Get It Together Productions

June Events for Readers and Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:19:00 +0000

These are a few interesting writers conferences and conventions happening in June.
The list of U.S. Science Fiction Cons for June is quite extensive; check this link to see many of them.

5-7 June 2012
BookExpo America 2012
Jacob Javitz Center
New York City, NY

7-8 June
Eighth Annual Clarksville Writers Conference
Clarksville, Tennessee

8-10 June
5th Annual National Black Book Festival
Doubletree Hotel
Houston, Texas

12-16 June
Western Writers of America Convention
Albuquerque, New Mexico

14-17 June
Children's Writers and Illustrators Conference
Corte Madera, CA

17–18 June
88th Australian Booksellers Association Conference and Trade Exhibition
Sidney, Australia

18–20 June
Association of American University Presses Annual Meeting
Chicago, IL

22-25 June
American Library Association Show 2012
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, CA

28-30 June
2012 Jackson Hole Writers Conference
at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts
Jackson Hole, WY

Be Productive

Another Ripoff?

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Read the WRITERS BEWARE recent post about a new self-publishing venture.
The article's conclusion, although addressing PW specifically, says the basics for authors who are considering any self-pub schemes: "...As it is, authors who choose PW Select Plus are signing up--and paying--for a service based only on a very broad description, which lacks many of the specifics authors should carefully evaluate before signing up for any self-publishing option."
In other words--Get All The Facts!!

Expresso Book Machines

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:30:00 +0000

In December last year GITP posted about the Expresso Book Machines (EBM). On Demand Books, the company that developed the technology, first went public in 2006. The purpose, to offer good quality POD while you wait books from digital content. While most of the machines are at universities and libraries, they are now showing up in bookstores. Many publishers have signed agreements with On Demand Books to have their books available via Expresso Book Machines.

The EBM company also has a self-publishing program where the contract is set as a consignment from the EBM location--i.e. XX University Library agrees to pay the author an agreed-to percentage of profits on a books sale through their EBM. The Author sets the retail price.

April Events For Readers and Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:18:00 +0000

APRIL is National Poetry Month

A few other events for this month.

April 8–14, 2012: National Library Week
April 15–21, 2012: The 11th Annual Cowboy Poetry Week
April 16–18, 2012: London Book Fair
April 20–21, 2012: The 51st Western Heritage Awards
April 20–22, 2012: The 20th annual Pike's Peak Writers Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
April 21–22, 2012: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 23, 2012: World Book and Copyright Day

Get involved

Red Adept Review Site Closed

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:54:00 +0000

In Mid March, the popular online site Red Adept Reviews, ceased publication. A true loss to the Indie Author. If any of your titles had been reviewed at RAR, and you didn’t grab the actual text you can still do that for a few more weeks. Just type your name, or the title in the search box. Be certain to list all the information with the review (date, reviewer, etc.) so you can use it later. Any ideas who will fill this void?

Ebook Pricing Lawsuit?

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:59:00 +0000

How are ebooks priced? Not those titles produced from the many Indie Authors, but those from traditional publishing houses--especially the Big Five? It's been a mix of super-high prices (with ebooks costing more than their paperback counterpart) and occasional deep discounts. How is it all determined?

In 2010, a breakdown of costs comparison was done at Gizmodo. It seemed there were a lot of pro-publisher stats. First they took the hard copy edition as the model to work with, then stated the bookseller gets a 50% discount (At Amazon...40% is the standard for other outlets, with 3% to the distributor); and the publisher pays 15% royalty to author (they didn't mention this happens only after the author has sold 10K copies or more)...

Considering the majority of what they call "real" books sold are trade paperbacks, NOT hard copy editions, the information given didn't tell the whole story. Then the ebook distributor they modeled was Apple--which, in 2010, was the most demanding and the hardest for which to format an ebook. They also didn't consider that once the ebook is formatted the costs to produce it for different readers drops off.

Another 2010 article inThe New York Times stated:

"In fact, the industry is based on the understanding that as much as 70 percent of the books published will make little or no money at all for the publisher once costs are paid."

