Express Train Pulls Away From Books

Maybe it was the time of day (rush hour) or the type of train (Metro North Commuter Rail) or just this particular day, but a quick survey of 10 people around me yielded only one person reading a book.  The rest were doing something else.  One read a newspaper. Two stared aimlessly.  One listened to music and texted.  Another surfed the Net on his phone.  One guy was doing work on his iPad and one lady was putting on her makeup.

People are still reading books.  In fact, many are.  But the morning commute is an excellent time to read a book and the fact that only one person was reading a book doesn’t bode well for the industry.

The truth is, there are too many distractions and options for people.  Smartphones, tablets, iPods and laptops are taking away from the time most people would have to read books – or newspapers or magazines.  People used to fill their gaps of time, such as train travel, by reading books.  Now, they play games, surf the Web, and text on another.

Some kind of campaign needs to be waged to encourage people to read books and to highlight why books are important to society.  Most people know books can be entertaining, thought-provoking, informative or inspirational, but it needs to be on the public consciousness more.  Otherwise, they readily grab the free and easy – or lazy – option of letting their device fill their time.  An effort needs to be made to get and read a book, but to just click on YouTube or a blog for instant gratification is all too easy.

Maybe the key is to write books in installments and to serialize a book so that people can jump into a chapter of a book instead of just texting a friend.  Or maybe we just need to encourage more people – not just children – to read books.

One day, I hope to see more than one in 10 riders reading a book.  That is, if one day we don’t do away with trains.

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. 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 blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2013 

One Novel Idea Can Lead To A Book Series

I have worked with a number of authors who have written trilogies or a book series, usually revolving around a specific character or concept.  I am representing one now who has turned a controversial “what if” theory into an interesting story line.

What if we can clone Jesus – and bring him back?  What if the clone was African-American?  And what if that clone was killed, but then resurrected?  Such is the premise of The Covert Messiah by J.R. Lankford, the fourth in a series that began less than a decade ago with The Jesus Thief, which has been optioned to Hollywood.

It is interesting to see how a good idea for a book can turn into a series, where essentially the uniqueness of a concept is able to live on like a soap opera.  Look at James Bond, Batman, Rocky, or other movie franchises.  They seemingly can continue for decades because people love the core theme.  Star Wars, already with six movies, will be an annual movie event starting in a year or two.  That well seemingly won’t run dry.

It makes sense that most books become a series, because often we want more of what we like.  No story, as great as it is, seems complete.  There’s always a before or an after that’s missing.  Every book begs for a sequel. 

Most writers can only write what they know or have a passion for, and most cannot envision a book turning into a series until they find themselves thinking about the main character and wanting to continue the story line.  Some may even find it hard to write anything else other than more stories for their original idea. 

So what kinds of ideas or characters work well for a series?

Crime Drama - a cop, a superhero, or a government agent can solve a billion crimes

Travel Adventure- the world has over 200 countries and tens of thousands of cities, so each one could be the setting for adventure

Children’s- many lovable characters turn one story into dozens

Romance- some characters just can’t seem to find love only once – they experience a series of conquests

Historical Fiction- depending on the event or era your story takes place in, you can have a multi-book saga on your hands

Whatever book you write, know that it could be the first of many with that character.  It’ll become your extended ego and could stay with you for life.

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR GOLDIE ALEXANDER

1.      Can you tell me a bit about your inspirations and what drew you to writing in the first place? In one word: reading. I learnt to read when I was three and I have never stopped. Books take me far away from my present reality, and take me to other worlds. When life is tough- as it was this year after a major accident which left me disabled for months- they proved my salvation. I bought a Kindle and downloaded over a 200 books. As for what inspires me: what I read, what I see, what I hear. I am one of those strange people who actually enjoys listening to people talking on their mobiles. In a word, the world around me is my inspiration. 

