MSI Press Blog

  It is Tuesday. Time to tall turkey. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. Today's topic addresses the need to go after book reviews. Why do you have to go after them? Why not just let them come to you? (And maybe we should talk a little more again about why you need reviews.) Why you need reviews credibility, especially if this is your first book, you have a weak platform, and/or your name is unknown in the genre and field in which you are writing getting the word out -- word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising, but reviews generally let the brains associated with those mouths know about the existence of the book quotes for promoting the book, including for the book descripti

A Theology for the Rest of Us recently earned a RECOMMENDED rating from US Review of Books. The reviewer wrote, in part,   Yavelberg's book would serve as a good companion text to similar works or perhaps be suitable for those on a beginning path into spirituality. In short, it is simply engaging. Read the full review HERE . Read more about Arthur and his book HERE .

  excerpt from the review:  Examining those defenses that keep one stuck offers the reader a way to work through them to become transformative and forgiving. Learning how to become more responsible and focusing on abundance instead of scarcity are also valuable life lessons that the text provides. The stories and exercises give practical and relatable ways for the reader to connect to the content on a deeper level. Overall, this is an excellent read for those on a path of transformation. RECOMMENDED by the US Review Read the rest of the review HERE . Read more posts about Kris & Candace and their book HERE .

  Esteemed review, Barbara Bamberger Scott, US Review of Books, has reviewed the recently released book,  GodSway   (Diana Keathley) with very favorable comments --  GodSway, My Anecdotes with God , penned by Diana Skidmore Keathley, is a captivating memoir that emboldens those seeking answers to God's mysterious ways. Through the author's intimate narrative and her encounters with Messages from God, readers will find resonance in their own life experiences. The reader is left pondering whether these extraordinary events are divine miracles or mere coincidences.  Read the rest of the review HERE . New York Book Festive, Honorable Mention Hollywood Book Festival, Honorable Mention For more posts about Diana and her book, click  HERE .  Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this o

  Just in...book review of God Speaks into Darkness  (J. Bennett Easterling) by US Review of Books: The twenty-three encouraging selections in this short volume each comprise a daily devotional that discusses the teachings of specific psalms related to the challenges people face in the COVD-19 pandemic. Those lives the coronavirus has not taken it has upended.. Read the rest of the review HERE . Check out other posts by and about Bennett and his other books HERE .

  A recent review of Steven Greenebaum's book, One Family Indivisible , by Barbara Bamberger Scott, a reviewer with very high standards, for US Review of Books results in a "recommended" rating.  The conclusion: Greenebaum's spiritual philosophy, as propounded here, combines erudition and eclecticism. Devout within his family faith, Greenebaum's etheric messages e indicated a need for a spirituality that can be shared with people of all religious persuasions. In recent years the Living Interfaith Church has flourished with the active participation of Cathy Merchant, whom Greenebaum has supported in her assumption of ministerial roles as he began to battle critical physical challenges. He presents his notable memoir with verve, sensitivity, and a light-hearted sense of self-mockery as he recalls past missteps. His book also provides enough intimate recollection to reveal to the reader a person always determined, with his eye continually on the prize of human kindne

The US Review of Books is offering a series of articles on how to improve writing skills. The columns are very practical and pragmatic, highly recommended for first-time authors. Take a look at one of the columns  HERE . For more posts about US Review of Books and USR reviews of MSI Press books, click HERE .

 Just out from US Review of Books, the verdict is: This book is a must-have companion for those seeking a guide that will help them re-center and re-focus. It is easily accessible for readers of all backgrounds and ages, and it will make them look forward to incorporating the book's message into their daily lives. Read the entire review HERE . For more information about Julie and her books, click HERE . For more posts about and by Julie and her yoga and self-care topics, click HERE . Read about Julie's other book, How to Stay Calm in Chaos , HERE . Julie's books are available at  Amazon Barnes & Noble MSI Press (coupon code FF25 will give you 25% discount)

US Review of Books recently reviewed Franki Bagdade's book, I Love My Kids, But I Don't Always Like Them , and gave it a RECOMMENDED rating.   Gere is an excerpt from the review: " This book is full of enlightening ideas on how to best approach parenting at its most difficult moments. However, what stands out in Bagdade’s writing is her insightful approach to parenting each child in the home differently. Bagdade emphasizes that because all children are different, they should be parented differently according to the structures and expectations that work best for them. Although this idea sounds overwhelming, the author explains how to achieve this in a way that leaves parents feeling confident and hopeful" Read the remainder of the review HERE . Read more posts about Franki and her book HERE .                                         Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

  McNeil's practical and portable volume can be a valuable reference work for parents Read the rest of this review by Barbara Bamberger Scott at US Review of books HERE . For more posts by and about Colette McNeil and her books, click HERE .

