Do Book Lovers Have More Sex?

Books can be about love, sex, romance, dating, and marriage – and about hate, rape, prostitution, cheating, divorce, and spousal abuse.  Whether fiction or non-fiction, books can instruct, inform, enlighten and entertain on so many matters.  They can even influence whom we date, sleep with or marry.

Ok, maybe that sounds like an overreach, but books can impact us in many ways.  For instance:

• The values, events, or ideas expressed in books directly influence their readers and society at large.
• The media reacts to what books say or depict and then its coverage spawns additional books and debates.
• They instruct us on how to behave and treat others.
• They reveal fantasies, preferences, desires, and insights into behaviors that can shape our interaction with others.

I met my wife because of books.

We both were working in the book publishing industry, back in 2000, and met at a Book Expo audiobook launch party for then gossip columnist Liz Smith.  This August we’ll celebrate 15 years of marriage.

Others have met or bonded over books.  They may have been in a book club or met at a bookstore, library, author event or a gathering of fans.  Maybe someone got turned on to hear that another reads the same type of books as he or she.  Perhaps, because they both love books they are also intellectuals and share other common views or interests such as in theater, the arts, or music.  Whatever it is, books are the glue to our world and they could be the spark to bring two strangers together.

But books also pose challenges.  People who read a lot may take in too much information and become crippled by it.  They will be book smart but not people savvy.  They will miss social cues. They may even be less available to date or meet others, simply because they all too often go to their books when they should be socializing.

For some book lovers, standards can be high.  When they engage others in conversation, they often struggle to find others who meet their expectations.  The same goes for texting, emailing or social media exchanges.

As a book reader, you may be sensitive to language and overly analytical when it comes to assessing communications from a love interest.

The bookish set may not be so physically active, so book lovers need to make sure the one they meet shares in the same level of activities.

Book nerds, however, are not some monolithic bloc.  Some may be intellectuals while others are party animals.  Some prefer isolation and quiet places while others are highly active.

Borrowing a book without asking or being tardy in its return can be a deal-breaker.  Not liking a recommended book from our significant other could also be problematic.  But when you share in the act of reading books you likely increase your chances for relationship success.  Book lovers also have to share in an appreciation for puns. 

Dating can’t be done by the book.  Nor can one act a certain way without expecting one to throw the book at them.  Don’t worry, some people can be read like a book. In fact, the relationship can be summarized like an open book.  If things don’t work out, you can always just book a trip and never return.  Sometimes the opening chapter to a relationship is a bit different than its surprise ending.  Most relationships can’t maintain a pace of being a page-turner, but one certainly can’t judge a reader by the book he or she is reading.  But a good relationship -- like a good book -- provides a great climax. 

So, book buyers beware.  The next book that you acquire may lead to a new relationship – or the sudden end to an existing one.

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Which Of These 6 Reasons Inspires You To Write Books?

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How To Craft Press Releases That Net Your Book Media Exposure

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The right book marketing strategy for you

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs 

Do You Support The Creative Coalition?

Based on President Trump’s cut-the-arts budget proposal, all writers, musicians, poets, singers, artists, and creative talent will need to fight back.  Luckily, there’s one group that’s out front lobbying for the arts and entertainment community, The Creative Coalition.  

The non-profit organization speaks out on issues of importance, including First Amendment Rights, public funding for the arts, and arts education in public school.

The Creative Coalition offers advocacy and plays an assertive role in presenting the creative community’s views – testifying before Congress, sponsoring awareness, building events, and actively informing the American public about the issues threatening the sustainability and growth of the artistic community.

Nearly three decades ago, in 1989, Ron Silver brought together a group of writers, actors, producers, directors, agents, designers, and lawyers from the entertainment world and founded The Creative Coalition.

The group not only speaks out on matters of vital importance to the arts and writers, but it also uses its resources and membership to address major issues confronting Americans, including gun control, violence, campaign finance reform, the role of the media, and other topics of broad concern.

In an open letter to visitors of the TCC website – www.thecreativecoalition.org – President Tim Daly says:

“Every American citizen has a right -- and a duty-- to participate in the political process…The Creative Coalition was created by us and for us to ensure that our involvement in the political and policy-making process is well informed and constructively channeled…

“We play a privileged role in national life.  Throughout American history, artists, writers, and entertainers have addressed political issues through their work.  In our free society, novels, movies, musicals, and all the arts have often had a profound impact on political discourse.  But today, many within the creative world speak out directly and forcefully not just through their work, but also as citizens and individuals.