2. Is having a book published exclusively as an ebook a different experience to having a book in print? Do you prefer reading either format? Do you think the print book is on the way out?  I adore my Kindle. Without it I would have spent most of 2012 going quite mad. Ultimately what format a book appears isn’t all that relevant. What matters are the words, the characters and the narrative drive. I think hardcopy might gradually disappear. What will remain are story picture books for little readers, and maybe elegant coffee table books. Of course this is a time of transition and who can predict the future with any accuracy? The monks who illustrated all those wonderful bibles must have felt the same way when they first caught sight of a printing press. ‘Never catch on,’ they must have told each other. Same as when Penguin decided to produce soft covers. Enough said. 

3. What tips do you have for other writers?  I have a blog where I post lots of tips, both for very beginning writers, and those that are trying to promote their work. Social networking is important, so I recommend using facebook, tweeting, and logging into other blogs. Promoting on You Tube is useful though I have to confess I’m technologically too stupid to do this. My major piece of advice is to never give up. A book may be rejected many times before it takes off. Sometimes it can take many years, and of course this has happened to me many, many times. After I lick my wounds at yet another rejection, I remind myself that it might be the wrong time, the wrong publisher, and probably needs another draft. Now the book revolution is on us, perhaps it’s useful to think of self publishing. But be warned: too many self published books are badly edited or frankly, need more work. 

4.. Your latest YA novel ‘Dessi's Romance’ features Schoolies celebrations. Why did you choose to write about Schoolies? Did you do any specific research? And what do you think of the Schoolies culture?  I am much too old to attend Schoolies Week but have read a lot about it and talked to youngsters who went. Schoolies Week is a rite-of-passage for youngsters: the child turning into an adult. It seemed an ideal setting for these young women and men to question the adherence to their friendship and their search for identity. Apropos the ‘culture’ of Schoolies Week, we read and see a lot on the media about the negatives. but I think this is an ideal way for youngsters to celebrate without parents or supervisors. They have to learn what is and what isn’t appropriate. Some seem to find this hard and that’s when the media latches onto an unfortunate incident. In ‘Dessi’s Romance’, Dessi and Emma, who have been as close as sisters since they were babies, have to sort out their feelings for each other when a new man comes between them. 

5. What is the most important thing to remember when starting a new work?  In my opinion, a character must become a living breathing person easily recognizable. I always recommend writers create a character profile to start with. Once your character is living at a specific time and you know his/her likes dislikes/conflicts/ family etc. you already have half your plot. I can’t emphasize this enough. In ‘eSide’, a contemporary fantasy for 9 to 12Year olds my major evil character is the witch Hecate, and hopefully, she is as scary as any horror movie. 

6. What other advice can you give beginner writers? Perseverance is what counts. It’s said that inspiration is only 10% and hard work 90% . I am often approached by people who tell me they ‘have a book in them’ as if I can give a magic tip. Wish I could. 

For more information, please see; www.goldiealexander.com 

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. 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 blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2013 

Authors Seek Fame & Glory

I once had a client tell me that as a publicist I’m selling hopes and dreams to authors who hope to have a breakthrough.  He knows, better than most, that attaining fame and glory is every author’s dream.  He also knows how hard that is to achieve.

But he’s right.  Save a few humble or altruistic authors, almost every author wants his or her 15 minutes of fame.  They want to get great reviews, be interviewed by Oprah, and make it to the top of the bestseller list.

But fame is elusive. 

It seems achievable or at least possible.  If a book is great, why doesn’t it have a shot at selling well? Because the book is great, but your PR is not.  Because your marketing is not good. Because you have no social media presence.  Because you don’t have a network of advocates.  Because your distribution is lousy or your price is too high or simply because today’s not your day -- and the odds of success are low.

My son, who is eight, wants his fame expressed on the baseball diamond.  He is loving youth baseball and relishes every at bat as a ticket to glory.  It’s a simple formula: Get a hit, hear the cheers, and feel the adoration of your teammates.  He wants to prove to others – and to himself – that he matters, that he is Number One.

And he already is learning that every at bat is a test and that success can be elusive and is hard-earned.  Authors and publishers also know that having a successful book comes with challenges.  You need timing, support, luck, and positive critical buzz, and even then, it’s not enough.

I tell my son I enjoy it when he does his best, improves, learns and has fun.  If he does enough things right enough times he will win – or at least be a winner.  The wins come as a result of individuals collectively doing what they are supposed to do.  If he puts in the effort – with skill, luck, timing, and opportunity, he will find a way to win.  Same goes with authors.

