Genre: Fiction
Title: Open Source
Author: M. M. Frick
Although Open Source is a work of fiction, the story is based on an actual event. Imagine a delivery truck driver from Savannah, Georgia who views tickers at the bottom of a television screen, writes a blog of his opinions of what he reads on the ticker, does research on the web for open sources of information is able to figure out the deviousness’ of the political establishments of foreign countries playing their games causing international repercussions.
Also imagine that there is an organization that comes through with information from cultivated sources about geopolitical plots; reports their findings to corporations and governments willing to purchase this information.
Could these two worlds collide in a life and death struggle? Are there such organizations working in the background of countries, and reports for people willing to purchase this information for a leg up on others?
Reading Open Source will have you wondering. It contains all of the intrigue of many crime, suspense, and spy novels with believable characters and situations. Open Source is a good read for anyone, especially those that enjoy suspense and international intrigue.
Bob Medak reviewer, Allbooks Review, awards four out of five stars to Open Source, and highly recommends it.
Open Source is available from Amazon,
Title: Open Source
Author: M. M. Frick
Publisher: Matthew M. Frick
ISBN: 1-4537-1998-9
Pages: 336
Date September, 2010
Monday, January 31, 2011
Crestmont
Genre: Fiction
Title: Crestmont
Author: Holly Weiss
William Warner was a seasoned banker, in need of a new challenge. While conducting business in Eagles Mere, PA 1899, he became mesmerized by the potential of a cyclone devastated hill, at the bottom of which was a small lake. He imagined and then implemented his plan, to build a grand Victorian Inn. He had no doubt that many people would enjoy this piece of nature’s beauty. The Inn would provide a place where people could come to relax, take respite from their own reality, and where their every need would be met. He envisioned many amenities and activities, laughter and love. That was the conception of the real Crestmont Inn, PA that opened in June, 1911.
The main character of this fictional story is Gracie. She has fled her family home wordlessly to escape her parents’ obvious displeasure of her goals, and to avoid a morally wrong temptation. She has her own aspirations. She is determined to work her way to the big city where she would become a famous singer. She has confidence from years of hymn singing at their Moravian Church, that she has a voice to be heard. Her first job is as a housemaid at the Crestmont Inn.
Allow yourself to be transported back in time, to the 1920’s. This was a time of prohibition, bootleggers and speakeasies, to a time when a length of a hemline mattered. Enjoy the dynamics of many characters composed of guests, owners, staff and a cat. Travel along with Gracie as she learns many of life’s most important lessons. Feel the emotion pouring out as hard work, successes and failures lead her and others, to a new life.
Mentored by the Inn’s owners, she grew in mind and spirit. Reading and searching the dictionary, gave her knowledge. Befriended by a famous opera singer star, Gracie is guided to the soul of music. Through PT, she is introduced to jazz and the experience of vulnerability in her first infatuation.
Feeling remorse for the way she left home she corresponds with her sister, for a while. She is heartbroken as she wonders why her parents have not even asked about her. With all of her hard work, will she achieve her dream? Does she make amends with her family?
The author Holly Weiss has a fluid, descriptive talent that allows you to become absorbed in the story. She has shown considerable skill in her debut novel. Holly and her husband stayed at the Crestmont Inn, in 2006. As if the walls could talk she was inspired to write this story, returning to the Inn several times to research its history. Her endnotes show you just how much research she accomplished. Holly Weiss is a vocal instructor, retired professional singer and a polio survivor. She and her husband live in upstate New York.
Settle in a cozy spot, allow your mind freedom and be prepared to be swept away by this excellent novel that I have the pleasure to Highly Recommend.
Reviewer: Cheryl Heinrichs, Allbooks Review @ www.allbookreviews.com
Available at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com
Title: CrestmontAuthor: Holly Weiss
Publisher: A Star Publish LLC ISBN-13: 978-1-935188-10-0
Pages: 316
Price: $18.95 USD
http://www.hollyweiss.com Sept. 2010
Title: Crestmont
Author: Holly Weiss
William Warner was a seasoned banker, in need of a new challenge. While conducting business in Eagles Mere, PA 1899, he became mesmerized by the potential of a cyclone devastated hill, at the bottom of which was a small lake. He imagined and then implemented his plan, to build a grand Victorian Inn. He had no doubt that many people would enjoy this piece of nature’s beauty. The Inn would provide a place where people could come to relax, take respite from their own reality, and where their every need would be met. He envisioned many amenities and activities, laughter and love. That was the conception of the real Crestmont Inn, PA that opened in June, 1911.
The main character of this fictional story is Gracie. She has fled her family home wordlessly to escape her parents’ obvious displeasure of her goals, and to avoid a morally wrong temptation. She has her own aspirations. She is determined to work her way to the big city where she would become a famous singer. She has confidence from years of hymn singing at their Moravian Church, that she has a voice to be heard. Her first job is as a housemaid at the Crestmont Inn.
