Allbooks Review December 2010 Newsletter

Greetings of the Season

Visit our new site: www.allbooksreviewint.com

To our wonderful Allbooks Review authors, the best of the season and thank you for your continued support.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the publishers that we have worked with this year.
RealTime Publishing www.realtimepublishings.com
Loving Healing Press www.LovingHealingPress.com
Dreamcatcher Pub. www.dreamcatcherpublishing.com
Asteroid Publishing www.asteroidpublishing.com
Capital Crimes Publishing www.capitalcrimes.com
Spirit House Publishing www.spirithousepub.com
The Ebook Sale www.theebooksale.com
Tree Tunnel Press www.treetunnelpress.com
Lily Ruth Publishing http://lilyruthpublishing.com/lilyruthbooks.aspx
Outskirts Booksurge Lulu St. Clair Publishing Taggart

FEATURE
FINALISTS FOR THE 2011 ALLBOOKS REVIEW EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
These titles were chosen from hundreds of submissions during 2010. We congratulate the Finalists. Winners will be announced in January, 2011.

Inspirational
Beyond Doubt John J. Murphy
The Ultimate Enlightenment for 2012 Michele Doucette

Health
Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage Judith Anne Desjardins
Please God Not Two Alberta Sequeira

Fiction
Rebound Pamela Swyers Silver Sardinian A. Colin Wright

Young Adult/Children
Wyndano’s Cloak A. R. Silverberry
Cloud Riders Don Hurst
MysteryCarnival of Lies Vernon L. Anley
Healey’s Cave Aaron Lazar

Memoirs
The Most Revolutionary Act: Memoir of an American Refugee
Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall
Voices In the Rain, Meaning in Psychosis Marcia A. Murphy

Non/fiction
The Great Pyramid Secret Margaret Morris
Murderous Intellectuals Jonathan Maxwell

SUCCESS STORIES

We love to hear of your success stories, submit them to us at: allbooksreview1@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.

Submissions Wanted:
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.

Dollar Stretcher Seeking Articles---------------------------------The Dollar Stretcher is seeking articles for its monthly printmagazine and its online ezines. Payment for articles in the printedition is $0.10 a word and payment is made on acceptance. For moreinformation and to view the complete writers' guidelines visit: http://www.stretcher.com/menu/writers.cfmRegency Romance Wanted by Publisher-----------------------------------Aspen Mountain Press launched its new Aurora Regency imprint onOctober 15, 2010. Aurora Regency at Aspen Mountain Press is a linedevoted to Regency romance. Traditional Regency romances, asexemplified by Georgette Heyer's work, are first and foremosthistorical fiction about a very specific (and short) era.The Aurora Regency line is published by Aspen Mountain Press, aroyalty-paying e-publishing company. We do not charge fees forset-up or charge for editing your story once it has been acceptedfor publication. Our contracts request rights to the contractedwork, including digital and print formats as we will provide someof our titles in print later this year. Aurora is looking forwell-researched Regency romances between 35,000 and 70,000 words,although we will bend on the upper word limit if the story meritsit. For complete guidelines visit: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/submissions/info_6.html

Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Crystal Marcos
Silverdale, WA

Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale
Cat Marcs Publishing

Tell us about yourself:
I have been a storyteller my entire life. Being the oldest of five children, I had a lot of entertaining to do. I am a member of SCBWI. I live on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with my husband and our daughter, Kaylee. BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale is my first book. To learn more about me and for fun writing activities visit my site www.CrystalMarcos.com

When was the book released?
June 15, 2010

Give us an overview of your book.
A lip-smacking, mouthwatering, absolutely delectable debut, BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos is a literary feast. In the vein of Roald Dahl’s best-loved adventures, Marcos offers a mystical, character driven escapade that intertwines strands of reality with a larger-than-life fantasy world. When Peter Fischer sets out to help his grandfather at Papa’s Sweet Shop, he will quickly learn that sneaking sweets and covering up his sugar-dusted tracks will have major consequences. As Peter is transported to a mysteriously delicious, faraway land, a curious people known as the Candonites, some of whom have no time for a non-Candonite, will teach Peter a lesson on what it means to be different and what it means to forgive.

