The Self-Publishing Insider: Your Self-Publishing Blog for the Latest Tips, Trends, and News

Why You Should Become a Mentor

2012-01-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

By: Hanna Kjeldbjerg
(Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

Mentoring authors has been the guiding principle of Beaver’s Pond Press since its beginning in 1998. Since our start, we have challenged over five hundred authors to believe in their capability, vision, and potential in a friendly, nurturing environment. The Oxford English Dictionary describes a mentor as “an experienced and trusted counselor or friend", and we believe this is what sets us apart. Many of us are fortunate to recall individuals who were very important in our life to date and influenced us to do something better or different. At Beaver's Pond Press, we make it a priority to put friendship back into the author-publisher dynamic, forgoing the authority of a boss for the personal investment of a friend.

We want our authors to become bestsellers, not because we profit from their sales like royalty presses, but because we gain personal satisfaction from knowing we helped amplify their voice. When we see an author that shines especially hard, we want to help them achieve greatness because—as passionate readers and writers ourselves—we know how it feels to have a story to tell, and are committed to releasing the brightest lights from bound notebooks and tightly sealed word documents. With each author's success we gain valuable experience as publishers, and it is through this process of symbiotic growth that authors come to feel like family. By placing our focus on people instead of the bottom line, we hope to make the publishing process enjoyable and help our authors achieve the greatness we know is within reach.

So, our challenge to you in this New Year is to become a mentor yourself. Reach out to a budding author, a friend with dreams of being published, or a student interested in writing. Find someone who reminds you of yourself before you became a published author, and plant seeds of hope in them by supporting their dreams. You might not be able to offer them much besides your experience and encouragement, but in an intimidating field such as publishing where everything seems insurmountable, support can make all the difference.

In today’s literary climate where personalized author platforms are more important than ever, authors are encouraged to become active on social media sites, reaching out to hundreds of strangers in the hopes of developing a fan base. Investing in one individual can prove to be just as effective as utilizing social media sites, and infinitely more rewarding. If you truly care and work to empower a hopeful writer, you will most likely uncover a fan—and friend— for life, who will promote your work with honesty based on genuine affection. And who knows? If one day, they produce the next bestseller, it might feel just as fulfilling as if you had written it yourself—friendship is funny like that.

Oftentimes, the best successes are those you help others find. There is an unparalleled joy in giving, and each of us has the potential to change a life. It’s a symbiotic relationship, as well—you can inspire and simultaneously be inspired, infuse your writing with a fresh perspective while helping your mentee gain direction. Reach out—you won’t regret it.

This Black Friday, Don't Just Sell Your Book-- Give Goodwill

2011-11-18T10:58:00.001-08:00

By: Hanna Kjeldbjerg

(Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

Althoughthere is a general consensus on the no-Christmas-until-after-Thanksgiving rule,eager stores have already begun setting up holiday displays, and even I have tocatch myself from prematurely humming Christmas tunes. However, Black Friday isright around the corner ready to heave us into the holiday craze with a heartywallop of consumerism. There is nothinglike a hefty discount to induce holiday shopping, and no better time to marketyour book.

Browsethe paper for local stores or self-owned businesses advertising Black Fridaysales, and contact them requesting the opportunity to set up a table in theirstore. You don’t have to slash your prices to draw customers because they willalready be lining up for the store’s sales. Be the face of humanity in the midst of consumerist chaos; offer amoment of peace and amiable interaction for the shoppers who have been waitingin lines since 3:00 AM and rushing from bargain to bargain. Anyone who hasexperienced the madness of Black Friday knows that a smile from a stranger canmean a lot when you’ve been manhandled and elbowed on the quest for deals allmorning.

Be theanti-Grinch. Make sure you’re stocked up on bookmarks (or even take thetime to make your own by hand) and sign the back with an inspirational message.Pass your good wishes onto strangers as gifts without pushing your book on themtoo hard. If you can offer a moment of pure goodwill on a day that is drenchedin self-interest and sales, they will remember you and find you later on yourwebsite. Let potential customers approach you instead of appealing to them asthey rush out the door. Have a sign-up sheet out, and encourage people to writedown their email address for more information. At the end of the day, send anemail congratulating them on making it through the day, and provide a link toyour website.

Designa humorous sign that pokes fun at the stress of Black Friday: “Tired of gettingjostled? Slow down for an autographed copy of ____”; “Even a Black Fridaywarrior deserves a break. Slow down for an autographed copy of ____ withcomplementary encouragement.” Consider offering coffee or tea or putting out abasket of Hershey’s kisses. Make sure you offer some to the cashiers and storeclerks—they deserve it more than anyone!

Doyou have any ideas for how to market your book this holiday season?

Literature's New Frontier

2011-11-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

By: Hanna Kjeldbjerg

(Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

Technologyin the publishing world has hit like a monsoon, and we are caught in its winds,suddenly suspended thirty feet in the air and left wondering how to maneuver.In the past, we were bound to a single plane, location asphyxiatingopportunity, audience limited to physical reach. Now we can leave behind ourdimensional existence, distill ourselves into jpegs and html and multi-media,transient non-objects that endure both in spite of and owing to their capacityfor nimble adaptation. The question is,as authors and publishers, can we keep up?

JessicaAnthony and Rodrigo Corral’s Chopsticksis one of the best examples of the innovative spirit showing itself in today’scutting-edge book sphere. In this book, Glory, a piano prodigy, hasdisappeared, and Chopsticks detailsthe events leading up to her disappearance to let the reader uncover why. Gloryhad thrown herself into her music ever since the death of her mother, due inpart to the firm insistence of her overbearing father. When the artistic Frankmoved next door, an unexpected relationship blooms between the two teenagers,dropping the bottom out of Glory’s fine-tuned world. The closer they become,and the more Glory’s father tries to stand in the way, Glory finds herselfunable to play anything but the song Chopsticks,the F and G notes moving closer together, then farther apart, representing herrelationship with Frank.

But the gold is not embedded in the story,but in the way it is communicated.

This8’ x 9.5’ book relies almost completely on images weighted with meaning toconduct the narrative, alternating between poignant photographs, newspaperclippings, instant messages, letters, frozen shots of television screens, andobjects displayed on the page. Taking advantage of the two-page spread, imagessplay across the wide expanse, the pages opening to unfasten a specific worldthat can be held in hands, rested on a lap, and relayed completely in a waythat traditional books cannot. Oftentimes a single object, or an artisticphotograph accentuating the light and shadows of a scene, generate plot aseffectively as an entire block of text could, and in a way that obliges thereader to actively interact. The reader must notice the subtle nuances, thehints hidden in the corners of photographs, and pay attention to the elementsthat repeat, revealing robust symbols intentionally tucked away in the pages. Chopsticksdemands an attentiveness where many traditional texts have become subjectto skimming.

Andthen there’s the media. Frankand Glory’s IM conversations include links to Youtube videos the reader mustcopy into a web browser to fully engage with the narrative. They exchange mixedCDs with playlists for the reader to track down and play as soundtracks to thestory. On an e-reader, these links are just a click away, but the experience of steppingback from Glory’s world to type in the web addresses was revitalizing—it showedme how deeply I had become entangled in the narrative.

And then there’s the accessibility. Becauseof the book’s size and use of images to capture charged moments, I was able toshare the entire reading experience—cover to cover—with my friendsimultaneously reading by my side. I have never before had the opportunity tointeract to this extent not only with the book itself, but in dialogue with acompanion, each of us pointing out symbols the other might have missed, and speculatingon their intention. When we finished, with the playlists played out and thecover closed, we agreed it was aground-breaking, earth-shattering book—and that I would have to write ablog on the way it demolished conventionand shook the foundation that the traditional book format has ruled over fortoo long.

Inthe words of the smart and sassy ladies of Minneapolis’ Paper Darts literarymagazine, “the publishing industry is not dying, it is evolving. And we’regoing to evolve with it (natural selection, baby).” While so many have been bemoaning the looming death of print culture,those wise enough to look outside the box can see that it is not collapsing. Wehave simply reached the threshold of the new frontier. As a culture, we arebeginning to expect to a multidimensional experience, which demands interactionbeyond imagination.

Authors,bloggers, publishers, and readers: Think of yourself as a pioneer. You will needto have a solid plan of action (we don’t want anyone to end up like the Donnerparty), but you might need to climb some mountains before finding that sweetspot. As members of the literary community, although we must refuse to let thetraditional book wither from existence, we can no longer be satisfied with asingle format when a new dawn is breaking on the horizon. Embrace the evolution of the mediums we use, and break through to theother side. Think beyond the book.

Hiding Inside Covers: How to Set Your Writing Free

2011-09-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

By Hanna Kjeldbjerg (Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

Althoughthe skill of silent reading has become a cultural expectation, it was notalways so. Paul Saenger, author of SpaceBetween Words: The Origins of Silent Reading, cites the seventh centuryAD as a turning point; before then, texts were composed in continuous script,and the lack of word separation forced ancient readers to read slowly and outloud in order to comprehend meaning.

Ancientreading was public, and largely performative, while today reading is considereda personal experience. Interruptions are usually not appreciated by thoseengrossed in a text because reading has become a private interaction. Outsideof children’s books, reading out loud has fallen to the wayside, despite theserious benefits it can provide. The lightning-fast pace of today’s worldextends to reading, and while we can read more rapidly in silence than out loud,this practice oftentimes leads to skimming a text compared to absorbing itfully.

Writinghas experienced a similar privatization. We enclose our words between covers,concealed within journals and kept safe from the judgment of outside observersuntil they are polished raw. We write in haste, scribbling ideas down knowingthat the opportunity to edit prolongs the expectation of perfection. But what potentialdo we waste hiding inside covers, skimming over some of our most poignantthoughts and well-crafted sentences because it is a rough-draft? We donot have to wait for publication to write publicly, and freeing your words froma bound journal is the first step.

Tryarranging prose on a post-it note. Let your words hang suspended on the wallsof your home, able to interact with everyone and be critiqued by anyone. Hang your sentences up like artwork,and examine how this change of setting makes you feel, how it makes the wordsdance. Does it affect the way you write, the tempo of creation? Do you findyourself striving for personal achievement, sentences you can be proud of, togain the approval of an audience? Words left out in the open feel permanent andintentional—somehow offering more than they do in a journal— and are constantlypoised for the flight to inquiring eyes.

Experiment with boldness and explore exhibitionisttendencies. Let the words that pop into your head immediately fly into thepublic realm, and compare these to the ones you purposefully shape knowing theywill be displayed on colorful squares around your home. Use this as a tool todetermine your authorial voice: how do your sentences speak as they stare fromtheir perch on the wall? Leave tricky arrangements hanging for a week, and seewhat alterations you’re dying to make after spending time with them. Movingyour writing from desk to wall will allow you to consider the visual aestheticof your sentences, just like reading out loud reveals problems in syntax, tone,and emphasis. Examine whether your words pack a succinct punch or lose urgencyby the conclusion. Insist upon excellence; every sentence should shine like itwill stand alone, even if it will be one of many on a page.

Writingand reading have developed as an internalization of conscience when this isonly part of their existence. Just like withreading, “writing out loud” will allow writers to savor their writing in a waythat cannot be experienced on a page within a journal. And who knows—maybeonce your words have been released, they will soar.

Back-to-School Shopping For Your Book: Should You Re-Release?

2011-08-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

By Hanna Kjeldbjerg (Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

It’s that time of year again, when stores shake out the so-last-season clothes and prepare a back-to-school wardrobe fit to lure teenage hands clutching their mother’s credit card. A new school year offers a second chance, the opportunity to reinvent yourself, and along with the tired new-leaf proclamations that truly, this year you won’t skip class, shedding last year’s skin for a new style can have a revitalizing effect. Even though none of your classmates might have noticed that you traded in your Sketchers for boat shoes, the fact is that you do, and consequentially your swag is fresher than ever. When you look your best, you are able to present yourself with the necessary confidence to draw people in. Why not try this approach for that book that’s been sitting on the shelf for the last few years?

First, take a good hard look at your book and check for gray hairs. Does your character listen to audio cassettes, make phone calls from land lines, or have to rewind the VHS before returning it to Blockbuster? Unless your book is intentionally a period piece, it’s time for an update. Although most readers remember the days before Facebook converted everyone into Internet junkies, tweaking certain outdated references to match the world readers live in compared to one of the not-so-distant past allows the reader to more fully interact with the plot. Although refreshing your book to keep it as current as possible can provide a new spark of life, make sure that this is done subtly; there is nothing more annoying than a book that seems to name drop technology, explicitly pointing out that Linda responds with a “ROFL” via text.

Once your book has undergone the necessary facelift, search for someone to write an introduction for the revised edition. Whether it’s a fellow author or a loved one, a well-written endorsement and summary of the book’s merits has the power to entice readers to purchase the book and continue onto the story. The introduction has the ability to launch readers into the book from the vantage point of an established supporter; starting with an enthusiastic reaction will subconsciously guide readers into beginning with a positive outlook instead of a blank slate.

Although browsing through bookstores for the most intriguing cover is steadily becoming a thing of the past, judging a book by its cover is not. The cover of the book Wench by Dolen Perkins- Valdez originally depicts a woman sitting on the grass and reading a book while the new cover utilizes the more abstract design of a bird flying from an opened cage. Updating the cover to have a more ambiguous design alters how a reader perceives the book before reading the first page; an actual figure creates preconceived notions about the book while a more open-ended cover leaves room for the potential reader to anticipate the book in the way that most appeals to them. Especially with the rise of E-books, obtaining a new cover design for your novel can be as simple as hiring a designer and uploading the art. The original book design should remain static for 18-24 months because consistency and familiarity are key in a consumer-driven market. However, after that point re-releasing the book with a new cover can allow you to better target your audience and give your book new life.

As any Madonna fan knows, sometimes you have to get some work done in order to keep your book looking (and feeling) young! What would you change in your book?

Clichés, Adages, and Truisms—Oh My!

2011-07-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

By Hanna Kjeldbgerg (Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

Even though every writer knows to be wary of overused phrases, oftentimes they slip in unnoticed, infiltrating like silent predators faster than you can say “don’t let the bedbugs bite.” These phrases have lost their original luster, but have collected so much grime from excessive and unnecessary use that they stick like wads of gum in our minds, oftentimes staring at us so insistently that it feels impossible to break free from their grasp and squash them with something original. Here are some all-too-common phrases to avoid and examples of ways to manipulate the intended message so that it is fresh, and more importantly, yours.

“Getting cold feet”: Meaning to become cowardly or suddenly lose enthusiasm, some claim that the phrase refers to soldiers unable to enter battle due to frostbitten toes while the Oxford English Dictionary cites the poet Stephen Crane as the first to coin it in 1896. To replace this phrase, think about other conditions that would physically prevent someone from moving forward. For example, “The bride could feel her resolution cramping up, a hard knot of contracted muscle painfully paralyzing her will to walk down the aisle.” Or simply change the seasons—a good foot sunburn would stop me!

“In a nutshell”: Cited by the Oxford Dictionary to mean encapsulated or concisely stated, this phrase first appeared in 1822 and has been driving editors nuts ever since (pun completely intended). What type of nuts are we even talking here, and why must we try to fit our stories inside them? Instead of replacing this phrase with an introductory clause such as “to summarize,” try to think of other small objects that might hold large things, like the pieces of rice that you can get your name inscribed on at the fair. (Warning: a grain of rice leaves room for about one word--- choose wisely.)

