“My first foray into writing was in college in the school newspaper when I had a grudge about the disgusting food quality.  The article was pretty funny but scathing so they wouldn’t let me sign it.

My next work was an article in the American Art Review in May 1978, about Martha Walter, an American impressionist artist, whose estate we represented.

In 1981 I authored, “Collecting & Care of Fine Art” published by Crown in New York. It revealed the truths about the art market and separated them from the hype which was so widespread. It was a factual expose for which I received significant flack from many colleagues, but someone had to tell the truth and protect the collectors.

My latest book, “Bader Field” has just been released by Nightengale Press. It is a heart tugging memoir about my father, Samuel David, the legendary art dealer whose life was taken way too early, and how my brother and I had to step into the front lines of the third generation family business to live out his dream, all the while trying to survive emotionally after the devastating loss of our brother only eight years earlier.  The book is a journey of love, forgiveness and acceptance which begins at Bader Field (in Atlantic City), the oldest airfield in the country, the last place I saw my father.

It is my hope that “Bader Field” will help those who have had less than ideal fathers growing up to break the chain of negative influence and become much better fathers themselves when it is their turn to assume the role.

An even greater aspiration for me is that this book reach deep into the mind of anyone who is contemplating taking their life and show them that they are not alone, that there is always another answer, another way, no matter what.  Those so desperate need to know that they don’t just destroy themselves, but everyone around them as well; their family, friends and acquaintances. I pray that my perilous journey through those darkest days will bring light and hope to anyone on that final path, and draw them back.

Birth Place: Philadelphia, PA USA

Accomplishments: Reader Views Award 2008/2009 for ‘Bader Field’”

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The Larger Reason For Writing “Bader Field”:

“Bader Field” my latest book was a seedling back in the middle 1960′s, although I had no idea of its inception yet. Life in our family had been idyllic until we suffered an unspeakable family tragedy which changed all of our lives forever in one vile gesture.

It was only decades later that I was focused enough to put “Bader Field together, although randomly at first as it started mainly as homage to my father so my children would know the greatness of the man who had passed away far too soon.

As the story unfolded, it expanded dramatically and encompassed a far broader perspective to include the horrific loss of my brother.  The darkest days of my life needed to be revealed and relived in order to accurately show our family dynamic and how we survived.

It became my hope that the story would give hope, light and love to anyone at that edge of desperation and bring them back from the brink of extinction to the many avenues of help that are available and to show those pained souls that such a final act doesn’t just take their life, but in large measure, those of their loved ones, friends and acquaintances as well.

So my dream was to turn an era of horror into a positive by paying it forward with the aim of saving lives, as many as possible.  And for that reason alone, this is a book that must be read and read widely for it crosses all borders and is blind to indifference and bias.

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The Far Reaching Effects Of This Book:

“Bader Field” my latest book has been causing an emotional reaction across all lines.  Those who have read it all have the same “Wow” response.  Stunned, brought to tears and given a glimpse into a whole new realm to which they are drawn inexplicably as the pages turn.

Episodes of art dealing, flying twin engined airplanes and a family’s survival are a consistent theme throughout the story. The David family comes to life from the first page and grows more familiar as their depiction is vividly animated. You will know them quite well, as if in life you had and they will tug at your heart with compassion, love and warmth with a sense of realism you will actually feel.

Family members, friend and strangers alike have been riveted to “Bader Field.” Once started they cannot put it down, except to clear their heads and take a break from it’s overwhelming strength and hypnotic pull.   “I can see the movie” the refrains echo.  “I feel like I knew your family,” they acknowledge.  “How did you do it?” they puzzle and shake their heads.

Yes, a dream has been born with the release of this book and its path will soar.  “Bader Field” is one of those phenomena that will take on a life of its own like the kite caught in an updraft pulling skyward with no visible limitation.  Once launched, there was no turning back and I am so proud that the world is now able to read it and covet the story within its embrace.

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Featuring: Bader Field by Carl David

Carl David is the third generation of a four-generation family art business in Philadelphia which was founded by his Grandfather, David, David, circa 1910. The business was later expanded by Samuel David, his son, to incorporate paintings, watercolors and sculptures of both European and American origin. Many exhibitions were mounted over the years, including a major assemblage of Baroque paintings accompanied by a concert by the Philadelphia Baroque Quartet. Samuel David was a force with which to be reckoned in and out of the art world. His legacy lives on long after his untimely passing.

His son, Carl David is the author of Collecting & Care of Fine Art published by Crown in 1981. At a time when art was being wantonly touted as an investment vehicle, Carl felt the obligation to inform the public of how and why the art market really works, divulging facts and dispelling myths of illusory nature.  Collectors, both seasoned and novice were thrilled to get a realistic appraisal of the art markets. His earlier article about Martha Walter, an American Impressionist painter (1875-1976), was published in the American Art Review in May 1978 and dramatically expanded the awareness of the well credentialed artist and her work, which Samuel David discovered and promoted in the late 1960′s.

Mr. David’s latest book, Bader Field, embodies the emotional story of a son’s loving relationship with his father—the legendary art dealer whose life is suddenly taken by a massive coronary at the young age of fifty-eight years. His death plunges the twenty-four-year-old man onto the front lines of the family art business, which he had entered a mere three years prior. Battling with his own grief while trying to help his adoring but fragile mother survive, David forges forward with all of the elemental tools his father imparted to him. His journey proves a difficult one, not having yet recovered from the horrific loss of his brother who was found dead on the fourth floor of the Rittenhouse Square townhouse, which was home to the prestigious David David Gallery. His self-imposed obligation was to successfully take the family art business to the next generation and to give his own children, years later, every bit of love, kindness, and wisdom bestowed upon him by the unique man whom they will never know other than the mark he left on everyone who knew him. Bader Field adds significant insight into the mysterious workings and dealings of the art world. David speaks from experience of having been immersed in it all of his life and having lived it from the inside out. There will be a tremendous crossover interest in this book as it combines the elements of an American family, its goodness and its tragedy interfaced with the multifaceted aspects of the mysterious art business and flying small airplanes. Bader Field in Atlantic City was the oldest airfield in the country. With little sophistication, its two asphalt runways juggled single and twin engine aircraft exuding a character and charm that created memories to last a lifetime. That is where this saga begins and where it ends as life comes full circle.

