Category Archives: Technology
On December 1st, 2011 Susan Violante and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with publisher and marketing guru Jacqueline Church (“JC”) Simonds. She is the co-owner of Beagle Bay, Inc, a book packaging and distribution company. Jacqueline is also the author of the historical novel Captain Mary, Buccaneer. We went back to basics for this episode and touched on all the fundamentals you need, including:
- Self-Publishing = Entrepreneurship. Can you handle the business or do you need a partner?
- Publishing is a $3 TRILLION a year, global business. Are you ready to compete?
- Most new publishers are woefully lacking in knowledge about the book business.
- Should you go for a “Doing Business As” (dba) or incorporate?
- How many ISBNs should you buy – 1? 10? 1000
- Understand the new business models of Print on Demand (POD) + distribution, eBooks, and offset printing.
- Marketing = Sales. How do you plan to reach your reader/buyer in the first few months, and from then on?
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 Jacqueline Church Simonds |
| Jacqueline is a book shepherd, assisting self-publishers and start-up presses in launching their businesses. Much of her knowledge about publishing can be found at the Creative Minds Press site New Self-Publisher’s FAQIn Captain Mary, Buccaneer, Simonds has crafted an enduring tale that will satisfy readers with its swashbuckling action, dark intrigue, and torrid romance. The book is the result of Simonds’ extensive research into the pirate subculture of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries. From the tales of real women pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read who were tried for piracy in Spanishtown, Jamaica in 1721, Simonds has created a character who would be as at home on Wall Street as she is on the heaving deck of an 18th century brigantine. If you enjoy curling up in your favorite chair with a great adventure story, then this book is for you!
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 Captain Mary, Buccaneer |
On October 20th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with children’s author and publisher Karl Beckstrand. Since 2004 he has run his own publishing company Premio Publishing and a Spanish language imprint Gozo Books—producing captivating stories, ads, and scripts. Beckstrand has experience in high tech, TV/radio broadcasting, film, and public policy. Karl shared with us key points on writing and producing children’s activity books, including:
- How do you market activity books?
- How do you distribute them?
- Do parents/educators prefer physical books for kids?
- Why activity books/Why not just picture story books?
- What kinds of activities engage children?
- Are activities with adults more beneficial?
- Bilingual books
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 Karl Beckstrand |
| Karl Beckstrand has written 5 books that have versions in English, Spanish, and Bi-lingual for a total of 21 editions. Raised in San Jose, California, USA, he is pursuing an MA in international relations from American Public University. He has lived abroad, been a Spanish/English interpreter, and he enjoys volleyball and kayaking (usually not at the same time). Beckstrand’s activity books, Spanish & bilingual books, ebook mysteries, and nonfiction stories feature minority characters and have been lauded by national reviews. His work has appeared in diverse places such as: Children’s Miracle Network, BioPhotonics Magazine, Papercrafts Magazine, LDS Film Festival and various broadcasts. He hope readers will get from his books–LAUGHS, learning and family fun |
 Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids |
| On August 19th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with publishing and marketing guru Paul McNeese. Paul spent 27 years writing for radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and in corporate America before retiring to create his own organization. Paul’s new company, OPA Author Services, helps both first-time authors and seasoned professionals to self-publish their materials—in other words, to become their own publishers. In this session of Authors Access, Paul McNeese is with us to offer some thoughts – and perhaps a little advice – on a vital aspect of “branding” for writers and authors |
 Paul McNeese |
| In 2008 Paul McNeese re-focused his work and began guiding authors only through the development and production of books and E-books — and then turning his clients over to a consortium of trusted experts he gathered over the years specifically to handle marketing, promotion, publicity and distribution. Even though he limits his personal work to operations that end with the printing or electronic publication of a book, Paul knows that the marketing plan is a vital component of the consultant/client relationship and essential to the success of both books and authors, so he keeps up with all of the new approaches to book marketing and starts every new project by building a plan with each client that will make the transformation from concept to cash register a seamless one. |
 OPA Author Services |
| On August 3rd, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with book designer, blogger and publisher Joel Friedlander, proprietor of Marin Bookworks in San Rafael, California. Joel is the author of A Self-Publisher’s Companion: Expert Advice for Authors Who Want to Publish and came to share his wisdom from decades of involvement at every level of book production.He has owned businesses in graphic arts, design and book publishing. He was Production Director of Aperture Books, where he produced award-winning photography books. He founded Renaissance Press in northern California, a private publisher of hand-typeset and hand printed books. As the owner of Globe Press Books in Yorktown Heights, New York, he published books of memoirs and east-west spirituality. |
 Joel Friedlander |
| A self-published author himself, he now helps authors who decide to publish navigate the often confusing world of self-publishing. He is known for his carefully produced books, beautiful typography, and an ethical and personal approach to his work and his clients. His blog has become a popular gathering spot for authors, publishers and designers. You can find out more and read over 500 articles on book design, publishing, ebooks, book marketing and the life of the indie author by visiting his blog at www.theBookDesigner.com |
 A Self-Publisher’s Companion: Expert Advice for Authors Who Want to Publish |