“Strong as an ox”: This one is easy, and fun to play with. Think along the lines of “strong as the elastic on before-picture pants” or “strong as the hair gel on Jersey Shore”.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too”: Although I have used it on many occasions, I have never truly understood the exact meaning behind this phrase. If you’re already eating cake, what do you want to have it for—to admire? Especially after finishing off a whole cake, I don’t think I would want it goading me into having even more afterwards (cakes can be such trollops). Try to think of situations where you are caught between a desire to achieve long-term goals and still fulfill a contradictory craving for instant gratification, like “you can’t eat that whole cake and expect to fit into your jeans too”.

“Look what the cat dragged in”: There are not many alternative phrases that degrade appearance with such finesse. To effectively replace this cliché, a writer must find a phrase that presents as vivid a mental picture as a half chewed bird dripping with saliva presented as a gift on the porch. If at a loss, try placing yourself in the shoes of middle-school girl or watch Mean Girls for inspiration.

“As a matter of fact”: Any statement, no matter how untrue, instantly becomes fact when you label it as such. This is actually a handy statement to precede with, and should be held onto as long as possible. As a matter of fact, 94% of people are already convinced of this phrase’s worth, so you might as well jump on the bandwagon.

Stick a fork in me, I’m done! What do you think are the best/ worst clichés and what ways do you avoid them?

Helpful Hints to Overcome Writers Block

2011-07-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

By Katie Mickschl (Beaver's Pond Press Staff)

It’s hard to write, especially when you’re on a deadline (yours or someone else's). And sometimes, as a writer, you hit a wall -- that simple. So, what happens when you've tried everything to jog your muddled mind? You've taken a walk. You've eaten. You've read the news and cruised the Internet. You've done everything, but nothing seems to create the spark you need to keep pushing forward to complete your manuscript. Here are some helpful hints that could get the creative juices back flowing:

Read: Your mind is stuck. Pick a new book you haven’t read yet similar to the genre of your current writing project. Each book will be different, and I've found that after reading another person's creation it actually helps spark ideas for my own story.

Write: Try to write something else. Once you get the juices flowing with something completely new and different, you'll likely find your mind drifting back to your previous story with fresh ideas. If you find the new piece more captivating, exciting, or interesting -- stay with it. You never know, maybe that's the piece you should be writing.

Backtrack: If you're writing fiction, go back to when one of your central characters makes a major decision or is at a crossroads in the story. Once there, alter the decision, setting, or major event. Try something different. Does this change make the story more interesting?

Stop: Just stop thinking about it all together and take a break. Don't stress it. Time away from your writing project is actually a good thing from time to time. Fresh eyes looking at it a few days, weeks, or even months later will give you new insight.

The important thing to remember: you are a great writer. Keep your confidence up and something brilliant will come your way.

Fonts: The Untapped Resource

2011-07-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

By Hanna Kjeldbjerg, Beaver's Pond Press Staff

Especially with the control self-publishing provides, it is time authors let their letters speak. Changing the font can have a facelift-effect on a written work, reenergizing it and even changing the way that it reads. Just like different radio voices present distinct personas, every font has a unique voice that authors can harness to enhance their work. Here are some of what I think are the best—and worst—typefaces.

Best: Times New Roman

Okay, maybe you already knew about this one, but Times New Roman has stood the test of time to become the champion of academic writing and the accepted default type. The most popular of the serif fonts, Times New Roman has small lines at the ends of the characters on the letters that are designed to ease the transition from one letter to the next, pulling the reader through the document. This characteristic makes Times New Roman an ideal font for engaged reading, such as in the body of an article or for a lengthy academic paper. When in doubt, Times New Roman is always a reliable and professional choice.

Best: Centaur

Like Times New Roman, Centaur is also a serif font but the lines on its characters maintain a slight upward slant to the right. This angle lends the text a sense of buoyancy and makes it a great alternative to the overused and tired fonts. Elegant and unassuming, Centaur creates an atmosphere of ease that affects readers in a positive way.

Best: Jokerman

The best font you will never use. There may or may not be actual rays of sunshine radiating from the letters.

Best: Verdana

In 1996, Matthew Carter specifically designed every letter of Verdana for Microsoft to be easily distinguishable on a computer screen. A sans serif font, Verdana is the most common, and arguably effective, font type to use on the Internet.

Best: Century Gothic

Clean and highly readable, Century Gothic was the only font I used in high school and it feels like an old friend. Its rounded edges are inviting and approachable and its simple style does not overpower the text.

Worst: Comic Sans

There is something about Comic Sans that always seems to be mocking, undermining the legitimacy of words no matter what their subject is. Designed to mimic comic book script, it has been widely overused in inappropriate context for things that require a more serious (and certainly less stylistically awkward) font. There is even a website dedicated to “putting the sans in Comic Sans”: www.bancomicsans.com

Worst: Curlz MT

The only way this font could be more elementary school is if it was printed in gel pen ink.

Worst: Calibri

I will never understand why Microsoft would choose Calibri size 11 as the default setting for Word. Size 11 is too small to be functional on top of Calibri’s already cramped lettering, and I’m embarrassed to say I manually adjusted for months before realizing after much frustration that I could change the default setting myself. Is it ridiculous to hold a grudge against a font type?

Many people have never explored the pull-down font menu on Word when there are over four hundred typefaces to choose from. Although the best typography should be invisible and not stand in the way of the text, font style influences the way that a book is experienced and should not be overlooked. Which typefaces do you think are the best/ worst?

How to Build a Better Book: Authentic Writing

2011-07-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

By Katie Mickschl, Beaver's Pond Staff

As a writer, you can create any plot, character, or setting. However, the most important aspect to remember while writing is to write authentically.

You always remember the books that are "unrealistic" within the fantasy, fiction, and science fiction genres, but if the book is good, there is always that feel of an authentic story or plot despite a far fetched plot. You have to make your story relatable, otherwise readers will put the book down.

Authentic stories are key to writing a good book. What exactly makes a book authentic? Here are some tips to writing authentically, and making your book seem relatable no matter the subject matter:

· 1. Write from your real life experiences:

Although this is told to many nonfiction writers, fiction writers need to write authentically too and draw from their real life experiences. This draws the reader into the author’s world. Remember to describe your emotions about the topic to make the life experiences of the characters even more real.

· 2. Trust your own instincts:

Writing allows us to communicate our point of view. It doesn't matter if you are writing about a three headed dragon, a scene from the past, or a world that is not yet known, you must trust your instincts and tell the truth--your truth. Tell it like you believe it is happening right in front of you. Don’t sugar coat anything. Tell it like it is!

· 3.Write a relatable story:

Good nonfiction writers already have this down. If you have a book that is fiction, try incorporating real life situations, characteristics, and plausible dialogue. Characters who fly or have magical powers are fine, but think about ways to have your readers connect with them. Also, if you describe a scene from the past and there isn’t a correct historical date in sight, readers will know. Relate the story to real life, real people ,and real settings that the world can understand.

Looking Beyond Your Book Cover: Why You Should Consider Not One Book, But a Series

2011-06-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

By: Hanna Kjeldbjerg, Beaver's Pond Press Staff

Series affect sales. The final book of J.K. Rowling’s seven-part series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, sold a record 8.3 million copies in the United States within its first 24 hours on sale. Steig Larsson’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series distinguished him as the first author to sell one million E-books on Amazon. The second book of The Hunger Games trilogy has maintained its position in Amazon’s top 100 best sellers list for 677 days and counting. The wild popularity of book series has dominated the literary community in recent years and might just be the secret to success.

The concept behind creating an author platform equals reaching readers in more ways than by text alone in order to sell books. Extending a quality plot idea to span across multiple books is a ready-made way to transition from readers identifying with the story to identifying with the author. According to PubTrack’s book buying report, 11% of readers become aware of a book because it is part of a series and 22% discover a book because they had a previous affinity for the author. This loyalty to the “brand name” of an author is important because it establishes a long-term relationship beyond the confines of a single book.

One of the most dramatic characteristics of a book series is the frenzy that delayed gratification generates. Book series have the unique quality of delivering satisfaction from a successful conclusion with an anticipation for the story’s continued trajectory through additional books. Typically, at a book’s end there is a sense of release where a book series denies this contentment; instead, it provokes desire and creates a need that feels immediate and pressing.

This “can’t-wait” mentality also creates a sense of timeliness that works to the author’s advantage. Similar to a weekly television series, once a book series becomes popular it stimulates audience growth so people don’t feel left out of experiencing the newest release on time with the rest of the world. Once engrossed in a series, a reader is more likely to purchase the next book as soon as it is released because the shared experience with other fans is part of the enjoyment. In addition, the discussions that follow contribute to a global conversation that increases excitement for the author and series.

Especially in the realm of self-publishing, authors who widen their view of a book’s potential to allow for a series benefit from an increase in audience loyalty and the dichotomy of a successful conclusion that leaves the reader wanting more. In a market that brought authors to Facebook with the importance of establishing a more personal connection with the audience, using the series as a strategy creates a long-term relationship that readers won’t be able to forget.

Top Publishing Insiders to Follow

2011-06-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

By Kim Melchert, Associate Editor (Beaver's Pond Press)

We tweeted Monday about a blog post 50 Impressive Literary Figures You Should Follow On Twitter. We are big believers in getting your information directly from the writing masters themselves. However, with publishing there are so many "experts" it's hard to keep everybody straight.Who actually has the real skinny about cracking into the realm of publishing? Whose blog should you have bookmarked? Sometimes those secrets are harder to come by. So, we wanted to give you an insider peak at the true gurus of publishing. Their advice is meant to inform and to inspire authors from all walks, and as an Indie author, you'll find their tips, tools, and insights invaluable. We chose these five insiders based on their credentials and blog content, which provide helpful hints about publishing no matter the route you choose.

Noah Lukeman— With 15 years in the publishing industry, an exceptional list of award winning, prestigious clients and author of several books on writing, Lukeman is a vital addition to this list. He answers questions submitted to his blog about working with an agent, publishing, and writing. Submitting a question would be worthwhile.

Follow him on Twitter at: @LukemanLiterary

Alan Rinzler – Not an agent per se, but definitely someone worth following. Rinzler has been an editor at major publishing houses for nearly 50 years. He specializes in manuscript evaluation, development editing, consulting on book proposals, speaking, and leading workshops. Check out his blog for tips on fine tuning your manuscript and crafting persuasive book proposals.

Rachelle Gardner – With an extensive background in communication and 16 years in the publishing industry, Gardner is among the best agents to follow. Since 2007 she has successfully completed 50+ book deals. Her experience in the field provides insightful posts that will benefit authors at any stage of publication. Follow her on Twitter at: @RachelleGardner

Nathan Bransford – Author of middle grade book Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow, and former literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. Bransford’s posts range from the business of publishing to query letters and writing advice. Information direct from one who has personal experience in the publishing industry and the publishing process, provides an extensive tool kit for pursuing your own writing endeavor.

Follow him on Twitter at: @NathanBransford

Jane Freidman- Among the hands down best literary agents, Freidman is nothing short of exceptional. Recognized as the authority on the future of media and publishing, Freidman has an extensive background in the publishing industry, her credentials are numerous and reputable. Her blog There Are No Rules delivers gems daily from tips on writing to communicating with platform building to whether or not it makes sense to e-publish. Check out her blog and prepare to be inspired.

Follow her on Twitter at: @JaneFriedman

Back on the Wagon: A Thought About Getting Back Into the Swing of Writing

2011-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

by Kim Melchert (Beaver's Pond Press, Associate Editor)

Last week, Jamie Grove had an informative post on his blog How Not to Write, about returning to writing after an extended absence. Looking past his somewhat abrasive prose, his points are sound and actually quite helpful. Using a metaphor about a marathon runner, he outlines six steps to getting back on the writing wagon.

This post got me thinking about my own writing hiatus. After beginning college my own writing became secondary to my academic work; common no doubt for budding writers developing their understanding and mastery of the craft. When I would attempt to write in those rare moments of free time, the result would be no less than Grove’s step 2: Mental Purging. I worried for a while that in the whirlwind of choosing a profession I’d somehow lost the ability to write creatively. Obviously, this was NOT the case. Life happens. Thankfully, the result is more fodder for your creative work.

I’m wondering, dear writers of the blogosphere, if you’ve been removed from writing for a while, how did you get back on the wagon? How has your writing changed since the advent of blogging?

Article Writing 101: How to Write Winning Articles That Best Market You and Your Book

2011-06-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

You know how "marketing experts" suggest writing articles as a way to establish yourself as an expert? Well they're actually very right. In a Time Magazine article that ran two days ago, Scott Gerber the founder of Millennial Branding talks about how he established his position as the personal branding guru for Gen-Y. Not only was he inspired by an article to launch his journey to guru, but he used writing articles as an essential tool to build his brand. He used other tools to reinforce his expertise, like creating videos and blogging, but his articles eventually caught the eyes of key movers and led to key opportunities.

You are a writer, so why not harness your expertise and build your brand through article writing? Content is your absolute power in the world wide web. So get to it. Here's where you start:

1. Use simplified writing

Avoid difficult prose. Add words that aren’t hard to pronounce and that flow when you read them. Use smaller words when describing something. You don't want people to find your article stuffy or they won’t want to read further. Be aware of using flowery words or words that sound silly and unprofessional. You want to come across as the expert who knows her stuff, not an inauthentic sales person who is simply trying too hard.

2. Use a spellbinding lead

The lead is the first paragraph of the article, and the first sentence has to be catchy in order to draw in the reader. Very similar to the cover and back cover a book, it has to draw in the reader with its picture and summary. Make the lead interesting and bold, plus state the topic of the article in the lead. A trick journalists often use is to begin with a burning question related to the article topic. See a good example here. Okay and we also used this trick for this blog post (smile).

3. Have a clear topic

Just like any book, you need a clear topic that describes exactly what your article is about. Don’t spiral into any rants or raves that veer off topic. This will confuse the reader and most publications would never accept an article that doesn’t have a clear topic. Spend a few lines on your background as an author, but keep the focus on the book and its content. Resist any urge to be sales-y. Keep your article focused and inject facts, statistics, and resources to support your credibility as an expert.

4.Keep the article short

Be concise because of the limited room in publications (eZines are the exception due to an infinite amount of space, but attention spans aren’t). Brief but thorough articles are best because they emphasize the ease and speed of reading, which make readers want to read more of your writing.

With these tips you can write a great article that may be accepted by some major publications, which can generate a huge amount of publicity, but even better help you build a relationship with your ready audience. This is something that a self-published book especially needs to do.

