The Great First Impression Book Proposal:

Everything You Need to Know to Impress a Publisher in Twenty Minutes or Less
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

The Great First Impression Book Proposal is a book that all authors need to get past the gate keepers as Carolyn refers to them in her books. This book is by no means a step by step plan, but it does give you the basics for publishing your book.

The publishing industry has changed. In today’s environment, more is placed on the author to make a good impression on agents, editor, and publishers if they want to get their manuscript published.

The first impression is all you have to get the attention of those that hold the publishing purse strings. If you do not create something of value for their time and effort in your first impression your chances of becoming a published diminish greatly.

Carolyn’s The Great First Impression Book Proposal while not guaranteeing publishing does offer things that will aid you in the possibility of becoming published.

The Great First Impression Book Proposal is another in a series of pamphlets about various aspects of writing, editing, and publishing.

This is a book that anyone considering writing for publication should read all of Carolyn’s pamphlets about writing. Some may feel that they know the information in Carolyn’s pamphlets, they are still a good source of information and review of what authors need to know about getting past the gate keepers.

This reviewer awards four out of five stars for The Great Impression Book proposal by Carolyn Howard-Johnson.

This reviewer read a complementary copy sent to me by Carolyn at my request. This reviewer offers only unbiased reviews based on the quality of the book.

Defy Gravity: Propel Your Business to High Velocity Growth

By Rebel Brown

Rebel is a good name for the author of this book because it is about being a rebel if your thinking about business and the status quo (doing things in the same old way either because it is comfortable, or your reports are not doing what they should).

The concept of Defy Gravity and the accompanying work book help to create a plan that help businesses to look at their position in a different light, thereby creating a plan to move forward instead of staying where it is (status quo) and move it into a soaring position.

Rebel advices businesses, mangers, and executives on taking their business out of the gravity pit hold them down to crash and burn or soar to new heights. The book and associated workbook are what you need. Rebel has been advising for years. She has helped numerous individuals and businesses succeed in breaking free from gravity and soar in a new found freedom of expanded growth. To move forward by looking at where they are in a fresh way that truly assists them in new thinking in the way they look at there business.

As an executive, manager or business owner are you happy with your results? Can they be better? Defy Gravity and the associated workbook might be the answer to creating a new product stream or to enhance your results reports to reflect a more valuable picture of your business so more informed decisions can be made to guide the business into flying as Rebel Brown puts it.

This reviewer awards four out of five stars to Defy Gravity by Rebel Brown.

This reviewer received a complementary copy of Defy Gravity and the associated workbook for review. This in no way influenced my review for this book. All reviews by this reviewer are unbiased and are based solely on the quality of the book alone.

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher

By Peter Bowerman

Given the state of today’s publishing industry, and the number of books being published yearly, have you considered self-publishing as an alternative to the mainstream publishers? While there are many self-published books in today’s market, the problem with many is the poor quality of the writing (lack of editing) and physical design (especially book covers). In this comprehensive book, Peter explains about what it takes to be a successful self-publisher. Incidentally, he doesn’t consider POD self-publishing, but offers up several scenarios where POD makes sense for certain books/authors.

In TWFSP, you will find information on why self-publishing might make sense, getting comfortable with the sales and marketing process, building a book, targeting buyers and building demand, building a book website, distribution, Amazon, maximizing mainstream media, article writing, radio shows, the ins and outs of live appearances, creating multiple stream of income from your book, and much more. The appendices contain self-publishing resources, info on a valuable companion marketing e-kit, a self-publishing time line, and a section of foreign rights.

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher is a complete manual for a business as a self-publisher. In today’s publishing environment, finding an agent, then waiting and hoping that your book will get published, can be a dead end. This book shows you how to do it yourself and still get your book on bookstore shelves.

Items discussed in TWFSP are the cover, how to make your self-published book compete with the mainstream publishers’ books in look, feel, and quality (books that don’t compare to those coming out of publishing houses will be hard to promote to reviewers, wholesalers, distributors, and bookstores). Especially useful is a chapter explain and demystifying the concepts of “Sales & Marketing” that terrify many authors today, but which they’ll have to learn and use to get their book into the hands of readers.

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher is a roadmap to self-publishing and getting your book into the hands of readers. This book, filled with information about the publishing industry and what authors need to accomplish in order to become a published author, is delivered in a conversational tone from someone who’s successfully self-published his books (over 50,000 copies of his first two books are in print). Check out The Well-Fed Self-Publisher “Biz-in-a-Box” Teaser in the back of the book.

This reviewer gives this book a five-star rating. If you are considering self-publishing, read this book and find out what self-publishing is about.

