tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833388107417942712024-03-18T00:43:15.786-07:00ASHLEY SANDERSYA FICTION AUTHORAshley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-8301125260578116712011-12-24T18:17:00.000-08:002012-01-04T03:04:32.336-08:00BAZZA vs WILD Sneak Preview<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wf5s7D3Z9XU?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This is an official sneak preview of the epic survival series Bazza vs Wild. Watch as Bazza Buttercup faces nature in its rawest and shows off his incredible survival skills the way it should be done!<br />
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Follow Bazza's adventure for special tips and techniques to help you be triumphant in your battles against ferocious flora and fauna out there in the wild.<br />
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For more info on the man Bear Grylls admires and wants to spoon, check out </span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span><a href="http://bazzavswild.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">bazzavswild.blogspot.com</span></span></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Thanks, and Merry Christmas!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Ash</span></span></div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-87552397089009050342011-12-15T01:29:00.000-08:002012-01-04T03:05:01.800-08:00National Year of Reading 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="66" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyxnDDuSx8c/Tum5-ZwT0GI/AAAAAAAAAI8/2w9EK3wopLw/s320/nyor-sig.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Next year I am taking part in the National Year of Reading, an initiative aimed at improving the literacy skills of Australians, with nearly half the population at an unacceptable level of illiteracy. As an author of young adult fiction books, I'll be visiting schools and libraries to spark some interest in reading, or reignite a lost passion. I'll also be holding a book drive to collect books for underprivileged kids. Read on to find out more about this fantastic initiative and how you can help.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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</span> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What is the National Year of Reading?</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">(Information sourced from the NYR 2012 website)</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The National Year of Reading 2012 is about children learning to read and keen readers finding new sources of inspiration. It's about supporting reading initiatives while respecting the oral tradition of storytelling. It's about helping people discover and rediscover the magic of books. And most of all, it's about Australians becoming a nation of readers.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Australian libraries and associations are backing a campaign to turn 2012 into the National Year of Reading, linking together all the great events and programs that are already happening around books, reading and literacy. Combining everything into one joint national effort will give them an extra boost.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Libraries will be partnering with government, the media, writers, schools, publishers, booksellers, employers, child care providers, health professionals and a whole host of other organisations that share a passion for reading.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.6cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.6cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Why have a National Year of Reading?</span></span></i></div><div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.6cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.6cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">According to the NYR website, nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.6cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">As an avid reader and writer, I find these statistics appalling, and am left wondering why illiteracy is so prevalent in our society? Sure, these statistics probably include people with learning difficulties, and those with disabilities which prevent them from gaining literacy skills. But this nowhere near accounts for 46% of Australians. Could it also be due to poor standards or lack of access to education in certain communities? Perhaps there's far more elderly people out there who we dismiss, or who dismiss themselves as being to old to learn. Or is it sadly a simple lack of access to books? Whatever it is, I'm going to find out. And I'm going to do whatever I can to help, because 46% should not be an acceptable number.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">How can you help?</span></span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">There are a whole number of ways in which you and your family, friends, colleagues, and company can help with NYR 2012. Here's a list with links to get you started.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Become a “</span></span><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/friends.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Friend</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">” or “</span></span><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/partners.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Partner</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">” of NYR 2012. A whole range of organisations have partnered with NYR to host events, donate time and money and help libraries with their programs. Authors can become “Friends” and offer their time to do readings and visits.</span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/donate.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Donate</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> to certain initiatives.</span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Become an “</span></span><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/ambassadors.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Ambassador</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">”. Celebrities can become ambassadors and use their strong public influence to help promote events.</span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Join your local library if you haven't already done so and encourage those around you to do so as well. Ask staff there about events that you could support.</span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Hold your own book drive and donate the books to underprivileged children.</span></span></li>
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</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Share a book with your child.</span></span></li>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Go to the NYR </span></span><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/index.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> and sign up for their email list to receive updates.</span></span></li>
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</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/about-us.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Contact</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> NYR staff and let them know you're available to help in any way.</span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">So make sure you check out the NYR 2012 </span><a href="http://www.love2read.org.au/index.cfm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> for more information and get behind this great cause!</span></span></div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-2216904780389029462011-11-07T18:44:00.000-08:002011-11-07T18:44:31.870-08:00Reader Views featureThe long journey to publish <i>Facing Demons</i> has recently come to an end following its release in mid-October. Since I've been back from Europe I've been busy finalizing proof copies, book covers, and upping my marketing efforts. With help from <i>Reader Views </i>- a fantastic book publicity company, I've had my book reviewed, press releases sent out and have been interviewed.<br />
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<i>Reader Views</i> is currently featuring me this week via their website and newsletter. Use the following links to have a look!<br />
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<a href="http://www.readerviewskids.com/InterviewSanders_Facing_Demons.html" target="_blank">Author interview</a> (conducted by Tyler R. Tichelaar)<br />
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<a href="http://www.readerviews.com/" target="_blank">Reader Views home page feature</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.readerviews.com/Newsletters/2011.11/7.html" target="_blank">Reader Views newsletter</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.readerviewskids.com/" target="_blank">Reader Views Kids home page feature</a><br />
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I have also made a book trailer:<br />
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Facing Demons can be bought from most online retailers or ordered through your local bookstore if not stocked. Amazon and Barnes & Noble are selling it for half the listed price at the moment so get your copy today!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1426948018" target="_blank">Buy from Amazon</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/facing-demons-ashley-sanders/1106699421?fmt=1000&itm=1&usri=facing%2bdemons" target="_blank">Buy from Barnes & Noble</a><br />
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Ebook versions will be available by mid-November.<br />
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Well I'm on night-shift tonight so I better go have a nanny-nap!<br />
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Take care all and happy reading,<br />
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Ashley.Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-79342806770965154402011-05-31T23:10:00.000-07:002011-05-31T23:10:41.173-07:00Facing Demons flyerWhat a perfect way to follow up a post about the legends at Beanpole Productions - with a spectacular flyer they designed for Facing Demons! Look at it, download it, show everyone, but most of all - enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmPZRcMWNLE/TeXWkyJ-clI/AAAAAAAAAHI/3smJfMU52cI/s1600/FD+Flyer+v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmPZRcMWNLE/TeXWkyJ-clI/AAAAAAAAAHI/3smJfMU52cI/s640/FD+Flyer+v3.jpg" width="456" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a great example of an effective way for any author to market their books. I'll be taking this flyer with me on my Europe trip next week and dropping it wherever appropriate (without littering of course). I've also got bookmarks with a very similar design that I'll give out too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-42439015346223691742011-05-20T22:17:00.000-07:002011-05-20T22:41:17.284-07:00Amazing Talent Showcase: Beanpole ProductionsThis is the first of many Amazing Talent Showcases I'll be doing. Each week I'll pick an author, artist, producer or small business whose brilliance and imagination are well worth a mention.<br />
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Today's amazingly talented person is Benny Dowie from Beanpole Productions.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UV4zB5I0IXE/TddQXHS_7nI/AAAAAAAAAHE/wHY73r2hJOU/s1600/Benny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UV4zB5I0IXE/TddQXHS_7nI/AAAAAAAAAHE/wHY73r2hJOU/s320/Benny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85Niv9vGKNw/TddMPHluISI/AAAAAAAAAHA/j1wL5rA-vMw/s1600/beanpole+logo+white.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85Niv9vGKNw/TddMPHluISI/AAAAAAAAAHA/j1wL5rA-vMw/s320/beanpole+logo+white.png" width="320" /></a></div>Beanpole Productions is a South Australian based film and design studio who "love to create amazing and unique work."<br />
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Benny is the founder and owner of Beanpole Productions, and the mastermind behind all the spectacular creations. Beanpole's work involves filming, editing, special effects, and graphic design for a range of clients such as local bands' video clips, US longboard company Orangutang, and most recently a contract to film several promotional videos for wineries across Australia and New Zealand. Benny also does some freelance work and is often called up by other local film production companies who wish to take advantage of his amazing skill set.<br />
