unmasks nonsense, clears confusion, and unlocks secret doorways to success for new and veteran writers! A writer's best friend, "Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents" reveals the names, interests, and contact information of hundreds of agents and editors. It presents invaluable information about 245 publishers and imprints, lists independent book editors who can help a writer make their work more publisher friendly, and help those writers to spot ripoff scams. "Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents" shows how to outsmart the gatekeepers, break through the barriers, and decipher the hidden codes to getting a book published. Impressively comprehensive, thoroughly 'real world practical', exceptionally informed and informative, notably detailed and accessibly organized and presented, "Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents" is an unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.

Journal Publishing
Gillian Page, et.al.
Cambridge University Press
40 West 20th Street, NY, NY 10011-4211
0521441374 $54.95 1-212-924-3900

From conception to editing and marketing, Journal Publishing surveys the technical world of journal publishing and will provide essential, practical reference for college-level students of journalism who want a thorough understanding of the publishing process. Chapters survey response rates, permissions, marketing resources, and all the fundamentals involved in journal production. Journal Publishing is the fine study results.

Jump Start Your Book Sales
Marilyn Ross & Tom Ross
Communication Creativity
PO Box 909, Buena Vista, CO 81211
0918880416 $19.95 1-800-311-8355

Tom and Marilyn Ross are the founders of SPAN (Small Publishers Association of North America) and publish "SPAN Connection", an informative newsletter of marketing tips, tricks and techniques designed for small press publishers. In Jump Start Your Book Sales: A Money-Making Guide For Authors, Independent Publishers And Small Presses, they have distilled their many years of experience and expertise into a single volume of practical, "user friendly" information, ideas and practices that anyone can utilize to get a book into a catalog, develop bulk premium sales, conduct effective author signings and tv/radio interviews, generate free publicity, utilize the Internet as a marketing tool, sell to libraries, book clubs, and even television "home shopping" networks like QVC. The informative, accessible, occasionally inspiring text is sprinkled with real-life "how-to" success stories, relevant websites (and cites the Midwest Book Review on pages 42, 48, 65, 111, and 140), forms, checklists, sidebars and samples, illustrations, and resource lists of publicity/promotional contacts. Jump Start Your Book Sales is a very highly recommended, invaluable, cost-effective, "core" title for all aspiring authors seeking to self publish; small presses operating on a shoe-string or "no string" promotional budget, speciality, academic and regional presses seeking to operate profitably, and authors with books by major publishers but unsatisfied with their promotional efforts.

Kitchen-Table Publisher
Thomas A. Williams
Venture Press
12445 NW 10th Court, Coral Springs, FL 33071
1878853635 $49.95 1-954-796-0104

Kitchen-Table Publisher is a fact-filled, detail-packed "how-to" manual, a series of small press publishing seminars under one cover that gives step-by-step instructions for starting a home-based publishing business. A home-based, niche-market publishing business can be a very satisfying or very frustrating venture. Kitchen-Table Publisher is in a three-ring binder format whose chapters cover an overview of home-based publishing, setting up shop, preliminary money matters, how to do a preliminary market analysis, how to publish city and regional magazines, newcomer guides, travel and tourism guides, "Quality of Life" magazines, apartment and real estate guides, eight specialty book projects, weekly newspapers, shoppers' guides, speciality tabloids, publishing association and membership directories. Also covered are such subjects as selling information by mail, making money from secondary profit centers, hiring the people you need at a price you can afford, saving money on printing, and selling your publication. Kitchen-Table Publisher is further enhanced with appendices offering a simple sales manual, forms, and resources. Kitchen-Table Publisher is an informative, practical compendium of experienced advice that will prove to be of immense value for anyone contemplating the creation of their own home-based publishing venture, and for those independent and small press publishers with titles and author resources that would lend themselves to niche-based magazine and newsletter sales. Highly recommended!

Launch It!
Rick Benzel & Susan Shankin
New Insights Press
www.newinsightspress.com
9781733841160, $15.99 Paper/$5.99 Kindle

www.amazon.com/Launch-Stages-FINALLY-Writing-Publishing-ebook/dp/B086GKBQTY

Launch It! The 7 Stages to FINALLY Writing and Publishing Your Book is an excellent, informative guide for authors looking to follow through on their dreams of writing and publishing their first book. It explores the entire gamut of 7 fundamental steps of the publishing process in great detail, explained by two highly experienced publishing professionals whose background includes working at major publishing houses and then starting two self-publishing enterprises. Each of these seven stages of publishing that they explain requires a different skill set, which is why new authors often bog down either at the beginning, midway, or even just after their book is published. There are many decisions authors must make as they go through the progression of the 7 steps, from deciding what they want to write about and why, to whether to hire an editor or ghostwriter, to choosing and working with a book designer, to assessing the pros and cons of using a book distributor or KDP's print on demand option.