(This begs the question of why the publishers don't go to POD to reduce costs.)

Now, two years later, after all types of back-and-forth, blah-blah-blah in blogs and forums, there seems to be some official follow up. Read about it in this CNET report and the Wall Street Journal. The Justice Department is now involved, and behind-the-scenes Apple information is revealed.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Read an eBook

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Here are two very different selections you could make for Read an eBook Week (March 4 -10). From GITP Author connections we present:

Linda Sandifer's western romance Desire's Treasure.

Disguised as a nun, Paris McKenna hides her father's treasure map in her saddlebags and sets out to find the legendary lost mission of Santa Isabel and its fabled riches. But lawless Arizona Territory is no place for a beautiful woman alone. She needs a guide as mean and tough as any outlaw, and she gets her wish in dangerously handsome bounty hunter Nate Brannigan.
Brannigan is willing to do just about any job if the price is right. He's prepared for what the desert has to throw at him, but he isn't prepared for a treasure protected by a curse, a gang of thieves hot on his heels, and a whole lot of unholy thoughts about "Sister Frances." But Nate Brannigan is no saint. And when he finds out Paris is no nun, their treasure hunt takes them on a wild ride across untamed borders of desire they've never crossed before.

Available for Nook and Kindle.

Jeff Gibson's novella, Last Rites of Passage.

Two "gracefully aging gentlemen" embark on a trek into the wilderness to visit again the special places of their youth. Increasingly threatened by unpredictable weather, bodies that aren't what they used to be and serious injury, the gentlemen push on, until they find themselves battered and nearly immobilized in a mountain basin two miles high.
For one of the men, the trip stirs memories of a time half a century gone, when he and another boy vied for the affection of a girl named Till; a time of joy, adventure, youthful exuberance and life-changing events the man still struggles to understand.
A coming of old age story and more, briskly paced, adventurous and humorous.

Available for Nook and Kindle.

More Events for March

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Beginning today: it's Read an eBook Week, March 4-10, 2012. Click on the GITP Authors in the side column to get some ideas. All have interesting ebooks to delight and educate. Mysteries, Westerns, nonfiction and more.
The fifth annual Women of the World Poetry Slam will be held in Denver this year on March 7-10, 2012.
EPIC's EPICon will be held 15 – 17 March in San Antonio. EPIC (Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition) was established in 1998 and holds it’s annual CON each year in a different city.
30 - 31 March is the 6th Annual Northern Colorado Writers Conference, at the Fort Collins Hilton, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Small Press Month

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:18:00 +0000

Small Press Month is a nationwide celebration highlighting the work produced by independent publishers. Held annually in March, Small Press Month raises awareness about the need for broader venues of literary expression, showcasing some of the most diverse, exciting, and significant voices being published today.

The National Book Critics Circle (NYU) is one of many organizations with event for this month.

Tidbits 12-31-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:52:00 +0000

Some fun and newsworthy notes to end 2011.

Akel Studio has an informative breakdown for photographers thinking to buy new equipment in 2012. Do you really need it? ==============
The fun and social interesting list of Banished Words is now up. Amazing! (ha ha). ==============
For Writers, this post at Terrible Minds has good information to heed. ==============
Photographers, history buffs, nature lovers, make note of this National Park's Service announcement. On the dates January 14–16, April 21–29, June 9, September 29 and November 10–12, 2012, there is no monetary excuse not to visit some of our nation’s greatest beauties. ==============
Here's interesting feedback on the new KDP Select program Amazon is running. David Wisehart has put up his personal info on the Make It Free feature that Select offers to authors.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century #4

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:23:00 +0000

Click WRAP in the labels on the right for more articles in this series

Photoshop. Perhaps I should have a little trademark symbol beside that word. But actually, I'm using it as a verb—one that has become very popular in the last decade. "It's been photoshopped," someone might say, when looking at a picture—especially something of a unique design or quirky presentation. "Photoshop it," is phrase I hear among picture takers when they think something isn't quite right with their image. When used in these contexts the verb isn't referring strictly to the Adobe product, but to a process using any software program designed to manipulate and/or enhance photo images. Many of them out there: from Adobe, Corel, and other imaging companies that have been in the business for a while; Microsoft has one built into their Office packages; most digital cameras come with software specific to that camera and company, and they also offer limited editions of software from other companies.

