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Jim Cox Report: May 2022

Dear Publisher Folk, Friends & Family:

Every once in a while a book crosses my desk that I wish were in the personal reading list of every aspiring author and novice self-publisher who hope to make a living from what they write and publish. Here is one such unreservedly recommended instructional guide and 'how to' manual:



From Book to Bestseller
Penny C. Sansevieri
Privately Published
www.amarketingexpert.com
9798485487201, $12.99, PB, 216pp

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Bestseller-Promotion-Branding-Longterm/dp/B09PHJV86W

Synopsis: It's easy to get caught up in writing, and the other daily demands of life. But the result is often a rushed, ineffective, and amateur approach to book marketing.

With the publication of "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success", book marketing expert Penny Sansevieri draws upon her years of experience and expertise to provide self-published and traditionally published authors and instructive guide and 'how to' manual specifically is designed to help them to: Get laser focused on what matters; Tighten up and finesse an author brand; Generate more traction with an author platform; Reach out to more bloggers and get more reviews.

"From Book to Bestseller" also shows: How to pitch a book to its intended readership; Easy ways to build your social media; Build a more consistent reader review funnel; Easy ways to build your street team; Develop a return buyer network; Consistently sell more books!

In fact, the goal of "From Book to Bestseller" is to help authors that feel they've been at this for a while and have done "all the book marketing things" without really seeing much progress.

Critique: A complete and comprehensive course in book marketing in a single volume, "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success" is an ideal DIY combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual. Impressively 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success" is essential for the novice author discovering that they are the primary person responsible for bringing their book to the attention of their intended readership.

It also has immense value for even the more experienced author as a compendium of 'real world practical' tips, tricks and techniques for successfully marketing books regardless of their subject matter or genre. It should also be a part of every college and university Creative Writing Class & Workshop curriculum so that aspiring writers can learn what to do with what they have written and published.

While a critically important addition to personal, professional, community, and university library Writing/Publishing collections, "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success" is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

Editorial Note #1: Penny Sansevieri is the CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. (AME) and an Adjunct Professor at NYU. She is also a best-selling author in her own right and an internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. She maintains an informative website at: www.amarketingexpert.com

Editorial Note #2: It should be noted that as the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review I have had a long, friendly, and successful cyberspace pen-pal and professional relationship with Penny over the years. She is one of the most competent, knowledgeable and reliable book publicists and marketing directors I've ever had the privilege of working with. I fully endorse everything she has incorporated into her newest publication "From Book to Bestseller: The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Promotion, Smart Branding, and Longterm Success".



Next -- I'd like to pass along a PSA of interest to aspiring and practicing writers. There is going to be an annual literary festival celebrating all things short story, from children's books to comic books and everything in between called Short Story Fest. Here is their website for more detailed information: https://shortstoryfest.com

Now here is a review of a new book of interest to aspiring screen writers:



The Defining Moment
Christopher Riley, author
Kathy Riley, author
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615933372, $29.95, PB, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Defining-Moment-writers-actors-characters/dp/1615933379

Synopsis: "The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters" by Christopher and Kathy Riley plumbs the depths of the most memorable characters ever to appear on the screen, the stage or the page. The focuses is on those moments so pivotal in a character's formation that they create a distinct boundary of before and after, moments without which the character couldn't exist and moments through which characters can transform before our eyes.

Aspiring and experience writers, actors and storytellers alike will discover a powerful new key to unlock any character they seek to develop, write or portray. They may even unlock a deeper understanding of themselves.

"The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters" includes: The first in-depth study of the essential principles that will redefine the way storytellers understand their characters and themselves; Essential insights into the forces that create character; Dozens of examples of character-defining moments from film, television, theater and literature; An exploration of pivotol moments: birth, death, discovery, decision-making, injury and healing; An examination of how writers and actors employ defining moments in their deepest and most unforgettable works; Insights into how directors, editors, cinematographers and composers dramatize key moments.

Also featured are: Practical exercises for defining and redefining character; Tips for discovering the moments that matter most; Deeply personal stories from the authors' lives to illustrate the variety of moments that define us.

Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters" is an extraordinary DIY instructional guide and 'how to' manual specifically designed for every storyteller in every medium. Redefining the way they understand their characters and themselves, and also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.64), "The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters" is a critically important and enduringly valued addition to personal, professional,
community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing and Theatrical Acting collections.

Editorial Note #1: Christopher Riley is a professional screenwriter who co-wrote with his wife Kathy Riley the award-winning German language courtroom thriller After the Truth. The Rileys have written scripts for Disney's Touchstone Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Mandalay Television Pictures, the late Sean Connery's Fountainbridge Films and Robert Cort Productions. Christopher produced the independent action-thriller Red Line and executive produced the web series Bump+. He is the author of the classic screenplay format guide The Hollywood Standard, now in its third edition, and teaches screenwriting at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Editorial Note #2: Kathy Riley co-wrote the award-winning feature film After the Truth. In addition to her work as a writer for Touchstone Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Mandalay Television Pictures, Fountainbridge Films and Robert Cort Productions, Kathy holds a master's degree in public health and has worked extensively on behalf of families of children diagnosed with brain tumors. She also holds a certification of professional achievement in narrative medicine from Columbia University.



"The Midwest Book Review Postage Stamp Hall Of Fame & Appreciation" is a monthly 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 to our postage stamp fund this past month:

Kristene Smith
Matthew Hartle
David Rothman
Pauline Judy Kelley
J. Kilburn -- "Before"
Carol Van Den Hende -- "Goodbye, Orchid"
Rob Couteau -- "A Blind Man Crazy for Color"
Lynn Johanson -- "Havana Brown: A Joe Erickson Mystery"
Waterbear Publishing
Web Of Life Children's Books

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 at www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/jimcox.htm. 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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