Mindstir Media was quite busy in July 2019. Mindstir received its 16th book award in 10 years; one of Mindstir's authors won an author of the year award locally; and one of Mindstir's books became a #1 Amazon bestseller. Check out the news stories below to read more.
-Top book publisher Mindstir Media garners positive reviews & receives its 16th book award in 10 years: Source: One World Herald
-Mindstir Media author wins author of the year award, garners rave reviews: Source: Big Time Daily
-"Naschash's Narrative" by Volker Fremuth (from Mindstir Media) becomes #1 Amazon Best Seller and #1 Hot New Release: Source: Big Time Daily
Showing posts with label MindStir Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MindStir Media. Show all posts
Monday, August 5, 2019
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Becoming a Published Author!
MindStir Media put together this funny video depicting a celebratory new author. I think the video is somewhat self-explanatory. Publishing a book is a big deal. Why not celebrate?
Hiring A Children's Book Illustrator
For a children's book author, part of publishing a book also includes finding and hiring a children's book illustrator. At MindStir Media, we've been illustrating/publishing children's books since 2010, and many of our illustrators have been illustrating much longer than that on their own. Some of our illustrators are even award-winning illustrators. They've illustrated in nearly every illustration style imaginable and have worked on hundreds of picture books.
Recently, I had one of my illustrators at MindStir Media create a mascot for our children's book division. Check it out below.
Click here if you want to learn more about getting your children's book illustrated. We follow a simple 3-step illustration process and our rates are affordable considering the quality. We even include free revisions as part of the process and fees.
Recently, I had one of my illustrators at MindStir Media create a mascot for our children's book division. Check it out below.
Click here if you want to learn more about getting your children's book illustrated. We follow a simple 3-step illustration process and our rates are affordable considering the quality. We even include free revisions as part of the process and fees.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Interview with Author Christy Day
Christy Day is a New
Hampshire author born on a Wyoming ranch in the USA. Apart from
writing, she is also a passionate traveler, sailor, and she even holds a
private pilot’s license. In this interview, she talks about her debut book, Walking from Here to There: Finding My Way on El Camino, published by Seacoast Press, a Division of Mindstir Media, LLC.
1.How would you define yourself? I am curious, I love life, and am passionate about doing good in the world. It goes without saying that my daughters are the most important part of my life.
2. At what age did you start to show interest in the outdoors? Growing up on a ranch in Wyoming, I was introduced immediately to the outdoors. Some of my earliest memories are of being put up on the back of a great big, gentle horse. I also remember following my father’s tracks in the deep snow. Rivers, lakes, and oceans, mountains, deserts, and plains – I feel at home in Nature and I respect its power and beauty. I enjoy writing about Nature and photographing it.
3. What drove you to become interested in El Camino, Spain? I watched the movie, “The Way,” starring Martin Sheen and written by his son, Emilio Estevez. I found it intriguing and moving. Then a Pilgrim who had walked El Camino de Santiago de Compostela (that’s the full name of the pilgrimage) spoke at my local library in Amherst, NH, and I realized it was something I could do. Once I realized that, I knew I had to do it!
4. Why a Pilgrimage? “Why a Pilgrimage” is a question I have asked myself since I decided to do it. I am not deeply religious. Like everyone, though, I search for meaning. In the beginning, I did it partly because of the challenge of doing it. As I moved along El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, I became more involved with everyone else’s challenges and searches for meaning. It is quite amazing to meet so many people of so many religious persuasions and engage meaningfully in conversation and shared struggle. If anything, the mystery of Pilgrimage deepens as you walk along.
5. What were the logistics involved in walking 500 miles? It took me 39 days of walking which was an average of 12.4 miles per day. In addition to that, I also took two days of rest. This Pilgrimage has been in existence for over 1100 years, and Pilgrims have always been well-support. A great guidebook shows you what to expect for walking conditions and where the inns (called albergues), restaurants (called bars) and other support services are. Thios makes logistics along The Way easy. It is also made easy because of the amazing Spanish hospitality. The logistics are most important in the planning stage. Every decision you make about equipment is critical. You must have just the right shoes and socks that suit you and your feet. Your backpack has to fit just write. Beyond that, common sense and trusting your judgment come into play. What to take and what not to take is complicated. It took me a year to choose the right equipment, to pack and repack dozens of times, and to decide what to leave out of my backpack to make it as light as possible.
