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This is a free e-mail bulletin for subscribers only, sent from
"U-Publish.com," the web site named for the revolutionary guide
to new methods for publishing and promoting books by Dan Poynter
and Danny O. Snow. Get the new 2002-2003 edition, now available
to order from major bookstores, leading online booksellers, or
at http://www.u-publish.com/order.htm in paperback or e-book form.
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*** NY Times Blasts POD Books
"Most print-on-demand books attract no reviews and sell poorly,"
states an October 17 report from the New York Times. This is
likely because some of the larger POD companies accept almost
anything (for a price) and release thousands of poorly-written,
poorly-typeset, unedited books each year. Flooding the market
with sub-standard books, POD vanity presses have damaged
the reputation of all POD books within the publishing industry.
But according to Jim Milliot, news editor for Publishers Weekly,
"There's still a standard of quality that must be met." There
are exceptions to the 'down-and-dirty' approach to POD publish-
ing. Look for services that are selective, provide quality
book design and typesetting, and work with professional writers
as well as first-timers. For a comparison, see DeHanna Bailee's
"Print-on-Demand Publisher Database" at this location:
http://www.geocities.com/dehannabailee/pod.htm
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*** B&N Requirements for Store Placement
If you plan to ask Barnes & Noble to stock your book in its many
stores, the book must meet several criteria in order to qualify:
-- ISBN must be assigned
-- Title must appear on the spine
-- Barcode must appear on the back cover
-- Production values (cover design, interior type, printing and
binding) must show good quality
-- The word "foreword" (not "forward") must be used correctly
-- Content must be competitive with books on related topics
-- Fiction and Poetry must be especially competitive
Of course, meeting these requirements does *not* guarantee book-
store placement, but simply qualifies a book for consideration.
Other factors are also weighed bookstore buyers, such as reviews,
celebrity endorsements, promotion plans, etc.
Poynter and Snow have long maintained that quality is important,
whether a book is traditionally published, self-published, or
released using a service that assists in publication for a fee.
For example, in earlier issues we explained why books designed
using word processors (rather than real typesetting) are often
glaringly obvious to professionals in the book trade.
No matter how you publish your book, strive for professional
quality. Independently published books CAN achieve this goal,
if you recognize that there's no "free lunch" and emphasize
quality over quantity.
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*** Get Weight Loss Stories in Print
*** Send your story for possible inclusion
Book planned for people who want to/have tried to/need to lose
weight, from people who have "walked the walk." Submit your
story to RobertBrents@RobertBrents.com or see:
http://www.RobertBrents.com
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Please feel free to forward copies of this bulletin to your
fellow authors and publishers. This is a free service that is
available to all publishing professionals on request.
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*** ABA and Ingram to Share Book Data
An October 4 announcement said Ingram will license the American
BookSellers Ass'n "Book Buyer's Handbook" data for iPage, where
major chain retailers often order books. ABA will license
Ingram's database of more than 2.9 million books for use by
BookSense.com, often used by independent stores.
What does it mean for independent authors and publishers? For
starters, books currently listed with BookSense.com will get
wider exposure to chain retailers. Meanwhile, indie stores
will have better access to books distributed by Ingram.
For more info, e-mail Jill Perlstein at: jill@bookweb.org
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*** Ippy Award Entries Discounted until 11/15
The seventh annual "IPPY" Awards, conducted annually to honor
the year's best independently published titles, will accept
entries until April 1, 2003, for books with 2002 copyrights or
that were released in 2002.
An entry fee of $50 per title runs through November 15, then
goes up to $60. For details, see:
http://www.independentpublisher.com/baentry.html
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*** New eBookstore Launches at Authorlink.com
Authorlink.com, an online news, information and marketing site,
announced the launch of a new eBook retail store that will
ultimately carry for sale thousands of popular eBook titles from
major publishers. The new site is one of about 40 online re-
tailers now offering eBooks through OverDrive, Inc. and Content
Reserve. Titles are available in Microsoft Reader and Palm
Reader format:
http://www.authorlink.com/ebook/
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*** Pinskey Offers PR "Boot Camp"
"At the 'Be Your Own PR Expert Write-A-Thon Workshop,' we
actually write your media hook, 30-second personal commercial
(aka your elevator speech), your sound bites, your 10 interview
questions, your foolproof media release, and what to say to the
media when you call to follow up. You get your own 5-minute
interview video, plus hundreds of resources and strategies from
my books." -- Veteran Book Promoter, Raleigh Pinskey
http://www.promoteyourself.com/bootcamp/index.html
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*** Reminder: Possible Book Review Opportunity
REVIEWER WANTS nonfiction books on tobacco addiction, life-
behavioral-change experiences, applied creativity, and self
managment topics with supportive research. Please query with a
description of the book first. E-Mail David L. Johnson, Ph.D.
at: davej@ipa.net or visit:
http://dr.davidjohnson.tripod.com/LIFECHANGES/
Inside tip from Poynter & Snow:
As always, we believe that book reviews are a better way to gain
exposure than paid advertising. Advertising is expensive;
editorial coverage is free. Furthermore, book reviews have
credibility in the eyes of the public; advertising does not.
See the new 2002 edition of "U-Publish.com" for an extensive
list of potential book review outlets.
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*** Reminder: Reviews and Interviews Possible
Women on Writing (or W.O.W.) wants books for review and authors
for interview, starting in December:
Historical non-fiction review
Historical fiction review
Western Review
General Fiction Review
New Age/Spirituality Review
Sci-fi Review
Literary Fiction Review
Contact Jody Gore by e-mail ( JodyKay@chartermi.net ) for info.
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Please feel free to forward copies of this bulletin to your
fellow authors and publishers. This is a free service that is
available to all publishing professionals on request.
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Inside tip from Poynter & Snow:
ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT!
Here's ours:
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