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So, before I finish up by giving you some links of where to connect with Beanpole Productions and watch all of their epic videos, how about sitting back and relaxing for a few minutes and enjoy the video SLIDE - A longboarding video by Benny which has received over a quarter of a million views on YouTube and Vimeo.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go find Beanpole Productions on:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BeanpoleProductions?sk=info">Facebook</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/BeanpoleFilms">Twitter</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-18301348839011973502011-05-20T21:53:00.000-07:002011-05-20T21:53:11.195-07:00Traditional Publishing vs. Self-publishing<div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You've written a book and want to get it published but don't know how to go about it. First off you need to decide whether to go down the traditional or self-publishing pathways. Let's take a look at the pros and cons for each...</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4m6R632doQ0/TddDdyksfII/AAAAAAAAAG4/nHZjcQLDKKs/s1600/bookstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4m6R632doQ0/TddDdyksfII/AAAAAAAAAG4/nHZjcQLDKKs/s320/bookstore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Traditional publishing involves your manuscript first being accepted by a publishing house and being offered a contract. First time authors almost always need to go through an agent who approaches the publishing houses as most don't accept unsolicited manuscripts.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pros for Traditional Publishing*</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- The prestige of gaining publication with a publishing house. It's something to be proud of, being picked by someone else who trusts in your work enough to publish it.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Direct access to professional editing, printing and distribution with no out of pocket expenses.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Your books are more easily accepted into bookstores and other retail outlets (although this doesn't guarantee sales).</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- An advance on potential royalties is given.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- If your book does well, you could be offered a longer term contract with the publisher for multiple books.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cons for Traditional Publishing</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Lack of control over the process and finished product. You are unlikely to get much say in things like the cover and interior formatting.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Less royalties than if you self-published.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- The rights to the book are held by the publisher - even less control for the author.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Minimal marketing by the publisher. Although there is a higher chance you'll get into bookstores, and publishing houses have access to powerful connections, without good and consistent marketing and promotion people will not know about your book and therefore will not buy it. Which brings me to my next point...</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- If you don't sell many books, the publisher may say farewell to you.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ez2r9pKHM0M/TddDgU7WT8I/AAAAAAAAAG8/06UjX309_1g/s1600/books+in+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ez2r9pKHM0M/TddDgU7WT8I/AAAAAAAAAG8/06UjX309_1g/s1600/books+in+hands.jpg" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SELF-PUBLISHING</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is self-publishing? To self-publish is to design your book from beginning to end, and pay for it to be printed and distributed, rather than using a traditional publisher to do the legwork. You could use a print on demand service where a book is only printed when it is ordered online, or pay for any size print run.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pros for self-publishing</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Control over the whole book, from interior layout to the cover, and all other aspects.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Emerging or aspiring authors can print a book and test its market potential. This has benefits in that a first-time author can work hard to establish themselves and possibly get a book deal. However, if the book is weak in certain areas (lack of editing etc.) this would most certainly have some negative effects on the author's reputation.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Niche markets where there is likely to be only local distribution. Self-publishing allows for small print runs.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Royalties tend to be greater in self-publishing. However, the author misses out on the connections traditional publishers have to offer. If you as the author wish to compete with these larger, established companies, a lot more hard work and money would be required for marketing and publicity. This said, all authors should give their books the best chance by self-marketing and publicising as much as they can.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- The rights to the book are held by the author. This is beneficial in that you will be able to sell your book anywhere you like in any format (eBook, audio etc.) and for whatever price you choose.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Having something in print you can be proud of, whether or not you share it with the world.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cons for self-publishing</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Money up front with no guarantee of a good or any return. With a traditional publisher you tend to get an advance on royalties.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Limited assistance unless you seek it, which takes more time and money. There are so many great books and websites on self-publishing I will discuss in brief in this blog and in detail later that can help put you on the right track and give your book the best chance.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- The unknown - people think twice before buying something unknown. With self-publishing comes a stigma, perhaps due to the number of very poorly self-published books out there (read </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/POD-People-Beating-Print---Demand/dp/0978655109/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1303654279&sr=8-6" style="text-decoration: none;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">POD People</span></span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> by Jeremy Robinson – it talks about beating this stigma). You won't sell a lot of books if yours do not meet the standard, even with the best marketing strategies.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Competition - with so many books being published each year, how are you going to get yours noticed? To stand out, you'll need good book buzz with great reviews. The problem is, it's very difficult to get reviews from prestigious book review companies if you're a self-publisher.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To sum it all up, like anything in life there are benefits and drawbacks for both traditional and self-publishing. You need to decide what's most appropriate for your needs. Some authors choose to just produce digital versions of their books, or eBooks. Others only need a minimal number of books printed, and therefore can just take it to the printers themselves. Then there are those who desire that lucrative book deal with a famous publishing house. Whatever your heart desires, as long as you put the appropriate amount of time, effort and love into writing something people will enjoy and appreciate, then there will always be a market waiting to read it.</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Thanks to Joanna Penn, author of "From Idea to Book", for providing some of the benefits and drawbacks of traditional publishing. Her book contains all the information you need to get writing and pursue your dream of becoming a published author! Check out her blog at http://www.TheCreativePenn.com</span></div><div style="line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-83777169306693082832011-05-12T01:01:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:51:02.920-07:00More Reviews for Facing Demons<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I’ve been working with Irene Watson, managing editor of Reader Views, to get my pre-publication publicity on the right track. Part of this involves Irene and her team sending out galleys of Facing Demons to reviewers from various book review organisations. I posted my first review in April and have since received a couple more, which I’ll post in full here. So far my experience with Reader Views has been excellent, and I would highly recommend their very professional range of services for authors.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><a name='more'></a> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Book Review for:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facing Demons by Ashley Sanders</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reviewed by:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Douglas R. Cobb for Bestsellersworld.com</div><div class="MsoNormal">Contact:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="mailto:naeaton@bestsellersworld.com">naeaton@comcast.net</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What do you do, where do you turn, when you have no hope, when you think that you have nowhere to turn? Facing Demons by Ashley Sanders is a fascinating, page-turning YA novel which explores the turmoil-filled, tumultuous lives of four teenage individuals who face tragic and desperate situations, and the often self-destructive decisions they make, that lead them to the brink of wanting to end it all. It's also about how they all wind up at the Anchor Beach Rehabilitation Clinic, ran by Blake Solomon, and how their lives are changed for the better. As the title suggests, they each have to face their demons before they can conquer them. We get to learn very dramatically about the four people's lives because each one tells their tales in the first-person, present tense. The stories of Jason (a gang member), Rebecca (a drug addict and child prostitute forced into it by thugs who keep her doped up), Matthew (a homeless African refugee living on the streets), and Felicity (a reckless, high-risk taking, rich kid who cuts herself), will live with you long after you finish the book.<br />
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Blake Solomon gets a second chance at life when his metastatic cancer goes into remission in the prologue of Facing Demons. That's a big reason behind why he wants to give other people a chance, also. He's a great character, because though he has doubts like all people do, he keeps his resolve strong, despite some setbacks he experiences with the four other main characters. He deals with their problems in a kind, concerned, attentive manner, and it's apparent he deeply cares for his patients and wants to help them succeed on their road to recovery. Blake is described as looking "a bit like George Clooney, even has the stubble, but with a few more streaks of grey in his hair."<br />
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The stories of the characters Rebecca, Jason, Felicity, and Matthew are introduced in the novel's first chapter, "Their Stories." They present their lives in stark and honest vignettes that are powerful and moving, and the author makes them come alive for the reader. I feel fortunate that my two kids, one now seventeen and one who will be twenty-one soon, have not had to handle the problems and face the terrible situations that the teens of Facing Demons are forced to confront. <br />
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Rebecca, for instance, realizes as she's being used by criminal figures as a prostitute that she's heavily addicted to drugs. Though doing without them causes her to experience withdrawal symptoms, she decides to do just that, and hide the hypodermic syringes full of drugs that are given to her, until she has enough to carry out her plan of "escaping" from them through injecting several syringes full of drugs into her scarred veins, one after another, hoping to die from an overdose. She passes out, and doesn't remember much after that.<br />