6. What was the most challenging part of the Pilgrimage? Oh, there were lots of challenging parts. Being disciplined about the rigors of walking 500 miles was one of the most challenging – always using sunscreen, always paying attention to problems with feet as they developed, always tending to blisters and infections. The most challenging part of the Pilgrimage for me was having the courage to say “Yes, I can do this.” The fear, joy, and angst of saying goodbye to my younger daughter at the sign in Roncesvalles and taking that first step of 500 miles is something that will stay with me forever.
7. What was the most rewarding aspect of your experience? My younger daughter told me that when I arrived at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, she wanted me to fully prostrate myself and thank the powers of the universe for all the good that got me there. Your feeling when you arrive at the Cathedral Plaza makes you want to jump for joy. You can’t believe that you have actually arrived. Instead of jumping for joy, I fully prostrated myself. When I did, the World went silent for me. It was as if I felt all the powers of the universe right there with me. I had a profound sense of gratitude.
8. Do you have any plans for the future? I want to spend as much time as possible with my daughters. I plan to write a novel. I want to keep traveling – lots of places to see.
1.How would you define yourself? I am curious, I love life, and am passionate about doing good in the world. It goes without saying that my daughters are the most important part of my life.
2. At what age did you start to show interest in the outdoors? Growing up on a ranch in Wyoming, I was introduced immediately to the outdoors. Some of my earliest memories are of being put up on the back of a great big, gentle horse. I also remember following my father’s tracks in the deep snow. Rivers, lakes, and oceans, mountains, deserts, and plains – I feel at home in Nature and I respect its power and beauty. I enjoy writing about Nature and photographing it.
3. What drove you to become interested in El Camino, Spain? I watched the movie, “The Way,” starring Martin Sheen and written by his son, Emilio Estevez. I found it intriguing and moving. Then a Pilgrim who had walked El Camino de Santiago de Compostela (that’s the full name of the pilgrimage) spoke at my local library in Amherst, NH, and I realized it was something I could do. Once I realized that, I knew I had to do it!
4. Why a Pilgrimage? “Why a Pilgrimage” is a question I have asked myself since I decided to do it. I am not deeply religious. Like everyone, though, I search for meaning. In the beginning, I did it partly because of the challenge of doing it. As I moved along El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, I became more involved with everyone else’s challenges and searches for meaning. It is quite amazing to meet so many people of so many religious persuasions and engage meaningfully in conversation and shared struggle. If anything, the mystery of Pilgrimage deepens as you walk along.
5. What were the logistics involved in walking 500 miles? It took me 39 days of walking which was an average of 12.4 miles per day. In addition to that, I also took two days of rest. This Pilgrimage has been in existence for over 1100 years, and Pilgrims have always been well-support. A great guidebook shows you what to expect for walking conditions and where the inns (called albergues), restaurants (called bars) and other support services are. Thios makes logistics along The Way easy. It is also made easy because of the amazing Spanish hospitality. The logistics are most important in the planning stage. Every decision you make about equipment is critical. You must have just the right shoes and socks that suit you and your feet. Your backpack has to fit just write. Beyond that, common sense and trusting your judgment come into play. What to take and what not to take is complicated. It took me a year to choose the right equipment, to pack and repack dozens of times, and to decide what to leave out of my backpack to make it as light as possible.
6. What was the most challenging part of the Pilgrimage? Oh, there were lots of challenging parts. Being disciplined about the rigors of walking 500 miles was one of the most challenging – always using sunscreen, always paying attention to problems with feet as they developed, always tending to blisters and infections. The most challenging part of the Pilgrimage for me was having the courage to say “Yes, I can do this.” The fear, joy, and angst of saying goodbye to my younger daughter at the sign in Roncesvalles and taking that first step of 500 miles is something that will stay with me forever.
7. What was the most rewarding aspect of your experience? My younger daughter told me that when I arrived at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, she wanted me to fully prostrate myself and thank the powers of the universe for all the good that got me there. Your feeling when you arrive at the Cathedral Plaza makes you want to jump for joy. You can’t believe that you have actually arrived. Instead of jumping for joy, I fully prostrated myself. When I did, the World went silent for me. It was as if I felt all the powers of the universe right there with me. I had a profound sense of gratitude.
8. Do you have any plans for the future? I want to spend as much time as possible with my daughters. I plan to write a novel. I want to keep traveling – lots of places to see.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Is A Wikipedia Page Worth Having as an Author or Business?
“How do I create a Wikipedia page about myself?”