Don’t be lead by hopes and dreams.  Instead, focus on your responsibilities to do what it takes to advance your book to the next level.  You can’t just hope for something or want something or even demand something.  You must go after it and do all that you can to make it happen.

Forget fame and glory for the moment.  Just ask what you need to do to get media coverage today, to generate sales, to build up word of mouth, and to get your book in the hands of people who can help you.  Repeat this process daily.  See where you are in a few months.  Then try harder.  Maybe you’ll break through.  It can’t just be willed to happen – it must be earned.

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. 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 blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2013 

Do Bloggers Make Money?

Several people recently asked me if bloggers get paid.  A better question is: Does blogging pay off?

Few bloggers get paid.  Some bloggers for media companies get paid, though often they are on staff to write or report for them already. For instance, a sports writer for a newspaper or a TV producer may blog on their company’s site, perhaps for extra pay, but not likely.

Celebrities may get paid to blog about someone or something, but that’s more like advertising.

Speaking of advertising, some bloggers make money from getting advertising sold on their blog. 

Bloggers also make money from affiliate sales (selling other people’s stuff), as well as by using their venue to hawk their own books, products or services.

But most bloggers are not directly compensated for blogging, yet millions blog daily. Why? Because it’s a quick, easy way to share a view or give advice or to vent and get as therapy. Some blog because they feel it helps build their brand and media resume. Others do it out of some type of obligation or expectation. Many just want their voice heard.

I’ve thought about placing ads on my blog, though I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort. Is the pay-off big enough to warrant it? Will the ads clutter the content? Will they sell something that offends my readers or me? Will I just be another sell-out who then starts self-censoring himself, as not to offend potential or current advertisers?

Blogging should be done because it feels right to you.  If it’s not something that comes naturally or easily to you, the payoff in terms of money will need to be there and the truth is, it’s not easy to turn a blog into
bucks.  But if you foresee a reasonable way to make money as a blogger, I’d love to hear about it.

Interview With Author DelSheree Gladden

1.    What type of books do you write?  I mainly write YA urban fantasy. I love stories that take the real world and twist it into something new and exciting. YA provides so many opportunities to incorporate action and adventure, romance, and something out of the ordinary. I love how versatile it is. YA is my first love when it comes to fiction, but I also have a few dramatic romances in the works that are currently in the editing stages.

2.    What is your newest book about?   My newest series is called “The Destroyer Trilogy.” It tells the story of Libby Sparks, a young woman who was born to destroy the world. Libby wants nothing to do with her destiny, but no one believes that. The whole world it pitted against her, except for one grungy teen named Milo. He becomes her only friend, and when his life if in danger she must make the choice between exposing her true power and condemning herself to death or saving Milo’s life.

3.    What inspired you to write it? As a child, I spent a lot of time reading. Immersing myself in books was my favorite pastime when I was young. I was extremely shy, so I preferred imagined worlds to actually having to talk to real people. The more I read, the more I wanted to write. I started off with terrible stories that mimicked what I read, like many authors do. Now, I love creating unique worlds and characters that my readers can relate to and care about.

4.    What is the writing process like for you? I am not an outliner.  In fact, outlining is a last resort for me when I get stuck. Typically, I start with a vague idea, usually inspired by a word or a line in a book or a movie, or even song I heard. I often have a hard time getting to sleep, so I plan out scenes in my books as I try to fall asleep at night. One aspect of my writing that is very organized is sequencing. I cannot stand to write scenes out of order. I never skip ahead even if I have a scene from later on in the novel that I really want to write. I use it to spur myself to write all the chapters ahead of it. Then the scene I really want to write is like a reward.

5.    What did you do before you became an author?   Starting when I was about 14 years old, I started coaching gymnastics. I was a gymnast myself when I was younger, and I have continued to enjoy fitness activities. I have taught a variety of fitness classes over the years. I decided to make a career change a few years ago when teaching sometimes up to 20 classes a week became a bit of an overload. Now, I am about to graduate as a dental hygienist, but I still continue to write and teach yoga!