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Jason is a violent gang member who beats up any rival gang members who infringe on his gang's territory. He has scars from several past battles, and many tattoos he displays proudly. He tells us that he was not always like he now is, but that he became a gang member "when my family was murdered by a vicious Negro gang." Since that time, he says that he has hunted the killers down, and that: "They are now all in jail, two of them paraplegic." He wouldn't likely have ever wound up at the Anchor Beach Rehabilitation Clinic, if it hadn't been for eventually meeting up with someone who shoots him.<br />
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I won't get into the reasons why the other two teens who are the focus of Facing Demons wind up at the clinic; I don't want to reveal any further information that might spoil your enjoyment of this finely crafted novel. When you read their stories, you'll wonder how the teens managed to last as long as they have, before they fall under the care and guidance of Blake Solomon. It's lucky or by God's good will and grace that they end up at the Anchor Beach Rehabilitation Clinic, for if they hadn't have made it there, they likely would have become casualties of their fates, their lifestyles, their poor decision making skills, and their backgrounds.<br />
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Facing Demons is an inspirational novel about teens facing some very desperate circumstances, of their own making, and much that is beyond their control. It is a great book that will move you profoundly as you read it, pull at your heartstrings, and perhaps jerk a few tears from your eyes. It's a novel that I recommend for any teens, though perhaps specifically for any teenager who is going through similar problems in his/her own life. Facing Demons is also a perfect novel for parents to read, along with their teens, and then use it as a tool to open up meaningful dialogue with them. If you like reading page-turning, touching stories of hope in spite of sometimes having to manage with the crappy hand that life has dealt you, I would highly recommend that you check out Facing Demons by Ashley Sanders today!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb7SxLVyXqE/TcuVRR-9-wI/AAAAAAAAAG0/arjoxyWZPgg/s1600/Feathered+quill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb7SxLVyXqE/TcuVRR-9-wI/AAAAAAAAAG0/arjoxyWZPgg/s320/Feathered+quill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Feathered Quill Book Reviews</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">P.O. Box 304</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Goshen, MA 01032</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Phone: 413-268-3461 Fax: 413-268-0381</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><a href="mailto:info@featheredquill.com">info@featheredquill.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Facing Demons</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">By: Ashley Sanders</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Publisher: Trafford Publishing</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Publication Date: September 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">ISBN: 978-1-42694801-5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Reviewed by: Mary Lignor</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Review Date: May 3, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT;">Facing Demons </span></i><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">is an extremely heart-rending book that will keep the reader’s attention</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">throughout. It is a fictional account about the real issues that face young and old alike in</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">today's world.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">This totally inspiring novel starts with Blake Solomon, who is the Director of a rehab</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">center on the shores of the ocean in Australia. The place is a refurbished hospital and the</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">program is called "Another Chance at Life." Four young people have been brought to the</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">center with the hope that they will be able to get a new chance at life. First there is Jason,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">who is gang member. Jason lost his family (mom, dad and sister) to gang violence. He</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">was so overwrought that he formed his own gang to retaliate and when caught, was given</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">the choice of rehab or jail. Needless to say he chose rehab. Next up is Rebecca, a teen</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">who never knew her own family and grew up in foster homes. She was mistreated and</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">finally ran away and was found on the street by someone she thought would save her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Unfortunately, he had other ideas and began to abuse her sexually. Rebecca ran away</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">again but this time when she was found, fate was smiling on her and she was sent to the</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">rehab center. The third member of this group is Felicity, a girl from a wealthy family</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">who is ignored by her parents and goes wild on the street. When she delves into drugs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">and alcohol, her parents send her off for rehabilitation. The final teen in our story is</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Matthew, a refugee from Africa. He has had a horrific life, being separated from his</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">family at an early age and forced to live on the streets. When he was caught trying to</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">steal some food from his work place, the store’s owner caught him and tried to burn him</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">alive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">These four people show up at "Another Chance at Life" with large chips on their</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">shoulders. To avoid jail, they were forced into treatment and while they have left their</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">individual worlds full of violence behind, it’s clear that they don’t want to be there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">They are full of hate and are angry at everybody, including each other. Will Blake be</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">able to help these troubled teens?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Blake sends them on a camping trip where they slowly came together as they learn to rely</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">on each other to get back to the Center. It is clear that the stay at “Another Chance at</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Life” will be a very difficult time for all of them including Blake and his wife Anne, who</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">are facing an extremely tough battle in their own lives. Blake has been diagnosed with</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">cancer, and has promised himself that by helping these kids, he would get another chance at life too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">This book covers many of the problems facing young people today who are on the wrong</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">path. The story speaks strongly on issues including racism, drugs and alcohol, violence,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">and sexual abuse. With it's very explicit coverage of these topics it is definitely not for</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">the faint-hearted. However, it is a real eye-opener for readers who do not understand</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">why some kids act the way they do. A perfect book for children in trouble, parents trying</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">to understand, and an in-depth look at turning their lives around.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Quill Says: </span><i><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT;">Facing Demons </span></i><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">is a good narrative concerning problems that are plaguing</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">young people today and will likely bring hope to many.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks for reading! :) </span></div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-58572899597824078942011-05-11T07:05:00.000-07:002011-05-11T07:05:32.399-07:00Free eBook: Savvy Book Marketing Secrets<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Savvy Book Marketing Secrets</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">52 Experts Share Insider Tips for Selling More Books</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Free copies of this ebook are available at </span><span style="color: #053df5;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SavvySecrets"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">http://bit.ly/SavvySecrets</span></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This eBook has been a great resource that I've been constantly referring back to for tips on promoting books and making the most of my publishing journey.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here you will find articles written by leading publishing experts on topics ranging from online book promotion, social media marketing, speaking and events, publishing and distribution, and a whole lot more.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Below is the contents page to see for yourself exactly what the eBook contains.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #15375b; font: 20.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><img src="webkit-fake-url://5BC84C8F-702A-4DB2-A533-AFA89DFF2741/image.tiff" /></b></div><div style="color: #15375b; font: 20.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><img src="webkit-fake-url://DC1600D7-EF4A-4D3A-9C63-FDCC1B403C59/image.tiff" /></b></div><div style="color: #15375b; font: 20.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><img src="webkit-fake-url://216A1B6A-0670-4FFE-A5BD-EDC7E0BD6346/image.tiff" /></b></div><div style="color: #15375b; font: 20.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><img src="webkit-fake-url://2CB2B671-6D0B-4CEF-A43A-3A67E5216192/image.tiff" /></b></div><div style="color: #15375b; font: 20.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><br />
