Deb Simpson's Blog, page 24
September 13, 2011
Is PRINT dead?
Bowker, the global leader in bibliographic information, released its annual report on U.S. print book publishing, compiled from its Books In Print® database. Based on preliminary figures from U.S. publishers, Bowker is projecting that despite the popularity of e-books, traditional U.S. print title output in 2010 increased 5%. Output of new titles and editions increased from 302,410 in 2009 to a projected 316,480 in 2010. The 5% increase comes on the heels of a 4% increase the previous year based on the final 2008-2009 figures.The non-traditional sector continues its explosive growth, increasing 169% from 1,033,065 in 2009 to an amazing 2,776,260 in 2010. These books, marketed almost exclusively on the web, are largely on-demand titles produced by reprint houses specializing in public domain works and by presses catering to self-publishers and "micro-niche" publications."These publication figures from both traditional and non-traditional publishers confirm that print production is alive and well, and can still be supported in this highly dynamic marketplace," said Kelly Gallagher, vice president of publishing services for Bowker. "Especially on the non-traditional side, we're seeing the reprint business' internet-driven business model expand dramatically. It will be interesting to see in the coming years how well it succeeds in the long-term."Click here to read the full Bowker article 
September 11, 2011
September 10, 2011
Music City Writers! A local writers workshop!
Warrior Writer Workshop
Warrior-Writer is a one-of-a-kind Workshop focusing on you, the author. In the Warrior-Writer Workshop, Bob applies the battle-tested strategies of the Green Berets to the world of being a New York Times Best-Selling author. He's taught thousands of writers over the years, but this new and innovative program probes deeper than words on the page. It is designed to teach you, the writer, how to think, plan, and become the future best sellers in the new age of publishing. The benefits you'll gain from this workshop will extend far beyond your writing and reach into all areas of your life making dreams a reality. During the workshop, you will:Develop an overall strategy for change and success. Specific tactics you can apply immediately.
Clearly define your writing goals and help you understand why you want to achieve them.
Examine your surroundings and discover those assets that will aid you in achieving desired goals.
Identify potential threats and help guide you around those barriers.
Locate your blind spot, the part of your character that hinders you from being as creative as you can be.
Discover what you fear and how that fear could be sabotaging you from turning your dreams into realities.
Overcome procrastination.
Finish what you start.
Be consistent in your work.
Set boundaries for work space and time.
Achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Registration Fees: (includes lunch, afternoon snack, and drinks throughout the day) Early registration (by 9/23/2011):$45 – MCRW members
$55 – Non-members
Late registration (by 10/7/2011):
$55 – MCRW members
$65 – Non-members
Warrior-Writer is a one-of-a-kind Workshop focusing on you, the author. In the Warrior-Writer Workshop, Bob applies the battle-tested strategies of the Green Berets to the world of being a New York Times Best-Selling author. He's taught thousands of writers over the years, but this new and innovative program probes deeper than words on the page. It is designed to teach you, the writer, how to think, plan, and become the future best sellers in the new age of publishing. The benefits you'll gain from this workshop will extend far beyond your writing and reach into all areas of your life making dreams a reality. During the workshop, you will:Develop an overall strategy for change and success. Specific tactics you can apply immediately.
Clearly define your writing goals and help you understand why you want to achieve them.
Examine your surroundings and discover those assets that will aid you in achieving desired goals.
Identify potential threats and help guide you around those barriers.
Locate your blind spot, the part of your character that hinders you from being as creative as you can be.
Discover what you fear and how that fear could be sabotaging you from turning your dreams into realities.
Overcome procrastination.
Finish what you start.
Be consistent in your work.
Set boundaries for work space and time.
Achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Registration Fees: (includes lunch, afternoon snack, and drinks throughout the day) Early registration (by 9/23/2011):$45 – MCRW members
$55 – Non-members
Late registration (by 10/7/2011):
$55 – MCRW members$65 – Non-members
September 9, 2011
September 7, 2011
8 tips for book cover design
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/06/top-8-cover-design-tips-for-self-publishers/
We've all seen them. The train wrecks. The art class projects. The cringe-inducing artwork. It's the world of do-it-yourself book cover design.Somewhere between the quirky "cover design generators" on author-service company websites, and the All-American view that everyone should get a ribbon because, after all, they participated, the cover design is suffering at the hands of self-publishers.And no, I'm not saying that self-published books aren't getting better—there are a lot of great-looking indie books out there. But I am saying that you don't have to go far to find the ones that went wrong.Book cover design, at its height, is an amazing commercial art. The best book designers continue to amaze and surprise us with their graphic design prowess.But anyone who can write and publish a book ought to be able to avoid at least the worst mistakes in cover design.
So, here without further ado, are myTop 8 Cover Design Tips for Self-PublishersEstablish a principal focus for the cover—Nothing is more important. Your book is about something, and the cover ought to reflect that one idea clearly.One element that takes control, that commands the overwhelming majority of attention, of space, of emphasis on the cover. Don't fall into the trap of loading up your cover with too many elements, 3 or 4 photos, illustrations, maps, "floating" ticket stubs.You could think of your book cover like a billboard, trying to catch the attention of browsers as they speed by. Billboards usually have 6 words or less. You have to "get it" at 60 miles per hour, in 3 to 5 seconds.A book cover ought to do the same thing. At a glance your prospect ought to know;the genre of your book,
the general subject matter or focus, and
some idea of the tone or "ambiance" of the book.
Is it a thriller? A software manual? A memoir of your time in Fiji? Your ideas on reform of the monetary system? Each of these books needs a cover that tells at a glance what the book is about.
Make everything count—If you are going to introduce a graphic element, make sure it helps you communicate with the reader.
Use the background—Avoid white backgrounds, which will disappear on retailer's white screens. Use a color, a texture, or a background illustration instead.
Make your title large—Reduce your cover design on screen to the size of a thumbnail on Amazon and see if you can read it. Can you make out what it's about? If not, simplify.
Use a font that's easy to read—See above. There's no sense using a font that's unreadable when it's radically reduced. Particularly watch out for script typefaces, the kind that look lacy and elegant at full size. They often disappear when small.
Find images that clarify—Try not to be too literal. Look for something that expresses the mood, historical period, or overall tone of the book; provide a context.
Stay with a few colors—If you don't feel comfortable picking colors, look at some of the color palettes available online to get a selection of colors that will work well together.
Look at lots of great book covers—You may not be able to mimic all their techniques, but the best book covers are tremendous sources of inspiration and fresh ideas.
ResourcesYou can always send your book over to the Self-Published Book Designgroup at Self-Publishing Review. Get a Design Review of your book, inside and out.
There is lots of stock photography online to explore, and ways to find images you can use for free
Sites with color palettes can be helpful and just plain fun. Make up your own color palettes too.
Takeaway: Taking a little care with a book cover you're designing yourself can produce big results. Look at lots of book covers for inspiration.
We've all seen them. The train wrecks. The art class projects. The cringe-inducing artwork. It's the world of do-it-yourself book cover design.Somewhere between the quirky "cover design generators" on author-service company websites, and the All-American view that everyone should get a ribbon because, after all, they participated, the cover design is suffering at the hands of self-publishers.And no, I'm not saying that self-published books aren't getting better—there are a lot of great-looking indie books out there. But I am saying that you don't have to go far to find the ones that went wrong.Book cover design, at its height, is an amazing commercial art. The best book designers continue to amaze and surprise us with their graphic design prowess.But anyone who can write and publish a book ought to be able to avoid at least the worst mistakes in cover design.
So, here without further ado, are myTop 8 Cover Design Tips for Self-PublishersEstablish a principal focus for the cover—Nothing is more important. Your book is about something, and the cover ought to reflect that one idea clearly.One element that takes control, that commands the overwhelming majority of attention, of space, of emphasis on the cover. Don't fall into the trap of loading up your cover with too many elements, 3 or 4 photos, illustrations, maps, "floating" ticket stubs.You could think of your book cover like a billboard, trying to catch the attention of browsers as they speed by. Billboards usually have 6 words or less. You have to "get it" at 60 miles per hour, in 3 to 5 seconds.A book cover ought to do the same thing. At a glance your prospect ought to know;the genre of your book,
the general subject matter or focus, and
some idea of the tone or "ambiance" of the book.