“The Creative Coalition exists to educate, organize, and mobilize the arts and entertainment communities to ensure that those voices are strong, clear, focused, and knowledgeable.”

Indeed, groups like TCC are invaluable and require our support.  Volunteer, donate, and champion the ideals that keep our nation strong and support the book publishing community.

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2017 Book Publicity & Marketing Toolkit For Writers Of All Genres

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Which Of These 6 Reasons Inspires You To Write Books?

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs 

Will Book People Become The World's Wealthiest?

How long before the owner and founder of the world’s biggest bookstore becomes the wealthiest man in the world – ever?

Forbes announced who made the cut in its annual list of billionaires.  This year’s collection featured the largest number of billionaires in the world – 2,043 – (up 13%) which collectively represented a record of combined assets that exceeded 7.67 trillion dollars – an increase of 18% over last year.  Billionaires from a year ago that increased their wealth outnumbered decliners, 3-to-1.

Bill Gates, the Windows pioneer, remained No. 1 for the fourth straight year. His fortune of $86 billion was up from $75 billion a year ago.  His numbers continue to scale higher even though he gives away billions with his amazing Gates Foundation.

Warren Buffett, the guru of investing, took back the No. 2 spot with a gain of $14.8 billion last year.  His $75.6 billion net worth exceeds that of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, but not for long.

Bezos, worth 72.8 billion bucks, could become the first 100,000,000,000-dollar man.  His fortune juggernauted $27.6 billion in just 12 months.

Of course Bezos, who founded Amazon in 1995 and it quickly became the planet's biggest online bookstore, then the biggest online retailer, and now the biggest bookstore.  He is aiming to become the world’s biggest retailer and most powerful man, period.

Interestingly, of the top 10 richest people, many of them have been enriched in part, because of their role in mass communications.  Michael Bloomberg has a media empire; Mark Zuckerberg runs Facebook and dominates the social media landscape; Bezos has Amazon; and Gates created a dominant software used by writers and businesses.

Of the world’s wealthiest 68 people, only five are women.  The richest, at No. 14, Liliano Bettencourt, inherited her father’s company, L’Oreal.  She owns 33% of the cosmetics giant.

Unfortunately, the publishing industry’s wealthiest, are not well represented on this list.  Best-selling authors, book publishing tycoons, and bookstore owners can’t compete with the riches earned from energy, military, technology, or retail.

Being a writer or involved in the arts has its own rewards and those riches can exceed what billions of dollars can do for someone.  However, to have a couple of billion dollars couldn’t hurt!

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs 

10 Guaranteed Ways Authors Get Media Interviews

Listen up.  This is the secret to getting publicity for your book and author brand.  This is based on being in the book publicity and marketing industry since 1989, having helped thousands of authors personally.  Follow this advice and you’ll save time and money seeing a psychotherapist or banging your head against the wall after compiling a Trump Tower’s worth of rejections from the news media.

It’s all about the headline, or in the case of email, the subject line.

What you lead with is what determines if the media will read or listen any further.  I’m going to tell you how to get their attention.

Rule No. 1:  
If you don’t get this reaction, keep trying:  “Wait, he said what?”

•  Ask a question.
• ·         Assert a claim.
• ·         Reveal a secret.
• ·         Challenge the norm/perceptions.
• ·         Contradict what’s accepted as truth.
• ·         Make an outrageous statement.
• ·         Level a strong accusation.
• ·         Raise a fear.
• ·         Offer breaking news.

Rule No. 2:

Don’t worry about grammar – headlines use their own rules.

Rule No. 3:

Whatever you raise in your headline, supply some supportive bullet points in the email or press release – no one wants a bait and switch.

Rule No. 4:

Avoid making the headline only about a new book being out or that an expert in parenting, health, politics, or business is available.

Rule No. 5:

Put a number next to your statement.  If you write “New Book Reveals How to Double Retirement Funds in 5 Years” reword it to say: “New Book Reveals 6 Steps to Doubling Retirement $$ in 5 Years.”

Rule No. 6:

Never, ever lie to the media and don’t say something that sounds like fake news. Be creative and play with your words, but complete bullshit goes into the garbage can.