Word Trippers: The Ultimate Source for Choosing the Perfect Word When It Really Matters

By Barbara McNichol

As Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

That’s why choosing the exact right word is important. For example, do you know when to use “affect” versus “effect” in your writing? Or “further” versus “farther”? Or “famous” versus “notorious”?

If you’re not sure, Word Trippers is the perfect reference ebook for you. This ebook contains 49 pages of 300+ pairings of words in alphabetical order and searchable on your computer, so they’re easy to find. Each word pairing is explained, then used in sentences to easily show how each is properly used, like this:

Affect, effect – “Affect” is a verb meaning to change or influence. “Your quick action affects (influences) the outcome.” “Affect is also a noun to mean feeling, emotion, or emotional response. “During his grief process, my client displayed an uncharacteristically flat affect.” “Effect” is a verb meaning to bring about, to cause. “You can effect (bring about) a change easily.” “Effect” is also a noun meaning result or outcome. “The story has a desired effect.”

Whether you’re writing for business or crafting the next great American novel, this Word Trippers ebook will lead you to choosing the correct word when it really matters. It’s been created by expert nonfiction editor Barbara McNichol.

This reviewer highly recommends Word Trippers as an excellent reference tool, and gives it a four-star rating.

Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers

By Brigitte Thompson

Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers is a wonderful book for those that are, or thinking of becoming freelance writers. This book covers getting started, recording income, business expenses, business use of your home, automobile deductions, entertainment and travel, employee versus subcontractor, business management, taxes and audits, blank forms, and resources for your writing business along with a glossary.

Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers covers most of the income reporting and deduction question you may have about running a business out of your home, or even from an out of the home office. Brigitte has even covered the items needed in a business plan you will need in case you decide to apply for a business loan for your business.

The chapter with the forms contains samples of Monthly Income, Annual Income, Monthly Direct Expense, Annual Direct Expense, Inventory List, Indirect Monthly Expense, Indirect Annual Expense, IRS Adjusted Mileage Allowance, Actual Expense, Automobile Registration, Annual Summary, Entertainment Log, Travel Log, Profit and Loss Statement, Accounts Receivable Summary, Accounts payable Summary, and Balance Sheet.

Brigitte also explains the difference between the Cash, Accrual, and Hybrid accounting methods in Bookkeeping basics for Freelance Writers. Business types are also explained, the Sole Proprietorship, S-Corporation, or Partnership. While there are differences in various states, while Brigitte mentions the basics, you may need to visit an attorney or paralegal to find the laws for your individual state.
This book will teach you how you may legally reduce your income tax. Depending on the individual state, you may need to consult a tax professional. This book however, will clue you in to record keeping and more.

This reviewer recommends this book for more than just Freelance Writers. It is awarded a five start rating from this reviewer.

The Well-Fed Writer (TWFW)

By Peter Bowerman

If you’ve ever entertained the thought of being a freelance writer, or as Peter calls it, Freelance Commercial Writer (FLCW), this book will give you all of the information you need to start and run a freelance business. While most people think magazines when they hear “freelance writing,” TWFW isn’t about writing for magazines, but rather “commercial freelancing” – writing for businesses, large and small – a lesser-known and exceptionally well-paying freelancing specialty, where hourly rates can run $50-125 and more.

The bad news is that, like any business, if you don’t do the work described in this book, you won’t succeed. TWFW provides all the information necessary for creating a thriving freelance commercial writing business, but you must follow through. Should you purchase it? If you have ever thought of writing for a living like this reviewer has, yes.

The good news, according to TWFW, is that if you follow and implement the principles laid out in its pages, you can create an income that will allow you to leave the cubicle world and work from home on your terms. Reading TWFW is the first step. The book is full of information from someone who’s been there and done the work, and is helping others by writing this book.

Topics covered include: Why become freelance commercial writers (writing for businesses) in the first place? The traits and first steps to becoming successful; sales and marketing fundamentals; all about websites; where to find the work; cold-calling; what to charge and how to get paid; networking; working in small markets (for those in rural areas); resources, and more can all be found in this wonderful book. This great reference should have a prominent place in your home office. It is within reach on mine. Read it before you begin and you’ll save yourself a lot of trial and error.

Reading the success stories will show you it works no matter where you live. This reviewer lives in a town with a population of 1,600. For anyone considering writing as a way to make an income, this reviewer recommends purchasing this book. Also, check out The Deluxe Well-Fed Tool Box & The Well-Fed Writer’s Time Line (discussed in the book).

This reviewer recommends this book for those thinking about freelancing (five-star rating).