A Book for Sensitive Children

 

Title: Sensitive

Author: Sara Levine

Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Length: 32 Pages

About the Author
Sara Levine is an author, educator, and veterinarian. Her book awards include AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, the Utah Beehive Book Award, Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Cook Prize finalist for best STEM picture book, and the Mathical Book Award.

You Are Too Sensitive!
A young Asian-American girl comes to terms with the fact that she is sensitive.
The other children tease and taunt her for having thin skin and acting like a baby.
She learns that her feelings are real and she does not have to feel bad about her sensitivity. She writes her feelings out in a journal and realizes that being sensitive is actually her SUPERPOWER!
The author adds helpful tips for sensitive kids at the end of the story.

My Thoughts
I can relate to the girl in this story because I was also a sensitive child. The author does an amazing job illustrating in words and pictures the feelings a sensitive child deals with.

The mixed-media illustrations are outstanding and add great value to the text. 

I love the way the sensitive child writes in a journal to find joy and acceptance. She writes out her feelings and realizes that her sensitivity is not something to be ashamed of. 

This is a wonderful book to read-aloud to elementary school children. It could also be used by a counselor or mental health professional. I like everything about this story!!!

My Rating - Five Stars Out Of Five

Thank you to NetGalley for a wonderful reading opportunity.

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Diary Comics Can Tell Your Personal Story

 

Title: My Day In Small Drawings: Write. Draw. Reflect.

Author/Illustrator: Matilda Tristram

Publisher: Leaping Hare Press

Publication Date: September 21, 2021

Length: 240 Pages

About the Author
Matilda Tristram is an animator, illustrator, and scriptwriter for Peppa Pig. She taught at Kingston University for ten years and at the Royal College of Art. She lives in London, U.K.

Write. Draw. Reflect.
This book offers a unique insight into recording your daily life and embracing the ordinary through comic art.

My Thoughts
The author started writing diary comics and posting them online after a cancer diagnosis during her first pregnancy. She used comics to journal about the people, places, and situations that she was facing in her everyday life.

Ms. Tristram believes diary comics can be used as a therapeutic outlet or just for the fun of creating. She provides 52 sections of prompts in this book and blank pages after each prompt for practice (in the print edition).

The drawings are simple doodles that anyone could have fun drawing. I like the way the author encourages the reader to reflect on the different aspects of the day and record impressions in a journal using both words and drawings.

This is a type of art journaling that can be done with nothing more than a notebook and pencil. You don't need any expensive equipment or supplies.

Many of us have kept written diaries or journals. This book demonstrates how we can take it to the next level with comic illustrations. 

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital review copy of this book from NetGalley.

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Book Review: Keynote Mastery by Patrick Schwerdtfeger

Title: Keynote Mastery: The Personal Journey of a Professional Speaker

Author: Patrick Schwerdtfeger

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Publication Date: January 6, 2016

Length: 284 Pages



About The Author
Patrick Schwerdtfeger (@schwerdtfeger on Twitter) is a leading authority on global business trends including demographics, big data and the social media revolution. He is a keynote speaker who has headlined events for conferences all over the world.

The Show Must Go On!
Mr. Schwerdtfeger writes about his life journey as a professional speaker. He is brutally honest about the challenges of self-employment and his personal struggles to survive.

However, he has a dream and his determination, perseverance and tenacity lead to a degree of success that many speakers never achieve.

This is a memoir that offers inspiration and motivation to all who aspire to be a professional speaker. The author shares many "insider secrets" that he has learned from being a speaker for the past seven years. 


My Thoughts
When I listen to a keynote speaker, I expect to be informed, inspired and entertained. I have never had the opportunity to hear the author speak, however, I listened to Mr. Schwerdtfeger's Tedx speech on YouTube and was very impressed.

These are the things I especially liked about this book:

1. The transparent look at the author's life. Mr. Schwerdtfeger posted his credit card balances all along his seven year journey to become a successful keynote speaker. He did not candy-coat his life or make it appear to be something that it is not.

2. The easy-to-read flow of the narrative. The author wrote in a very engaging manner and I felt like I was traveling right along with him on the many journeys that he wrote about.

