A Baker’s Dozen
I was listening to the Shipping & Handling Podcast today. The podcast is hosted by two literary agents who talk books, fandom, writing, and beyond. The hosts? The hosts are Bridget Smith of Dunham Literary Inc. & Jennifer Udden of Barry Goldblatt Literary.
They mentioned when being interviewed for a job as a literary agent they were asked what were the last ten books you read. The question got me thinking. I came up with the last twelve books I read. I read a few of the concurrently. I recommend them all.
- Once They Wore the Gray by Johnny D. Boggs – Western
- Arkadian Skies: Fallen Empire, Book 6 by Lindsay Buroker – Science-fiction
- Midair by Kodi Scheer – Literary fiction
- Cleon Moon: Fallen Empire, Book 5 by Lindsay Buroker – Science-fiction
- Relic of Sorrows: Fallen Empire, Book 4 by Lindsay Buroker – Science-fiction
- Starseers: Fallen Empire, Book 3 by Lindsay Buroker – Science-fiction
- How to Make a Living with Your Writing: Books, Blogging and More by Joanna Penn – Non-fiction (Reference on Business of writing)
- Honor’s Flight: Fallen Empire, Book 2 by Lindsay Buroker – Science-fiction
- Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish and market your book in ebook and print by Joanna Penn- Non-fiction (Reference on Business of writing)
- Business For Authors. How To Be An Author Entrepreneur by Joanna Penn – Non-fiction (Reference on Business of writing)
- Star Nomad: Fallen Empire, Book 1 by Lindsay Buroker – Science-fiction
- The Age of Daredevils by Michael Clarkson – Non-fiction (history)
- Plot (Elements of Fiction Writing) by
You can leave in the comments the last books you’ve read. I have read these since January 2017.
Photo Source: Pixaby
Relic of Sorrows: Fallen Empire, Book 4 by Lindsay Buroker
This book, number 4 in the series, pulls together much of what we’d guessed at in the previous three books. Relic of Sorrows also adds some new twists in the plot. From the three previous books, we know pretty much everything important about Alisa.
We’ve learned she is ethical and empathetic. She is very courageous when she needs courage. She is also a typical girl.
She allows herself to be tempted by people and circumstances and often gives in to them. She is a habitual eavesdropper, and though conflicted about this. She seems to have no desire to stop. She is embarrassed when caught.
She wants to keep Leonidas’ good opinion of her. She tries to be manipulative but isn’t good at it. She displays snarkiness but thinks she is charming because of it.
Despite all these character defects, she is sweet, and it’s easy to see why the various men are drawn to her.
Leonidas is upstanding, capable of friendship, ethical, brave, protective, very smart, introspective, and maybe even as a Cyborg, capable of love. Alisa and the others in the group have learned things about him. They have grown to value him, and his opinions.
We learn, in this book, one of his great secrets, which, because of all the foreshadowing was done, is not much of a secret when he finally reveals it to Alisa.
The two also finally get together, as much as they can. Alisa is also pursued by Abelardus, who manages to throw several curves at her, and causes discord between her and Leo. Because of the secret (which Alisa didn’t know), we learn about Alisa. We are aware why he is doing this. This banter results in some fairly enjoyable scenes between the two of them. Enjoyable to the reader, at any rate.
We learn what the orb is that Alejandro has carried with him throughout the various voyages, and get finally to see it in action. The circumstances are, actually, surprising, and open up a whole avenue of further plotlines.
It’s hard to describe these scenes without including lots and lots of spoilers. Let me just say, the book and series are worth reading.
In this book, none of the other crew members or passengers get much time, and we don’t learn much more about them. It’s the plot that is primarily advanced in this installment.
We’ve gotten beyond all the searching for the relic, which is now found, and because of Alisa’s ingenuity, is in the possession of this group, instead of all the other powerful people who have been looking for it.
The book ends here, and we can only surmise that as soon as the Alliance discovers that they have been duped, they will come storming after them.
There has been no action on the search for Jelena this time, but Leo has agreed to stay with Alisa and work for her while she searches for her daughter.
There is plenty of action and excitement in this book. The value in this one is in the background information we gain, and in the movement of the plot.