Our 20 Top Must-Read Books for this Summer

2011-06-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hear the screams? No need to worry, it's just our shriek of delight to finally see that summer is...dare we say it...almost here. While you're running to graduation parties, planning trips up North to the cabin, and getting the kids signed up for camp, don't forget the main reason we love summer in the first place. Books, books, and more books. Summer is the official season for grabbing your glass of chilled lemonade, slice of apple pie, and curling up lakeside with a good page-turner. So without further ado, here's our ultimate list of good Indie reads for this summer:

For Fiction Lovers:

Road to Omalos, by Marilyn Jax, 312 Pages

Following Jax's award-winning debut The Find, Crack investigator, Claire Caswell, and legendary Miami–Dade State Attorney, Gaston “Guy” Lombard, once again merge their acclaimed talents to tackle the most elusive of criminals. This time, when a gun-wielding man barges into the office of Caswell & Lombard, Private Investigation, the case takes the investigators from the steamy city of Miami Beach to Crete—the Greek island of romance and mystique. Road to Omalos, with its rich throng of characters and colorful cultural history, interlaces a powerful tale of suspense, enchantment, and murder, as the search for a sociopath pegs the investigators and the vigilantes against each other in a perilous race to final justice. Road to Omalos was named Finalist in ''Fiction & Literature: Thriller/Adventure Category'' by USA Book News - Best Books 2010

For more information please visit: www.marilynjax.com

Other Fiction Favorites: Modern Day Gypsy by Gypsy Brown and See You Next Sunday by Mary Ellen Johnson

Young Adult Fiction Favorites: Walter Meets Mack by Michael Stoesz and Zillah's Gift by Lois West Duffy

For True Crime/Suspense Lovers:

Dead Air, by Beth Bednar, 200 Pages

On her way to work one summer morning, a beautiful young television anchorwoman vanishes without a trace. Precious little evidence remains: only her car and a few puzzling clues. Peer behind the scenes of this true crime story, and uncover the cold case file of Jodi Huisentruit, the Iowa anchorwoman who mysteriously disappeared before dawn that summer morning in 1995.

Somewhere, someone still harbors the truth about what really happened. An intriguing and compelling case from the heartland of America, the search for Jodi Huisentruit baffles authorities. Written by a former television anchor woman with an inside look into the TV news business, this eerie and unforgettable mystery still poses more questions than answers.

For more information, please visit: www.bethbednar.com

Other True Crime/Suspense Favorites: Stalking Mary by Eileen Biernat

For Travel Lovers:

Paris from the Heart: Ultimate Walking Tours to Fun, Fashion, and Freedom, by Jan Dolphin, 408 Pages

In this user-friendly and portable box set of six charming tour books, you'll be offered an opportunity to discover the compelling intimacy of the small ancient neighborhoods along with the tourist attractions of Paris. Take the guesswork, research, and planning out of your Paris holiday. These six volumes include eight step-by-step walking tours, historical and modern facts, route and sight descriptions, dining suggestions, maps, photos, and journal spaces to provide you with the most enviably dazzling, effortless, and comprehensive Parisian adventure. When you wake up in Paris, simply choose a tour that fits your fancy, grab the corresponding booklet, and enjoy being mesmerized.

For More Information, Visit: http://www.parisfromtheheart.net/

Other Travel Favorites: Like an Old Friend: Memories of Lake Vermilion by John E. Abel and The Gunflint Cabin by John Henricksson

Memoir/Biography Lovers:

Manhood from the Hood, by Bill Roddy, 144 Pages

As Bill Roddy navigated life as a successful businessman and co-founder of a well-known non-profit helping youth, he still wondered whether he was truly leaving a vital legacy for the next male generation? As he pondered what more he could do to impact forthcoming generations, he remembered one man: his grandfather. He began to regret all the questions he never asked him.

Bill Roddy’s musings surely will resonate with many men. Deeply felt and honestly written, Manhood From The Hood shares a poignant story of one boy’s journey to manhood, and of the grandfather who, along the way, never let him forget he was loved.

For More Information, Visit: http://manhoodfromthehood.com/

Other Memoir/Biography Favorites: The Reluctant Donor by Suzanne Ruff, Still Standing by John Kriesel with Jim Cosmo, Living with the Enemy by Burt Nordstrand with Carol Pine, and Thrown to the Wolves by Arabella Winters

Favorite Beach-side Book Pick:

Ruby's Tales: A True Rags to Riches Story, by Patrick Bettendorf, 168 Pages

Found like unwanted trash in an abandoned house, Ruby grew up to achieve the impossible. Ruby's Tales follows the wonderful odyssey that has been her life . . . a real doggie epic. Ruby is a service dog, a veteran of stage plays, worked at a radio station as a co-host and has appeared in newspapers around the world. Meet fascinating people, celebrities, and dogs Ruby has worked with, lived with, and helped along the way. Ruby has traveled to Hollywood to appear on The Bonnie Hunt Show.She even had a driver, a limo and a four star hotel . . . all for a dog nobody wanted. Along the way Ruby enjoys great highs and sad lows. Yet Ruby rallies her indomitable spirit to survive. Ruby’s story has it all: fun, gritty drama, high emotion, excitement, anger, and laughter.

For More Information, Visit: www.rubystales.com

Other Beach-side Favorites: The Tree-Spirited Woman by Colleen Baldrica, Moments of Intuition by Robin Dedecker (E-Book), Garage Logic by Joe Soucheray, and Duffy's Tales: A Tale of a Terrier by Gary Porter

4 Must-Read Books on Self-Publishing

2011-06-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

If you've thought about self-publishing, chances are you've searched for books to help walk you through what can feel like a daunting endeavor. If you haven't searched for resources quite yet, it's time to get cracking. With tons of websites floating around about all the millions of ways to self-publish, there are a few great books out there that simplify the self-publishing process and provide credible resources to boot. These are the big ones that have helped tons of authors through the years and will give you the confidence needed to decide if self-publishing is truly for you.

Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print, and Sell Your Own Book, Dan Poynter
Self-Publishing 101, Debbie Elicksen
The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book Into a Full-Time Living, Peter Bowerman
Publishing for Profit: Successful Bottom-Line Management for Book Publishers, Thomas Woll

Recently, in speaking with a book buyer, she mentioned her favorite recommendations for authors were How to Get Happily Published, by Judith Applebaum and Publishing for Profit, by Thomas Woll. Know of a book not on the list? Share the title, author, and why you found it helpful.

The “Real Deal” About Blog Tours

2011-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

We know Facebook and Twitter are excellent resources for promoting ourselves and our work. Blogging has become an equally viable resource for promotion and additional writing apart from (or in addition to) our main writing projects. Blog touring maybe another means for creating a buzz. Yen, blogger of The Book Publicity Blog, provides the definition of blog touring as, “an author going from blog to blog [rather than from store to store] as they would on a traditional book tour.” He goes on to explain how blog tours are set up and how they differ from online publicity in general. This post also cites several other blogs that have covered this topic from a variety of angles. (One Yen does not cite in this post is John Betcher’s Self Publishing Central; which provides tips and tricks for attempting to tour both independently and with the help of a publicist). Discussions that follow provide feedback about successes (or failures) from the perspectives of publicists and authors, as well as bloggers.

Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, most reviews from the blogosphere prove negative or inconclusive, particularly in regard to sales and traffic. At this point, no numbers indicate that touring increases sales. Some bloggers claim touring in fact does not increase traffic flow to their sites, either but rather drives it down. Yet the redeeming quality of a web tour is the ability to speak with the author and receive feedback from a variety of individuals in the audience. Though all have different opinions and experiences using the blog touring method, comments about blog touring are actually as valuable as the posts themselves. My suggestion for anyone considering blog touring: pay attention to both the comments and the posts.

To tour or not to tour? Any number of variables contribute to whether or not a blog tour makes sense for you, your work, and your goals. Whether you set them up on your own or use a publicist to iron out the details may depend on your fiscal capabilities, or the amount of time you are willing to spend on promotions and tour set up. If you’ve tried blog touring, what was your experience?

The Diary of the Disappointed Book

2011-05-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you think being an author is challenging, here's a little Friday humor to remind us how challenging it is to be a book!

The Diary of a Disappointed Book from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.

Are You Using Your Book's Keywords

2011-05-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

After reading a recent article on blogging and keywords, we began thinking about whether authors were using their "keywords" more generally to their advantage in marketing and promotion. These days, Google is more likely to find you with blogs created around common keywords. A simple definition of keywords that we like: a word used in a performing a search.

As an author are you provactively using the words in your book that are most often searched online? For instance, if your book is about nutrition and healthy eating habits, some of your keywords could be: fitness, weight loss, dieting, diabetes, and excercising. In your online marketing especially, you should use these words when you can.

Self-publishing authors have a unique opportunity to interact one-on-one with potential readers. Even more, just being aware of the highest searched keywords that are in your book will give you the power to place your blogs, articles, press releases, and Tweets smartly in front of strangers searching for such content. Think of the top questions asked around these keywords and create a blog around the question so more people find you online. For instance, going back to our nutrition example, if a popular question is "What are healthy foods for Diebetics?" Write a blog on that. In anything you send, write, or comment on related to your book don't forget the keywords that keep readers hooked in with your book's topic. And then use those keywords to your advantage at every turn.

Signs Your Publishing Expert Isn't an Expert

2011-05-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Today there are many companies that work with self-publishing authors. This means that there’s something out there for everybody and options abound. The downside is that many authors can get taken for a ride if they choose companies or services that are wrong for them, especially those that aren’t able to deliver what they promise. Try to determine if the person or company your interested in is really a publishing expert. Here are some signs that may indicate they’re not:

1. They’ve only been in the publishing industry six months to a year.

2. They can’t show you samples of books they’ve published or helped publish.

3. They call themselves an expert, but there’s no evidence that anyone else does.

4. When they’re discussing strategy with you, they fail to mention the following: editing, distribution, or marketing.

5. Their skill set or background is just in one area, such as website design, marketing, editing, or printing.

6. They ask for money without explaining in detail what it pays for.

7. They spend most of the time talking (or selling) and spend little time trying to get to know you or what your book is about.

8. They make grandiose promises of being able to help you sell millions of copies, or making your book a bestseller.

9. Books they’ve published aren’t books that you would buy due to poor quality, inaccessibility, etc.

10. Books they’ve worked on haven’t been successful in the market.

Don’t be afraid to ask experts for referrals, or to talk to multiple experts. Authors should be aware of what they really want and need. Be honest with yourself about this from the beginning. If you do this, you’ll be better able to determine who is a good fit for your book and it’ll be much harder for someone to take advantage of you. Think of it this way: isn’t it great when you go to the grocery store with a shopping list?

To Print or Not to Print?

2011-05-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Most publishers and self-publishing authors are still printing books for the most part. In the age of e-books we're asked constantly if book printing is going out of style -- are printed books going the way of vinyl records? We happen to believe that the answer is no. Consumers like options, but more importantly love convenience. So while readers are downloading their books onto a Kindle or other e-reader device, they're also following the author on Twitter, subscribing to that author's blog, "liking the author" on Facebook, and yes, in many cases also buying the physical copy of the book. E-readers and e-books are in fact a good thing for printers according to a recent article in PC Magazine. So yes, if you're self-publishing, strongly consider making your book available as an e-book. In fact, we recommend absolutely doing it. But should you print it too? If you can, you should. Even if it's a few copies at a time to have on hand for the stranger on a plane who happens to ask what you do for a living. Or the several people in your inner circle who will want a signed copy. Don't count printing out just yet.

Ben Franklin Award Nominees

2011-05-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

As awards season continues, we are proud to announce three more Beaver's Pond authors nominated for the Independent Book Publishing Association's annual Ben Franklin award:

Marilyn Jax, Road to Omalos, mystery/suspense nominee
Jeff Appelquist, Sacred Ground, history nominee
Christine Stenstrom, The Cherry Blossom Trees, poetry/literary criticism nominee

Congratulations all! A look at all the books and nominees is linked here.

Midwest Book Award Finalists

2011-04-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Midwest Book Awards Finalists have been announced, and Beaver's Pond authors clean up again! Congrats to all entrants and finalists! Read on to see the individual nominees.

Business: Jeff Appelquist's Sacred Ground
Children's Picture Books: Emy Current's Looking for Lucy
Children's Fiction: Andy Sherburne's Ben and Lucy Play Pond Hockey, and Mary Bleckwehl's Henry! You're Late Again!
Coffee Table Books: John Abel's Like An Old Friend
Culture: Jan Dolphin's Paris from the Heart
Health: Suzanne Ruff's The Reluctant Donor
Humor: Joe Soucheray's Garage Logic
Inspirational/Gift Books: David Francis' Bringing Jon Home
Poetry: Andrea O'Connell's Jackson, Jesse, and the Almost Free Lunch
Self-Help: Burt Nordstrand's Living with the Enemy
Social Science: Eileen Biernat's Stalking Mary
Travel: Jan Dolphin's Paris from the Heart
Interior Layout: Jeff Appelquist's Sacred Ground
Publisher's Website: Beaver's Pond Press!

Mom's Choice Awards

2011-04-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Every year, it seems Beaver's Pond authors are awarded another Mom's Choice Award or two. We are pleased to announce that Julie Sexson's I Can Make a Difference just won Mom's Choice Gold in the children's picture book category! Congratulations Julie!

Looking ahead, the MIPA awards should be announced in the next week or so. As in the past, we'll post all Beaver's Pond nominations and wins!

Recent Book Awards

2011-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Despite the spring slush and rising rivers, several Beaver's Pond authors ditched sandbags for surfboards and have enjoyed the ride with several book awards and nominations. We're sure that more are in tow, but here is a brief overview of a few titles to celebrate, in no particular order:

Katherine Schneider's Your Treasure Hunt - 2010 Moonbeam Awards, Bronze, Health Issues - 2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center "Best of" list for "Understanding Oneself and Others."

Jean Clausen's Green Wise Kids - 2010 Reader's View Lit Awards, Silver, Children's Books (0-5)

Mark Toffle's The Raindrop Who Lost His Cloud - 2010 Reader's View Lit Awards, Honorable Mention, Early Reader (6-8)

Jeff Appelquist's Sacred Ground - 2010 Reader's View Lit Awards, Honorable Mention, Business/Sales/Economics - 2010 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist, Business/Economics

John Kriesel and Jim Kosmo's Still Standing - 2010 Reader's View Lit Awards, Silver, History/Science

Judy Strong's A Child's Grief - 2010 Reader's View Lit Awards, Gold, Parenting/Family/Relationships

Mary Bleckwehl's Henry! You're Late Again! - 2010 Mom's Choice Award, Gold, Humor, Children's Picture Books - 2010 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist, Children's Picture Books

Pat Bettendorf's Ruby's Tale - 2010 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist, Pets

A book award is a big opportunity to add some pizazz and media to your marketing campaign; some authors have even used it to effectively relaunch their books. Congratulations one and all!

Publishing Internship Available: Summer 2011

2011-02-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Publishing Internship

Description: Are you a college junior or senior interested in the publishing field? Beaver’s Pond Press is excited to be offering an publishing internship for the upcoming summer of 2011. This is a hands-on internship where you can learn about the entire processes of book publishing (editing, designing, proofreading, printing, and marketing). Interns will work directly with publishing house professionals, and will contribute to a variety of projects.

Along with assisting in day-to-day publishing tasks, a portion of each day will be dedicated to a reseach project. Interns will choose a specific topic at the beginning of the internship (examples: new features in electronic publishing, book trailers, publishing genre trends etc.) and analyze the topic's current statistics as well as cultural and industry implications. This analysis should discuss the topic's impact on the publishing world. The research project will result in a detailed PowerPoint presentation or short e-book (around 10,000 words) to be presented at the end of the summer.

In this 10-week internship, interns must commit 15 – 20 hours per week, June 6 –August 12. This internship comes with a stipend at completion.