What inspired you to write this book?
My love for children’s books and children has inspired me to write BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale. I also thought about what books I really enjoyed and which ones stuck in my mind from childhood. Oddly enough, all those books featured food and treats. Yes, I have a sweet tooth. I thought about what I would want my children to read about someday and I wanted it to be something I felt comfortable with them reading. I wanted them to be transported into a place that was so fantastic that they would always remember it.

How is your book different from other books in this genre?
My book teaches life lessons with a giant dose of magical fun!

Where can people buy your book?
My book is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and for other locations visit www.CrystalMarcos.com

Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
I am excited to announce I am working on the sequel to BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale due out next year.

If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
One big lesson I learned in publishing whether you are self published or traditionally published you have to market yourself and your book. No one will do it better than you. Online marketing a necessity in making people aware of what you do.

Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
Book giveaways are an inexpensive successful marketing promotion.

How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I found Allbooks Reviews from another reputable reviewing site that listed trusted reviewers.

Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Yes. It was a reasonable price to pay for what I received.


Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Nominate us for a listing in Writer's Digest's 101 Best Sites
of The Year. Please send your nomination, along with our webname Allbooks Review and our URL www.allbookreviews.com
to: writersdig@fwpubs.com Subject "101 Sites".

Thank you for all of your support.


ALLBOOKS REVIEW IS NOW ON iFOGO. Be sure and join the Albooks Review Author’s Group where we can share our success and our mistakes. Also join iFogo and get www.booksonfilm.com. Great promo for a great price, post audio, book trailers, contact with agents and producers and much more. Be sure and let them know Allbooks Review sent you and join our group.
http://ifogo.com/buy/order_abr.html USE THIS LINK TO JOIN TODAY
**************************************************************************************************************

Finalists for Allbooks Review Editor's Choice Award 2011

Shirley A. Roe, managing editor of Allbooks Reviews International is please to announce this year’s finalists for Editor’s Choice Award. Winners will be announced in Jan. 2011. Congratulations to all of these authors.

Inspirational
Beyond Doubt by John J. Murphy
The Ultimate Enlightenment for 2012 by Michele Doucette

Health
Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage by Judith Anne Desjardins
Please God Not Two by Alberta Sequeira

Fiction
Rebound by Pamela Swyers
Sardinian Silver by A. Colin Wright

Young Adult/Children
Wyndano’s Cloak by A. R. Silverberry
Cloud Riders by Don Hurst

Mystery
Carnival of Lies by Vernon L. Anley
Healey’s Cave by Aaron Lazar

Memoirs
The Most Revolutionary Act: Memoir of an American Refugee by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall
Voices In the Rain, Meaning in Psychosis by Marcia A. Murphy

Non/fiction
The Great Pyramid Secret by Margaret Morris
Murderous Intellectuals by Jonathan Maxwell

Visit the website today http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/

Attn: Authors

Watch for the announcement of nominees for the Allbooks Review Editor's Choice Award.
Only 11 days to go!

Authors, PLEASE do not attempt to rewrite the review

Why ask a reviewer to review your book, if you are going to request that certain paragraphs be omitted, words changed, sentences added, etc? Reviewers are experts that give you their opinion and nothing more. Why ask them to change their opinion to make your book sound better. As the managing editor of Allbooks Review, I have had very few authors that have asked for changes. Our reviewers are professional that give an honest opinion. Once in awhile, an author tries to rewrite the review. Sorry but this is unacceptable.
In closing, don't ask for our opinion if you only want to hear and read your own. Sound heartless, no just being straight forward (like an Allbooks Review) and trying to make a point. Please, learn to take constructive criticism if you want to be a good author. To the other 90% of you, thank you and best of luck with your book sales
Shirley Roe, Managing Editor

Authors unsolicited comments on Allbooks Review

Writing Reviews
When writing reviews, it’s wise to read professional reviews to learn format and key points to pick up in a story.
In mystery writing, and when writing thrillers or any genre, or when writing book reviews, it’s wise to be aware of stereotypes in characters. Story lines are all-important; a great review happens when a story sets itself apart from others in the genre. However, when writing reviews, those are not the only story points to watch for.

Below is the latest review of my thriller, Down to the Needle. The review was completed by Lisa Haselton at Allbooks Review.
My full interview with Allbooks Review has also been published on their site: Allbooks Articles and Interviews.
In writing reviews, notice the professional format in the example below. This was forwarded to me as a document on “online stationary” with the Allbooks Review logo at the top. When reviewing books, you might consider preparing your page with your logo and other identifying information. You can do this whether or not you have a website or blog.