Book Details:

Paperback: 260 Pages

Publisher: Nightengale Press (November 1, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1933449667

ISBN-13: 978-1933449661

Genre: Biographies/Memoirs

Print Price: $15.95

Purchase Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bader-Field-Carl-David/dp/1933449667/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267830388&sr=1-1

Author’s Website:

http://www.carledavid.com

Author’s Email:

carledavid@gmail.com

Author’s Books In Sync Web Pages:

http://www.booksinsync.com/authordirectory/davidcarl.html

Submitted by Books In Sync

Author/Book Promotions

Website: http://www.booksinsync.com

Submission Date: March 7, 2010

Beyond Genesis: The Untold Story of Man’s Origins by Allen Epling

With all the public fascination lately with ´Bible Codes´, the author has uncovered ´hidden´ messages in the book of genesis that could not have been understood until the present age of understanding. With a refreshingly new interpretation, based on present day knowledge, Allen Epling presents new evidence that the events in Genesis are real and that there is a genetic link to the patriarchs of the Old Testament.

Beyond Genesis offers an alternative explanation for the origin of man that is unique and different from either side in the familiar Creationism versus Evolution debate. The author believes the truth revealed in this book was not meant to be understood completely until the present age of information and reason. He reveals new insights which uncover a storyline in Genesis that has previously gone unnoticed. He offers timely new explanations for all the “myths” of Genesis. All hypotheses are based on sound, recent science and the field of genetics, and are supported through references to the original sources. The central theme of the entire book is that the book of Genesis is accurate historically, and that modern man is a product of BOTH the evolutionary processes, AND a unique, separate line of man, the one referred to in Genesis. The book also reveals the ultimate “plan” for man and that it is not finished.

Beyond Genesis Book Review:

In Beyond Genesis, author Allen Epling attempts to solve the decade’s long debate between science and religion, Creationism versus Evolution. Epling proposes that the book of Genesis is historically accurate. The problems lie in the interpretation and translation of ancient text originally written in Hebrew. Epling goes on to suggest that if interpreted correctly, the Book of Genesis would fit with what is considered true in scientific data.

Epling draws on his considerable formal education and life long study and research of religion, history, and the work of earlier religious scholars to explain the mysteries of Genesis. He explains how the first two chapters of the book of Genesis describe two different creation events: the first around 12 billion years ago when God creates Heaven and Earth in a burst of light known as the “Big Bang,” with man-like creatures (Neanderthals, etc.) beginning nearly 2 million years ago.

The second Creation Event took place around 6 thousand years ago when God created the Garden of Eden, Adam and domesticated animals. Epling uses new discoveries in genetics and science as evidence to back his hypothesis that both scientific theory and religious belief about creation are correct.

Is Allen Epling’s interpretation of Genesis the true version? As of now, we have no way of knowing for certain. His theories are as believable as anything presented by academia, science, or religion. I urge you to pick up a copy of this compelling argument, to keep an open mind, and to make your own decision.

I highly recommend Beyond Genesis to anyone open to alternative religious theories and to those who have allowed science to cloud their faith.

Reviewed by WR Potter for Reader’s Choice Reviews.

http://www.booksinsync.com/authorspecialtyservices/readerschoicereviews.html

Details:

ISBN13: 978-1-4257-0414-8 (Trade Paperback)

ISBN: 1-4257-0414-X (Trade Paperback)

ISBN13: 978-1-4257-0415-5 (Hardback)

ISBN: 1-4257-0415-8 (Hardback)

Pages: 110

Subject: HISTORY / Ancient / General

Subject: HISTORY / Civilization

Subject: RELIGION / Antiquities & Archaeology

Subject: RELIGION / History

Author’s Website Purchase Link

http://www.beyondgenesis.com

Revised edition

Paperback only: $14.95

Xlibris Purchase Link

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=32435

Trade Paperback:  $17.84

Hardback:  $27.89

Availability

Paperback prices reflect 15% discount off retail

Hardback prices reflect 10% discount off retail

Allen Epling’s Website

http://www.beyondgenesis.com

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=32435

http://www.christianpost.com/blogs/

Allen Epling’s Email

a_epling@yahoo.com

Please Visit Allen Epling’s Author’s Webpage On Book In Sync

http://www.booksinsync.com/authordirectory/eplingallen.html

Submitted by Books In Sync

http://www.booksinsync.com

Submission Date: April 2010

I often wonder what makes someone self-publish a novel. I can understand a technical book, poetry book or a diary but why self-publish a novel? Self-publishing can be the death and is the death of many wannabe novelists. While studying self-publishing, I came to the conclusion that many new writers were bamboozled into thinking that this was the way to go for their books. Yep, they are being tricked. You can’t even blame this type of trickery on sharks such as shady POD presses, vanity or subsidy presses. No I blame this on one group of people…bitter self-published authors. They spread bad advice and untruths like a disease and it’s damaging the careers of new writers.

It’s true. New writers are being duped into self-publishing by self-published authors. These types of self-published authors are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They lie and spread myths in order to feel good about their own poor publishing choices. Not only does this bother me because it gives inexperienced writers a false sense of reality, these same authors who glorify self-publishing have taken it upon themselves to talk down upon mainstream publishers and spew dishonest myths about the mainstream publishing industry. How can a self-published author who hasn’t had experience with the mainstream publishing industry, say what does or does not go on with such a company? Point blank, they cannot. It burns me when I see self-published authors speaking as if their books are the equivalent of heaven sent, while labeling mainstream authors sellouts. How are we sellouts? Mainstream authors paid their dues, not their money. I think these high and mighty self-published authors need to take a good look at the bigger picture. Who really sold out?