Responsibilities:

· Assist in reviewing submissions

· Assist in working with authors and vendors in book production

· Join Beaver's Pond team members in developing innovative new strategies for author andcompany marketing

· Complete a research/analysis project on a specific topic's impact on the publishing world

Qualifications:

· College junior or senior, preferably majoring in English, design, journalism, communications, or marketing

· Demonstrated ability to recognize values and weaknesses in writing

· Excellent organizational skills and acute attention to detail

· Excellent communication skills

· Fluency in Microsoft Word and Excel; knowledge of Photoshop and InDesign is helpful

· Knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style is helpful

· A minimum GPA of 3.0

Applicants can e-mail a cover letter and résumé to:

Amy Quale, Managing Editor: amy@beaverspondpress.com

Or by mail:

Attn: Amy Quale

Beaver's Pond Press

7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101

Edina, MN 55439

Mark Toffle and "Raindrop..."

2011-02-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

Children's book author Mark Toffle has been receiving quite a bit of press for his children's book The Raindrop Who Lost His Cloud. You can see his interview with KARE 11 below! Congratulations on a great book, Mr. Toffle!

January Newsletter--Noire Edition

2011-01-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

This is the main feature of the January newsletter. It can be seen in full by clicking here.

I just received my W-2 from Beaver's Pond Corporate, and the slow boil of tax-season headaches has already begun stirring inside me. There are only two things certain in life, they say, and taxes is one of them. I'll let you make up your own joke as to how publishing and the other certain thing in life are related, but for now, read on.

Audit. Somewhere deep in the Dimension-X plane of our psyches, everyone fears an audit. You've documented your expenses. You've kept meticulous records of your mileage. You've neither embellished nor reduced the amount you are reporting. Just the same...what if? What if a man in a fedora and drab suit appears at your door and flashes a badge marked "INTERNAL AFFAIRS" and starts asking questions while his partner smokes a hand-rolled cigarette in the passenger side of an idling car behind the glass of a dim tinted window?

Well, this mentality--let's not call it fear--can also be useful, especially for a writer. What if that man wasn't interested in your finances? What if he were interested in your writing? Would you be confident or pleased to show him what you've got? Would you happily answer questions regarding form, plot, structure, voice, content, and so on and so forth? Would you only have one draft to show him, or many? And where is this all heading?

Well, let me give it to ya straight, honeypie. This man, he ain't yer enemy. He ain't no smokin' gun, neither. He's your pal, capiche? The ice in your drink. Your roof under the rain. The snuff in your sock drawer. This fella, he's gonna help youse out, nice 'n easy like. You're a tough case, but I convinced him youse was worth it--you and your good-time buddies--so listen up, Junior. Cuz he ain't no Johnny-Come-Lately. And I don't stick my neck out like this for no one.

Look at your work. Really look at it. Look what it reflects--you. Is it something you want to show him? Is it something you're sure you're "all in" for? Cuz he'll call ya. He'll make you lay those cards on the table, and those ladies better sing. He's not auditing your finances; he's auditing you. And you should too. Because if what you're working on is a passing whim or a weekend excursion, if what you're composing doesn't really satisfy you or speak to your world and interests, it's not going to satisfy your readers' worlds and interests either. And you know who it's really not going to satisfy?

Me. And I stuck my neck out for ya when no one else would. You're a tough broad, no mistake, but someone told me as much. Someone told me you wouldn't squeal. Someone told me you wouldn't run. And you know who that was?

It was you, Kewpie Doll, when you started writing. And the only way you'll keep writing in this no good, mixed up, two-timin' crazy world is if you keep that in mind. Because I wouldn't want to have to sic this guy on ya. Case closed!

Publishing Seminars

2011-01-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Last year, Beaver's Pond Press hosted a publishing seminar in Northfield, Minnesota. Intended to educate authors about their options in publishing, the seminar consisted of an interactive Powerpoint presentation and Q & A sessions with a Beaver's Pond employee or two. The Northfield news covered our first seminar--click here for a more in-depth look.

We will continue to host the same seminars in the Twin Cities, and have several scheduled for this winter and spring (and more after that); the information is below. If you are interested in attending, please email Heather (heather@beaverspondpress.com) or Jordan (Jordan@beaverspondpress.com), or give us a call at 952-829-8818.

Follow the jump for details...

Wednesday, January 19
5:30 - 7:30 PM
St. Louis Park Parkdale Plaza

1660 South Highway 100
Suite 500
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416

Thursday, February 24
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Hopkins Center for the Arts

1111 Main Street
Room 207
Hopkins, MN 55343

Wednesday, March 30
5:30 - 8:00 PM
Bloomington Art Center

1800 West Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 55431

Wednesday, April 20
5:30 - 7:30 PM
St. Louis Park Parkdale Plaza

1660 South Highway 100
Suite 500
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416

The Ghosts of Publishing Past, Present...Future?

2010-12-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

There are both benefits and costs to your fantasy library at home versus the digital library encompassed in an e-reader. No matter how you read 'em, this is probably good for a laugh. Via Penny Arcade.

November Newsletter: Mining Edition

2010-12-07T13:35:00.000-08:00

This is a transcript of the November Newsletter. You may subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

Beatles fans have much to celebrate: their entire canon is now available on iTunes after years of the label refusing digital rights. No matter where one falls in the great debate of the British invasion--Beatles or Stones fan?!--there's probably a single or two worth picking up. (Though I fall on the Stones side of things, I really love "Let It Be.") But this newsletter isn't really concerned with the mop-haired Beatles.

No, this newsletter is concerned with mining your subject, getting to the root of things, figuring out what your writing is really about. And if you need help finding that, then you're just not working hard enough.

Unlike the Chilean Miner Debacle of this year, writers should not be afraid of going as deep as possible into their subjects--writers should not look to others to get them out of their holes. Only good writing will do that, and as we've mentioned before, good writing takes time, it takes practice. Don't depend on others to provide the expertise or insight only you possess about your subject; in the Information Age, nothing is as transparent as insincerity, both in your book and how it is represented online. I've been reading a lot of Joan Didion lately, and I admire her earnest and unblinking approach to writing; she seeks out what challenges her sensibilities, and continues to ask herself why. Her formula for writing is not difficult. In fact, it's an old equation for writers, and I will give it to you now:

Fascination + Perplexity = Compelling Material

No matter the genre. No matter the subject. No matter the scope or structure. If you can remember that your fascination is the only thing readers have to hold onto, then you'll be able to sift through what glitters and what can be cast aside, amass a viable collection of prose-tastic diamonds, and carry that happy load toward the light at the end of the tunnel. Vivid details, specific contexts, unique characters and ideas: these are the foundational two-by-fours on which your book will stand, so be sure to dig with care! Writers are generally tremendously rewarded for telling the truth, so don't be afraid to push past only the most benign generalities on the surface--what keeps readers reading is boiling deep beneath the crust. Thrust yourself in the belly of the beast; find, in other words, its heart.

Whoo! We've mixed some metaphors and jostled with wordplay once more, but the truth of the matter is this:

The deeper you go, the more you'll find.

So start digging, and enjoy the holidays!

Sick Bug Goes To School

2010-12-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

(Note: we've recently learned how to embed video directly to the blog, so don't hesitate to let us know when you have new media available!)

Susie Bazil is back with The Sick Bug Goes to School, her sequel to 2008's award-winning The Sick Bug. Illustrated by Shawn McCann, The Sick Bug Goes to School follows the same pesky bugs to the local school, where--unless good hygiene is practiced--they'll run rampant once more! Susie recently appeared on KMSP Fox channel 9.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2010-12-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

So what a perfect time for Pond Hockey!

Documentarians-turned-authors Andrew Sherburne and Tommy Haines collaborated with Twin Cities illustrator Kevin Cannon to produce a true book for the Northland. Catch them at the Xcel Center outside Minnesota Wild hockey games this season, and come in from the cold with Ben and Lucy Play Pond Hockey.

Writer's Digest 1st Place for Jeff Appelquist

2010-10-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

A hearty congratulations to Jeff Appelquist, author of Sacred Ground: Leadership Lessons from Gettysburg & The Little Bighorn. Jeff's book scored 1st place in the Writer's Digest Self Published Book Awards of 2010 in the Nonfiction category! We are re-posting his Author Q & A here.

The award consists of a $1,000 prize, promotion in the March / April 2011 issue of Writer's Digest, a review in Midwest Book Review, a one-year membership to Book Central Station, Brian Jud's Beyond the Bookstore, and a copy of Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers by Shel Horowitz. Great job Jeff!

BPP: Sacred Ground is such a unique book; could you describe the genesis of your historical seminars, first started with Best Buy? What was their initial reaction? How'd your first meetings go?

JA: I came to my supervisors at Best Buy in the spring of 2007 with the idea of taking a team out to the Little Bighorn battlefield in Montana to create a leadership and team-building experience. The initial pilot in September 2007 was a great success; Best Buy gave me the go-ahead to develop my program, which was called Learning Through History. We added a Gettysburg seminar. The company also allowed me to form my own limited liability company for purposes of marketing the program externally. My company is called Blue Knight History Seminars. Best Buy was truly my "angel investor." When the company offered a buyout of all corporate employees, I jumped at the opportunity, which allowed me to leave Best Buy in February 2009 and build my new company full time. It also allowed me time to write Sacred Ground, which is now the companion volume to my seminars.

BPP: Very cool. Did you take to history as a young man, or was it only as an adult that you began exploring the past?

JA: I have loved the study of history--especially military history--since I was a child. I don't know for sure how I became so interested, but I did. It has been my passion ever since, and I am now blessed to get a chance to pursue my passion for a living.

BPP: Have any opportunities passed your way since the publication of your book?

JA: Yes, we did an initial mailing of the book to about 150 different companies, hoping to generate interest in the seminars. I have always said my purpose is not necessarily to sell books (although that is nice), but rather to sell the Blue Knight leadership program. I have at least a couple more seminars coming up yet this year, including a visit to Gettysburg by 27 executives from General Electric in late August. I just responded to a Request For Information from a major Minnesota corporation concerning my program, which be a great piece of business to get. I am also presenting a webinar in September and a half-day workshop in October in partnership with the Executive Education team at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Business.

BPP: How do you feel the past informs the present in business? In life?

JA: I believe in the power of history to teach not just good business lessons, but life lessons. While historical situations change dramatically from era to era, the principles of good leadership stay the same. Good leaders, in the past as well as today, make good decisions, communicate well, provide a common purpose for their followers, and take care of their people, among other things. Historical stories remind us of this truth.

BPP: What is your advice for would-be business authors?

JA: Start writing! Pick a compelling topic, one that you are deeply interested in. Do your research, and just write. Never give up--it can be done!

BPP: Last, what are you reading these days (if you have any time at all)?

JA: I just finished a terrific book called Young Men and Fire, by Norman McLean (author of A River Runs Through It). It is about the terrible fire at Mann Gulch, Montana, in 1949, in which 13 smokejumpers lost their lives. On the business side, I am reading Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink. Finally, I just picked up Nathaniel Philbrick's Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. While I presumably already know a little bit on this topic, I like to stay current with whatever is out there. Philbrick is an excellent historian and I have already learned new things about this very familiar but endlessly fascinating subject.

Visit Blue Knight Seminars for photos, video and more!

Order Jeff Appelquist's Sacred Ground

Thrills & Chills!

2010-10-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

(This post is a transcript of our October newsletter, replete with book events and publishing news, Calvin & Hobbes, crazy Jack Nicholson, and more!)

October is here, and I love it for many reasons. I love the weather--cool and comfortable, with the leaves scraping the pavement and the trees shivering outside. I love the food and drink, the aromas of cookies and pies, pumpkin coffees and hot ciders. I love the hues of twilight as the sun sets earlier. I love growing my beard! But do you know what I love most? Don't guess, because I will tell you:

I love the terrible Halloween movies! I love the slashers and gashers, the screams and dreams, the Pumpkinheads and Jeepers Creepers and infinite marathons of B- and C-list movies. It really is the best time of year to zombify in front of your television, staying up late 'til your eyes turn crimson, salivating over bags of candy corn, slouching forward as your spine crumbles into the couch, until the transformation to a snarling, fearsome mongrel is complete about 4 AM, communicating now in only grunts and wheezing, unintelligible snarls and sneers. Pander to me, mind-numbing technicolor gods!

That's about the time to go to bed.

So imagine my surprise when I caught "Wolf" a week or two ago. Circa 1994, a scorned writer or angry producer decided to take New York publishing to task with a movie about a much-loved (and feared) editor transforming into--you guessed it-- a werewolf, exacting revenge on the cutthroat new upstart, the money-grubbing publisher, and the entire industry for pulling the carpet from beneath him at the height of his career. That this werewolf was played by Jack Nicholson made all other evening plans null and void. Sound terrible? It received 3 stars! It features Michelle Pfeiffer! And Christopher Plummer! And James Spader! And David Hyde Pierce! And Richard Jenkins! I couldn't believe it, the stars just kept coming.

So how does this all tie into publishing? Well, as I was watching Jack's fangs grow, it occurred to me that his transformation isn't so different than what happens when a manuscript becomes a book, and a writer becomes an author. Is the change really that different? Book production can be a harrowing, frightening experience, and how it looks and feels at the beginning can be altogether different than how it looks and feels at the end. Writing is hard, writing is work, and it eats up our time and resources. We write before the sun rises in the morning, we write until midnight or later. We write when no one is looking. We look in the mirror and wonder what's happening to us. Our loved ones grow used to our disappearances and general checking-out of normal life with growing frequency. "Who are you?!" they might cry. "What are you doing with your life?!" they may lament.

But work pays off. Once we embrace our writerly identity, so too does the outside world. The hours might not get better, but they certainly become more tolerable. We craft our book in the image of ourselves, channeling our concerns and interests, our fears and desires into a few small pages in the hope that it connects with others out there. Others like us. Others...afflicted, shall we say. Michael Chabon calls it "The Midnight Disease." "Dexter," a macabre-but-wonderful television show, describes this other self as "The Dark Passenger." And what can do with passengers but bear with them? And so our legends grow.

So there's no better time to explore our identities than October, when we grow used to wolves and wraiths or lords and ladies, especially as the 31st draws nigh. But we know that morning, noon and night (when the wind blows cold and the moon looms bright!), the business of being an author is work, so remember to enjoy these cool autumn days before winter descends, because you know how it goes--

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Publishing Seminars

2010-10-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, Beaver's Pond Press hosted a publishing seminar in Northfield, Minnesota. Intended to educate authors about their options in publishing, the seminar consists of an interactive Powerpoint presentation and Q & A sessions with a Beaver's Pond employee or two. The Northfield news covered our first seminar--click here for a more in-depth look.

Since that first one, we've continued to host the same seminars in the Twin Cities, and have two more scheduled until new year (and more after that); the information is below. If you are interested in attending, please email Heather (heather@beaverspondpress.com) or Jordan (Jordan@beaverspondpress.com), or give us a call at 952-829-8818.

In St. Paul on Tuesday, October 19, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
St. Paul Humanities Center
987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

In Hopkins on Wednesday, December 1, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main Street
Hopkins, MN 55343

Touch 'Em All, Gordy Jones!

2010-08-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Gordy Jones' Baseball Guy is a home run!

On August 16, Gordy Jones hosted quite a party at Mancini's Charhouse in St. Paul to celebrate the launch of his children's book Baseball Guy. For over 20 years, Gordy has been a photographer and baseball writer, but his favorite (and home) team is the Minnesota Twins; not only a fan of Mauer, Cuddyer, Gardy and more, Jones is privileged to call them friends. His book chronicles the rise of a young player--any player!--from t-ball through high school, up through the minor leagues and finally to The Show--Major League Baseball!