"By picking up this book, readers can replicate sitting down with the author as he spins a yarn designed to entertain and elicit a smile." US Review of Books Read the rest of the review of The Musings of a Carolina Yankee at US Review of Books .

It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's topic asks a plaintive question--one that i hear often from folks with a good book but no large economic means to promote it -- can they get promotion for free? Yes -- see all these places where that is possible: Certainly, word of mouth is free. Talk up the book with people you meet, friends, families, colleagues, businesses, and other authors. And when you find out that word of mouth has been a part of promoting your book, thank the source. Reviews are generally free; the best ones are; the most trusted (by readers) are. Ask your readers to write reviews. (There are also some inexpensive reviews that are worth it; think $100 or l

MSI Press Author Joanna Romer has made a unique contribution to the bereavement literature. Interviewing widows and widowers, she has written three books: The Widower's Guide to a New Life . A Book of the Year finalist and receiver of fine reviews. Click on the title to learn more and to access reviews at Library Journey, Foreword Reviews, MidWest Book Review, US Review of Books, Library Thing... Widow: A Surival Guide for the First Year . Click on the lin https://msipressblog.blogspot.com/search?q=bereavement k to read reviews such as those at Midwest Book Review, Goodreads, and US Review of Books. Wudiw: How to Survive -- and Thrive! -- in Your 2d, 3rd, and 4th Years . Click on the link to read more about this book. See more of Joanna's books HERE . Read more about Joanna and her work HERE . See more works on bereavement and grief HERE .

  It is Tuesday. Time to tall turkey. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. Today's topic is about the unpleasant situation where someone tries to undermine your book. That someone can be a person you know or a complete stranger. They usually have a reason. Often, it is not a good one. And, gee whiz, it is hard enough to garner book sales without having an enemy out there working against you. That said, let's look at what these evil souls do to authors and why and what you can do about it. Some ways that "enemies" can undermine your book and its sales: They write a really bad review, totally panning the book, condemning it in unfounded ways, sometimes outright lying about it, an

  What is a book jewel? A sometimes-overlooked book with remarkable insight and potential significance. Each month, we share near-daily, or as often as possible, reviews of the monthly book jewel - short, succinct reviews that can be read in 1-2 minutes with links to the reviewer by reviewers whose words are worthy of being heard and whose opinions are worthy of being considered. Sometimes a couple of minutes contains more impressive thought than ten times that many. We will let you decide that. This month's book jewel is  Road to Damascus  by Elaine Imady. Description: Recommended by US Review of Books and First Runner-Up in the Eric Hoffer Awards legacy competition, Road to Damascus describes the Middle Eastern journey of an American who meets and falls in love with a Syrian when they are both attending school in New York. Giving up her country and her religion to follow her husband back to Syria, Elaine Imady has made a life that has successfully bridged two cultures and two con

  What is a book jewel? A sometimes-overlooked book with remarkable insight and potential significance. Each month, we share near-daily, or as often as possible, reviews of the monthly book jewel - short, succinct reviews that can be read in 1-2 minutes with links to the reviewer by reviewers whose words are worthy of being heard and whose opinions are worthy of being considered. Sometimes a couple of minutes contains more impressive thought than ten times that many. We will let you decide that. This month's book jewel is A Theology for the Rest of Us by Arthur Yavelberg. Description: If God exists and is good, why is there evil? Avoiding such questions underlies the spiritual emptiness and anxiety in today's world. A Theology for the Rest of Us explores how to approach the divine through Eastern and Western religious traditions without dogma, challenging readers to "be you lamps unto yourselves." In a time of internecine wars and all kinds of abuse of authority and