NEWSLETTER
Allbooks Review May 2012 Newsletter
Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com
Allbooks Review 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 Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us.
SUCCESS STORIES
The Allbooks Review crew has been busy, congratulations to all.
Barbara Watkins (Allbooks Review reviewer) announces her latest horror release, 'Six-Pack of Blood' (co-author, Betty Dravis). Having some great success and it received an Honorary Horror Award from Zodiac Entertainment. As well, the great American film Director/Producer, Armand Mastroianni wrote the foreword for our book of horror. I invite you to take a look and see what others are saying.
Jan Whitford (Allbooks Review reviewer) announces his latest mystery, Mystic Fear. Released by RealTime Publishing, Limerick Ireland.
Shirley A. Roe Allbooks Review Managing Editor and award winning author, announces the release of When Fate Steps In.
FEATURE:
Improve Your Tweets
(Mari Smith @marismith)
#1: Share valuable content in your own voice
Do your best to craft your content tweets, @replies and promotional tweets all with a seamless style that matches your personality and/or brand.
Ideally, you want people to read your tweets and feel naturally compelled to click on your links and retweet you.
You just want to add value and have no agenda or attachment to “making the sale,” yet you’re strategic and mindful about how you tweet
#2: Use keywords in your tweets
Keywords have been and continue to be a relevant and driving force for web content (whether we’re talking about a website, blog post, Facebook update or a tweet). Keywords are the backbone of content.
So I’d have to say hands-down, my best Twitter marketing tip for business is to make a list of keywords that best describe your business and industry. Use these words as you compose your 140-character posts.
Think quality over quantity. Make every character and tweet count!
(Debbie Hemley, social media consultant and blogger)
#3: Share links to useful content
Sharing links to useful content is, statistically speaking, more effective at growing and retaining followers than “engaging” with them in conversation.
That’s not to say that conversations aren’t useful in helping people to like you, but if you want to grow your fan base, you need to share more links than you do @replies.
#4: Use search features to discover what your clients want
Use the search feature in a Twitter tool like HootSuite to watch for conversations about a problem your business can solve. It will give you insight into what is on your prospects’ minds and provide an open door for you to help them.
Try providing a link to a great article or video that answers their question. This one action could lead to an ongoing dialogue that in turn may lead to a customer relationship later.
Improve Your Networking
(Kristi Hines @kikolani)
#5: Connect with the right people and tweet with them
TIP
Query Letters: Jeff Rivera says, "You know when your query letter sucks when you say
'Dear Agent.'" If you need to review query letter techniques since you
last followed a so - so template you found on the Web, crack open your
copy of The Frugal Editor (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor) and turn to the
section where I talk about query letters and relate several top - flight
agents' pet query letter peeves. Yes, there are also sample query letters
in the Appendix (along with the list of agents who said yes when I asked
to interview them), but I urge you not to religiously follow any template.
You’re the voice in your book and you should let it show through in your
query letter.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Tony Samara, London, UK
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
Shaman’s Wisdom: Reclaim Your Lost Connection with the Universe, 2012 by Balboa Press
Tell us about yourself
“I believe that we live at a very crucial moment in humanity's transformation and I want you to move beyond the old paradigm and discover your power, your freedom.
I believe we are at a point of such transformation that we can no longer wait for someone else, or something else. I believe that we are creators and that everyone here is equal and part of that creation. I believe that God doesn't live somewhere outside, that the Divine, meaning intelligence, freedom, is everywhere. You, me, we are connected.
I believe that we have to put things into practice. We can’t just sit and watch television or watch life, or watch a relationship and hope it gets better or wait for it to change.
I challenge you to step away from the sofa, where it is comfortable to watch TV, and to participate. It is a wonderful thing when we realize that we have this power, which is not of the ego, but is wisdom.”
Tony Samara
Tony Samara, author of ‘Shaman’s Wisdom,’ ‘From the Heart,’ ‘Different Yet the Same,’ and ‘Deeper than Words’ was born in England, grew up in Egypt and also in Norway where he discovered the “Zen Buddhist philosophy”.
This discovery eventually led him to the “Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, USA” where he learned the spiritual teachings of “Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.” He had curiosity to explore further the essence of spirituality and thus went to live and learn with shamanic communities around the globe including a period of time spent with some highly influential shamans in the Amazon River region and the Andes Mountains.