Allow yourself to be transported back in time, to the 1920’s. This was a time of prohibition, bootleggers and speakeasies, to a time when a length of a hemline mattered. Enjoy the dynamics of many characters composed of guests, owners, staff and a cat. Travel along with Gracie as she learns many of life’s most important lessons. Feel the emotion pouring out as hard work, successes and failures lead her and others, to a new life.
Mentored by the Inn’s owners, she grew in mind and spirit. Reading and searching the dictionary, gave her knowledge. Befriended by a famous opera singer star, Gracie is guided to the soul of music. Through PT, she is introduced to jazz and the experience of vulnerability in her first infatuation.
Feeling remorse for the way she left home she corresponds with her sister, for a while. She is heartbroken as she wonders why her parents have not even asked about her. With all of her hard work, will she achieve her dream? Does she make amends with her family?
The author Holly Weiss has a fluid, descriptive talent that allows you to become absorbed in the story. She has shown considerable skill in her debut novel. Holly and her husband stayed at the Crestmont Inn, in 2006. As if the walls could talk she was inspired to write this story, returning to the Inn several times to research its history. Her endnotes show you just how much research she accomplished. Holly Weiss is a vocal instructor, retired professional singer and a polio survivor. She and her husband live in upstate New York.
Settle in a cozy spot, allow your mind freedom and be prepared to be swept away by this excellent novel that I have the pleasure to Highly Recommend.
Reviewer: Cheryl Heinrichs, Allbooks Review @ www.allbookreviews.com
Available at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com
Title: CrestmontAuthor: Holly Weiss
Publisher: A Star Publish LLC ISBN-13: 978-1-935188-10-0
Pages: 316
Price: $18.95 USD
http://www.hollyweiss.com Sept. 2010
Allbooks Review February 2011 Newsletter
Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com
We are embarking on our Eleventh year in business and we want to thank YOU.
Visit the website today. www.allbooksreviewint.com Your book could be next year’s Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice winner.
Reminder: Every author that purchases the promo package for $49.95 is automatically included in the Allbooks Editor’s Choice Award for 2012. If you simply want to enter the contest, the fee is $50. www.allbooksreviewint.com
FEATURE
The Fine Art of Storytelling by Diana Raab
Lately I have found myself contemplating the fine art of storytelling. Some people are wonderful at it and others just want to make you yawn. The idea of storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images, sounds and embellishments. It is a way to express the emotional power of information. Robert McKee, in his book, Story, says “Stories are equipment for living.” In fact, when a story is told well, the listener is transported on a journey to a new place.
According to John Gardner, "Like other kinds of intelligence, the storyteller is partly natural, partly trained. It is composed of several qualities, most of which, in normal people, are signs of either immaturity or incivility: wit (a tendency to make irreverent connections); obstinacy and a tendency toward churlishness (a refusal to believe what all sensible people know is true); childishness (an apparent lack of mental focus and serious life purpose, a fondness for daydreaming and telling pointless lies, a lack of proper respect, mischievousness, an unseemly propensity for crying over nothing); a marked tendency toward oral or anal fixation or both (the oral manifested by excessive eating, drinking, smoking, and chattering; the anal by nervous cleanliness and neatness coupled with a weird fascination with dirty jokes); remarkable powers of eidetic recall, or visual memory (a usual feature of early adolescence and mental retardation); a strange admixture of shameless playfulness and embarrassing earnestness, the latter often heightened by irrationally intense feelings for or against religion; patience like a cat’s; a criminal streak of cunning; psychological instability; recklessness, impulsiveness, and improvidence; and finally, an inexplicable and incurable addiction to stories, written or oral, bad or good. Not all writers have exactly these same virtues, of course. Occasionally one finds one who is not abnormally improvident."
The holiday season is a good time to share stories amongst friends and family. Some people are better at verbal storytelling, while others, like myself, prefer to revert to the written word. Many of our preferences and comfort zones reflect back to the patterns of our childhoods. As an only child of working parents, I spent a lot of time reading and writing in my journal. My parents were first generation immigrants and worked very long hours to provide food for our table. Dinners were often rushed with a minimum amount of storytelling unless we had a visitor who probed us. As a result, I was raised with books and paper, but gravitated to friends who were good storytellers because my situation made me a good listener. Things haven’t changed. I am who I am.
Lately, I've become good friends with a few great storytellers and I have been captivated, mesmerized and curious about what it is that’s missing for me to tell a good story. I have also done some reading to improve my own verbal storytelling (my family often tells me, I neglect to build up the tension and/or I omit the punch line). Heading into my sixth decade, I plan to improve this. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
- Before telling your story, you need to know it well and/or memorize it- Vary the pitch in your voice when telling a story- Make sure your facial expressions coincide with the story’s mood- Make sure the sequence of events is correct- Build up to the story’s climax- When finished do not go on to another story- Practice storytelling in front of a mirror
One thing I also read was the importance of putting on a “story hat.” In other words, just before you are to tell a story, put on your story hat which gets you in the mood to tell your story. It is a way to take your mind off your audience, particularly if you are on the shy side.
