MSI Press Blog

  If you, a loved one, or a friend has been diagnosed with cancer, you probably already know the four (or actually, five) stages of cancer. For the uninitiated, however, and even for those struggling at one stage or another, it can be beneficial to review the formal definitions of these stages. The different stages of cancer describe how far the cancer has grown and spread at the time of diagnosis. Stages are used to describe the spread of solid tumors, like breast, bowel or lung cancers. Blood cancers, such as leukemia or myelodysplasia, behave differently and are staged in different ways. See Carl's Cancer Compendium for more detail and more links. Stages of Cancer The different stages of cancer describe how far the cancer has grown and spread at the time of diagnosis. Stages are used to describe the spread of solid tumors, like breast, bowel or lung cancers. The stage depends on how big the tumors are and how/if they have spread. Blood cancers, such as leukemia or myelodysplasi

  Carl's Cancer Compendium is intended to serve as a starting point for all things cancer. It does not purport to answer questions or advise, but rather funnel those with questions in search of answers to reliable websites that answer their questions. When Carl Leaver , the co-owner of MSI Press LLC and its principal graphic designer and typesetter, lay dying, his family spent valuable time searching out answers to his condition and needs that members would have preferred to have spent with him. It is hoped that this page, over time and with the help of those who read it, will become robust enough to fulfill those unmet needs for families of future sufferers from cancer.  The compendium is eager to hear from readers who have a need for information not contained on the webpage. Drop a line to infoe@msipress.com so that the topic can be researched and included.  

  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 how to market books inexpensively. If you have big pockets, go for the television, radio, newspaper, and saturation ads. Buy time on radio and television shows. However, most authors do not have deep pockets. So, looking at inexpensive ways to get the word out is not only necessary but sometimes the only way to market a book. This post describes some sources and activities for inexpensive marketing. It is, of course, not complete. Do all these things, then seek out more opportunities, or start again with another virtual blog tour. Things to do (not necessarily in any kind of order) Word of mouth

  1948-2021 It is with great sadness that MSI Press notes the death of Carl Leaver, CEO of the Press and typesetter and graphic designer par excellence . Many authors have expressed not only condolences but also a sense of legacy from covers he designed that they love.  Here is his obituary: On August 16, 2021, Carl Don Leaver of San Juan Bautista passed into eternal rest. A forester with the US Forest Service in Idaho and Montana, he turned to nature photography while working in the Bitterroot National Forest. His photographs graced national magazine covers and on a weekly basis the local paper of Hamilton, MT, the Ravalli Republican. He later worked on photography projects for the US Army (AFEES) and taught photography at the New York Institute of Technology in Amman, Jordan. His final career change led him to computer graphics and publishing as co-owner of MSI Press LLC; his many typeset books and book covers have helped MSI Press authors win a large number of awards over the years,

  Book Excerpt: Nurturing Contentment What makes us happy? I just made a list, and on it, I placed such items as “writing on the beach,” “cooking something interesting,” and “having lunch with Karen.” There are 20 such items—I could certainly come up with more. Plunging a little deeper into my memory, I could add “making love with my husband, Jack” (the last time was in 2010, the year before he died on January 2, 2011.), “vacation in the Keys” (2009), and “camping in upstate New York” (2002). If I think about these things and why they made me happy, I can see that all of them concerned getting in touch with a certain radiance or connection to love, and not just a personal love, although I certainly felt that for my late husband (and still do). I feel love for my friend Karen, and for the beach, cooking, the Keys, and the land in South Kortright, New York, where Jack and I used to camp. (I confess the last few times were in a trailer, not a tent!) But the love I am speaking of goe

  excerpt  from review -- an excellent manual for all parents  pressure can be taken off the family tips are simple and easy to apply approach to the topic is excellent makes it easy for both parents and children to deal with homework better [makes] ambiance at home ... healthy and positive. Read the full review HERE . See other posts about Cindy and Patti and their books HERE . See posts about other books in the pandemic series HERE .

  Have you ever made sure your clients, children, partner, friends, family, or coworkers were OK before noticing you were drained and exhausted yourself? Or maybe you noticed, but you told yourself, "Later. I'll deal with you later." Other people's needs may seem more pressing, and perhaps they legitimately are. You care, and that's a beautiful thing. It's not the caring that's the problem; it's the carrying everybody else's emotions around that is unsustainable.   If you work in a helping profession, or you have children or elderly dependents, or you're the go-to friend for everyone around you, being helpful is probably such a part of who you are that you can't imagine life without being needed. Thank goodness there are people out there in the world who will give the way you do, who put their own problems to the side for a while to attend to others. However, without healthy boundaries and deeply respectful self-love, caretaking can get pre