Pneuma Books: Book Development & Design for Publishers

My Resolution

2011-01-05T14:51:00.005-05:00

Cover & Interior Design: Pneuma Books

My resolution for 2011 is simply this... to save readers and writers from bad books. Lofty? Probably. Let me narrow it down then...

The publishing landscape has changed dramatically through social media, e-books, and POD publishing. Authors have lots of opportunity to publish. As a result, readers have lots of opportunity to become victims of poorly produced content, and publishing authors have lots of opportunity to become victimized by the methods they've chosen to produce, publish, market, and distribute their book.

So perhaps my mission is to save readers and writers from bad books, and my resolution is to continue to produce award-winning books and to continue to help authors and publishers succeed in their plans to publish those books competitively. "But Brian, it's not really a resolution if it's something you do on an ongoing basis each year!," you say? Yes it is, and here is why...

Five years ago, our company, along with only a handful of publishing experts, were leading the industry in assisting writers and publishers with information and services for publishing, book-making, writing, book marketing, book manufacturing, book distribution, etc., And we were easily findable online. In contrast, today's Internet is heavily populated with DIY'ers who've published in a variety of ways, and predatory companies, espousing all kinds of advice on publishing and offering all kinds of publishing services for writers. I'm all for freedom of information and capitalist ventures, but the wrong advice or the wrong service can lead to a really bad outcome for the writer who intends to publish. So I resolve to comb through today's information and services so I can sort it all out, clarify it, weed it, and use it to continue to help writers make smart choices that best fit their publishing intentions. That has always been our goal at Pneuma Books, and it's getting more difficult in today's marketplace -- and that's why it's a resolution.

In doing so, we will save readers and writers from bad books by producing great books. By helping publishing writers understand today's publishing options, we'll help them create better books and bring them to market properly. We will save readers and writers from bad books.

Stop Looking Down Your Nose at Self-Publishing...

2011-01-04T14:51:00.004-05:00

... and start looking down the road to the potential and hope it holds, as the publishing and bookselling world continues to collapse in on itself. Bloated, mismanaged, shortsighted, and in economic peril, the booktrade can't possibly sustain itself. Publishers and booksellers were already struggling in previously GOOD economic times.

Compared to the traditional publishing model, self-publishing quality books and ebooks, marketing them through social media, and selling them via online retailers, appears to be more attractive and more lucrative, if it is done well. As it stands, there is only a 1-to-3 percent chance a first-time writer will be picked up by a publisher anyway, unless the writer is a celebrity. Available, faster, more control, micro-markets, 100% of the net profit, vs vanquished hopes and dreams or paltry payouts? I'll take the former.

Why am I ranting? Read the Publisher's Weekly article on the flailing and near-bankrupt Borders' desperate attempt to muscle publishers into accepting notes or bonds for previously purchased product, and demand longer payment periods (already 120 days) for future purchases. Bear in mind, PW, an industry mag for Publishers and Booksellers, mentions NOTHING --not even a nod to-- how this will affect a publisher's payout to it's author... which will only be adverse.

Read the PW article by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/TheDeathOfPublishing

I'm interested in YOUR thoughts...

...with a little help from my friends...

2011-01-03T14:55:00.000-05:00

52 Great Blogs for Self-Publishers

There are many ways to do a thing. That means there are many ways to do a thing incorrectly and a few ways to really do it properly. If you are considering writing or publishing a book, it it important you spend some time learning about the environment of writing, publishing and book marketing.

The internet is a sea of information that includes both helpful info and bad advice on this topic. I came across a very helpful blog from a book designer that listed 52 other helpful blogs that discuss writing, publishing, digital transition, marketing, etc. I have visited many of these blogs myself, so I mostly approve the list.

I am truly grateful this list exists. Choosing a place to begin can often be the hardest part. This list makes that task a bit easier.

Click here to go to 52 Great Blogs for Self-Publishers

Your Holiday Gift from Pneuma Books...

2010-12-24T23:26:00.005-05:00

Click here for your free downloadable

Holiday Gift from Pneuma Books!

Happy Holidays from Pneuma Books! We look forward to 2011 with you as we revamp our website and info products, and continue to serve you with award-winning editorial and book design services.

Here is a little free gift from us for the holidays... This free download, titled "The Editorial Process," discusses what is involved in writing a book. Learn some of the first critical steps a writer takes to create a well-developed book. Learn what to expect in the book editing process and how book editors edit books. Learn how to plan your book content for your market and your audience. Learn how to build in turnkey book marketing content that can be repurposed for book promotion material. Also includes guidebook resources on writing and editing. Here is what is included:

Book resources on writing and editing
Writer's support
Content preparation
Market examination
Explaining full editorial processes
Further resources

NOTE: This report is currently being updated and some of the older links may no longer be in operation. It also contains out-of-date Pneuma Books contact info. Our current contact info is:

Telephone: 410-441-8200
Email (click)

Happy Holidays from Pneuma Books!

Part 1: Bookstores Suck...