If you are curious about some more tips in this area, I suggest you check out a great you-tube on the subject, called, “Storytelling: Theory and Practice.”
http://dianaraab.com/blog/2010/12/20/the-fine-art-of-storytelling/
SUCCESS STORIES
We love to hear of your success stories, submit them to us at: allbookreviews@aol.com
Remember to post your book signing, guest speaker events on our Bookstore page. Simply send us an email with details of your events and we will be happy to post them. Just part of the Allbooks service to our authors.
Congratulations to Rick
The rights to Eastern Wisdom for Your Souls has just been purchased by a Chinese Publisher. They will release the title for all of China to enjoy.
The newest book Now: Embracing the present Moment will be officially released in July of 2011. This is going to be a big one.
Rick
Check out my upcoming book
Now: Embracing the Present Moment
Destined to be a Best Seller
Officially Released in July 2011
www.EmbracingtheMoment.com
Submissions Wanted:
The online TV version of The Authors Show, which has been a huge success in the United States for over 4 years, will soon launch in Europe, in The Netherlands, in Dutch, with a local host. For more information, visit DeAuteursShow.nl.
Danielle Hampson
Executive Producer
The Authors Show
The Authors Marketing Power House
Dark Discoveries Open to Submissions------------------------------------Dark Discoveries is looking for short stories from 500 to 6,500words. Stories must be in the horror/dark fantasy/dark sci-fi anddark mystery veins. They are looking for powerful, well-writtenoriginal ideas and new twists on old horror conventions. Payment is$0.05 per word and is paid 90 days after publication. For moreinformation visit: http://darkdiscoveries.com/blog/submission-guidelines/
Urgently need cartoonists, for South African cartoon strips. I’m struggling to find artists who portray black characters. What’s needed are black heroes.... There are loads of possibilities. Eg; Where the subscriber can fill in the bubble captions thus writing the story board."Urgently need artists/authors who already do something like this or who might be capable of it. If this sounds like you, contact richie@theebooksale.com.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location: Jay Prasad, New York City.
Tell us the title and publisher of your book: “Fabulous Voyage Across the Ocean Sea”, published by Wings e Press, Richmond, Kentucky.
Tell us about yourself: I am a playwright and a novelist. My plays “Daily Sounds” and “Oregon” have been shown in New York City. “Fabulous Voyage Across the Ocean Sea” is my first novel.
When was the book released?: June 2010
Give us an overview of your book: The Atlantic Ocean used to be called the Ocean Sea during the Middle Ages. Sailors were afraid of crossing it and no one believed that Columbus would return when he undertook that journey. My book consists of three linked narratives by three members of the D’Avila family who traveled with Columbus in his four voyages. They describe the internal tumult in Spain caused by the Inquisition and the havoc raised by Columbus’s obsession with acquiring gold in the new lands they discovered.
What inspired you to write this book? Five years ago, as a guest in someone’s house, I read an old hardcover book called “Twelve Against the Gods” by William Bolitho. One of the men he spoke about in that book was Columbus. After reading it, I became obsessed with the idea of writing a novel about Columbus. After a year of research and two years of writing, the book was published.
How is your book different from other books in this genre? I don’t read many contemporary novels, especially historical fiction. All I can say is that the model I had in mind when I was writing my book was Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, and you can find many obvious parallels between the two books.
Where can people buy your book? The book is sold as an ebook as well as a paperback in many stores including Amazon. It can also be bought from the publisher Wings e Press. If you google, you would find several outlets where the book is sold.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am working on two novels – one about D. H. Lawrence, and the other about a young man’s life in New York during the first few weeks after 9/11.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? N/A
If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: I had a good editor who helped me streamline the manuscript.
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? It’s a slow process to promote a book. Get as many reviews as possible and it will help the non-ebook sales. I don’t know what the best strategy is for ebooks. No one else seems to know either.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found you on the internet, and I am hoping to promote my book through you.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost was a surprise; also, you are a friendly group, with quick response.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.If you would like to be interviewed, contact us through our website
www.allbooksreviewint.com
We are embarking on our Eleventh year in business and we want to thank YOU.
Visit the website today. www.allbooksreviewint.com Your book could be next year’s Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice winner.
Reminder: Every author that purchases the promo package for $49.95 is automatically included in the Allbooks Editor’s Choice Award for 2012. If you simply want to enter the contest, the fee is $50. www.allbooksreviewint.com
FEATURE
The Fine Art of Storytelling by Diana Raab
Lately I have found myself contemplating the fine art of storytelling. Some people are wonderful at it and others just want to make you yawn. The idea of storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images, sounds and embellishments. It is a way to express the emotional power of information. Robert McKee, in his book, Story, says “Stories are equipment for living.” In fact, when a story is told well, the listener is transported on a journey to a new place.