Genre: Fiction/Thriller
Title: Down to the Needle
AUTHOR: Mary Deal

It has been twenty-three years since five-year-old Becky was kidnapped. Abigail “Abi” Fisher is just as diligent today as she was on the first day in trying to find and reunite with her daughter. Abi looks at every young woman who crosses her path and wonders, “Is that Becky?”
Abi’s heart continues to celebrate, yet also break, as every missing child and every homeless young woman is identified or found, and is not her daughter. Five years ago, Abi met Joe. The two clicked almost instantly and they keep each other balanced through the emotional roller coaster that each deals with in life. Just as Abi’s interest piques with a woman on death row, Joe becomes distracted with someone from his past. Abi struggles with pursuing her newest lead that may bring her to her long-lost daughter while supporting Joe in his need for discovery, too.
The author has created a protagonist that any parent, or anyone who cares about children, can identify with. The need to protect a child is overwhelming, and the character of Abigail has lived with the guilt of not being able to do that for the past two decades. Readers will quickly empathize with Abi’s wholehearted desire to find a positive resolution – a reunion with her daughter – especially as the time for the quest seems to have a deadline. The tightly woven plot lines combine with the fast-moving action to keep the reader on the edge of her seat.
Mary Deal is retired and living in Hawaii. She spends a most of her time writing, but ventures out to the beach every now and then. Along with her passion for writing, she enjoys oil painting and photography. She has four published suspense/thriller novels and is working on more. Her third novel, River Bones, won the Eric Hoffer Book Awards competition. She has also published short stories and poetry in various magazines and anthologies.
I find the title appealing since the pacing and tension has the reader hoping for answers along with the protagonist right down to the needle. Will there be a positive resolution before lethal injection is administered? Make sure you have time to read, because once you start, it’s hard to stop. Down to the Needle is a great read. Reviewer: Lisa Haselton, Allbooks Reviews.
Available at: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble online, other online bookstores, and iUniverse.
Publisher: iUniverseISBN:
978-1-4401-9820-5
Pages: 326
Price: $19.95 Jan 2010

Though I favor a scant few reviewing companies, I love Allbooks Reviews because they have so many additional opportunities for book promotion and publicity.
Writers of books in any genre should peruse this site for services offered.
Book reviewers seeking to learn a more professional format for writing reviews should read the ones found on the Allbooks Review Showcase.

Writing reviews is simple, but perfecting them to really do justice to the writer and the story is best accomplished by a professional review format.
Connect to further discussion of Down to the Needle.


>

Allbooks Review November 2010 REMEMBER

Visit our new site: www.allbooksreviewint.com

Nominate us for a listing in Writer's Digest's 101 Best Sites
of The Year. Please send your nomination, along with our webname Allbooks Review and our URL www.allbookreviews.com
to: writersdig@fwpubs.com Subject "101 Sites".

Thank you for all of your support.

*****************************************************************************
ALLBOOKS REVIEW IS NOW ON iFOGO. Be sure and join the Albooks Review Author’s Group where we can share our success and our mistakes. Also join iFogo and get www.booksonfilm.com. Great promo for a great price, post audio, book trailers, contact with agents and producers and much more. Be sure and let them know Allbooks Review sent you and join our group.
http://ifogo.com/buy/order_abr.html USE THIS LINK TO JOIN TODAY

Submissions Wanted:
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.

Myriad Editions is Looking for Books to Publish-----------------------------------------------Based in the UK, this independent publisher publishes atlases,graphic nonfiction and original fiction. They do not publishchildren's stories, poetry or plays. For more information visit:http://www.myriadeditions.com/submissionsGrantville Gazette Wants Short Sci-Fi and Fantasy-------------------------------------------------This appears to be a good magazine to break into if you want towrite fantasy. They have strict guidelines but a supportiveprocess. You need to submit your story as it progresses onto aforum board where it will be discussed and problems with it ironedout. If they decide to purchase your story you will get paid 5cents a word. For more information visit: http://www.grantvillegazette.com/submissionsTimeline Wants History Articles on Ohio---------------------------------------The editors of Timeline, the publication of the Ohio HistoricalSociety, are accepting manuscripts of 1,500 to 6,000 words relatedto the history, prehistory, and natural history of Ohio and to thebroader cultural and natural environments of which Ohio is a part.Articles with a significant regional or national focus also will beconsidered. Suitable topics include the traditional fields ofpolitical, economic, military, and social history; biography; thehistory of science and technology; archaeology and anthropology;architecture; the fine and decorative arts; and the naturalsciences including botany, geology, zoology, ecology, andpaleontology. In addition to full-length feature articles, shorter, more sharplyfocused vignettes of 500 to 1,000 words will be considered.For more information and writer's guidelines visit the website:http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/publicat/timeline/ifc.htmlDelicious Living Call for