Launch It! explains everything you need. It helps new authors bolster their confidence to put pen to paper, finish their manuscript, and then understand their publishing options. It also provides post-publication publicity tips such as organizing a launch party. Rick Benzel & Susan Shankin's Launch It! not only provides a clear step-by-step game plan, but addresses common obstacles and provides keys to overcoming them with the goal of getting one's great book idea into print successfully, then promoting it to the public through basic marketing strategies. Many competing titles address the new writer's concern of how to produce a book, but few others incorporate the additional steps needed to understand not just the writing and creative development process, but the work of publishing and promoting one's words. Benzel and Shankin explain that the ultimate goal goes beyond publishing and explores what makes one's book unique and how to transform publishing a book into greater results such as becoming a speaker, workshop leader, or highly sought-after consultant.

Launch It! is about launching more than one's dreams, seeing them come to fruition in a logical, organized manner that acknowledges common barriers and provides the tools to overcome them. Those interested in self-publishing models for success who have something important for readers and, in these days of often working from home, more time to pass on their wisdom to others will find Launch It! an encouraging and comprehensive blueprint that takes the complex world of book publishing and synthesizes its process into seven key segments that would-be authors can easily understand and employ. Highly recommended.

Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book
Mary Helen Sheriff, author
Grace Sammon, author
Red Penguin Books
https://redpenguinbooks.com
9781637773789, $12.99, PB, 266pp

https://www.amazon.com/Launch-Pad-Countdown-Marketing-Your/dp/1637773781

Synopsis: Your book is now written, and published. Now you discover that, as a self-published author the burden of marketing, publicizing, promoting, and bringing to the attention your potential readers, booksellers, librarians, and reviewers rested entirely on you. Even if your have become a mid-list published author with a large and well known publisher with publicity/promotion directs and managers, marketing will still falls principally on your shoulders.

That's why co-authors and book marketing experts Mary Helen Sheriff and Grace Sammon have published "Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book".

From Dan Blank's marketing mindset guidance to practical tips on leveraging social media, book clubs, reviews, and so much more, "Launch Pad" (the third in a series of three on writing, publishing, and marketing your book) will help you get it done! Each focused chapter engages you in a process that will raise your marketing IQ, build your skill set, and set you on a path for a successful book launch and marketing plan. Replete with countdown tips, ways to connect directly to the authors, and bonus downloadable planning sheets, "Launch Pad" delivers a marketing book that speaks right to you.

Critique: A complete and comprehensive instructional guide and 'how-to' DIY manual comprised of fourteen major contributions by experts in the field, and with immense and practical value for novice authors (and novice publishers as well), "Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book" is amazingly 'user friendly' in commentary style, organization, and presentation. Of special note is the inclusion of several '10 Point' countdowns on such specialized subjects as Book Getting Reviews, Networking, Social Media, and so much more! While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book" is an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, university, and writer workshop Writing/Publishing collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note #1: Mary Helen Sheriff (https://maryhelensheriff.com) is the author of Boop and Eve's Road Trip, which won the American Fiction Award for Coming-of-Age books in 2020, as well as co-author (with Grace Sammon) of "Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book" and "Launch Pad: The Countdown to Publishing Your Book".

Editorial Note #2: Grace Sammon (https://www.gracesammon.net) is an entrepreneur, educator, speaker, radio show host, and an author. She has started and managed two for-profit and two not-for-profit companies, and she has travelled to 35 states and 8 foreign countries.

Letters Of Credit
Walter Tracy
David R. Godine
PO Box 450, Jaffrey, NH 03452
www.godine.com
1567922406 $19.95 1-800-344-4771

Typesetting has evolved from a hands-on metalworking skill to one generated by photos and computers - and the changing methods shows no signs of stability. Walter Tracy's Letters Of Credit: A View Of Type Design traces the movement from hot metal production to computers, arguing the letter forms themselves are always in a state of flux, no matter what their delivery system. Tracy has fifty years of professional experience as head of type design: his analysis criticizes type-design aesthetics and identifies common elements of hype and misinformation in the industry.