3. The sensitive manner the author dealt with his mother's mental illness and his father's chronic illness. I am sure this was very difficult to describe, but it was part of the journey and described in an admirable way.

4. Information the author shared about professional speaking. He goes into detail about the structure of a keynote speech. The author was especially open about the financial challenges that he faced and how he handled them.

5. The author's marketing strategies. Mr. Schwerdtfeger's business success depends on how well he markets himself. He has come up with some very creative marketing techniques that should benefit other self-employed entrepreneurs.

What I didn't like about this book:

1. Chapter 61 - "Book marketing sucks." There is a discussion on the trials and tribulations of book marketing in this chapter. The author discusses "pay to play" programs and other ways to get your book noticed for a price. It seems like book marketing would be a piece of cake after all the experience the author has in promoting his speaking career. The chapter is just too negative for my tastes.

2. Chapter 62 and 63 - "The Keynote Mastery Program" and "The Speaker Syndicate".  These chapters promote two programs that the author is selling to professional speakers. I think these chapters could have been cut down to a one page "teaser" that encouraged speakers to contact the author for more information.

MY RATING: 4 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Book Review: Publicity From The Trenches by Sherri Rosen

ONE WORD BOOK REVIEW - INTEGRITY

Title: Publicity From The Trenches

Author: Sherri Rosen

Publisher: Sherri Rosen Publicity Int'l NYC

Date: May 1, 2015

Length: 125 Pages


About The Author
Sherri Rosen came to New York City in the 60's and never left. She has her own publicity firm and has created her own niche of inspirational publicity.

What is a Publicist and Do You Need One?
Sherri Rosen is a professional publicist and owner of Sheri Rosen Publicity Int'l, NYC. She has written this book to inform published and self-published authors about the benefit of hiring a publicist.

The author provides a list of nineteen things to look for and some questions to ask when seeking a publicist. She explains what a publicist can do for an author, but makes it clear that there are no guaranteed results.

What distinguishes a great publicist from a mediocre one is getting the word to the right people, in the right venues, at the right time. 

Ms. Rosen believes that publicity must be based on honesty and integrity.  She has coined a term, "inspirational publicity", to describe publicity that isn't about making big money but is instead honest and real.

My Thoughts
Self-publishing has opened the door of opportunity to many new authors. This is an informative and inspiring guide to help authors choose the kind of professional support they need to get the word out.

This book is illustrated with beautiful color illustrations and sprinkled with motivational quotations.

Ms. Rosen describes the high standards that she holds herself and her associates to as they work with authors. Publicity must be custom designed for each client and honesty is emphasized in all communications.

If you are an author, I think you will find this book very helpful. If you are going to invest in publicity, you need to know how to find the best professional service available.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author to read and review.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Kindle Books for Kids: Jump! by Julia Dweck

Jump

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Brian Allen

Publisher: Sleepy Sheep Productions

Date: September 1, 2014

Grade Level: PK - 3


About the Author
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

"When You Believe In Yourself, You Can Jump With Your Eyes Open."
A timid Jack-In-The-Box toy was frightened and confused when he accidently jumped out of his box. He felt disgraced outside the safety of his familiar box.

As Jack was looking for his box, he met a new friend named Barker. Jack and Barker embarked on many "jumping" adventures. They jumped a skipping rope, they jumped on a trampoline and even jumped out of an airplane!

Jack learned that you must take a leap of faith if you are going to move out of your comfort zone and discover a whole new world.

My Thoughts
"Jump" is a charming and refreshing rhyming picture book for young children. It is published for the Amazon Kindle and the formatting is excellent for young readers. The full-screen horizontal illustrations are colorful, entertaining and humorous. The illustrator did an excellent job portraying the personalities of the characters in this story.

Jack shows children how much fun it can be to get out of everyday routines and take some risks. Life is full of adventures when new faces and places are explored and investigated.

Jack and Barker exhibit a poignant bonding and connection. They bring out the best in each other and have a ton of fun on their journey.

