May 20, 2013

ASK RON: What do you think about Penguin purchasing Author Solutions?

Douglas_MacArthur_lands_Leyte1

Gen. Douglas MacArthur paves the way for the purchase of Author Solutions by Penguin Books. I held off answering this question for a bit until I could develop a solid opinion. At this point I’m not even sure if the check has cleared and Penguin isn’t showing any of their cards. The way I see it, this could either be a really good move for … [Read more...]

ASK RON: What is the most important thing I need to understand about Self-Publishing prior to publishing my book?

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The most important thing that an author needs to know, prior to self-publishing is the function of the ISBN and why it is so important that it be owned by the self-publisher. I recently gave a seminar at the Unicorn Writers Conference on this as well as many other of the “basics” of self-publishing. The seminar is only an hour and is presented … [Read more...]

The Printed Book is Here to Stay – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Ohio

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As many of you know, I have been a bit “under wraps” since this time last year. Over that year, there have been quite a few technology changes … all seemingly pointing to the demise of the printed book. Within a few short days and about 5 hours hanging around airports, I’m convinced that the printed book is here to stay. About two weeks … [Read more...]

The Corporate Kiss

KISS

Again I stand on the verge of a familiar milestone with an unfamiliar wisdom. Feverishly I type away the midnight oil with the sounds of tapping on laptop keys. “The End” will bless the final page of my second novel and I cannot help but to dwell on the journey before this one. I cannot help but to think about the insightful dialogue I’ve had … [Read more...]

Three Daytona 500 Publishing Lessons

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Welcome to the Coach's Corner! Despite the fact that I’m a bit of a car geek, I wouldn’t call myself a race fan. But this year’s Daytona 500 was really something to watch—if you could manage to keep track of when it was being run and broadcast. It brought to mind the unpredictable nature of life and all things we attempt to organize. Three … [Read more...]

ASK RON: “My Books Are Not Right!”

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“My Books Arrived From the Printer and They Are Not Right. What Can I Do?” The first thing that comes to mind when someone asks this question is a concept dating back to Ancient Babylon and shared by most of the world’s religions commonly known as the “Golden Rule” … “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This holds … [Read more...]

The Vanity Publishing Shell Game

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Chances are you’ve see the shell game scam in action. Maybe you played it with your friends. Maybe you saw a professional offering it at a carnival, a park, or on a street corner. You try your hand to see if you can follow the shell or the cup with the ball better than the person shuffling them can cause you to lose track of it. You’re always … [Read more...]