I often hear viewers at art shows say—"Oh, it's been photoshopped."—usually with a roll of the eyes.

image 1

Before all the digital cameras and the accessories that go with them, a professional photographer usually had darkroom skills, or had access to a tech with those skills. I had my own black and white enlarging setup and had access to darkrooms with color enlargers that I could rent by the hour. The darkroom was where the film was developed (a lengthy, chemical-laden process), and where the prints were made (another lengthy, chemical-laden process). Adjustments (or miscalculations) that would affect the images could be made in either or both processes.

Darkroom photo manipulation isn't out of the ordinary. While enlarging a print, the exposure time can be adjusted, filters added to affect the tone and color of an image, implements are used to dodge (keep sections from developing) or burn (enhancing the developing time). Enlargement exposure time could be increased of decreased to compensate for under- or overexposed frames. Different types of paper gave different results; finishes can be added while the print was drying. I had special photographic paints that I used to touch up scratches, get rid of redeye or add some artistic effort to an image. I mixed my colors, had special brushes; the corrections were nearly impossible to see. Back then (a mere fifteen years ago), many photographic enterprises existed, and were noted for their work with specific types of film, or producing unique products. Most of these have gone out of business or, like Kodak are struggling to find their niche in the rapidly changing photography scene.

But in the 95 years or more of what is now archaic print image production, clients, patrons and other viewers never grumbled, "Oh, it's been darkroomed."

Now many mid-range cameras come with built in darkrooms; after an image has been captured, the exposure, cropping, and even some special effects can be done in the camera before the image is ever uploaded to a computer (it's been cameraed!"). Most people who own a digital camera have the software that comes with it and can buy more of at any office or big box store. Software programs are also available online for download, several for free. Hence, photoshopping an image is not a big deal compared to the expense of the old-time darkroom.

As new cameras are developed, new software springs up, too. Special programs area available to use with imaging from for mobile phones and tablets.

image 2

At shows, when people study my work and ask, "Did you photoshop it?" I honestly respond, "No. I don't use Photoshop™." True, I'm playing a language game with them, but it gets their attention and allows me time to explain the software I use and how I choose my brushes and palette, decide on texture and digitally paint my own backgrounds. I tell them about the darkroom days. Several have looked again at my work and bought a print; many more leave with a different attitude—I hope.

What's a professional to do? Just as it is with professional writers, professional photographers have to be certain their craft is finely honed. Finding a photographic specialty is the same as choosing a certain writing genre. Once decided, pursue it to the hilt, and don't let naysayers bring you down. It is often difficult to find acceptance and affirmation of any type of artistic work in the general public. It's even harder now, when all the I-wish-I-could [publish a book, do photography] folks suddenly can.

image 1 taken with film camera and "darkroomed." image 2 has been enhanced with digital painting and some "photoshopping."

Visit my galleries

Tidbits 12-06-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Get your ebook autographed. Kindlegraph has been around since spring 2011, and is slowly catching on. A demonstration of how it works is straightforward. It is necessary, however, to have a Twitter account (readers and authors). The "author signup" page has FAQ for the author when they list their books to be included.

Although the site uses the e-reader name, Kindle, it isn't necessary for the author or the requester to have that particular brand of e-reader. The electronic autograph can be send as a .pdf to keep with a print edition.

=======

Here's some good information for writers of historical fiction at Stephanie Barkos site.

=======

More drama in the e-book industry.

Tidbits 11-19-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:38:00 +0000

Congratulations to Richard S. Wheeler. His newest title The Richest Hill On Earth is one of Kirkus Reviews Top Fiction Picks for 2011. The book release date is 6 December, and response to the book is strong. Read reviews of this title and other Wheeler books on Wheeler’s blog.