The method of publishing should be up to the author. If you want to self-publish, make sure you know the business and that it’s your choice. Do not be duped by doing it just because Pam, Dick and Jane said they did. Pam, Dick and Jane say that a publisher won’t want your work but that’s not true just because someone didn’t want theirs. Some self-published authors act as if they are a part of a cult or group of bloodthirsty vampires that are trying to gather as many unsuspecting writers into their cartel as possible. It’s maddening when you look at it. It’s like they dare a new writer to go the traditional route. And don’t dare be self-published then get a traditional contract! These cutthroat self-published authors will ban you from the island faster than you can speak! It’s scary to see how some of these cliques behave sometimes. I’ve found some self-published authors to be downright hateful towards anyone who disapproves of self-publishing yet have the nerve to turn around and say the industry is prejudice against them. Say what?

 Now that I’ve gone into that, I will clear up a few myths about mainstream publishing that some misguided and vengeful self-published authors push upon unsuspecting aspiring writers.

Myth 1: Traditional Publishers Take Full Control of Everything

I get so sick of self-published authors telling new writers this because it’s not true at all. First of all authors have different types of contracts and they vary. Also, traditional publishers do not steal your rights away like vanity presses do. For example, I hold the complete rights to my books which means I can do just about anything I want with them including acquiring film deals and other options. A publisher does hold control over some things more than the author but it’s mainly the business aspect (the reason why most authors choose to have an agent), not the creative side. Most publishers require an author’s approval before any changes can be made to a book. This means that the house editor can make some suggestions, but they cannot make you take them. It may be in your best interest if you do, but still, you have a choice. It’s publishing, not prison. Also you can always get out of your contract with a big house if you want to. It’s not like being stuck for years in some shady deal with a vanity press that takes your rights for twenty years.

Myth 2: New Authors Can’t Get Published By Big or Traditional Houses Without Agents

(Clearing throat), been there and done it twice. I do not have an agent. I sold my books on my own and so did many other traditionally published authors. Of course this is rare and has gotten more difficult during the years for new authors to do but it is not impossible. This is one of the biggest myths about traditional publishers. While most require agents, there are ways to slip through the cracks. This is where research comes in. Look at it this way, if a book is good and your writing is what a publisher is looking for, they won’t care how it got to them. A publisher is not gonna turn down an author they’re interested in just because they don’t have an agent. There are many authors who have been successful for years and have yet to get an agent. Do your own research and do not let self-published authors who do not know what they are talking about break your spirits.

Myth 3: You Will Make More Money Self-Publishing Than With A Publisher

This is another huge myth. Some self-published authors become successful and become millionaires. But that is like one in half a million and they come around like once every five years if that. Also these are not novelists but people who have written technical books or self-help guide books. In other words the authors were experts to begin with. Many of them know the sales business and how it works which means they know how to promote. Do not look at one example and think that it proves something works for all. On average most self-publishers wind up in debt, let alone selling enough books to make money. Also, remember that as a self-published author, you put up all the costs, which means you’re out of thousands of dollars. This automatically pushes you below a mainstream author when it comes to that royalty check because the mainstream author didn’t pay anything at all to begin with. Traditional authors get paid for their work while self-published authors are trying to get rewarded for an investment. Do the math. This is another time when research and making up your own mind comes in handy.

Myth 4: Traditional Publishers Do Not Look at New Writers

This is the dumbest myth of them all. I don’t know who came up with this crap. I assume it was some hack that couldn’t get published and decided to badmouth the industry. If this were true, then no one would be published! Use your own mind folks. That’s what it’s there for. If something seems too stupid to make sense then it usually is. If someone can name one author who wasn’t “new” before being published then I’d love to see him or her because it’s no such thing. Publishers want authors who are good and show promise. If they didn’t want new authors there wouldn’t be the need for literary agents would there? The publishing industry would have stopped centuries ago I believe.

Myth 5: You Will Be Seen as A Rebel or Revolutionary if you Self-Published

Uh, actually you’ll be seen as a no-talent hack that couldn’t get published. You may be a great writer but the minute people realized you paid to get published, your writing won’t matter. I become tickled when I hear self-published authors spewing this crap to new writers because it’s not true and they know it isn’t. They are blatantly lying to other writers and getting their hopes up. Self-publishing can ruin your reputation as an author and most people will not go near a self-published book with a ten-foot-pole! Why do you think so many self-published authors only self-publish once then try to get a real publisher? They learned the hard way that this is true. Please do not fall into this trap. Don’t let someone gyp you into self-publishing. It’s not worth it.

Myth 6: The Reading Public Respects an Author Who Published Their Book

Maybe if they are your family but the general public has the same opinion about a self-published book and self-published author as the industry does. Remember that the general public didn’t just start reading when you started writing. Give them credit. They’re smart readers and can tell a self-published book from a mainstream one. Believe me they know the difference and yes, most times it affects their opinions.

Myth 7: Self-Publishing Will Lead to a Traditional Contract

(Sighing). It can, but will it? Sadly this is why most people self-publish. They think that they will sell enough to get the attention of the big guys. This happens once in a blue moon and you have to sell thousands of copies for a big publisher to even sneeze in a self-published book’s direction or even think of reprinting it. Most self-published authors do not sell five hundred copies of their books so this should tell you how hard it would be for many to sell thousands. Also, look at the source of this claim. I find it very strange that those same self-published authors who are so critical of the mainstream are the ones trying to hock their book to a real publisher on the side. Who’s the sell out again? If mainstream is so bad then why do these hypocritical-type self-published authors try so hard to break into it while badmouthing it? Simple, they know where their best interests lie. This is how you realize that they are not telling the truth and they don’t even believe their own claims. They’re just spitting loudly because they are upset and bitter because they couldn’t get a publisher. Go figure huh?

Now that I’ve exposed some myths, I hope you see the bigger picture. I am not downing self-published authors, please don’t think that. I support all authors. I am downing the ones with evil intentions who do not want to honestly help writers but who set them up for failure. New authors are constantly falling into the trap of self-publishing while believing they will land on Oprah or end up with a movie deal. Your book won’t even be in stores, so you can have an idea of how much you’d sell.

