Publishing Your Book

I am sure that many of you have had the urge to write a book. For some of you, it might be the idea of a new textbook that would provide a refreshing look into the subject you teach. For others there might be that burning desire to write the great American novel. You may have thought to write a book of vignettes, chronicling the stories of the students you have come into contact with. On a more personal level, perhaps you wanted to leave a legacy for your children by researching and writing a history of your family. The opportunities to do so are better now (and less expensive) that they ever were.

At one time in order to get book published, you would have to send out dozens (or even hundreds) of query letters and anxiously wait for a response. You may have had to send completed manuscripts to publishing firms with the hope of getting accepted. Few ever did.  You could have chosen the vanity publishing route, where you would pay to have you book published, but prior to the computer age this was a very expensive venture. Today, with print on demand publishing and e-book published, become an author is easier, faster, and less expensive than ever.

Two of the more popular online companies that will allow you to self publish are Iuniverse (www.iuniverse.com) and Xlibris ( www.xlibris.com). They provide basic publishing services and you pay for just what you need. If you need editing services or graphic designers, there will be an additional charge. They print on demand so there is no large inventory of unsold books. Another company that focuses more on photo books and books of artwork is Blurb( www.blurb.com)

One of the big drawbacks of using on demand publishers is marketing. For the most part you  are on your own. You will have to make the posters, organize your own book signings and arrange with local bookstores for a "meet the author" program. You could, of course, hire a marketing firm to help you roll out your first book, but their services are expensive.

Before you begin the self publishing process, you may want to do a little background reading.  I would like to suggest two books. The Complete idiot’s Guide to Getting Published by Sheree Bykofsky and Jennifer Sander is loaded with suggestions and tips on every topic from selecting a topic tor write about ( take a look at the NY Times best seller list on Sundays)This books has had multiple  printings and comes with a  CD Rom disk that include templates for query letters, a list of literary agents, and the locations of writers conferences that you  might benefit from.

Another book you might wish to review is The Fine Print of Self Publishing by Mark Levine.  Now in its fourth printing, this popular book offers a great deal advice for the novice author.

By the way, send me a copy of your published work and I may choose to review it here on the blog.

Good luck.

Hunting for Book Treasures

The other day I was in a consignment shop strolling down the aisles, browsing at knick knacks that other folks have cast away.  However I am always drawn to the book section.  I enjoy looking at what authors are prevalent and what types of books people are willing to part with.  Sometimes you can find a bargain, but most often I find out of date atlases and travel books as well as well read paperbacks by John Grisham and the like. Over the years I have come across items that are valuable to me but not necessarily valuable. One of my favorite finds was a copy of my second grade reading book, a part of the Scott Foresman” Dick and Jane” series. I have shared it with the reading certification program class at a state university as an example of how students used to be taught how to read. Other finds include part of a series of the works of Mark Twain (incidentally, my favorite American author), and a two volume set about the history of the White House.

I encourage teachers to visit used books stores, yard sales, flea markets, and library sales to search for low cost treasures that can be useful in the classroom. You may find workbooks, reference books, picture books and even old magazines that can be cut up and used for scrapbooks, posters and such.

A number of years ago, I rescued a set of middle school mathematics books from a school dumpster and found a school in another state who desperately needed them. I paid for the shipping and was pleased to know that the books had a second life.

Take the opportunity to be creative and resourceful. You never know what positive and long reaching impact you will have on your students. And it just might from something that you picked up at a yard sale that ignites the spark of curiosity in your students. Happy hunting!

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week

I am sure that many of you have read such classics as “The Catcher in the Rye”, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”,” The Giver” or any of the Harry Potter books. What you may not be aware of is that these books and long list of others have been banned or are being challenged in school and public libraries across the country.  Each the year the American Library Association (ALA) in conjunction with several other organizations, promotes Banned Book Week in an effort to create awareness about an ongoing threat to our free speech and free press rights afforded by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Banned Books Week is always the last week in September. Many school and public libraries have displays and programs for Banned Books Week. A the university where I  used to teach, professors who volunteer to read excerpts from  books that  have , at one time or another, appeared on the  list of banned or challenged books. There is a difference between the two.

A book is considered challenged when a group of parents, or an interest or lobby group, has made a formal request that a book be removed from the shelves of the library. It is then up to the library board to make a decision. A few years ago the book, “Heather has Two Mommies,” drew a great deal of controversy as it dealt with the topic of a lesbian couple raising children.

A banned book is one that has actually been removed from the shelves of a public or school library.

I  should  point out that a number of my university students used to tell me that when they were in high school  as soon as a book was removed from the school library, they would  run  out  an obtain a copy  just to see  what all of the fuss was about.

For classroom teachers and librarians look for suggestions and ideas for a Banned Books Week program, I would suggest taking a look ate to web sites below. The American Library Association is the lead organization in the Banned Books Week initiative. At their site you will find posters, activities as well as the actual lists of recent banned and challenged books.

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/