Submissions ------------------------------------- US-based healthy lifestyle magazine is open to submissions. Delicious Living was the first magazine of its kind, and it remains ahead of its time--a lifestyle magazine that meets new millennium needs with centuries-old health solutions, combined with contemporary natural health care methods and modalities.Delicious Living articles are lively, informative, andconversational in tone, and provide up-to-date health informationin a clear, easy-to-understand manner. Writers should consultvarious sources for their stories, including health professionalsand research journals. They require that writers make every attemptto reference current research. For more information visit: http://deliciouslivingmag.com/contact/

FEATURE
Need Book Promotion Ideas?Snoop at Other Authors' WebsitesBy Patricia FryWhether you've been promoting a book for years or for just a few weeks, you are aware of the enormity of the task and the many book promotion options available. Most of us soon settle into a level of comfort. We pursue the promotional activities we prefer, that are fairly easy to implement and that make sense to our project. After a while, however, we realize that we could be doing more, but what? I suggest seeking out some tried and true ideas by snooping on other authors.If you've been doing your homework, you have identified the other experts in your field. You know who your competition is. I suggest dropping in and eaves dropping on other authors with books in your genre/topic. Do an Internet search to see if you can find out how many books they are selling. Where does their book show up? Where has it been mentioned and reviewed? Where is it offered for sale? You could even sign up for Google Alerts using this author or the subject or title of the book as your keywords. Each day you will receive information about where this book is being featured, spoken about, reviewed, etc. Sign up for Google Alerts here: http://www.google.com/alerts. Visit other authors' websites and discover how they are selling their books. What methods are they using? Where are they speaking? Where are their articles appearing? Who is reviewing their books? What are they offering customers, etc.?Do they list their calendar of speaking events? Read their blogs. Check out their media, testimonials and appearances pages. Visit their resources page. They might have an article posted about an unusual promotional activity through which they sold numbers of copies of their book. Make contact with authors of books like yours and discuss promotional ideas. If you share your successes generously, the other author will probably give in return. -------------Patricia Fry is the author of 31 books including "The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book," http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html. She also works with other authors on their book projects: http://www.patriciafry.com.

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:

Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Holly Weiss, New Hartford, NY 13413, USA

Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
Crestmont
Star Publish LLC
Historical fiction

Tell us about yourself:
I am a vocal instructor and retired professional singer. I have a BS from West Chester University and a Master of Music from Northwestern University. I am married, have four grandchildren, and live in upstate New York. I live with post-polio syndrome, which affects polio survivors when they reach their mid-50’s. My health concerns forced me to retire from performing on the stage. One voice led to another, so to speak when I found my “other” voice in writing. Crestmont is my first novel and I am grateful for this different means of creative expression.

When was the book released?
May 2011

Give us an overview of your book.

Crestmont is a look into the lives and loves of the staff at the Crestmont Inn during the 1920s in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania.

“A dream, after all, needn’t be fueled by particulars, only by desire.”

So notes main character, Gracie Antes, who is determined to take control of her life. Gracie leaves her unhappy home in 1925 to pursue her dream of a singing career. On her way to the big city, she accepts a job as a housemaid at the bustling Crestmont Inn. Once there, Gracie finds a life-changing encounter with opera singer Rosa Ponselle, family she never imagined could be hers, and a man with a mysterious past. Relive the 1920s with a colorful cast of characters. Discover with Gracie that sometimes we must trade loss for happiness.

Set in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, the story is interwoven with details about the town, the rich history of The Crestmont Inn, and the family who passed ownership from one generation to the next. Many attempts have been made to explain how the mountaintop lake nestled in this tiny town came to be. Crestmont gives a new twist to an old Native American legend, setting the tone of grace around which the story is built.