Rule No. 7:

No need to mention a book in the headline.  The headline often is not book-centric, but rather it’s subject focused.  For instance, the real reason the media will talk to you is that you have something new, interesting, timely and relevant to say.  It’s secondary to them that the information originated from a book.  Instead, play up your credentials, if impressive, along with what you have to say. For instance, if you’re a former general and you write a book that says the U.S. needs to recruit more women into the military, your headline could be:  “Explosive Book By Former General Demands More Women Be Recruited.”  Or you can shorten it to “Ex-General Demands More Women Be Recruited” or lead with a conclusion:  “US Can’t Win Wars Unless Women Recruitment Increases, Says Ex-General.”

Rule No. 8:

Short headlines, action-filled verbs, short headlines and subject lines are a must to editors who skim quickly and depend on brevity to get through the mountain of email and submissions thrust into their in-box.  Switch out long words for shorter ones.  Slash the word count.  Avoid writing complete sentences or using connecting words.  For instance, you don’t have to write out:  “A New Study Reveals The Poor Drinking Habits of Single Mothers.”  Instead, truncate it to this – and reverse the order of emphasis:  “Too Many Moms Drink, Study Says.”

Rule No. 9:

Where possible, name-drop and tie your story angle to someone or something that’s a known entity and in the news.

Rule No 10:

Use humor, sexual references, or touch upon money, politics, religion or health in your headline.  Some button-pushing topics will always get our attention.

Of course it’s easy for me to spit out these tips to you – I believe in them, they really work, and they come from decades of experience – both from success and failure.  But it’s not rocket science.  It’s more of a game.  You need to play around with your ideas and then find the catchy, short phrases that allow you to make a great introduction to the media.

What would help you draft great headlines?

Look at headlines – on all kinds of news web sites – and take note of the ones that make you want to click on the story.  Ask yourself:

• ·         How long were they?
• ·         What did they say?
• ·         What did they emphasize?
• ·         How many valued asking a question, making a firm declaration, revealing a secret, or tying into the news cycle?

Lastly, you may be struggling to craft an attractive headline simply because you feel you have nothing new, interesting, high-profile, or special to share.  Either that’s true, in which case you shouldn’t bother trying to promote what you think is nothing of value – or you should step back and take a fresh look.  Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t assume the worst.  See yourself from the eyes of others.  Find something they’d get excited over.

Find a way to make people care by tapping into what they care about.  Ask yourself:

• ·         Will you help people solve a problem?
• ·         Do you have advice to make someone richer, sexier, healthier, or smarter?
• ·         Are you sharing something people really want to know?
• ·         Do you want to see a policy set or reformed?
• ·         Is there something in the news that you can comment on in a way no one else has or can?

You only need to uncover one thing to say for your headline or subject line.  Think about it.  Your book could be 180 pages long – maybe double or triple that.  Just find one good statement – about you or your book or something that people value. Take ownership of that headline and run with it. 

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A Ruling In Favor Of A People’s Court For Book Publishing Industry

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Will YouTube Actually Save Or Kill All Books?

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When Book Marketing Hype Fools A Book Marketer

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Do Book Readers Live Longer?

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Does Social Do-Gooder Marketing Help Book Sales?

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2017 Book Publicity & Marketing Toolkit For Writers Of All Genres

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Which Of These 6 Reasons Inspires You To Write Books?

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How To Craft Press Releases That Net Your Book Media Exposure

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The right book marketing strategy for you

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs 

Interview with author David Essel

Positive Thinking Will Never Change Your Life But This Book Will! The Myth of Positive Thinking the Reality of Success

1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?
For years, we had been helping people to accomplish huge goals in life through the combination of attitude and completing action steps on a daily basis. During this time, several clients were coming into our program and asking us to teach them what they had heard about from books like "the secret" and "the law of attraction", so they didn't have to do that much work to attract the money they wanted, or the body they desired, or the soulmate love relationship they longed for.
Not surprisingly it became frustrating to have so many people coming in that wanted great goals in their life… But thought there was a shortcut. We wrote the book to expose the myth of positive thinking, and to give people hope… Hope that there was a way that they could accomplish their most desired goals.

2. What is it about and whom do you believe us your targeted reader?
This is easy. Anyone that wants something in life that they currently don't have regarding a better attitude, more money, better body, a deeper relationship, a more fulfilling spiritual life or career, or freedom from addiction.