Replete with everything from hot dogs to home runs, Jones' book captures the sights, sounds, smells, and experience of a trip to the ballpark. With exclusive blurbs from many current and past Minnesota Twins, Baseball Guy is a delight for fans young and old.

Pictured below is Jake Mauer Sr, a Gardy (not Gordy) lookalike, and Twins DH Jason Kubel.

And if you've never been to Mancini's, be sure to check it out--though no steak was served to the 150+ attendees of Gordy's launch, Mancini's did provide a plethora of chicken, fruit, and their famous toasted bread. If that's not enough, Twins slugger and designated hitter Jason Kubel and his wife Blake were there the whole time, signing books, caps and more, and supporting Gordy and Beaver's Pond Press. Steve Winfield, older brother of Dave Winfield, was there as well, and quite a few Mauers--there's a familiar name--showed up too. It was a great time for a great book.

Jake Mauer Sr. even said a few words on Gordy's behalf!

Click here to see more of Baseball Guy!
More pictures from the event can be seen on the company's Facebook page.

Picnic 2010

2010-08-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

On July 28, Beaver's Pond Press hosted our annual meet-and-greet picnic. Featuring over 150 authors, vendors, and clients, the picnic is our annual "thank you" and "congratulations!" to those who make the publishing experience truly memorable. We were able to enjoy each others' company, share a little Famous Dave's BBQ, have a drink, and trade contacts and resources. With over 100 photos available, there are far too many to picture here, but a few standouts can be seen. The rest of the album can be seen here.

Publishing Seminars

2010-07-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, Beaver's Pond Press hosted a publishing seminar in Northfield, Minnesota. Intended to educate authors about their options in publishing, the seminar consists of an interactive Powerpoint presentation and Q & A sessions with a Beaver's Pond employee or two. The Northfield news covered our first seminar--click here for a more in-depth look.

We will be presenting the same seminars until the new year; the information is below. If you are interested in attending, please email Heather (heather@beaverspondpress.com) or Jordan (Jordan@beaverspondpress.com), or give us a call at 952-829-8818.

In St. Paul on Wednesday, August 11, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Wilder Center
451 Lexington Avenue N
St. Paul, MN 55104

In Bloomington on Wednesday, September 15, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Bloomington Center for the Arts
1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd
Bloomington, MN 55431

In St. Paul on Tuesday, October 19, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
St. Paul Humanities Center
987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

In Hopkins on Wednesday, December 1, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main Street
Hopkins, MN 55343

July Newsletter: Wedding Edition

2010-07-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

(To get our monthly newsletter in your email, sign up for The Mentor from our homepage.)

At 25 years old, I'm entering the prime wedding season of my life. Everywhere I look, friends and family are droppin' like stones, up to and including Beaver's Pond staffer Amy (Cutler) Quale! This weekend I've got two weddings lined up, followed by a few more in August and a whole bunch leading up to the new year.

As I was seated in a pew a few weeks ago, pondering life, death, Heaven, Hell, eternity, the cosmos, and my buddies on stage, I thought how outdated the line "If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace!" has become. The line itself hearkens back hundreds of years to when marriage announcements were published in the banns of local communities and churches; banns not only announced the marriage, but invited rejection by any and all parties. Modern marriage licenses and eHarmony have rendered them all but useless, and have you ever seen anybody actually object? I sure haven't.

In any case, it occurred to me that authors everywhere could bring this phrase back, daring "Does anyone object to this book?!" to the huddled masses in the (metaphorical) pews. As the masters of your content, the progenitors of your book, the experts of your niche, etc, you and you alone are in the best position to market your book. Every author knows that producing and printing the book is the easy part; getting the book into readers' hands is a far greater challenge. Publishers have access to literary-esque events, exhibitions, bookstores, awards and reviews, but authors have access to the channels, organizations, and niches interested in their books' content. These are the resources who will truly launch your book--your brand!--into the stratosphere. Our authors have hooked into organizations as far and varied as the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Guatemalan adoption organizations, midwest and regional farm exhibitions, the American Heart Association, the National Horseshoe Pitcher's Association, Chambers of Commerce, the 148th Air Guard Division, the Army, and much, much more.

So ask yourself "What are the natural extensions of my book?" Where are the slipstreams your book could glide into? On our author Q & As on the blog, we always ask "What opportunities have arisen?", and more often than not they're linked to associated organizations of a book's content.

Sure, your book will be rejected from time to time. Someone in the public realm will raise their hand and say "I object!" It's every author's dilemma, right? Stephen King used to hang his rejection slips off a wall in front of his typewriter before he published Carrie; the nail grew so burdened with rejections it fell off the wall. That's a lot of no's, but look how much success has come his way!

So take everything in stride, and remember to contact anyone that may be able to help you. Send them a book and a proposal for a presentation! Follow them on Twitter, on Facebook, on your blog! In essence, show the world what you have to offer, because no one knows it better than you. And let your publisher know!

We promise we won't object. Any other questions? I'll be sitting in more pews this weekend and pondering...well, you know.

Author Q & A: Jeff Appelquist

2010-07-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

This author Q & A features Jeff Appelquist, author of Sacred Ground: Leadership Lessons From Gettysburg & The Little Bighorn.

BPP: Sacred Ground is such a unique book; could you describe the genesis of your historical seminars, first started with Best Buy? What was their initial reaction? How'd your first meetings go?

JA: I came to my supervisors at Best Buy in the spring of 2007 with the idea of taking a team out to the Little Bighorn battlefield in Montana to create a leadership and team-building experience. The initial pilot in September 2007 was a great success; Best Buy gave me the go-ahead to develop my program, which was called Learning Through History. We added a Gettysburg seminar. The company also allowed me to form my own limited liability company for purposes of marketing the program externally. My company is called Blue Knight History Seminars. Best Buy was truly my "angel investor." When the company offered a buyout of all corporate employees, I jumped at the opportunity, which allowed me to leave Best Buy in February 2009 and build my new company full time. It also allowed me time to write Sacred Ground, which is now the companion volume to my seminars.

Author Q & A: Marilyn Jax

2010-06-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

This author Q & A features Marilyn Jax, author of mystery/thrillers The Find and the new Road to Omalos.

BPP: Were you thinking of writing a novel during your years as a government investigator? What is a government investigator, anyway?

MJ: I would have to say “yes.” The thought of writing mystery novels was always in my mind. My career was demanding, however, and left me little time or energy to concentrate on writing until retirement. A junior-high school classmate came to a book signing at a Borders store and told me she vividly recalled that I spoke about writing mystery novels as early as junior high school.

My job involved the investigation of misrepresentation and fraud in the areas of real estate, franchising, and petroleum remediation to stop environmental damage--all within the state of Minnesota. I worked closely with county attorneys, the FBI, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the IRS Criminal Division to assist in the prosecution of conduct with criminal elements. My work involved taking sworn witness statements, subpoenaing documents for review, executing search warrants, and investigating all aspects of each case to determine whether sufficient evidence of a law violation existed to move forward with appropriate action; writing formal memoranda summarizing investigations from start to finish; and testifying at administrative hearings, and in civil and criminal trials.

BPP: What sparked your imagination for The Find? For Road to Omalos?

MJ: My main character, Claire Caswell, is a female private investigator. This character is based upon my personal experience as a seasoned, twenty-year investigator. Claire has an innate capacity to search tenaciously and follow her inborn instinct to find clues, to hear what people are not saying as much as what they are saying, to put the various pieces of a puzzle (case) together, and, thereby, to resolve the most difficult of cases.

With respect to The Find, after bidding successfully on a lepton coin with an Israeli background at an auction years ago, I knew that the intriguing piece of history would one day work its way into a novel I would write, and my investigation of environmental clean-ups gave me the idea of a skeleton showing up at the bottom of a suspicious dig site. Characters came to life almost effortlessly as the novel began to develop, often leading me in ways I could never have imagined. When they pulled, I held their hands and followed where they wanted to take me. I have lived in Florida and in the Caribbean; thus, writing about both places seemed a natural thing for me to do.

Road to Omalos was inspired by an amazing adventure to Crete years earlier. The mystical and romantic flavor of the Greek island, its lore, and inhabitants, screamed out to me that it should be in a novel one day—that Crete would be a great setting for a mystery. I took notes throughout my trip, and ultimately referred to them in crafting this novel. The big picture theme, repeated in several ways throughout this book, is good vs. evil. Which force prevails? You’ll have to read the book to find out.Claire Caswell must face her greatest fear in this riveting story and the reader will face it along with her.

BPP: How has your travel informed your writing? Or could these books have been written without traveling?

MJ: Without a doubt, travel has certainly fueled my creative juices. Writing about a place where I have lived or visited lends credibility and authenticity to my work. Spending time in a location you plan to write about provides an opportunity to take in the sights, smells, appearance, foods, culture, people, and feel of the place firsthand. Could my books have been written without visiting the locations I write about? I suppose so, but the perspective would definitely be different.

BPP: What advice would you give to authors looking to turn their career knowledge into novels?

MJ: Authors tend to write about subjects and places they know about. Whatever career an author is coming from, it is important to realize that the author is an expert in that particular field. Every author is given the opportunity to share their own personal, intimate knowledge with the world by writing about it in their books. Readers love to learn while they are enjoying the read.

BPP: Have any opportunities arisen as a result of your successful authorship?

MJ: I have met remarkable people at my various author events. I did a back-to-back book signing with the prolific mystery author, William Kent Krueger; spoke at a Coral Gables, Florida book event and had the opportunity to meet acclaimed mystery writer, “Miami’s darling” and former Miami Herald crime reporter, Edna Buchanan, and most recently had dinner with Harry Markopolos, the “Bernard Madoff whistleblower” who read and provided me with an endorsement quote for my second novel, Road to Omalos. I have also been interviewed on television and radio shows.

BPP: The inside flap of Omalos hints at a book called Sapphire Trails. Can you tell us anything more about that right now?

MJ: Sapphire Trails is the name of my third novel that is well underway. This novel takes the two main characters, Claire Caswell and Gaston Guy Lombard, on vacation to Montana. A murder occurs and the famed duo is asked to stay on and help solve the case. This book is a real whodunit. With an assemblage of colorful suspects, the reader will quickly become involved in the story and in trying to determine who committed the crime.

BPP: So are your books sequels, per se?

MJ: No, and yes. The same two main characters, Claire Caswell and Gaston Guy Lombard, will appear in each novel—always in a new, compelling mystery. The books stand alone and can be read independent of each other. So, a reader can certainly read Road to Omalos without first reading The Find. But, for readers who really like books by the same author with the same main characters appearing in each book, I can say that reading my novels in order of publication date will provide the reader with greater understanding of the characters and what motivates them. I have recently heard that those reading Road to Omalos first, immediately buy The Find in order to see where and how it all began. Whatever the order, my goal is to provide hours of entertainment for my readers.

BPP: What are you reading these days (if you have any time at all)?

MJ: Between writing and marketing, time for personal pleasure reading is more limited than I would like it to be. When I do find time, however, it is not unusual for me to have six books on my bedside table at any given time. I enjoy reading all mysteries, historical fiction, and non-fiction, as well. Currently, I am reading, No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller (non-fiction) by Harry Markopolos. An all-time favorite of mine is River God by Wilbur Smith, a historical novel about early Egypt under the rule of Queen Lostris.

BPP: Last, what is your greatest compliment from a reader?

MJ: This question is easy. When readers tell me they cannot put my books down, that they have to turn the next page, that they read late into the night or called in sick to work to finish my novels, and that they cannot wait for the next one, I smile. I feel great satisfaction.

For more on Marilyn Jax, visit her website. Order The Find or Road to Omalos.

June Newsletter: World Cup Edition

2010-06-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

(The following is the main feature of the June 2010 edition of The Mentor, our monthly newsletter here. For future newsletters, sign up at the homepage on the left sidebar.)

"GOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL! Ole ole, ole ole ole!!!!"

Any soccer fan (or football, for our European or traditionalist readers) knows what it's like to watch a professional soccer match. It's raucous, it's loud, it's hard-hitting and competitive and fast. Unfortunately for
American soccer enthusiasts, it's by and large a phantom sport this side of the pond, so this month's World Cup--the largest sporting event in the world--offers a brief respite every four years from watching games
catch-as-catch-can at all hours of the day and night.

But this isn't a soccer newsletter, it's a publishing newsletter, so what can we learn from World Cup? Well, quite a bit.

The most anticipated match of over a dozen first-round clashes pitted the United States against one-time foes and present friendlies the Brits, or England, more specifically. If you were in downtown Minneapolis on the
morning of Saturday, June 12, you may have heard wild cheers and spiteful jeers from any number of pubs as the two teams took to the field. Within minutes, however, England's Steven Gerrard scored on a perfect pass from Emile Heskey, rifling a 20-yard bullet past US goalkeeper Tim Howard. Not the start we were hoping for.

Authors often face a similar dilemma--once your book is back from the printer, how do you come out of the gates swinging? How do you generate a buzz, a reading, a news event...how do you generate sales? One thing we at Beaver's Pond encourage our authors to do is host a book-launch party. Planned in advance, a launch party is a fantastic opportunity in many different ways: Beaver's Pond can generate buzz on our websites; authors can pitch their book as news to various media and draw a crowd; and you can
start gaining a readership long before the book hits bookstores. Using press and media from your launch, it is easier to convince bookstores/other channels to help you market your book. Voila! You've just turned a hat trick moments after your book is ready to go. What else can be gleaned from our soccer match, however? What even happened after that goal?

For about 35 minutes, not much. I can tell you that fans of the US team had their wind knocked out of them from that early strike from Gerrard. In the FIFA World Rankings, England is 8 and the US 18 at the start of the World Cup, so to walk out with a tie was the most some were hoping for. Anything but a loss! Luckily Clint Dempsey, a young man from Texas competing in his 2nd World Cup, had something to say. At 40 minutes in--just 5 before the midgame whistle--Dempsey blasted a shot directly at England's keeper from
about 25 yards out. At first it appeared a standard save--but then! England's Robert Greene let it slip through his fingers as he crouched on the grass, and the ball rolled into the net! GOAL!

What an error. Greene acknowledges he should have secured it right away, and had he done that, England would have beat the US 1-0 (or nil, in soccer jargon), taking an early lead in the tournament group. As the ball slipped through his fingers, America's ability to compete for the next round increased tenfold.

I grew up playing tennis, and something like this--a double fault, for instance--is called an unforced error, something completely preventable. In publishing terms, something many new authors let slip through their fingers is their first year of possible book awards. We always encourage every author to read this newsletter, contact us with questions, and apply for appropriate awards for their book. A book award will always garner you press. It will always come with a fat stack of gold or silver stickers to apply to the cover of your book, and you can get the same PDF file for a future reprint--just brand that award right on the cover! Book awards can effectively re-launch a book that's been out for several months, or add a little more firepower to a newer title. Doesn't "award-winning author of..." sound a lot better than "author of?" Even being nominated as a finalist gets you the sticker. So get out there and apply for awards! Don't pull a Robert Greene and let the future slip through your fingers.

