Patrick Swayze's Memoirs Gets Published

Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, acquired world rights for Patrick Swayze's memoir which he plans to write with his wife Lisa Neimi

The story is basically there because the Dirty Dancing star started to fight pancreatic cancer since the year before. The book is said to come out during the fall

Some people don't even have such an excuse to write a memoir - well unless it is to make money. But Patrick Swayze does deserve some credit

Even Matthew McConaughey's Mom Is Now A Published Author

The woman on the right wouldn't be familiar to you, but you'd definitely recognize her son - Matthew McConaughey.

Banking on her son's fame as well (like many authors these days), it wouldn't take that much talent to get this book across.

Anyway Kay McConaughey has decided to pen her own book entitled, "I Amaze Myself!" apparently it talks about herself. Her life with her more famous son, her now deceased husband (who she openly claims to have died during sex with her) and about again her more famous son's new child.

She even set up her own website - I Amaze Myself.

Well I'm amazed that for sure. Good luck to her though.

The Twilight Hysteria! Breaking Dawn In Stores Today! How Did This Housewife From Arizona Do It? How Did Stephanie Meyer Get Published?

If you have just come out of a 3 year hibernation, then you must have missed Stephanie Meyers' great rise to fame now that her 4th and last book "Breaking Dawn" has been released

So who is Stephanie Meyer?

Before becoming a best-selling author, Stephanie Meyer was an ordinary home-maker, a native of Arizona. She attends Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which means she is Mormon and that there are no erotic scenes on her book.

She first released Twilight in 2005. It made the rounds on New York Time, Publishers Weekly, Amazon and Teen People. So even then it was acknowledged that she had the potential to even sell more books. An even more unexpected turn-out came when the sequel New Moon was released, and it was a hit ever since.

They're even making a movie! It's like every author's dream come true. Publication, a feature length film and one best-seller after another. Stephanie Meyer is now a household name. I should know, I'm a thousand or so miles away from the Unites States and I know who she is!

My friends have pre-booked their copies of Breaking Dawn weeks ago and we've been reading about her phenomenal successs day-in and day-out. Makes me wish I were a stronger writer.

How did Stephanie Meyer, virtually an unknown author 3 years ago become such a phenomenal best-selling author?

I had to do the research of how she did it. And I have to admit it sure didn't sound like it was easy. Stephanie Meyer started with a dream. Like all authors - she had "THE" dream. The dream that started her story - the dream that started "Twilight."

But not until she took the pain-staking effort to put everything together did she ever come up with a 500-page masterpiece. Sleepless nights with 3 bounding boys, she had to make time to write her chapters. She let her sister, Emily, read through chapter by chapter as she finished them. And Emily told her to get published.


Even Stephanie Meyer had a hard time getting published. She sent out about 15 queries to publishing houses and literary agents and Stephanie Meyer got 8 rejections - let me spell that out, Twilight got EIGHT REJECTIONS when Stephanie tried to get it published.

Now isn't that just a big relief? Knowing that even literary agents can be wrong.

But Stephanie pulled through when a girl from Writer's House came back to her and asked to read the first 3 chapters. The feedback was good and she was approached by Jodi Reamer who became her literary agent. They worked on the manuscript before sending it out to publishing houses, which by the way went out to 9 - yes NINE publishing houses before it even got any attention.

They had to polish it even more and rename the title (from Forks to Twilight) and eventually got the deal of a life time from Little, Brown and Company. According to Stephanie, the deal was so big she thought it was a hoax, and I do believe the deal is just going to get better.

Stephanie Meyer will release another book soon, still in the realm of Twilight but this time from the male protagonist's perspective - Edward, instead of the one from Bella - which is the topic of the Twilight series.

So just to put it all together, it took Stephanie Meyer approximately 2 years to write Twilight and get it published. It took a whole lot of determination and hard work, some guts and support from family and friends to bring the story of Bella and Edward into the millions of young adults all over the world.

Express Book Publishing Package By iUniverse - Your Book Out In 45 Days

iUniverse just launched the Express Publishing Package, dubbed as the fastest publishing option in the market. It is a book publishing package that offers the same basic features of our Select Publishing Package but is designed for authors who need to have their book available by a specific date. If you have an event or special occasion scheduled in the next 60-90 days because according to iUniverse website, your book will be available for order in the iUniverse bookstore about 45 days after you complete your manuscript submission. This package costs $1,199 and is only for online submissions.