“How do I get my business listed on Wikipedia?”
As an author and business owner myself, I’ve heard many different
versions of the above questions from fellow authors and entrepreneurs, but I feel
like they’re not asking the right questions. My company, Mindstir Media, was listed
on Wikipedia for a few months in 2016 (more about that later), and during that
time, I learned some valuable lessons I want to share with authors and business
owners alike. Surprise, having a business Wikipedia page isn’t all it’s cracked
up to be. Yes, it can be a nice ego boost to stumble upon your name on
Wikipedia, and it can add credibility to you and your company, but there are
some major downsides to having a Wikipedia page that you should consider as
well…
- Many pages include inaccurate information. Anyone with an active Wikipedia account can create a page or edit one, so Wikipedia is notorious for providing inaccurate information and not always being the most reliable source. Yes, the site has some amazing, hard-working volunteer editors, but they’re imperfect people nevertheless, and they lack knowledge on certain topics.
- You’re not supposed to promote or advertise on Wikipedia. As part of Wikipedia’s long list of editorial guidelines, a page/article is supposed to be devoid of advertising or promotional copy. It needs to read as an unbiased encyclopedia entry and include reliable and independent references. So, basically, the copy needs to be dry and unwelcoming. It’s not the place to write a fun and exciting bio about yourself or your company. In fact, you’re not allowed to write about yourself at all! Don’t expect a Wikipedia page to “promote” your company.
- You need to constantly monitor your Wikipedia page. I noted above that many articles have inaccuracies and you are not allowed to write about yourself. Well, you’ll also need to keep a close eye on your Wikipedia entry for any sudden changes so that you can take action if needed. In most cases, inaccuracies are just honest mistakes. In few other cases, changes to your page are meant to harm you or your company.
- Making lasting changes to your Wikipedia page is difficult to do. Since you can’t edit your own page, you’ll need to enlist a trusted Wikipedia editor to make necessary changes if you detect anything erroneous or questionable mentioned on your page. And then hope and pray that the changes stick and aren’t reversed by another editor/admin. Keep in mind that Wikipedia frowns upon “paid editing,” and it will be incredibly difficult to locate a volunteer editor to help you with your article.
- Your page can be deleted at any time. There is a long list of editorial guidelines on Wikipedia. Again, the editors and admins are imperfect, so mistakes are made often. Articles are deleted every day for various “reasons.” That’s what happened to the Mindstir Media Wikipedia page a few months back. One day it was there in all its glory and the next day it disappeared because the editors decided suddenly, after several months, that the references in the Wikipedia Mindstir Media article weren’t independent or large enough sources. Of course, there are other companies far less notable on Wikipedia. This was a tough pill to swallow initially, but ultimately, I saw it as a blessing in disguise for Mindstir Media.
Due to all the reasons above (and
more), I’ve concluded (for now) that Mindstir Media is actually better off
without a Wikipedia page. In my opinion, you’re probably better off staying
away from Wikipedia, too. Your time and resources are much too valuable to
spend on a website that you can’t update yourself; isn’t in any way
promotional; needs constant monitoring; and can be altered or deleted at any
time without your consent.
Friday, October 21, 2016
MindStir Media Award Winning Authors: How to Become an Award Winner
Throughout the years, MindStir Media has seen its fair share of literary award winners. I constantly preach to my Mindstir authors about the importance of winning awards... It adds instant credibility to your author brand and can also help you land speaking engagements/gigs for which you would otherwise not qualify. Not to mention, winning an award could positively impact book sales...
But you have to enter awards competitions if you want to win. I know that's common sense for most but you'd surprised by how many authors say they want to win an award and then never enter their books!
The first step, obviously, is to locate the right awards competition for your book genre. That's as easy as googling "list of literary awards for self published authors" or some variation of that. You'll be amazed by the options!
Pick several competitions suitable for your book and closely follow the submission guidelines. If they require a Word document, send them a Word document. If they want a PDF, send them a PDF. And if they want a print version of your book -- yes, you guessed it, send them a print version. Don't do anything to disqualify yourself from the competition.
Once you've submitted your book it's important to practice patience. These competitions generally all have winner announcement deadlines, so if you're a winner, you'll be contacted by the posted deadline. Do not contact them to see if they received your book. Most of them will want a print version of your book, so simply ship the book via a trackable shipment method. This will ensure safe delivery and you'll also be able to see that it was received. For those that want a digital version, I'm sure 99.9% of those sites will send you some sort of email confirmation.