Ms. Dweck provides some valuable teaching tools at the end of the story. There are true facts about amazing jumps, scrambled words from the story and instructions on how to write a simple story using two characters, a setting, a plot and a solution.

"Jump" will entertain, inspire and educate young readers. This book could be used for independent reading or incorporated into a language arts class. It would also be a charming read-aloud selection for pre-school children.  Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI - I borrowed a digital copy of this book with my Amazon Kindle Unlimited membership.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Author: Austin Kleon

Publisher: Workman Publishing Co.

Date Published: February 28, 2012

Length: 160 Pages



About The Author
Austin Kleon is a writer and artist.  He speaks about creativity and being an artist online for organizations such as SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist.

Unlock Your Creativity
Question: "Where does an artist get his ideas?"

Answer: "He steals them."

The author believes that a creative person is inspired and motivated by other people's work. All creative work builds on what came before and nothing is completely original.

This book features clever photos, graphics, charts and quotations to make the case for good theft vs. bad theft.

Favorite Quotations
"You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life."    

"If you copy from one author, it’s plagiarism, but if you copy from many, it’s research."    

"Your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by."     

 "Not everybody will get it. People will misinterpret you and what you do. They might even call you names. So get comfortable with being misunderstood, disparaged, or ignored -- the trick is to be too busy doing your work to care."                            

My Thoughts
This is a short, entertaining and FUN book to read. I believe the author has accomplished his goal in getting people to think about creating awesome books, art, music, plays, businesses, etc.

You don't have to be a genius to create...you just have to do good work and share it with people.

Mr. Kleon provides a chart on page 39 that illustrates the differences between plagiarism and research/influence/remixing/transforming.

The light bulb truly came on over my head as I read this book. The message is very simple and nothing really new...but VERY inspiring. It is something we all need to hear and act on.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I read a print copy of this book from my local public library.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: I Can See Clearly Now by Dr. Wayne Dyer

I Can See Clearly Now

Author: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Publisher: Hay House, Inc.

Date: February 25, 2014

Length: 389 pages




About The Author
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer is an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development. He’s the author of more than 40 books, has created numerous audio programs and videos, and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows.

Turning Back the Years
They say that hindsight is always 20/20...Dr. Dyer reflects on his life, beliefs and writings in this autobiography.

The book begins with the author's difficult young years growing up in foster homes. The author clearly sees how these difficult times helped him learn to be self-sufficient and independent.

As a young man, Dr. Dyer spent several years serving in the U.S. Navy. During these years, the author determined that he wanted to go to college and eventually become a teacher.

The author reflects on how he wrote his first book, Your Erroneous Zones, and traveled around the country promoting the book and selling it. His love for teaching and writing led to the publication of over 40 books and his wildly popular appearances on PBS television stations.

The author touches on his personal family life but mostly focuses on his writing and teaching accomplishments. The book ends with his recent diagnosis of leukemia and how he is dealing with this chronic disease.

My Thoughts
I have been a fan of Dr. Dyer's writings since I read Your Erroneous Zones back in 1977. I have not read all of his books, but I have a pretty nice collection of Dyer books on my bookshelf.

This book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the man who became a best-selling author, teacher, speaker and a mainstay in PBS' membership drives.

I feel like reading this book was like turning back the years. I was thinking about events that happened in my own life as the author was sharing memories about his life and work.

This book demonstrates the value of looking back and clearly seeing how events, circumstances and people have come to guide you on your road to self-discovery. Dr. Dyer believes this guidance has been there for him every step of the way...and it has been there for you as well.

You don't have to agree with all of Dr. Dyer's teachings to find insight and inspiration in this book. Highly recommended.

MY RATING - 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.

Please share your thoughts on the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Day I Met Dr. Seuss by Anne Emerick

The Day I Met Dr. Seuss

Author: Anne Emerick

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Date: September 8, 2012

Print Length: 22 Pages



About The Author
Anne Emerick is a self-published author of 10 books for the Kindle e-reader. She writes a blog that helps other authors with self-publishing and marketing issues.