If you think I am trying to discourage you from self-publishing than you are right. I am. If you worked hard on your books then they should deserve the best. Why take the easy way out, especially if you really didn’t know what you were getting into? Self-publishing by choice is one thing but self-publishing by stupidity can cost you your dreams and career.

The bottom line is to examine your expectations and what you expect to gain in the future from your work. Don’t give up and do not let others step on your dreams just because theirs did not work out. Just because Pam and Dick couldn’t do it, doesn’t mean that you can’t.

So shame on those self-published authors who step on the dreams of unsuspecting newbies just because they can’t make it and don’t want to see others succeed. Writers should look after one another not push each other onto train tracks headfirst. We have too much against us as it is. We should stick together but unfortunately some authors do not. Shame on you, you know who you are. Shame.

Dawn Huffaker lives in the mountains of the southwestern corner of New Mexico. She is the eldest daughter of two educators.

At the age of eight months, Dawn became mysteriously ill and never learned to walk. She has had to learn to deal with her world from a wheelchair. With the help of her family, she is leading a productive life.

In junior high, Dawn discovered her passion for poetry. Some very special teachers took the time to show her the beauty of words. From that point on, she wrote poetry for family and friends, and published works in the school newspapers.

In college, she received her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and minors in English and Biology. Dawn went on to found a local computer store. The store operated for seventeen years. Then, she spent two months in the hospital dealing with a health concern, and had to close her business.

When Dawn returned home, she spent several months recuperating. During this time, she began exploring the idea of publishing her first book of poetry, and selecting her very best poems to put in volume one. That was how Flights of Fancy came to be.

Currently, Dawn has published her second book Flower Escapes which is a collaboration with Michele Duncan, an amazing floral photographer. This book is available through Amazon.

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Featuring: Flights of Fancy: Volume 1 (SE) by Dawn Huffaker

Welcome aboard!

This is the maiden flight for Flights ofFancy. It is the first volume of my poetry, and encompasses aselection of poems written over the past twenty-five years.My home is in the mountains of southwestern New Mexico.The pines and junipers are my neighbors. Mountainstouch the sky outside my window. The inspiration for many ofthese poems come from here.Inside these pages, are many kinds of flights. Each is designedto showcase an aspect of life. From the joy of life, tothe beauty of nature, to the sadness of loss, it is recorded here.By sharing these, may you see that life is very awe-inspiring.Each moment is so precious. Time passes too fastwhen one is distracted.

Enjoy!

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Editorial Reviews

Flights of Fancy is a collection of poetry by the very talented Dawn Huffaker. The name of this volume was derived from the series of `flights’, or chapters, each of which was inspired by a variety of forms of nature. The author portrays the gamut of emotions, from joy to sadness, beauty to observations of both humans and nature. The majority of her poetry was inspired by the scenic views of southwestern New Mexico so abundant outside the windows of her home.

Flights of Fancy represents poems which were written over a period of 25 years in the author’s life. Topics range from the various phases of her life to three of her greatest loves – God, rodeo, and computers. Using several different poetic schemes, Ms. Huffaker has created a collection which is always inspirational, deft at portraying particular images, and evocative of higher emotions.

The best pieces in this book, in my opinion, are those about nature. As those of us who love New Mexico know, the state presents a unique majesty of natural beauty and the evidence of God’s skillful touch in designing magnificent glory. The author is quite skillful in describing this splendor just right:

“soft purple glow/whispers across the sky/as the sun yawns/and exits the day;

soft pink glow/nudges the stars/from the dance floor/and sends them off to bed.”

I love these lines and their personification of celestial bodies.

Reading the poetic lines in Flights of Fancy makes me wish I were in New Mexico once again and able to view it through the author’s eyes; as she writes:

“I live on the shoulder/of a sleeping giant/his nightshirt is made/ of the junipers/and pines.”

Flights of Fancy is a truly touching and beautiful work sure to provide inspiration to anyone who reads it.

4/09 Reviewed by Candace Morehouse, author of Golden Enchantment –Reading New Mexico – 4/09 Candace Morehouse –This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Details:

Publisher: lulu.com (October 15, 2009)

ISBN-10: 0557089190

ISBN-13: 978-0557089192

Language: English

Paperback: 100 Pages

Genre: Poetry

Price: $12.96

Amazon Purchase Link

http://www.amazon.com/Flights-Fancy-SE-Dawn-Huffaker/dp/0557089190/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281479556&sr=8-1

LuLu Purchase Link

http://stores.lulu.com/duncanhuffaker

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Dawn Huffaker Other Poetry Book  And Calendar Covers

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Dawn Huffaker Joined Books In Sync In August 2010

Please Visit Dawn Huffaker Author’s Page At Books In Sync

http://www.booksinsync.com/dawnhuffaker.html

Dawn Huffaker’s Website

http://www.dawnhuffaker.com

Dawn Huffaker’s Blogs

http://dawnhuffaker.wordpress.com/

http://www.godlovedme.com

Dawn Huffaker’s Email

questions@dawnhuffaker.com

Submitted by Books In Sync

Author/Book Promotions

http://www.booksinsync.com

Submission Date: August 2010

One eBook publisher specializing in erotic romance titles claims to sell thirty thousand eBooks a month! Other small publishers of eBooks are proud to mention how they first published authors who now rank among the hottest sellers today.

For the author struggling to get his foot in the door of the publishing industry, publishing through electronic means may sound appealing. Compared to most traditional print publishers, eBook publishers tend to offer a higher percentage of royalties on net sales and allow for more author input on promotion and cover art. Turnaround time between submission and book release may be shorter, as production may not be as involved. However, as with any industry, there are caveats to consider.

For all the benefits of taking your book to an electronic publisher, there are also disadvantages one needs to realize. Any author preparing to take a manuscript to an editor or publisher should be aware.