Again, sit back and be patient.
If you win, great. Go out and publicize the heck out of your new award. Write and distribute press releases, add your award-winning status to your website and all marketing materials... If you don't win, just keep on keeping on. You can still be wildly successful without winning an award.
Good luck!
But you have to enter awards competitions if you want to win. I know that's common sense for most but you'd surprised by how many authors say they want to win an award and then never enter their books!
The first step, obviously, is to locate the right awards competition for your book genre. That's as easy as googling "list of literary awards for self published authors" or some variation of that. You'll be amazed by the options!
Pick several competitions suitable for your book and closely follow the submission guidelines. If they require a Word document, send them a Word document. If they want a PDF, send them a PDF. And if they want a print version of your book -- yes, you guessed it, send them a print version. Don't do anything to disqualify yourself from the competition.
Once you've submitted your book it's important to practice patience. These competitions generally all have winner announcement deadlines, so if you're a winner, you'll be contacted by the posted deadline. Do not contact them to see if they received your book. Most of them will want a print version of your book, so simply ship the book via a trackable shipment method. This will ensure safe delivery and you'll also be able to see that it was received. For those that want a digital version, I'm sure 99.9% of those sites will send you some sort of email confirmation.
Again, sit back and be patient.
If you win, great. Go out and publicize the heck out of your new award. Write and distribute press releases, add your award-winning status to your website and all marketing materials... If you don't win, just keep on keeping on. You can still be wildly successful without winning an award.
Good luck!
Thursday, October 8, 2015
MindStir Media’s Gregory P. Brown MD Becomes a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
If you've followed this MindStir Media blog, you'll have noticed that I don't often post press releases here. Most of my posts relate to MindStir Media publishing in some way, but I usually use this space for self-publishing, book marketing and writing tips. But I'm going to make an exception: I'm really proud of Gregory Brown, MD for his diet and health book, New Mind, New Body, which became a bestseller a couple months ago. Below is the press release that we sent out:
New Mind, New
Body: The Inner Makeover for a New You, written by MindStir Media author Gregory P. Brown MD,
launched last month and achieved a #1 spot on two Amazon.com bestseller lists.
The paperback version of his book recently enjoyed the #1 position on the
Hypnosis for Diets category, while the Kindle ebook resided at the top of the
Hypnosis Psychology & Counseling category. The Kindle ebook also landed in
the #4 spot for the Mind-Body Connection category.
New
Mind, New Body: The Inner Makeover for a New You
has already received praise from readers. One reader raved: “Finally, a
comprehensive guide for anyone who wants creative authority for both inner
well-being and the transformation of the physical body!”
Medical professionals have also weighed in, including Alison
Netski, MD, the Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nevada
School of Medicine: “Dr. Brown invites us to take a new approach in the journey
of weight loss. This book acts as a guide through a very real
self-inventory in addition to providing practical strategies with the goal of providing long term
success.”
From the back cover: So you want to lose weight, too? Transform your mind, body, and life with this comprehensive toolkit and
easy to use step by step guide, which takes you through a personal self-assessment
process unique to you; offers you a
clear, concise, and complete system for positive self-development; and helps
you change your relationship with food by
starting from within. Psychiatrists can struggle with life problems, just like
you. After years of going through different diets, Dr. Greg Brown recognized
that to really change his body, he needed to change his mindset. He succeeded in making
fundamental and permanent changes in his own life without sacrificing anything
of the lifestyle he wanted to enjoy. He shared his program, The EATT Plan, with friends and family and
now offers it to you. Dr.
Greg's insights and experiences from his personal journey to health are paired
with a fun and engaging set of tools that support any chosen diet plan.
New Mind, New Body: The Inner Makeover for a New You is available at Amazon.com,
Barnesandnoble.com and other fine retailers worldwide. Wholesale orders can be
placed through Ingram. The paperback book retails for $14.99. The ebook is
priced at $6.99.
About Gregory P. Brown MD:
A board certified practicing psychiatrist with a
subspecialty in forensic psychiatry, his sustaining interest is in people's
amazing capacity for personal growth and change. He received his M.D. from the
University of Arkansas, did his psychiatry residency at Albert Einstein
Philadelphia and his fellowship at the University of Rochester. He presently
holds positions with the University of Nevada School of Medicine as both an
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Residency Training in
addition to his own medico-legal private practice. For more information, visit
his official website at http://www.newmindnewbody.com/
About the book publisher,
MindStir Media:
MindStir Media LLC offers comprehensive self-publishing services such as custom cover design; interior layout; ISBN
assignment; printing; ebook conversion; distribution; and marketing assistance.