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</span>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-44518467370978045622011-05-04T20:10:00.000-07:002011-05-04T20:13:10.685-07:00Goodreads: All Authors Should Join this Facebook for Book-lovers<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiSz-34FsYI/TcINVrOQknI/AAAAAAAAAF4/wZuiV7bePZw/s1600/goodreads0.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a> is the largest social network for readers, authors and book-lovers in the world. There are over 4.5 million members who use the service to share books they've read by rating and reviewing books, adding books in categories on their virtual bookshelves, forming and joining book clubs plus much more.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Basically, Goodreads is the Facebook for bookworms!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Why should all authors (and readers) join Goodreads?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - It's free to join</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - There is a fantastic Author Program</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - You have direct access to over 4.5 million members who LOVE books</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - You can easily connect with other authors</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - Your books and writing can be reviewed and rated – for those emerging authors, this can be a useful </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> tool to get free advice to improve your writing</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - Free publicity for your books</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - Develop a loyal following</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> - Find more books that you might enjoy</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Read on to find out about Goodreads' great features...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EY_a_YeOIXY/TcIPf9k8t5I/AAAAAAAAAF8/Ps8r_ibo3Yc/s1600/goodreads1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EY_a_YeOIXY/TcIPf9k8t5I/AAAAAAAAAF8/Ps8r_ibo3Yc/s640/goodreads1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>Goodreads features:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Profile</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyJLn6Ts8ME/TcIPs6vK04I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/W1x4TGdRDgM/s1600/goodreadsprofile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tyJLn6Ts8ME/TcIPs6vK04I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/W1x4TGdRDgM/s320/goodreadsprofile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This is your own part of the site where you can tell everyone about yourself, display a profile picture, manage your bookshelves, show recent updates, pieces of your own writing and more.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This is your anchor-point to connect with others who have similar interests to your own, so make it informative.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>My Books</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djPHwUmjoe8/TcIPsRsWffI/AAAAAAAAAGM/AMPUfpj2JJI/s1600/goodreadsmybooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djPHwUmjoe8/TcIPsRsWffI/AAAAAAAAAGM/AMPUfpj2JJI/s1600/goodreadsmybooks.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Consider the “my books” section as your own personal library record. You can place books on virtual bookshelves in categories you choose, such as the default ones - “read”, “currently-reading”, and “to-read”. You may also add your own categories to organise your books in any way you wish. I think this is great if you have a huge book collection and want to keep an easy to access record of them all. Not only that but you're sharing books you've read to the world and helping readers out there find something new and giving authors much appreciated publicity.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Friends</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Much like Facebook, you can send friend requests. This is an essential part of the networking involved with Goodreads. You can search for people, or Goodreads will give you a list of recommendations based on your current group of friends. A fantastic way to find appropriate members to befriend is by joining groups and adding those with similar literary interests. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Groups</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZvvurLmh9w/TcIPrxBSS_I/AAAAAAAAAGI/yMp7ACkucdk/s1600/goodreadsgroups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZvvurLmh9w/TcIPrxBSS_I/AAAAAAAAAGI/yMp7ACkucdk/s320/goodreadsgroups.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There are many different groups you can find and join, or create your own. Each group contains a variety of topic headings for discussions you can be a part of. I find this to be a fantastic way to share your thoughts with anyone from around the world on books you've read, or anything to do with reading and writing.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Explore</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This is where you can browse genres, lists, reviews, or simply search for books to add to your bookshelves. Listopia is on this page, which contains lists of books under appropriate headings, for example - “Best Books of the Decade: 2000s”. Goodreads members can vote for books and send them to the top of the list. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling tops the aforementioned list.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/program">Author Program</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Goodreads Author Program is a free feature for published authors or those who are in the process of publishing a book. It is designed to assist authors in reaching their target audience through various means. Readers join Goodreads because they are passionate about books, which is what makes this so perfect.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1822509727"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VCdJGMzt9UI/TcIS-97Na3I/AAAAAAAAAGY/0EEeHBKn-CU/s320/goodreadsslideshow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/PatrickBR/using-goodreads-to-promote-your-books">Click here to watch a slideshow on how to promote your books on Goodreads</a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Becoming part of the Goodreads Author Program gives you access to the following features:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Blog – only Goodreads authors can publish their blogs on the site</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Advertise your book – much like Facebook Ads or Google Adwords, you can create an ad to target a specific audience by age, location, gender and reading preferences.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Author Q&A Groups – your own forum where you and your readers can discuss anything you desire.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Giveaways – a terrific way to generate interest in your new book is to hold a giveaway.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Author Widgets – an eye-catching tool you can place on your website or blog to attract readers to your Goodreads page.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Ebooks – sell or giveaway your ebooks on Goodreads. It must be in the correct ePub format, and Goodreads will pay you 70% of the price you set once your sales reach $50 or more</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Title – you are given the title “Goodreads Author” under your profile, and can build up a following of fans.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Sample Writing - offer free samples of your books or other writing.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1822509700"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3xHEPicZ6s/TcIPqKU0jzI/AAAAAAAAAGE/J98rv_Sy2Qk/s400/goodreadschapterpreview.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/267190-facing-demons-chapter-1-preview?chapter=340636">Click to read Facing Demons chapter preview</a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">If you are an author, joining the Goodreads Author Program is a fantastic way to find more readers and connect with them. By establishing a dialogue directly with your fans, you will build trust and create a lasting relationship of loyal followers.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-55185112683586790032011-04-27T00:29:00.000-07:002011-04-27T13:28:19.804-07:00Facebook as a Free Marketing Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaBJ1M4RiWE/TbexTnrZAZI/AAAAAAAAAFM/uv23uY5-G8o/s1600/Facebook.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Everybody knows Facebook. Perhaps you’ve already joined the half a billion other people and signed up for your own Facebook profile, or maybe you haven't, either way if you’re reading this then chances are you’ve heard of it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, how can facebook help you to market your products? And is it effective for this purpose?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Along with being a great social networking service, Facebook can provide many valuable, free ways to promote any company, product, service or public figure.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Read on to learn more.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Facebook Profile</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the basic Facebook personal page where you connect with friends and provide information about yourself. You can post updates on your Wall which will appear in the News Feed that all your friends see. This is more aimed at the social side of Facebook, but can provide marketing opportunities by connecting with the community, which I will go through.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asFlaEQtH9o/TbexbtbUhYI/AAAAAAAAAFs/X4JUZCVRsGA/s1600/Newsfeed+FB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="74" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asFlaEQtH9o/TbexbtbUhYI/AAAAAAAAAFs/X4JUZCVRsGA/s320/Newsfeed+FB.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The options you can use to deliver information to the community News Feed</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Facebook Friends</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Facebook relies heavily on the process of submitting and accepting “friendships”. If you’ve been in the game a while then you probably have a good following of “friends”. I place this in quotations as you’ve probably never met most of your Facebook friends, or at least haven’t seen them in a while. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t provide them with something positive. After all, it is the growing trend to be involved in online communities.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Why is having Facebook friends important?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well if you want to use some of the following marketing ideas, having a large group of FB followers is vital.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">For example, an author could use the Facebook search tool and add other authors who might be interested in your work and vice versa. I’ve noticed a lot of authors have friends in the thousands. Once someone's accepted your request, you can look through their friend list for anyone else appropriate. Then once you’ve developed a substantial following, anything you post on your wall (links to your writing or product, updates etc.) can be seen by all. Of course, people can choose what to read and look at but it stands to reason that having A LOT of friends will increase the chances of sparking at least someone’s interest.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>The good</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">A lot of friends generally equals a lot of exposure. Your friends can pass the word on to their friends and so on. Posting a nice comment on a friend’s wall can be seen by all of their friends who peruse that said wall. Provide something interesting and people will eventually start coming to you. So logic says anyway. Thus comes “the bad” about friends.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>The bad</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It's time consuming finding and adding many multiples of friends on Facebook. This said, you can only add a certain number of people in a set time period before Facebook gives you the following warning:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"Friend requests are more likely to be accepted when you send them to people you already know, such as classmates, friends, family and coworkers.<br />
<br />