Limited distribution

First, let me qualify this section by stating that even if you are fortunate to have a book placed with a traditional print publisher, it is not an automatic guarantee that your book will be on the shelves of every bookstore in the country. True, if your publisher distributes inventory through a third-party vendor like Ingrams or Baker and Taylor, your book will most certainly be available for order by customers and booksellers.

But, given the number of books published each year and the amount of available shelf space in stores, there is sadly not enough room for everybody. When booksellers attend trade shows and study their own sales, they are going to make decisions based upon a book’s salability and the behaviors of their customers. A store that does a whopping business in mystery novels will likely not saturate shelves with computer manuals.

For the eBook author, opportunities for distribution are limited even further. Though some major chain bookstores are dipping toes into the eBook world by offering download versions of books through their websites, it will be years before one finds an eBook kiosk at the local shop. For now, eBook authors must rely upon the online resources available to them. They include direct sales from the publisher, third-party eBook retailers like Fictionwise and Diesel Books, and direct sales of books on CD-ROM at signings and other book events.

The last entry may prove daunting for some authors who must aversion to buying a book on disc, but depending on the event one might be surprised to know how well eBooks sell. The annual book fair connected to the Romantic Times convention, for example, attracts a number of readers willing to make such purchases.

Uphill battle with stigmas

“I would rather read a ‘real book’.”

“All eBooks are poorly edited.”

“eBook publishers will take anything. The books aren’t good.”

“That’s too much to pay for something I can’t touch.”

As somebody who has written and published eBooks, I’ve heard these and many other disparaging remarks about the industry. Suffice to say, it is true that there are a number of dubious eBook companies in existence that typify the above sentiments. Sadly, the shoddy workmanship of said companies threatens to define the industry as a whole, and it is a stigma every eBook author must face when promoting his work.

Let us consider the above statements one by one.

Buying a “real” book: the traditionalist can argue all he wants, but a good eBook is a real book. It is a tangible object in disk form, a visual object that can be read. Most eBook publishers assign ISBN numbers to works and register them with the US Copyright Office and Books in Print, especially if print formats are forthcoming. eBook novels have plots, dialogue, characters, a beginning, middle, and end.

Despite this, there will always exist people resistant to new technology and methods of providing information. It can be argued that curling up with a good book cannot be achieved with an eBook, but it is possible if a person has a handheld reader instead of a desktop computer. As the quality of eBooks rises, so may the number of converts. Until then, eBook authors must face the challenge of selling head-on.

Editing and eBooks: As mentioned before, there are eBook companies that exist mainly as mills, churning out books without thought to editing, formatting, and promotion. Obviously such companies should be avoided. However, as larger companies come to embrace the technology, so comes the careful attention to detail prevalent in the publishing industry. Authors who approach eBook publishers for a possible relationship should research their editing schedules and skills. Yes, most houses do have editors on staff, capable, learned people devoted to polishing a book to perfection. As the industry grows, so too will acknowledgement of this fact.

eBook publishers and acceptance: With some genres, quantity is as important as quality. For the romance industry, it is not uncommon for a publisher to produce twenty to fifty titles a month in order to feed the demand. As romance and erotica are two popular genres among eBook readers, it may stand to reason that publishers will accept everything under the sun in order to meet the demand. Any author published electronically, therefore, may be lumped into an undesirable caste.

This is not always the case. As the industry grows and the demand for books grows, so too will these smaller houses become more selective in choosing works. Already, there are a few eBook publishers that offer low percentage of acceptance. Authors should be aware of this fact, and consider eBook publishing as a “safety net.”

Ebooks and expense: To look at the eBook versions of top bestsellers, one might blanch at the prospect of paying hardcover price for the digital version of the same book. Why fork over twenty-five dollars for what amounts to a computer document when there is something tangible at the bookstore? It should be noted, though, that not all eBooks are this cost prohibitive. Depending upon length and genre, many eBook publishers offer books ranging from two to seven dollars, which is quite a bargain when you consider the rising cost of paperbacks.

Plus, the eBook industry allows for publication of shorter lengths at special prices, which is good for readers who favor novellas over epics.

Though there are many arguments for eBooks in this realm, it may still be difficult to convince new readers to give them a try. Any eBook author should continue to promote the positive aspects of the presentation of their work.

Contract caveats

As with any publisher, it is important to carefully read any contract before signing. An author desperate to sell may only gloss over a contract, and therefore miss some very important items that can affect the future of the contracted work.

A reputable eBook publisher will offer a contract that is friendly to the author and the work. Authors uncertain of contract red flags are encouraged to visit the site of the Electronically Published Internet Connection for detailed information. For an author who is able to contract print rights to a traditional publisher, it should be imperative to research for how long the eBook house has those rights, if they claim them. Often, those rights are contracted in the event the eBook house decides to offer print titles, and some may not be so accommodating if you wish to get out of your contract.

Read every contract you are offered, or have a lawyer read them for you. Ask questions of the publisher if you are unsure of some things.

Regardless of whether or not you decide to take traditional routes in your search for a publisher, always be aware of the pros and cons of every industry. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to make a smooth transition to publication in any format.

Self-publishing is the hottest trend in books, as it provides creative thinkers turned authors with a fast and easy way to get their work on the market. With the added option of “print on demand”, and desktop publishing and design software, the initial cost to get your book out can be very minimal.

Self-publishing is also the most profitable since you get to keep all the profits for yourself. IF you are committed to the work it is going to take to sell your books that is.

One of the most difficult challenges a self-published author faces is getting their book into the hands of people that will appreciate it enough to pay their hard earned money. I recall reading an article on the self-publishing industry that reported the average number of self-published books sold per author is about 100 copies!

With that horrifying number in mind, you need to roll up your sleeves and prepare to launch a focused marketing and promotion program that will have you doing at least 3 things per day every day for the next 6 months to promote your book. Remember, no one can dream your dream but you, and ultimately, you are the only one responsible for the success or failure of your book.

Start by arming yourself with as much knowledge on the subject as possible. Check out these books and websites on marketing and promoting for self-published authors:

THE SELF-PUBLISHING MANUAL by Dan Poynter is I think hands down, the best promotional book and guide to successful self-publishing for a first time author. It is easy to read and understand, and organized in a fashion that make it a valuable reference as you go through the writing and publishing process.