According to John Gardner, "Like other kinds of intelligence, the storyteller is partly natural, partly trained. It is composed of several qualities, most of which, in normal people, are signs of either immaturity or incivility: wit (a tendency to make irreverent connections); obstinacy and a tendency toward churlishness (a refusal to believe what all sensible people know is true); childishness (an apparent lack of mental focus and serious life purpose, a fondness for daydreaming and telling pointless lies, a lack of proper respect, mischievousness, an unseemly propensity for crying over nothing); a marked tendency toward oral or anal fixation or both (the oral manifested by excessive eating, drinking, smoking, and chattering; the anal by nervous cleanliness and neatness coupled with a weird fascination with dirty jokes); remarkable powers of eidetic recall, or visual memory (a usual feature of early adolescence and mental retardation); a strange admixture of shameless playfulness and embarrassing earnestness, the latter often heightened by irrationally intense feelings for or against religion; patience like a cat’s; a criminal streak of cunning; psychological instability; recklessness, impulsiveness, and improvidence; and finally, an inexplicable and incurable addiction to stories, written or oral, bad or good. Not all writers have exactly these same virtues, of course. Occasionally one finds one who is not abnormally improvident."
The holiday season is a good time to share stories amongst friends and family. Some people are better at verbal storytelling, while others, like myself, prefer to revert to the written word. Many of our preferences and comfort zones reflect back to the patterns of our childhoods. As an only child of working parents, I spent a lot of time reading and writing in my journal. My parents were first generation immigrants and worked very long hours to provide food for our table. Dinners were often rushed with a minimum amount of storytelling unless we had a visitor who probed us. As a result, I was raised with books and paper, but gravitated to friends who were good storytellers because my situation made me a good listener. Things haven’t changed. I am who I am.
Lately, I've become good friends with a few great storytellers and I have been captivated, mesmerized and curious about what it is that’s missing for me to tell a good story. I have also done some reading to improve my own verbal storytelling (my family often tells me, I neglect to build up the tension and/or I omit the punch line). Heading into my sixth decade, I plan to improve this. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
- Before telling your story, you need to know it well and/or memorize it- Vary the pitch in your voice when telling a story- Make sure your facial expressions coincide with the story’s mood- Make sure the sequence of events is correct- Build up to the story’s climax- When finished do not go on to another story- Practice storytelling in front of a mirror
One thing I also read was the importance of putting on a “story hat.” In other words, just before you are to tell a story, put on your story hat which gets you in the mood to tell your story. It is a way to take your mind off your audience, particularly if you are on the shy side.
If you are curious about some more tips in this area, I suggest you check out a great you-tube on the subject, called, “Storytelling: Theory and Practice.”
http://dianaraab.com/blog/2010/12/20/the-fine-art-of-storytelling/
SUCCESS STORIES
We love to hear of your success stories, submit them to us at: allbookreviews@aol.com
Remember to post your book signing, guest speaker events on our Bookstore page. Simply send us an email with details of your events and we will be happy to post them. Just part of the Allbooks service to our authors.
Congratulations to Rick
The rights to Eastern Wisdom for Your Souls has just been purchased by a Chinese Publisher. They will release the title for all of China to enjoy.
The newest book Now: Embracing the present Moment will be officially released in July of 2011. This is going to be a big one.
Rick
Check out my upcoming book
Now: Embracing the Present Moment
Destined to be a Best Seller
Officially Released in July 2011
www.EmbracingtheMoment.com
Submissions Wanted:
The online TV version of The Authors Show, which has been a huge success in the United States for over 4 years, will soon launch in Europe, in The Netherlands, in Dutch, with a local host. For more information, visit DeAuteursShow.nl.
Danielle Hampson
Executive Producer
The Authors Show
The Authors Marketing Power House
Dark Discoveries Open to Submissions------------------------------------Dark Discoveries is looking for short stories from 500 to 6,500words. Stories must be in the horror/dark fantasy/dark sci-fi anddark mystery veins. They are looking for powerful, well-writtenoriginal ideas and new twists on old horror conventions. Payment is$0.05 per word and is paid 90 days after publication. For moreinformation visit: http://darkdiscoveries.com/blog/submission-guidelines/
Urgently need cartoonists, for South African cartoon strips. I’m struggling to find artists who portray black characters. What’s needed are black heroes.... There are loads of possibilities. Eg; Where the subscriber can fill in the bubble captions thus writing the story board."Urgently need artists/authors who already do something like this or who might be capable of it. If this sounds like you, contact richie@theebooksale.com.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location: Jay Prasad, New York City.
Tell us the title and publisher of your book: “Fabulous Voyage Across the Ocean Sea”, published by Wings e Press, Richmond, Kentucky.
Tell us about yourself: I am a playwright and a novelist. My plays “Daily Sounds” and “Oregon” have been shown in New York City. “Fabulous Voyage Across the Ocean Sea” is my first novel.