The next book is going to be fantastic. It will include the search for Jelena, a search for Torian, (the Emperor’s missing son), possibly the kidnapping of Dr. Tiang, (the researcher newly introduced into the story, who is knowledgeable about cyborg workings), and the conspiracy which is beginning to form between Abelardus and Alejandro to either force, or convince Alisa to use her newly found power to aid them in their ultimate mission.
The Copyright Page
Copyright Page Contains:
- The Declaration of copyright
- It tells who owns the copyright
- The gives the year of publication
- You are informed of any reservation of rights
- Other Credits
- Artists or Illustrators
- Editor or Editorial Staff
- Cover or Graphic Designer
- Publisher Notes
- Copyright Acknowledgements
- For reprinted materials that require permission (Bible Verses i.e. Scripture)
- ISBN Number
- LCCN or CIP Number
- List Where Printed for Print Books
- Edition Number
- Usually, includes a “Published By”
- Published by is listed at either the top or bottom of copyright page
- Disclaimer
- Memoirs
- Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
- Novels
- This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
- Self-Help Books.
- This book is for informational purposes only. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book.
- Health Books.
- The information provided in this book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians.
- Memoirs
Dedication Page:
- To my wonderful wife, Mary, without whose continued loving support and encouragement this book would not exist.
Table of Contents:
- Included in nonfiction titles
- Not usually in fiction books
- Should not be longer than two pages.
Foreword:
- Setup for the book, typically written by someone other than the author. A famous person or celebrity writing the foreward can help promote and sell the book.
Preface / Acknowledgements:
- Here is where the author’s say thank you to those who contributed time and resources towards the effort of writing the book.
Introduction
- Setup for the book’s contents, generally by the author.
Photo Source:
- Title: Intellectual Property
- File size: 105 KB
- Free License permits: Sharing, copying and redistributing in any medium or format including adapting, remixing, transforming, and building upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. Attribution required.
- License: Creative Commons 3 – CC BY-SA 3.0
- Creator attribution: Nick Youngson – link to – http://nyphotographic.com/
- Date first licensed: June 2016
Original Image: http://www.creative-commons-images.com/handwriting/i/intellectual-property.html
The Toynbee Convector by Ray Bradbury
Spoiler alert! Spoilers are in this review!
I first read this collection of short stories in 1992. It includes a reprint of the 1983 story, “The Toynbee Convector” that appeared in the January 1984 issue of “Playboy.”
Here is the story plot/summary. The story’s protagonist claims to have returned from the future. He has tapes and films of a miraculous technological wonderland. Humankind has solved all its major problems – no cancer, no world hunger, etc. This energizes the world with confidence. People believe that their dreams will come true. They proceed to build that future.
They have no idea that future is all a lie. The lie pictures a wondrous future. It describes this future in breath-taking detail. There is almost an action plan with hints as to how to get there. The world’s brain trust of scientists, economists, and politicians take the clues and make this future a reality.
Then comes the day when we are at the time and place where the protagonist is to appear from the past in the created future. A major deflection occurs. You have to read the story for the conclusion. It is worth reading.
The book has twenty-two other stories. While the other stories in the collection are good and “worth the read,” none match the opening story. The majority are reprints from magazine articles.
I nominate the short story of “The Toynbee Convector” for the best fantasy/science fiction short story ever written. It is that good.
Photo Sources: The cover of the hardbound first edition along with Ray Bradbury’s signature inside the first edition.
The Copyright Page
Fiction and nonfiction contain a copyright page. The copyright page’s purpose is to help protect and identify your intellectual property. The copyright page contains specific information.
The Copyright Page Contains
- Your Declaration of Copyright
- Other Credits
- Copyright Acknowledgements
- Disclaimer
- ISBN Number
- LCCN or CIP Number
- Where Printed
- Edition Number
- Published By
In the next few sessions, we will look at each part in detail.
Photo Credit: Pixaby
Your Book’s “Front Matter”
Today I’ll take a quick look at the front matter of your book. Wh there is no industry standard of front matter for your book, most books will have up to eight items. Only the title page and copyright page are found in all books.
Front Matter:
- Endorsements / Praise for the Book
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication Page
- Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Preface / Acknowledgements
- Introduction
The Endorsements or Praise Page:
The endorsement page is where you tell the world how good you and your book is. You are letting your potential audience know not through your own words but rather by sharing the comments of other. Here is where you list lines from endorsements and pre-publication reviews for readers to view what others are saying about the book. Not everyone will have The Endorsement or Page Page.