Rounding out our trifecta of thinly-stretched soccer/publishing metaphors is the idea that it takes a team to win--no one can do it on their own. Thus, contact your publisher with questions! We're here to support you, empower you, and provide a solid platform in the intimidating squall of authorship and publishing. Also, the more you let us know about your successes and events, the more visibility we can provide. Publishers have contacts in bookstores, book buyers, book channels, publishing events, resources and awards and people to help fuel your sales, and they're often floating on the tips of our tongues (or computers).

Hopefully you've learned a little more about World Cup or at least about
what you can do to fire up your book and marketing efforts. Remember there's
a reason that soccer players strive for GOALS. Maybe you should too!

Ole ole, ole ole....

Book Awards Redux

2010-05-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

What an exciting several weeks it has been for Beaver's Pond Press and many of our authors! We are blessed to be working with so many talented people, and thrilled that their books are finding eager readers' hands (or Kindles). Below is a compilation of the latest awards, an amalgam of several blog posts over the past several weeks.

If any of the information is incorrect or any author has been omitted, don't hesitate to contact a staff member (it's hard keeping track of so much good news!).

For the National Indie Excellence Awards:

Jeff Appelquist's Sacred Ground, WIN, military history books
Jinny Toucan's The Tale of the Scorpion and the Caterpillar, WIN, children's inspirational books
Mary Linda Sather's Boo Boo Bear's Mission, FINALIST, children's picture books
Christine Stenstrom's Cherry Blossoms Trees, FINALIST, art books

For the Northeast MN Book Awards (NEMBA):

Mary Linda Sather's Boo Boo Bear's Mission, FINALIST, children's books

For the Independent Publisher's Book Awards (IPPYs):

Brian Duren's Whiteout, WIN, Midwest regional fiction
Packy Mader's Big Brother Has Wheels, BRONZE, children's picture books all ages

For the Independent Book Publisher's Association Ben Franklin Award:

Lois West Duffy's Zillah's Gift, FINALIST, young adult fiction. The winner will be announced next week during Book Expo America week in New York City.

For the Reader's View Reviewer's Awards:

Brian Duren's Whiteout, WIN, best midwest literary fiction
Gordy Fredrickson's A Farm Country Halloween, FINALIST, children's books

For the Midwest Independent Publishing Association's (MIPA) Midwest Book Awards:

Don Stolz's The Old Log Theater and Me, WIN, biography
Roger Stelljes' Deadly Stillwater, WIN, best genre fiction
Don Stolz's The Old Log Theater and Me, FINALIST, business
Lois West Duffy's Zillah's Gift, FINALIST, young adult fiction
Mary Linda Sather's Boo Boo Bear's Mission, FINALIST, children's picture books
Curtis Dahlin's The Dakota Uprising, FINALIST, history
Brian Duren's Whiteout, FINALIST, 2- or 3-color cover
Rod Johnson's Without Warning, FINALIST, 2- or 3-color cover

For the Minnesota Book Award:

Trish Herbert, JourneyWell, FINALIST

For ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards:

DeAnne and Michelle Sherman's My Story, FINALIST (winners still unnanounced), book of the year

For the Mom's Choice Awards:

Amy Recob's The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies, GOLD, health and safety
Collette Nicoleta's There's a Frog on my Forehead!, GOLD, basic concepts
Eva Wells' Wishing I Was Fishing, GOLD, sports and recreation
Lois West Duffy's Zillah's Gift, SILVER, historical fiction
Marsha Peterson's Come Sign With Us, SILVER, educational
Susie Bazil's The Sick Bug, GOLD, health & safety (2009)

A hearty congratulations to our authors once again!

Beaver's Pond Author, Brian Duren ("Whiteout") WINS IPPY AWARD!

2010-05-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Beaver's Pond author Brian Duren, whose literary fiction, Whiteout, wins FIRST PLACE in the MIDWEST--BEST REGIONAL FICTION category in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) called this past Friday!

About Whiteout:

American expatriate Paul Bauer, a freelance journalist living in Paris with his French lover, thinks he has it made. And then his mother dies. When he returns for the funeral to a little town in northern Minnesota, he encounters unsettling contradictions to his understanding of his family history and begins a quest into his past that leads him back among the dead. He hears the voices of his parents talking of dreams, desires, and loss, and inexorably their story leads him to ask the question—the very question his family has always wanted to prevent him from asking: What really did happen in that whiteout thirty-five years ago? The answer changes everything.

Look for a special Q & A with Brian Duren later this week!

Beaver's Pond Authors Dominate the Midwest Book Awards!

2010-05-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

Last night, Beaver's Pond Staff and authors were brought together by the Midwest Book Awards-- prestigious regional book awards held by IBPA (the Independent Book Publishers Association) for all books published by independent publishers within the twelve-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The ceremony, held in Saint Paul, brought a congregation of literary connoisseurs of all kinds: authors, publishers, IBPA members, and Publishers Weekly representatives. Our talented Beaver's Pond authors made a big splash at the ceremony with 6 finalist award winners and 2 category award winners! We were humbled and proud by our authors' presence at the awards ceremony!

Also see article by Laurie Hertzel (Book Reviewer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune), on Beaver's Pond Press's large presence and honors at the awards!

Beaver's Pond Press CategoryWinners:

The Old Log Theater and Me, Don Stolz, Biography/Memoir

Deadly Stillwater, Roger Stelljes, Genre Fiction

Beaver's Pond Press Award Finalists:

The Old Log Theater and Me, Don Stolz, Business

[See image above]

Zillah's Gift, Lois West Duffy, Children/Young Adult Fiction

Boo Boo Bear's Mission: The True Story of a Teddy Bear's Adventures in Iraq, Mary Linda Sather, Children's Picture Books

The Dakota Uprising: A Pictorial History, Curtis A. Dahlin, History

Whiteout, Brian Duren, Two- or Three-color Cover

Without Warning, Rodney Johnson, Two- or Three-color Cover

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO OUR SPECTACULAR AUTHORS! We're so proud to have published your books.

-The BPP Gang

IPPY's and Franklin's and More, Oh My!

2010-05-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

What a week it's been for a few Beaver's Pond Press authors! In addition to Lois West Duffy's Ben Franklin Award Nomination, we are thrilled to announce that Patrick Mader, author of "Big Brother Has Wheels," has also been named a finalist for a national award, the IPPY, recognizing excellence in independent publishing. Patrick's book is in the Picture Book category for all ages.Congratulations Packy!

A day after Lois (we hope!) will win the Ben Franklin Award, Patrick's book will be highlighted at the Book Expo America convention, also in New York City, on May 25th.

From the back cover of Patrick's book:

"Wheels. They come in different sizes on different vehicles, but they all hold the same fascination: they take you places. Follow Big Brother as he wheels his way out of the farmyard and across the country. Ride with him on bikes, tractors, and even a forklift as he explores the United States, and join his family as they wonder, "Where will Big Brother drive next?"

Patrick "Packy" Mader is also the author of Opa and Oma Together, and Oma Finds a Miracle. Learn more about Packy and his wonderful books here, and purchase Big Brother Has Wheels here.

To see Packy's Author Q & A on this blog, click here.

Author Q & A: Lois West Duffy

2010-05-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

BPP author Lois West Duffy has just been nominated as 1 of 3 finalists for the Ben Franklin Award in Young Adult literature for Zillah's Gift. Our sincere congratulations to her! As we had an Author Q & A waiting in the wings to be posted for Lois, there's no better time than now to let fly.

BPP: What was the initial inspiration for Zillah's Gift?

LWD: My husband Joe and I were touring in Turkey and saw an ancient caravan serai, where travelers on the trade route would stop for a safe overnight stay. They even had pieces of old clay tablets where records were kept. It fired my imagination, and I wanted to write a story for my grandchildren.

I wanted to tell Bible stories from a girl's perspective. Then I decided to make it a hero's journey, after hearing Chris Vogler, a Hollywood "film doctor" talk about how everyone's life is a hero's journey. I already knew about the concept from reading Joseph Campbell, and at that point I knew what my story needed.

BPP: What were/are your favorite YA novels?

LWD: Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is my favorite. Also, of course, Minnesota writer Kate diCamillo's engaging, magical stories.

BPP: The YA genre is tough--kids may cast aside a book one summer that they loved the year before. What difficulties did you encounter in the genre? How did you overcome them?

LWD: I hope Zillah's Gift will be timeless, perhaps something young readers will read to their own children when they have them. My most difficult genre problem is that my book is for both religious and secular audiences. For those who know the Magi story, it is a Christmas tale. But at the same time it is an adventure story of a girl facing and overcoming great obstacles that finds acceptance in the mainstream market. With the book coming out last September, I planned on marketing primarily to adults looking for Christmas gifts for young readers. I'm still working out how to appeal to both kinds of audiences, and throughout the entire year. But booksellers tell me that approximately 80% of their business is done between Thanksgiving and the New Year. I'm in that range too.

BPP: What has been the most surprising part about publishing?

LWD: That readers want a sequel, and they tell me what they want to happen in the sequel! Also, that adults tell me that they enjoyed the book and found it meaningful. Many girls and women tell me that they appreciate reading a Biblical story with a female protagonist. I've been asked to create a study guide for adults as well as children.

Also, I worked for a number of years in politics, and I was surprised that marketing a book is similar to marketing a candidate--looking for toe-holds in a community where you know someone, using events as an opportunity for media exposure.

BPP: What opportunities have arisen as a result of your award-winning book and burgeoning authorship?

LWD: I've been given wonderful opportunities to speak before groups of students as well as adults. I learn a lot that way. One student in a school for disadvantaged students told me--and his teachers, for the first time--that he was writing plays. He hadn't dared to tell anyone before meeting a live author. And a principal told me that an 8-year-old boy lost his father shortly after I had been at their school; the child said my book helped him get through it, because Zillah's father had also died, and he saw how she coped.

I'm also looking forward to doing a presentation on "Teaching Values Through a Hero's Journey" at the Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference & Curriculum Fair at Macalester College May 28 and 29. That opportunity came through a reader. For that, I am preparing a study guide and hope to learn a lot about how to approach this growing educational market.

BPP: You just finished a graduate course in fiction--how did that influence your writing or thinking about your own work?

LWD: It expanded my view of possibilities in both fiction and nonfiction. More importantly, it's helping me be more aware of problems in my own work and how to improve. I've also taken classes at The Loft, and it's always helpful to work with published writers as well as serious students of writing--especially under a deadline!

BPP: Last, what are you reading these days? And how do you find time to write?

LWD: I just finished Paul Auster's City of Glass, in both the print and graphic novel forms for my graduate class, which helped me to appreciate the graphic novel form. Also, I just finished Black Boy, a memoir by Richard Wright, and am now reading Louise Erdrich's newest book, Shadow Tag. Her writing is so poetically spare and full of emotional impact.

I make time to write; I'm doing short stories for a class and continue to work on a Biblical history novel for adults I started several years ago. And, of course, the sequel to Zillah's Gift!

Purchase Zillah's Gift here, and look for an update in several weeks from the Ben Franklin awards in New York!

Ben Franklin Award Finalist

2010-05-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Lois West Duffy! Her young adult novel Zillah's Gift has just been named one of the 3 finalists for the prestigious Ben Franklin Award in the Young Adult Fiction category!

The Ben Franklin Award is presented by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and is a nationally recognized honor for books of superb quality and merit. Zillah's Gift has previously been honored with a Mom's Choice Award as well as a finalist for the Midwest Book Awards.

From the back cover:

Zillah thought her world began and ended with the jagged mountains that surrounded her...then that strange star appeared in her sky.

Zillah is an orphan in ancient Persian living in a caravan serai--a safe haven for desert travelers. Other children taunt her because of a birthmark on her face and strangers think it is the sign of a curse. Her future is grim until a royal caravan comes to the serai, following a wondrous star. Zillah has seen that star, though it is invisible to those around her. Through a series of amazing events, Zillah embarks on an adventure full of danger, trying to protect her most precious secret.

It looks like Lois is on her way to New York! The award ceremony will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on May 24th at 7 P, and Zillah's Gift may be purchased here.

"Start spreading the news..." --Frank Sinatra, "New York"

Garage Logic Book Preview

2010-05-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

Garage Logic has gone to press!

For lovers of cars, tools, and common sense, Joe Soucheray's Garage Logic: A Companion Guide to Life in the Radio Town will be sure to please. Look for more updates soon from The Mayor and Flashlight King himself, Joe Soucheray.

Also, Joe has lost his money clip! For more details, click here and push the 'play' button.

Author Q & A: Susie Bazil

2010-04-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Last week, BPP author Susie Bazil and illustrator Shawn McKann hopped a plane and attended this year's LA Times Festival of Books, showcasing her award-winning book The Sick Bug. Kind enough to send us a few pictures, we figured it's probably time for another Author Q & A here at the Beaver's Pond Blog. Here we go!

BPP: Had you always wanted to write a book?

SB: I have wanted to write since I was little. Initially I thought I would try to write a novel but that seemed too daunting, especially with three young kids. As I read more and more children's stories to my own kids, I realized some were clever and some not so much; that is when I started thinking of ideas for my own book.

BPP: The Sick Bug is such an obvious and fun idea--did you get it from your own kids?

SB: Tess, my youngest, was the inspiration for the book. She is now 5 1/2 years old, but way back when she was just three, she was laying in bed with a really bad cold one November day. I felt her forehead and she had a fever, so I said "oh babe you've got a bug!" Despite how terrible she felt, she bolted up and threw off the covers and started screaming "A BUG! WHERE IS THE BUG?! I HATE BUGS!"

I tried to explain that it wasn't an actual insect, but rather a tiny germ inside our bodies that make us feel yucky. The questions inevitably followed: what do they look like? What color are they? Where do they come from? How do they leave? When she dozed off, the light bulb literally went off in my head and I grabbed a pen and paper and started jotting down notes and ideas. The book was born then and there! Looking back, I remember Tess was going through an anti-insect stage at the time, and in hindsight I'm glad she was, otherwise the book may never have been.

BPP: What has been the most challenging aspect of being self-published? The most rewarding?

SB: The most challenging aspect is learning where to spend the most time/money/effort to get the best results with sales, publicity and exposure. It has been trial-and-error for me. I learned a lot the first few months the book was out and have definitely changed my approach since then on where to focus my efforts.

The most rewarding aspect is seeing kids laugh and light up when I visit classrooms to read the story! There is nothing better than a 5-, 6-, or 7-year old (or parent) come up afterward and declare "I really liked your book!" It's wonderful to bring joy this way, as I never saw myself as a creative person (although I always wanted to be).

BPP: What opportunities have arisen as a result of The Sick Bug?

SB: Tons of opportunities have come my way! I've been reading to classrooms around the metro and also in Wisconsin, Illinois, and California where I have ties. I've been invited to School Nurses' Conferences and Health Clinic events, where I am able to share and sell the book.

BPP: What was the LA Times Festival of Books like? How'd you get involved?

SB: I participated in the Boston Globe Book Festival, sponsored by Target in September 2009, the same week The Sick Bug came out. The BGBF was a great experience but also the first time I presented my book on stage, so I was a nervous wreck. Target contacted me late last year because they were looking for proposals for the LA Times event because they were again sponsoring the Children's Stage. I put together a proposal with Shawn McKann (my illustrator), basically doing what we usually do at school visits and book fairs. Target loved the idea of an author/illustrator team presentation and invited us to be part of the 2010 LA Festival.

It attracts over 200,000 people annually for the 2-day event, and we were a part of a lineup including Henry Winkler--The Fonz!, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary, Carl Reiner, and many more. It was such an honor and privilege to be there and we actually put on a good show despite our jitters. It was an experience we'll never forget!