Is it a thriller? A software manual? A memoir of your time in Fiji? Your ideas on reform of the monetary system? Each of these books needs a cover that tells at a glance what the book is about.
Make everything count—If you are going to introduce a graphic element, make sure it helps you communicate with the reader.
Use the background—Avoid white backgrounds, which will disappear on retailer's white screens. Use a color, a texture, or a background illustration instead.
Make your title large—Reduce your cover design on screen to the size of a thumbnail on Amazon and see if you can read it. Can you make out what it's about? If not, simplify.
Use a font that's easy to read—See above. There's no sense using a font that's unreadable when it's radically reduced. Particularly watch out for script typefaces, the kind that look lacy and elegant at full size. They often disappear when small.
Find images that clarify—Try not to be too literal. Look for something that expresses the mood, historical period, or overall tone of the book; provide a context.
Stay with a few colors—If you don't feel comfortable picking colors, look at some of the color palettes available online to get a selection of colors that will work well together.
Look at lots of great book covers—You may not be able to mimic all their techniques, but the best book covers are tremendous sources of inspiration and fresh ideas.
ResourcesYou can always send your book over to the Self-Published Book Designgroup at Self-Publishing Review. Get a Design Review of your book, inside and out.
There is lots of stock photography online to explore, and ways to find images you can use for free
Sites with color palettes can be helpful and just plain fun. Make up your own color palettes too.
Takeaway: Taking a little care with a book cover you're designing yourself can produce big results. Look at lots of book covers for inspiration.
3 ?? to ask about your book covers
http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?articles=727113&guid=9ef104e3-c1e4-11e0-842a-003005ce8903
Book cover design is an art! The art of catching attention, enticing the viewer to pick up your book, buy it and ultimately read it! Taking the time and learning about this art can add to the impact your book will have whether you plan to go the self publishing route or are picked up by a major publisher. All of this equates out into perceived value and the know, like and trust factor your cover creates for its market banding.
Good book cover design helps sell books! This is why we go to such lengths to have them professionally designed. I've been asked many times my professional opinion on if I thought a book cover was good or bad... to which I respond, they are different. That good or bad is subjective to the viewer. However, there are elements, when used or not used, that can be considered good or bad.
Here are 3 Questions to ask yourself when considering what constitutes an artful book cover design?
1. What is its eye appeal? Selecting the appropriate color, typeface and image for your audience will increase pick-up value.
2. Who is your audience? By knowing what your audience likes, where their attention goes, you are able to write a title and sub-title that will fit their listening.
3. Does your subject have 'come-back-power'? An added value to your readers is if they can continue to learn from you over time.
So in the process of creating an artful book cover design, a professional book cover designer uses every bit of knowledge they can so that the cover has immediate appeal to the viewer. There are so many books out there today where the value of being transparent and available over time is considered a plus. More information on book design.
Remember, do something every day toward your book, web-presence, product, service and promotion.
Karrie Ross, Book Designer, Branding, Web-Presence, Coaching, Consulting Services
Book cover design is an art! The art of catching attention, enticing the viewer to pick up your book, buy it and ultimately read it! Taking the time and learning about this art can add to the impact your book will have whether you plan to go the self publishing route or are picked up by a major publisher. All of this equates out into perceived value and the know, like and trust factor your cover creates for its market banding.
Good book cover design helps sell books! This is why we go to such lengths to have them professionally designed. I've been asked many times my professional opinion on if I thought a book cover was good or bad... to which I respond, they are different. That good or bad is subjective to the viewer. However, there are elements, when used or not used, that can be considered good or bad.
Here are 3 Questions to ask yourself when considering what constitutes an artful book cover design?
1. What is its eye appeal? Selecting the appropriate color, typeface and image for your audience will increase pick-up value.
2. Who is your audience? By knowing what your audience likes, where their attention goes, you are able to write a title and sub-title that will fit their listening.
3. Does your subject have 'come-back-power'? An added value to your readers is if they can continue to learn from you over time.