If you use Facebook to communicate with strangers, they have the option to report that they don't know you or to mark the communication as spam. If this happens repeatedly, you could be viewed as violating Facebook's Statement of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#%21/terms.php%20">Rights and Responsibilities.</a>"</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s Facebook’s way of reducing the number of spammers who are inclined to abuse the system. This makes it frustrating for those who genuinely want to use facebook appropriately. Like a parent telling their kids not to talk to strangers, Facebook is just trying to protect us all from those annoying spammers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NOTE TO SPAMMERS: Get a life. Or find something useful to provide the community and then we’ll be ready to listen.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><b>Etiquette to adding friends</b></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Patience is a virtue – slowly add friends. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Be nice. Send them a personal message with the reason you want to be their friend on Facebook. Otherwise they may view you as a spammer defeating the real purpose you want to connect with them.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Thank them once they’ve accepted your request. Or thank them if they added you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Fan Pages</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">A great marketing tool Facebook has provided is the ability to create Fan Pages.</div><div class="MsoNormal">A Fan Page can be used by anyone to promote their business, company, cause, brand, product or themselves.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4Cqy_Y6sgM/Tbexaic5T4I/AAAAAAAAAFg/w97N_4chNlI/s1600/FB+fanpage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4Cqy_Y6sgM/Tbexaic5T4I/AAAAAAAAAFg/w97N_4chNlI/s320/FB+fanpage.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The options Facebook gives you to create a Fan Page</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you already have a personal Facebook profile you can link directly to this new page. If not, you’ll be prompted to sign up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once you’ve created your page you can add photos and videos, information, status updates, embed your website, add apps, plus much more.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The major difference with a fan page is that you have “fans” who “like” your page, rather than having a friends list. To get fans you can invite your friends from your personal page to like your fan page, create a Facebook Ad, or promote it elsewhere. Once someone has liked your page they will receive any future updates you post.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To me, this sounds like an excellent way to develop a loyal following within the community as only people who genuinely like what you’re providing will click the “Like” button. For writers, this is great because once you have built up your fan-base you can market directly to your already willing audience for any books you release in the future. Time to create mine!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">TIP: The fantastic, easy to use flash templates provided at <a href="http://wix.com/">wix.com</a> to create an eye-catching and impressive addition to your fan page.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Likes</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">People can “like” almost anything on Facebook. Comments, photos, links can all be liked by simply clicking on the like button. As previously mentioned, this is how you increase fans of your page.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>How can you increase your “likes”?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bclnYhl3fao/TbexbJ-xrYI/AAAAAAAAAFo/bHZR3ofVZZM/s1600/Like+button+FB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="34" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bclnYhl3fao/TbexbJ-xrYI/AAAAAAAAAFo/bHZR3ofVZZM/s320/Like+button+FB.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of a like button you can use on your website</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>Provide something people will like!</li>
<li>Use Facebook Ads.</li>
<li><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Use Like buttons on your website or blog. </li>
<li>Ask people to like your page in any way shape or form, as long as it doesn’t violate Facebook’s Rights and Responsibilities.</li>
<li>Ask as many of your friends as you can to “like” your product or service and watch it grow </li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span><i>Why are “likes” important?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The more people like something, the more interest it creates in the networking community. Think of it as something similar to a huge crowd of people in a mall watching a busker – other passers-by are going to at least be intrigued to see what the fuss is all about. They may even hang around to watch the show. When the busker first arrived, there was no-one watching – he/she used their performance skills to entice or attract an audience. This, in a sense, is what you need to do to attract people, and is the basis of all good marketing and publicity strategies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Facebook Ads </b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Facebook Ads can be used in a similar way to any other internet advertising medium. You can use an image of yourself or your product and up to 135 characters for the body text. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf0WPkgVGF0/TbexaFqhgLI/AAAAAAAAAFc/lmU0Ml8B7cY/s1600/FB+ad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf0WPkgVGF0/TbexaFqhgLI/AAAAAAAAAFc/lmU0Ml8B7cY/s1600/FB+ad.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample Facebook Ad</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You can focus where and when your ads pop up to the relevant target audience. Adjust your campaign to your own daily budget and choose to pay for either when people click your ad or when they see it (impressions). Obviously this is not free, but is worth mentioning due to its great potential.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Groups</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Create a group to raise more awareness of your product or cause.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQJvdTrb0vE/Tbexa2gYtYI/AAAAAAAAAFk/e8GSsQo144c/s1600/Group+FB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQJvdTrb0vE/Tbexa2gYtYI/AAAAAAAAAFk/e8GSsQo144c/s320/Group+FB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You can only invite people you are already friends with but changing the privacy option to "open" will allow their friends to see what’s being posted also. Anyone who’s in your group can add others. You can also send personal messages to the entire group, which is something you cannot do from a fan page.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Events </b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Unless it is a real event, people will ignore it, but it’s still a great tool to use for exposure. For example, authors can invite their friends to a book launch. Once again, put the privacy setting on “open” and you never know who might see it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs3gvekQFvk/TbexZYY6TAI/AAAAAAAAAFU/l6WPItzee6Q/s1600/Event+example.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs3gvekQFvk/TbexZYY6TAI/AAAAAAAAAFU/l6WPItzee6Q/s400/Event+example.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This invite I got from a friend is a great example of a way to use events for promotion. Here they have used an event to promote the launch of a new publishing company's website. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Tagging</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you do hold events, such as product launches, take photos and tag people in them, if you know them. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve seen a marketing strategy to promote products where my name, along with dozens more have been tagged in a picture/flyer of something. This may be seen as blatant self-advertisement and people can actually report the image, resulting in it being removed and risking your Facebook account. However, if you know that your friends won’t mind this type of advertising then by all means give it a shot.<b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Apps</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Applications or Apps can be added to your Facebook page or profile to assist with your marketing goal. Below is a list of apps that are useful for promoting your products:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2328908412&ref=appd#%21/apps/application.php?id=2328908412&sk=info"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span>Marketplace </a>– a listing service where you can buy and sell anything.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/iwipa%20">Iwipa </a>– Integrate your website with your fan page by placing a welcome tab and set it as the landing page.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/TwitterApp#%21/TwitterApp?sk=info">Twitter for Pages</a> – display content appropriate tweets on your page. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/payvment%20">Payvment E-Commerce Storefront </a></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/payvment%20"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6GhEqMlIHU/TbexYnpnnDI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/GnP7niIekIQ/s320/E-Commerce+pic+FB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=95936962634&ref=appd">Contests </a>- Contests for Fan Pages enables companies to easily create and launch branded contests within minutes on Facebook Fan Pages. Go to <a href="http://www.wildfireapp.com/pricing" target="_blank">www.wildfireapp.com/pricing</a> to find detailed pricing information. </li>
<li> <div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/networkedblogs">NetworkedBlogs </a>– promote your blog on Facebook and connect with others who read and write about similar topics. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;"></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"> These are just a few example of the many apps available in the business section of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/apps/directory.php#%21/apps/directory.php?app_type=0&category=100">Facebook’s app directory</a>. </div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal">Most apps are free to use, but there are some that require monthly payment to use, such as those provided by <a href="http://www.wildfireapp.com/">Wildfire</a>, or <a href="http://www.northsocial.com/">North Social</a>. Both of these companies offer apps that promise to give you powerful social media marketing tools. I’m yet to test them, and if I ever do I’ll be sure to post a review.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Viral marketing</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The two companies mentioned above also offer viral marketing campaigns. However, I’m sure if you do some research on effective marketing strategies and put them in place appropriately on Facebook you could potentially create something viral of your own. I mean, if you give your Facebook friends something worth sharing, then the word will be passed onto their friends, and their friends’ friends, and so on...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Keys to successful marketing with Facebook</b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Be an active part of the community and make quality connections</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Provide a good product to the right people</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Do not spam</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Continue to test the different ways to market as mentioned in this article. It often takes multiple exposures before people react in a positive way. Unless of course what you’re offering is simply amazing!</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Offer free advice, samples or discounts</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>Always abide by Facebook’s <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#%21/promotions_guidelines.php">Promotion Guidelines.</a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 19.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br />
</div><b>Don't overuse these tools to market</b><br />
I've deliberately left out a few Facebook tools, though they may be effectively used to market your product, they can easily be abused and thought of as spam.<br />
<br />
- Personal messages: How frustrating is it getting emails from people/companies you don't know advertising something you don't want?! Facebooks personal messages are the same. Facebook helps prevent this by limiting the number of people you can message at any one time.<br />
- Wall comments: Posting an advertisement on someone's wall is considered annoying spam as well. Post what you want on your own wall and it will show up in the News Feed for all to see.<br />
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<b>Join in this conversation</b> <br />
Please comment if you found this article useful, and please post it on your social networking pages to help anyone else out there with the same goal find it.<br />
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There you have it! This should provide you with an excellent guideline for your Facebook marketing ambitions. Good luck!<br />