BPP: What is your advice for would-be kids' authors?

SB: Take the leap of faith if you believe in your story! There will never be "a perfect time" to tackle the endeavor. Your kids may be young, you may be struggling at work, and you may feel like you have zero time to get anything done (much less writing). But if you have the determination and are willing to put yourself out there, you will not regret it. At least I haven't!

BPP: Last, what are you reading these days (if you have any time at all)?

SB: Funny you ask. I just finished Sarah's Key on the plane back from the Festival. It was great! Before that I read Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, again on a plane. There's a pattern emerging here...

Susie's path is a great example of how one opportunity in publishing often leads to another. Keep your ears and eyes open and you never know what will come your way!

If you're a BPP author and would like to be featured here, please email Jordan@beaverspondpress.com.

The Writing Life

2010-04-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

To Market, To Market!

2010-04-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

We've been saying it at Beaver's Pond for years: self-publishing is on the rise.

A few weeks ago, the city of Denver hosted the AWP conference (Association of Writers and Writing Programs). It is the largest annual meeting of literati-folk in the nation, consisting of publishers large and small, authors, vendors, exhibitions, readings, signings, etc. Over 8,000 individuals attended, and for publishing professionals from all gamuts, the AWP conference is often a breath of fresh (spring) air after a long dark winter of reading, writing or revising. What do you suppose some of the main topics were?

Wait, I'll tell you: Ebooks and small publishers (like Beaver's Pond). Henry Baum, editor of Self-Publishing Review, had this to say: "everyone is in the same boat. Everyone loves writing and everyone [has] trouble marketing." Editors from TinHouse and McSweeney's magazines (major literary quarterlies and publishing houses) contributed this: they consider a book a success if it sells 3,000 copies. Done right, that is not a lot of books! Many of our authors reach that number on their 2nd printing. Publishers large and small, self-pub's and traditional presses, all face the same problems: finding readers, finding reviews, selling books. Baum also points out that "the mood toward self-publishing was generally friendly." So the takeaway from the major publishing conference in Denver is the same that we tell authors and clients every day from our small office in Minnesota--hold high your self-publishing staff with Beaver's Pond!

In a report from Publisher's Weekly dated April 14, over 760,000 books were self-published last year, and when combined with the 200,000+ traditionally-published titles, book output overall rose 87% last year.

Whoa.

What does this mean for your book, or book idea? It means the tools are available to make it happen any way you want. You can self-publish, find a literary agent and pitch to a large press for The Big Score, or you can carve your own niche with any number of independent small- and medium-sized publishers. Either way, and echoing the AWP conference, all writers are facing the same problems. Remember that nothing beats your own passion for pushing sales, identifying an audience, and crafting your own market. Our last newsletter described how vast a community social networking can provide for diligent writers; don't let the rise of published titles scare you. Ebooks are creating readers where there were none before, and the ability to become the author of your dreams is easier than ever before.

So to market, to market! Want to support self-publishing, or publishing in general? To market, and buy a few hardcover books! Want to drive your own sales? To market, utilizing the internet and any connections you have (alumni organizations, business connections, networking meetings, etc.)!

Self-publishing is here in a big way. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

10 Turnoffs for Literary Agents

2010-04-20T08:15:00.001-07:00

I (Dara) came across great agent advice in the May/June issue of Poets & Writers and here's what I gathered as ten pet peeves for agents:

1. Jokey Queries

2. Queries written by hand

3. Stationery with images of quills, ink pots and books

4. E-mail queries with hundreds of agents in the "To" field

5. E-mail queries sent from companies that solicit agents on behalf of writers

6. Queries that describe the work as a "fictional novel"

7. Spam queries that repeatedly send the same email

8. Arrogance

9. Desperation

10. Writers who take things personally

Author Q & A: Suzanne Ruff

2010-04-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, April 8, author Suzanne Ruff celebrated the launch of new book, "The Reluctant Donor," in Bloomington, Minnesota (see previous blog entry for more information). In our continuing author Q & A, Suzanne answered a few questions about her book.

BPP: When or how did the idea of a book first occur to you?

SR: Shortly after my mother's death from PKD, my dad found the letters I had written to her just before my sister collapsed with the same disease. They were tied with a ribbon, and in the corner of each she had written notes to me, knowing I would not see them until after she died. The letters spanned 30 years and were bound with letters that she had written her mom too!

BPP: How common is PKD (polycystic kidney disease)? What is least understood about it?

SR: PKD is the most common of all life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting more people than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia, and Huntington's disease, combined. 600,000 Americans have it and 12.5 million people worldwide suffer from it. The least understood thing about PKD is how common it is.

BPP: What was most surprising about the book production process?

SR: The most surprising thing about the production was that I was told by authors with big publishing houses that editors would completely change my book. It never happened like that with Beaver's Pond.

BPP: Did you ever see yourself as an author while younger?

SR: A seed was sown when my aunt gave me a typewriter at age 13.
BPP: What opportunities have arisen as a result of The Reluctant Donor?

SR: I was nominated to the National Kidney Foundation Living Donor Council Executive Committee, found here.

BPP: What is your advice for authors looking to share their experiences?

SR: Everyone has a story. Everyone loves a story. Believe in your story, help others, and be passionate!

For more information about PKD or to order The Reluctant Donor, please click here.

Suzanne Ruff's "The Reluctant Donor"

2010-04-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Last night marked the official launch of BPP's latest book, "The Reluctant Donor," by Suzanne Ruff. The book chronicles Suzanne's decision to donate one of her kidneys to a sister afflicted with PKD, or polycystic kidney disease. PKD holds the highest mortality rate for hereditary illnesses, and much of the Ruff family has been diagnosed with it. Suzanne's book chronicles her family's history with the disease over 3 generations as awareness of it grew, along with the science to fight it. It's a journey of family and faith, fear and love.

The party was a massive success! Held at the Holiday Inn in Bloomington, Minnesota, scores of people showed up to support Suzanne and celebrate her new status with her. Much of her extended family was present, including Joanne, the sister-recipient of her kidney, seen on the far left. Suzanne is in blue on the right.

A book launch party is a fantastic way to begin marketing your book! Suzanne was able to spread the word long before it occurred, and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune newspaper was in attendance, as well as other local media. For over 2 hours Suzanne told her story, signed books, and inspired everyone in attendance. Stay tuned for an author Q & A!

Find out more about The Reluctant Donor.

Find out more about PKD.

Seven Finalists for Midwest Book Awards

2010-04-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

The results are in! Beaver's Pond Press has no less than SEVEN (7!) titles competing as finalists for the 20th annual Midwest Book Awards. Chosen from publishers from over 10 states, these books all carry a 2009 ISBN # and are not reprints.

Our sincere congratulations to:

Don Stolz, The Old Log Theater & Me, finalist in 2 categories, Memoir and Business

Lois West Duffy, Zillah's Gift, finalist in Children/Young Adult Fiction

Mary Linda Sather, Boo Boo Bear's Mission, finalist in Children's Picture Books

Roger Stelljes, Deadly Stillwater, finalist in Commercial Fiction

Curtis Dahlin, The Dakota Uprising: A Pictorial History, finalist in History/Current Events

Rod Johnson, Without Warning, finalist in 1- or 2-Color Cover

Brian Duren, Whiteout, finalist in 1- or 2-Color Cover

Author Q & A - Mary Linda Sather

2010-03-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

(Author Q & A is a new feature of the blog. Email Jordan@beaverspondpress.com for more information)

Mary Linda Sather is the author of Boo Boo Bear's Mission, a children's book geared toward kids with loved ones deployed abroad. From her website, the book is "the true story of a teddy bear who travels to Iraq to carry a family's love until they can be together again." Illustrated by children with family members deployed abroad, Boo Boo Bear's Mission has been received extremely well everywhere it goes and will soon enter its 2nd printing.

BP: What was the tipping point for the book? When was it no longer an option but an obligation?

MLS: In the spring of 2007 I was just completing a children's book and getting ready to look for a publisher. A phone call from my daughter-in-law changed the next two years of my life: she told me my granddaughter, Shea Leigh, had sent her beloved teddy bear to her dad, who was serving with the Air National Guard in Iraq. While packing the bear in a care package the family sent, Shea Leigh expressed her with that Boo Boo keep her dad company until he could safely return home to his family. The story of my granddaughter's compassion and generosity moved me to tears! I set aside the first book and began on Boo Boo's story; I immediately felt that the story needed to be written and shared with other children and their families who were experiencing the same feelings of loss, anxiety, sadness, and fear my granddaughter was going through.

Judy Blume says, "you don't write because you want to, you write because you have to...those of us who write do it because there are stories inside us burning to get out." Blume's words are the perfect explanation of my need to capture the inspiring message of Shea Leigh's gift to her dad and turn it into Boo Boo Bear's Mission: The True Story of a Teddy Bear's Adventures in Iraq.

BP: Have channels/events/organizations contacted you that you previously were unaware of? Or what opportunities have arisen since publication?

MLS: As a retired teacher who has had many fewer opportunities to connect with kids than I did before retirement, I am delighted that the book has given me such a pleasurable way to again interact with children and their families. As an author I have had opportunities to meet wonderful people from all walks of life, participate in school visits, book readings and signings, book fairs, radio and TV interviews, conferences, conventions, and military family events. These author experiences have broadened my world considerably. The knowledge gained about the publishing world, publicity in general, and marketing has been interesting and helpful in promoting Boo Boo Bear's Mission. One of things I'm most proud of is my newly-developed ability to make cold calls to bookstores and organizations without crumbling and babbling with nervousness. My most rewarding experiences have been those where I see kids and adults engaged in the story and where I have the opportunity to make donations of the book, knowing it will make a difference in many kids' lives. (Selling books is nice too, as is being referred to as "the author!") Another pleasant discovery is that my knowledge and skills as a teacher are readily transferreable to my new role as an author. Finally, as a lifelong learner, I have found new knowledge through the writing and publishing experience. It's been incredibly enriching and enjoyable!

BP: What has been the most surprising part about self-publishing? The most difficult? The easiest?

MLS: For me, the most surprising thing about self-publishing has been the time and effort needed to self-promote in order to get my book out there and noticed. Beaver's Pond Press staff were clear that most publicity and marketing would be my responsibility. Until I actually started doing it, however, there was no way I could have known all the time and effort it would take. Learning what comes after the book is printed has been both challenging and rewarding.

A positive part about self-publishing has been the individual attention and support I have had from the Beaver's Pond Press staff. Knowing my voice would be heard at each step of the production process greatly influenced my choice to self-publish. All of the professionals who worked with me gave me their best and were patient with my questions--and I had a lot of questions! During writing, editing, and the design/layout process, everyone I worked with listened to my reasons for what I was proposing and were respectful of my preferences. For example, illustrations done by children were integral to my vision for the book; we discussed as a team whether that would be a good decision in terms of marketing potential. Because I had chosen Beaver's Pond Press as my publisher, I had the final say. Eight months after publishing, the overwhelming reaction to the kids' illustrations has been highly positive.

The most difficult (and interesting) part was learning about publicity and marketing. Trying to find a balance between the time required to get the book out there and the time to attend to other parts of my life was, and continues to be, a major challenge. One of the best decisions I made was to hire a publicist/marketer to take over some of those responsibilities. This has helped me reach equilibrium in my life and allows me to beging considering finishing the book I was working on before that life-altering phone call!

In the end I would say that writing the book was the easiest part! I know other authors who have self-published and have said the same thing.

BP: What is your advice for children's authors looking to inspire from personal circumstances, as you have done with Boo Boo?

MLS:

Always be aware of the possiblities for stories that could be developed from your own experiences.
Study kids' books that appeal to you and see how other authors have done it. Figure out what makes their stories work.
Find or create the core message/theme in your personal circumstances or experiences and build around that.
Ask yourself if the story you want to create has appeal to others and can inspire them, too.
Decide on your niche. Who is this book targeted for?
Be sure the vocabulary, concepts, and message are appropriate for your target age level.
Throughout the writing process, ask others you trust for feedback both about your idea and the actual book.
Carefully consider that feedback and use only what feels right for you.
Most importantly: be committed to writing a story that has integrity and universal truth.

BP: What principles guide you through the writing process?

MLS:

Believe in yourself and your work.

Accept that there will be times of intense pleasure and times of intense agony throughout the writing process.
Be focused and determined to work as hard as possible to reach your goal.
Have a clear vision.
Know your purpose or mission for the project and stay passionate about it.
Let your passion show as you connect with people through your book.

You can find more information about Mary Linda's book here. On Tuesday, March 30, Mary Linda will be presenting on her experience as an author in Duluth, Minnesota, at the Young Author's Conference at the University of St. Scholastica all day.

Book Awards, Book Awards, And More Book Awards

2010-03-24T13:54:00.001-07:00

Several Beaver's Pond books and authors have been doing quite well lately! See the books and their links below for more information.

Trish Herbert's Journeywell has been nominated for the Minnesota Book Award.

Focused on older adults, Journeywell provides a framework for those struggling with the move to the twilight years of life. Find it here.

Michelle and Deanne Sherman's My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens is a finalist for Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award.

My Story is a glimpse of four fictional teens whose families are struggling with members deployed abroad.

Brian Duren's Whiteout has just been awarded the Reader's View Reviewer's Award for best Literary Fiction by a Midwest author.

Whiteout tells the story of American expatriate Paul Bauer, his return to Minnesota after years spent in France, and a slowly-revealed secret of over twenty years that changes everything.

Gordy Fredrickson's A Farm Country Halloween also garnered high acclaim in the Reader's View Reviewer's Choice Awards for best book for children ages 5-12!

Midwest Book Review Notable Books

2010-03-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

The March 2010 issue of The Midwest Book Review magazine will feature no less than three (3!) recent Beaver's Pond titles. They are, in no particular order:

Craig Johnson's Eat The Grapes, Don't Fight The Battles

After a career in education, Craig Johnson and his family closed up shop in the United States and moved to Turkey for a year. From the review: "Turkey is a place of duality, as society with two sides seems to co-exist on every level, making for a truly unique cultural experience. Well written and deftly crafted, Johnson's memoir is truly an adventure to read, making Eat The Grapes a solid addition to any memoir collection.

Find it here.

Judy Strong's A Child's Grief: Surviving the Death of a Parent

Judy Strong's A Child's Grief is less a book than a tool and resource for those mourning the loss of loved ones, particularly parents, as the title implies. From the review: "A Child's Grief contains a thorough catalog of tools and facts to help steer a child through the devastation of parental loss...[it] is a small, sensible handbook that packs a valuable range of resources for those working to comfort bereaved children."

Find it here.

Verne Pickering's Hatley: History of a Central Wisconsin Village

Verne Pickering's superb and richly-detailed coffee table book about a small community in Wisconsin paints a vivid and enjoyable picture of a small community that at one time was a central hub of the Midwest logging industry and a significant producer of moonshine during Prohibition in the early 20th century.

From the review: "Born and raised in Hatley, Verne Pickering (with the assistance of Donald Pickering) has deftly written and superbly illustrated an informed and informative history of Hatley...[this book] is highly recommended for academic and community library Wisconsin History collections, and would admirably serve as a template for similar histories of other local Wisconsin communities."

Find it here.

