Why Did Omar Burn Down The Alexandria Library?

Often when observing the human race, members of our online think tank have pondered the question; has the human race for gotten more than it has ever learned? And this is an interesting topic because so often we say that those who fail to understand their history are doomed to repeat it. One has to ask what Omar was thinking when he ordered the Alexandria ancient library burned to the ground? Why did he do it?

Successful Self-Publishing

Self Publishing is a challenging task for many authors. All the hard work put in by the author to bring her book to shape is just he tip of the iceberg. She has to then find a trusted printer to print her books. The hardest part will be to get the books into the limelight. For this a carefully structured marketing plan is an absolute must for the commercial viability and success of the author's book project.

Celebrity Book Signing

After submitting your book proposal and signing with a book publisher, it's time to promote your book.

The Rewards of Attention to Authors

Treating your authors like people and not just like ISBNs, book covers and numbers on a ledger sheet.

How to Write a Sales Letter to Effectively Promote Your E-book

Once you've written your e-book, you will spend nine times as much energy promoting it as you did writing it. Following are five areas you should cover in your sales letter to promote your e-book.

How to Get Your Book Rejected, Part Three

In a large publishing house like Bantam or Kensington, literally thousands of manuscripts are sent annually by aspiring and established authors seeking publication. For the small press pub or eBook publisher, there could be hundreds of queries and submissions sent each year or, depending upon popularity, each month. Having to wade through all this prose, whether in hard copy or onscreen, can put great strain on the eyes. When you think of how quickly these editors need to fill publication schedules, that is a lot of work to read non-stop.

How's Your Book Marketing Working?

Did you get all the book sales you wanted last year? Think about the time, effort and money you invested. Which one's paid off? Which were losers? Look over last year and write your marketing duds and successes down!

Tight Writing Is The Way To A Publisher's Heart

All publishers have more works to choose from right now than ever before. The only way you will impress them is by being different, and through good tight writing. Write, rewrite and rewrite again. Try these ideas to liven up your work and never be deterred by rejection.

Attract Publishers With Your Talent

The slushpiles in publishers’ offices are higher than ever before, worse than that, they are getting taller by the day, and if you hope to avoid them, you have to grab the publisher's or agent’s attention, with the sheer force of your talent. Try these tips to help you on your way...

A Writer's Journey Part 1 - Getting Started

Phew! I have just finished writing my eighteenth manuscript in a series of children’s adventure books. What a triumph of mind over matter!

Can Authors Really Earn A Living Writing Through Self Publishing?

Is is still possible for writers to publish themselves and earn a living doing it?

Reality Check:Anyone Can Be a Published Author

The self-publishing industry has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to advances in digital printing, and of course the Internet as a promotional and sales tool. Like many other Internet-driven opportunities, the self-publishing field is fraught with hazards and wrapped in confusion. These days, it's so easy; anyone can be a published author. Self-publishing is the way, and marketing is the key.

The Berge Istra, A Sad But True Story

In 1971 I was the senior surgeon on the P&O liner Orcades. It was coming home from Australia time. 24 hours out of Freemantle in the middle of the night there was a summons to the Radio Room for an urgent medical consultation with an unnamed ship’s master

How to Know if You Need a Book Publicist and What to Expect Once You Get One

If you've recently written a book, now you need to decide whether or not you should hire a book publicist.

Selling Your Published Book - Writing is the Easy Part

After spending hundreds of hours writing, editing, and organizing your book, you don't want to experience lackluster sales that discourage you from future writing endeavors, so you need to learn a little something about how to sell your book too.