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</div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-81952739761021670812011-04-24T08:31:00.000-07:002011-04-24T08:41:00.542-07:00A List of Useful Resources for Authors: Self-publishing<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First of all, congratulations on deciding to publish your book! It is a great achievement, and one you should be proud of.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will discuss traditional publishing in another blog, but for those of you who wish to take the self-publishing pathway to get your book in print, the following is a list of useful resources to help get you there. These websites, blogs, and books are the ones I found most useful when producing and publishing my novel, and I'm certain any author, whether new or established will find them just as helpful. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* This should only used as a starting point as there are many great resources out there I do not mention simply because there are too many for one post. I will be blogging about each separate resource in greater detail in the future, but for now I’ve just written a brief description to get you started.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oM3GIOrrQWg/TbQvGsd62VI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Pn6eytt0eZg/s1600/Home_Photo_books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oM3GIOrrQWg/TbQvGsd62VI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Pn6eytt0eZg/s320/Home_Photo_books.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SELF-PUBLISHING</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is self-publishing? To self-publish is to design your book from beginning to end, and pay for it to be printed and distributed, rather than using a traditional publisher to do the legwork. You could use a print on demand service where a book is only printed when it is ordered online, or pay for any size print run.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pros and Cons</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pros for self-publishing:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Control over the whole book, from interior layout to the cover, and all other aspects.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Emerging or aspiring authors can print a book and test its market potential. This has benefits in that a first-time author can work hard to establish themselves and possibly get a book deal. However, if the book is weak in certain areas (lack of editing etc.) this would most certainly have some negative effects on the author's reputation.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Niche markets where there is likely to be only local distribution. Self-publishing allows for small print runs.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Royalties tend to be greater in self-publishing. However, the author misses out on the connections traditional publishers have to offer. If you as the author wish to compete with these larger, established companies, a lot more hard work and money would be required for marketing and publicity. This said, all authors should give their books the best chance by self-marketing and publicising as much as they can.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Having something in print you can be proud of, whether or not you share it with the world.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cons for self-publishing</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Money up front with no guarantee of a good or any return. With a traditional publisher you tend to get an advance on royalties.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Limited assistance unless you seek it, which takes more time and money. There are so many great books and websites on self-publishing I will discuss in brief in this blog and in detail later that can help put you on the right track and give your book the best chance.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- The unknown - people think twice before buying something unknown. With self-publishing comes a stigma, perhaps due to the number of very poorly self-published books out there (read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/POD-People-Beating-Print---Demand/dp/0978655109/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1303654279&sr=8-6"><i>POD People</i></a> by Jeremy Robinson – it talks about beating this stigma). You won't sell a lot of books if yours do not meet the standard, even with the best marketing strategies.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Competition - with so many books being published each year, how are you going to get yours noticed? To stand out, you'll need good book buzz with great reviews. The problem is, it's very difficult to get reviews from prestigious book review companies if you're a self-publisher.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">WHERE TO START?</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Obviously, well hopefully you’ve begun or nearly finished your manuscript(s). First up you’ll want to start researching how and where to self-publish.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dan Poynter’s <a href="http://ParaPublishing.com/">ParaPublishing.com</a> website is one of the most extensive resources on all aspects of self-publishing I could find. It contains information on everything from writing and producing your book to publishing, promoting and marketing it.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also bought his book -<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_388958285"> </a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dan-Poynters-Self-Publishing-Manual-Write/dp/1568601425/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303654478&sr=1-1">Dan Poynter’s Self Publishing Manual</a></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, which I would have to give nothing but praise to. Start off at his website and I’m sure you’ll agree. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another fantastic website which contains everything you’ll need to know on self-publishing is Shelley Hitz’s </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.self-publishing-coach.com/index.html">self-publishing-coach.com</a></span>. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It offers great advice, particularly for new authors, somewhat focusing on using <a href="http://www.createspace.com/">CreateSpace</a> – a print on demand self publishing company. Contains loads of free resources and downloads.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These two should give you enough information to help you decide which self-publishing pathway to pursue.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then you'll need to check out a few self-publishers, or print on demand companies.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SELF-PUBLISHERS</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ylsr9Nx4l70/TbQxwWXHgRI/AAAAAAAAAEY/BJcbRT-3rTc/s1600/lulu-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ylsr9Nx4l70/TbQxwWXHgRI/AAAAAAAAAEY/BJcbRT-3rTc/s1600/lulu-logo.png" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/">Lulu</a> - offers free account setup and plenty of guidance to help get your book, eBook, calendar plus much more published. Lulu also provides access to a few marketing and distribution packages.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFve46MsyEw/TbQyqSoPzOI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8EtPoGcBM8U/s1600/logo-csp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFve46MsyEw/TbQyqSoPzOI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8EtPoGcBM8U/s1600/logo-csp.gif" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/">CreateSpace</a> - Shelley Hitz, self-publishing coach praises CreateSpace as her #1 recommendation. They offer free setup and a wide range of products.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJa_8xIGEnk/TbQy9YbkbNI/AAAAAAAAAEg/SrkK6Lf2yuo/s1600/trafford_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJa_8xIGEnk/TbQy9YbkbNI/AAAAAAAAAEg/SrkK6Lf2yuo/s1600/trafford_logo.gif" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.trafford.com/">Trafford</a> – I chose Trafford to publish my novel Facing Demons as they provide a wide range of professional publishing packages and add-ons. They offer 24/7 author support and often have sales on their products.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl1sUCA5lcU/TbQzeHnAGuI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rZEeAt1YIjs/s1600/ls_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl1sUCA5lcU/TbQzeHnAGuI/AAAAAAAAAEk/rZEeAt1YIjs/s1600/ls_logo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.lightningsource.com/">Lightning Source </a>– to literally do all the design work yourself, Lightning Source seems to be the most reputable print company for any size print run. You can use them to self-publish without any added support provided by POD companies such as the ones mentioned above.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A list of other Self-publishers/POD companies to check out:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.xlibris.com/">Xlibris</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.blurb.com/">Blurb</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.bookpal.com.au/">Bookpal</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ1CFKnmoco/TbQz-gv8njI/AAAAAAAAAEo/WyZPnbMJtVQ/s1600/swlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ1CFKnmoco/TbQz-gv8njI/AAAAAAAAAEo/WyZPnbMJtVQ/s1600/swlogo.png" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To publish your own multi-format eBooks check out <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/">Smashwords</a>. There you can publish and distribute for free, charging whatever you like for your work.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">EDITING SERVICES</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A downside to self-publishing is that the companies you go through do not discriminate if what you're printing is woeful. In order to give your book the best chance, it's very important to make your manuscript as polished as possible.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You should at the very least get someone to do some copy editing or proofreading to clean up any grammatical or spelling errors you missed. You can also get line editing or content editing, the latter being the most substantial.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yD4TDreAnc/TbQ0wmJ0V2I/AAAAAAAAAEs/7AXz0VQ6b6U/s1600/services-image-100px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yD4TDreAnc/TbQ0wmJ0V2I/AAAAAAAAAEs/7AXz0VQ6b6U/s1600/services-image-100px.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://readerviews.com/">Reader Views</a> – a review and publicity company, which also offer excellent editing services.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.book-editing.com/">Book Editing Associates</a> – Manuscript editing and proofreading.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://FirstEditing.com/">FirstEditing.com</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Manuscript assessment is another good idea if you want to find out the potential market value of your book along with any advice for improvements.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I used <a href="http://esvc000739.wic056u.server-web.com/driftwood/index.html">Driftwood manuscripts</a>. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DISTRIBUTION</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most publishers use the two largest book and multimedia distributors in the world:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.ingrambook.com/">Ingram</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.btol.com/">Baker and Taylor</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These two companies provide wholesale distribution, print on demand services, and digital formats, supplying to retailers and libraries worldwide.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are also many local distributors depending on your needs.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MARKETING AND PUBLICITY</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_X5OVNLuE4/TbRAGhsTESI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pj8OxpeDAU8/s1600/2909140600_5fc420fb20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_X5OVNLuE4/TbRAGhsTESI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pj8OxpeDAU8/s200/2909140600_5fc420fb20.