MindStir Media also provides one-on-one coaching from bestselling author J.J.
Hebert, making its book publishing services completely unique and
“Mind-Stirringly Easy,” as the company puts it. To learn more about publishing a
book with MindStir Media, visit http://www.mindstirmedia.com or call
800-767-0531.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
MindStir Media gives a list of 5 self-publishing mistakes to avoid
I wrote an article for the MindStir Media blog entitled "5 Rarely Discussed Self-Publishing Mistakes: What NOT To Do". The post has become very popular, having been shared/liked on Facebook over 1,500 times and re-tweeted nearly 200 times. The post covers topics such as book pricing; brick-and-mortar book sales; online marketing; editing and more...
Not to toot my own horn, but I really believe the post is a must-read for anyone who plans to enter the world of self-publishing. For most, the post will be refreshing and offer new info not seen before. For some others, especially those who have been around self-publishing for a while, the points in the article might not be new but can simply act as reinforcement. Hey, everyone needs a reminder every now and again, right?
Without further adieu, click here to see the full article.
Not to toot my own horn, but I really believe the post is a must-read for anyone who plans to enter the world of self-publishing. For most, the post will be refreshing and offer new info not seen before. For some others, especially those who have been around self-publishing for a while, the points in the article might not be new but can simply act as reinforcement. Hey, everyone needs a reminder every now and again, right?
Without further adieu, click here to see the full article.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
MindStir Media presents a helpful self-publishing checklist
I recently wrote a really helpful self-publishing checklist and published it on the MindStir Media blog site. The checklist offers twenty important items you'll need when self-publishing your book. Some of those twenty checklist items include:
- Information on how to handle editing
- Info and helpful advice for book cover design
- Copyright registration guidance
- A link to a very valuable book marketing guide that supplies authors with 75 marketing strategies and tips
To read and study the entire self-publishing checklist that I published via MindStir Media, please go to: http://www.mindstirmedia.com/2015/06/14/self-publishing-checklist/
Friday, February 13, 2015
MindStir Media Provides 75 Book Marketing Tips & Strategies
I wrote a really helpful blog post entitled "75 Book Marketing Tips for Authors". The post is highly actionable and contains a TON of info. I cover social media, email marketing, SEO and more in the post and hope that authors (and aspiring authors) find it useful.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
MindStir Media Offers 50+ Writing Resources & 10 Self-Publishing Tips
MindStir Media, the publishing company I own, is currently offering some valuable resources: 50+ writing resources and 10 self-publishing tips. You can get free access to those resources and tips by clicking here. I personally created the self-publishing tips and also curated the writing resources, organizing and updating them.
The 50+ writing resources include:
The 50+ writing resources include:
- Articles on writing
- Videos from famous authors
- Inspirational quotes
- Books
- And more
The self-publishing tips focus on:
- The definition of success in self-publishing
- The importance of editing
- Cover design
- And more
Monday, October 27, 2014
MindStir Media Books
Today a prospective client asked where he could find some of the books MindStir Media has published. This reminded me that perhaps it's time to publish a post on this subject... We've published many, many books in numerous genres and, if you're interested, you can see some of those books at Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. Now, those sites won't show all of our published books because we do help some authors and other companies publish under their own names, but a simple search at Amazon for "Mindstir Media" will return plenty of results. To make it easy, I'm adding a couple links below:
--MindStir Media books at Amazon
--MindStir Media books at B&N
--MindStir Media books at Amazon
--MindStir Media books at B&N
Thursday, June 12, 2014
How to Get Reviews for Your Book
As the president and owner of self-publishing company MindStir Media, book reviews is a topic that comes up often when speaking with my authors. To get MindStir Media books reviewed I usually recommend the following options to my clients (this is a partial yet powerful list):
- NetGalley: This site puts a digital version of your book in front of 145,000+ reviewers, who can download the PDF. Whenever a reviewer downloads your book, he/she MUST review the book before downloading any other books from the website. MindStir Media authors have the option to get reviewed via this service.
- GoodReads: Use this website to give away copies of your book in exchange for honest reviews. MindStir authors are encouraged to signup for a Goodreads account and then use the Author Program to participate in the giveaway program. Here's a link that I usually give out to MindStir Media authors: http://www.slideshare.net/GoodreadsPresentations/your-guide-to-giveaways-on-goodreads-15194819
- LibraryThing: This site is a lot like Goodreads in that you can give away print copies of your book. On LibraryThing, though, you can give away copies of your ebook in exchange for reviews as well. MindStir Media authors have found this very beneficial.
- Contact reviewers directly: Sites like The Indie View show lists of book reviewers. Look through the list of reviewers and follow their submission guidelines, etc. Also perform a search on any of the major search engines for something along the lines of "book blog reviewer list" or "book blog directory" and you'll find a wide array of book reviewers for you to contact.
- Turn fan mail into reviews: You might receive fan mail from time to time. Instead of sending back a dull response, why not send a genuine "thank you" and then ask them if they'd kindly post a book review on Amazon.com? Tell the fan that you appreciate their kind note and would really appreciate their continued support by posting an honest review. You'll be surprised by the response!
- Run a "Free Book Promo" for your Kindle book: As part of their Select program, Amazon allows authors and publishers to offer their Kindle books for free for up to 5 days during each 90-day period. Readers worldwide will download your ebook for free during that period and many of them will review the book on Amazon. MindStir Media authors have seen great success with this book review tactic.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Self Publish A Book: The Best Way
MindStir Media is a full-service self publishing company, and I'm the owner of MindStir Media, so keep that in mind while reading... There are numerous articles out there that discuss how to self publish a book but many of them talk about self publishing as if you have to "go it alone." The truth is simple: You do not have to handle self publishing alone, and some -- including myself -- would argue that you should not handle it alone...
There are exceptions, of course, but the best way to tackle self publishing is to hire a team of professionals around you. This means hiring a book designer, an editor, printer, self-publishing coach, publicist, etc. You can try to assemble this team yourself, as some self publishing authors do, but that will take a lot of time and patience on your part. The easiest and most convenient way to self publish, in my opinion, is to simply team up with a self publishing company like MindStir Media. MindStir has everything in place for you to self publish a book, including professional editors and book designers, coaching, etc.
Regardless of how you decide to self publish, here's a partial list of things you should look for in your team and/or preliminary questions you should ask:
There are exceptions, of course, but the best way to tackle self publishing is to hire a team of professionals around you. This means hiring a book designer, an editor, printer, self-publishing coach, publicist, etc. You can try to assemble this team yourself, as some self publishing authors do, but that will take a lot of time and patience on your part. The easiest and most convenient way to self publish, in my opinion, is to simply team up with a self publishing company like MindStir Media. MindStir has everything in place for you to self publish a book, including professional editors and book designers, coaching, etc.
Regardless of how you decide to self publish, here's a partial list of things you should look for in your team and/or preliminary questions you should ask:
- Book designer: A professional book designer should have a portfolio available for you to view. For instance, at MindStir Media we have an entire online bookstore filled with books we've designed. Authors can quickly see the work done and decide whether or not MindStir's designers are a good fit.
- Editor: What books has she/he edited? Are they published? How did they do in the marketplace? What kind of background does she/he have?
- Printer: You should always inquire about pricing. How much will it cost to print your book? Is the printer equipped to handle large volume? The printer MindStir Media uses is actually the largest print-on-demand printer in the world, printing millions of books for publishers worldwide.
- Coach: There are many self publishing coaches out there but many of them are not qualified to be giving advice. A good self publishing coach has experienced strong book sales and understands the ins and outs of self publishing, including marketing.
You'll also need to look into book distribution and order fulfillment. Ingram is the leader in wholesale book distribution and there are many book fulfillment companies throughout the world but, again, the easiest way to handle these items is to partner with a self publishing company like MindStir Media...
Thursday, May 8, 2014
NH Book Publisher
All you have to do is Google NH book publisher and you'll notice that MindStir Media is a leader among NH book publishers. MindStir has been seen in many New Hampshire publications such as The Portsmouth Herald and Spotlight Magazine. So, naturally, every week I hear from NH authors looking for a book publisher in NH. Although it's not absolutely necessary to work with a local publisher nowadays, many authors in New Hampshire insist on dealing with a local publisher. I do help authors nationwide -- and I do so over the phone and by email -- but for authors in NH I'm able to meet up with them from time to time and consult in person...
