[IndieBookMan] It's official: The IndieBookMan radio show!

We have been working on this for a while, but it's official now. I can tell you about it.

I will be hosting a brand new show on the web-based radio station Umbrella Radio. We are calling it, natch, The IndieBookman.

It will be a 1 hour format with tons of news and info on indie publishing, writing, book marketing - you name it - interviews with those who have made it, and those who likely will. If you read this blog, you are gonna love the show.

We will be tying the blog into the show as much as we can. So listen in, then come by here to catch up with other listeners.

The show will air on Wednesdays at 8pm est, and the best place to listen will be UmbrellaRadio.com. More details to come.

I hope you can listen in... we are really excited about this!

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] AV Club: I want my own Sixth Sense

Ok, this video isn't going to help you get your book published. And at first I was a little bit yawning, as I wasn't too impressed. But seriously, watch it through. Holy man.

The world in which we will soon live; It will be amazing.

Oh, and there is some relevance to publishing in there. Check out the part where the guy picks up a book in the bookstore. Man.

Hat tip to 006. Thanks man.

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Book of the Day: Guinevere: On The Eve Of Legend

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/Guinevereontheeveoflegend]

Guinevere: On The Eve Of Legend

Cheryl Carpinello

ISBN: 9781432737047
$10.95

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/Guinevereontheeveoflegend

At the dawn of Camelot, one young girl is about to take her place beside the greatest king in England’s history….

She is a mere child of twelve. But in these medieval days, this is the age when childish things must be put away and greater responsibilities accepted—all in preparation for a betrothal of marriage.

For young Lady Guinevere, on the advent of her thirteenth Birth Day, the whole idea is quite unbearable. After all, what could be better than spending her youth playing with her best friend Cedwyn, roaming the grounds around the castle looking for mythical creatures or hunting rabbits?

However, the wizard Merlyn—her teacher and friend—knows that destiny has a way of catching up with a person. His arrival sets in motion a series of events that will lead Guinevere to her destiny whether she is ready for it or not.

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/Guinevereontheeveoflegend

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Beating the Kindle

Slate today has an interesting little article about how Sony can beat the Kindle. Essentially, they boil their suggested strategy down to the following: "Study everything the iPod's rivals did. Then do the exact opposite."

Heh.

Since I love my iPhone as much as I am wary of the Kindle, this sentence could have been written just for me.

But it's a good point. I think they are drawing an interesting comparison between the Kindle and the iPhone as the standout and seemingly untoppleable leaders in their respective gizmo niche.

It's an interesting comparison, but I don't think it's completely accurate. I think I would equate the Kindle more to the Apple Newton than the iPhone. The iPhone is everything the Newton wanted to be... with the difference being that technology had finally caught up by the time the iPhone came around.

Like the Newton, the Kindle is a bit ahead of it's technology - it's close, as it can do everything it should, just not as well as it needs to. Like the Newton it's also too expensive for what it does, and only a few people have one. Though I think with both the owners are pretty dedicated to them.

So, instead of following the Kindle perhaps it's would-be toppler should think of it as the primitive older brother of what we really want an ebook reader to be.

Will it be Sony's new book? The touch screen gets it closer. But I suspect the best Sony can really hope for, analogically, is an early Palm Pilot.

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Book of the Day: Soaring Eagle, Spirit of the Wind

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/soaringeagl]

Soaring Eagle, Spirit of the Wind

H. J. Courtright
Literary Art Publishers
ISBN: 0974486612
$8.95

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/soaringeagle

Rosalie, a self-destructive woman, is summoned into the spirit world and
persuaded to embark upon a quest of discovery. Along the way she must develop
the will to battle the greatest of all foes, herself, a battle she is destined
to lose if not for the aid of the shaman, Soaring Eagle.

Soaring Eagle, engaged in an endless quest to serve his people, sees Rosalie’s
plight in a vision, and propels himself into the spirit world to retrieve her
soul.

The plot is designed around three shamanic journeys that have been adapted from
the author's personal experiences. Written in a style devised to keep pace with
the shaman’s drum, the story is composed at a conceptual level difficult to
achieve and is destined to become a cult classic.