GUERILLA MARKETING FOR WRITERS by Jay Conrad Levinson is another easy to follow guide with more than 100 ideas for marketing and promoting your book. There are like a zillion Guerilla Marketing books covering a wide range of markets.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING by Tom & Marilyn Ross guides authors through the entire self-publishing process from writing the first word to wildly creative ways to market the finished product.

1001 WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BOOK by John Kremer is top notch. John Kremer is a legend in the book marketing field. But there are SO many ideas presented this 3″ thick book that I found it to be somewhat overwhelming. His websites are much easier to go through for people that are A.D.D. like me!

Leveraging the power and global reach of the Internet is the next step you must take.

Every author needs a web page. Do you have one set up for your book or books yet? This site will serve as the foundation of your marketing campaign and is a step you cannot afford to skip. Your website will be used as a vehicle to promote both yourself and your work 24 hours per day. It will also display or link to book reviews, to provide the media and press with an avenue for contacting you for interviews, and will of course help you sell your product.

Your website does not have to be fancy and expensive. As a matter of fact, it is better if it’s rather non-dynamic. You want the key focus to be on your book and YOU, not your fancy FLASH intro.

After that, you need to get your book reviewed. There are mainstream book reviewers, and there are many niche market reviewers as well. Check out John Kremer’s list of newspaper reviewers at BookMarket.Com.

Authors of Black books have many options available.

When seeking reviews, be prepared to send out a copy of your book along with a headshot photograph, author contact information, and information on where your book can be purchased. This is when you would mention your wonderful new website! Here is a list of Black book reviewers and sites:

QBR The Black Book Review

QBR is a reliable source for what is current in Black books. QBR also produces the Harlem Book Fair, the largest African American book Fair nationally, held annually in New York City.

Felicia Pride’s Black Books Blog – More Than Words

Felicia reviews and blogs about Black books on AOL’s Black Voices channel.

African American Literature Book Club (AALBC)

The largest site on the web focusing on Black books.

The RawSistaz

This group of ladies provides casual reviews of a wide variety of books, all written by African American authors.

Let’s Talk Honestly with George Cook

George provides free interviews with Black authors which are posted as pod casts each week on this popular website.

The Black Issues Book Review

This the only nationally distributed magazine devoted exclusively to covering the latest news and reviews on black books.

Now you have a published book and a couple of great reviews. It’s time to contact Black bookstores in your area. Go visit them with your book in hand, introduce yourself, and ask if they will either carry your book or allow you to have a book signing in their store.

Book retailers usually receive a rather large discount from the cover price (as much as 60%). Since each independent retailer has its own sales agreement and terms, all I can tell you is to be sure to read each carefully.

Make sure the terms regarding book returns, payment dates, and merchandise delivery are spelled out clearly and to your satisfaction before signing on the dotted line.

Writing, researching and editing your book is certainly a lot of hard work, but that is just the beginning. All that work pales in comparison to the long hours and the effort you must put into getting your name out there and your book noticed every single day until you reach your sales and financial goals.

I cannot describe with words the deep sense of satisfaction one gets when you open up a package from your publisher and find the first copy of a real book that has your name on it. And selling thousands of those books is certain validation that what you have to say has value and is important to others.

Get busy making it happen!

In case of newspapers and television, you have to satisfy yourself with whatever they provide. You cannot ask for what you want. But when it comes to internet, you can demand, search, and find out the topics of your interest. The more you explore, the more you get. This basic principle has led to diverse information needs. Hence, if you are planning to make a career in online writing, then you should realize that your choices are quite unlimited and your success depends on the suitability of what you choose. The basic tip for being an online author is to think dynamically. Authors who try to sell their personalized views are not going to progress much in this line. These tricks are applicable if you are publishing your novel or story. However, if you are starting out as a content author, then you should speak for the people and not to the people. Your opinions should be well recognized and accepted by majority of the readers.

Providing useful information is yet another important factor that shouldn’t be ignored at any cost. Whichever topic you write on, you should try to sound helpful rather than poetic. No one is interested in marveling the skills of an online author. You should write in a simple way, easily and widely readable. You should make your point clear and state reasons supporting your point. Present your data in an entertaining sequence. Also, you should know how to space your information. Never write in a roundabout way unless you have no idea about what you are writing. People prefer facts and figures rather than estimates and assumptions.

Adding real life illustrations and incidents can support your write-up and enhance its quality. The reader would mentally try to relate with the author if the author describes his point by means of a personal experience.

*Can you really get a six-figure book advance?*

When Susan Page wrote *The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book* in 1997, she included the following list of the qualities that you and your book have to have if you’re going to get a six-figure advance.

1. Your book is on a topic of wide general interest that could excite a large number of readers.

2. Your book has a distinctive angle and makes an original contribution to its field.

3. You have substantial credentials to write on this topic OR you have a co-author who does, OR you can get an extremely famous, well-credentialed person to write a foreword for you.

4. You have prepared an extraordinary proposal and are working with a competent editor already.

5. You have a show-stopping title.

6. You secure the services of a well-known, experienced agent who believes the book can earn such an advance.

7. You are both willing and able to promote your book on radio and TV and in print.

This is not a mix-and-match list. You have to have *all* of those things to get the big advance, unless you are an international celebrity or a best-selling author.

Page’s aim was to deflate unrealistic expectations. Her book aims to get you into print, not necessarily to get you rich. Most authors do not get rich from their books. Most publishers don’t get rich either. Book publishing is an industry in which there is very little profit. If authors get rich, it’s usually because having a book lets them sell expensive services and book high-paying speaking gigs.

*You can get a six-figure advance, but it will cost you.*

And I don’t mean the $197 price tag on Susan Harrow’s new e-book, Get a Six-Figure Book Advance. A $200 investment is nothing if it gets you a $200,000 return. Using the proposal template/software included with her $197 e-book, you’ll be able to produce the kind of proposal that will have publishers in hot pursuit—but getting the advance requires a whole lot more than just buying the book or even having all the right elements in your proposal.