For instance, about a month ago I met up with a MindStir author located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and helped her with marketing, specifically book marketing via Facebook. I was able to take her non-targeted Facebook page and help her target pet lovers -- the topic of her upcoming book. She went from very little engagement to receiving a healthy number of likes (and comments) per post. She also attracted many new targeted Facebook fans... There aren't many book publishers in NH other than MindStir Media (if any) that will sit down with you and share marketing knowledge. That's one of the things that makes MindStir so "Mind-Stirring" and different from the rest of the NH book publishers: personal one-on-one support.
For instance, about a month ago I met up with a MindStir author located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and helped her with marketing, specifically book marketing via Facebook. I was able to take her non-targeted Facebook page and help her target pet lovers -- the topic of her upcoming book. She went from very little engagement to receiving a healthy number of likes (and comments) per post. She also attracted many new targeted Facebook fans... There aren't many book publishers in NH other than MindStir Media (if any) that will sit down with you and share marketing knowledge. That's one of the things that makes MindStir so "Mind-Stirring" and different from the rest of the NH book publishers: personal one-on-one support.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Biggest Self Publishing Companies Not Necessarily the Best
It's no secret that MindStir Media is widely considered a medium-sized self publishing company. I discuss self publishing with authors nearly every day and I can tell you that there seems to be an obsession among some authors -- an obsession over the size of self publishing companies. Some authors believe -- or they've been told -- that bigger is always best. They compare self publishing companies, trying to compare apples to apples, but the truth is that MindStir, for instance, is very different from the rest of the companies. For starters, MindStir includes ongoing mentoring from best selling author J.J. Hebert. So MindStir doesn't just offer self publishing services; it offers mentoring as well. No other medium-sized self publishing company offers this level of personalized support. MindStir is small enough to still remain highly personalized and big enough to offer its authors many unique publishing opportunities.
Why not go with a large self publishing company? Based on everything we've heard from other authors, the largest self publishing companies tend to treat their authors like numbers. I don't know about you, but as an author myself I wouldn't want to work with an impersonal publisher. Writing is a very personal journey for the most part, so the best self publishing companies are the ones that will take the time to get to know your book and offer solid ongoing advice. The latter is MindStir in a nutshell. Yes, it's true that many times the largest publishing companies will not give your book the attention it deserves. How can they when they are in the process of publishing hundreds or thousands of other books at once?
Be careful in assuming that biggest is best in the self publishing industry. If you want the most attention with many great opportunities I highly suggest going with a medium-sized self publishing company like MindStir Media. Good luck!
Why not go with a large self publishing company? Based on everything we've heard from other authors, the largest self publishing companies tend to treat their authors like numbers. I don't know about you, but as an author myself I wouldn't want to work with an impersonal publisher. Writing is a very personal journey for the most part, so the best self publishing companies are the ones that will take the time to get to know your book and offer solid ongoing advice. The latter is MindStir in a nutshell. Yes, it's true that many times the largest publishing companies will not give your book the attention it deserves. How can they when they are in the process of publishing hundreds or thousands of other books at once?
Be careful in assuming that biggest is best in the self publishing industry. If you want the most attention with many great opportunities I highly suggest going with a medium-sized self publishing company like MindStir Media. Good luck!
Thursday, May 1, 2014
MindStir Media Review - Sheila Bittick
Children book publishers MINDSTIR MEDIA recently received an overwhelmingly positive review from children's book author Sheila Bittick. Here at MindStir, we strive to make childrens book publishing easy and affordable. We start by assigning each children's book author their very own illustrator. In this case, we assigned Justin (illustrator) to Sheila's children's picture book project. As a leader among childrens book publishers, MindStir was able to deliver to Sheila a finished, high-quality picture book in just a few months. The book, Jeremy's Great Escape, will be available to the public in a couple weeks.
Here's the review for MindStir Media children's book publishers:
"Thank you, Mindstir Media, for taking such excellent care of me. J.J. was always there when I needed him! Wow, Justin, your illustrations were awesome! You brought Jeremy's Great Escape to life for me. Thank you, Miranda, for taking the time to promptly return my Emails and answering all my questions no matter how small they were. I am so proud to be involved with such a great organization. I look forward to working with you in the future!"
Check out more MindStir Media reviews...
"Thank you, Mindstir Media, for taking such excellent care of me. J.J. was always there when I needed him! Wow, Justin, your illustrations were awesome! You brought Jeremy's Great Escape to life for me. Thank you, Miranda, for taking the time to promptly return my Emails and answering all my questions no matter how small they were. I am so proud to be involved with such a great organization. I look forward to working with you in the future!"
Check out more MindStir Media reviews...