So in the process of creating an artful book cover design, a professional book cover designer uses every bit of knowledge they can so that the cover has immediate appeal to the viewer. There are so many books out there today where the value of being transparent and available over time is considered a plus. More information on book design.
Remember, do something every day toward your book, web-presence, product, service and promotion.
Karrie Ross, Book Designer, Branding, Web-Presence, Coaching, Consulting Services
September 6, 2011
September 1, 2011
New Yorker Vs Church of Scientology !
New Yorker dismisses attack from Church of Scientology…By
Joe Pompeo | The Cutline
The Church of Scientology has been known to go to great lengths to retaliate against members of the press who produce skeptical reports about its operations. Case in point: last summer, when the church produced an entire magazine devoted to blasting Anderson Cooper, and then handed the rag out in front of CNN headquarters.The church's latest target is the New Yorker, which published a 25,000-word profile by Lawrence Wright of celebrity Scientology defector Paul Haggis back in February. The piece depicted alleged widespread corruption and otherwise bizarre behavior within the institutional hierarchy of the screenwriter's former religion.Six months later, Scientologists are now milling about outside the Conde Nast building distributing a 51-page parody issue of their in-house magazine, Freedom, called "The New Yorker: What a Load of Balderdash" as well as a three-part DVD series attacking the venerable weekly.The New York Times reports: "The church goes to surprising lengths in attempting to discredit The New Yorker and its staff, naming editors, fact-checkers and others who worked on the Scientology article by name . . . . The church mocks The New Yorker as no better than a supermarket tabloid and even created a fake New Yorker cover with the headline 'Remnick Denies Alien Baby Claim,' a dig at the magazine's editor, David Remnick."Gawker's Hamilton Nolan characterized the lavish character assault thusly: "Here they are, six months later, to get their revenge … The level of work, at least, that went into producing this outraged magazine spoof is impressive. The fact that Scientology's method of choice for refuting a critical story is to criticize as unstable liars sources who were once top Scientology insiders is less impressive."A spokeswoman for the New Yorker told The Cutline: "We're confident in Lawrence Wright's reporting and our fact-checking process. And we stand by the story we published."
Indeed, it would seem highly unlikely that any inaccuracies or mischaracterizations would have eluded the New Yorker's notoriously rigid fact-checking process. As NPR reported when the piece came out, the magazine assigned five fact-checkers to the article, who submitted a whopping 971 queries to the Church ahead of publication. Wright, the research team and New Yorker editor David Remnick likewise met with Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis and four of his attorneys in an eight-hour session before press time.You can check scans of the anti-New Yorker pub over at Animal NY.posting about Church of Scientology retaliating against The NEw Yorker!
The Church of Scientology has been known to go to great lengths to retaliate against members of the press who produce skeptical reports about its operations. Case in point: last summer, when the church produced an entire magazine devoted to blasting Anderson Cooper, and then handed the rag out in front of CNN headquarters.The church's latest target is the New Yorker, which published a 25,000-word profile by Lawrence Wright of celebrity Scientology defector Paul Haggis back in February. The piece depicted alleged widespread corruption and otherwise bizarre behavior within the institutional hierarchy of the screenwriter's former religion.Six months later, Scientologists are now milling about outside the Conde Nast building distributing a 51-page parody issue of their in-house magazine, Freedom, called "The New Yorker: What a Load of Balderdash" as well as a three-part DVD series attacking the venerable weekly.The New York Times reports: "The church goes to surprising lengths in attempting to discredit The New Yorker and its staff, naming editors, fact-checkers and others who worked on the Scientology article by name . . . . The church mocks The New Yorker as no better than a supermarket tabloid and even created a fake New Yorker cover with the headline 'Remnick Denies Alien Baby Claim,' a dig at the magazine's editor, David Remnick."Gawker's Hamilton Nolan characterized the lavish character assault thusly: "Here they are, six months later, to get their revenge … The level of work, at least, that went into producing this outraged magazine spoof is impressive. The fact that Scientology's method of choice for refuting a critical story is to criticize as unstable liars sources who were once top Scientology insiders is less impressive."A spokeswoman for the New Yorker told The Cutline: "We're confident in Lawrence Wright's reporting and our fact-checking process. And we stand by the story we published."Indeed, it would seem highly unlikely that any inaccuracies or mischaracterizations would have eluded the New Yorker's notoriously rigid fact-checking process. As NPR reported when the piece came out, the magazine assigned five fact-checkers to the article, who submitted a whopping 971 queries to the Church ahead of publication. Wright, the research team and New Yorker editor David Remnick likewise met with Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis and four of his attorneys in an eight-hour session before press time.You can check scans of the anti-New Yorker pub over at Animal NY.posting about Church of Scientology retaliating against The NEw Yorker!