Next is the Title Page.
Title Page:
- Title
- Subtitle
- Author
- Illustrator
- Publisher (even if you are an indie author you let the reader know it is an independent or self-published book)
- Publisher Location (Don’t give them your street address! There are people who may be stalking you. You can use your city or a post office box plus your city)
The title type and design elements should match your front cover. Look at how the traditionally published books do it and replicate what you see.
Next time we will look at the copyright page.
Photo Credit: Pixaby
Dark Voyage of the Mittie Stephens by Johnny Boggs
A Page Turner
Dark Voyage of the Mittie Stephens is a wonderful book. Warning Spoilers follow – Master storyteller Johnny Boggs had my attention from the shootout in the New Orleans cemetery.
Great Characters
The transient amnesia professional gambler Bobby Randow and southern belle (with a past) Laura Kelley journey from New Orleans to Jefferson, Texas. A great story where Laura runs from her past and the enforcement officers after her. Bobby has ghosts from his past onboard as well. They seek the Mittie Stephens concealed gold payroll.
Engaging Story
It’s a wonderful book that kept me turning the page from my favorite western writer. If you like westerns and thrillers you’ll love Dark Voyage of the Mittie Stephens as much as I do.
How to Get Your Manuscript Ready for Publishing
Assumptions
You must write the book to have something to prepare for publication.
I know what you are thinking. Your thoughts are everyone knows you have to first write the book. I’m assuming you have taken the time to finish your first draft. After you’ve written you can move to this step.
Today I am giving you a general overview of the parts of a manuscript and how to get the manuscript ready for publication, that is, how to really polish your work.
The Parts of a Manuscript
A manuscript has three basic parts. They are:
- Front Matter
- Content
- Back or End Matter
Once the manuscript is written it is time to begin polishing it. Here are the basic steps on how to polish your manuscript. They are:
- Using Beta Readers
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Interior Layout and Design
Photo Source: Pixaby
Next time I’ll look at the parts in more detail.
Use Video and Audio to Engage an Audience.
Using audio and video on a regular basis is one great way to build an audience. Below are a few thoughts on how to do it.
Consistent Schedule
- Published on the same day of the week
- Published at the same time
Specific Subject or Themed – Examples are:
- Marketing your book
- Self-publishing helps
- How to use a specific software like Scrivener
- Your hobby or passion. Examples are:
- Travel
- Dining
- Book reviews
- Coffee houses
Start Your Own YouTube Channel
- Create informational videos
- How to videos
- Interviews
Create a Live-stream Channel and Stream Videos Using Google Hangouts
- Create informational videos
- How to videos
- Interviews
- Create a podcast
Reminder – Three Things to Do Before You Publish Your Book:
- Brand Your Book
- Obtain Endorsements
- Develop an Audience
Next, we will look at preparing your manuscript for publishing. Remember, you must write the book to have something to prepare for publication.
Photo Source: Pixaby
Podcasts and Videos
Use Video and Audio to engage an audience.
- Create a YouTube channel and create informational videos.
- Create informational videos.
- Start a live-stream channel and stream videos.
- Create a podcast.
Video and Audio Resources:
- YouTube
- Animoto
Podcasting Resources:
Podcasting is an effective way to generate content for your website. Many inexpensive and relatively simple tools are available to capture and edit audio and video. The tools allow even a podcasting novice can produce high-quality content with very little expense.
Podcasting Tools.
- Podbean. Podbean is a podcasting platform with publishing, management, syndication, and analysis tools.
- Publish and share your podcasts, and even sell them with no transaction fees.
- Price: Plans start at $5 per month.
- PodOmatic. PodOmatic is a platform with customizable embedded players and promotional tools.
- Its directory contains over two million podcasts from independent podcasters.
- Create a mini cast, combining audio and images to share on social media.
- Price: The Basic account is free. Contact them for pro support pricing.
- Audcacity. Audacity is a free and open-source application for recording and editing audio.
- It features simple tools for splicing and mixing sound.
- Edit a variety of sound files and apply multiple effects, including changing speed or pitch.
- Audacity also features a podcasting forum for community support.
- Audacity is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
- Price: Free.
- SoundCloud. SoundCloud is a social audio platform to create and share the sound.