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are myriad ways to market and publicize your books, many of which you'll need to start well before the publication date. I will have to do many more posts on these topics but for now here are a few of the resources I used.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Author website – an author website is a key anchor point, along with a blog, for connecting with your audience and exhibiting your work in a more static form. If you're like me and lack the skills to create a website from scratch then there are plenty of companies and/or programs to provide assistance. I must say I'm very impressed with <a href="http://wix.com/">wix.com</a> – the service I used to make my own author website <a href="http://ashleysanders.com.au/">ashleysanders.com.au</a>. They are a free online company who provide dozens of templates you can edit to make your very own flash website. For a small fee you can remove the wix ads and use your own domain name. They've also just released a mobile friendly series of templates, which combats the issue of flash not working with iPhones etc.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Blog – there are many free blogging services such as <a href="http://blogger.com/">blogger</a> and <a href="http://wordpress.com/">wordpress</a> which you should use to keep in regular contact with your readers. Being a newbie to the blogging world I'm still trying to figure out what I should be providing readers, because I know I have a lot to offer. I just don't know exactly where to start! While my blog is still fresh I have been checking out several amazing sites for fiction writers such as the following:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <a href="http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/">Fiction Groupie</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1676305211">Bookworming in the 21st</a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/"> Century</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <a href="http://yabookscentral.blogspot.com/">YA Books Central Blog</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <a href="http://www.yahighway.com/">YA Highway</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <a href="http://yatopia.blogspot.com/">YAtopia</a></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'd love to hear about any other blogs I'm missing out on!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reviews – getting book reviews is one of the keys to good publicity. As a self-publisher, reviews are one of the most important ways to give your book credit and set up a strong stance for promotion. Read the following article, which has good advice for getting your self-published books reviewed.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> <a href="http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/blog/2008/12/30/how-to-get-self-published-book-reviews/">How to get self published book reviews</a></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Check out <a href="http://www.midwestbookreview.com/links/othr_rev.htm">Midwest Book Review's </a>site for an extensive list of reviewers.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Marketing books – buy these extremely useful books to help assist you in creating powerful book marketing techniques.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/1001-Ways-Market-Your-Books/dp/091241149X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303656743&sr=1-1">1001 Ways to Market Your Books</a></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> by John Kremer. The title says it all – it is a 700 page book jam-packed full of step-by-step ideas, and a must for publishers and authors wanting to get the most out of their marketing strategies.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Authors-Publicity-through-Networking/dp/0977240614/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303656826&sr=1-1">Plug Your Book! Online Book Marketing for Authors</a></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> by Steve Weber. An excellent guide for book marketing on the internet, focusing on using Amazon.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Book-Marketing/dp/1581153228/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303656896&sr=1-1">The Complete Guide to Book Marketing</a></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> by David Cole.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">NETWORKING</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQi8obWCCB8/TbQ7ttJcTjI/AAAAAAAAAE0/rm_MjPrdqWQ/s1600/online+social+networking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQi8obWCCB8/TbQ7ttJcTjI/AAAAAAAAAE0/rm_MjPrdqWQ/s200/online+social+networking.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Online social networking has become a popular trend that authors should not ignore as an important means to market and connect with readers and one another. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> – a microblogging service where users have 140 characters to send their message.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://facebook.com/">Facebook</a> – a very popular social networking service where you can add and accept friendships. You can also create fan pages for yourself or your business.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a> – the self-proclaimed largest social network for readers in the world. Has an iPhone app for easy access.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://shelfari.com/">Shelfari</a> – another online community for readers, which links with your amazon account.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://redroom.com/">Redroom</a> - a community for writers.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another great free resource you can download is the eBook </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SavvySecrets">Savvy Book Marketing Secrets: 52 Experts Share Insider Tips for Selling More Books </a></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">by Dana Lynn Smith.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This list just touches the surface of all the services and resources available out there to assist you in your publishing journey. I hope you find something useful here. I know I have!</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Books are companions, teachers, magicians, bankers of the treasures of the mind. Books are humanity in print." - </i> Barbara W. Tuchman.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></span></span></div></span></span>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com260tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-22059241845995927052011-04-20T03:28:00.000-07:002011-04-20T03:28:13.107-07:00Facing Demons' first review!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Author>Watson</o:Author> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is the first review of <i>Facing Demons</i> I received from a Reader Views reviewer, Avni Gupta. Understandably I was very happy with it, especially coming from a reader in my target audience. Have a read and let me know what you think!</div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Facing Demons </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ashley Sanders </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Trafford Publishing (2011) </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">ISBN 9781426951701 </span></div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Reviewed by Avni Gupta (age 17) for Reader Views (4/11) </span></div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">When I received “Facing Demons,” I was quite excited to read it. I have always been pretty interested in reading about people who have had to go to rehab and the stories behind them. Normally, you just hear about them as a statistic, but behind every number and every statistic, there is a real person and a real story. Although the first three or four pages seemed a little preachy, in the “don’t do drugs” sense, as soon as I got past the first few pages, and really got into the book, I was hooked! I was not able to put this book down (technically speaking, I was not able to put my i-pod touch down, since I was I was reading the e-book version)! </span></div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">This book begins with a prologue, in which Blake Solomon, the man who runs the Anchor Beach Rehab clinic, is in the hospital with a boy from the clinic who doesn’t seem like he’s going to make it. Blake seems rather distraught, and in his mind, is transported to a different time and place in that hospital. That hospital is the place where Blake was cured of his cancer! The rest of the book is devoted to telling the stories of four of the residents of the Anchor Beach Rehab clinic. It talks about their issues with drugs, alcohol, child prostitution, self harm, gangs and other issues that many teenagers have to deal with. </span></div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="Default"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">This book was absolutely amazing. I definitely read it twice before I started writing this review! With every page I read, and every detail into someone’s story, I became more and more hooked on this book. I feel like anybody who reads it will be in the same boat as I was! </span></div><div class="Default"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing that I really liked about “Facing Demons” was the dedication that the author made at the beginning of it. This book is dedicated to “those who deserve a second chance.” I feel like that dedication was a perfect beginning to this book because all of the characters made a mistake and deserved the second chance that they were given.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Reader Views </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">3267 Bee Cave Road, Suite 107-380 </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span> </div><div class="Default"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Austin, Texas 78746-6700 </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><div class="Default"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">512.288.8555 </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><div class="Default"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">www.readerviewskids.com </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><div class="Default"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">admin@readerviews.com </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-70592441627304894502011-04-14T23:02:00.000-07:002011-04-14T23:02:06.978-07:00A Burning Passion to Write<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” Albert Einstein.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I like this quote as I have always had an overactive imagination, which has always been a blessing more often than being a curse. In fact, it is only really a curse in two ways – when I overanalyse things, or when I don’t have the time to actively feed my thirst for being creative. It’s one of those frustrations I am sure a lot of aspiring writers would agree with – finding enough time to write, in amongst your work, family and social lives. Yet if it’s a true passion, time tends to find you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8m_G6Fcb-I/TafWcWx_P9I/AAAAAAAAAEM/J3sV7xxsx8E/s1600/writingpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8m_G6Fcb-I/TafWcWx_P9I/AAAAAAAAAEM/J3sV7xxsx8E/s320/writingpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've loved reading and writing from as early as I can remember. I grew up without a television for a lot of my childhood, and when I wasn't outside exploring the world, I would read and write. I wrote my first full-length manuscript after reading John's Marsden's "Tomorrow When the War Began" series. I was only 14 or 15 and decided to write something similar about an invasion in Australia, basing the story around myself and my friends. It was really fun to write and my family and friends loved reading it. Naturally, it'll never get published, but it was certainly a great introduction to writing a novel.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It’s a blessing when writing to be able to lose myself in an incredible story, not knowing where it will take me and being thrilled when unexpected plots appear. It’s what makes writing fiction so rewarding for me. It gives me the opportunity to put my thoughts onto paper and share stories I feel worth sharing, whilst taking me on an adventure of my own.