A Stalker, A Victim, A Survivor

2010-03-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

In the 1960s, Ming Sen Shieu took a class from a high school teacher named Mary Stauffer.

In 1980, he abducted Mary and her daughter.

And in 2010, Ming will be released from prison.

The harrowing story of Ming's psychosis and abduction of Mary Stauffer is recounted in detail in Eileen Biernat's Stalking Mary, available now from our warehouse. Eileen's book was on the cover of City Pages magazine two weeks ago, and the story continues to receive extensive television and radio coverage in the Twin Cities area. Click here for WCCO's ongoing television coverage.

Despite its subject matter, Mary and her family are alive and well in the United States. Expect more from this book and story soon as Ming is scheduled for release 30 years to the day he abducted Mary Stauffer and her daughter.

Find it here.

How Do I Get Into Libraries?

2010-03-04T09:50:00.001-08:00

Beaver's Pond author Patrick "Packy" Mader has focused much of his marketing time and effort on getting into library systems all over the state and region. With increasing momentum, Packy's efforts snowballed into a 13-Library contract with a northeastern Minnesota library system, and he garners speaking fees, gas money, and the opportunity to sell his book from most every library event he now spearheads. His books, Opa and Oma Together, Oma Finds a Miracle, and Big Brother Has Wheels can be found in over 200 libraries nationwide. He recently answered a few questions about the library system and his experience.

BP: How or why do libraries appeal to you so much?

PM: Libraries interest me in several ways: they are an avenue to do presentations which I enjoy, they bring a broad spectrum of patrons, and they are free and serve the public.

BP: What has been the easiest aspect of getting into a library or library system?

PM: Once my earliest presentations received favorable reviews, the librarians networked and recommended me to other branch libraries within their regional system.
BP: What has been the hardest aspect?

PM: Librarians are wary of self-published books. Unfortunately, there are some circulating that contain many errors or are not written well so some of the skepticism is warranted. Since self-published books are not reviewed by library journals--which are often the chief source of acquisitions--it was difficult to receive a request for the first program. I actually did an audition at one library and prepared well for it by bringing props, having an engaging program that would appeal to a wide-ranging audience, and used an enthusiastic and confident tone of voice. Evidently it worked!

BP: As an author, did you discover anything about libraries you didn't know before?

PM: Libraries offer varied programming, help job seekers, and put forth great effort to meet the community's needs. I may have known that beforehand, but the depth and demand did surprise me. It truly reinforced my respect for the kind, interested, and helpful people that libraries have on staff.

BP: What is your advice for authors looking to explore the library system?

PM: First, determine whether it is a good setting for yourself and your book. Next, prepare: get advice from other library performers, librarians, and patrons whom you believe can offer an honest appraisal of your talents and message. Write a cover letter and create a brochure that will appeal to the library's program director. Something unique or an idea that can be approached with a new angle is always more appealing since libraries want to offer something different. Practice your presentation. Hone it at other venues where you may already have an engagement. Post testimonials or references on your website. Know what materials you will need (if any), set up a fee structure, and be ready to have detailed answers if you are contacted with questions.

Libraries don't want to be seen as spending money foolishly on presentations that are ill-prepared or lack appeal. If you have no track record, you cannot fault them for demanding to know what to expect regarding the length of time of your presentation, the message you hope to project, and what audience will best be served. If you land a program, be collaborative and prompt. Thank the audience for attending. Acknowledge them and express your appreciation. Send the library staff a thank-you card afterward. It all creates good will and opens opportunities for the future.

For more information on Patrick and his books, find his website here.

Bloomington Writer's Festival and Book Fair

2010-03-03T13:01:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, Beaver's Pond Press attended the Writer's Festival and Book Fair in Bloomington, Minnesota. Beaver's Pond was one of the sponsors, as well as MIPA, the Midwest Independent Publishing Association. The Fair featured over 50 authors, a dozen workshops, and a promising opportunity to network within the world of writing and publishing.

Foot traffic was heavy most of Saturday. This meant good things for Beaver's Pond authors! One of the first (and most obvious) benefits of self-publishing is 100% control over your book...and its sales! Every Beaver's Pond book sold at this event--or any event--nets the author 100% of the cover price.

Attending events like this book festival have myriad benefits; besides the ability to sell your book, authors have the chance to attend workshops and panel discussions hosted by industry professionals. The BPP staff and authors attended events focusing on everything from fair use and legal-ese in the publishing industry to the burgeoning world of social networking. There were seminars on how to secure a media interview and use every second to your advantage. There were workshops on fiction and memoir as well as nonfiction and sci-fi. The seminar on Ebooks was heavily attended.

Beaver's Pond President and Founder Milt "Beaver" Adams discusses the world of publishing with a client...or competitor...or old friend. We're not really sure but she looks very pleased.

Besides the sponsoring company booth, Beaver's Pond had a strong presence with several authors attending. Some of their stories are below!

Richard Greelis was ideally positioned for maximum foot traffic at the apex of two aisles. Author of Copbook, Richard spent over 25 years serving in almost every unit of a Minnesota cop department, and Copbook offers a detailed glimpse into the stories you won't find on the news. His experience spans the K9 department, Swat Team Operator, and stints in Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, and Adult Violent Crimes. Find it here.

A few seats down from Richard Greelis sat Justin Delzer. A writer at heart for life, Justin just recently published his first book, The Buccaneers of Nemaris. The book follows the exploits of young sailor Thomas DeLuit as he explores the wonders of the Centra Sea and begins to discover the truth about his father's disappearance. Scallywags will love Justin's book! Find it here.

Rose Marie Meuwissen is the author of Real Norwegians Eat Lutefisk (nothing like a strong title to catch your eye). In her book, Rose uses lutefisk as a tool for Norwegians young and old to discover and rejoice in their cultural heritage and ancestry. Rose's father, Sverre Waagen, brought his family to the States shortly after World War II. Rose has visited her family's old home on the fjords of Gurskebotn many times. Find it here.

Mary Linda Sather is the author of Boo Boo Bear's Mission, a children's book which strikes a chord with everyone who sees it. Shortly after her son was deployed overseas, he received a package from his daughter in the mail. It held one of her most prized possessions: a loved and worn bear named Boo Boo. Boo Boo Bear's Mission is a great book for families who have brothers, sisters, moms and dads deployed in our nation's armed services. Find it here.

Mary Linda and her publicist, Rachel Anderson, who is working with several of our authors.

Patrick "Packy" Mader is the author of three Beaver's Pond books, Opa and Oma Together, Oma Finds a Miracle, and most recently Big Brother Has Wheels. Patrick's marketing approach is unique in that he has focused most of his efforts on the library systems of Minnesota and beyond, and his books can now be found in over 200 libraries nationwide. He has found the library system (and the librarians employed within) to be generous, thoughtful people and staunch supporters of his book. More info here.

Gordy Fredrickson is easy to spot--just look for his trademark overalls and hat! Gordy has published three books with Beaver's Pond, If I Were a Farmer, A Farm Country Christmas, and A Farm Country Halloween. What do you think they focus on? In his farm country books, Gordy trains his lens on a nostalgic and integral part of our region's past, the pastoral Farm Country. With more books in tow, Gordy has found a common niche and tweaked it for consecutive successes. Look for more books soon! More info here.

Midwest Kids' Fest 2010

2010-02-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, Beaver's Pond Press authors Marsha Peterson, Lois West Duffy, Susie Bazil, Patrick Mader, Anne Picard and Colette Nicoletta attended the 2010 Midwest Kids' Fest at the Rivercentre in downtown St. Paul. It was quite a show!

Kids were bouncing off our shins as we educated and entertained readers of all kinds. Beaver's Pond Press authors have identified unique niche audiences and know how to push their books and messages. All authors interacted with passersby and had the chance to take the podium and read to an audience of children and adults (although it's hard to follow up the Teddy Bear Band).

Marsha Peterson's Come Sign With Us is an award-winning educational book and interactive tool to help children and adult learners build a comprehensive and useful sign-language vocabulary. Marsha had a strong presence, replete with a book-cover canvas, custom totes, baby bibs and, of course, her wonderful book. Find it here.

Lois West Duffy, author of the Mom's Choice Award-winning Zillah's Gift, gave a brief reading of her young adult novel. Lois and Marsha employed a simple tactic--bribery via candy and toys--to entice readers to the Beaver's Pond booth. Sometimes the most obvious marketing tactics work best; as parents and children stopped to see all 3 award-winning books, Lois networked with an educator from Hutchinson to line up a book reading at school! Curious about her book? Find it here.

Susie Bazil, author of another Mom's Choice Award-winning book The Sick Bug, had everything from tshirts to tattoos to vinyl sick bugs and more to keep readers coming back to the booth. Find it here.

Though there are no pictures from Sunday's show, authors Patrick Mader, Anne Picard and Colette Nicoletta found themselves busy as well.

Patrick Mader is the author of 3 Beaver's Pond books: Opa and Oma Together, Oma Finds a Miracle, and Big Brother Has Wheels. If you ever have any questions about how to get into and profit from the library system, Patrick is the author to speak to. Find them here.

Anne Picard's Peace and Pancakes is one of the only Beaver's Pond books available in both English and Spanish, even though its characters and illustrations speak to everyone. Find it here.

Colette Nicoletta's There's a Frog on my Forehead! is inspired by a true story--a frog literally jumped on her forehead while gardening! With animals as tour guides, There's a Frog on my Forehead educates children on the human body. Find it here.

We even ran into a few celebrities! H'e's been known as The Purple One and The Artist Formerly Known as Prince--(we're thankful he's taken back the name). Newer pop artist Lady Gaga and Captain Jack Sparrow took a few minutes to browse our books. We were amazed we were able to find them at all, much less at a kids' event in St. Paul. Acquisitions Editor Jordan Wiklund might have dressed a little better if he had known (it was Saturday, after all).

Parents, Calm Down! It's Just Kids' Sports

2010-02-16T07:11:00.001-08:00

The problem with youth sports isn't usually the athletes at all--it's the monomaniacal parents brooding on the sidelines! Last weekend, a parent of a middle-school basketball player attacked the league's commissioner after a game, resulting in serious injuries for the assaulted and a trip to the police station for the adult.

Today, BPP author Derek Wolden (Basketcases), will be speaking with Pat Reusse on AM 1500 in the Twin Cities about why and how parents feel the need to take matters into their own hands. Basketcases was a finalist for the 2009 Indie Excellence Book Awards. Find it here: Basketcases.

Listen to Derek on 1500 AM SportsTalk with Pat Reusse: SportsTalk Ondemand

Listen to Derek on 1130 AM The Fan with Dan Barreiro: Listen here.

(Both should start immediately, and Derek's interview is right away)

Craft, Story, and Voice, or "Why I Was Rejected"

2010-02-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful post that summarizes in a succinct and informative way why some manuscripts are rejected while others are published. It is from Rachelle Gardner's blog, www.cba-ramblings.blogspot.com. It is as follows:

One of the most common things I hear from writers lately is, "You've told us a lot about what makes you say no to a book. Now tell us what makes you say yes." So yesterday I wrote that I love when I can sense the writing is authentic and true.

Today I want to take it further and identify three basic things that are immediately apparent to agents and editors when we read and evaluate your work, and they make the difference between yes and no.

...Craft.
. . . . .Story.
. . . . . . . . . . Voice.

Of course, the elements are intertwined, but it's helpful to artificially separate them in order to understand why a book is either working—or not.

Craft refers to the mechanics of fiction: plot, characterization, dialogue, pacing, flow, scene-crafting, dramatic structure, point-of-view, etc. I think craft is pretty easy to teach and it's easy to learn. It's technique, the foundation upon which writers use their artistic skill to build their story. Knowing the mechanics of craft enables you to use it to create the effect you want.

Story refers to the page-turning factor: how compelling is your story, how unique or original, does it connect with the reader, is there that certain spark that makes it jump off the page? Is it sufficiently suspenseful or romantic (as appropriate)? Does it open with a scene that intrigues and makes the reader want to know more? Story comes from the imagination of the writer and is much more difficult to teach than craft (if it can be taught at all).

Voice is the expression of you on the page—your originality and the courage to express it. Voice is what you develop when you practice what we talked about yesterday—writing what you know. It's the unfettered, non-derivative, unique conglomeration of your thoughts, feelings, passions, dreams, beliefs, fears and attitudes, coming through in every word you write.

Without a doubt, whenever I read a new manuscript and fall in love with it, the deciding factor most of the time is the voice.

So how do you find your voice? You can't learn it. You can't copy it. Voice isn't a matter of studying. You have to find it. And the way to do that is by writing, and experimenting, and seeing what kind of response you get from others, and writing some more. And some more.

Putting it All Together

I receive numerous projects that show strong technique, but no originality or heart. In a way, this is good because it shows that writers are paying attention to their craft. They're taking the time and making the effort to learn to write, which is fantastic. But some of them lack a strong story, and others don’t have a compelling or unique voice. These writers just need to keep working on it.

I think some writers find craft easier, and others find story comes more naturally. A few writers have a strong voice right out of the box; most writers have to work for years to develop one.

When you read published books that don't seem to "follow the rules" of craft that you've worked so hard to learn, instead of getting mad and throwing the book across the room, try to determine if maybe that book got published because of the story, rather than technical perfection. Ask yourself whether the author has a pleasing or compelling voice that makes you want to read, despite technical imperfection.

If your storytelling and/or the voice is powerful enough, readers will forgive an awful lot of flaws in technique... and so will agents and editors. On the other hand, all the perfect "craft" in the world can't make an unimaginative book shine.

If editors and agents are looking at your samples and immediately criticizing your craft, be aware this means they aren't able to see a fabulous story in there and they’re probably not compelled by your voice. Either it doesn't exist to begin with, or it's camouflaged by your lack of expertise in fiction technique.

So craft, story and voice all work together to create a winning work of fiction. Of the three, story and voice are my primary considerations when searching for new writers.

Q4U: Which is harder for you? Craft, story, or voice?

TwinsFest 2010 and BPP

2010-02-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, the fans of Minnesota Twins Baseball celebrated the final Twinsfest held at Metrodome stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Though there will be many more Twinsfests to come, they'll be held at brand-new Target Field, opening its doors this coming spring.

The Metrodome experienced one of its largest turnouts ever over the 3-day event, held last weekend from January 29 - 31. High foot traffic means good things for Beaver's Pond Press authors, particularly Bob Showers, author of The Twins at the Old Met. For three days, Bob signed books, met fans, and even bumped elbows with Twins players old and new.

"I was approached by quite a few folks," Showers says, "who already have the book, and many of them commented on how the stories and photos brought back a flood of their own memories of the Met. I heard many stories of first games attended, special moments and humorous incidents experienced at games, favorite spots where they sat, and so on. It was all very nice to hear, because that is precisely what I wanted the book to accomplish."

From home plate to left and right fields, the entire Metrodome floor was decked out with exhibitors, sponsors, and roaming Twins players and one particularly popular manager. The Twins championship trophies from 1987 and 1991 were on display, along with historic baseball paraphernalia, from Lou Gehrig's glove and bat to preserved uniforms from the Women's League of baseball, popularized in Tom Hanks' movie A League of Their Own. And at the center of it all was Bob Showers, with a box full of sharpies and a stack of books behind him.

"It was wonderful," Showers adds. "The photos which evoked such great stories from the former Twins players are having the same effect on the readers." Find his book at www.twinsatthemet.com.