A Librarian's Guide On How To Publish
Srecko Jelusic & Ivanka Stricevic
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038-4512
www.neal-schuman.com
9781843346197, $80.00, www.amazon.com

Eighty dollars might seem a very high price for a 200-page instruction manual specifically written and designed by the collaborative team of Srecko Jelusic (Vice Rector in Chargee of International Relations, publishing, and library, and an Associate Professor at the University of Zadar, Croatia) and Ivanka Stricevic (Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Zadar, Croatia), but publishing is a fundamental responsibility and a basic element of the job of a librarian as they are responsible for producing library catalogs, bibliographies, monographs, scientific papers, exhibition catalogs, periodicals, and reports. Fairly unique in the professional literature for Library Science, "A Librarian's Guide On How To Publish" (part of the 'Chandos Information Professional Series') will prove to be an invaluable and practice compendium and instructional guide that will insure professional standards of quality as Professors Jelusic and Stricevic address and explain all the procedures librarians will need when undertaking any of this publishing projects and duties. Of special note is the attention paid to electronic publications and such issues as production schedules, timetables, and project finances. "A Librarian's Guide On How To Publish" is an essential and core addition to professional and academic Library Studies instructional reference collections and should be considered mandatory reading for anyone charged with the responsibility of publishing within and for the library market.

The Librarian's Guide To Micropublishing
Walt Crawford
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike
Medford, NJ 08055-8750
www.infotoday.com
9781573874304, $49.50, www.amazon.com

A 'micro publisher' is any publisher or self-published author that produces books in a 'print on demand' format thus avoiding the necessity and expense of book storage while awaiting sales. The numbers of authors utilizing publish-on-demand (POD) companies to turn their manuscript into a saleable book is steadily growing and has seen dozens of POD companies arise to service this demand. But there are a great many pitfalls for an author taking this route to see their literary efforts become published and available to the reading public. That's why, although directed primarily to community librarians seeking to assist their patrons on in this area, "The Librarian's Guide to Micropublishing: Helping Patrons and Communities Use Free and Low-cost Publishing Tools to Tell Their Stories" will prove to be an invaluable, comprehensive, superbly presented, and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional guide for anyone seeking to utilize MS Word to design and edit a manuscript to take advantage of such POD resources as Lulu, CreateSpace, AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford, Tate, Xlibris, or any of the other dozens of publishing resources.

Linda Radke's Promote Like a Pro
Linda Radke
Five Star Publications, Inc.
PO Box 6698, Chandler, AZ 85246-6698
1877749362 $19.95 1-480-940-8182

Linda Radke's Promote Like A Pro: Small Budget, Big Show is a practical, methodical, comprehensive, step-by-step guide to promoting anything from books to businesses even when financial resource restricted. Linda Radke offers an easy-to-read, "how to" guide for publicity, promotion and marketing aimed primarily at self-publishers, but whose fundamental ideas, concepts, and techniques apply to creating and executing promotional campaigns for just about any product or service. Linda Radke's Promote Like A Pro is an invaluable instructional and reference guide for self-published authors, small presses, and even the authors published by major houses but are not being effectively promoted by their publicity and marketing departments.

A Long Way from the Armstrong Beer Parlour
Richard Landon
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720-5038
www.oakknoll.com
9781584563303, $49.95, www.amazon.com

Richard Landon (1942-2011) was the long-time director of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto, where he also taught courses in bibliography, book history, as well as rare books and manuscripts librarianship. "A Long Way from the Armstrong Beer Parlour: A Life in Rare Books: Essays by Richard Landon" is a 440 page compendium comprised of Landon's personal essays deftly collected into three major sections: Autobiography; Bibliography and Book History; Collecting and the Antiquarian Book Trade. Erudite, informed and informative, these essays will be of special interest to bibliophiles, as well as those actively engaged in the publishing industry, academic and community library systems, and rare book collectors. Of special interest for dedicated collectors and rare book librarians in charge of acquisitions is Landon's essay 'Who Owned it and Why It Matters: Provenance'. Enhanced with an excellent introduction by Marie Elena Korey, "A Long Way from the Armstrong Beer Parlour: A Life in Rare Books: Essays by Richard Landon" will prove to be a prized addition to personal, professional, and academic library collections.

Love and the Art of Bookstore Signing
P.A. Ritzer
Seven Ox Press
PO Box 472467
Aurora, Colorado 80047-2467
9781933363042 $9.95 sevenoxpress.com

Love and the Art of Bookstore Signing is a practical guide for authors (especially self-published and independent authors!) to engaging in successful bookstore-based book signings, with the goal of promoting one's book and earning good publicity. Author P.A. Ritzer has personally signed copies of his debut novel, "Seven Ox Seven, Part One: Escondido Bound" at over 175 bookstore events, and some stores have hosted him over fifteen times; he draws upon this wealth of personal experience to give a practical run-down of what to expect, what to prepare for, and the right attitudes for success. From the four most essential virtues of a successful book signer (Humility, Flexibility, Tenacity, and Gratitude) to humorous anecdotes to solid, essential advice (including how important it is to be able to take "no" for an answer), Love and the Art of Bookstore Signing is a "must-read" for any author about to plunge into the book-signing scene.