Allbooks Review International December 2012 Newsletter

BEST OF THE SEASON TO EVERYONE Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors, print and ebook. Authors around the world use our service. Great coverage for your book for twelve months +. SUCCESS STORIES Congratulations to Shirley A. Roe. Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour is now available in ebook, and print (kindle edition): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KWEX02 FEATURE: Are Books Doomed to Extinction? Publishers Must Innovate to Save the Book as We Know It, Says Best-Selling Author Michael Levin says he can see the writing on the iPad. “Unless something changes, books as we know them are doomed, and not simply because people prefer to read on their iPads or Kindles.” says Levin, (www.BusinessGhost.com), a New York Times best-selling author, as well as editor, publisher, co-writer and ghostwriter. “You’ll see the major publishing houses starting to go away in three to five years,” Levin says. “Their business model is in free fall. Already, we’re seeing books becoming shorter, cheaper, and diminishing in quality. You’ll soon see fewer really good authors bothering to write books, because books are no longer a meaningful source of revenue.” Levin points to several developments he says foreshadow a sad ending for books: • Attention spans are diminishing. Three-fourths of teachers said their students’ attention spans are shorter than ever, according to a poll released in June. By 11 years old, nearly half of the kids had stopped reading for pleasure. The poll, by publisher Pearson UK, is just the most recent survey/study documenting shrinking attention spans and a corresponding drift from books. “Part of the problem is children don’t see their parents reading,” Levin says. “Obviously, the kids’ aren’t the only ones with diminishing attention spans.” • Major publishers are producing lower-quality books. The big publishing houses today are more interested in a quality marketing plan than in the quality of the book, so we’re being deluged by low-quality books. One reason is that many large publishers have stopped taking on the expense of marketing books, but they know it’s necessary for sales. So they take on authors with a marketing plan and budget. They’re also less interested in “star” authors, who demand higher royalties. They also lost authors when they eliminated advances in response to the 2008 recession. • Books are moving to devices, where content is free and time is thin-sliced. Online, you don’t expect to pay for content. People will expect books available online to be either free or very inexpensive, and if those books turn out to be one chapter of ideas and eleven chapters of Hamburger Helper, they will be less willing to pay for them. Also, people don’t spend much time going into depth online; books are supremely inappropriate for the surface-skimming nature of the Internet. Once people have bought a bunch of ebooks they’ve never started, they’ll stop buying them altogether. • Authors have a more difficult time earning a livable wage. Fewer authors can earn enough to make writing a full-time job. The audience is shrinking and fewer people are willing to pay $15 for a paper book when cheap alternatives are available. “We’ve already seen more books written to promote a product, service or company, or to brand the writer so he or she can pursue a more lucrative field,” Levin says. “Most books of the future will be marketing tools, since that’s the only way they’ll be profitable.” Levin does find reason for hope, but it will require publishers to change how they do business. “They need to stop trying to go after the mass market, which doesn’t exist anymore, settle on a niche and develop a brand. Publishers that stand for something in the reader’s mind – like Harlequin stands for romance – are built for the long haul,” he says. Instead of publishing 500 low-quality books every year, major publishers should bring out only 50 top-quality winners and actually market them, he says. And publish how-to and other guidance and instructional books in concentrated form: short, powerful and to the point, The rest of us have a job to do, too, Levin adds. “People need to read, and they need to read to their kids or buy them books. If people stop demanding good books, there eventually will be none available,” he says. “The winners, going forward, will be that minority who still read and think for themselves. It’s a lot easier for government, the military, and the corporate world to control the way people think if they aren’t reading for themselves. That ought to be reason enough to save the book.” About Michael Levin Michael Levin, founder and CEO of BusinessGhost, Inc., has written more than 100 books, including eight national best-sellers; five that have been optioned for film or TV by Steven Soderbergh/Paramount, HBO, Disney, ABC, and others; and one that became “Model Behavior,” an ABC Sunday night Disney movie of the week. He has co-written with Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, football broadcasting legend Pat Summerall, NBA star Doug Christie and Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman, among others. As a publishing consultant, Michael’s best-selling clients include ZigZiglar, Michael Gerber and Jay Abraham. He was the editor for Ziglar’s most recent book, “Born To Win.” Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) David V. Mammina lives in Lindenhurst, NY, USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: The Angels of Resistance, published by David V. Mammina and printed by Lulu Press. Tell us about yourself: Born and raised on Long Island, NY, David V. Mammina has striven to make a name for himself. He went to Lindenhurst Schools and graduated in 2000. He then made his way to Nassau Community College and received his first degree. He then attended Stony brook and acquired his next degree in History. Finally, David got his Masters in Special Education and Social Studies. He specializes In writing dark fantasy and has been featured at the Comic Con in New York City and the I-CON at Stony brook. David is very family oriented as he attributes most of his success to them. He works in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn now as a special education teacher. When was the book released? July 2, 2012 Give us an overview of your book. One thousand years after the assumed apocalypse, a demonic army known as the Demon Plague has invaded the new world. With various races and cultures split by their differences, one man inspires them to unite in order to defeat the unfathomable evil force. What inspired you to write this book? It had taken me five years to write this story, which happens to be my personal favorite. Once the world experiences an apocalyptic event, many people have their theories of how humankind would survive. I had loved the idea that, in time, people would gather around their familiar cultures and move on. Yet, they would not be united until a great and terrible event forced them to look past their differences and fight for each other instead of themselves. How is your book different from other books in this genre? The dark fantasy genre can often be misunderstood by many. I mend good character developed stories in a realistic world with deep fantastical undertones. Not only will this book capture your imagination as it is a tale that I believe is wildly original, but it is hard to put down. It is a book for the genre that can be read by any avid reader. Where can people buy your book? This book is available on most online bookstores, but one can find it in paperback and hardcover at my website: www.MamminaBooks.com Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am always working on another book. I love to write, as it is my passion to write meaningful stories. The most recent involves a holy knight who committed sins of vengeance and must now redeem himself. It is a compelling story and a very relatable character. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Market and network! Tell everyone what you’ve done and why it’s a great read, with a sense of humility of course. Expose your material to any venue possible, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, table mats at diners, conventions, Facebook, etc. But number one, don’t write expecting money. Write because you love it and believe in it. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: NA Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have found creating a website where potential readers of your work can easily find your books to be a great tool. Facebook and twitter are good digital exposure venues. But nothing beats a good convention, like Comic Con, Dragon Con, and other reading conventions. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I have discovered this company online while searching for reviewers and I have only positive things to say about it. It’s an affordable and valuable service for self-published authors. I would like some exposure online through the company as I am very committed in sharing my work with any many people as I can. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost was a surprise indeed. I would gladly pay an extra fee for some more exposure to other websites and/or places where books are shared. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Interview with Stan Popovich author of FEAR

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Stan Popovich from Pittsburgh, PA (USA) Tell us the title and publisher of your book: A Layman’s Guide To Managing Fear” By Stan Popovich and published by Treble Heart Books. My book is located at www.managingfear.com Tell us about yourself: I am a Penn State graduate with a computer and business background and I have 20 years of personal experience in dealing with fear and anxiety. When was the book released?: October 2003. Since my book is about stress, anxiety and fear, my topic and book doesn’t become outdated. Everyone deals with fear and that will never change. Give us an overview of your book. My book, which is at www.managingfear.com is a comprehensive review on how to deal with fear, anxiety, and stress. My book gives an overview on what techniques are available in dealing with fear, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Please visit my article section at my website for a quick preview of my book. What inspired you to write this book? I dealt with anxiety for over 20 years and I kept a notebook of different ways to deal with my fears. One day I decided to get my notes published into a small booklet which lead to my current book. How is your book different from other books in this genre? My book goes over the techniques that are available for someone who deals with fear and anxiety. My book talks about how to overcome your fears and gives concrete and easy to understand examples. My book is very effective in finding the answers to your particular fears. Please visit my website www.managingfear.com for more information. Where can people buy your book? At my website www.managingfear.com Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? Not At This Time. I write articles on how to deal with different mental health issues to help promote my book. Please do an internet search of “Stan Popovich” or “Stanley Popovich” to see Stan’s latest articles. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? I am not self published, however writing the book is only half of it. Marketing the book is another job in itself. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: I didn’t have to spend a lot of money to get my book published. My publisher helped me to get my book ready. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have been interviewed on various radio and TV programs, I got many articles published in various magazines and websites, and people around the world have bought my book. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I did an internet search and was hoping to help pass the word about my book. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? I noticed the low cost and based on the services offered I decided it was worth using your services. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Review of When Wolf Comes by John Pappas

