| hat is a UPC barcode? And how does it work? | |
 | Universal Product Codes (also known as GTIN-12) appear as lines (bars) of varying widths representing the series of numbers commonly shown below the bars. Barcode scanners, as you will know them from your favorite retailers, read the bars and convert them back to the 12-digit UPC number that they represent. This number is then looked up within the retailer's inventory system to find the corresponding product name and price that you provided them with when you signed your agreement for them to carry your product. In short, the UPC is a 12-digit unique code for your product represented by scannable bars. |
Thursday, June 30, 2011
UPC Codes? vs ISBN#???
UPC Code ''
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Lightning Source--Experiences?
Have you worked with LS for Print on Demand books? How do they compare to CreateSapce?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Piney D Press: Drum Roll!!! thrum pum pum pum!!!
Piney D Press: Drum Roll!!! thrum pum pum pum!!!: "Have you sent us your submission yet? Why not? We are accepting submissions for a new anthology--poetry, essays, articles, and more! Pl..."
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Why self publish?
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is currently making the rounds with his new memoir, "Katrina's Secrets: Storms After The Storm." In it, he has made assertions and given behind-the-scenes glimpses into why and how decision may (or may not) have been made. This is not an endorsement of either Mr. Nagin or his book. That's for you to decide. I want to mention something he said in one of his stops regarding publishing.
In his interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jon asked him why he went with CreateSpace (Amazon.) Nagin said that he did shop it around to major publishers, but felt that he would "lose his voice" and not be able to express himself in the way he felt was most true to his message.
If you are wanting to publish a book, CreateSpace is only one of many avenues to explore. Shop around, ask others who have published, and do your homework to see what is the best fit for you. Maybe a major house is the way to go. However, don't let your voice and your message be silenced by anyone. There are too many options for us authors.
Happy writing!
William
In his interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jon asked him why he went with CreateSpace (Amazon.) Nagin said that he did shop it around to major publishers, but felt that he would "lose his voice" and not be able to express himself in the way he felt was most true to his message.
If you are wanting to publish a book, CreateSpace is only one of many avenues to explore. Shop around, ask others who have published, and do your homework to see what is the best fit for you. Maybe a major house is the way to go. However, don't let your voice and your message be silenced by anyone. There are too many options for us authors.
Happy writing!
William
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Writers website--what every writers site needs --from Writers Digest
WHAT EVERY WRITER’S SITE NEEDS
Now that you have the scoop on how to build a site (or have one built), what do you do about the content? “Your site is to establish who you are, what your niche is and what separates you from the other authors out there,” Jacobsen says.
Here are the must-haves (or, in some cases, nice-to-haves) for a site that will wow editors and readers:
• All about you. Somewhere on your site—whether it’s the front page or an “About Me” page—should be a bio that lets editors and readers know who you are and that you’ve got the goods. On the main page of my site, I tell readers I “wear more hats than your old aunt Millie,” and then give a brief roundup of what I offer, from articles to e-courses, with links to the relevant pages. My brief bio also appears on the “Media” page.
• Your contact information. Don’t forget to tell people how they can contact you. “If the content on your site is appealing to an editor or publisher but they can’t easily find your contact information, that’s bad,” Spykerman says. “A dedicated contact page is important. Repeat that information on the home page.” An e-mail address or e-mail form is the minimum you should provide. You can include your phone number as well. Google’s GrandCentral service (grandcentral.com), which is currently in the beta stages, offers one number that can ring your office and cell phones while hiding your real numbers.
• A picture of you. While not obligatory, a photo is a nice perk to include on your site. “I felt it would be easier for editors to associate with me as a person,” says journalist Debbie Abrams Kaplan (kaplanink.com). Her photo was professionally done; while getting family photos taken, she had the photographer take a few solo shots of her.
• A press page. If you’re selling a book, a press page can make it easy for the media to spread the word about you and your product. “At a minimum you want your book announcement press release, some biographical information about the author, a graphic of the book cover and a headshot,” says Sandra Beckwith, who has three websites including one for her book Publicity for Nonprofits (nonprofitpublicity.com).
• Testimonials. Testimonials and reviews can give you even more credibility than you naturally have. “Other people can say things about your qualities that you can’t say yourself,” Kaplan says. “It means more than if I were to say the same thing.” How to get them? Ask! Your favorite editors will likely be flattered that you asked them for a testimonial. If it’s a book you’re plugging, include positive reviews you’ve garnered; Scotch’s “Ask Allison,” for example, includes reviews on several pages of her site.
• Samples of your work. To pique editors’ and readers’ interest, include sample chapters, your table of contents or clips of your articles. You can display clips in different ways: as text on your site, as downloadable PDF or Microsoft Word files, as links to online articles or even as password-protected documents so only the people you choose get a peek. Spykerman recommends having at least some of your clips as text-only on your website, as this gives search engines more text to scan (so you may come up higher in search results); also, some editors may not like spending the time to open a downloadable clip. In addition, avoid having too many links to outside sites, as the links may change and turn up an error message when editors click them.
• Buying 411. If you’re selling a book, be sure to have a way people can snap it up right then and there, whether it’s through a form on your site or a link to your book’s page on Amazon.com.
• Personality. Included in the bio of freelance writer Judi Ketteler (judiketteler.com) is this statement: “A former gymnast, I also judge gymnastics and have been known to tumble in the backyard on occasion.” Don’t be afraid to let your personality show on your website.