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down?
That they can have almost, but not everything,that they want in life if they're willing to do the work. To hold themselves accountable, or to hire a professional to hold them accountable. That of people invest time, money and effort into their own personal growth and goals, they can move mountains. I also want them to remember the 20% of their success will come from their attitude, and 80% of their success will come from them being willing to do what they would rather not do on a daily basis. That's the secret sauce.

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?
Write what you love, write about what you believe in. Don't ever try to start writing a book, unless you have an incredibly detailed outline filled with facts, stories, and points of interest to validate your position in life.

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?

Self-publishing will continue to grow and be a huge part of the publishing industry. I hope, and pray, that we will move away from the fantastical writings, the wishful thinking stereo typical book in the world of personal growth that says you can manifest anything you want effortlessly… I pray, and hope, that that part of the industry that has sold millions upon millions of books We’ll die an instant death. LOL. Those type of books have done more to hurt people in accomplishing their goals then they have to help them.

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book?
There really weren't any challenges at all, which was a beautiful thing to experience. My outline was incredibly detailed, I have created a system where I can write a book in about eight days. Phenomenal! But the only reason that happens is because the outline is so detailed, and I right now via voice to email, and then the editor cleans up what could be a mess if it went straight to a published book. Technology has been a huge aid in my writing style, my storytelling, and my factual ingredients. One of the greatest surprises that happened in a way, was the fact that the first six New York time best-selling author is that I approach to be a part of this book… All said "thank God someone is writing a book to expose the myth of positive thinking." That was a surprise, because I am Magent only one or two might say yes… But it also highly validated the fact that this book would become a bestseller, which it has.

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?

If someone can only buy one book this month it absolutely should be a book! We have about 100 stories proving the validity of our system for success. We have celebrities like Jenny McCarthy endorse the book, proving its validity. When people read our book they will be filled with hope, the kind of hope that says "if that person in david's book can lose that amount of weight and keep it off, or this person can get sober and never desire a drink again, or that couple can recover a deeper love in their marriage after an affair… Or if this guy who is homeless can become a millionaire… And David is giving us the formula to follow what all these people did… To become successful… Then I can become successful too."

For more info, please see: http://davidessel.com/about-david or https://www.facebook.com/davidessel?fref=ts

Check These Out!

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Do we really understand the book reader?

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Do writers need a boot camp to regain their mojo?

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22 Reasons Other Than To Sell Books: Why Do Authors Pursue Book Publicity?

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Do Our Dictionaries Actually Make Us Dumber?

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Will YouTube Actually Save Or Kill All Books?

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When Book Marketing Hype Fools A Book Marketer

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Do Book Readers Live Longer?

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Does Social Do-Gooder Marketing Help Book Sales?

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Book Publicity & Marketing Toolkit 2017: For Authors

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An insightful interview With PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/interview-with-pen-america-executive.html

Why book marketers & authors must improve their vocabulary

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The writer who went off a mountain and lived to tell about it

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How To Craft Press Releases That Net Your Book Media Exposure

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How To Overcome Book Marketer's Block in 10 Easy Steps http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/overcoming-book-marketers-block-in-10.html    

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs

Will Fake News Lead To Fake Books?

The Internet has, for decades, been a tool for those who want to spread propaganda.  The idea that a gatekeeper or censor could no longer interfere with person-to-person communications on a mass scale is something we find inviting but also struggle to deal with when errors, lies or misinterpretations are promulgated and shared over and over.  We live in a fake news era, but the question is, are books immune to this?

Of course not.  Some books undoubtedly are published without authors using legitimate sources, without independently verifying information they share or quote, and without any outside fact-checkers employed pre-publication to confirm the manuscript’s veracity.

Each year, the number of self-published titles exceeds the number of books put out by traditional publishers.  In theory, publishers won’t acquire a book unless it believes it is worthy and commercially viable, nor will it publish a book where the content can’t be double-checked.  But in reality, publishers are glorified printers at times and they have put the pursuit of profit above holding themselves to any high quality standards.  So what happens is the quick-buck publisher rushes to take on a book it believes will sell, especially when the author agrees to buy a certain number of copies to give out or resell at events or via their website.

Then, once a publisher edits a book, it does so under two main prisms.  First, avoid any content that can lead to a lawsuit or offend individuals or groups the publisher is linked to.  The other concern is to not produce a book that has obvious misspellings or grammatical mistakes.  But it doesn’t have the time, resources, or even the desire to fact-check everything an author writes.

