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Jim Cox Report: January 2014

Dear Publisher Folk, Friends & Family:

It's a new year and I've developed a new policy here at the Midwest Book Review that went into effect on January 1st. It all started a few weeks ago when I was doing some office work and received five phone calls during the morning from five self-published authors wanting a status report on the books they had submitted for review.

In each case I had the unfortunate responsibility of informing them that although their books had arrived safely and passed our initial screening process, they were unable to achieve a review assignment in the allotted time (14 to 16 weeks) simply because we had too many books being submitted for review consideration (an average of 2000 a month) and only 81 reviewers.

Then with the fifth of those phone calls I got a sudden inspiration. So here's the new policy based on that idea:

Any author or publisher who has submitted a book for review consideration to the Midwest Book Review and whose book passed our initial screening and simply did not get reviewed because of "too many books, not enough reviewers", that author or publisher can submit the MBR a review from any other reviewer or review resource, as long as they have that reviewer's permission to do so. We will run the review in our monthly book review publication Reviewer's Bookwatch on behalf of that author or publisher, under that reviewer's byline. (Of course, the reviewer retains all copyright and ownership rights to their review, just like any other contributor to the Reviewer's Bookwatch.)

I'm making this policy retroactive, so if you have ever submitted a book to the Midwest Book Review in the past and it failed to achieve a review assignment from us, then this offer is open to you.

Here is a link to our "Reviewer Guidelines" that I provide anyone seeking to submit reviews to the Midwest Book Review -- feel free to use it if you are recruiting your own reviewers:

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/revinfo.htm

So now our online book review 'audience' of booksellers and the general reading public, including our network of libraries and librarians, is open anyone whose book was good enough to pass our screening process but didn't make it all the way through because of our limited reviewer resources.

This new policy is in service to our overall goal of promoting literacy, libraries, and small press publishing.

Here are reviews of some new books of special interest to writers and publishers:

The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success
Eric Kampmann & Margot Atwell
Beaufort Books
27 West 20th Street, Suite 1102, NY, NY 10011
www.beaufortbooks.com
9780825306877, $12.95, www.amazon.com

Every author, once their manuscript is finished, must address the question of how to go about getting published. Drawing upon their many years of experience and expertise in the publishing industry, Eric Kampmann and Margot Atwell have effectively collaborated to produce "The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success", a succinct, 160 page instruction manual covering critical issues ranging from selecting a publishing strategy, the editorial process, designing and printing, to the fundamentals of book sales and distribution. Of special note is the commentary on marketing and publicity. Offering four illustrative success stories, "The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success" is informed, informative, thoroughly 'user friendly', and especially recommended as an practical, experience-based guide for novice authors seeking a successful (and profitable!) publication of their work. It should be noted that "The Insider's Guide To Book Publishing Success" is also available in a Kindle edition ($1.99).

Nonfiction Notebooks
Aimee Buckner
Stenhouse Publishers
477 Congress Street, Suite 4B
Portland, ME 04101-3451
www.stenhouse.com
9781571109521, $18.50, www.amazon.com

"Nonfiction Notebooks: Strategies for Informational Writing" by educator and author Aimee Buckner is a 128 page instruction guide specifically designed for aspiring writers of non-fiction. This thoroughly 'user friendly' manual is organized into six succinct chapters; Writers Notebooks: An Informational Twist; Strategies to Explore Topics; Strategies to Gather Information; Predrafting Strategies; Strategies to Craft Informational Pieces; and Assessment. Informed, informative, exceptionally well organized and presented, "Nonfiction Notebooks: Strategies for Informational Writing" is an ideal reference for students tasked with writing papers, as well as novice authors wanting to write non-fiction pieces and books for publication. Highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections, it should also be noted that "Nonfiction Notebooks: Strategies for Informational Writing" is available in a Kindle edition ($10.49) as well.

A Self Made Of Words
Carl H. Klaus
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
www.uiowapress.org
9781609381943, $18.00, www.amazon.com

In "A Self Made of Words", Carl H. Klaus draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as the founder of Iowa's Nonfiction Writing Program and author of numerous published non-fiction titles to write a succinct, 98 page compendium comprised of an informed and informative essay and guide on how novice writers (and even more experienced authors) can adapt themselves to the dictums of non-fiction writing through his proffered exercises for creating engaging commentary and text that is hallmarked by a distinctive 'voice' or persona. A masterful, thoroughly 'user friendly', and highly recommended instructional guide for writers, it should be noted that "A Self Made of Words" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Handbook of Indexing Techniques, fifth edition
Linda K. Fetters
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573874618, $28.00, www.infotoday.com

Handbook of Indexing Techniques: A Guide for Beginning Indexers appears in its fifth updated edition to provide clear explanations of indexing techniques and examples of how to index different documents. From the new electronic documents and their requirements to imbedded indexing, ebook indexing, web indexing and more, this reference includes information on indexing seminars as well, and will especially interest occasional indexers who need more specifics on the process.