When was the book released?: June 2010
Give us an overview of your book: The Atlantic Ocean used to be called the Ocean Sea during the Middle Ages. Sailors were afraid of crossing it and no one believed that Columbus would return when he undertook that journey. My book consists of three linked narratives by three members of the D’Avila family who traveled with Columbus in his four voyages. They describe the internal tumult in Spain caused by the Inquisition and the havoc raised by Columbus’s obsession with acquiring gold in the new lands they discovered.
What inspired you to write this book? Five years ago, as a guest in someone’s house, I read an old hardcover book called “Twelve Against the Gods” by William Bolitho. One of the men he spoke about in that book was Columbus. After reading it, I became obsessed with the idea of writing a novel about Columbus. After a year of research and two years of writing, the book was published.
How is your book different from other books in this genre? I don’t read many contemporary novels, especially historical fiction. All I can say is that the model I had in mind when I was writing my book was Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, and you can find many obvious parallels between the two books.
Where can people buy your book? The book is sold as an ebook as well as a paperback in many stores including Amazon. It can also be bought from the publisher Wings e Press. If you google, you would find several outlets where the book is sold.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am working on two novels – one about D. H. Lawrence, and the other about a young man’s life in New York during the first few weeks after 9/11.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? N/A
If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: I had a good editor who helped me streamline the manuscript.
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? It’s a slow process to promote a book. Get as many reviews as possible and it will help the non-ebook sales. I don’t know what the best strategy is for ebooks. No one else seems to know either.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found you on the internet, and I am hoping to promote my book through you.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost was a surprise; also, you are a friendly group, with quick response.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.If you would like to be interviewed, contact us through our website
www.allbooksreviewint.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Just a Reminder....
Remember, Allbooks Review International will complete your review within 30 days from receipt of book. www.allbooksreviewint.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Mystery of Inspiration
Allbooks Review -With winter upon us and many people spending time much of their time indoors-- here's a mood booster for you creative types - "The Mystery ofInspiration."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A New Decade for Allbooks Review
A quick note of Thanks to all authors who have been with the Allbooks family, and to all of our new friends as we enter into our second decade of professional, promotional services.
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." - William Wordsworth
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." - William Wordsworth
Monday, January 3, 2011
Allbooks Review January 2011 Newsletter
May this be the best year of your life -so far
Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com
We are embarking on our Eleventh year in business and we want to thank YOU.
WINNERS OF THE 2011 ALLBOOKS REVIEW EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Shirley A. Roe, managing editor of Allbooks Reviews International is please to announce this year’s winners of the Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice Award. Congratulations to all of these talented authors. We would also like to congratulate the finalists in each category.
Inspirational
Beyond Doubt John J. Murphy
Health
Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage Judith Anne Desjardins
Fiction
Sardinian Silver A. Colin Wright
Young Adult/Children
Wyndano’s Cloak A. R. Silverberry
Mystery
Carnival of Lies Vernon L. Anley
Memoirs
The Most Revolutionary Act: Memoir of an American Refugee
Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall
Non/fiction
Murderous Intellectuals Jonathan Maxwell
Visit the website today. www.allbooksreviewint.com Your book could be next year’s winner.
Reminder: Every author that purchases the promo package for $49.95 is automatically included in the Allbooks Editor’s Choice Award for 2012. Not only will you get an honest review, some great promotion and a twelve month listing but it is great value. If you simply want to enter the contest, the fee is $50. www.allbooksreviewint.com
FEATURE
Freebies: Clever Marketing or Foolish Folly?By Aaron Paul LazarI'll never forget the article I read on giveaways, written by a successful author who'd climbed his way to the top with sheer sweat and brains. Well, to be honest, I can't remember his name, but I'll never forget his advice. He recommended that every author give away tons of books to spread the word. Of course, this is if you haven't already landed a publisher with deep pockets who's promoting the hell out of your work.Some folks recoil with horror when they hear this. “After all I've gone through to GET here? After all that agony of rejection after rejection? After finally getting into a good publishing house? After the years I've spent perfecting this book? And the years beyond I waited for it to come to print? And ESPECIALLY since I only make a ridiculously tiny profit on each book? You want me to give them away? Doesn't that invalidate the whole thing?”No. It doesn't. It helps grow your readership.I've given away hundreds of books over the past five years. To friends who helped with the books, to the gals in the dentists office, to friends' grandmothers who had no money but loved mysteries, to the English teacher I met in Monroe Muffler who taught grammar for twenty years… I give many away on impulse and quite a few more with careful planning.But the author who wrote said article would encourage you to buy at least 350 copies and strategically give them all away.He suggested donating a book to every single person in your life who likes to read. And to those who don't, or who have spouses who do. To doctor's offices, to the local fire department, to hospitals, friends of friends… you name it.Of course, we're talking big bucks here. Three hundred copies of a typical $17.00 trade paperback could cost an author almost three grand, if he gets a good discount from his publisher. Three thousand dollars! That's more than many small press authors make on one release.Sadly, I never got to the point where I followed this fellow's advice, but I still impulsively give my books away all the time. The way he explained it, and the way I figure it, nobody ever bought a book by an author they don't know, or that wasn't written up with glowing of accolades in major publications. So let them read your stuff, fall for it, and maybe they'll buy your other books, too.I ran across another blog this week that touted the same principles, but using eBooks instead of print books. Much less outlay was required by the author and publisher, and a great deal of savvy marketing was involved in the whole process. You can read this brilliant article by J.A. Konrath, here http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/08/high-cost-of-self-promotion.html.I never expect anything back when I give away books. To be honest, I love sharing what's inside me with these people. Maybe it's a latent case of needing to feel loved and validated. But a tiny part of me hopes that maybe someday, the mother of the brother of the gal who works in the dentist might know the son of the Hollywood producer who hears about and then reads my stuff; then realizes the potential he holds in his hands for a blockbuster movie series. ;o)Okay, so we can all dream. Right?Next time you grow pale and shudder at the idea of giving away your books, think again. Or rather, if you have some on hand, don't think. Just do it. You never know what will come of it. And if nothing tangible comes your way, at least you had the joy of sharing with another human being. Right?Don't forget to take pleasure in the little things… and write like the wind!***Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of LeGarde Mysteries and Moore Mysteries enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York. Find his books in our bookstore.