=======

Making things short seems to be a trend (as with "Tidbits"). Twitter is a leading example, and Skype and Tumblr is site of short blogs.

The book marketplace went this route when Amazon introduced Kindle Singles, and e-singles are showing up in many places. Penguin is the most recent house to join in. Rodale and Open Road also have e-singles. They’re categorized (of course): romances, mysteries, about war, and for kids. University presses are involved...the first having been Princeton Shorts.

I better quit now, or this tidbit won't be short anymore. :-)

===========

Other new epublishing ventures come from newspapers: Huffington Post (USA), Guardian (UK), La Vanguardia (SP) are leading the way.

===========

Google+ now allows company/brand name pages. It's yet another place to sell yourself and your wares. How to do it? click here.

Tidbits 11-14-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:40:00 +0000

In my daily slides around the WWW, I find some interesting stuff. Here are a few.

For photographers and anyone who like something very different, check out the throwable camera. (I'm trying to come up with some way to use this.)

=======

I guess this isn't really new news, but Barnes and Noble has launched their official tablet. The NOOKcolor was close, with decent WWW capabilities. I'm surprised BN didn't push to get this out before Amazon's FIRE. At any rate, they now offer three Nook choices: Simple, Color and Tablet.

=======

Amazon has made some changes that will enhance Kindle publications. They're transitioning to HTML5 for ereaders--they call it Kindle Format 8 (that *8* shows how much they upgrade/change/fool-with their platform). HTML5 is considered the future for mobile interactive features and animation, working better than Java on smartphones, tablets, etc. I have downloaded several Kindle books that have tried Interactive, and the features were so-so. I'm certain the graphic novels and RPG sectors are anxious for this to get out of beta stage.

=======

A new feature due on Facebook--Frictionless Sharing--was mentioned in an article by Donna Anderson. If an FB person selects this feature, any site they visit on the WEB will be posted to their FB wall; no more clicking the FB app on that page. She says: "It's important to understand, too, that your visitor only has to have a Facebook account for this to occur. He doesn't have to arrive on your blog via a link from a Facebook page. Everything he looks at, no matter how he gets there, will be posted on his wall."

Hmm. I schlepped through my FB account settings, etc., and couldn't find this feature so it's not yet a done deal. When it shows up, I know it's a feature I will NOT select.

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century #3

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:55:00 +0000

Technology in the 21st Century is making many things obsolete. My friend Mike Coleman, an experienced business writer, mentioned an interesting comment on how his freelance life as changed. He has written copy on contract for ad agencies, PR firms, corporations--anyone with a marketing budget--for more than a decade. (You can find him on LinkedIn and his blog about his adventures in singing.) For him, the new technology has let him work independently from a home office with little travel and clients anywhere in the world. I have also experienced this. It's great!

He also said:

I remember in the mid-90s when I started freelancing I bought a $700 fax machine and thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread. My main client was SAP America, one of the leading tech companies in the world, and they communicated mostly by fax with me, marking up the copy I faxed them and faxing it back to me so I could produce revised drafts. How things have changed today. I junked the fax machine a few years ago, don't even own one now.

The changes will keep coming, and while getting used to them can cause a few headaches, the benefits are many.

Amazon Kicking Up Dust

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:32:00 +0000

Another brouhaha brewing. This time around the Kindle Owners' Lending Library. Borrow books for free, says Amazon (if you have Amazon Prime). However it seems some publishers are upset by this.

Here's a the skinny in a good overview from the LA Times.

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century #2

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:30:00 +0000

I had a recent conversation with a photographer who works in the advertising industry. He is often on location in a variety of settings. He began his career using film cameras. A shoot would entail having enough of the right speed film for the setting, taking and developing his images, culling the lot, making proof sheets, sending them to his agency...Perhaps if he were in a place with adequate facilities, this could be done in one-three days.

In the 2000s things changed. Good film became scarce, and high-quality processing even harder to find. He switched to digital.