Let the period of the Roaring Twenties spark your interest with its unique social mores, fashion, jazz and a little bootlegging thrown in for pizzazz.

What inspired you to write this book?
You may be familiar with the saying, “Barn burned down, now I can see the moon.” I was a professional singer whose career was decimated by the effects of post polio syndrome. I had lost my primary means of creative expression. Asking why wasn’t helpful. Asking how I could make use of it was. The back cover of Crestmont says, “Discover with Gracie how sometimes we must trade loss for happiness,” and that was my experience as well.

My husband and I stayed at the real Crestmont Inn in November of 2006. We stayed in a dormitory for staff built in 1926 that had been refurbished into luxury suites. I began to think of what life would have been like for staff there during the 1920s. A light switch turned on in my head for an idea for the book. The next day I went to the innkeepers and asked permission to write a novel based on their inn.

Because of my singing experience, the creation of characters came easily. When one plays an opera role, the singer must create a whole world for the character she sings. In a recital of 14 songs, 14 different characters must be refined to fit the poetry being sung. My experience as a singer and vocal instructor was instrumental in the decision to include opera singer, Rosa Ponselle, in the story and to infuse the main character, Gracie, with the desire to sing.

How is your book different from other books in this genre?
I have found very few historical fiction books set in the 1920s and Crestmont is firmly placed in that era. Also, the famous historical fiction authors such as Rutherford and Penman write with intensive historical detail which is impressive if that is what you are looking for. My reviewers have complimented me for weaving several plot lines and including the period detail without being overbearing. Several have said the reading of the book provided a mini-vacation or respite from everyday life.

Crestmont also could easily fit into the Young Adult or Historical Christian fiction genres. The goodness of people and theme of grace are emphasized.

Where can people buy your book?
Autographed copies with free shipping are available on my website
http://www.hollyweiss.com.
You may purchase Crestmont discounted at www.amazon.com
or take the ISBN (978-1-935188-10-0) to your favorite local bookstore and they can order it for you.

Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
I am toying with the idea of turning the “One Voice Led to Another” aspect into a novel. I find memoirs limiting. I would choose instead to use my personal experience as a basis for the main character in a novel.
Right now, I am very busy with public speaking opportunities to market Crestmont, and am writing articles and book reviews to keep my writing skills sharp.

If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited:
I chose a small, independent publisher, Star Publish LLC. Star offered me a complete package of editing, formatting, and marketing. They promised me a release date of May 2010 and they stuck to their timetable. As a result, I was able to take advantage of the summer tourist season in Eagles Mere to promote Crestmont.

Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
I thought carefully about my target audience. The people of Eagles Mere, PA where the book is set, are passionate about their tiny, mountaintop town. Relatives of many town residents had worked at the Crestmont Inn in their younger days. I knew the community would love a refreshing look at a well-loved resort hotel. The “buzz” about Crestmont started this summer when I did several book signings in Eagles Mere and has spread from there.

How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I like to browse reviews on Amazon. I came upon several done by Allbooks and was impressed with the quality. Then I noticed you were one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 best sites. “The best was recommending the best,” so to speak. I was equally impressed that the Author Interview is posted in a wide variety of places, not just on the Allbooks website.

I hope to widen the reading audience of Crestmont through this interview with you and to gain some insight into further marketing techniques.

Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Yes! I was delighted with the amount of service offered for the price. The greatest challenge for authors seems to be publicity. I thank you for directing me to iFOGO, a wonderful publicity service. It seems that Allbooks, a perfect resource to offer advice on how to best publicize our books, has covered it all.

Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.
Thank you for inviting me to do this author interview and for all of your help.

NEW WEBSITE

Allbooks Review International is developing a new website. After more than 10 years, we are moving our site to: www.allbooksreviewint.com Our old site: www.allbookreviews.com will be up until the end of December. We are still working on the new site to bring you some great books. Please visit the site, let us know if we can be of assistance in promoting your book or finding some great reads.
Allbooks Reviews International is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as
traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service.Great coverage for your book for twelve months +.Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50.U.S and includes entry in the Allbooks Review Editor's Choice Award (a $50 US value) Unbelievable value!! www.allbookreviews.com and www.allbookreviewsint.com For complete details contact us.