SUCCESS STORIES
We love to hear of your success stories, submit them to us at: allbookreviewsint@aol.com
Remember to post your book signing, guest speaker events on our Bookstore page. Simply send us an email with details of your events and we will be happy to post them. Just part of the Allbooks service to our authors.
Congratulations to Johnathan Harrison: I am pleased to let you know that NAKED BEING, which you reviewed in June this year, has been honoured as a finalist in the Spirituality category of the USA Best Books Awards 2010 - . Johnathan Harrison. Author
Please God, Not Two by Alberta Sequeira was selected by the Publisher's Weekly to be published in their newspaper.
Submissions Wanted:
Dark Discoveries Open to Submissions------------------------------------Dark Discoveries is looking for short stories from 500 to 6,500words. Stories must be in the horror/dark fantasy/dark sci-fi anddark mystery veins. They are looking for powerful, well-writtenoriginal ideas and new twists on old horror conventions. Payment is$0.05 per word and is paid 90 days after publication. For moreinformation visit: http://darkdiscoveries.com/blog/submission-guidelines/
Urgently need cartoonists, for South African cartoon strips. I’m struggling to find artists who portray black characters. What’s needed are black heroes.... There are loads of possibilities. Eg; Where the subscriber can fill in the bubble captions thus writing the story board."Urgently need artists/authors who already do something like this or who might be capable of it. If this sounds like you, contact richie@theebooksale.com.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Barry Corbett
Beverly, MA, USA
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
The title is “Revenge of the Pun!”
It’s published by Corbett Features (Self-published).
Tell us about yourself:
I am a freelance Panel Cartoonist selling my material to national magazines and local newspapers. In addition to the magazine cartooning I produce webcomics, posting them to WebcomicsNation.com and my own site, CorbettFeatures.com.
I’ve self published 3 trade paperbacks and a couple of comic books. My panel cartoons have appeared in Barron’s Magazine, American Legion, Christianity Today, Lacrosse Magazine, Medical Economics, The Artist’s Magazine, True West Magazine, Kid Zones, Skipping Stones, Canadian Forces News Magazine, Outer Darkness, and FiftySomething Magazine.
I began my career as a Graphic Designer but have been transitioning towards Cartooning for the last ten years, since that is my passion.
I still work as a Designer and Illustrator and I also teach software (Adobe Creative Suite) for certificate programs at local colleges in the Boston area. On the weekends, I teach Cartooning courses for adults and children at these same colleges.
When was the book released?
September 2010
Give us an overview of your book.
The book is a 100 page collection of my pun-based panel cartoons. My single panel cartoon feature is called “Embrace the Pun!” Anybody who’s known me for any length of time is familiar with my penchant for wordplay. Everybody knows a chronic punster or two. (We just can’t help ourselves).
Oscar Levant called the pun “the lowest form of humor” and that’s certainly up for debate.
Finally I decided not to fight it any longer. I gathered all the best puns and put them in one volume which, of course, was called “Embrace the Pun!”. The first book was well received and after 4 years I decided to do the sequel.
“Revenge of the Pun!” follows in the same format, with a few added features. I’ve tried to offer the reader some insight into the world of the Cartoonist. There are sidebars analyzing my own jokes, explaining how we come up with ideas, and how the business works in general.
What inspired you to write this book?
Recent developments in the publishing industry show that the brick and mortar bookstores are quickly being supplanted by online booksellers. I thought it would be a great time to offer my cartoons directly to the marketplace, without going through a traditional publisher.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
There are many other collections of panel cartoons put out by nationally syndicated cartoonists. Every one has the unique voice of it’s creator and no two cartoonists have the same style, both in writing and illustrating their jokes. Mine is the only one that I’m aware of that revolves around the pun.