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/soaringeagle

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Book of the Day: Summoned The Novel

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/summoned]

Summoned The Novel
The Novel

Stan The Man Griffin
STM Entertainment
ISBN: 9780615237282
$12.95

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/summoned

“Summoned The Novel” tells the story about
The Most controversial decision in United States history, and how one Scientist Dr. Michael Stein, uncovers a plot by the United States Military, to use this decision, to create an army of Monsters, that will eventually; terrorize the entire planet. To help Satan, in his war against God, to damn the souls, of mankind. Forever!

Summoned The Novel’ once you start reading it, you will not want to put it down!

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/summoned

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Your novel sucks.

Here is a thoughtful bit of advice from Salon advice columnist Cary Tennis. He was, basically, asked how the letter writer should respond to a sensative friend who had requested comments on a "horrible novel."

Fortunately, every book and manuscript I have ever been asked to read has been great (especially yours, if I have read it!) so I have neeever been in this situation.

But I like Cary's advice, which is, basically, don't comment at all.

If I were you I would politely refuse to say anything about her novel. I would refuse to comment on it. For years I have had a policy that I mostly do not comment on people's work. I just don't. The medium of "commenting" is too freighted with meaning. It's a rigged system. It's a trick question. There is too much hunger associated with the act of writing. You never know what you're walking into.

I think that is very fair.

Now, as a lot of you are actually writers... you may find yourself asking for comments from friends and family to whom you have entrusted your drafts. Please be kind. Allow them the freedom to read it without commenting.

If you really want comments to help you develop your writing/story/novel... take a class or join a writing group. Leave the heavy crit work to folks who will not feel that your freindship will be threatened by honesty.

And finally, when you get comments/crit, remember that no writing is perfect. If you dismiss criticism you miss an opportunity to grow. Listen well, be thankful, and carefully consider the gift you have been given.

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Best of Baltimore?

A while ago, I wrote a bit about my good freind, Angelo Solera, and how he suprised me with his decision to go with a local printer. I wrote about the benefits of doing so, and how this is often an overlooked option as we tend to go out into the world (wide web) looking for the best price, regardless of where it is. Angelo is a smart guy. He has good ideas. He is at it again.

Baltimore's City Paper, our beloved alt weekly birdcage liner, drops a Best of Baltimore issue every year. For the most part, their staff picks its favorite this-es and that-ses and they pubish them in a big issue and everyone complains about why their preferred this or favorite that didn't get picked.

But they also have a "Reader's Poll" part of the deal where, for weeks ahead of the issue readers can vote on-line or via fax (fax!? Remember those?) for their favorite whosey-whatsits.

Angelo is campaigning for the Best Local Author. He is campaigning for it hard.

And from what I can see, the point isn't whether he wins or not. It's about having found another excuse - nearly a year after his book dropped - to email every one that he knows in the world about his book. He's asking them to vote, sure, and definately wants them too. But more importantly, he is saying, "Hey! Remember my book! I'm still excited about it! You should be to!"

And thats my point here too. We tend to get caught up in the traditional means of promoting our books (If I could just get a radio interview!) but we should really be looking for any and every way we can to keep our books in people's minds. Keep the momentum going!

I think this another great idea from Angelo and honesty, whether he wins Best of Baltimore or not... it's a winning strategy for keeping his book alive!

If you have a sec... click over to the Reader's Poll and vote for all your favorite Baltimore crap. And don't be afraid to write in "Angelo Solera" as the "Best Local Author!" Oh, and if you happen to write in "sahffi" as the "Best Solo Music Artist" that would be awesome too!

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Starlings in the Park

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/starlingsinthepark]

Starlings in the Park

Jeanne Johnson
Blue Lupin Press
ISBN: 9780977776818
$14.95

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/starlingsinthepark

Eighteen compelling stories revealing the extraordinary resilience, courage and hope of ordinary people as they seek to overcome loneliness, hardship and loss. From three-year-old Annie to elderly Harry, you will be both saddened and heartened by what you encounter here.

"You will want to read it more than once. And you will want to share it with others."
Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D. Best selling author of Recover of your Inner Child and The Creative Journey.