Self-published authors, unless they hire a good fact-checker or editor -- and give them the authority to actually alter the manuscript if it conflicts with reality -- will release books that challenge the truth.

Now add a new layer to this:  fake news.  Authors rely on news media reports for book ideas and to quote as a source. So what happens when authors don’t realize they are referencing a story that’s satirical, like from The Onion, or from an illegitimate site that doesn’t employ the standards of journalistic ethics that established media follow?  Or in the case of President Trump, what happens when you quote him on something where his source is fake news or mere editorializing from a media outlet?

The problem with the Internet is that it spreads fake news so fast and furiously.  Then people come to repeat these urban legends as if true, which spurs on reactionary debate and the creation of additional fake news.  Authors are not immune from this.

How can we avoid the meltdown of our media and inevitably the book ecosystem?

The burden really begins with the author of a book.  Whether self-published or traditionally published or subsidized published, he or she has the high duty and moralistic, if not legal, obligation to make sure his or her writings represent facts, truths, accurate quotes, and conclusions based on real news and not fake news.

Many writers are lazy and make assumptions about the information they source and then present.  They attach to a lower standard of proof to ascertain if something is correct or not.

They let partisan politics, personal preferences, past affiliations, or money to cloud their judgment.  For some authors it can be to their benefit to not check everything that they write.  They want to write what they believe, regardless of the facts.  Further, they may have an incentive or compensatory motivation to put out a narrative that they know is bogus.  

Some media, like Fox-TV, is a biased, advocacy network.  It is that way because it wants to further a political agenda but it also knows it can earn high ratings and charge a lot for commercials.  Many news outlets sell death, fear, and disaster – more people read, listen to and watch news that warns of blizzards, war or crime sprees. We are more willing to be glued to the set when a plane crashes, an entertainer dies or a video captures an attack on a woman.  Not all of this is the most important news, but it interests people, and what interests people sells papers, subscriber fees, and advertising.

The media can’t help itself.  It reports what it does based on:

·         Ideology and values.

·         Ego and fame.

·         Financial incentives.

·         To influence society.

·         Limited resources.

Authors may be guilty of the same thing, and thus will intentionally or unknowingly, write on matters that are false, unsubstantiated, misinterpreted, or only partially accurate.

We hear a lot about fake news.  Some organizations try to fight back.  Some media outlets report on their fact-checking of statements released by the government and others.  Some, like Facebook, will flag challenged content.  Some, like Twitter, may kick a user off if he or she tries to promote terrorism. Free speech, bans, censorship, and the issue of a fair media come up daily. 

So what can and should authors do?

1.      They must educate themselves on what they write about.  They will need to really expose themselves to all kinds of sources in order to gain a consensus on the truth.

2.      They must question the content they consume.  They need to fact-check but also wonder if that source has a motive or objective that needs to be scrutinized.

3.      The writer now has to be a better detective, a better philosopher, a better researcher, and a better human being, because he or she is in a new role – to not only write well and present ideas and information in a powerful way, but to make sure these writings are based on real news accounts.

4.      They will need to utilize the services of better researchers and editors, who use a higher moral ground and greater skill set to sniff out bullshit.

5.      They will need to be ready to provide documents and support to show any doubters – and they’ll have to work doubly hard at promoting their books and brand because too many haters, fakers, and losers will try to undermine them.

Publishers, editors, literary agents, libraries, bookstores, and even readers will need to play a role here as well.  They will hold themselves and each other – and the writer – to a higher standard.  We must be vigilant in discovering, exposing, and punishing those who create and share fake news.

Make no mistake, fake news has not only infiltrated the media and as a result, society, it has infected the book industry like a bad case of bed bugs.  It makes me itchy, to think about it, but we need to do something fast if we are to eradicate or minimize the problems a fake news world causes the book industry.

Will we soon need some third-party, non-profit group to form, where its sole job is to examine if a book offers fakery?  Who would fund the group?  What standards would they use?  How would workers be trained?  What if this group oversteps its mission or has members with a hidden agenda?

No group, no person, no government is perfect or unbiased or without some type of agenda.  Self-preservation can infiltrate anything, even the books that you read.  But we have to start somewhere and try hard to purify the books that society reads, otherwise we will all be living fake lives.

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs