Talented Authors Offer Free Books for Review--Paper or E-book - And Here's How YOU Can Do It Too

TO OUR VALUED REVIEWERS

From TheNewBookReview

We welcome you to our exciting new book review project. We invite you to peruse this ever growing list of books written by talented authors just like you who are offering free review copies of their books. We hope you will catch our  "Authors Helping Authors"  spirit to write a review for a fellow author. 

 

How Jack and the Beanstalk Can Help Us Authors - Plus Hint #22

What We Can Learn From Jack and the Beanstalk 

Plus Hint Number 22 for Getting Book Reviews

by Lois W. Stern, 

#TheNewBookReview Book Review Acquisition Coordinator

Hint #22 from Carolyn Howard-Johnson's How to Get Great Book Review Frugally and Ethically

"When your author name appears anywhere on Amazon, your name (also) appears on other authors' buy pages when you write reviews for their books. Your expertise and experience as an author shows when you (write reviews for other authors.) "  Pages 162-163 How to Get Great Book Reviews

Carol Smallwood Interviews Poet Leslie Klein

 

 

Interview by Carol Smallwood

 

 

                   "Leslie Klein writes with the eye of an artist and voice of a poet." 

        ~ Liza Gyllenhaal Bennett, past president and current executive board member, 

           Academy of American Poets 

 

Smallwood: How has where you live influenced being a writer and artist?

 

Klein: I have been fortunate to live throughout the northeast—from Vermont, the Hudson Valley in NY, and here in the Berkshires. The natural world—its colors, shapes, sound, light, plants, animals inspire both my writing and art.  Each day is a visual feast. At night the owls serenade!

Smallwood: Please share with readers any formal, academic training you’ve had:

 

Klein:  Bachelors from State University of New York at New Paltz in Sociology/Education. 

 

Smallwood: What types of writing have you had published?  

 

Klein:   Most of my published writing has been op-ed, feature stories and some poetry for newspapers and magazines.   

 

Smallwood: What are some galleries and juried exhibitions you’ve taken part?

 

Klein: A sampling includes: 

            510 Warren Street Gallery, Hudson, NY

           Lauren Clark Fine Art, “Small Works,” Great Barrington, MA

             Gallery 35, Great Barrington, MA, Guild of Berkshire Artists

             Boston 2000, Inc., Boston, MA; Created sculpture for “The Boston Freedom Award,” presented by Coretta                   

            Scott King and Boston Mayor, Thomas M. Menino, to Dr. Charles Jacobs, Founder and President of The   

            American Anti-Slavery Group

 

Smallwood: Please share your affirmation expressed in “Magic”:

 

Klein:  If we open our eyes to really see all that surrounds us in the natural world, we would be in awe of its complexity and beauty.

 

Smallwood: Another lovely poem that caught my eye was “Library”. What was your first visit to one and how do you use them now?

 

Klein:  Though the memory of my very first visit is vague, I always remember feeling like I was in a peaceful space with so much to see and touch. Just about every book I read is borrowed from the library.  Even now, with the virus, it is great to be able to order books and movies online, and pick them up at my local library. I do miss being able to go inside. I often use their computer and printer.  All librarians are wonderful, and have all the answers!!!!!  My love of the library, is also very much influenced by my travels. I am inspired when a library in a small town comes into view. They are so architecturally beautiful and solid—reminiscent of ancient structures holding sacred texts—truly, works of art.

 

Smallwood: You make many references to birds. Have you always been so aware of them and what do they mean to you?

 

Klein:  I “discovered” birds when I was in my late 20’s, after seeing a flock of cedar waxwings land on a tree to share berries. They actually fed each other. They were so exotic looking, with black eyeliner and feathers like Chinese silk. That was the beginning. I am fortunate to live in a lovely, rural area, with a small brook.  I am surrounded by birds and their melodic songs.  Many are familiar and have personalities. They are truly beautiful, delicate creatures. Though, considering the perils of migration or just daily survival, they are so strong. Their ability to fly makes them seem so free and happy.

 

Smallwood: One of your poems says: “We are all artists”: when did you come to this conclusion and please explain:

 

Klein:  That poem was the result of one of those long, into the evening, conversations with a friend. That’s why it is titled “Letter,” because I wrote it for him later, restating what was said about art and creativity. He was lamenting that he was not an “artist.”  I was trying to explain to him that even though he was not a painter, sculptor, writer, his life path was one that would leave its mark, and inspire others, just as a painting or a poem.  

 

Smallwood: Has there been subjects you wanted to work on as an artist that ended up as a form of writing or the other way around—or didn’t fit either?

 

Klein:  Not that I can think of. I have, however, created numerous sculpted trees (including The Boston Freedom Award) which are perceived by each viewer with their own impressions. I think my poem “Trees” is more descriptive of the feelings that I have for them, than the actual sculpted pieces can convey.

 

Smallwood: Are you working on a new collection of poems?

 

Klein:  Yes, I do have more poetry that I am compiling and changing and changing some more!!! ha!  I also have an idea for a book on libraries, and two children’s books that have taken a back seat of late.

More About the Interviewee's New Book

Leslie Klein's new book of poetry, Driving through Paintings, was released June of 2020 by Shanti Arts Publishing. Find it at http://www.shantiarts.co/uploads/files/jkl/KLEIN_DRIVING.htm 

 

 More About the Interviewer

Carol Smallwood, MLS, MA, and Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is a literary reader, judge, and interviewer; her 13^th poetry collection is Thread, Form, and Other Enclosures (Main Street Rag, 2020).

More About this Blog

The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. She also writes fiction and poetry. Authors, readers, publishers, and reviewers may republish their favorite reviews of books they want to share with others. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read and love. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page and in a tab at the top of this blog's home page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites so it may be used a resource for most anyone in the publishing industry. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Poet LB Sedlacek Reviews Stefanie Hutchenson's "True Stories"

Title: “The Adventures of George and Mabel” Subtitle: Kind of, sort of, could be! True Stories  Genre: Creative Nonfiction or based on more almost (Kind of? Sort of? Could be!) True Stories Author: Stefanie Hutchenson ASIN: B086J31PX3 Available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/35VubSA Reviewed by LB Sedlacek George and Mabel and a host of new characters (or real life folks depending on how well you know the real George and Mabel) are back with a host of new adventures and fun filled tales. This is sweet southern liter ature at its finest, reading these stories simply make you feel good all the way around or make you think about things just a little more. Hutcheson derives her tales from real life events that she makes into heart warming or heart wrenching stories take your emotional pick. As an avid reader, I like to be entertained and escape into the book when I read. These stories center around “Charlie Brown,” family meals, one tube of Chapstick gone awry, almost running out of gas in the NC mountains and so many other wonderful spontaneous moments. Reading Hutcheson’s writing is like cuddling up on the couch with a blanket watching a favorite movie or sitting in your reading ch air or nook enjoying a book, newspaper or e-book. In this follow up to the first book, you will get to experience more of the love and companionship shared by the two main characters and how they live their lives with a sense of upbeat curiosity. These tales even at the most poignant moments will brighten your day. You’ll have a good time reading this, I sure did! More About the Author Stefanie Hutcheson (1963-) grew up in Burnsville, North Carolina. Although it took her nearly nineteen years, Stefanie finally completed her BA at Mars Hill College in 1999. Prior to graduation, she spent several years as a wife and mother, raising her family in Mills River, NC, before moving to Lenoir, where she now resides. lbsedlacek@gmail.com lbsedlacek More About the Reviewer LB Sedlacek’s is the author of several books of poetry including “The Poet Next Door” (Cyberwit), “Happy Little Clouds” (Guerrilla Genesis Press), “The Adventures of Stick People on Cars” (Alien Buddha Press) and “Words and Bones” (Finishing Line Press). Her first short story collection, “Four Thieves of Vinegar & Other Short Stories” came out on Leap Day 2020 from Alien Buddha Press. Find out more: http://www.lbsedlacek.com Reach her at lbsedlacek@gmail.com. Tweet with her @lbsedlacek

More About the Blogger and What This Blog Offers

  

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Note about other #TheNewBookReview free services: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too!