A Dream to Meet Dr. Seuss
This ebook began with an "Author's Note" that told about Ms. Emerick's admiration and strong desire to meet Dr. Seuss when she was a child. She actually wrote a letter to Dr. Seuss in 1989 and asked for an appointment and interview. She received a polite letter from a secretary saying that Dr. Seuss was not available for an interview.

This is a rhyming fiction story about a girl who met Dr. Seuss.  The girl in the story was named Annie G. Magee and she had her heart set on meeting Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss).

Annie traveled to California and did not give up until she met Dr. Seuss and asked him to reveal his secret for coming up with the ideas for his stories.

The author listed some interesting facts about Dr. Seuss at the end of the story.

My Thoughts
I am a HUGE Dr. Seuss fan and I loved reading his books to children when I worked as a school librarian. I could never go wrong with a Dr. Seuss book!

"The Day I Met Dr. Seuss" was a delightful story with rhyming words and a very believable plot. The girl in this story displayed persistence and perseverance in her quest to meet and interview her favorite author.

The Author's Notes at the beginning and end of the story were very interesting and showed that Ms. Emerick also displayed persistence and perseverance in her quest in getting this story published.

This would be an excellent story to share with children and encourage them to think about questions they would like to ask their favorite author.

I recommend this short story to readers of all ages. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI - I downloaded this ebook during a free promotion on Amazon.Com. Please check the current price before purchasing.

Thank you for reading this book review. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Finding the Core of Your Story by Jordan Smith

Finding the Core of Your Story: How to strengthen and sell your story in one essential sentence

Author: Jordan Smith

Publisher: Balter Press

Date: December 9, 2012



About The Author
Jordan Smith is a storyteller who generally works in the realm of film, though he often branches out into other forms of narrative fiction. He's always picking stories apart to see what makes them tick.

Pitch Your Story Quickly and Compellingly With a Logline
What is a "logline"?

A logline is a way to break your story down to it's lowest common denominator.

Can you tell me what your story is about in ONE sentence?

Mr. Smith believes that if you don't know what your story is about in a single sentence, you run the risk of meandering your story into places where it doesn't belong.

This book provides two logline templates and tells exactly how to use them. There are many examples and exercises that will help you develop a logline for your own story. The author shares his secrets for making unique loglines that will have people anxious to read your story or watch your film.

My Thoughts
This book will be very helpful to writers of all kinds. Actually, the concepts in this book can be used in a wider context than just writing stories and plays.

Many people use the term "elevator pitch" when using a short description to get to the core of a business or service.

Summarizing is an important skill in getting your message out to as many people as possible. The logline should present a summary in such a way that will make the listener want to learn more.

This book will help you communicate your message in a more efficient and productive manner. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author.

Do you have a logline for your story? Would you like to make it better? Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Thrashing About With God by Mandy Steward

Thrashing About with God: Finding Faith on the Other Side of Everything

Author: Mandy Steward

Publisher: David C. Cook

Release Date: October 1, 2013




About The Author
Mandy Steward is a writer, speaker, and blogger in the midst of discovering her authentic Christian self. Her writing has appeared in Brio and Breakaway magazines and on her blog MessyCanvas.com. Her work reflects her life as a wife and mother of four and her passion for art. She lives with her family in Oklahoma City.

Tired of Doing the Christian Thing
Are you tired of pretending?

Are you tired of spitting out right answers for others when your own well has gone dry.

Are you tired of thinking the dreams you long to step into aren't holy enough to warrant action?

Are you tired of religiously giving and sacrificing and having nothing left to feed yourself?

Mandy Steward is a pastor's wife, mother of four young children and a talented artist. This is the story of her search for spiritual fulfillment and peace.

Ms. Steward struggles with the expectations that are placed on Christians by the church and society. She questions the beliefs that she was taught as a child. She copes with the guilt, doubt and fear she feels as she questions her faith and her own identity.

Mandy Steward shares her "messy life" and quest to balance her roles as a Christian, wife, mother and artist.

My Thoughts
Ms. Steward has written a heartfelt, thoughtful account of her spiritual and emotional journey over the past several years. She questions almost everything about her life. She comes to the realization that there is nothing wrong with questioning because it is the way a person grows.