Benefits: he can now shoot on location and change film speed as needed, cull and crop images right in the camera if he wants to, or work them in a laptop; no development costs, often no proof sheets to print since he can upload his finals to the agency with maybe only two hours from when he made the shots.

Terrific!

But he mentioned some not-so-terrific things, such as on-site agency people looking over his shoulder to see his pictures while he examines them; a lot of kibitzing; and once a company man held up a point-and-shoot digital to show him his own shot he thought was better.

He likes to be employed, so he didn't say where that little camera could be put.

I imagine that some small business have already decided that hiring a professional photographer seems redundant: "Here's a decent camera. Give it to Cathy, she has a good eye." And if Cathy's pics are just so-so, they get the secretary's grandson to "fix it" in Photoshop.

Ah, Photoshop (and other programs of that ilk)....Well, that's for another post.

To see more posts on this subject, click WRAP in the labels cloud.

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:22:00 +0000

I have chosen two artistic occupations that are currently experiencing similar technological advancements, leading to consumer/public indifference: Writing (as an Indie Author) and Photography. These different endeavors have both been clobbered by modern advancements.

I embrace new technology, but recognize how it makes my artistic activities difficult.

Let's start with Writing. I am considered an Indie Author because I publish for ereaders, I have my own imprint and produce my own dead-tree books. Many articles, forum discussions and blog posts have expressed opinions on the Indie-produced products and authors. The technology that enabled this influx of tens of thousands of new authors (and even more titles) is not a fad (and in most cases, it's free!). Every month a new innovation is put on the market. In addition, the proliferation of social networking, especially blogs, encourage people that their words can be read by everyone (forever!). The Indie Authors who have for decades honed their Art of Writing and have been producing since before the electronic revolution, can easily be lost in the increasing number of people publishing anything and everything with varying degrees of writing expertise.

The same is true with Photography. Early in this century, when digital cameras became a public consumer item, they fostered a plethora of shutterbugs. Today, taking pictures is no longer a costly activity of film purchase and development. Sharing with family and friends--and the world--is an easy upload. An actual stand-alone camera isn't even necessary. Almost all Internet-geared devices, from laptops to smart phone and tablets, have a camera built in, and social network sites encourage photo uploads. As with writing, professionals who developed their Art of Photography prior to the digital age--who were once considered having an elite talent--are now some of the billions who daily take pictures.

From a social development standpoint, I find all this fascinating. From an artist's point of view, it's troublesome. I'll be contemplating some of the ramifications in future posts.

My Books | My Photography

Kodak Thinking Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:08:00 +0000

Or not.

It's so strange that a company that was the forefront and innovator in photography has seemed to miss the boat in the 21st century. I hope they get things righted.

Kodak Today

Kindle goes Tablet

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Here it comes!

For Western Books and Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:16:00 +0000

So often it's said that Westerns are "dying" and no one is interested in reading them. Reaction to a new Facebook group, Western Book Readers, certainly doesn't support that idea. In the two weeks since the group's inception, it already has more than 300 members. Some are authors (who are also readers), and the discussions are lively. Check it out!

Stay Safe With Your Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:37:00 +0000

Every 6-8 months this purchasing scam resurfaces, where someone contacts by e-mail wanting to buy from your site or purchase some art. The message usually reads something like this:

"I will like to order some items from you and get it shipped to my place in Malta, also i will be paying via my credit card which was issued in the United states as this is the only available means of payment. I have a shipper which you'll contact regarding shipping that can get the items picked up from your location and deliver directly to my door step without hassle and i will also like to know the types of credit card you accept. Let me know if i am welcome to place an order."

Poor spelling and awkward language are often clues to a scam. The thought of a big sales is often pleasing, but the reality is not so good. The credit card number you’d get is probably inoperable, but you won’t find that out until after the delivery truck has carted off your wares.

Other buying scams: A recent article by arts attorney Bill Frazier (reprinted in the July/August State of the Arts [Montana]) cautioned against accepting cashier’s checks. Many counterfeit checks are showing up in the marketplace, and artists are very susceptible, since we often think of these checks as being $safe and not bogus. Payments by cashier's checks are also used by the e-mail scammers.