Lois W. Stern, educator, anthology editor, and authors' advocate, offers a way for authors, readers, and publishers to find new reviewers for their books. It's also a way for reviewers to find new books at no charge. Find her submission guidelines in the tabs at the top of The New Book Review home page.  

 Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

Thinking About Self-Publishing? Try Carolyn Wilhelm's UDEMY Book for Very, Very Beginners

My clients come in two sizes: Those who struggle with finding readers for their books or who are spending too much money publishing and marketing them and those who are toying with the idea of self-publishing but know nothing about it. Until now, I had no inexpensive resource for the latter to learn a bit more before taking the publishing plunge. But when I found this video (read that "video!") course at UDEMY.com today, I couldn't wait to let my #TheNewBookReview visitors and subscribers know about it. Please do any newbies you know a favor and let them know Carolyn's (another Carolyn, not me!) online tutorial. It's easy and truly very basic and quite all-encompassing view of what they need to know to get started--or to know what aspects of publishing they want to hire someone to help them with. 

Here is the course at UDEMY for you to peruse:

https://www.udemy.com/course/self-publishing-from-the-very-very-beginning/

And here is more information on Self-Publishing for the Very Very Beginning Writer: 

This course has video demonstrations, templates, and instructions for the beginner to create eBook and paperback manuscripts, learn some ways to get additional online links to the book sales page, prepare a cover as a print-ready PDF, learn how not to compress images in Word, and learn about ISBN's and copyrights. Adobe Pro is used in a few lessons but alternative methods are described. 

Step-by-step printable direction PDFs for working with book templates are included.

Easy templates include the following:

Chapter Paperback Word Doc Template 

Chapter eBook Word Template

Children's Picture Book PowerPoint Template for a Paperback and an eBook (8.25" X 6" paperback with bleed)

Children's Picture Book 8.5" X 8.5" Paperback Word Template

Videos include the following and more:

Free Accounts for Self-Publishing

There are several free online accounts that will allow you to publish eBooks and paperbacks. This video discusses Kindle Direct Publishing, the sales page, Amazon Author Central, Goodreads as a reader, and Goodreads as an author. 

Quick Overview of Social Media for a Book

Social media can be carefully used to provide links online to your book sales page. Quick overview.   

Copyrights

When the manuscript is finished (or finished and published) it should be copyrighted within 90 days. 

Begin with an End Plan

Begin with the end in mind so that decisions made later will not require revisions and extra work. Start out with a plan to be most efficient and reach your goals. 

Be Consistent with Metadata

Be careful to use the exact same title, subtitle, and author name on all documents to be published such as eBook manuscripts, paperback manuscripts, and covers.

Copyright Page 

Word Doc and PDF provided to edit for your own book. 

Set-up Word so Images will not be Compressed

If your book has photos or art, before typing the manuscript, Word should be set up to not compress images.

Set-up Acrobat Pro 

If using Acrobat Pro to create PDFs, set up Word so that images will not be compressed when saved as a PDF.

Prepare the Kindle Manuscript

This video has a demonstration of preparing a Kindle eBook Word document from scratch. A generic Word Doc is provided which meets the new requirements. 

Table of Contents for Kindle 

Learn to insert a table of contents that will have links for eBooks, learn to update it, and see how to see/check your work by downloading the Kindle previewer for PC or Mac. Two supporting documents are included in this lesson.   

Online Cover Creators

Kindle Create to Embellish Manuscripts

Convert Paperback Manuscript to eBook Format

Fonts in eBooks

Paperback Manuscript How to and Free Template 

Create your own paperback manuscript using the directions and lesson resource template.

Table of Contents for the Paperback

The Table of Contents (TOC) for a paperback is different from the eBook format.