Rewrite
Paul Chitlik
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
9781615931576, $22.95, www.mwp.com

REWRITE: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO STRENGTHEN STRUCTURE, CHARACTERS, AND DRAMA IN YOUR SCREENPLAY is a recommendation for performing arts and film screenwriters who want keys to producing great scripts, and narrows the focus to the rewrite process. This new edition provides more tools for effective rewriting, offering keys to page reduction, sample rewrites, strategies for handling difficult challenges during the process, and insights on how a more effective screenplay can work. Any script writer will find this a 'must' guide to better writing!

Writing to Wake the Soul
Karen Hering
Beyond Words Publishing
20827 NW Cornell Road, Suite 500
Hillsboro, OR 97124
9781582704128, $24.00, www.beyondword.com

Writing to Wake the Soul: Opening the Sacred Conversation Within is a book about words and spiritual links, and offers insights that address memory and imagination, literary writings, world mythology and more. It includes prompts and meditations, stories, and encouragements for readers to connect language with spiritual reflection, and it considers such diverse topics as using prayer to listen, writing about love and hope, and considering the issues in redemption. While spirituality shelves will be the most likely patrons of this book, any collection strong in writer's guides shouldn't leave it out: it's an inspirational winner.

What Kind of Loser Indie Publishes?
Pamela Fagan Hutchins
SkipJack Publishing
PO Box 31160
Houston, TX 77231
9781939889089 $12.95 www.SkipJackPublishing.com

Award-winning author Pamela Fagan Hutchins presents What Kind of Loser Indie Publishes? And How Can I Be One Too?, a no-nonsense, practical-minded to writing, publishing, and marketing one's own book, in print or ebook format. What Kind of Loser Indie Publishes? lays out its points in plain terms, accessible to aspiring and practicing authors of all skill and experience levels. "Do everything you can to ensure that the Kindle e-books you purchase (or others purchase) for others are sent to people who actually download them. Only when they are actually downloaded from the link does Amazon count them as a royalty-worthy sale." An absolute must-read for anyone considering the publishing business, especially in the modern era when independent publishing (or e-publishing) is a more attractive option than ever!

Writing in Community
Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed
WriteLife Publishing
2323 S. 171 St., Suite 202, Omaha, NE 68130
9781608080786 $11.95 pbk.
9781608080823 $5.99 ebook www.WriteLife.com

Writing in Community: Say Goodbye to Writer's Block and Transform Your Life is a reference and resource for writers and poets of all backgrounds, skill, and experience levels. Authors Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed have over thirty-five years of experience working with writing groups; they share their tips, tricks, and techniques for overcoming writer's block and improving one's creativity. Suggested exercises, a wealth of insights, and inspirational anecdotes pepper this excellent motivational resource!

Writing in Community
Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed
WriteLife Publishing
2323 S. 171 St., Suite 202, Omaha, NE 68130
9781608080786 $11.95 pbk.
9781608080823 $5.99 ebook www.WriteLife.com

Writing in Community: Say Goodbye to Writer's Block and Transform Your Life is a reference and resource for writers and poets of all backgrounds, skill, and experience levels. Authors Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed have over thirty-five years of experience working with writing groups; they share their tips, tricks, and techniques for overcoming writer's block and improving one's creativity. Suggested exercises, a wealth of insights, and inspirational anecdotes pepper this excellent motivational resource!

Here is "The Midwest Book Review Postage Stamp Hall Of Fame & Appreciation" roster of well-wishers and supporters. These are the generous folk who decided to say 'thank you' and 'support the cause' that is the Midwest Book Review by donating postage stamps this past month:

Dermot Davis
Michael Connolly
Dominique Mottas
Judith I. Hill -- "The Equation"
Richard Sharp -- "Crystal Ships"
Clarence Ogle -- "A Place in the Son"
Donald Karshner -- "Be A Critical Thinker"
J. W. Becker -- "Running Into The Forever"
Steve Crimi -- Logosophia LLC
Kim Ressler -- Wigu Publishing
Kyra Morris -- Bottletree Books LLC
Brian Kennelly -- Saint Benedict Press
John R. Guevin -- Biographical Publishing Company
Alison Thomsen -- Concierge Marketing
Beth Blenz-Clucas -- Sugar Mountain PR
Elizabeth Waldman Frazier -- Waldmania!

In lieu of (or in addition to!) postage stamp donations, we also accept PayPal gifts of support to our postage stamp fund for what we try to accomplish in behalf of the small press community. Simply log onto your PayPal account and direct your kindness (in any amount and at your discretion) to the Midwest Book Review at:

SupportMBR [at] aol.com

(The @ is replaced by "[at]" in the above email address, in an attempt to avoid email-harvesting spambots.)

If you have postage stamps to donate, or if you have a book you'd like considered for review, then send those postage stamps (always appreciated, never required), or a published copy of that book (no galleys, uncorrected proofs, or Advance Reading Copies), accompanied by a cover letter and some form of publicity release to my attention at the address below.

All of the previous issues of the "Jim Cox Report" are archived on the Midwest Book Review website. If you'd like to receive the "Jim Cox Report" directly (and for free), just send me an email asking to be signed up for it.

So until next time -- goodbye, good luck, and good reading!

Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI, 53575
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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