"The Express Publishing Package is another example of our ongoing efforts to increase and diversify the range of services we offer to aspiring authors," said Kevin Weiss, chief executive officer of iUniverse's parent company Author Solutions. "Most importantly, this offering meets the expedited needs of authors who have an event or special occasion scheduled in the next 60-90 days."

Priced at $1,199, Express offers the same basic features of the iUniverse Select Publishing Package but is designed for authors who need to have their book available by a specific upcoming date. Among its many features, Express includes ISBN assignment, custom cover design, up to 10 free production-ready interior graphics, one free paperback copy and worldwide distribution through the Barnes & Noble and Amazon online bookstores.

This is one of the most aggressive publishing packages I've seen to-date. I think Outskirts Press offers the same quick turn-over for a lower rate, they are quite comparable. You have to make sure though that you follow a strict schedule. iUniverse even mentions that author copy should be returned in 5 days so that's pressure on the author to deliver as well.

Xulon Press And The International Christian Retail Show 2008 Publishing Promotion

Xulon Press is set to attend the annual International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) convention hosted by the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA).

February is the LAST MONTH for you to get in on this once-a-year opportunity - and to SAVE $500. Xulon Press is already preparing for this annual mega Christian book conference, which will be held this year in Orlando, Florida. We're designing a beautiful exhibit and training the staff to talk about our books to curious onlookers.

You can get published for as little at $999, and $500 OFF the regular cost of Xulon Press' "Best-Seller" program (this gets your book in our exhibit at the Christian book convention). The deadline to submit your manuscript is February 29, 2008.

Xlibris $999 Complete Publishing Package?

The Xlibris promotion for January has remained the same with service upgrades but Xlibris just unveiled a new package so it seems?

A $999 publishing package that's said to be available only until January 31. I've looked at it and the product itself looks pretty solid to me. Includes some features that are typically not found in a book publishing package that would be below a grand these days. View more detail on the specs of the book publishing package of what they call their All Inclusive Publishing Package For $999


The descriptive page itself looks like it was outsourced. You'd be surprised at how different the color scheme is from the typical Xlibris. But who knows these days with self publishing companies like iUniverse moving in with Authorhouse, maybe Xlibris is looking to partner as well.

iUniverse Publishing Promotion: 50 Free Books For $300

Here's one of the coolest offer I've come across so far from iUniverse. You can get 50 free books for $300 - BUT you have to purchase one of their publishing packages. The offer isn't bad if you don't mind getting stuck with 50 books at the start of 2008 (if you plan to give them away next year or sell them yourself though then you'll be all set).

Promotion Description: Receive 50 EXTRA paperbacks for $300 with every Premier Pro, Premier, Select and Poetry Publishing Package purchase.

Code: EXTRABOOKS

The discounts offered by iUniverse have been extended too (like everyone else) so looks like we have more time to think about where we really want to get published.

Authorhouse's Six Steps to Publish Your Book in 2008

Here are 6 steps to publish your book from Authorhouse

With Christmas just a few days away, the New Year’s Resolution season is in full effect. Last year, we highlighted the top ten resolutions for writers. Those tips can help you start writing and keep at it, but several AuthorHouse authors have asked about specific goals to publish a book. If you’re ready to make 2008 the year you publish, consider these crucial steps.

Pick a target date for holding the first copy of your book in your hands
Staying focused on a specific date will help you remain productive. Set a date that you’ll have to work to achieve, but don’t make it unrealistic or unattainable. Many first-time authors pick dates with special significance, such as a birthday, professional meeting or speaking engagement.

Set a schedule to meet your goal
Once you pick your publication date, work backwards, putting dates on a calendar of when you need your manuscript completed and submitted. Also, build in time for illustrations or editing, if needed. Experienced self-publishing companies such as AuthorHouse can help determine a schedule that works best for your needs.

Pay attention to the best time and place for you to write productively
Most experienced writers say they’ve learned there are better times and settings for them to write. Just like athletes, certain conditions can put a writer in the “zone” where words flow freely. Once you’ve figured out where and when you do your best writing, commit to writing regularly in those conditions.

Make yourself accountable to someone for finishing your book
Choose someone who will help make sure you’re staying focused. It can be a friend, family member or someone familiar with book publishing. AuthorHouse representatives have served in this role for thousands of authors. You may also be able to find another writer who also wants to complete their manuscript in 2008, and you can keep each other moving forward throughout the year.