It has been several months since I have read a "Christian book." I must warn you that this is not the average book written for Christian women. This book is brutally honest, unvarnished and "messy".  The author writes from her heart and expresses a very realistic view of her personal and family life.

I was very impressed by the patience and understanding that was shown by her husband and church family. This young woman is truly blessed to have a loving support system that will allow her to honestly examine her life and follow her dreams.

The good news is that questions lead to understanding and change. This book will inspire women to take a good look at their own situations and see if they are living the life "to the full" that Jesus promises in John 10:10.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a digital preview copy of this book from NetGalley.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Free Kindle Book - Live To Write Another Day

Live To Write Another Day, A Survival Guide for Screenwriters and Creative Storytellers

Author: Dean Orion

Publisher: Sky Father Media

Date: March 5, 2013





FREE Kindle Book on Amazon.Com - May 29, 30 and 31!

 

"Live to Write Another Day" is a real treasure for writers and everyone interested in the written word. This book is a survival guide for writers and an example of what excellent writing looks like. Highly recommended.

I read this book and wrote a review on this blog on May 2. Please take a few minutes to read my entire review. This ebook is being offered as a FREE Kindle book for the next three days.

Grab it NOW!

Book Review: Live To Write Another Day by Dean Orion

Live To Write Another Day, A Survival Guide for Screenwriters and Creative Storytellers

Author: Dean Orion

Publisher: Sky Feather Media

Date: March 5, 2013



About The Author
Dean Orion began his career as a professional writer by crafting copy for a local ad agency in his native Long Island by day and hopping trains to New York City, where his first play was produced by night. After moving to Los Angeles in 1988 to attend The American Film Institute, he embarked on a very eclectic career in the entertainment industry, writing for both traditional and interactive media. Orion's unique background has also led him into the world of themed entertainment, where he has worked for many years as a writer, show producer and creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Writer Gene
If you are a person who is driven to tell stories with words, then you have the writer gene. Mr. Orion shares his techniques, thoughts and emotions that have evolved from 25 years of professional writing. This book is for all who have the "writer gene".

What About Writer's Block?
Dean Orion says there is no such thing as "writer's block". He believes that it is just a panic or overwhelming feeling that the answer will never come. He explains that a writer must develop a writing process that will give him the confidence and the fortitude to face this fear when it comes.

"All original stories exist in a perfect state as thought forms that are separate from you. Listen and tune them in like a radio signal."

Mr. Orion provides a detailed explanation of the writing process that he uses. He tells how he does research, takes notes, develops an outline, writes the first draft, receives input from other writers, makes revisions and finishes the story.

He gives valuable advice on how to get paid for writing. He shares many insider's tips that will be helpful to aspiring writers. He encourages writers to connect with other writers to exchange ideas and techniques.
Is it easy to be a professional writer? No, it is not easy but Mr. Orion tells writers that their voice is worthy of being heard, and the fight to make it heard is never in vain.

My Thoughts
This is a very informative book for anyone who is interested in writing. It is educational, motivational and inspirational. The author uses his writing skills to convey his passion for the craft of writing and to inspire and encourage others to use their "writer gene" to the best of their ability.

Mr. Orion is very candid in explaining the process that he uses when working on a writing project. He holds nothing back...if you want to be a better writer I am sure you will benefit from this book.

The author adds a bonus section to the book that details his thoughts on "interactive media and the future of storytelling". He shares his experiences writing for video game developers and the Walt Disney Company.

"Live to Write Another Day" is a real treasure for writers and everyone interested in the written word. This book is a survival guide for writers and an example of what excellent writing looks like. Highly recommended.

My Rating: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to review from NetGalley.

Will you live to write another day? Please share you thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: 137 Books in One Year by Kevin Hendricks

137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading

Author: Kevin D. Hendricks

Publisher: Monkey Outta Nowhere

Date: January 19, 2013



About The Author
Kevin D. Hendricks runs his own freelance writing and editing company, Mondkey Outta Nowhere.

Fall in Love With Reading
Do you wish you had more time for reading?
Is reading a priority in your life?
Do you have an addictive thirst for reading?