Now people from all over the world visit Tony Samara to take spiritual guidance and experience being in his presence.
His main countries of activity are in Europe yet with the assistance of the Internet is attracting a Global audience through frequent online interviews and live satsangs.
His function is as a Spiritual Teacher who encourages all to lead their lives actively in a noble way in order to realize the evolution of human consciousness.
Tony Samara is a mirror of what is possible, a shining reminder of the continuous possibility of being human.
The completely natural state of joy and wisdom experienced as the heart opens to life is the remarkable path he expounds. The path that is free for everyone to experience.
Verbal dialogue is not the essence of his teachings, but he explains in a direct and simple way that everyone can understand how each individual can practically integrate greater acceptance, peace and joy into their daily lives.
Tony teaches with humour, humility and with infinite patience, empowering the individual with courage, trust and inner strength to continue on this journey back into wholeness, a path that leads towards real freedom.
Like many spiritual teachers, Tony Samara is concerned with practical inner work and liberation. He teaches by personal example and instruction, guiding the seeker to realise bliss here and now, through growing spiritual awareness rather than mental effort.
Part of Tony's teachings remind us that food and eating are fundamental to our inner well being, as well as to our physical health. He explains in his many programmes that the body is our temple and that the food we eat helps us to create a strong foundation that allows inner work and transformation to take place. He also explains that food is not just a physical substance which nourishes the body but that it also contains spiritual and emotional energy. Hence the importance of being conscious and taking the time to be present when we are eating and to become more sensitive to what will nourish our body, our temple rather than eat only what we feel like eating.
Tony also encourages a balanced vegetarian diet which includes organic products that are full of life force.
When was the book released?
Second Edition (current) - January 2012 as a amazon Kindle eBook and April 2012 as paperback and eBook with Balboa Press
First Edition - 2009 by Findhorn Press
Give us an overview of your book.
“SHAMAN’S WISDOM” presents in a simple and practical way, universal shamanic knowledge that Tony Samara learned and experienced throughout his path to initiation. From the consumption of food to working with dreams, the four elements and the cardinal points, the presentation of some respiratory and physical exercises which support spiritual development, as well as many other topics, this book reminds us of positive ancestral wisdoms, more useful than ever in today’s world. Help yourself to change your life for the better.
What inspired you to write this book?
As I truly feel that knowledge and wisdom come from a deep space of knowing and experience I feel it is truly valuable for everyone to receive this knowledge in the form of this interesting book so as to be able to bring more harmony and happiness into their everyday lives. For me writting this book is a way of me being of service and a way to give rather than to always wanting. I feel it is an amazing gift and adds true value to ones life. By writting I hope to impart wisdom and knowledge that comes from the heart and that is deeper than words. A direct transmission of a totally natural experience connected to universal wisdom.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
This book is unique as it is written by a Spiritual Master who is still alive today.
In practice and philosophically this book clarifies the mysteries that have been asked throughout the ages in a simple yet profound way that engages the reader to betterment of the self thus helping the betterment of humanity.
At this time when there is so much information available to people that can sometimes create an information overload it is refreshing to find the simplicity and honesty that is portrayed in this book.
Initial feedback about the manuscript is that beyond being engaging it seems to touch the heart and answer many questions directly related to issues that we are all facing today.
Where can people buy your book?
At the moment only on the several amazon website and soon in many other places as Balboa Press is going to distribute the book and eBook worldwide.
http://www.amazon.com/Shamans-Wisdom-Connection-Universe-ebook/dp/B006XTFUZM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330772477&sr=1-1
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Yes, in the end of 2012/beginning of 2013.
‘From The Heart’ and ‘Deeper Than Words’ are two other books that I have written and which are available on all amazon websites:
'Deeper Than Words' - in all amazon websites:
UK | Germany | USA | France | Italy | Spain | Japan | Canada
'From The Heart' - in all amazon websites:
UK | Germany | USA | France | Italy | Spain | Japan | Canada
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
Make sure you know your audience and write not for fame or gain but rather to reach the right people who will truly enjoy your gift of writting.
If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited:
Shaman’s Wisdom’s first edition was published by Findhorn Press in 2009 plus many of my books have been published by major publishing houses in many different countries.
Findhorn Press opened the English markets in the USA and the UK for my work.
