MSI Press Blog

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 is about the role of advertising in marketing -- and how it is changing (or has changed). Is it cost-effective? Should you include it in your marketing efforts? Read on. Current facts about advertising: 1.       The cost of advertising has gone up (along with the cost of printing, shipping, etc.), but retail prices have not gone up a parallel amount, so it is a bigger stretch to get good return on investment. 2.       Readers seem to be reading less print media, and some print advertisers have turned to e-blasts instead of print mail and to online sales sites instead of catalogues....

About the Book People are often at a loss to find the right words to say in prayer. Whether you're a believer but unchurched or are a devout member of a religion, if you wish to expand your home worship, finding the right words to say to God can be a problematic issue. The prayers in Everybody's Little Book of Everyday Prayers are nonsectarian-suited for Protestants, Jews, and Catholics, as well as unaffiliated deists who believe in God but not in organized religion. They cover a raft of occasions on which individuals or families may wish to say a prayer. If prayer is an integral part of your life, or you would like it to be, you'll find the help you want in Everybody's Little Book of Everyday Prayers. Delightfully illustrated by Zhenya Yanovich of Moscow & Siberia (Russia) and Charlottesvile (VA< USA). Book Endorsement "This book is a keeper. It gets to the heart of our communication with God." Rev. Grant A. Houser, M. Th. Review of the Book ...

About the Book Tucker & Me: Growing Up A Part-Time Southern Boy  tells the story of a child growing up in the Mad Men era of the 1960's. Filled with humor, sadness, and harrowing incidents, the memoir reflects all the emotions of life one experiences growing up, in this case, with a single mom who lived in Los Angeles and a father who lived in a small town suburb of Atlanta, Georgia known as Tucker. Traveling in the summers to the alternate universe in Tucker, the author experienced a roller coaster ride of two completely different lifestyles. Book Endorsement "Readers can feel and taste the magical moments. You feel like you’re sitting by the fi replace with Uncle Andy, sipping coffee and listening to his fanciful yarns.” J. Bennett Easterling, author of Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra   Review of the Book From Readers' Favorite:  Anyone who has lived a double life like [Harvey's] will understand and enjoy these stories... This book is not just about Harv...

  Today's book excerpt comes from  Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain   by Kristin and Andrew Wilcox.  A lways D isorganized and H opelessly D istracted (ADHD)   Blink, blink, blink, the cursor keeps time on the blank screen as thoughts rush through my brain like a runaway freight train. “What was that book about? Who were the characters?” Oh, where to begin? There are just too many details to think about. My thoughts drift aimlessly as I stare out of my bedroom window. It’s a sunny day, and there is the smell of freshly cut grass pulling my attention to what I could be doing. I wish I were riding my bike or fishing down at the stream. Instead, here I am stuck at my desk, writing a dreaded book report for English class. Correction, I am not writing it. I wish I could make myself write it. If I were writing it, then I could be done with it. All I want is to be done with it. Why didn’t I start working on it when it was assigned to us weeks ago? “Ugh...

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.  Once again, we pick up the topic of book marketing and social media. If, as  Lisa Angle contends, "Connection is the new world of marketing," then the question arises as to how to make social marketing more effective. What are the best do's and don't's? How can social media marketing time be best spent? Start with understanding what drives social media marketing effectiveness Readers who are likely to buy books typically are looking for that connection to the author that Lisa Angle has pointed out. Publishers can help with this, but authors must initiate and maintain this. Readers are likely to buy books from authors they...

  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.  This week's conversation addresses the ups and downs of book sales. Great one week, dead the next. Great one month, dead the next. So, what can an author do? Typically, books (no matter who publishes them) have heydays for short periods of time and incognito moments for long periods of time. For books to be seen frequently by potential readers, purchasers, and fans, they heydays need to outlive the incognito moments. Making the most of any high-ranking appearance on any Amazon bestseller list can make a difference between a long-term viable book and a short-term fizzle. When your book is in its glory moment, promote, promote, promote! I...