This is a how-to manual for reading. It is also the story of a young man's passion for reading and sharing books.

"I enjoy a good movie and I'm addicted to my share of sitcoms. But I still love to curl up with a good book. I still like to discover new worlds at the local library. I still like to get lost in a book, forget what's going on around me and find something new."

Mr. Hendricks explains how he finds time for reading in his hectic schedule. He takes a book everywhere he goes. He advises, "whenever you have an idle moment, instead of reaching for your smart phone, grab your book. Read at every opportunity you get, no matter how small."

The author shares ideas for tracking your reading and sharing reviews with others. The purpose of reading is to learn and grow. He advises readers to think and reflect on the things they read and write down thoughts in a journal or blog.

The last part of this 94-page ebook is an annotated list of the 137 books that Mr. Hendricks read in 2012. He lists a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction and comments on each selection.

My Thoughts
This is a wonderful read for all you bookworms. You will understand exactly how this author has developed a habit and passion for reading.

Reading really is a habit that we have to practice and develop. Mr. Hendricks  expresses his love and enthusiasm for reading in a delightful manner. It doesn't really matter the number of books you read. The important thing is that you read, read, read!

If you have not experienced the joy of daily reading, this book will inspire and motivate you to get started. Your life will never be the same!

My Rating: 4 Stars Out of 5

FYI ~ I downloaded this ebook during a free promotion an Amazon.Com. Please check the current price before ordering.

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Book Review: The Essential Book Blog by Ken Howe

The Essential Book Blog: The Complete Bibliophile's Toolkit for Building, Growing and Monetizing Your On-Line Book-Lover's Community (Brinestone Guides)

Author: Ken J. Howe

Publisher: Brinestone Press

Date: August 4, 2012 (Second Edition)


About The Author
Ken Howe is the founder of Brinestone Press, an independent small press established to provide publishing services, including editing, design and formatting, and cover illustration, to the burgeoning army of new indie authors.

Blogging About Books 
Book blogs have exploded in numbers over the past several years. This book provides information about getting a book blog started, finding appropriate books to review, writing book reviews, building a community of readers and monetizing the blog.

The book features 180 links to useful articles, products and services on the Web. 

My Thoughts 
I started my book blog four years ago. I chose this book because there are very few books available on starting and growing a book blog. I try to read each new book that comes out on the subject. 

The information on finding books is good for beginners. When I first started my blog, I would go to the library and check-out the new books to feature on my blog. When I got a Kindle ereader, finding books was no longer a problem. The author explains how to get review books from publishers and free digital books from Amazon and other sites.

I found the section on how to write a good book review very interesting. I have learned that reviewing books is much more than just liking to read. You have to be a good writer and be able to express your opinions in an interesting manner. Dr. Howe gives some excellent tips on how to evaluate a book and write a review that displays your own voice and personality.

The book explains why it is not ethical to charge money for book reviews. He gives a variety of options for monetizing your blog and your services. These are all practical things that can be done by a blogger with average technical know-how.

This book offers dozens of links for finding more information and services to grow a book blog and get more readers. I think this book is a MUST READ for anyone who is thinking about starting a book blog or is just starting out.
A veteran book blogger will find the tips in this book useful for tweaking their existing blog and taking it to the next level.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased a digital copy of this book from Amazon.Com with my personal funds...well worth the money!

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Book Review: APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur - How to Publish a Book

APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur-How to Publish a Book

Authors: Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch

Publisher: Nononina Press

Date: December 10, 2012



About The Author
Guy Kawasaki is the author of Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions. He is the co-founder of Alltop.com, an "online magazine rack" of popular topics on the web, and founding partner at Garage Technology Ventures.

Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur
Are you an author or future author?

Are you thinking about self-publishing your book?

Do you have a gazillion questions about what to do and how to do it?

This is the book you have been waiting for.

Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch have written a 300-page book about "artisanal publishing." The thesis of APE is simple but powerful: when a self-publisher successfully fills three roles...author, publisher, entrepreneur...the potential benefits are greater than with a traditional publisher.