Aidan Ephraim Martin was a man whose life took turns that no one could have ever predicted. The challenges he met after that fateful day in 1801 when he sat down for a drink in a public house after a hard day of fishing would have killed a lesser man. Being knocked unconscious and waking up as a captive seaman, miles out to sea, didn’t stop Aidan from living. Becoming a refugee at an isolated Spanish mission in northern California didn’t cause Aidan to lose heart. The all too brief interlude as a free seaman led to Aidan’s greatest test. He was grievously wounded, captured, and sold as a slave to a tribe in what we now call the Pacific Northwest. Only at the end of this cleverly written tale of adventure can the reader come to understand what survival means. Writing is an art. History is a science. To mix them together so they form a uniform and cohesive whole takes a passion and a love for both along with a strong desire to share. In this book John Pappas has demonstrated all this. In writing historical fiction an author locks himself into a set of rules. These rules include everything that is entailed in the times during which the writing is to occur. All the actions of the characters are limited by the technology of the time, the clothing, social rules, etc. Even though it is fiction which implies that everything is pretend, using a historical setting means there are usually a set of expectations. To resolve a plot question an author can’t suddenly have a poet in 1750 Japan invent an electric generator using western principles. It just doesn’t work. What works is John Pappas careful use of what had to be deep research into the history of the time. His characters use what is realistically at hand. Aidan’s toolkit is never complete, but completely realistic. His knowledge of ironworking is a beginner’s level which improves as he teaches himself and makes use of what is at hand. This book is definitely highly recommended and will not disappoint. This reviewer is ardently awaiting any possible future installment of Aidan’s life.Reviewer: John Helman, Allbooks ReviewsInternational Title: When Wolf Comes Author: John Pappas Publisher: Orca11 Books ISBN: 978-1-4276-3606-5 Pages: 289 April 2012 For more info: orca11.com

Interview with J.E. Anzalone, author of Collision Course

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) My name is J.E. Anzalone (Eric Anzalone)—Monroe Township, New Jersey USA. Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Collisions Course – Dog Ear Publishing. Tell us about yourself: In 1995 I replaced Glenn Hughes as “The Biker/Leatherman” in the disco super group the Village People. Outside of the VP, I’ve appeared on stages around the world in various capacities—including playing the role of Berger in the European Tour of HAIR, as the guitarist in the NYC based punk band SiR, and as a singer for Princess Cruises. From 1991-93 I starred as Donatello in the world tour of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Out of Our Shells, and later as Raphael in the specials A Turtles' Christmas and Turtle Tunes, and in various TV programs, including Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. I am the host of a webcast show What Matters Most (http://www.experiencenirvana.org/what-matters-most.html) And I have a monthly podcast called Make Your Own Music. (http://www.experiencenirvana.org/make-your-own-music-by-eric-anzalone.html). I was born in Dayton, OH, grew up in Santa Barbara, CA, and I studied music and theatre at the University of Miami, FL. In 2012, I graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in Film and Media. I’ve written and developed many TV scripts and screenplays, including a show I created for VH1 in 2001, but Collisions Course is my first novel. I have a 14 year old daughter, and though I spend about 200 days a year on the road, I call New Jersey home. When was the book released?: Collisions Course was released in February 2012. Give us an overview of your book. In 1984, a group of friends use a unique homework assignment to make a pact, promising to reunite twenty years in the future...with two catches: 1) No matter where you find yourself in 2004, you must come alone—leave the husband, wife, lover, and kids at home. 2) No strings attached. Their idea? To recapture youthful abandon and embrace old friendships with no strings attached. In 2004, with clear disregard for common sense, a group of friends showed up at The El Encanto Hotel in Santa Barbara, CA for a reunion. And they all came alone…or so they thought. I was at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, CA in the early 80s when a reunion plan was set into motion. My book, Collisions Course, is proof that life is not only stranger than fiction, it makes a great novel. What inspired you to write this book? There are no “accidents” in life, only “collisions,” and I've definitely had some interesting ones. After being told time and again, "Your life is like a movie…you should write a screenplay," I decided to go for it, but instead of trying to cram it all into strict screenplay format, I opted to write a novel. Not everything in my book is based on 'actual' events, but the voice of the book is all me—my observations, my comments, my questions. How is your book different from other books in this genre? As I said, life is stranger than fiction. When people ask me, off the record, what’s real and what I’ve created, it’s fun to watch their expression. I’ve been arrested, hit by a car, and held hostage at gunpoint. I’ve toured the world as a musician, non-stop, for the past 20 years, my group has sold over 100 million records…I’ve been a super hero, played bingo with Cher in Des Moines, and was pointedly rude to Pink at