Where can people buy your book?
Lulu.com is the distributor, but it’s available through the Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble websites. It’s also been released as an e-book and is now offered through Apple’s iBookstore.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Right now I’m working on a second collection of comic strips. In 2008 I had published “Kitty Nirvana”, the first volume of my webcomic, “Ginger & Shadow”. I think it will be a good year before this new one is completed. Nirvana won an IPPY award in 2008 for the humor category. The IPPY’s are presented annually by Independent Publisher Magazine. They have an awards banquet every year to coincide with BookEXpo
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
I can only offer advice to Cartoonists. The most important thing is to keep on drawing and writing. You’ve got to be disciplined, constantly working on your creations in order develop your skills.
Keep submitting your work and don’t be afraid of rejection. In order to sell one cartoon to a major magazine you have to send out at least 200 ideas that will be shot down. Develop a thick skin and write what you believe is funny. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks. You may get ten different responses to the same joke, so listen to your own voice. You know what works and what doesn’t.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I found you through a Google search. Cartooning has been a niche market in the past. I’m hoping to further expand my base of readers and explore the exciting possibilities of e-publishing.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Your rates are extremely reasonable for what you offer.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.
My pleasure. It’s nice to have the opportunity to promote my work.
www.allbooksreviewint.com
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WINNERS OF THE 2011 ALLBOOKS REVIEW EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Shirley A. Roe, managing editor of Allbooks Reviews International is please to announce this year’s winners of the Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice Award. Congratulations to all of these talented authors. We would also like to congratulate the finalists in each category.
Inspirational
Beyond Doubt John J. Murphy
Health
Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage Judith Anne Desjardins
Fiction
Sardinian Silver A. Colin Wright
Young Adult/Children
Wyndano’s Cloak A. R. Silverberry
Mystery
Carnival of Lies Vernon L. Anley
Memoirs
The Most Revolutionary Act: Memoir of an American Refugee
Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall
Non/fiction
Murderous Intellectuals Jonathan Maxwell
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FEATURE
Freebies: Clever Marketing or Foolish Folly?By Aaron Paul LazarI'll never forget the article I read on giveaways, written by a successful author who'd climbed his way to the top with sheer sweat and brains. Well, to be honest, I can't remember his name, but I'll never forget his advice. He recommended that every author give away tons of books to spread the word. Of course, this is if you haven't already landed a publisher with deep pockets who's promoting the hell out of your work.Some folks recoil with horror when they hear this. “After all I've gone through to GET here? After all that agony of rejection after rejection? After finally getting into a good publishing house? After the years I've spent perfecting this book? And the years beyond I waited for it to come to print? And ESPECIALLY since I only make a ridiculously tiny profit on each book? You want me to give them away? Doesn't that invalidate the whole thing?”No. It doesn't. It helps grow your readership.I've given away hundreds of books over the past five years. To friends who helped with the books, to the gals in the dentists office, to friends' grandmothers who had no money but loved mysteries, to the English teacher I met in Monroe Muffler who taught grammar for twenty years… I give many away on impulse and quite a few more with careful planning.But the author who wrote said article would encourage you to buy at least 350 copies and strategically give them all away.He suggested donating a book to every single person in your life who likes to read. And to those who don't, or who have spouses who do. To doctor's offices, to the local fire department, to hospitals, friends of friends… you name it.Of course, we're talking big bucks here. Three hundred copies of a typical $17.00 trade paperback could cost an author almost three grand, if he gets a good discount from his publisher. Three thousand dollars! That's more than many small press authors make on one release.Sadly, I never got to the point where I followed this fellow's advice, but I still impulsively give my books away all the time. The way he explained it, and the way I figure it, nobody ever bought a book by an author they don't know, or that wasn't written up with glowing of accolades in major publications. So let them read your stuff, fall for it, and maybe they'll buy your other books, too.I ran across another blog this week that touted the same principles, but using eBooks instead of print books. Much less outlay was required by the author and publisher, and a great deal of savvy marketing was involved in the whole process. You can read this brilliant article by J.A. Konrath, here http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/08/high-cost-of-self-promotion.html.I never expect anything back when I give away books. To be honest, I love sharing what's inside me with these people. Maybe it's a latent case of needing to feel loved and validated. But a tiny part of me hopes that maybe someday, the mother of the brother of the gal who works in the dentist might know the son of the Hollywood producer who hears about and then reads my stuff; then realizes the potential he holds in his hands for a blockbuster movie series. ;o)Okay, so we can all dream. Right?Next time you grow pale and shudder at the idea of giving away your books, think again. Or rather, if you have some on hand, don't think. Just do it. You never know what will come of it. And if nothing tangible comes your way, at least you had the joy of sharing with another human being. Right?Don't forget to take pleasure in the little things… and write like the wind!***Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of LeGarde Mysteries and Moore Mysteries enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York. Find his books in our bookstore.