Create a Full-bleed Children's Paperback with PowerPoint

This video shows how to use a PowerPoint file sized to publish a 8.5" X 6" children's paperback.  Template provided.

Create a No-bleed Children's Paperback with Word

This lecture has a video about creating a children's paperback using Word (no other software is required) to make an 8.5" X 8.5" book. A sample Word doc is provided. 

Use Word and Adobe Pro to Create a Full-bleed Children's Paperback

This lecture has a video, a step-by-step guide, and a Word document that may be used to create both a paperback and an eBook from the same file. For this paperback, Word, Adobe Acrobat DC Pro, a story, and illustrations are required.

There are 41 videos in all. Other topics include figuring out which is the left-hand and right-hand page in documents, finding the financial information reports in KDP, uploading to KDP, and some troubleshooting. 

Also, students may ask questions and a video may be created which could be added to the course. 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Wilhelm is the is an educator and author of an acclaimed Young Adults novel, Climate Change Captives 2035 and Project Save. She offers teaching aids, many of them free on Pinterest and is a great retweeter on Twitter @wiseowlfactory.  

MORE ABOUT BLOGGER AND WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS BLOG

 The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is her most recent How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically (http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews ) that covers 325 jam-packed pages covering everithing from Amazon vine to writing reviews for profit and promotion. Reviewers will have a special interest in the chapter on how to make reviewing pay, either as way to market their own books or as a career path--ethically!

This blog is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Note: Participating authors and their publishers may request the social sharing image by Carolyn Wilhelm at no charge.  Please contact the designer at:  cwilhelm (at) thewiseowlfactory (dot) com. Provide the name of the book being reviewed and--if an image or headshot of the author --isn't already part of the badge, include it as an attachment. Wilhelm will send you the badge to use in your own Internet marketing. Give Wilhelm the link to this post, too!

 Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. #TheFrugalbookPromoter, #CarolynHowardJohnson, #TheNewBookReview, #TheFrugalEditor, #SharingwithWriters, #reading #BookReviews #GreatBkReviews #BookMarketing

TheNewBook Review Honors Our Treasured Volunteer Reviewers

Hi, my name is Lois W. Stern and I want to welcome you to part three of TheNewBookReview's reviewer program, where we continue to celebrate the authors, readers, publishers and reviewers who capture our spirit of enthusiasm for the printed word.  

Now, as part of our "Authors Helping Authors" project, we want to honor each of our treasured volunteer reviewers who accept our offer to review a book from our growing list of review requests.  

Here are two ways we can celebrate you:

1) Once each volunteer reviewer has followed the steps below, Carolyn Wilhelm, our talented Image/Banner gal, will create a social networking image for you to use for any of your personal marketing endeavors.

2) Once you post a review for one of the books listed on TNBR Review Request list, we want to let all our viewers know that you have caught our Authors Helping Authors spirit. What better way to celebrate you than by placing a link to a review you have posted for another author under the Gold Star Reviewer emblem in the column on the genre chart where your book title is listed.

Lois W. Stern Offers Free Ethical Reviews and a Free Image/Banner for Marketing Purposes

How would you like a FREE image, similar to the one pictured above, but emblazoned with your name, book cover and headshot? Just imagine . . .  You will be able to place it on all your social media platforms, your website, Amazon profile page . . . even on places like your letterhead, signature file and more. Really, the sky's the limit. And did I tell you it's all yours free of charge?

Carolyn Howard-Johnson, the creator of this award winning blog, invited me to be her TheNewBookReview book review coordinator and Tweets these postings to her over 41,000 followers. Carolyn Wilheim is the talented IT smarty for this blog and designs our marketing images for this blog and our participants for free. What a generous offer from a multi-talented gal! We have become a Team of Three. 

Lois W. Stern

We are a team of three. You are part of our team too. All you have to do to get your own marketing image is read through our book descriptions and select a book of interest to you. What a gift just for reaching out to help a fellow author!

Learn more.