6.    How does it feel to be a published author?  I think the best part is hearing from fans. It makes me very happy to know that something I wrote brought enjoyment to a reader. I am not very musical, but I love listening to music because of the strong emotions it can evoke. I want to be able to do the same thing with my writing. Hearing that I have been able to do that from readers is so exciting for me.

7.    Any advice for struggling writers?  Read, read, read. The more you read, the better handle you will have on the basic rules of your genre, but also on what readers want to read about. You can learn so much from other writers, too. Join a writers group, either in person if you’re lucky enough to have one in your area, or join one online. Feedback is so important and other writers can often see what you can’t. 

8.    Where do you see book publishing heading?  From my own books, I have seen the majority of my sales coming from ebooks. I know that paperbacks are still very much alive, but as readers become even busier and more on the go, it is just more convenient to have a pocket sized reader than a big paperback. I also expect more self-publishing avenues to crop up. I love reading indie authors and finding books I might never have found if traditional publishing was the only option. Because of complaints about quality when it comes to self-published books, I expect that self-publishing venues will eventually have more strict requirements, such as vetting processes for editing and artwork at some point.

For more information, please consult: https://sites.google.com/site/delshereegladden/  

RANDOM BOOK EXCERPTS

“The horrific fact that our lives and those of the people we love are impermanent and exquisitely fragile, that any of us can cease to exist without warning, that loving anyone, anywhere at any time, leaves you infinitely vulnerable at every single moment.”

--Psychopath

“How can we make the most of this precious life that we have? Let’s not wait for a time when we retire, relocate, and perhaps find disappointment.  Each day has to be a new beginning.  Each day that we awake has to have its meaning.  Each day is a canvas upon which we paint the picture of our lives.  So the question poses itself, ‘What are we going to do with the time we have to make the most of this magnificent and sometimes terrible world in which we live?”’

--Why Me?

Book PR & Marketing Tool Kit

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-marketing-book-publicity-tool-kit.html

Can Any Book Survive The Future? 

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/standing-test-of-time.html

Apps Outselling Books by 2014

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/apps-to-zoom-past-books.html

Book Publishing Theme Park to Be Built? 

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/welcome-to-book-world-greatest-theme.html

What Is In Your Book Marketing Bag?

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/whats-in-your-book-marketing-tool-kit.html

Hunting for Book Sales Beyond Amazon

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/battle-for-book-sales-beyond-amazon.html 

Don’t Let Book Marketing Fears Keep You From Achieving Success

http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-marketing-fears.html

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. 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 blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2013 

Interview With YA Author Felicity Pulman

1.      What type of books do you write? I write novels for children and YA, some of which are ‘crossovers’ to adult fiction. My novels reflect my interest in ghosts and the unknown in our world (Ghost Boy and A Ring Through Time); in the possibilities of time travel and reincarnation and my fascination with Arthurian legend (the Shalott trilogy) and my love of history (The Janna Mysteries, a medieval crime series which has been compared to Ellis Peters’ much-loved Brother Cadfael chronicles.)  You’ll find more about my books on my website: www.felicitypulman.com.au 

2.      What is your newest book about? A Ring Through Time is a ‘ghostly romance’ set on beautiful Norfolk Island off Australia, with a flashback to its brutal convict past.  In the present time, Allie starts seeing ghosts when she moves to the island with her family. She’s the descendent of one of the commandants, the most brutal of them all. But Allie has demons of her own to overcome, while her attraction to Noah, a guy in her class, is jeopardized by their mutual link with the past.  It’s only after Allie finds the diary of her namesake that the truth of Alice’s love affair with Cormac comes to light, a truth that raises new questions.  Only if Alice can solve the mystery of the past will she be able to lay the ghosts to rest, but will the answer come at the cost of her relationship with Noah?

3.      What inspired you to write it? On our first visit to Norfolk Island I went snorkeling at Emily Bay.  I strapped on my mask, put my face in the water, and heard a voice say: ‘If only I could see my own life as clearly as I can see now.’ Who was this girl, and what was wrong with her life that she needed to see it more clearly?  Finding the answer to those questions, and investigating the gory convict past of Norfolk Island led me to the story, but the vision of a ring made of hair among the mourning jewelry that I saw while visiting a local museum, helped draw the threads together into a coherent whole, and gave me the title for the book.  (I’ve learned that voices and visions are important. I never ignore them!)