Now that you have the scoop on how to build a site (or have one built), what do you do about the content? “Your site is to establish who you are, what your niche is and what separates you from the other authors out there,” Jacobsen says.
Here are the must-haves (or, in some cases, nice-to-haves) for a site that will wow editors and readers:
• All about you. Somewhere on your site—whether it’s the front page or an “About Me” page—should be a bio that lets editors and readers know who you are and that you’ve got the goods. On the main page of my site, I tell readers I “wear more hats than your old aunt Millie,” and then give a brief roundup of what I offer, from articles to e-courses, with links to the relevant pages. My brief bio also appears on the “Media” page.
• Your contact information. Don’t forget to tell people how they can contact you. “If the content on your site is appealing to an editor or publisher but they can’t easily find your contact information, that’s bad,” Spykerman says. “A dedicated contact page is important. Repeat that information on the home page.” An e-mail address or e-mail form is the minimum you should provide. You can include your phone number as well. Google’s GrandCentral service (grandcentral.com), which is currently in the beta stages, offers one number that can ring your office and cell phones while hiding your real numbers.
• A picture of you. While not obligatory, a photo is a nice perk to include on your site. “I felt it would be easier for editors to associate with me as a person,” says journalist Debbie Abrams Kaplan (kaplanink.com). Her photo was professionally done; while getting family photos taken, she had the photographer take a few solo shots of her.
• A press page. If you’re selling a book, a press page can make it easy for the media to spread the word about you and your product. “At a minimum you want your book announcement press release, some biographical information about the author, a graphic of the book cover and a headshot,” says Sandra Beckwith, who has three websites including one for her book Publicity for Nonprofits (nonprofitpublicity.com).
• Testimonials. Testimonials and reviews can give you even more credibility than you naturally have. “Other people can say things about your qualities that you can’t say yourself,” Kaplan says. “It means more than if I were to say the same thing.” How to get them? Ask! Your favorite editors will likely be flattered that you asked them for a testimonial. If it’s a book you’re plugging, include positive reviews you’ve garnered; Scotch’s “Ask Allison,” for example, includes reviews on several pages of her site.
• Samples of your work. To pique editors’ and readers’ interest, include sample chapters, your table of contents or clips of your articles. You can display clips in different ways: as text on your site, as downloadable PDF or Microsoft Word files, as links to online articles or even as password-protected documents so only the people you choose get a peek. Spykerman recommends having at least some of your clips as text-only on your website, as this gives search engines more text to scan (so you may come up higher in search results); also, some editors may not like spending the time to open a downloadable clip. In addition, avoid having too many links to outside sites, as the links may change and turn up an error message when editors click them.
• Buying 411. If you’re selling a book, be sure to have a way people can snap it up right then and there, whether it’s through a form on your site or a link to your book’s page on Amazon.com.
• Personality. Included in the bio of freelance writer Judi Ketteler (judiketteler.com) is this statement: “A former gymnast, I also judge gymnastics and have been known to tumble in the backyard on occasion.” Don’t be afraid to let your personality show on your website.
Piney D Press: Time Is Ticking Away!!! Send us your submissions t...
Piney D Press: Time Is Ticking Away!!! Send us your submissions t...: "Open Call for Submissions Cult Anthology Your definition of cult Your experience or Your viewpoint Essays, articles, poems and mor..."
Live Love and Write!: New Agent Seeking Submissions
Live Love and Write!: New Agent Seeking Submissions: "New Agent Alert: Stephanie Sun of Weed Literary Posted by Chuck Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because t..."
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Tag! Your Book is IT! FREE!
Does Your Book Need Attention?
f so, The Critic's Bookshelf allows you to showcase your book in a monthly email listing to book reviewers at print and Internet magazines, daily and community newspapers, television and radio stations, bloggers, Amazon reviewers, and more - nearly 1,200 book reviewers in total!
Your book listing will include a front cover image, your 100-word description, and your contact information. Reviewers will be in touch with you directly should they wish to see a copy of your book. We ask only that you make a limited number of complimentary review copies available for reviewers - if they don't get to see the book, they can't comment on it! This program is very cost effective - much less expensive and more efficient than mailing 100s of review copies to individuals who may not have time to look at them. For as little as $179 for a one-time run, or to make a stronger impact, just $430 for 3 appearances, your book will be introduced to our extensive list of book reviewers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
We never know which books will garner the most attention, but we do know that publishers who do nothing for notice, generally dont' see much in return. Don't be one of those publishers who is afraid to invest marketing dollars. Give your book the chance it deserves and register today, www.TheCriticsBookshelf.com.
Publishing Success Programs offered by Jenkins Group
Your book listing will include a front cover image, your 100-word description, and your contact information. Reviewers will be in touch with you directly should they wish to see a copy of your book. We ask only that you make a limited number of complimentary review copies available for reviewers - if they don't get to see the book, they can't comment on it! This program is very cost effective - much less expensive and more efficient than mailing 100s of review copies to individuals who may not have time to look at them. For as little as $179 for a one-time run, or to make a stronger impact, just $430 for 3 appearances, your book will be introduced to our extensive list of book reviewers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
We never know which books will garner the most attention, but we do know that publishers who do nothing for notice, generally dont' see much in return. Don't be one of those publishers who is afraid to invest marketing dollars. Give your book the chance it deserves and register today, www.TheCriticsBookshelf.com.
Publishing Success Programs offered by Jenkins Group
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