*If you want a six-figure book advance, you’re going to have to work for it.*

Susan Harrow, jokingly known as a “de-motivational coach,” doesn’t try to pretend otherwise. In her August 4th teleclass, co-hosted by ghostwriter Mahesh Grossman of the Authors Team, she made it clear just how much work goes into getting a six-figure advance, and how long and hard you have to keep working *after* you get the money.

*How advances work*

In order to persuade publishers to pay you $100,000 or more before your book is published, you have to convince them that your book will sell at least 100,000 copies. (Your royalty will be about $1/book for a trade paperback, possibly as much as $3/book for a hardcover, so you do the math.) And since books don’t sell themselves, what you’re really saying to the publisher is that *you* can sell those 100,000 copies.

Yes, a publisher that invests that much money in you will also invest more in the production and marketing of your book than in someone who gets a smaller advance, but when you get right down to it, no one really buys a book because of its publisher. And your book won’t sell just because it’s a good book. People rarely buy non-fiction books for the quality of the writing. They buy for the quality of the information—and in the mind of the public, that depends on the expertise and reputation of the author. It all comes back to you.

*How do you get readers to think of you as an expert?*

First, they have to know you exist. If you’re not already a celebrity, you’re going to have to become one, or at least put up a convincing show. If you don’t have legions of fans, you should at least have thousands of subscribers to your e-zine or blog, or a syndicated column in a newspaper. If you haven’t been on Oprah or The Today Show yet, radio interviews and local TV news programs are a good start.

*Getting into the public eye*

To get visible enough fast enough, you probably need a publicist, which means shelling out several thousand dollars. In order for media attention to do you any good, you have to look good and sound good every time you appear. That means getting professional media coaching before you start lining up interviews to make up for not being a celebrity. You need to arm yourself with a repertoire of sound bites for all occasions and rehearse until you can spout them in your sleep.

That doesn’t just take money, it takes time. It takes *work*. And no one can do it for you, either, because you, as the author, have to be the one in the limelight.

*Editing is essential for a killer proposal.*

Media coaches and publicists aren’t the only team members you’ll have to enlist if you want a six-figure advance and a book that justifies it. The services of a professional editor are essential for both your proposal and your finished book. In fact, you might just want to hire a ghostwriter and get it over with, because you’re probably going to be too busy marketing to write.

That’s more money spent in advance of getting your advance.

*Post-publication publicity*

You’re not through yet, either. Now that you’ve gotten enough media attention for yourself to impress a publisher, you have to do it over again for your book. You’re going to have to shell out a good-sized chunk of that advance on your own publicity efforts. More and more publishing houses assume that your advance *is* the marketing budget for the book, so they expect you to spend your own money on getting the book sold. (Tip: when mentioning this in your proposal, always make the offer contingent on the publisher matching the amount.) This expectation actually holds true regardless of the size of your advance, but the more money you want to get, the more money you have to spend.

*Six-figure advances are not for the faint of heart*

Writing a good book is the least of the challenges facing you when you set out to get a six-figure advance. Moreover, if you *don’t* earn out your advance by actually selling 100,000+ books, your chance of getting such a large advance again are nil. To succeed when the stakes are this high, you need to become an Olympic athlete of a book marketer. That can be hard to do if you have a day job or a family, never mind both. And it’s almost impossible if you don’t have a substantial chunk of starting capital.

*Do you really need a six-figure book advance?*

For many authors, five figures are plenty, especially for a first book. Even if it loses money, that book will create the leverage the author needs to succeed in other aspects of her business. (That’s one reason self-publishing can be such a good option for business book authors.) Getting a smaller advance still takes work and costs money, but it’s a much more manageable goal for a first time author without fifty grand to invest in getting into the bookstores.

I often wonder what makes someone self-publish a novel. I can understand a technical book, poetry book or a diary but why self-publish a novel? Self-publishing can be the death and is the death of many wannabe novelists. While studying self-publishing, I came to the conclusion that many new writers were bamboozled into thinking that this was the way to go for their books. Yep, they are being tricked. You can’t even blame this type of trickery on sharks such as shady POD presses, vanity or subsidy presses. No I blame this on one group of people…bitter self-published authors. They spread bad advice and untruths like a disease and it’s damaging the careers of new writers.

It’s true. New writers are being duped into self-publishing by self-published authors. These types of self-published authors are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They lie and spread myths in order to feel good about their own poor publishing choices. Not only does this bother me because it gives inexperienced writers a false sense of reality, these same authors who glorify self-publishing have taken it upon themselves to talk down upon mainstream publishers and spew dishonest myths about the mainstream publishing industry. How can a self-published author who hasn’t had experience with the mainstream publishing industry, say what does or does not go on with such a company? Point blank, they cannot. It burns me when I see self-published authors speaking as if their books are the equivalent of heaven sent, while labeling mainstream authors sellouts. How are we sellouts? Mainstream authors paid their dues, not their money. I think these high and mighty self-published authors need to take a good look at the bigger picture. Who really sold out?

The method of publishing should be up to the author. If you want to self-publish, make sure you know the business and that it’s your choice. Do not be duped by doing it just because Pam, Dick and Jane said they did. Pam, Dick and Jane say that a publisher won’t want your work but that’s not true just because someone didn’t want theirs. Some self-published authors act as if they are a part of a cult or group of bloodthirsty vampires that are trying to gather as many unsuspecting writers into their cartel as possible. It’s maddening when you look at it. It’s like they dare a new writer to go the traditional route. And don’t dare be self-published then get a traditional contract! These cutthroat self-published authors will ban you from the island faster than you can speak! It’s scary to see how some of these cliques behave sometimes. I’ve found some self-published authors to be downright hateful towards anyone who disapproves of self-publishing yet have the nerve to turn around and say the industry is prejudice against them. Say what?

Now that I’ve gone into that, I will clear up a few myths about mainstream publishing that some misguided and vengeful self-published authors push upon unsuspecting aspiring writers.