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
‘Shaman’s Wisdom’ eBook lauched in January 2012 reached #1 on amazon.de and amazon.fr under the category of Shamanism in the first week of its launch. It is currently in the top #100 books on amazon.com and amazon.co.uk under the category of Shamanism and Personal Transformation.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I have received an email from Allbooks Reviews offering their services. I thought to give it a try and applied to have a review created for ‘Shaman’s Wisdom’. I liked the review and the service very much and hence applied for reviews on two other books I have written: ‘From The Heart’ and ‘Deeper Than Words’.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
The cost was an interesting amount to create a book review with a company that I did not know anything about. I have now had three books reviewed by Allbooks and look forward to more.
Self published authors are always seeking for easy ways to market their books so perhaps having a step by step guide on how to market self published books would be a great idea.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.
If you would like to see your interview here, contact us at: allbooksreview1@aol.com.
www.allboooksreviewint.com
join us on Facebook and Twitter
_________________________________________
ARCHIVES
Allbooks Review March/April 2012 Newsletter
Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com
Allbooks Review 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 Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Our offices will be closed from March 16th thru to April 20th for revamping. Please hold all inquiries until after April 20th. Our email will be on hold and our website will be not be updated until after April 20th. Thank you for your patience.
FEATURE:
Seven Deadly Book PR, Publicity & Marketing Sins
by Media Strategist & NYC Publicist, Annie Jennings of the National NYC PR Firm Annie Jennings PR
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #1:
1. Old Outdated Website: The web is constantly changing. Outdated book sites are cluttered and confusing. It's ok. It easy to get an optimized new design that shows you intelligently. Don't let an old, boring site stand in the way of your book sales
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #2:
2. No Conversion Strategy: When a potential customer comes to your website what do you want them to do? Hire you? Buy the book? Become a member of your community? Is it clear how to accomplish this these goals? Don't worry; it's not totally your fault as many sites grew without a clear cut strategy.
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #3:
3. No Inbound Marketing: How do people find you? Being visible and relevant is important. It means being everywhere at all times. You will need a comprehensive strategy includes a strong online presence.
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #4:
4. No Search Engine Ranking On Keywords - When Google decides that you are the authority in your keyword category by returning your website as one of the top search engine result, that's when you have a competitive advantage.
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #5:
5. No Social Authority: To get a high powered social authority, you'll need to be established on Twitter and Facebook with a business/book page. Yes, the number of followers or likes matters. The more, the merrier. Just build consistently over time in a strategy to optimize your social authority.
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #6:
6. Authors Don't Know That Over 2.7 Million Print On Demand (Self Published) Books Were Published In 2010: If you are an author, you are one in 2.7 million. According to established industry stats, book publishing and print on demand publishing is at an all time high with the print on demand sector skyrocketing. In 2010, Bowker reports that over 2.7 million books published were non-traditional (includes print on demand), up from just 22,000 in 2006. This explosive growth in book publishing and author access via print on demand publishing has created a lot of competition
Book Publicity, Promotion & Marketing Sin #7:
7. No Media Assets: What's a media asset? It's YOU appearing on a major radio show or TV show as the guest or expert. It's YOU being the quoted expert in a major media news outlet or in a national magazine. Yes, credibility matters a lot. Creating a PR and publicity outreach strategy is key to your success.
TV Publicity Bookings, Get Booked On TV Talk Shows
Work with the famous NYC publicity agency, Annie Jennings PR. Here's how:
Find Out More: http://www.anniejenningspr.com/experts.htm
About publicity firm Annie Jennings PR:
Annie Jennings PR provides media booking services to book authors and experts and her client appear on media outlets across the USA.
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.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Carol Sue (CS) Shride, Lakewood, Colorado USA
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
Lucy Dakota: Adventures of a Modern Explorer Book 1-Rocky Mountain Beginnings.
Tell us about yourself:
I do it all! I am Award-winning author, speaker, educator, explorer, entrepreneur, mentor, and mom. I grew up in the western suburbs of Denver at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. For nearly thirty years as an outdoor educator, adventure guide, climber and business owner, I pursued two of my lifelong passions: travel and mountaineering. After selling my business as part of my divorce settlement, I returned to school and earned a masters degree in education. I found tremendous joy and satisfaction teaching in both public and private schools, where the inspiration to write the Lucy Dakota: Adventures of a Modern Explorer series was born during a creative writing class. I retired early from teaching to care for my father before his passing. Now, as a single mom raising a tween daughter, I write full time creating and contributing to books and articles for teenage girls and women. My personal mission is showing women and girls how to love themselves more fully and helping them follow their own dreams. In addition to the Lucy Dakota series, I have been published in several of the Gratitude Project books and in addition to mine and Lucy’s weekly blogs I have appeared in publications online and off including Investor’s Business Daily, Investors.com, Colorado Parent, BabyTalk magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, and CarolRoth.com.
When was the book released?:
October 15, 2011
Give us an overview of your book.
Lucy Dakota isn’t different from other teens – she is just like them. Lucy has many strengths, she just doesn’t realize them. She is smart and kind, organized and tenacious, trusting and a bit naive. At school, she tries desperately to fit in somewhere, anywhere. That leads her to make poor decisions, particularly around boys and friends. She joins various sports teams, she goes out with boys that have no respect for her and she is friends with a girl who bullies her. Then one day our heroine, Lucy Dakota, is invited to explore in the Colorado wilderness. She faces danger around every corner, and discovers her adventurous side. She starts believing in herself and her abilities and learns there is a lot she can do. Join Lucy as she comes to grips with who she is as a young woman and starts loving life and being alive.
In Rocky Mountain Beginnings our young heroine is reflecting back on her middle school and high school years, discovering how she became who she is today. Open the pages and join Lucy and her adventurous buddies as they:
•
Brave the icy elements in the high peaks on a winter mountaineering trip in the Rocky Mountains.
Brave the icy elements in the high peaks on a winter mountaineering trip in the Rocky Mountains.•Fight a huge maelstrom that threatens to pull her under the rapids of the Colorado River.
Fight a huge maelstrom that threatens to pull her under the rapids of the Colorado River. •Endure a 3-day test alone in the wilderness with no food.
Endure a 3-day test alone in the wilderness with no food.•Rappel off cliffs and plunge through treacherous storm-swollen creeks.
Rappel off cliffs and plunge through treacherous storm-swollen creeks.•Stay true to themselves in the face of peer pressure.
Stay true to themselves in the face of peer pressure.•Transform into brave, confident leaders.
Transform into brave, confident leaders.What inspired you to write this book?
As my daughter approaches her teen years I wanted to be able to share some of my life lessons, stories and adventures with her in a way that wasn’t lecturing or boring. My own experiences served as the platform and once Lucy got started, she developed a life of her own.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
I would say the main difference is that Lucy Dakota’s adventures are based on real experiences. I want Lucy to be a real role model, an example to girls and young women of what they can do with their lives if they get to know themselves and what they want.
Where can people buy your book?
Lucy Dakota: Rocky Mountain Beginnings is available online directly from the publisher at www.LucyDakota.com and through bookstores such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. The book is available in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats (Kindle, Nook, iBook, etc.). It is also available through the bookstore at BookMasters / Atlas Books.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Yes, I am working on Book 2 in the series, Journey to Nepal, and I expect a release of fall 2012.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
Get the best printing you can afford - don’t go cheap, and then work your buns off spreading the word.
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
My biggest success so far has been direct email marketing to everyone I know and one of the other authors on the interviews page stated, being approachable and following up.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found you through an online search for book reviewers. I am always looking for more exposure, so that is what I am hoping for in my relationship with Allbooks.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.
If you would like to see your interview here, contact us at: allbooksreview1@aol.com.
www.allboooksreviewint.com
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Allbooks Review January 2012 Newsletter
Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com
Shirley A. Roe’s, Dreams and Nightmares received a Bronze Award from Reader’s Choice. Shirley A. Roe has been interviewed see it here:
http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-shirley-roe-author-of-dreams
FEATURE: Do you write for an international audience? Ever wonder about spelling? At Prompt Proofing we offer spelling in Canadian English, American English or British English depending on the location of our clients, or our clients' target audience.
This month, we try to give a simplified guide to the main differences between Canadian, US and British spelling. That said, even each respective country's dictionary allows for variations!
Canadian/British
1. colour / neighbour/ flavour
2. recognize / organize
3. travelling / traveller
4. jewellery
5. practice (noun) / practise (verb)**
6. licence (noun) / license (verb)**
7. defence / offence
8. theatre / centre / metre
9. programme ***
10. catalogue
11. tire (on car or bike) UK tyre
American
1. color / neighbor / flavor
2. recognize / organize
3. traveling / traveler
4. jewelry
5. practice (noun) / practice (verb)
6. license (noun / license (verb)
7. defense / offense
8. theater / center / meter
9. program
10. catalog ****
11. tire
The asterisks explained:
Sorry, but it's not always cut and dried - for explanations of asterisked spellings please see below:
* recognise / organise etc. This is the accepted norm in British spelling, also extending to nouns: organisation, civilisation, etc. However, interestingly the Oxford English Dictionary offers only the ize spelling, no alternative. Despite this, British media and most British educational institutions still use ise and the vast majority of British people will consider ize to be incorrect or an 'Americanism'. Go figure!
**Canadians (being the accommodating people they are well known to be) also accept the ce spelling for the verb form of these words (as an alternative)
*** programme is spelled with the mme ending in both Canadian and British English when it refers to a theatre or concert programme. However, when referring to a computer program, American spelling is always used.
**** catalog is widely used in American English; however, catalogue is also used and both are acceptable!
Prompt Proofing is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and was officially launched in 2010 by a team of editing and writing professionals who have over 40 years of experience in the education, news media, public relations and recruitment fields.
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.
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country)
Stella Vance, Ecuador
Tell us the title and publisher of your book:
Dancing with Duality: Confessions of a Free Spirit
Tell us about yourself:
Stella Vance is the author of Dancing with Duality: Confessions of a Free Spirit, a memoir dealing with a woman who faced eating disorders, divorce, betrayal, physical abuse, abortion, date rape, and more--but found that life is just a game and was able to move on, forgive, and celebrate life with its ups and downs.
When was the book released?:
Sept, 2011
Give us an overview of your book.
Dancing with Duality: Confessions of a Free Spirit
Betrayed at the age of 21 by the first love of her life, Stella Vance embarks on a life of fearless adventure. She travels the world, adding notches to her lipstick case with lovers from all over the world, and surviving harrowing experiences, including abuse, addiction, abortion, date rape, and cult involvement. Along the way, Stella undergoes a spiritual transformation. Once awakened to the reality of nonduality, she gradually realizes that life is just a game, that death is just another dimension, and that nothing “out there” can really hurt her.
This inspiring page-turning memoir begins in the 1970s, with Stella as a Christian zealot. Subsequently questioning all religious dogma, Stella’s mystical quests leads her to delve deeply into the realms of dreams, psychic readings, astrology, tantric yoga, reincarnation and her own past lives, the entheogen ketamine, Indian holy men and women, revolving-door relationships, the seeker culture of southern California, and finally, the ultimate path of Advaita Vedanta. At the same time, she deals with anorexia and bulimia, addictions to cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol, unwanted pregnancies, teaching in public schools, the death of several loved ones, foreclosure, and emigrating to South America.
The life of Stella Vance embodies all the adventure, drama, romance, humor, and philosophy of a free spirit set loose in the ’70s and finding its way into the new millennium. Reading Dancing with Duality provides evidence that life is meant to provide entertainment, as well as to teach us how to be grateful, forgive, and heal from all its vagaries.
In the end, Stella’s free spirit journey takes her on the path to the ultimate freedom: freedom from the mind with all its fears, judgments, limiting beliefs, and worries.
What inspired you to write this book?
My mother always said I had an interesting life and should write my memoirs. When I read Eat, Pray, Love, I got inspired to do this. I like how she weaved in nonfiction and reflective essays, and I did the same to educate (not just entertain) the reader.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
It’s my unique story which involves the confusion and excitement of being in the first generation of “sexually liberated” women, and the pain involved in making tough decisions. It also entails my spiritual quest and how I had to leave the traditional Christian dogma to go deeper spiritually. It entails world travels to Latin America, Europe and Asia, and dating men from all over the globe. It includes my experience with many women’s issues, such as abortion, date rape, sexual harassment, being in a physically abusive relationship, eating disorders, and more. Yet the tone is upbeat because I survive and thrive at the end, realizing that life is just a game, and I am able to forgive everyone—including the hardest to forgive, which is myself.
Where can people buy your book?
It can be purchased on amazon or ordered at stores, requesting
ISBN-10: 1466326654 or ISBN-13: 978-1466326651
Check it out on amazon.com here, with its Look Inside feature:
http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Duality-Confessions-Free-Spirit/dp/1466326654/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318264347&sr=1-1
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
At this point I am focused only on marketing.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
There has never in history been a better time to self publish! Sure, it is more prestigious to get a big name publisher backing your book. But that’s like winning the lottery, especially in today’s economy. The stigma of self-publishing is beginning to fade! Self-publishing is inexpensive with print-on-demand. And either way, you will have to do the marketing—so why not earn 30 to 70% of the profits instead of just a dollar a book? You will need to spend a few thousand dollars on getting the book edited, formatted, uploaded, as well as having a professional cover. But you will keep the copyright and the lion’s share of the profits. It is CRUCIAL, however, to get rid of the amateur look and have the book edited by a pro, and get a professionally done cover. People DO judge a book by its cover.
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us?
The first step is to get reviews, since most people will not buy a book that doesn’t have good reviews. Also no one wants to review an old book, so this needs to be done first. In two months I got 33 5-star reviews by spending three hours a day emailing sites and top amazon reviewers, offering a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I plugged into google “book reviewers” and also used various other search engines. I am always thrilled to get a positive response. I find I may get only one or two per day after spending hours. It’s a numbers game.
Thank you for this interview.
If you would like to see your interview here, contact us at: allbooksreview1@aol.com.
www.allboooksreviewint.com
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Allbooks Review December 2011 Newsletter
Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com
THE BEST OF THE SEASON TO EVERYONE
Check out our ongoing blog Allbooks VS Amazon
www.allbooksreviewint.com
Writing Great Blurbs by Mayra Calvani
A great blurb can make the difference between a customer taking out his/her wallet to buy your book or putting the book back on the shelf. Great blurbs sell books.
But what is a blurb, exactly?
A blurb is the copy on the back cover of your book. After the cover, the blurb is the first thing a customer will check when considering to buy a book. It should hook, intrigue and grab the reader right away.
“Book blurbs are eye candy to the consumer,” says publicist Penny Sansevieri, founder of Author Marketing Experts.
Not only to customers. A great blurb can help you find a publisher or an agent, too.
A few years ago, I sent dozens of query letters in my search for an agent. As you probably know, most query letters are composed of a blurb of the book (the hook), some info about the book (genre, word count, etc), and a short author bio or list of qualifications. The agents who responded said “No, thanks.” I’m not surprised. The blurb was as flat as a French crepe. One of these agents wrote to say she wasn’t particularly excited about my book, but asked if I had something else to show her. By this time I had improved my blurb and had a completely new version. I mentioned this to her and asked her to consider my edited blurb, which she did. Her response was “Well, I have to admit this is a pretty convincing blurb.” She requested the first three chapters. To make a long story short, she took me in based on the strength of those three chapters. In this case, my blurb was the key factor in getting the agent’s attention.
This is the blurb I first included in my query letter:
Can a good man be persuaded into committing murder and still retain his goodness?
Lullaby is about the restless soul of an aborted infant who, in order to become powerful enough to be reborn, must tempt humans into committing evil acts. Having temporarily acquired the form of a beautiful woman, this being plays mind games with the protagonist, bringing back memories of his tragic childhood. As deeply buried feelings of hate and revenge spring to the surface, the protagonist must struggle with his conscience to do the right thing. But will he, when his own ideas about justice and the higher good tell him it is right to kill?
Now compare it to the second one which got the agent’s attention:
At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated out of his senses by her physical perfection as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. After a while, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her—her skin’s abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.
The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister’s baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.
But nothing, not even the stunning beauty of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…
Here are some guidelines to help you create great blurbs:
*Keep it short (100-250 words). The aim is to convey what makes the book unique in a small amount of space.
*In it set the mood, the scene, and the conflict or enigma.
*It should have mounting tension. The beginning should have a “hint” of the conflict or threat, yet remain pretty innocuous (look at my blurb number two: boy meets girl in a tavern). By the end of the blurb, the conflict or threat should be imminent (protagonist must save his sister’s unborn child and his own soul).
*Think of the best angle to approach your story. Both of my blurbs describe what happens in my novel, yet the second one sounds much more exciting.
*As with a good book review, never put “spoilers” in the blurb. You can do this in a book summary or synopsis, but never in a blurb. (Look again at my blurb number one. In it I make the big mistake of revealing the nature of my “evil” female protagonist—she is the soul of an aborted infant. In blurb number two, you suspect there’s something wrong with her, but you don’t know what. You’re left wondering).