"...a collection gripping the reader from beginning to end. Most of all she captures the essence of the spirit of survival - and the hope that we will all some day find love and peace withn."
Susana Herrera, author of Mango Elephants in the Sun:How Life in an African Village Let Me Be in My Skin

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/starlingsinthepark

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Changes at Facebook

Once I began opening IndieBookMan up to some of my friends, things started to get a little weird over at facebook. I was pulling the IndieBookMan feed into my facebook account, so that all of my posts were reposted there for all of my friends to see.

But now that I am not writing all of the posts myself, my poor friends were getting a bit confused. They wondered why I was, all of a sudden, so into Mad Men.

So, I have unlinked the blog feed from my facebook profile, and instead created a facebook page for this blog, and am now pulling the feed into that page. It makes much more sense, I think, as my friends can now follow us there if they want to, but I can make it clearer that I am not writing all of the posts.

So, if you are interested at all, please join us at facebook by becoming a fan! It's just one more great way to get your IndieBookman fix and keep up with the world of indie publishing!

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Book of the Day: Whirling Fire

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/Whirling]

Whirling Fire

Jack L Thomas
lyndonjacks publications
ISBN: 0965984303
$14.00

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/Whirling

Life was simple – living in bunkers, bathing out of wells, avoiding booby traps – but advisors learned that the Vietnamese culture was deep, rich and complex. In this poignant collection, Mr. Thomas graphically portrays his feelings about the pain, confusion and senselessness of this war.

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/Whirling

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] I was being sarcastic!!!!!

Ok, not only does this study demonstrate how language-ignorant we have become as a society - but it reminds me of one of my favorite SNL sketches (sorry I couldn't find video).

Actually, I don't know if it is true that the study demonstrates that we are becoming more language-ignorant. Did more people understand sarcasm in previous generations? I bet not. In fact, many of the vast majority had no time for a highschool education, let alone an interest is the subtleties of sarcasm.

But still, come on people. I know this is a country filled with literary geniuses and all, but you've to recognize sarcasm when you see it, right?

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] AV Club: Impact of the Information Revolution

I know this video is making it's rounds through the face-space-twitter-verse right now... but I thought it was worth sharing here. And, though perhaps only marginally related to indie publishing, if you don't understand the impact of information technology - and the exponential growth of information in our society - is having on publishing, well, then you need to do some more thinking. Perhaps this video will help you figure it out:

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] TEST

TEST

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Self Publishing Cinderella Story

Check out this story, Self-Published Book Gets Neiman Marcus Launch, by way of Publishers Weekly...

Now, this is the stuff of which Indie Publisher's dreams are made, right? These two women write a book (What I Learned About Life When My Husband Got Fired), someone at NM gets a hold of it, loves it, and sets them up with a window and launch event. Sweet.

But what makes this story even cooler is that these women are clearly dedicated to the Path. They had the book printed locally (an idea I have previosuly discussed here), and it looks like they are hand binding them (!?) 25,000 copies (!?!?!)

And they even, get this, even refuse to list the book through Amazon. Ahhhhh... indie publishers after my very heart! They have set up their own website RedandBlackBooks.com to market their book and to, puprotedly, help other indies sell their book without Amazon. They offer a list of marketing ideas, and a great philosophie.

Oh, one other interesting point that probably warrants a post in and of itself. They used a very interesting "Hybrid" publishing model that I'm not sure I have seen before. They were passed over by a publisher - not because the publisher didn't love the book, but because it was too commercial (huh? What kinda publisher is that?) - but the publisher agreed to work with them to help them publish it themselve. So, even though they were going it on there own, they had the benefit of the connections and experience of a traditional publisher. Very interesting. Let me know if you have heard of any other books being published in this way.

So, I gotta email these ladies and let them know about AuthorsBookshop. This is exactly the kind of situation for which I created it in the first place. They aught to dig it.

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Indie publising myths, exposed!

[http://www.isnare.com/?aid=297196&ca=Writing]
Here is a pretty good list of myths and errant assumptions that many indie authors make, along with the truth behind them.

Well, for the most part, I think this is a pretty good list and I mostly agree with all of her points. No, actually, rereading her list as I post this, I think I agree with all of them except perhaps:

10) All of my friends will buy my book! Your friends may not buy your book; the truth is, strangers tend to buy books faster than friends do so don't be discouraged if your pals aren't snapping up your book.