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Congratulations to Johnathan Harrison: I am pleased to let you know that NAKED BEING, which you reviewed in June this year, has been honoured as a finalist in the Spirituality category of the USA Best Books Awards 2010 - . Johnathan Harrison. Author
Please God, Not Two by Alberta Sequeira was selected by the Publisher's Weekly to be published in their newspaper.
Submissions Wanted:
Dark Discoveries Open to Submissions------------------------------------Dark Discoveries is looking for short stories from 500 to 6,500words. Stories must be in the horror/dark fantasy/dark sci-fi anddark mystery veins. They are looking for powerful, well-writtenoriginal ideas and new twists on old horror conventions. Payment is$0.05 per word and is paid 90 days after publication. For moreinformation visit: http://darkdiscoveries.com/blog/submission-guidelines/
Urgently need cartoonists, for South African cartoon strips. I’m struggling to find artists who portray black characters. What’s needed are black heroes.... There are loads of possibilities. Eg; Where the subscriber can fill in the bubble captions thus writing the story board."Urgently need artists/authors who already do something like this or who might be capable of it. If this sounds like you, contact richie@theebooksale.com.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Barry Corbett
Beverly, MA, USA
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
The title is “Revenge of the Pun!”
It’s published by Corbett Features (Self-published).
Tell us about yourself:
I am a freelance Panel Cartoonist selling my material to national magazines and local newspapers. In addition to the magazine cartooning I produce webcomics, posting them to WebcomicsNation.com and my own site, CorbettFeatures.com.
I’ve self published 3 trade paperbacks and a couple of comic books. My panel cartoons have appeared in Barron’s Magazine, American Legion, Christianity Today, Lacrosse Magazine, Medical Economics, The Artist’s Magazine, True West Magazine, Kid Zones, Skipping Stones, Canadian Forces News Magazine, Outer Darkness, and FiftySomething Magazine.
I began my career as a Graphic Designer but have been transitioning towards Cartooning for the last ten years, since that is my passion.
I still work as a Designer and Illustrator and I also teach software (Adobe Creative Suite) for certificate programs at local colleges in the Boston area. On the weekends, I teach Cartooning courses for adults and children at these same colleges.
When was the book released?
September 2010
Give us an overview of your book.
The book is a 100 page collection of my pun-based panel cartoons. My single panel cartoon feature is called “Embrace the Pun!” Anybody who’s known me for any length of time is familiar with my penchant for wordplay. Everybody knows a chronic punster or two. (We just can’t help ourselves).
Oscar Levant called the pun “the lowest form of humor” and that’s certainly up for debate.
Finally I decided not to fight it any longer. I gathered all the best puns and put them in one volume which, of course, was called “Embrace the Pun!”. The first book was well received and after 4 years I decided to do the sequel.
“Revenge of the Pun!” follows in the same format, with a few added features. I’ve tried to offer the reader some insight into the world of the Cartoonist. There are sidebars analyzing my own jokes, explaining how we come up with ideas, and how the business works in general.
What inspired you to write this book?
Recent developments in the publishing industry show that the brick and mortar bookstores are quickly being supplanted by online booksellers. I thought it would be a great time to offer my cartoons directly to the marketplace, without going through a traditional publisher.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
There are many other collections of panel cartoons put out by nationally syndicated cartoonists. Every one has the unique voice of it’s creator and no two cartoonists have the same style, both in writing and illustrating their jokes. Mine is the only one that I’m aware of that revolves around the pun.
Where can people buy your book?
Lulu.com is the distributor, but it’s available through the Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble websites. It’s also been released as an e-book and is now offered through Apple’s iBookstore.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Right now I’m working on a second collection of comic strips. In 2008 I had published “Kitty Nirvana”, the first volume of my webcomic, “Ginger & Shadow”. I think it will be a good year before this new one is completed. Nirvana won an IPPY award in 2008 for the humor category. The IPPY’s are presented annually by Independent Publisher Magazine. They have an awards banquet every year to coincide with BookEXpo
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
I can only offer advice to Cartoonists. The most important thing is to keep on drawing and writing. You’ve got to be disciplined, constantly working on your creations in order develop your skills.
Keep submitting your work and don’t be afraid of rejection. In order to sell one cartoon to a major magazine you have to send out at least 200 ideas that will be shot down. Develop a thick skin and write what you believe is funny. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks. You may get ten different responses to the same joke, so listen to your own voice. You know what works and what doesn’t.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I found you through a Google search. Cartooning has been a niche market in the past. I’m hoping to further expand my base of readers and explore the exciting possibilities of e-publishing.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Your rates are extremely reasonable for what you offer.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.
My pleasure. It’s nice to have the opportunity to promote my work.
www.allbooksreviewint.com
Allbooks Review International will NEVER sell your review copies. We have a policy that ensures this will never happen. www.allbooksreviewint.com
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