Create a marketing plan for your finished book
The success of a book is often directly tied to successful planning. To maximize your sales potential, a successful marketing plan must be in place before your book launch. Develop a plan for how you’ll get the word out about your new book. Your own Web site, press releases, book signings and speaking engagements should all be considered.

Plan an event to celebrate your book’s publication
Writing a book can be one of the most enjoyable accomplishments of your life. Celebrate by throwing a launch party or scheduling a book signing at a local bookstore. This is more than a book—it’s part of your legacy. Take a few moments to celebrate your achievement and capitalize on the buzz you’ve created for your new book.

Xulon Press Will Increase Prices On Dec. 1

I received an email today from Xulon Press announcing that they're increasing their prices on Dec. 1, also encouraging me to publish my book now before their prices go up.

The email itself was nicely worded, explaining that they had to increase prices after 7 years now. There is also the deal of being able to take $650 OFF the price of their "Best-seller Program."

8th Harry Potter Book - Coming Soon?

Harry Potter enthusiasts, children and adults alike are being intrigued by a new website acting like a teaser for something in relation to the Harry Potter series, with his dad - Jame Potter seeming to take the lead role this time. The title says James Potter and The Hall of Elders' Crossing. Sounds very Harry Potterish to me.



A spokesman for Warner Bros, the company that brought Harry Potter to the big screen and was believed to be behind the website, did not confirm or deny its involvement in the “secret test marketing” when contacted by NEWS.com.au.

You'll need passwords to read snippets of an online book that doesn't really reveal anything about the website or what it is trying to promote. Mostly magic stuff similar to what Harry Potter used to learn in Hogwarts as well as concepts in the world of wizards. There is certainly some connection as copyright information is stated on the website. Many have commented that it could just be a hoax. But if you're interested anyway...

First password: Genisolaris
Second password: Corsica

I guess this is the common denominator between readers and writers - good books. In this case a very crafty marketing ploy at the very least. The website isn't amazingly impressive, but it does showcase some professional features. It makes me think of how I would like to market my book when I get it published. This should revolutionize book marketing.

The 8th Harry Potter Book - NOT Published?

For all book-lovers out there, J.K. Rowling added one more book to her Harry Potter series.
According to Publsher's Weekly, "The Tales of Beedle the Bard is the real-life incarnation of a collection of wizarding fairytales mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as a gift left to Hermione by Professor Dumbledore."

Apparently the book is handwritten and contains illustrations by Rowling. This has to be one of the most personal books ever written as according to J.K. Rowling - writing the book “has been the most wonderful way to say goodbye to a world I have loved and lived in for 17 years,” she told the AP.

Only seven copies of the title were printed, with a brown leather binding and elaborate silver and gemstone decorative accents. Reuters reported that in a dedication to the book, Rowling states, “Six of these books have been given to those most closely connected to the Harry Potter books during the last 17 years. This seventh copy will be auctioned; the proceeds to help institutionalized children who are in desperate need of a voice. So to whoever owns this book, thank you—and fair fortune be yours.”

Sotheby’s will auction the book December 13 with an opening price of $62,000. The winning bid will be donated to Rowling’s charity The Children’s Voice.

I hope whoever gets the last of the 7 copies, will post the book online for the rest of us humble-folk who will probably never lay a hand on it.

I'm willing to bet though that time will come, this book will be published - especially with the growing demand and hype. Maybe that's the point of all this - to make some noise and establish the relative demand of the book - and then they can publish it full tilt, because right now I still see some copies of the Deathly Hallows already at something like 10% off in some bookstores. Guess that's how traditional publishing works.

If a 13-year old can do it, why can't I?

At 13, he became a published author
'DRAGON'S TALE': His mom made him an offer: If you finish it, we'll get it in print. Story from Anchorage Daily News by Becky Stoppa



A 13-year old got published just recently with Xlibris. Not published in the traditional sense where his manuscript is picked up by one of those big shot publishers and then commercialized. Not published in the sense that he gets paid in advance for royalties. It's the opposite kind where he paid his publisher $1200 to get published. I think that's what they call self publishing. It's not so bad I guess considering that he's 13 years old and now has a book to his name - plus a newspaper article too. Not a bad deal I guess