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My partner Brianna asked me recently – “Where do you get all your ideas for your stories?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My simple answer was – “They just come to me.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It can happen at any time, anywhere, and an idea will pop up. Sometimes I even have dreams that I think would make good stories. So I write these ideas down and now have many nuggets of gold stored up for when I do have time to turn them into something beautiful.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This said, I’ve finally found enough time to create something I’m proud of in <i>Facing Demons</i>, which evolved from a simple idea and turned into something I didn’t expect but was pleasantly surprised! More on that in another post though.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another question I get asked often is – “Does your job as a Paramedic help with creating your characters?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yes and no. Certainly, my job does lend a lot of inspiration to people and situations. Some of the people I meet certainly have aspects of their own lives and personalities I notice sometimes subconsciously come out on paper, but I never consciously create a character based solely on someone else. I’ll use people’s names (with their permission), usually of friends and family, which can help make it easier to characterize, rather than inventing a character completely from dust. However, the character must always be their own person, otherwise it doesn’t feel real to me, and therefore I won’t be able to create realistic characters for my readers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span></span>Sometimes characters, storylines, plots and scenes come easily. Other times I need some more inspiration – perhaps a different location where I can write away from distractions, or I’ll read a new book, or even do some research on the topic at hand. Complex characters or plots do often require some research, particularly when trying to make it realistic for the reader. I have never tried my hand at writing fantasy, but I’m guessing this lends a lot more freedom with where your creation can take you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Words of advice</b> for those of you who have a burning passion to write but don’t know where to start... </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Don’t sit there doubting yourself - just write. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Write, write, write. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Write about anything and everything. Perhaps start a daily diary if you’re really struggling for ideas.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Once you get those creative juices flowing, it’ll come. Give it time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Still struggling? Do a creative writing course, or find a mentor.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - If you really did leave your imagination behind in your childhood, write about something you’re an expert on.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Choose a topic and just write – who really cares what comes out the first time? You can edit it later. First drafts are always messy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> - Or, to seriously spark that imagination again – READ! I can tell you one thing for certain – writers LOVE readers. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just getting something on paper is an achievement on its own. You can figure out later what you’re going to do with it. I know one thing for sure, as an emerging author it is nerve-wracking putting your work out there for anyone and everyone to read and analyse. It’s like every sentence, every paragraph, every character and plot is a piece of you that you love, and giving the world the opportunity to be critical about every word you’ve carefully crafted is scary.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But when you get good responses back it feels incredible!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just yesterday I got my first review back for <i>Facing Demons</i> and I was so nervous it took me an hour to open it. Not because I doubted my own work, but because I was afraid that someone out there might dislike what I’ve spent so long creating and perfecting.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And when I saw how positive and honest the review was I felt on top of the world!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Don’t get me wrong, I understand this is just one person’s point of view but it certainly gives some validation to why I write. To get my story out there, and for somebody to enjoy it is exactly why I got published.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You might just like to write for yourself, which is fine. I’ve got dozens of short stories and manuscripts that’ll probably never see the light of day. Not because I don’t want people to read them, but I wrote them just to feed my hunger to write. This is what you should do – feed that desire.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A wise man once said – “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint’, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” <span> </span>- Vincent van Gogh.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you want to do something, don’t hold back, and don’t ever let anyone say you can’t do something.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I write to be a part of something - a world made up of words and ideas, which are sometimes painfully criticized, gratefully loved and can never be destroyed.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next up: I will post a comprehensive list of websites and services I used to publish my novel.</div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83338810741794271.post-75773500927929921272011-04-08T22:21:00.000-07:002011-04-08T23:41:07.934-07:00Welcome from Ashley Sanders<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hi everyone,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’d like to formally introduce myself to all my fellow readers, writers and producers of creative work out there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My name is Ashley Sanders, and I currently reside in Adelaide, South Australia where I was born and raised. I have a Bachelor Degree in Health Sciences and have worked as a Paramedic for three years. I have always had a creative spirit and my imagination takes me on journeys so captivating I write them down in order to share my stories with the world.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is my first blog post as a (nearly) published author. My debut novel <i>Facing Demons</i> is set to be released in September. You can check out more details on my personal website <a href="http://ashleysanders.com.au/">ashleysanders.com.au</a> and I’ll be keeping you updated on this blog.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My idea for this blog initially was just to connect with a broader audience and other professionals in the industry, along with using my <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ashleysanders84">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/profile.php?id=516364100">Facebook</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4150125">Goodreads</a> accounts for the same purpose. However, I’ve decided that I can provide you with much more!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will initially discuss my epic journey to self-publish my first book, sure to be a best-seller, including all the ins and outs of writing, editing, producing, and marketing it. Along the way I will also talk about all the great (and not so great) websites I have come across whilst working hard to produce the best novel I can with a young adult readership in mind.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Amongst it all I shall also blog about other creative pieces of art and literature I come across. As an author, I know how scary it can be to put your work out to the critical senses of the general public and professional groups. Therefore I will find work (books, artwork, indie films) worth talking about and spread it through the community I am only just beginning to enter but already thriving in. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I plan for this to be another fun and creative adventure, with some learning along the way, and hopefully I can adequately share my discoveries in a way that will help other aspiring and emerging writers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Best wishes,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ash.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">P.S. Below I’ve posted a few details about Facing Demons as I know some of you are finding it difficult to access the flash site (on iPhones etc.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">TITLE: Facing Demons</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">AUTHOR: Ashley Sanders</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">CATEGORY: Fiction (young adult)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ISBN: 978-1-4269-4801-5 (paperback)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 978-1-4269-5170-1 (hardcover)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PUBLISHER: Trafford</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PUBLICATION DATE: September 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PAGES: 200</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">RRP (USD): $19.95 (paperback)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> $29.95 (hardcover)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> $12.95 (eBook)<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">OVERVIEW</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Emotive, confronting and dramatic, <i>Facing Demons</i>, a novel by Ashley Sanders will have you hooked from page one and take you on an adventure while unconvering many issues adolescents often struggle to deal with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Facing Demons</i> follows the incredible journeys of four young individuals as they tackle their many and diverse problems whilst at the Anchor Beach Rehabilitation Clinic. The facilitator, Blake Solomon has succeeded in his own battle with cancer and feels obliged to pass on this second chance to those less fortunate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The first person views of each of the four main characters - Felicity, Jason, Matthew and Rebecca - gives vital insight into their developing minds and conflicting ideals. One by one they are each able to tell their heart-wrenching stories of lives tainted by drugs, alcohol, self-harm, abuse, gangs, child prostitution and homelessness. Reaching beyond the depths of despair, where all hope seems lost, the four teenagers find ways to face their demons.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ORDERING INFORMATION </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Facing Demons will be available online at any major book retailer.<br />
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www.amazon.com<br />
www.barnesandnoble.com<br />
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For commercial orders please contact the publisher, Trafford Publishing for bulk discounts or free review copies.<br />
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orders@trafford.com<br />
www.trafford.com<br />
Toll-free: <span class="skype_pnh_print_container">1 888 232 4444</span><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> </span></span>(USA & Canada)<br />
Phone: <span class="skype_pnh_print_container">250 383 6864</span><br />
Fax: 812 355 4082<br />
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Don't forget to keep those brick and mortar bookstores alive and ask for a copy at your local shop.<br />
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Please feel free to contact the author <a href="http://www.ashleysanders.com.au/#%21contact">Ashley Sanders</a> by emailing to ashleysanders@live.com.au for more information.<br />
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Available in hardcover, paperback and e-Book versions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank you all for reading and have a wonderful day! </span></div>Ashley Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105883331249586169noreply@blogger.com2