MSI Press Blog

  Today's blog post is the next in the series of book back stories and is the story behind RV Oopsies by Larry MacDonald. From the publisher -  The author Larry MacDonald was known for giving out an annual award for the dumbest mishap in RVing. (He still does.) So, when he came to us with a book proposal for a collection of these awards. we were enchanted.  First, it was obvious that this had to be a four-color book even though it would push the cost a tad higher (which has not hurt sales) because it made the "dumb mishap" clearer. Second, the helpful hint suggested by the mishap seemed ripe for a little attention. We created a lightbulb for the strip on the page with the hint, with the expression on the lightbulb changing and reflecting the reaction to that particular mishap. We hoped that readers would find the lightbulb characters as cute as we did. Interestingly, when it came time to identify the book category, we learned that we had been operating under a different

Are you a now-grounded RVer? We have some good reading for you! Fun and informative! Get ready to avoid 101 mishaps when you are released with your RV onto the world's highways. 99. STOP, LOOK, AND ASSESS THE MESS Steve was backing his Class C motorhome into a campsite with his wife in the passenger seat. He heard shouts coming from an adjacent campsite and stopped to see what all the commotion was about. He had backed over a small cedar tree, which was lodged at a rakish angle under the rear quarter section. In his haste to extricate his rig from the tree, Steve pulled forward. RIPPPP! The partially uprooted tree ripped off the lower side and rear aluminum panels. After sheepishly replanting the tree, Steve used a handful of metal screws to temporarily reattach the RV panels. His final fix involved a pricey visit to the body shop. Since the mishap, Steve always ensures that his wife is watching behind the rig to give directions when he backs up. He even purchase

San Juan Books is the hybrid division of MSI Press LLC. It allows first-time writers to become published in a traditional way through the reduction of risk by sharing publication costs. All other publishing features are traditional in nature, and most SJB authors go on to be offered traditional contracts for their subsequent books. SJB publications are available as paperback, hard cover, and e-book versions. SJB authors' books very much hold their own against their contemporaries in the traditional publishing division. Indeed, a number of them have outsold their traditional compatriots, and many have gone on to write books that have been subsequently traditionally published by MSI Press. Today, San Juan Books presents author Larry MacDonald. Larry MacDonald has a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology and over 30 years of experience RVing and freelance writing for various magazines, including  MotorHome ,  Trailer Life , and  Canadian RVinglds . His book,  RV Oopsies: 101 Dumb Things Tha

Released this week, Diary of an RVer in Quarantine by Larry MacDonald. This nonfiction book provides a humorous glimpse into a couple’s strategies for surviving two weeks of quarantine within the confines of their RV. The author’s diary includes his never-ending “to-do” list as well as the couple’s routine and unique activities, such as ordering groceries and restaurant meals online for delivery to their RV site, playing games, and learning new skills such as baking and playing the ukulele. A major portion of the book is devoted to how full-time RVers might occupy their time fruitfully while staying cooped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reading RV magazines and related books and planning an RV adventure when restrictions are lift ed is complemented with excerpts provided from two of the author’s books. Words of wisdom abound: “Stay at home, wash your hands, and enjoy my books.” See also Larry's other books. RV Oopsies  -- funny and helpful! One of our most popu

  Larry MacDonald, author of RV Oopsies , Travels with Elly , and a pandenic-era book, Diary of an RVer during Quarantine , routinely provides to tips to RVers on his website, Land Yachting . The first one is cited here; others will be shared later. Helpful Tips for RVers 1. TV Antenna up or down? Many an RV’er has been dreadfully reminded, often by a low tree branch or overpass, that they forgot to lower their rooftop TV antenna. And who hasn’t looked up during a walk around to ensure that their antenna is down? I thought of this tip while lying in bed one morning, wondering whether mine was up or down. To insure that it was “down,” I simply cranked the antenna handle until it was down completely and marked the ceiling at the end of the handle, using a stick-on label colored green for “Go.” Get it? On your mark … Go! When cranking up the antenna, I make sure that the end of the handle is on the opposite side of the mark. Now I just have to remember to check the position of my handle b

RV Oopsies by Larry MacDonald received a 5-star review by Java Davis at Readers' Favorites. The reviewer concludes: The author is from Canada, but these lessons are universal, and they are not geocentric. From prospective RV’ers like myself to novices to the seasoned traveler, this is a great RV Bible. I learned that I am completely ill-equipped to purchase and drive an RV, but rather than discourage me, RV Oopsies by Larry MacDonald made me feel that if the people illustrated in these stories can do it, I can too. Look out, World, I may be road tripping soon! Read the full review here:  Readers Favorite Review. Larry is also author of  Travels with Elly. RV Oopsies  can be purchased for 25% discount at the  MSI webstore . Use coupon code FF25.

  From Readers' Favorite -- C amping is where you spend a small fortune to live like the homeless.” Larry MacDonald is direct and cleverly witty in his detailed writing of what life can be like living in a recreational vehicle, especially during quarantine.  Diary of an RVer During Quarantine is a short book that you will find entertaining and informative. For the full review, click HERE For more posts on Larry MacDonald and his books, click HERE .

  Larry MacDonald, author of three books published by MSI Press LLC was interviewed recently by MyRVRadio in a two-part series. Part One focused on being an author about RVing . The show is on the air at 6:00 pm PST on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays through July 22.  Part Two is focused on Larry's book, RV Oopsies , and is on the air at 10:30 am PST on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through July 22. To read more about Larry and his popular books, click HERE . RV Oopsies Travels with Elly Diary of an RVer during Quarantine                                          Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter.

  The following excerpt comes from RV Oopsies by Larry MacDonald: INTRODUCTION   “What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done while RVing ?” That’s the question I’ve been asking fellow RVers over the past 10 years. Every year, adventurous folks like us go camping in our RVs, and every year, we do some dumb things. Mostly, these are minor mishaps like running out of fuel or leaving something behind at a campsite, but sometimes they are major blunders, resulting in damage to our rigs. For the most part, RVers are a pretty smart bunch! Yet, mishaps do occur not only to newbies but to seasoned roadies as well. If you’re one of us, you can probably think of at least one dumb thing that you wish you hadn’t done while RVing. The good news, though, is that all of these mishaps can be avoided. Each year, I selected ten mishaps reported to me, ranked them from Dumb to Dumbest, and published an article “RV Oops Awards” in several RV magazines in the US and Canada. This book presents 101 “awards,” incl

Larry MacDonald has a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology and over 30 years of experience RVing and freelance writing for various magazines, including  MotorHome ,   Trailer Life , and   Canadian RVinglds . His book,  RV Oopsies: 101 Dumb Things That RVers Do!  is a compilation of ten years of research on RV mishaps, rated from “dumb” to “dumbest,” with helpful hints on how they could have been avoided. A “must-read” for all RVers, new and seasoned, wanting to save some grief and cash by learning what  not  to do while RVing. In his subsequent t book, Travels with Elly: Reflections on Canada by an RVer and His Dog , the author travels from coast to coast in a trailer with his wife and pets, including their poodle, Elly, in order to gain a better understanding of his adopted country. An informative read for armchair travelers with a spirit of adventure, for those wanting to learm more about Canada, and for any cross-Canada traveler, especially RVers and dog lovers. Travels with Elly won t