a party in Sydney. Not that any of that makes me special—I’m still a dork—but it does separate me from most of the pack. Where can people buy your book? Collisions Course is available in print and eReader for Nook at Barnes and Noble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/collisions-course-je-anzalone/1109141085?ean=9781457509414&itm=8&usri=collisions+course In print and eReader for Kindle at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Collisions-Course-J-E-Anzalone/dp/1457509415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333133341&sr=8-1 In the U.K. available at Foyles.com: http://www.foyles.co.uk/item/Fiction-Poetry/Collisions-Course,JE-Anzalone-9781457509414 Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am not currently working on another book, but a lot of people have urged me to write a sequel to Collisions Course. I may revisit the group of friends from my book at some point—trust me, those “collisions” are still “coursing”—but at the moment I’m concentrating on a few other projects. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? I am indeed self-published—that said, I had an investor behind me. The best advice I could give fellow writers is to be AWARE of companies that promise you and your “best seller” the world! Unless you have a manager or a business-type helping you, you must stop thinking like an artist/writer and read between the lines of what these companies are promising you. I’m not saying the majority of these self-publishing companies won’t deliver, BUT fees can be inflated, and the “Professional Plan” might not be the best plan for a first-time author; even though they will try to sell you the soup-to-nuts, pricey plan, remember, you can always upgrade if everything is clicking. No matter what a company promises you, in terms of publicity, YOU MUST BE PROACTIVE! Even authors with big publishing houses are out there pushing their books. Other than that, I would say if you are going to self-publish, GET YOURSELF A GOOD EDITOR! Money is better spent on a trustworthy/seasoned editor than a flashy book cover. Just because your best-friend reads a book a week and was an English major, does not mean they are an editor. And don’t convince yourself you do not need an editor, or that you can do it yourself—DO NOT TRY TO CUT CORNERS. There are a lot of editors out there offering their services, BUT make sure the editor you choose wants to work on your book, is excited about the material, and can relate to you—you will get what you pay for, and if the editor you choose just wants a check, your novel will pay the price…trust me. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have a bit of an advantage when it comes to marketing because of my past twenty years in entertainment. I have a great manager and, with the Village People, she has a calling card whenever she contacts a media outlet. One cool success we had, was right out of the gates, in May of 2012, she got me booked on the CBS morning TV show in Phoenix. I was there to graduate from ASU, but my manager tied the book into the trip—a fantastic angle! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QUjOhYinhs) How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found Allbooks Reviews through my manager. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? Yes, the low cost was a surprise! I love it…no hidden fees, no tricks, Allbooks Reviews is a wonderful resource and tool for writers—at this point, I can’t think of much more Allbooks Reviews could offer that they don’t already. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Review of Assassin's Trap by D.C. Shaftoe

Back from his first adventures in the book; Forged in the Jungles of Burma, where he was kidnapped and interrogated, the ever suave MI-5 agent John Brock thrills us again with his continued espionage adventures. This time, Brock who is the head of counterterrorism for Great Britain's secret service finds that his life is threatened by an unknown band of assassins. In Assassin’s Trap, Brock must use his cunning and skills to foil the would-be assassins while at the same time protecting his beloved wife from their clutches. This book starts off with a bang-up car crash and continues it’s pace at the same speed never letting up on the proverbial gas. Brock always keeps his wits about him even when his life is in danger, while at the same time, behaves in a caring manner so that his wife won’t worry about his safety. D.C. Shaftoe does a wonderful job of balancing the plot’s action with Brock’s real and endearing concern for his wife. She uses just the right amount of humor in her writing which helps to make all of her characters very real. It’s a spy fantasy that resonates well with women - a sophisticated spy who has heart pounding adventure after adventure who is at the same time, a considerate husband who appreciates and respects his wife. There’s more coming. The threat replayed in John’s mind as the rain poured down his already soaked body, the chill on his skin matching the chill in his heart. When his mobile rang, he checked the caller ID. It was his wife. If he let the call go to voicemail, she might worry – and frankly, he could use a little Caroline right now. Pausing to wipe the water from his phone, he answered, trying to keep his voice easy and light. “”What’s up?” Packed with plenty of action, this book delivers what readers want - a married spy who cares as much about his relationship with his wife as he does his exciting job. Assassin’s Trap is an engaging story, well written, sported by referenced material, and filled with subtle humor. Shaftoe’s characters are real and the dialog moves the plot along. Assassin’s Trap certainly managed to capture this reader with its character’s exploits. Reviewer: Wendy Thomas, Allbooks Reviews. www.allbookreviews.com . Title: Assassin’s Trap Author: D.C. Shaftoe Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-4697-0057-1 Pages: 310 Price: 19.95 For more info: www.dcshaftoe.com April 2012