4.      What is the writing process like for you? When the ideas are flowing and my fingers are flying over the keyboard, it’s wonderful.  But sometimes it’s like walking over broken glass – something to be endured until the way becomes smooth again. Solitary walks help (I always carry a notebook and pen) as does spending time with my children and grandchildren, or surfing or snorkelling or bushwalking.  Physical activity of any sort while leaving the mind free to wander is a wonderful brick-wall-buster I’ve discovered. I tend to do a lot of research for my books, and that can throw up terrific plot ideas.  Walking in the footsteps of my characters (in both Australia and England) is a MUST for me.  It’s invaluable for scene-setting, but can also suggest plot possibilities – like the time I visited Stonehenge (on a side trip) while researching the Janna Mysteries.  A vision of a bleeding body stretched out on a fallen monolith convinced me that I needed to take Janna via Stonehenge on her search for her unknown father, and that whole scenario became a focus for Book 4 of The Janna Mysteries, Willows for Weeping.

5.      What did you do before you became an author? I’ve worked as a secretary, an editor, an amateur DJ for a voluntary classical music station (music being a great love of mine) and also a housewife raising a young family. Writing stories was something I’ve done since childhood, but I never considered it a ‘real’ career until, at the age of 40, I wrote the Higher School Certificate and then went on to do a Communications degree followed by an MA in Children’s Literature.  A slow starter indeed!

6.      How does it feel to be a published author?  Wonderful!  It’s a dream come true.  I’ve always had the urge to write stories, but now I’m able to share them. The knowledge that my novels are being read and enjoyed by people around the world is a fabulous feeling.

7.      Any advice for struggling writers? The three P’s: patience, perseverance, professionalism. Tell the best story you can in the best way possible. Edit, edit, edit before sending out your mss.  Remember that a rejection is only one person’s point of view – so don’t give up.  If an editor gives you feedback on your mss even though they’ve rejected it, take comfort from the fact that they’ve made time in their very busy schedule to read and analyze your work, and that their comments are meant to be helpful. Having said that, never lose sight of the fact that this is YOUR book and it will have YOUR name on it.  Think carefully about any advice, but only follow it if you believe it has merit.

8.      Where do you see book publishing heading? We’re living in a time of great change in the publishing industry.  More and more authors are turning to self-publishing because it is so much easier now, and relatively inexpensive. But note: I believe that it’s vital to have your work professionally edited before publication.  Too many self-published novels fall down because of typos, sloppy editing and self-indulgent prose. I think our way of reading will also change with the advent of digital publication. Readers will become more ‘hands-on’ with the text, using apps to access other facets of the stories or characters, to craft their own endings perhaps, or to add eg blogs, music, games to the scenario.  The possibilities are endless, and very exciting.

Felicity is the award-winning author of Ghost Boy, the Shalott trilogy, The Janna Mysteries and A Ring Through Time, published by Harper Collins, March 2013. For more information, please consult: www.felicitypulman.com.au

Crowdfunding For Authors

Looking for some financial support for your book? Explore these six types of crowdfunding models:

      1.  Perk-Based Funding

Investors may send small amounts of money to finance an arts-based or social-change venture. They earn the satisfaction of helping you create a worthwhile book and also receive a reward that is agreed upon, such as a T-shirt, being mentioned in the book, or some other recognition. The investor does not have equity in your venture. IndieGoGo is one site of many to check out.

      2. Pre-Order Funding

If they pay first, you will build it. Under this model, regular folks can pledge online funding via credit cards to pre-order something that doesn’t yet exist. If enough people buy in, the book can be created. Kickstarter is one to check out.

      3. Good-Cause Funding

Many online platforms such as StartSomeGood and the Facebook Cause page, allow people to donate money to fund a project they believe has a positive impact on morals and values.