August 30, 2011
Call for Submissions -Breakfast Topics! .
Yes, it's a picture of the most controversial cup of coffee that has ever graced the pages of WoW Insider again, so you know what that means. We're looking to you, dear readers, to help fill the WoW Insider Breakfast Topic cup with hot, fresh topics! What's on your mind (and what do you think is on other players' minds) when it comes to the World of Warcraft? Write it up as Breakfast Topic and submit your article for a chance to be published right here on WoW Insider.
We're looking for Breakfast Topics in our usual conversational style, asking the community for their thoughts on a WoW-related topic. Submissions should be between 200 and 300 words. (Watch that top end! Exceeding it substantially could get your submission thrown out, no matter how good it is. Brevity is your friend.) We're looking for strong writing in combination with topics that will spark an interesting conversation. Only the best submissions will be accepted. Multiple submissions from one author are allowed.
WoW Insider does not accept articles submitted under player names or pen names; please use your full, real name and an actual email address. Please include your email address again at the bottom of your submission; the email address will not be published, but it makes it easier for the WoW Insider staff to contact you if there is a need for it. Artwork is not mandatory, but any you choose to include must be your own work or via Creative Commons.
Currently, the Seed program only accepts submissions from individuals living in the United States, and we are not accepting submissions outside of the Seed service.
To submit an article, read up about our guest post program, then sign up for Seed. WoW Insider articles are not listed among Seed's open category listings; click here to view the assignment and submit your article. (You may be unable to see it unless you have a Seed account.) We'll accept Breakfast Topic submissions for this call-out until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thurs., Sept. 22. If you have additional questions about this assignment, drop us a line at .
Have you ever wanted to write for WoW Insider? Your chance may be right around the corner. Watch for our next call for submissions, and be sure to sign up for Seed, the AOL guest writer program that brings your words to WoW Insider. The next byline you see here may be yours! WoW Insider Show
submissions
We're looking for Breakfast Topics in our usual conversational style, asking the community for their thoughts on a WoW-related topic. Submissions should be between 200 and 300 words. (Watch that top end! Exceeding it substantially could get your submission thrown out, no matter how good it is. Brevity is your friend.) We're looking for strong writing in combination with topics that will spark an interesting conversation. Only the best submissions will be accepted. Multiple submissions from one author are allowed.
WoW Insider does not accept articles submitted under player names or pen names; please use your full, real name and an actual email address. Please include your email address again at the bottom of your submission; the email address will not be published, but it makes it easier for the WoW Insider staff to contact you if there is a need for it. Artwork is not mandatory, but any you choose to include must be your own work or via Creative Commons.
Currently, the Seed program only accepts submissions from individuals living in the United States, and we are not accepting submissions outside of the Seed service.
To submit an article, read up about our guest post program, then sign up for Seed. WoW Insider articles are not listed among Seed's open category listings; click here to view the assignment and submit your article. (You may be unable to see it unless you have a Seed account.) We'll accept Breakfast Topic submissions for this call-out until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thurs., Sept. 22. If you have additional questions about this assignment, drop us a line at .
Have you ever wanted to write for WoW Insider? Your chance may be right around the corner. Watch for our next call for submissions, and be sure to sign up for Seed, the AOL guest writer program that brings your words to WoW Insider. The next byline you see here may be yours! WoW Insider Show submissions
August 29, 2011
Goodreads Book Giveaway for Pink Place was well received.....more than 780 people requested it! .
Pink Place: A lyrical journey...
780 people requested it
status: approved
ends: August 24, 2011 12:00AM
780 people requested itstatus: approved
ends: August 24, 2011 12:00AM