If you sell at art shows, you might want to visit your bank and pick up a copy of “Know Your Money,” which shows how to validate currency. I always get the jitters when someone hands me a C-note; if the purchase is less than $100.00, I usually say I don’t have change. More information is available online. A colleague recently told me about a pen that when you draw it over a bill, the color that shows will indicated if the bill is legit. I haven't followed up on this; but if it works, I'm all for it. I like to trust everyone, but some times that just isn't safe.

New e-reader available

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:36:00 +0000

Just when it seems the e-reader market was saturated and about to become redundant (because of the capabilities of smartphones and tablets), a new one hits the market.

Google has joined the e-reader realm. Offering not only books for sale, but the vast library of stored books they have already squirreled away. You'd think they'd drop the price to snatch some of the competition, but they didn't. Not good, since Amazon is lowering prices this fall when they introduce their tablet. Nook is also considering price reductions.

The interest and success of this new product seems iffy.

Writing Book Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:27:00 +0000

Book reviews are some of our first memories of writing--the assignment in fifth grade you dreaded. I can recall staring at a sheet of paper and writing, "I liked this book because--" and drawing a blank. Now however, a book review is not something I'm forced to do, and I enjoy it. You could, too. Writing a book review a way to share with others their response to a book and can offer a peek at your expertise and a chance to be published.

Periodicals—off line and online—allow many venues for good book reviews. By "good" I mean well written. Praise does not make a good review (although authors really enjoy that), nor does writing only a story-line summary of the book. Here are a few keys to a well-written review.

The read Often the idea of reviewing a book might not occur until after you've read it. In that case, go back and read it again. Use sticky tabs (or your e-book highlighter) to mark interesting passages. While reading, make notes on the major elements such as character development, story line, tone of narration. I once read a book where a character who had seemed primary through two-thirds of the book, vanished without explanation in the story's resolution. A reviewer's reaction to something like this could be pertinent for other readers. For genre fiction, you should be aware of "industry standards" before you read. Don't impose a mystery criteria on a fantasy book.

For nonfiction you want to notice the substantiating information that bolsters (or not) the overall premise. The book's direction should be evident in the title, preface and table of content. If the subject covers elements new to you, read articles and other books on the subject to determine the author's effectiveness of idea and presentation.

Your reaction This key is the basis for your writing. Allowing others know your response to a book gives the review life and substance. In your review, give personal feelings about the voice the author used, or the subject matter of the book. Point out the elements of the book that affected you the most. Was it subtly presented or bold? Did the characters seem alive to you, or one-dimensional? Was the presentation comfortable to read, or did language become too dense or too simplistic? Expressing your views is essential. With fiction you must do this without "giving away" the story. Often focus on the theme, or the development of one major character can support your feelings without telling the whole story.

The writing As with any piece, your writing should be polished, and the review should follow the basic article format with a beginning, middle and end. A book review is actually an essay set down to give comment on a particular work. So you start with an introduction that suggests your take on the piece and will capture a reader's attention Example: "When I first started reading this book [you would give the full title here] I expected a starry-eyed view of city-life. Boy, was I wrong." An expansion of this sentence could give a briefing about the book--it is contemporary, thirty-something male protagonist, the setting. This is your beginning.

The middle would, of course, be the bulk of your review. It should concentrate on your evaluation of the way the story and characters were developed. Bring in elements you liked and disliked. These will be in the notes you took while reading the book. Cite passages to substantiate your feelings. Keep the tone of your writing consistent and be direct with your statements.

For the end of the review, give your statement about the book--your personal critique. This should in some way relate back to what you said in the introduction. Be certain the review has a feeling of finality and no new elements are included.