      4.  Loan Funding

Micro-funding and peer-to-peer lending is popular. Entrepreneurs and authors can borrow money in small amounts from many people and gradually pay them back when and if the project is completed. LendingClub and Kiva are good examples.

      5.  Investor-Based Funding

Investors can describe their inventions and request seed money incrementally. People can make online pledges in return for a reward, but not necessarily an ownership interest in the project. See FundAGeek.

      6.  Equity Funding

This is expected to happen by Q4 2013, once the SEC publishes regulations and ruler regarding how people can invest with others in exchange for the chance of a profit tomorrow. Many ordinary people will be able to invest small amounts of money to gain equity in early-stage startups.

Of course, the only crowd you need is one of rich family and friends who believe in you. But these crowd funding methods as outlined in What Every Angel Investor Wants You To Know.

Interview With Unpublished Author Michele Kunz

1.      What type of books do you write? I write young adult novels that have a broad appeal.  My target audience include teens and discerning adult readers.  My genre of choice is fantasy and I enjoy writing science fiction as well.  I also dabble in poetry and have written several Children's books. You can follow me on my website; http://guardianofthestone.com/ and on twitter @Elfite.

2.      What is your newest book about? "Guardian of the Stone" is a comprehensive manuscript. There are two stories that conclude the saga; with three books that complete the collection. The second book, "The Deliverer" is the sequel. Each story takes the reader on a mystical journey, captivating their imagination. This is the story of human frailty and the will to survive; it is the epic tale of good versus evil, with surprising twists and a staggering ending. "Guardian of the Stone", is a story of endurance and hope and leaves the reader wanting more; "The Deliverer," completes the narrative and gives the reader closure. The third book; “On the Breath of Dawn”, tells the story from the beginning...

3.      What inspired you to write it? My writing is inspired by my children.  Watching them grow into adults and seeing their own characters develop has had the greatest impact in my writing. Also, I find inspiration in nature; my stories take place in a world that has not been compromised by over development, therefore nature itself plays a big role in establishing my story line. 

4.      What is the writing process like for you? Writing is therapeutic and I love the entire process from idea to fruition.  When I wrote my first novel, "Guardian of the Stone" it was handwritten in journals, which was time consuming.  Now I keep journals, but use them only as a guide and write the entire manuscript on my computer.  Journals are the most intricate part of the writing process for me.  Especially when I am in the zone, they provide a data base of sorts and are always available.  Often an idea will come to me and I have no access to my computer.  The journals help me develop a time line and offer direction for my characters. Writing is a passion for me; it is a lifelong dream, one that I waited to pursue until my children were grown.  Once I sat down with pen in hand, the story virtually wrote itself; all I needed was the time and presence of mind to do so. "Guardian of the Stone" has much to offer, and will be enjoyed by many if given the chance to reach the multitude of readers whom continue to search for a new adventure.

5.      What did you do before you became an author?  I was always an author, but it wasn't until my children were grown that I decided to pursue my passion. I was a dance instructor for many years; afterward I worked part time in retail while my children were in school.  Now I am a writer and I am presently working on a sci-fi novel.  "What Lies Beneath" takes place below the Myan Temples and will prove to be riveting.

6.      How does it feel to be an unpublished published author?

I hope to be published and get discovered. I have mixed feelings about the direction publishing is going.  In a time when anyone can publish their collective works, I do not know how much credibility any new author has. I am worried by the entire industry, still on the other hand it offers those who may ultimately get lost in the process a chance to get noticed.

7.      Any advice for struggling writers?  The best advice I can offer, is never to give up on your dream.  There are so many options available; but more importantly be true to yourself. Do not sell yourself short or give into peer pressure, do what you believe in your heart.  Writing is not something you can force, write when the concept is there and when you have an idea run with it.  They say the reward is in the writing itself and I can tell you first hand when I complete a novel there is a sense of accomplishment and personal joy.  I know that I created the story, and with the turn of a page many will find the same joy that I experienced writing it.  Although I myself am not yet published, I can tell you how important it is to protect yourself. Have you finished works copyrighted before you release them to the public. "Guardian of the Stone" is on file with the U.S. Copyright Office at The Library of Congress in Washington D.C..