Myth 1: Traditional Publishers Take Full Control of Everything

I get so sick of self-published authors telling new writers this because it’s not true at all. First of all authors have different types of contracts and they vary. Also, traditional publishers do not steal your rights away like vanity presses do. For example, I hold the complete rights to my books which means I can do just about anything I want with them including acquiring film deals and other options. A publisher does hold control over some things more than the author but it’s mainly the business aspect (the reason why most authors choose to have an agent), not the creative side. Most publishers require an author’s approval before any changes can be made to a book. This means that the house editor can make some suggestions, but they cannot make you take them. It may be in your best interest if you do, but still, you have a choice. It’s publishing, not prison. Also you can always get out of your contract with a big house if you want to. It’s not like being stuck for years in some shady deal with a vanity press that takes your rights for twenty years.

Myth 2: New Authors Can’t Get Published By Big or Traditional Houses Without Agents

(Clearing throat), been there and done it twice. I do not have an agent. I sold my books on my own and so did many other traditionally published authors. Of course this is rare and has gotten more difficult during the years for new authors to do but it is not impossible. This is one of the biggest myths about traditional publishers. While most require agents, there are ways to slip through the cracks. This is where research comes in. Look at it this way, if a book is good and your writing is what a publisher is looking for, they won’t care how it got to them. A publisher is not gonna turn down an author they’re interested in just because they don’t have an agent. There are many authors who have been successful for years and have yet to get an agent. Do your own research and do not let self-published authors who do not know what they are talking about break your spirits.

Myth 3: You Will Make More Money Self-Publishing Than With A Publisher

This is another huge myth. Some self-published authors become successful and become millionaires. But that is like one in half a million and they come around like once every five years if that. Also these are not novelists but people who have written technical books or self-help guide books. In other words the authors were experts to begin with. Many of them know the sales business and how it works which means they know how to promote. Do not look at one example and think that it proves something works for all. On average most self-publishers wind up in debt, let alone selling enough books to make money. Also, remember that as a self-published author, you put up all the costs, which means you’re out of thousands of dollars. This automatically pushes you below a mainstream author when it comes to that royalty check because the mainstream author didn’t pay anything at all to begin with. Traditional authors get paid for their work while self-published authors are trying to get rewarded for an investment. Do the math. This is another time when research and making up your own mind comes in handy.

Myth 4: Traditional Publishers Do Not Look at New Writers

This is the dumbest myth of them all. I don’t know who came up with this crap. I assume it was some hack that couldn’t get published and decided to badmouth the industry. If this were true, then no one would be published! Use your own mind folks. That’s what it’s there for. If something seems too stupid to make sense then it usually is. If someone can name one author who wasn’t “new” before being published then I’d love to see him or her because it’s no such thing. Publishers want authors who are good and show promise. If they didn’t want new authors there wouldn’t be the need for literary agents would there? The publishing industry would have stopped centuries ago I believe.

Myth 5: You Will Be Seen as A Rebel or Revolutionary if you Self-Published

Uh, actually you’ll be seen as a no-talent hack that couldn’t get published. You may be a great writer but the minute people realized you paid to get published, your writing won’t matter. I become tickled when I hear self-published authors spewing this crap to new writers because it’s not true and they know it isn’t. They are blatantly lying to other writers and getting their hopes up. Self-publishing can ruin your reputation as an author and most people will not go near a self-published book with a ten-foot-pole! Why do you think so many self-published authors only self-publish once then try to get a real publisher? They learned the hard way that this is true. Please do not fall into this trap. Don’t let someone gyp you into self-publishing. It’s not worth it.

Myth 6: The Reading Public Respects an Author Who Published Their Book

Maybe if they are your family but the general public has the same opinion about a self-published book and self-published author as the industry does. Remember that the general public didn’t just start reading when you started writing. Give them credit. They’re smart readers and can tell a self-published book from a mainstream one. Believe me they know the difference and yes, most times it affects their opinions.

Myth 7: Self-Publishing Will Lead to a Traditional Contract

(Sighing). It can, but will it? Sadly this is why most people self-publish. They think that they will sell enough to get the attention of the big guys. This happens once in a blue moon and you have to sell thousands of copies for a big publisher to even sneeze in a self-published book’s direction or even think of reprinting it. Most self-published authors do not sell five hundred copies of their books so this should tell you how hard it would be for many to sell thousands. Also, look at the source of this claim. I find it very strange that those same self-published authors who are so critical of the mainstream are the ones trying to hock their book to a real publisher on the side. Who’s the sell out again? If mainstream is so bad then why do these hypocritical-type self-published authors try so hard to break into it while badmouthing it? Simple, they know where their best interests lie. This is how you realize that they are not telling the truth and they don’t even believe their own claims. They’re just spitting loudly because they are upset and bitter because they couldn’t get a publisher. Go figure huh?

Now that I’ve exposed some myths, I hope you see the bigger picture. I am not downing self-published authors, please don’t think that. I support all authors. I am downing the ones with evil intentions who do not want to honestly help writers but who set them up for failure. New authors are constantly falling into the trap of self-publishing while believing they will land on Oprah or end up with a movie deal. Your book won’t even be in stores, so you can have an idea of how much you’d sell.

If you think I am trying to discourage you from self-publishing than you are right. I am. If you worked hard on your books then they should deserve the best. Why take the easy way out, especially if you really didn’t know what you were getting into? Self-publishing by choice is one thing but self-publishing by stupidity can cost you your dreams and career.

The bottom line is to examine your expectations and what you expect to gain in the future from your work. Don’t give up and do not let others step on your dreams just because theirs did not work out. Just because Pam and Dick couldn’t do it, doesn’t mean that you can’t.

So shame on those self-published authors who step on the dreams of unsuspecting newbies just because they can’t make it and don’t want to see others succeed. Writers should look after one another not push each other onto train tracks headfirst. We have too much against us as it is. We should stick together but unfortunately some authors do not. Shame on you, you know who you are. Shame.