2010-12-22T15:42:00.001-05:00

...up all your potential publishing profit and energy. And good luck getting your book into them if you are a small press. Many publishers and self-publishing writers dream of getting that book on the shelf. My advice: follow your dreams, but understand they are dreams. Some dreams are fabulous fantasies and others are nightmares. Both are true of selling books in bookstores for reasons I won't go into on this blog post.

So why ever write a book if you can't sell it in a store? Because you CAN sell it many other ways. That realization is probably the first step to becoming a successful author.

Too many writers write a book with marketing as an afterthought. Your book marketing plan should begin while you are writing your book. In today's social networking environment, this is both natural and easy.

Blogging and linking it to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. is the avenue to building an audience for your book and should be a regular part of your writing regimen. As an example, social networking has changed the paradigm for the music industry today. Signed and Unsigned musicians alike post new songs, collaborations, old songs, and thoughts on music on a wide variety of social internet sites so that they can connect with listeners, and get them involved with music projects. This works... it's called word of mouth. A fancier term is "viral marketing." You can create customers if you can get them to be a part of your special culture.

Chances are, as a writer, you are doing research and following current events within your specialty. And you are connected to others who share your interests. Most likely, you are using the internet to do that. If so, you are one step away from developing a strong marketing machine.

Consider how your image as a writer changes when you begin posting links to relevant news articles and other sources of info on your Blog, Twitter, and Facebook. You are an expert... and that's what experts do. Lead others into the discussion. (That discussion alone is valuable to your writing and research.) By creating a dynamic online environment, you create a following. Your following spreads the word. This is effective marketing.

If you do not have a blog, make one. If you do not have a Facebook page, make one.
A few obvious benefits of having a Blog that is linked to FB and Twitter:

Increase your online findability on Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.
Post excerpts of your writing to increase interest or solicit feedback
Use polls and post questions to collect feedback for your writing research
Stay in touch with your interested audience... remind them you exist.
Post updates about your project
Use the events features to announce your readings or workshops
Persuade your followers to share your posts with their followers
Post direct buy-links for your book from Amazon or BN.com

The point of all of this is to build a presence online so people can find you and learn about your book. If your following grows and grows, you may become a speaker, or write articles for a magazine or website. All of it is free advertising for your book.

Does any of this translate into direct sales? Maybe not... but what choice do you really have and how do you know if you don't try.

I like an author named Jack Kornfield. I found him on Facebook and "liked" his Facebook Page. Now, I am an important part of the Jack Kornfield culture. I participate in online discussions. I found his Blog. I get announcements on his new articles, books, and events. I am considering buying his "Guided Meditations" audio product. Does it translate into sales? It did between us. I could go to the bookstore to buy it... but I'm just going to click a link and enter my discount code instead.

I stumbled upon an amateur musician who posted a video on YouTube of himself playing an acoustic cover of a song I really like. I searched for this guy on Facebook and found him. I learned he self-produced an LP of original songs. I am considering buying it. There he was... just an ordinary guy with a day job and a CD for sale in the sea of humanity... and we found each other. And now I am going give him money for his music (which I can't find in the store.)

Part 2 will discuss this topic more in depth.... if I ever write it.

Please leave your comments and questions! And if you are interested in having a one-on-one consultation with me, you can schedule an appointment by emailing me.

Learn more about what we do by visiting our Services page on this site.

How do YOU spell Vacuum?

2010-12-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

Day after day, year after year, one primary issue continues to thwart the success of new writers: writing in a vacuum. By nature, writing is a solitary affair, and that is why many writers enjoy it.

If you are writing for your own enjoyment, you are a private writer. If you are writing something you intend to publish, you must become a public writer. You must be willing to share your work with writing professionals to benefit from feedback and advice.

When reviewing manuscripts submitted to us for our free manuscript critique, it is easy to discern if the material has ever been reviewed by a third party. If it has not, it's usually plagued by the most common writing errors. Those errors can be avoided or remedied, if a writer has the benefit of instruction and feedback from the start.

So here is my simple advice for writers... enjoy the solitude of your craft; but join a writers group. When asked, many writers admit that they do not belong to a writers group. A group can help you avoid common writing mistakes, review your ideas, offer inspiration, critique your writing, offer writing seminars and conference, and offer advice for beginners from seasoned writers.

True, it is frightening to expose yourself to strangers and risk a bad review of your writing. But that bad review just might improve your writing and help you avoid flat-out rejection by agents and publishers.

Even if you decide not to share your writing within a group, join a group! Their discussion alone will be instructional and insprirational.

Here are some helpful links to finding writers groups, conferences, and resources:

http://www.forwriters.com/groups.html

http://writing.shawguides.com/

http://www.writermag.com/groups.aspx?page=list

NOTE: We are currently not critiquing works of fiction or poetry. If you are interested in a free critique for your nonfiction, please submit your manuscript to us here.

Pneuma Books offers a wide variety of services to writers and publishers. Obtain an estimate for your project here.

Coming soon...

2010-12-10T17:31:00.000-05:00

A brand new interactive blogsite from Pneuma Books, featuring:

opinion on writing and design issues
live publishing news
free how-to information & downloads
portfolio updates
manuscript critiques
interactive features

So stay tuned... and keep writing!