8.      Where do you see book publishing heading? Wow, that’s a tough question.  One thing that is for sure, the entire industry is changing.  Whether it be for good or bad, the future of publishing now rests in the hands of the writer. We as authors must take an active role in promoting our books.  Self promoting through social media takes as much work as writing the book itself, and while I love the entire writing process I find this part to be the most difficult. Sadly at least for me e-books now incorporate a large percentage of the industry, I can't imagine not being able to feel a book in my hand or having the ability to turn a page. The future of libraries and book stores are in jeopardy.  Generations will no longer enjoy the grand space filled with hundreds of masterpieces.  Change is inevitable and like all things we have no choice but to adapt, otherwise like the dinosaur we too will become extinct. 

BLASTS FROM THE PAST

 “We encounter the central theme of existentialism: to live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.  If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering and in dying.  But no man can tell another what this purpose is.  Each must find out for himself and must accept the responsibility that his answer prescribes.  If he succeeds he will continue to grow in spite of all indignities.”  -- Viktor Frankl: Man’s Search for Meaning

“You have always had the raw materials and resources to take absolute charge of your life and to be in a position to contribute in some degree to the reformation, preservation, and sustainability of the world.  Sure, you’ll have to confront frustration, rejection, financial pressures, and any number of setbacks, challenges, and confrontations.  But you can do it – and it’ll be worth it.  Besides, where would the world be without your active and positive participation?” --  Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement, by Anthony Robbins

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. 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 blog is copyrighted material by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2013 

Do I Know You?

I used to stare at people and make assumptions about them. I’d look for clues in their looks, dress, or mannerisms and imagine their circumstances. I, of course, had no way to prove if these profiles were correct, but it didn’t matter. It was my way of comprehending the world around me.

I would examine them, in detail, at all times. In a classroom. On the street. In a store. On the bus or train. At a ballgame. Our imaginations fill in the word of not knowing. We seemingly have to operate under some kind of frame of mind, otherwise we wander aimlessly, with no anchor. If we don’t have a perception of the world, even a wrong one, we are reduced to living in confusion, uncertainty, or fear. We have to script a scenario that seems plausible to us.

But the other day I saw a man walk by me and a flood of thoughts came to me, forcing me to reflect on my earlier observations and assumptions. I realized I’d been using the wrong algorithm to figure people out. I now understood that I merely projected my thoughts or views onto another without realizing the many possibilities that went ignored.

What made me realize that my guessing games were faulty was the fact that I failed to take into consideration all of the dark options that exist.

Whereas I looked at someone and thought, oh, he’s on his way to work, maybe a lawyer, probably has a family, now I realized that the guy may be thinking about how to end an affair he is in, how to cheat on his taxes, how to take care of his elderly mother, how to deal with a colleague that he hates, etc. As a grownup, you understand the complexities and impurities that plague individuals. As a kid and teenager I simply didn’t understand or know from these things.

The man I saw the other day that awakened me to my past practice of making wrongful assumptions about people looked quiet, ordinary, even meek. But then I thought so many people do so many bad things. How do I know what evil looks like? Bad guys look like good guys. Some people give off negative vibes, so we avoid them, but many do not signal to us that they rape, steal, kill, hate, or act abusively. This guy triggered the thought that he could be a criminal, perhaps a raging lunatic, not because I observed hints of this in him, but because I did not.

All we have are our instincts to go by, but now I question if I have misread people to the point I have made some major mistakes.

People are not like crossword puzzles. All the rows and letters don’t add up neatly. We don’t have all the clues to accurately know who one is, what they are feeling or thinking, or what their current situation is. In some ways, I am glad to know there’s more mystery to people than I originally thought but I am also sad to understand I may never truly know anyone.

BOOK EXCERPT FROM THE PAST

“The line between good and evil, hope and despair, does not divide the world between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ It runs down the middle of every one of us. I do not want to talk about what you understand of this world. I want to know what you will do about it. I do not  want to know what you hope. I want to know what you will work for. I do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle. As the wagon driver said when they came to a long hard hill, “Them that’s going on with us, get out and push. Them that ain’t, get out of the way.”

– It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It by Robert Fulghum

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. 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 © 2013