The presentation The layout of your book review should follow basic writing guidelines either from the publisher, or as found in writing books. Your name and contact information should be on the first page, along with the a title for your review. Preliminary information is essential, with the author, title and sub-title, publisher and copyright date (in bibliographic form), number of pages, price and the ISBN number. Fictional example:

Amy Hasselbink
The Hat Trick
My Brief Futboling Experience
New York: Goalsetter Press, © 2003
280pp. $24.50
ISBN 0 00 257013 0
Tell if the book is cloth (hardback), trade or mass market paperback.

With so many online libraries and book stores, you can often publish the review directly the book page for the title you're reviewing. The publisher info is already in place, as well as an overview of the story. On these sites, don't be redundant. Skip right to your book review. The actual review should be in standard manuscript form.

Marketing With reviews for a brick-and-mortar publication, remember to treat this as you would any other submission. After you've written your draft, revised it (and revised it again). Your potential publisher could be a local newspaper, a magazine, or journal. As with any article, research your marketplace. If the book has relevance to a particular community, the newspapers and magazines in that area could be receptive. They can be found in online yellow pages. Don't overlook specialty niches where just a few alterations in your approach or wording could make the review appealing to a different source. As with articles, with just a little tweaking, you can reuse your hard work in many places. If you get enjoyment from book reviewing, you could even suggest yourself for a regular column for a regional or local publication.

Who knew? What you learned by slugging through those school assignments those many years ago could now bring you satisfaction, recognition and (in a few cases) even a little money.

KindleTag Misuse

noreply@blogger.com (Kae) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:27:00 +0000

A lot of conversation ensues about Amazon's decision to remove tags from Kindle pages. Tags--you know, those descriptive one to two word entries that are supposed to refer to what's in the book. Blogger calls them "labels"; the Internet search calls them "keywords." Whatever, Amazon has removed them from the Kindle pages, and they aren't available for indie authors to use on the publishing page.

An overview of this can be found at Taleist; and I agree, there have been a lot of bad practices regarding tags, including authors tagging each others' works that they haven't even read. I've also noticed bad tagging practice over at netgalley.com where publishing houses give their titles all sorts of tags that don't apply. Using "romance" is almost across the board by many houses, since they feel that's a hot item. "Thriller" is another. Unfortunately, the plan backfires with me, as I'm not interested in romances or thrillers; I see those tags and move on.

It's a shame the system has been misused so abundantly that Amazon has changed the format. It is also a shame that publishers and indie authors can't be satisfied that the descriptions of their work will draw in readers. With so many other social media and networking ways to promote a book, misusing tags seems silly.

Get It Together Productions

June Events for Readers and Writers

These are a few interesting writers conferences and conventions happening in June.The list of U.S. Science Fiction Cons for June is quite extensive; check this link to see many of them.

Be Productive

Another Ripoff?

Expresso Book Machines

April Events For Readers and Writers

APRIL is National Poetry Month

A few other events for this month.

Get involved

Red Adept Review Site Closed

Ebook Pricing Lawsuit?

Read an eBook

Here are two very different selections you could make for Read an eBook Week (March 4 -10). From GITP Author connections we present:

More Events for March

Small Press Month

Tidbits 12-31-2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century #4

Click WRAP in the labels on the right for more articles in this series

I often hear viewers at art shows say—"Oh, it's been photoshopped."—usually with a roll of the eyes.

But in the 95 years or more of what is now archaic print image production, clients, patrons and other viewers never grumbled, "Oh, it's been darkroomed."

image 1 taken with film camera and "darkroomed." image 2 has been enhanced with digital painting and some "photoshopping."

Visit my galleries

Tidbits 12-06-2011

Tidbits 11-19-2011

Tidbits 11-14-2011

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century #3

Read more posts on this topic by clicking WRAP in the label cloud

Amazon Kicking Up Dust

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century #2

To see more posts on this subject, click WRAP in the labels cloud.

Writing and Photography in the 21st Century

Kodak Thinking Ahead

Kindle goes Tablet

For Western Books and Readers

Stay Safe With Your Sales

New e-reader available

Writing Book Reviews

KindleTag Misuse

These are a few interesting writers conferences and conventions happening in June.
The list of U.S. Science Fiction Cons for June is quite extensive; check this link to see many of them.