- Share audio privately or publicly to blogs, sites, and social networks.
- Share audio directly to Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Foursquare. Access anywhere using the official iPhone and Android apps, as well as hundreds of creation and sharing apps built on the SoundCloud platform.
- Price: Free.
- Libsysn. Libsyn (Liberated Syndication) is a podcast network to create, host, publish and promote your podcast.
- It has over 10,000 podcasts delivered to more than 18 million monthly audience members.
- With four different kinds of content accepted by its app, you can offer your audience extras, blog posts, transcripts and more all in one place.
- Price: Plans start at $5.
- GarageBand. If you own a Mac, GarageBand is a full-feature tool to record and edit your podcast audio.
- Create and mix up to 255 audio tracks.
- GarageBand comes with a complete sound library of software instruments.
- Ecamm Call Recorder. Ecamm Call Recorder is a tool to record audio and video calls with Skype or FaceTime.
- Get high-quality HD recordings. Easily convert into MP3 files for podcasting.
- Call Recorder’s multi-track recording lets you split tracks after a call.
- Available for Mac OS.
- Price: $29.95.
- Audio Hijack. Audio Hijack is a tool to record audio from apps like Skype or from an audio device, with customizable recording options for podcasts.
- Audio Hijack is also an ideal backup tool to record your source audio, in case there’s a problem with a guest’s audio track.
- Price: $49 for a license.
- Simple Podcast Press. Simple Podcast Press is a player that will also grow your audience.
- Automatically add Opt-in Forms to all your existing and new podcast episodes to grow your email list.
- Add a sidebar widget that automatically showcases your latest podcast episodes.
- Works with all podcast feeds including Libsyn, SoundCloud, PodBean, and Blubrry.
- Price: $47 single license.
- Smart Podcast Player. Smart Podcast Player is a customizable podcast player sleek enough for your website.
- Display your podcast artwork, and use your brand colors.
- Your library updates automatically anytime you publish a new episode to your feed.
- The mobile-responsive Smart Podcast Player is compatible with any podcast RSS feed from any podcast hosting service, including Libsyn and SoundCloud.
- Price: $97 per year.
- ScheduleOnce. ScheduleOnce is a scheduling assistant app that’s useful to book guest interviews.
- It integrates with a variety of calendar apps, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook.
- Guests click your booking page and choose from available time slots.
- When booked, the appointment is automatically added to your calendar and confirmation is sent the guest.
- Price: Plans start at $5 per month.
- SqueakPipe. SqueakPipe is a voice messaging tool.
- It’s useful if your podcast utilizes Q&As with questions submitted from listeners.
- Install a voicemail widget on your website and start interacting with your audience.
- You can use a custom button or the SpeakPipe side button.
- Price: Plans start at $7 per month.
- Spreaker. Spreaker is a podcast platform to create, host, and distribute your podcasts.
- Pre-record or broadcast live via the studio console, from desktop or mobile device.
- Mix voice with tracks and effects on the fly.
- The application also allows easy sharing across all the major social networks, as well as providing embeddable players for any website.
- Price: Plans start at $4.99 per month.
- Buffer. Buffer is a tool to manage the sharing of content — including podcasts — on social media.
- Use Buffer to schedule your podcasts, and then analyze rich statistics on how your posts perform.
- Schedule your sharing in advance, and manage multiple social media accounts at once.
- Price: An individual account is free.
- Google Hangouts. Google Hangouts is a video and audio conferencing tool that can be used for interviewing guests.
- Google Hangouts is for broadcasting live conversations.
- Take audience questions in advance and answer them live.
- Schedule broadcasts and go live in HD on Google+, YouTube, and your website.
- It will be recorded and automatically saved on your YouTube channel.
- Price: Free.
- Blubrry PowerPress. Blubrry PowerPress brings the essential features for podcasting to WordPress.
- PowerPress offers iTunes support, media URL verification, six audio player options, three video player options, multiple format and media file types, category podcasting capabilities, platform migration tools, and more.
- Price: Blubrry basic is free.
- Premium plan is $5 per month
Example Video created for free by Jimmie Aaron Kepler using Animoto free version.
Some content is sourced and adapted from Practicalecommerce.
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THE REBUILDER
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MISS SARAH'S SECRET
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Gone Electric: A Poetry Collection
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