This book is a comprehensive handbook for authors who want to take complete control over the writing, publishing and marketing of their book. The authors provide technical instructions for formatting your digital files for ebook publication as well as sharing very helpful information for printing your book.

The marketing advice covers "guerrilla marketing" techniques and how to build a platform to promote your book online. The authors offer excellent free resources on the book's web site.

There is a lengthy glossary at the end of the book that defines many of the terms that are used in the book.

My Thoughts
I was absolutely blown away by the amount of NEEDED information that is presented in this book.

This book offers authors a great deal of value for a relatively small investment. This book informs, instructs, motivates and inspires.

The authors share all the steps they used to APE (author, publish, entrepreneur) this very book!

You can view a video book trailer HERE.

Self-publishing is not easy. It takes hard work, determination and perseverance. If you have been dreaming about writing and publishing a book, this book will be a very wise investment. Highly Recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from Net Galley.


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Book Review: You Can Write A Short Story! by Geoff Hoff

You Can Write a Short Story!

Author: Geoff Hoff

Publisher: Geoff Hoff Online

Date: December 1, 2012




About The Author
Geoff Hoff has been a creative writer, an actor, an acting teacher, a standup comic and a popular blogger. He studies and writes about the process of creativity and the process of marketing and teaches creative writing and marketing courses on the Internet.

A Simple, Practical, Fun System to Write Short Stories
Do you want to write but don't know where to start?

Geoff Hoff presents a no-frills system to go from no idea to completed short story in six easy steps;

• The Idea
• Beginning, Middle and End
• Setting
• Character
• The First Draft
• Conclusions and Responses

The author uses three short stories as reference points for the lessons that he teaches in this ebook. These stories can be downloaded from the author's site and reviewed before reading this book.

My Thoughts
This short ebook provides a wealth of information in a very concise and well-organized manner. I read the book in about an hour and truly enjoyed it. The author includes "free tips", exercises, lesson summaries and assignments. The book is very interactive and it seemed like Mr. Hoff was looking over my shoulder as I was jotting down some notes that might be my inspiration for a future short story.

When I was working as an elementary school librarian, I attended several creative writing workshops that were designed to help teachers instruct students in writing skills. I felt like some of these courses made writing much more difficult than it really is.

"You Can Write A Short Story!" is an excellent resource for beginning writers, teachers and students of all ages. If you complete each assignment in this ebook, I promise you will have a completed short story to share with your friends or even publish on Amazon! Highly recommended for all ages.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received this ebook as a free download during a special promotion on Amazon.Com. Please check the current price before ordering.

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Book Review: Notes to Aspiring Writers; Your Dream, God's Plan

Notes to Aspiring Writers: Your Dream, God's Plan

Author: Brooke McGlothlin

Published: Brooke McGlothlin Media (July 15, 2011) ~ 34 pages 



About The Author
Brooke McGlothlin, MA, is the author of the best-selling ebook "Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most", creator of the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons Challenge and co-founder of the well-loved online community for mothers of boys, the M.O.B. Society.

What Is God's Plan For My Life?
Brooke McGlothlin dreamed of writing a book her entire life. This ebook is a collection of five life lessons she learned as she pursued her dream of being a published author.

The author told of her early blogging experiences of writing and working hard to get an audience to read and comment on her posts. She learned that it is wiser to write for an audience of one...God. She has dedicated every aspect of her writing to Him and seeks guidance in Bible study and prayer.

Would it be a huge step of faith for you to stop striving in your writing career, and consider letting God bring the right opportunities to you instead?

The bottom line is that God has lifted up some and not others. More important than asking "why" when faced with disappointment is to humbly seek God's glory. Our life plans are less about us, and more about how He receives the greatest glory.


My Thoughts
Ms. McGlothlin opened her heart and wrote about the lessons she learned during her writing journey. These lessons have drawn her nearer to God and strengthened her Christian faith.

This ebook challenged me to seek God's will and to write for an audience of ONE. There is no formula for success that will work for all writers. This book will encourage you to follow your heart and discover your true life's purpose.

My Rating:  5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased this book with my own funds on Amazon.Com.

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