Im not sure what kind if friends and family she has, but if she can't leverage her "FAF" market, she is missing a huge chunk of sales that should be automatic and really should be one of the first steps in the outward spiral of your promotion.

I mean, if you can't get your Aunt Sue to pony up $15 and tell her bridge club friends how great your book is... your going to have a much harder time spreading the word!

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Blackjac

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/blackjack]

Blackjack
Dreaming of a Morgan Horse

Ellen F. Feld
Willow Bend Publishing
ISBN: 0970900236
$9.95

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/blackjack

Blackjack, winner of the national book award, "Children's Choices 2005," given
by The International Reading Association and The Children's Book Council, is the first in the "Morgan Horse Series." The book introduces the character of Heather Richardson. A young horse-lover, Heather has been haunted by dreams of a very special Morgan Horse. She soon learns that the horse really exists and is thrilled when she is asked to care for him. With the help of Blackjack's owner, Heather learns to ride and show the horse and the two quickly form a very special bond. When tragedy strikes and Blackjack falls into the hands of an abusive trainer, Heather must find a way to rescue her horse before it is too late...

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/blackjack

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] Ginger High

[http://www.authorsbookshop.com/gingerhigh]

Ginger High

Melissa Burmester
Infinity Publishing
ISBN: 9780741453631
$13.95

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/gingerhigh

Ginger High is no ordinary school. It is a school for students with special “powers.” Many years ago people came to Earth from the Kingdom of Animist, a
parallel universe. Two long time friends, Matthias and Amanta, attended the school and then returned home to Animist.
The school has had many unexplained deaths. Daisy Fisher attends the school after her old school burns down. Matthias and Amanta are called back to the school to help solve the mysteries. What are powers? And what is with this crazy school? Welcome to Ginger High.

http://www.authorsbookshop.com/gingerhigh

Posted via email from The Book Mob

[IndieBookMan] A Slight Change in the Masthead!

I am changing things up a little. In order to bring you even more great indie-book related content, and broaden the point-of-view of your daily IndieBookMan reading, I am inviting some of my good friends from the indie book world to join me here. IndieBookMan blog will henceforth be known as "IndieBookMan & Friends."

Some of my friends will write more frequently, some less, but I think they will all bring fresh perspectives to what we have going on here.

The first Friend I would like to welcome is my good friend Cantara Christopher. She is an indie publisher, owner of Cantara Publishing, Keeps her own blog at Cantara's Notebook and runs the community over at Cantaraville Commons.

Not only is she a great writer and publisher... but she is, really, a brand unto herself!

You can find out a little more about her here.

So, please welcome Cantara to IndieBookMan & Friends. I am really looking forward to reading her posts as she gets into the flow if it here.

Posted via email from The Book Mob

testing cross

testing cross

Posted via email from The Book Mob

testing

testin
Brad Grochowski
AuthorsBookshop.com: Buy Independent. Support Independent. Be Independent.
http://www.authorsbookshop.com

Read my IndieBookMan Blog: http://www.indiebookman.com

Posted via email from indiebookman's posterous

test test

test test 
Brad Grochowski
AuthorsBookshop.com: Buy Independent. Support Independent. Be Independent.
http://www.authorsbookshop.com

Read my IndieBookMan Blog: http://www.indiebookman.com

Posted via email from The Book Mob

test 8

test 8

===============================
Brad Grochowski
Support Developer
PICnet, Inc. - http://www.picnet.net
PICnet Inc
1605 Connecticut Ave, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
P: 202.585.0232
F: 202.280.1175

"Empowering the missions of non-profits through technology"

test 7

test 7

test 6

test 6

test 2

test 2

Brad Grochowski
AuthorsBookshop.com: Buy Independent. Support Independent. Be Independent.
http://www.authorsbookshop.com

Read my IndieBookMan Blog: http://www.indiebookman.com

test

test

Brad Grochowski
AuthorsBookshop.com: Buy Independent. Support Independent. Be Independent.
http://www.authorsbookshop.com

Read my IndieBookMan Blog: http://www.indiebookman.com