*Think about what makes your book different.
*Question marks can be used to leave the reader intrigued.
*Often ellipsis are used at the end to leave reader asking questions.
*Keep adverbs and adjectives to a minimum and use action verbs.
*Needless to say, make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
*If your book is non-fiction, does it have special features like pictures or diagrams? What is the aim of the book? What are you trying to accomplish? Does it teach anything? How is this book different from others in the field?
*Remember that blurbs are not summaries! Don’t tell the whole story—only the exciting part of it so that the reader will want to know more.
*Don’t exaggerate or sugar coat it. Be professional.
*Study the blurbs from your book shelves, paying special attention to their style, language, and content.
*Write and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Then show it to people who can offer honest feedback.
One last tip:
Do you know that powerful, dramatic voice that you hear in the cinemas during movie trailers? That alluring voice, often exaggerated, that describes the movies? Well, read your own blurb with this voice in your mind, matching its tone and pitch. You’ll be surprised to find out how much that helps!
About the author:
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. A reviewer for over a decade, she now offers online reviewing workshops. She also offers workshops on the art of children’s picture book writing. When she’s not writing, reading, editing or reviewing, she enjoys walking her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com, join her mailing list, and automatically receive the free ebook, Reviewers Talk about Their Craft and the first lesson from her Slippery Art of Book Reviewing Workshop.
To receive two free lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow, a Fiction Picture Book Workshop, visit www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com.
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.
Shirley A. Roe has been interviewed see it here:
http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-shirley-roe-author-of-dreams
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW:
Please state your name and location. Zach Fortier, Colorado, USA (city and State or Province, Country)
Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Curbchek. Self Published
Tell us about yourself: I have been a cop for 28 years. Started in the military at 18. Pretty much been doing it ever since. I have toyed with the idea of writing a couple of books about those years for some time. Finally sat down and did it
When was the book released?: The Kindle version was released Aug 20th, 2011. The paperback was released Aug 30th, 2011
Give us an overview of your book. Curbchek is a compilation of short stories, each a complete story in itself. Some having ties to other stories but written much like they would happen on the street. The chaos of the types of calls and the emotions they put you through are similar to what any extended period of time in a patrol car would be like
What inspired you to write this book? Dumb really, my wife watches crime dramas a lot. I can always tell what is going to happen in the first 2-3 minutes. She asked me about my stories and when I tell her she is always amazed and says you should write a book!
How is your book different from other books in this genre? My book is different in a few ways. There is no Femme Fatale; there is no nudity on the cover, and no sexual scenes in the story that are not as they happened on the street. It is what the reader would experience riding along in a cop car in any city in the US.
Where can people buy your book? The Book is available on Amazon.com and at the web site: www.curbchek.com
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I have been working on another book called StreetCreds. It will take the reader inside the realities of gang life. From peewees to Older gang bangers. As seen for the cops point of view. The reality of the life style, and the toll it takes on them and it took on me being assigned to investigate their cases.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? I did self publish. No Agent or publisher has ever walked in my shoes and to have them try to remake my book into something more streamlined and marketable was not what I wanted. I received a lot of feedback all wanting me to go different directions. I did not want to lose the reality of what I had written for some desk weenies idea of what cops are and do. So my advice is follow your gut. The book is yours, run with it. The success or failure will be yours as well
Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have been surprised by the reaction of the people that were on the street at the time I was. Not as cops but living there, seeing these cases unfold, living in the neighborhoods I worked in. They have been very positive towards the book and me as well. As a cop you are very much a part of their lives. How you treated them determined your success on the street and in court. They are surprisingly friendly and open to the book.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found Allbooks on the web looking for someone to review the book besides readers. I wanted an honest review.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? I don’t know what more you could offer. The successful selling of any book is such a fluke. Right time right place seems to be way more important than any advertising campaign. Word of mouth seems to have the biggest impact on my sales so I would guess the more exposure you could provide the more valuable your service would become to authors.
Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. Thank you and I hope to continue with your service for Streetcreds. Coming out soon!
Contact us to see your interview here, remember Allbooks Review International is your one stop source for review/promo for less than $50. www.allbooksreviewint.com
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Copyright Shirley A. Roe 2011