Top 5 Lessons Writers can Learn from The Shawshank Redemption (Film)
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| Photo by quiddle from Flickr |
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OK, now I'm assuming if you're reading this far you've watched the movie. Here are the top 5 lessons writers can learn from The Shawshank Redemption movie.
1. Hope is universal. Yes, the film is primarily set in a male prison, but this is not a movie for men. Everyone on the planet can relate to the movie because everyone on the planet either secretly hopes or openly hopes for something. In this case, Andy hopes to remove himself from his situation. Whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, hope is a universal topic that you shouldn't hesitate to tackle. The same is true for love and death, among others.
2. Everyone has felt trapped in some sense. Again, they're all male inmates but women can relate to this message in the movie. The men are literally incarcerated but don't we all build figurative prisons around us? Some of us work jobs that we hate, spend time with people we don't necessary like, etc. I bet you can think of a few ways you build bars around you... You'd do well as a writer to tap into the natural human feeling of being trapped. I believe it's a terrible feeling that everyone experiences at some point.
3. Each person reacts uniquely. There's nothing worse (okay, maybe that's not true) than watching a film or reading a book in which the characters seem to act or react the same way to a certain set of circumstances. In the The Shawshank Redemption, every single inmate (that we get to know) reacts uniquely to their prison stay. As I noted earlier, Andy hopes to get out. Red has become the "guy who can get things." Brooks, the elderly inmate, has embraced the prison walls and doesn't want to leave. Those are three major examples I can think of. As a writer, make sure to use conflict to show how dissimilar each character really is. Just like in real life, each person tends to react differently to conflict and dire circumstances.
4. In fiction, the setting isn't as important as the characters. I have to be honest and tell you that I've watched Shawshank probably about a hundred times and each time I discover something new. But one thing that always sticks out to me: The prison itself isn't nearly as intriguing or memorable as the characters. Sure, the prison plays a role but the characters make this film! Fiction, in my opinion, should be character-driven. The characters should move the story along. This means that your characters should evolve and change and move toward a goal or goals, prompting the story to evolve and change. The characters should generally be well-rounded, three dimensional characters. They should have flaws. I can't name any flawless characters in Shawshank. Even Andy (the main character who is innocent, as we know!) admits that he was a bad husband and feels somewhat responsible for pushing his wife into the arms of another man. He also admits that he's a hard man to get to know...
5. Bad guys should be complicated. It's safe to say that Warden Norton is the major antagonist in this film. The Warden is a Bible-thumping and Bible-quoting bad guy who, in his position, should be a good guy (to the right people, he looks and acts like a good guy...but it's an act). He's there to oversee the prison and to be THE authority figure, but he's incredible corrupt. He shows flashes of goodness, by protecting Andy and allowing him to build the library but he only does these things to keep Andy just content enough to continue doing Norton's dirty work (i.e. cooking his books). Norton, as you know, allows Andy to tutor a young inmate, Tommy, but then Norton ultimately has Tommy shot and killed. Norton also does everything in his power to keep Andy in prison despite the fact that Andy has discovered proof that could exonerate him.
Whether you choose self-publishing as your route to publication or traditional publishing, I believe the above writing lessons will be beneficial. They might even possibly improve your writing skills. Good luck!
(Interested in self-publishing? You might want to consider MindStir Media, rated by many as the best among self publishing companies)
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Ebook Formatting Services
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| Photo by Maria Elena, Flickr |
There are plenty of ebook publishing services out there that will throw your ebook together using automated software, kind of like putting your book through a meat grinder, but is that really the type of attention your book deserves? Of course the answer is no! Each book is different and professional ebook conversion services do not use automated software. Ebook formatting, just like print book formatting, needs plenty of actual human attention and intervention. Particularly professional human attention.
Do not skimp on your ebook design. Readers will notice and put your book down. Invest in professional ebook formatting services to ensure that you leave a strong first impression with readers!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Compare Self-Publishing Companies
A couple days ago I focused on the different traits to look for in a self-publishing company. The MindStir Media website now includes a chart that helps compare self-publishing companies with MindStir. The chart reveals that MindStir is the clear winner when comparing MindStir's self-publishing packages against the packages of other self-publishing companies. Not only is MindStir's most popular package less expensive than the competition, but the MindStir Gold package also includes something that all the other self-publishing companies do not: ongoing mentoring from a bestselling author. This clearly separates MindStir from all the rest and makes MindStir a top self-publishing company!
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